Shifting sands:
Two figures followed the chakra path the commander of ANBU had made just a few days earlier. It led them straight out of the west gates, into a large clearing, protected by a strange chakra barrier. Even though the place appeared deserted, Kurenai knew it was inhabited by at least two dozen Uchihas.
They stopped, and crouched down, just as it was about to rain.
"This is a bloody way to make a living," she whispered to Hyuuga Hizashi.
He ignored her, as he methodically checked the barrier. It was silent and still and very dark. Hizashi could hear Kurenai's restlessness and his own haggard breathing. He smirked softly as he found the weakest link.
Well done, Kakashi-kun.
"Kurenai-san, a screening seal is placed just inside the barrier at this point. Stand on it and completely suppress your chakra, it will make you camouflage to the point of disappearance. Are you ready?" Hizashi asked softly.
"Hai."
"I can deactivate this mode," he said gesturing to a small area, "but only for fifteen seconds. You need to be quick in your search, if you do not find the seal you must come back out."
Kurenai nodded. Hizashi raised his hands and gracefully fluttered them about the barrier. It glowed green once, and a parting opened, large enough to let a big hound in.
"You are on your own now," he said softly. Kurenai nodded again, bent low and flickered inside.
Outside, Hizashi counted a slow fifteen and stood up. He jumped up into the trees and began waiting. He didn't have any doubts about the seal inside, what vexed him was the girl. The child actually.
If she failed…
Hizashi took a long breath. The Uchiha clan was well known for their ruthlessness, but that was not what he was worried about. What concerned him most was that, if they failed in this tonight, it will be very difficult to get another lead anytime soon.
Kurenai found the seal almost immediately. She stood on it and did as she was told. As soon as she felt it activate, she moved forward quick and silent as a cat. After running a short distance, she paused as she came upon the gathering of about twenty men. She carefully selected a secure spot up in the trees and began observing intently.
A small fire was burning steadily. Four older men stood around it, and in the middle, on a tree stump sat Uchiha Fugaku. Their manner, even in the forest mud, was stately and neat. About fourteen young men, all in their police uniforms, were standing opposite to the older members.
Kurenai scanned their profiles keenly and recognized many. All Shinobi present held exceptional records, and she was unsurprised to find Itachi in the front row.
"…simply cannot allow this to continue. Our forefather's good sense was what had built this village into what it is today…we cannot allow ourselves to be suppressed by men weaker than us," the old man to Fugaku's right said passionately. It looked like he had been talking for a while.
A silence descended upon the group.
"What are you suggesting, Juro-sama?" Shisui asked politely.
"I am merely pointing out the wrongs done, being done to the clan," replied the man named Juro," We want you to be on your guard, collect vital information from your respective fields. The village is clearly discriminating against us. Sooner or later we will have to fight back."
"There is no differentiation in the ANBU," Itachi replied softly after a few minutes of silence.
"Is that why, among the eight ANBU from the clan, four are dead and three out on back-to-back missions for months?" the elder to the far end demanded, "And that too so soon after Hatake took charge?"
"Forgive me, Fugaku-sama," Itachi addressed his father with a blank face, "but we can make an official complaint to the Hokage-"
"Who will simply order Hatake to investigate into the matter," stated the elder to the far right, "I'm sure you know the implications of allowing the commander of the ANBU into the inner circles of the clan."
"Hokage-sama has turned deaf to the pleadings of the police force. We think he is being delusioned into believing-"
Itachi suddenly stiffened.
"Disrespecting the Hokage is an offence in Konohagakure," he stated calmly, "it is equal to disrespecting the Fire Daimyo himself."
There were several resentful mutterings at Itachi for this rude interruption. The elders were taken aback with surprise. Fugaku remained motionless, only the slight thinning of his lips indicated his displeasure. Shisui looked at Itachi with terrified concern.
"Your clansmen are being abused tactically and you worry about disrespecting the Hokage?," spat the elder," protecting every person in the clan is my duty…and yours too."
"Misdirected anger will only cause more harm than good, Fugaku-sama," replied Itachi evenly, locking his eyes with his father, "and undoubtedly it will cost innocent lives also."
