Konoha
The journey to Konoha would only take five full days at the current pace they were going, but Yashiro needed to review formations and objectives with the newfound squad. With the removal of Izumi and the new addition of Sasuke, Yashiro felt he had his work cut out for him. He knew nothing much about the young Uchiha's skillset.
"You're new to the chokuto, it's obvious. Shisui, show him how it is done."
Shisui angled his tanto against Sasuke's.
Sasuke's grip loosened as he was no match for Shisui's brute strength. The tanto came down, and fast, quick enough to leave a mark on Sasuke's cheek.
"Don't go easy on him, Shisui. You're entering the Chunin exams. This is life or death. Understand?"
"Yes, sir."
Sasuke fell to the ground with a painful thud. His sword flew a few meters away. Above him, Yashiro hovered, high and mighty.
"You've lived a sheltered life, y'know that? That's what all of you young Uchiha are like. You've not had to struggle as much. It's why you grow slow."
Sasuke glared at Yashiro. He kept his lips pressed firm, and did his best to avoid riling up the old man further. It had been like this for days. Sasuke was the focus of training. Sasuke would get beaten, bloodied, and forced to do it all over again. All the while Yashiro used his words to knock him down even further.
At this rate, Sasuke hardly felt like getting back up. He wondered if he even could.
Shisui knelt to give a hand to Sasuke. "Even so, that was great practice with your new sword, huh, Sasuke?"
Sasuke sat up and slapped Shisui's hand away. He was angry with Shisui just as much as he was with Yashiro. Even with Itachi, he was frustrated. He just couldn't keep up with either of them.
Insulted, Shisui stood back.
Sasuke rose on shaky legs and wiped the blood from his cheek. His bangs hid his face as he limped off into the direction of the babbling water not far away.
"Where do you think you're going?" Yashiro hollered.
"To fetch water for the camp."
Shisui sighed while Yashiro grumpily crossed his arms. "Alright then, when you get back it's Itachi's turn to spar you."
Itachi knelt before Fugaku and his mother in their bedroom. It was midnight, and the cicadas screeched their back legs together into an awful ruckus. In three weeks Sasuke would become ten, the age agreed upon for him to start going on missions.
Fugaku sat cross-legged in front of Itachi. He blew from a pipe as smoke wafted into the air. Itachi hated the smell as it reached his nose. It was a musty sort of bitterness that gave him headaches. He did his best to ignore it.
"What is it you wanted to talk about?"
"Father," Itachi began. "I would like to propose we change the age of a recognized shinobi from ten to at least twelve."
At this, Mikoto shot a worried look at Fugaku. He, however, remained unfazed, but a fire burned in his eyes. It was a sliver of flame that accused his son of wanting to challenge him, and in turn, challenge the clan.
"Why do you propose this?"
"From my observation, many of the recognized shinobi villages are graduating their children from academies at the age of twelve with exceptions to this rule being those of extreme caliber. It is—"
Fugaku grunted. "Cut to the chase, Itachi. This is about Sasuke, isn't it?"
Itachi met his father's eyes. "Yes."
"He seems to be performing well from the reports by his instructors. He takes after you in that regard. He's a bit unrefined, but that's nothing a mission or two cannot correct. He's ready."
There it was. The final verdict. If it wasn't such upsetting news to Itachi, that would have been the end of the conversation.
Itachi's hands gripped his knees tightly. By all accounts, Sasuke had the skill, but that was what wasn't eating Itachi up to the core. There were still enemies beyond their settlement, enemies that picked off a bunch of children who recently reached the tender age of ten. They all had the same marks as Sasuke. Some were probably even better. But all the same, they were still children who had yet to prepare effectively against the enemies that lurked outside.
Sasuke may be skilled, but he was not ready for that, and the very thought of sending Sasuke out there, and with a high chance of being alone on those missions to be ganged up on spelled certain death.
