Shichi returned home with his mother up waiting eagerly in the kitchen. Greeting her with a smile, he walked down to the gray walled laundry room. There were some clothes in the washer she hadn't started yet. Pressing the start button, Shichi opened up the detergent. pouring it, the smell of lilac and earth notes filled his nostrils. Shichi chuckled at the thought of smelling like a flower boutique. He preferred the original scent then these. It was Amaya's preference while he was gone. He closed the top of the washer hearing it starts to swish.
Shichi pulled out a warm blanket from the dryer walking down the hall behind Amaya. He caringly draped it around his mother's petite shoulder, going around to kiss her forehead. "Mum," He sat down across the table with his hands folded, posture worn and slouched. The thought of catching up on sleep after his mission was dim and distant due to Sasuke's reckless behavior. "Are you ok?" her son queried. "I don't know what got into Sasuke. Last time I checked he was mourning his brothers' death." He covered his mouth. "I planned on telling you-"
"I know." his mother said in a broke voice. " He told me. I already cried enough...even though it's hard to progress." Amaya got up slowly to the cupboards, her hand pulling the door open. Stillness filled the air, a quiet stillness. She picked up the kettle from the stove and brought the cups over. "I figured as much. I just didn't want to believe it." That hit Shichi. Seeing his mother this way wasn't what he used to. She always was a positive, bashful lady with a fiery streak. She was quiet as a mouse shuffling over the cherry oak floors to the table. Shichi offered help but she just shook her head and smiled. "Honey. I'm okay now. Please," Amaya poured the boiling water in the cup, placing the tea bag in. Shichi reached the sugar cubes from the granite counter. "Please, relax and tell me how you been." Amaya insisted.
"I've been okay, "He lied, not saying anything about being attacked or injured during his mission. He grabbed sugar dropping it in Amaya's cup, stirring it."Its 3 in the morning mom, I'd like you to get some rest after your tea. I plan on going to the market later today, so I can fill up the pantry." Amaya sipped her tea giving an ear to her son's concerns. " I hope you still ate well, you don't want to starve my little brother or yourself.." Shichi joked.
Chuckling with him she took his hand. "Shichi I have been eating.." She marveled at how much he was like Shisui. Caring for others more than himself. " Just like Shisui, always worrying about me." Finishing her tea, getting up, she placed her blanket around her son. Then took care of the used cup. "And you..better not starve, I've got a lasagna in the fridge when you're hungry." Despite Shichi's remembering the dream that woke him up, he was grateful for moms meals. ' I came on time then.'
Shichi tapped her forehead with his pointer and index finger like Itachi use to do. "I know it is your job but don't worry about my mom. I've been on a mission for quite some time. I can handle myself. Thanks though."
That morning Sasuke woke up in the Konoha Hospital with a migraine. The nurses came in rebandaging his head where Shichi impacted him. They put food on the bed tabled with some painkillers in case. The nurses left the room, leaving Sasuke to drift off again. Every throb he felt gave flashbacks of his brother Itachi. "Sasuke, don't you remember?" Itachis voice echoeing in his mind. Sasuke in a dream state felt dumbfounded. His brother walked up and tapped Sasuke's forehead. "I want you to watch over Iashi."
"That child can't be safe if it already has the Sharingan!" Sasuke yelled at the top of his lungs in his mind. He clenched his fist in anger. "You even said it yourself Itachi!"
"Give him a chance, you even needed to have a chance when no one thought you were safe. Watch over him, for me."
"How am I suppose toSasuke saw Itachi fading out and shook back to reality. He held his head sitting upright on the bed. He grabbed the glass of water chugging down with the painkillers. Pulling the bed table closer he picks up the fork, grazing. Sakura worried comes in to heal his frost bitten arm.
Shichi got up after resting, he started the coffee pot for Amaya while she was sleeping. He grabbed a gray woven basket tiptoeing through the living room to the door. Shichi locks it behind him, gently clicking it shut. Breathing in the clean air he meditates to the sound of rain trickling softly in a nearby puddle and leaves. People were pitter-pattering through the damp streets as well as children playing with their friends. Shichi flopped up his hoodie, now going off to the Supermarket.
The village wasn't as busy as usual, just a couple of people roaming the streets or talking with their friends. A couple of children ran around Shichi causing him to halt. He picked up the pace after they weren't around. The wind gently brushed past Shichi, softly blowing his bangs out of his face. He turned his attention to the veggie stands, ambling towards them. He heard shuffling feet beside him. It was his friend Amber from his team. She smiled holding carrots out. He went to reach for them, stopped, redirecting his hands to the lettuce. Her teal hair caressed her face as the wind blew by. Ambers pale skin brought out her purple eye color. Shichi turned his face away in a rigid movement. "Shichi." His cheeks cooled down, turning he faced her. "where have you been? I tried looking for you after our mission. "
"I don't know.." He mumbled "Just getting adjusted to being home again" He looked distressed. She questioned him. "I'm fine. As I said." Shichi remarked.
"Shichi Uchiha! I know better." Amber stomped with hands on her hips. She pouted her lips with a head tilt. "You're more closed off since we left."she places her hand on his broad sholder
"I wish I could have helped." His expression of vexation and cynicism slowly transitioned to a blank slate. The memories of Jumaru and Amber hit him with culpability. The explosion throwing them down a cliff, their cries and silence. Shichi could have helped more. It haunted him that he could only retreat to get medical aid after he snapped. Not much was remembered.
"You had no choice. We both, Jimaru and I were injured. " Stop holding it against yourself." Shichi fills the basket with various vegetables, grabbing some apples as well. Shichi was purposely ignoring her. "You, I was worried about. After that blast, you flew back into a rock. "
Shichi flinched at the flashbacks. "So just ignore that you guys were wounded as well?" He said bitterly. "Those Ninja. They had no business inter fearing with our mission. We weren't even bugging them. We were just relaying a message to the Kazukage about a meeting of some sort." He glanced up at Amber." And don't tell mum about my injury, Please."
"Has it been checked?" He smacked her hand away peeved. His onyx eyes shot through her. Amber scolded him for being so abrasive. "Jumaru and I got healed-" His arms were crossed defensively.
"Good I'm glad. I'll see you later then?" He swooped away in haste. Amber called out to him. He gave her a cold shoulder, his voice got deeper. "Just... DROP IT!" A man standing by looked at Shichi confused and startled. He stormed off after he paid for the food. Shichi was to focus on how he could help his mother then how he could help himself. This caused plenty of friction between his friends.
On the way back home Shichi saw the door open to the house. He saunters to the kitchen to put the food away. He was distracted by a muffling sound in the bathroom. Shichi walked up to the room. Looking in he dropped the basket staggering backward staring at his mom on the floor. "Shichi..help.." Amaya begged pulling herself across the floor to him.