Kurenai felt the air charge with sudden electricity. This was no longer a polite perturbed discussion of clan and ethics. For the first time since Uchiha Madara, someone had openly challenged the clan- elders. Fugaku looked startled and seemed to consider what Itachi had spoken. The elders looked anxious at Fugaku's sudden calm.
"You know nothing, boy," one of them sneered.
"I know enough to recognize the subtle signs of sedition. And enough to stop you from destroying my clan just because a few old veterans are frustrated," Itachi sighed, "This conversation bores me."
And then Itachi, with deliberate offence turned his back to the council members. Loud gasps were heard. Even Kurenai knew how very impolite this was. The invisible thread holding the meeting under control snapped as Itachi was immediately surrounded in a circle. Angry red eyes glared at him from every direction, demanding he kneel and apologize.
Kurenai found herself admiring Itachi's complete lack of trepidation.
"I do not wish to fight you," Itachi spoke softly. He felt the air shift as Shisui flickered behind him and stood back-to-back kunai already drawn.
"Have you lost your minds, fuckwits?" Shisui yelled angrily.
From her vantage point, Kurenai saw the elder to Fugaku's left give an almost invisible nod and the fight broke out immediately. It was the most beautiful fight Kurenai had ever witnessed. The Uchiha moved like graceful dancers, twisting and shifting like butterflies caught in a breeze. Or in Itachi's case, a sleek tiger hunting down its prey, with Shisui intently guarding his back.
And it was all over in a matter of minutes. The dozen police lay battered and gasping for breath. Shisui and Itachi stood beside each other silently considering the fallen men. It was then that Kurenai realized they had not even activated their Sharingan.
"Forgive me," Itachi spoke clearly," but this is necessary," he then made a seal and the men fell down unconscious.
"Pathetic," muttered Shisui.
"Are you two quite done?" Uchiha Fugaku spoke for the first time since the start of the meeting.
Shisui instantly turned and fell on his knees,"Fugaku-sama," he said softly. He then glared slightly at Itachi prompting him to kneel as well. Fugaku waved a dismissive hand at them to stand up. He looked vaguely pleased.
"There have been grumblings about Itachi not being strong enough to lead the clan," Fugaku said, shooting a sly look at the elders," but now they will be silenced I'm certain."
Shisui bent his head low and almost moaned in relief at Fugaku's lack of anger.
Fugaku sighed, "When you are clan-head you need to consider all possibilities and not give in to personal prejudices, Itachi."
"But Otousan-"
Fugaku silenced him with a raised hand.
"The council has gathered proof. I cannot possibly ignore it, Itachi," Fugaku said rubbing his forehead, "we have to look after our men and women. Don't you agree?"
"The clan is my family. I will protect my brothers with everything I have," Itachi said with simple force.
Fugaku's eyes softened.
"Very well," said Juro approvingly," we will not take this any further, but wait until you are convinced of it Itachi-kun. "
"Why don't you investigate and learn the truth for yourself, Itachi-kun," said another elder challengingly, "find out why the Hokage had us isolated so far from the village, why now recruitment drills are different for us in ANBU, and why our trading policies and police authority are being questioned. Is that acceptable to you Fugaku-san?"
"Hai. And Shisui will help you in this."
Itachi nodded slowly.
"How long will they be out?" Fugaku asked gesturing at the fallen men.
"An hour at least," Shisui answered," I can release them from the genjutsu…"
"No," said Juro," Fugaku-san is right. They have to learn to respect Itachi as the next leader. Leave them here, the barrier will offer protection."
Itachi and Shisui bowed again as Fugaku and the elders left. As soon as they were out of sight Shisui turned angrily towards his cousin and punched him hard across the face.
He could have stopped it if he wanted to, but Itachi just stood unmoving. He touched his pale finger to his broken lip and seemed surprised to find blood there.
"If you ever do something like this again…I will drown you in the Nakano river," Shisui hissed.
"You'd miss me so badly, you'd be begging all deities to send me back…isn't that right, niisan?" said Itachi tone teasing.
Shisui ignored his words and continued angrily, "You fucking moron what do you think you're doing?"