"He shows great promise." Itachi swallowed. "As you say, he is unrefined, and that can cost him his life."
Fugaku shook his head, the smoke blowing from his lips followed suit. "If he dies on a mission from carelessness then that is his own fault. It would be no different than you. You either die or thrive in this world, Itachi. You know that."
"Please, father." Itachi lowered himself into a formal bow. "He will make a fine shinobi. He just needs more time."
"If he could see you right now, hear you even, he'd feel insulted at your lack of confidence in his ability. This is a great disrespect and I will not stand for it."
Anger welled up in Itachi's gut. He did not raise himself. Desperation coated what he said next. "What can I offer that will change your mind?"
Fugaku raised an eyebrow. He rose from his position on the floor and walked over to Itachi. "This isn't a matter of bargaining, boy. I suggest you dismiss yourself and think wisely about your actions. This isn't like you."
"There has to be something. Resources you need, problems eliminated. All I am asking for is two years—"
"Enough!" Fugaku's voice boomed. "You will look me in the eye and apologize."
"Itachi, please let this go," Mikoto pleaded.
Itachi glanced up at his father, his Sharingan ablaze. "I'll secure our borders. I'll take out every last raider, and I will do it in record time. No one will threaten this land again. Certainly, the security of our land is worth what little I am asking?"
"Stand, boy." Fugaku's voice was dark. His lips pressed firm into a frown.
Itachi obeyed. He stood, only for Fugaku to slug him across the face, forcing him right back down to the ground.
Blood trailed from Itachi's now split lip. He rubbed his cheek, his eyes wildly wide, a growing frightened expression stretching across his face.
"You have one week to take out every threat in our vicinity. Make them fear the Uchiha name. And if you can manage that, which I doubt you can, then I'll agree to your ridiculous request. But mark my words, Itachi. You're only putting off the inevitable. You can't protect Sasuke forever."
At that, Fugaku left his room to walk outside the veranda. Mikoto rose and approached Itachi, offering to tend to his injury. Itachi shook his head and rose to his feet.
He had no time to waste. If he were going to pull this off, he would have to start now. Time was ticking, but to Itachi, it was the seconds added to Sasuke's life that mattered more.
Sasuke walked over to the stoney edge of the river. He cupped his hands and let the cold water soothe his wounds. He then brought a handful to drink, relishing in how fresh the water was. It made him forget, just briefly, the pain he felt inside and out.
Across the bank with a makeshift fishing rod was Itachi. Sasuke watched him as he reeled in a fish, and with gentle mercy, he ended its flailing gasps for air. He then stored the fish in the bag on his side.
Sasuke wondered what it would have been like, if all those years ago, they had left to live off in the wild on their own. It was purely escapist, but Itachi knew how to survive, and Sasuke could learn. When the idea came from Itachi's lips, Sasuke had been eager at first. Then they wouldn't have the pressure of the clan or all the funerals that followed.
Itachi could fish them up a feast and then Sasuke could cook it all with some fire-style ninjutsu. They would sleep under a canopy of stars, and when it rained, they would make mud huts or use leaves and sticks until they built their shelter. Or maybe they could live in a cave. Maybe Shisui could join them and they'd make tea, and Sasuke would sneak out and buy his big brother Dango from a village not too far away.
They could train all day and then when they were all old enough, they could explore the rest of the world and protect innocent people. Hell, Sasuke was even open to seeing if Konoha was really all that it was cracked up to be. They could hide their Uchiha lineage, start off at tourists, and then live a quiet life.
But all of that was a pipe-dream. If they were to leave, the Uchiha would track them down and in the name of the fearsome Uchiha Madara, they would be burned ablaze. He shuddered at the thought of watching Itachi burn up in agony. It's what worried Sasuke many nights. Before they left, Itachi wasn't even speaking to their father. Fugaku had also been rather curt with the both of them. If Itachi wound up dead from the clan, Sasuke knew it would have had something to do with him.
