Chapter One.

Sowing.

'Cause I'm looking at you through the glass

Don't know how much time has passed

All I know is that it feels like forever

When no one ever tells you that forever feels like home

Sitting all alone inside your head

[Stone Sour – Through Glass]

I

Shisui took a bow. "Good evening, Mikoto. Is your husband home? I was told to speak to him."

Mikoto smiled. "Yes, he's already waiting for you. Come in." She stepped aside to give him the way into the house.

"Living-room?"

She nodded and briefly touched his arm as he walked through the door. "It's always a pleasure to see you unscathed. Do you want to join us for dinner? Itachi is still out with Sasuke for training, but I'm sure they'll appreciate your company as well."

The smell of coriander and soya sauce lingered in the hall behind the door. Shisui returned Mikoto's brief touch. "Thanks for inviting. But, no, thanks. I've got to leave early tomorrow."

"I see. Things have changed quite a lot lately, haven't they?"

Shisui smiled. From the living room, he heard the mumbling TV. "Well, I think we both know that things haven't even started yet."

Mikoto sighed. "Maybe things won't turn as bad as we expect them now. So far, he hasn't decided to go down that road."

He did, Mikoto. You just don't know it yet.

"So, let's hope for the best then. Konoha is our home, after all."

Shisui, still dwelling right behind the door, stripped off his shoes and lumbered down the hall. On the left side, the stairs led to the first floor of the house; on the right side was the living-room.

Fugaku kneeled on the floor, his back faced Shisui, who raised his hand to knock at the doorcase, but before his knuckles even touched the wood, Fugaku took the remote and turned off the TV.

"Come in," he said without turning around. "Take a seat."

Shisui entered the room and sat down next to Fugaku. A blue, steaming pot was between them. Fugaku passed him a likewise blue cup and poured some tea. Type Sencha.

"You got it?"

Shisui took a sip of his tea, delved into his pocket and pulled out a scroll. "Here we are; a transcript of all of Konoha's security protocols, just as requested."

Fugaku unfolded the paper. His eyes slid along the lines of the script. "Did you cipher the text?"

"Of course."

"The usual code?"

"Yes. Presumably, it'll take you some days to do the transcription; however, I refused to take any risks."

Fugaku pulled back his lips to reveal a cunning grin. "That's why I chose you for this matter. No one is as savvy and sound as you."

"Except for your son."

"Except for my son."

Shisui sipped from his tea again. "May I speak frankly?"

Fugaku poured in some more tea for himself. "Go ahead."

"Please, stop to pull anything over me."

"Excuse me?"

"Your revolution. It's more than an idea. Mikoto may still not believe so, but I know better. Itachi and I don't collect all this information for you without significant purpose. By now, your plans have already taken some clear forms, haven't they? The negotiations with Konoha, the diplomacy – it's all just a show. You made your choice. And I'm willing to bet that Itachi has looked through it, too, already?"

"So?"

"Noting. I just think an operation of such a measure can't do without some frankness. I promise you my full support; however, I want you to let me in on all of your intentions."

"At this moment, my plans are still in a fragile condition. When the time has come, you'll get to hear about everything. You and all the other Uchiha. It's too early now."

"Do you doubt my loyalty?"

"Not at all. But your superiors at the ANBU and the Elders have an eager eye on you. Especially Danzō. The spying itself is already more than bold; however, as long as Itachi and you don't know what any details about what I'm up to, the risk is under control. If you don't know anything, they can't coax something out of you. Not even under torture."

Shisui nodded. "I see. Forgive me my briskness."

"No, it's fine. I appreciate your grit and count on you. Still, I think it'll take years until my vision can turn into reality. And, against all expectations, maybe we manage to solve our problems with the village until then."

"Do you still think so?"

"No. You?"

Shisui didn't give an answer since Sasuke's bright laughter rang out in the hall. "That was great, Nii-san!," the boy shouted. "We're going to do this again, right? Promise me!"

"Promised, Sasuke. If you promise me in return to show mum your injury. You might need some stitches."

"Yes, fine!"

Bare children feet tapped over the bamboo floor in the hall. The boy stopped at the living-door. A small laceration yawned on his forehead over his left eyebrow. However, presumably, the injury was less severe than the blood made it look. "We're back, Dad!" Sasuke reported while he grinned from ear to ear. "Oh, and hi, Shisui!"

Shisui raised his hand. "You had some rough training with your brother, right buddy?"

Sasuke touched the wound on his forehead and smiled even brighter. His cheeks glowed. "Yes, that's right. But I bounced back every single time!"

"Oh, I can see that." Shisui smiled. "I'm looking forward to seeing your achievements. I'll join you two for your next training session."

"You promise?"

"I promise. Still, your brother is right, you know. Your forehead doesn't look too good. Show your mother, okay?"

Sasuke nodded and disappeared from the doorframe.

"You've already turned down Mikoto's invitation for tonight. However, I'd be delighted to welcome you back to our table soon." Saying these words, Fugaku passed Shisui a little, folded paper. By now, this gesture was already familiar: further instructions. "I think it would be a good idea if Itachi walked you home tonight. You didn't have many opportunities to exchange news lately. Right, Itachi?"

"Right, father," answered Itachi who had stepped into the doorframe in the meanwhile.

II

"Did you find out anything?" Itachi asked a few minutes later as he and Shisui were on their way back to his flat.

Shisui shook his head. "No, nothing at all. I'm sorry."

"Never mind. I'm not surprised, you know. My father is a very careful man. So, both of us have to make sure we're even more careful."

"Do you think he suspects anything?"

"Not really, no. But we shouldn't do anything to arouse his hunch. We can't protect Konoha without his trust." Itachi stopped and leaned back his head so he could look up at the flag that waved in the wind. The Uchiha's crest flaunted on the fabric. "Let's not bother him again asking about his plans. We wait until he opens up himself. "

"And we continue to keep this a secret among us two. As soon as we have details, we confide to the Hokage – not any earlier."

Itachi nodded. A few more moments he kept looking at the flag thoughtfully, watched it dancing in the oink sky. Suddenly, his face brightened up and made him looked as young and innocent as he was. You're only eleven years old. Shisui kept on forgetting this far too often.

"May I ask you something? Something personal?"

"Sure, go ahead."

"Do you have a girlfriend?"

Shisui blinked in surprise. "Sorry, what? How do you come with that out of the blue?"

"There is a girl sitting on the stairs in front of your flat. I saw her when Sasuke and I left for training. It looked as if she was waiting. So, I thought she might be waiting for you."

"Do you know her?"

"No. But I think she's pretty; grey eyes, violet, long hair – does this sound familiar two you?"