"They are trying to start a rebellion, a rebellion niisan! They will destroy everything if we let them be. You can't expect me to be quiet-"
Shisui grabbed at Itachi's collar and pulled, "I don't care. They have enough power to destroy you. You will fucking shut up and stop disrespecting them until you are the head of clan. Do you understand?"
"They are ancient, hardly a threat-"
"Itachi!"
Itachi sighed delicately and rested his forehead on Shisui shoulder.
"I will try," he said, gently releasing himself from Shisui's clutches. Shisui deflated immediately. They stood in silence for a long while.
"Why did you jump in?" Itachi asked finally. He always knew Shisui cared about him deeply, but this fierce loyalty was disarming. Unexpected. Itachi knew what the clan meant to his cousin, and for him to push it all away, to choose him over everything…
"They will be wary of us now," Shisui commented, ignoring his question.
Itachi nodded uncaringly. He liked the way Shisui had grouped them together like that, his heart was speeding up with something. He suspected it was elation.
"Let's go eat…er...is the cut bad? I have medicine with me," Shisui asked sheepishly.
Itachi's mind went blank except for one memory: the moment in the war long ago, when he was a little child, lost and crying. Shisui had appeared suddenly, gripped his hand and claiming him, protecting and feeding him for days. Shisui had loved him then and still did. Everything paled before that fact.
"No. Niisan, you hit like a little girl," Itachi smirked.
"Oi!" Shisui yelled and blurred forward to punch again.
This time Itachi dodged it and disappeared into the forest.
.
.
The atmosphere in ANBU leader's office was quiet and tensed.
Ibiki sat in a chair observing Kurenai and Hizashi mildly, his thoughts elsewhere. Kakashi was leaning on the table, one arm folded across his chest and the other placed delicately upon his chin, a picture of thoughtful reflection.
Ibiki finally turned to venture his opinion but stopped as Kakashi gestured him to be quiet.
"Kurenai-kun, your memory from the last two days will be wiped out by Ibiki immediately," Kakashi said, "the less you know about this business, the better."
"Wha-…I'm not a child, Taichou!"
"You are certainly behaving like one kuniochi," Ibiki stated impassively, "Genin argue with their superiors' not elite ninja in the ANBU. You will go and wait in my lab for me."
Kurenai left with an angry bang! instantly.
"What do you think?" Kakashi asked Hizashi.
"Itachi-kun is the key. He is much too powerful for them to simply ignore his decisions. We need to get Itachi on our side. He can control them."
Kakashi turned silent and thoughtful again.
So, Mikoto-san knew how Itachi was going to react to the council. She was protecting her son all along. If Itachi becomes the clan-head in this present climate, the clan will clearly split into two, with the entire council on one side and Itachi on the other. What more, it will create irrevocable cracks in Fugaku's and Itachi's already strained relationship. It will destroy her family peace forever.
And what if the council somehow convinced Itachi of their allegations? What will happen then? What will Itachi choose to do?
"Why did the Hokage really order Uchiha to move out into the district?" Kakashi asked Ibiki bluntly.
"I do not know."
Itachi will certainly find out.
"Is it true they have different recruitment drills?" Hizashi asked cautiously.
"Hai. But so do the Nara," Kakashi replied tiredly.
"I'm concerned about what kind of action they were talking about," Ibiki said.
Kakashi nodded. He had been wondering at that too. Frankly, he was more than alarmed at the decided way the elders had ventured their opinions.
"We need to act quickly Kakashi-kun," Hizashi said in a low voice.
Kakashi nodded.
Not that he particularly cared about the bloody clan, but…Konoha without the Uchiha or Uchiha without Konoha were unthinkable concepts. And they were going to remain that way.
If he didn't play his cards well, he might end up with a civil war in his hands. No doubt Itachi will need help to investigate, even with Shisui's notorious eyes. All that remained now was how to offer his assistance. His first move must be subtle, neither too much, nor too little, but enough to warrant attention. The prince had to come to him.
He must.
.
author's note:
sorry for the delay, dear reader. was working on another story, "Tangled threads of time" check it out, if you have the time.
hope you like this chap...review plz.