"Sasuke," Itachi called. He walked on the water toward his little brother. "Looks like you were practicing hard."
"I guess," Sasuke said. "I'm apparently sheltered."
Itachi knelt next to Sasuke and gripped his hand. With his spare, he reached into his pocket and retrieved gauze. "Do you think that's true?"
"Compared to you, yes."
Itachi wrapped the gauze around Sasuke's hands as the boy winced. "What's so wrong about being sheltered when it is the generation before you who made it so?"
"Because!" Sasuke shouted. "It makes me weak! I'll be picked off and father will be embarrassed with me, and then I can't help you or Shisui!"
Itachi chuckled and finished wrapping the gauze. He patted Sasuke's palms. "Don't be in such a rush to grow up, little brother."
Itachi gripped the canister of water and began to fill it up while Sasuke watched. The gentle breeze blew strands of Itachi's hair and threatened to pull his ponytail out from under his collar.
His brother was always so kind with him. To the clan he was the prodigy that could save the Uchiha, even if he had fallen from grace as of late.
Sasuke hated to imagine the burden on Itachi's shoulders or the depth of pain in his voice as he spoke to Sasuke about growing up too fast. Sasuke didn't have to wonder. He knew that Itachi never had the luxury of growing up at his own pace.
Hazuki held her daughter the night of the ceremony as if she would never see her again.
"It's for the clan," Izumi said, tears filling her eyes. "I'm going to be a great medic."
It broke Hazuki's heart. Izumi had learned medicinal properties of herbs for the sake of her clan, but she had no talent or skill for medical ninjutsu. It had been a complete lie fabricated in the chamber of negotiation between her clan and Otogakure. Izumi did not have the chakra control for medical ninjutsu—her training session with Kabuto Yakushi proved as much when they tested the idea.
No, what she was coveted for, what brought her shivers of terror, was the way that man, the leader of Otogakure, licked her cheek and pointed out how lovely her Sharingan was. For the deal to work, she needed to be out of the picture for the Chunin exams without dishonoring her mother. That was her terms in exchange for the lie that was medical ninjutsu.
They said they would teach her to be effective in exchange for studying the Sharingan. She needed to become a medical ninja and join Otogakure as part of the alliance. They were planning to use her skills for as long as the alliance held. She would have to study hard and become an indispensable asset.
"I'm so proud of you, my daughter." Hazuki planted a firm kiss on Izumi's temple. "You're going to be a great medic. I know how much you wanted to be one of the Uchiha's first Chunin, but your skills will not only keep you safe, but also the clan's."
"I won't see you for a while, Mom. I'll try to write when I can."
"Of course dear. I love you so much. Your father would be so proud."
Izumi's father, a non-Uchiha, had died in the ninetails attack. That day spurred the Uchiha's abandonment of the village and into the darkest moments of the clan's history. Loss and turmoil surrounded every in a haze of grief. Everyone in the Uchiha clan lost someone or something from those days.
Izumi thought of Itachi. He had been the one to rescue her the night she lost her father. She always watched him from afar, a nervous blush on her cheeks. He was her hero.
He had grown rather sullen during all the attacks from the raiders, but he always was a voice of calm. He had to be. He was a big brother. Izumi wondered if he would let her into his closed-off world. When she heard he had been kidnapped by raiders, she almost lost herself.
Then he came back, and came back with a sickness that she managed to cure him from by following a few herbal remedies her father had taught her, a non-Uchiha. Her father's legacy was that of helping a clan who vowed to never accept outsiders again.
Itachi was never the same after that. He shut himself away from everyone except Sasuke and Shisui. She had expected him to let her in, if only just a little, but he never did. The entire clan was lost to him, and she mourned the loss of a friend who was still alive.
Izumi parted ways with her mother and headed to the ceremony grounds where she was to meet the Oto-nin to take her to the village's lead medic.
The only light in the room flickered. A spider formed a web above the doorway. She slipped in and waited.
It was only a moment before Fugaku appeared before her. She bowed instantly, as was expected.
He raised his hand, beckoning her to stand. "Thank you for your sacrifice."
Izumi nodded. "Anything for our clan, Lord Fugaku. It is my honor."
Fugaku approached a tapestry bearing the Uchiha clan symbol. "You have proven yourself to be quite exceptional and skilled in our clan's arts. It is also to my understanding that you have feelings for my son."
Izumi blushed. She was not expecting this of all subjects to be brought up at her departure. "I—"
"No need to explain yourself. This was a simple observation. We have been watching our three promising Chunin candidates closely. The dynamics were perfect to present Itachi, the heir, as the leading Chunin of your group. Shisui and you made a top-notch support team."
"T-Thank you."
"But this next move is crucial for the clan. Please understand this."
"Yes sir, I—"
He waved his hand for her to come closer. She obeyed, walking over to the tapestry.
"You would have made a great bride, if he were ever interested in such things."
Izumi gasped as a searing pain enveloped her abdomen. In shock, she looked down at her stomach to find a kunai piercing her. Blood soaked her shirt. Her bloodshot eyes looked up in horror to see Fugaku's Mangekyou Sharingan.
"L-Lord Fugaku—" Blood trails dripped from her mouth. Her entire body felt heavy, as if she were a drop of rain falling from the sky to crash into the land.
"You did choose correctly, Izumi. Your sacrifice ensures the Uchiha's survival. That being said, I did not promise a living Uchiha just yet."
His voice sounded as though it were directed to someone else in the room and no longer at her. She tried to turn her head in the direction where she thought that person was, but she found herself growing numb. Izumi's legs gave out and she slid to the floor. Fugaku helped her rest her head on the ground, careful to not injure her further. Blood pooled from her wound. Her eyes, glossy with tears, stared up at the ceiling as the light above flickered.
The darkness from the corner of her vision grew by the minute. Fugaku was gone, his shoes clacking in the distance as thundering booms. The last thing she remembered was being pulled by someone.
"Itachi-kun… please…"
Save me...
For days, Sasuke received kicks to the gut and grazed wounds from kunai, shuriken, and Shisui's tanto. Itachi threw kunai after kunai while Sasuke used his sword to counter. His success rate grew by the day, and even Yashiro had let up on his barrage of insults, if only a little bit.
To be truthful, they did not stop in intensity. "That's pathetic! Attack your teammates with the intent to kill, because at your level, you won't even be able to!"
Sasuke hissed in pain when Shisui pinned Sasuke against a tree with a kunai. Itachi stood a distance away, his Sharingan bright and swirling with a genjutsu at the ready.
"Do you think you can break free from it?" Shisui asked. "Itachi's known for the best genjutsu among us all. In the second round of the exams, if you're caught in one and cannot break free, you can safely assume your life is over."
"It will be hard to break free without a Sharingan," Itachi said.
"That's right, this kid doesn't even have that awakened yet, does he?" Yashiro pinched the bridge of his nose. "That's just rich. It'll be a laughingstock if we parade this kid around when he doesn't even have our clan's kekkei genkai."
Itachi released a deep breath. "Awakening it during the Chunin exams can also set the stage for unprecedented combat that works in our favor."
"The optics still aren't good. I can't believe this." Yashiro threw himself down on the log by the campfire. "Go ahead then, try to escape a genjutsu without the Sharingan. You've got something to prove, eh, brat?"
Shisui let Sasuke go only for him to face his brother.
"Normally you should never look a shinobi with the Sharingan in the eye," Itachi warned. "In this exercise, however, the point is to be captured in my genjutsu."
"I'm ready," Sasuke said.
"Then attack." Itachi said and remained still.
Sasuke charged, chokuto in hand as he tried to slash at Itachi. His brother was quick, and the crows that formed around him were pesky annoyances.
You are in my genjutsu. Itachi's voice boomed around him. What will you do?
Sasuke formed the sign for release, only for nothing to change. He glanced left to right, above and below, in front and behind him only to see that he was completely alone.
You're a coward.
Sasuke jumped. Somewhere in the forest a hooded figure danced among the bushes.
You don't have what it takes.
You're too weak.
You will always be in the shadow of your peers.
Father will never acknowledge you.
That last one was not Itachi's voice. It had sounded like his own.
"Reveal yourself!"
The figure in the forest jumped from the trees. His hood obscured his face. A dark chakra emanated from him. As the wind rustled, Sasuke saw a sinister smirk.
You were only chosen because there was no one else.
Father hates you.
He wants you to embarrass yourself so he can end your pathetic existence.
The clan sees you as a blight. You are a failure.
Everyone else was a ninja by ten at the latest in our clan. How come you're twelve and just now going on your first mission?
Yashiro's right. You are sheltered.
No one trusts you.
Crows began to caw. They swarmed above him, shouting horrid words.
Untrustworthy! Failure! Weakling! Pathetic! Worthless!
"That's not true!"
Crows charged at him, pecking at his arms and legs, piercing him with their beaks. He screamed, falling to his knees. He gripped his head and curled inward. He hoped perhaps he could ride this out.
"It's just a genjutsu! Release!" The signs still did not work.
You're the reason father and big brother don't get along.
Itachi is always making excuses on your behalf.
Even mother is tired of you!
"Shut up!"
Even you can't stand yourself.
You hate yourself, don't you?
Admit it! You hate yourself more than anyone could ever hate you!
Failure! Weakling! Worthless piece of space!
You're a scared, pathetic child!
"It's not true!" Sasuke screamed. "This isn't—I'm not—"
Don't be in such a rush to grow up…
Sasuke's eyes widened. He was no longer in the forest. The crows were gone, the sounds of the forest were replaced with a hazy static. He was floating in a strange world filled with blue and white light, and it was warm. A warmth that he felt right in his chest. It made him feel safe, at peace, and not agonizing over his own self-worth.
Itachi stood before him, a somber expression adorning his face. "So this is how you regard yourself."
"Y-You're playing dirty, Itachi. You went through my mind?" Sasuke shouted. "I thought this was training!"
He could not forgive his brother for this invasion of privacy. He had pried deep into his darkest thoughts, completely unwelcomed.
"This is training. This is a genjutsu anyone could perform on you to exploit your weaknesses. We have a lot of work to do, and not much time."
"Let me just be a disappointment then. That's what I'm good at. The proof's all in this genjutsu."
Itachi burst out laughing.
"What's so funny?!"
"When you talk like that, of course you've already lost. Winning is a skill but to truly win also requires confidence. That's your problem, and I'm afraid that's my doing."
"Then what do I do?!" Sasuke asked.
Itachi took steps toward him. "Abandon all the beliefs you think others have of you. Abandon your own. Become a blank slate."
"A blank slate? What in the world are you talking about?"
"What does Uchiha Sasuke want? Not what he thinks father wants, or what I want, or even what the clan wants. What do you want?"
Itachi poked Sasuke's forehead and smiled deeply. He faded into the hazy, blue glow. Sasuke floated there, pushed back from the touch.
"If you really want to prove yourself, you need to trust in who you are."
The warmth he felt in his chest filled him entirely. The answer bubbled inside, but he could not find the words.
"But who am I?"
When Sasuke opened his eyes again, he saw Itachi above him. His face was blank, unreadable.
"You broke free."
"Pfft. You went easy on him." Yashiro sighed. "Can't trust siblings for anything."
Sasuke sat up, a strange feeling overcoming him. It was that warmth he had felt, that radiating energy that made him feel secure, a feeling he rarely felt except in the small moments when he did something well.
Itachi turned away, walking over to Shisui.
Sasuke felt great. Even though he was sore beyond belief, his mind had never felt better. He knew exactly what he needed to do.
"Yashiro," Sasuke said, steadying himself on his two feet. "Spar with me next."
It was a request that almost made Yashiro spit out his lukewarm tea. "You must really want to be a letdown, huh, brat? Alright. This will be over in less than five minutes."
Sasuke smirked. "Five minutes is all I need."
As Yashiro and Sasuke fought, Shisui nudged Itachi. "What did you do to him?"
Itachi shrugged. "He broke free of my genjutsu. I guess that's the win he needed."
Shisui tugged on Itachi's ponytail, earning a hiss. "No, idiot. I watched him with my Sharingan. He never broke free. You made him think he did, but that's all you are, a good liar."
Itachi rolled his eyes. "You and I both know Yashiro's methods aren't exactly the best at increasing morale."
"So you gave him a confidence boost genjutsu?"
"Is there a problem?"
Shisui wrapped his arm around Itachi's shoulder. "Oh no, I'm just wondering why the hell did you not do that sooner? He thinks he's gonna mop the floor with old Yashiro."
"He might."
"Knowing you, you're practically praying he does."
"Ten minutes," Yashiro huffed. "It took me ten minutes to take you down."
Sasuke panted and held his chokuto outward. "I'm not done yet."
"That's the spirit. And when I knock you down again, get back up." Yashiro lunged at Sasuke, throwing kick and punch and a swipe with a kunai. Sasuke worked to dodge each one, sometimes using his sword to deflect, other times he lowered himself to the ground to trip Yashiro up with a kick.
When Sasuke fell, he shakily stood back up only for Yashiro to bring him down to the ground again.
"Alright," Yashiro said. "I get it. You've got spunk. You can stay down now and rest."
Sasuke groaned. He let go of his sword. He felt satisfied and even though he didn't win, he did feel successful.
That night, Yashiro went to bed in his tent early, leaving the three Uchiha alone by the campfire. Shisui roasted another fish. "That's the perk of traveling. Unlimited food."
He handed the fish to Sasuke who took it with greedy eyes. He munched on the fish, satisfaction from a day of hard-earned, small victories leaving him ravenous.
"Easy now, Sasuke," Shisui warned. "We might have lots of food, but if you eat too much, you'll make yourself sick."
Sasuke rolled his eyes. "Will not, Shisui. It's just very good."
"Hear that, Itachi? My cooking is actually good."
"You're only roasting it," Itachi said. He appeared bored, but there was a hint of a bemused twinkle in his eyes.
"What? You can make it better?" Shisui turned to Sasuke. "Well, who cooks better?"
"Are you kidding?" Sasuke's grin grew wide. "Of course it's Itachi."
"What? But I'm older with more experience. I taught your brother how to roast fish."
"Well he does it better than you. Isn't that right, Itachi?"
Itachi raised his hands in front of him. "I don't think—"
Shisui hunched over and wrapped his arms around the both of them. "I'm the best cook, end of discussion... but that doesn't mean I don't accept a challenge. So, what do you say? When we get back home why don't we host a roast?"
After their debate was handled with Shisui as the acting victor, Shisui announced that he would have first watch. He nestled himself up in a tree and kept his eye on everyone from above.
Itachi finished putting out the fire. He worked to ensure the smoke did not alert any animals or suspicious threats that may make Shisui's night a bit more challenging.
"Are you still mad at me?" Itachi asked.
"Yes," Sasuke said. He was halfway out of the tent the two shared. "You can't just do things like that."
"I wasn't lying when I said any shinobi can."
"That's vile."
"How noble you are," Itachi muttered. "I'm sure you'd do it to me if you had the chance."
"I'll forgive you if you'll let me hit you with a genjutsu like that."
Itachi pondered it for a moment. "Only when you can actually break free from my genjutsu."
"I thought I—" Sasuke's face grew red. "I-Itachi! You even… I can't believe you!"
"Sorry Sasuke, forgive me."
"No way."
But Itachi knew, that as Sasuke grew settled in for the night, that his brother wasn't really all that mad. Not with the way he smiled as he defied Itachi's small request for forgiveness.
You don't ever have to forgive me. Itachi thought. Just stay alive and like this, that's enough.
"Well, here we are. I can't say I'm happy to see this place." Yashiro kept his eyes on Itachi who sized up the large walls, walls that seemed taller than he remembered.
This was Konoha. The place Itachi had tried and failed to return to, and now they could enter without the fear of being labeled traitors. They were here for a purpose.
The sight in itself knocked the air out of Itachi's lungs. He had missed this place, and for the short while that they could, he was going to treasure it. His home.
They walked up to the gates and met Konoha shinobi, jonin in their elite green vests. They stamped their paperwork and allowed them entry into the village. Yashiro kept the group focused as they wandered through the crowds of people who many of which did not know consistent shortages and loss.
When Yashiro took front charge and was engrossed in conversation with Shisui, Itachi brushed up against Sasuke to get his attention. He pointed upward to the back. There, carved from the stone of the cliffside were the village's Hokage. Four distinct faces watched over the land, and their noble stone eyes were watching Sasuke.
For Sasuke's first time outside of Uchihagakure, he could not believe the sights. Itachi had been right. This village, this place he spoke of so fondly, was a lot different than the place Sasuke knew as home.
For one, everyone appeared to be dressed well. There were lots of people who looked incredibly different from each other. Sasuke felt uneasy with some of them, their facial features and odd hair colors reminded him of the raiders. Everyone in the clan had some semblance of similarity. Dark tones, brown or black hair, and eyes that did not stray too far from the same. The people here were all different.
The buildings were well-maintained and shops were full of offerings. Those who had their daily wares cleaned out were stocking up with more from boxes. Abundance. That's what he saw.
People were laughing and joking around. It was not filled with horrible people who intended to wipe the Uchiha out of existence, at least, not on the surface.
This was the Konoha Itachi had told him about so many times before. Itachi's home. The place his spirit felt called to. A land where many clans came together. The land where both of them had been born.
Sasuke wondered what could have been of them if they had stayed. Would they have walked with these same people, oblivious to struggle?
"We'll check into the inn. As a courtesy of his faith in you, Lord Fugaku has allowed you all tomorrow to explore the village to gather resources for the clan. He has spared no expense. Be diligent and report your findings. After tomorrow, we will go over final preparations. The first exam is the day after that. Is that understood?"
Shisui winked at Itachi and followed Yashiro into the inn.
"There's a place I heard that sells fresh tomatoes," Itachi said. "Want to check it out?"
"Fresh tomatoes?" Sasuke beamed. "I… Uh, sure."
"Come on, we might as well get dinner. We can rest later. Tomorrow's the only day to try all the desserts."
"I knew it."
"Truth is…" Itachi's longing gaze caught Sasuke's interest. "There's this shop here that makes the best Dango. I wonder if it's still open?"
"We'll get some." Sasuke promised. "And we'll sightsee a bit, I suppose."
They headed off in a seemingly random direction, their only guide being Itachi's childhood nostalgia. For what it was worth, it was frighteningly accurate.
That night, Sasuke had the best roasted tomatoes in his entire life. That night they slept in the comfiest of beds. In their room they had a strange box that lit up with pictures and made sounds. Itachi explained it was a TV. Sasuke gawked at such a pointless contraption. What function did a TV have in daily survival?
For the longest while, he thought Itachi was crazy to speak so fondly of Konoha. After all, father made it sound as though the village painted the Uchiha as devils who had been marginalized and mistreated since the founding of the village.
Home, Sasuke thought, If this were our home, it's not half bad. Not in the way everyone back home talks about it.
This time, Sasuke wanted to give Itachi the benefit of the doubt. Maybe his wise elder brother was onto something.