Last time: We got a look into Petunia just a bit. Well, the Evans as well. Petunia wasn't like her sister – plain she was but, perhaps one letter from an unlikely person she didn't like-Severus was all it took for her to realize being ordinary wasn't so bad. Lastly, Severus met up with Itachi.
Welcome new and old readers and thank you for reviews, fav/following. Hope you all keep on enjoying. As, disclaimer….Why put it? I own nothing, but my imagination anyways.
So, now… Onward!
Chapter 4: A small Tale
Itachi continued to have him over his shoulder until he was lowered to the ground. Erk, what was that smell? No, he didn't need to ask, Severus recognized it -sewer waters. But, why? They went from a tunnel to a sewer? "Itachi-
He stopped as he heard the creaking of a latch being opened. Well at least they weren't going to stay in this foul sewer for long.
"Severus climb up," Itachi's voice resounded from the surface. Severus muttered a sure, climbed up the short latter that led to the top and took Itachi's hand. While Itachi closed back the latch; tightening it back up, Severus looked around. Green flourish, unpolluted air; save the foul sewer, but that meant there was neighborhood near. He was sure of it, but he never seen this much greenery or such beautiful scenery except maybe in books, or his dreams that he would have after Itachi told him of- wait! Pink flowered trees in distance..
"Itachi those-
Itachi nodded; began heading forwards. "Yes, those are Sakura blossoms. Come, we are going to be there shortly. This is a shortcut to the district."
As they passed the cherry blossom trees; Severus followed Itachi and took note they were surrounded by target practice dummies, logs, and poles. No doubt the training grounds. As they kept up the small trek a cluster of dark blue houses, shops with fan symbol proudly decorated and designed into smaller wind chimes-red with the bottom white either with floral designs or nothing at all. The houses were the same shade of dark blue; same symbol, but no decoration on them. Severus wondered where they were going. Obvious was a house, but whose?
he found out as soon as they stopped in front of the house that was little bit bigger in deep within the center of the other houses.
"Welcome, Severus to the main Uchiha family home. My home."
...
Meeting Itachi's parents was nerve wrecking yet somehow bearable. They were not like his parents were. Mikoto Uchiha; Itachi's mother was kind, gentle and pleasant. Did he mention despite being almost in her 40's she looked still as beautiful as he imagined her being? No, well he knew now. She was 38 years old* a long retired kunoichi. Fugaku was strict, stern and held high expectations. He could see it in the man's eyes. If he wanted to show himself Severus knew he had to try –no surpass the man's expectations.
Severus gulped down his nervousness and looked at the parents in their eyes before bowing politely. Itachi said, "Bow low for respect, bow equal if one is equal, but don't bow if one does not deserve respect."
"Wahh!"
" Oh, my, Sasuke's awake." Mikoto turn to leave going to Sasuke. Who?
"My little baby brother, Severus. Let's go see the little guy."
Severus mouthed an oh, following Itachi and his parents. If meeting itachi parents was nerve wrecking than seeing a little crying infant was-well wasn't nerve wrecking at all. The only problem..
Mikoto carried Sasuke in her arms; "would one you like to carry him?"
Itachi took his little baby brother. "Now, now brother here. And, look, this young man too." Severus panicked expression was priceless. Wait, why was Itachi holding him so close to the baby?! Didn't he know..
"Err, I can't hold him.."
Itachi smiled flicked Severus head with other hand, "nonsense," he placed Sasuke within Severus arms. Doesn't he know i'll drop him? I never held a baby before!
"Relax, Severus. You won't harm, Sasuke."
Well, if Itachi believed he wouldn't.. Severus gave silent nod, glancing back at Sasuke who's big black wide eyes were like his own, but innocent just like it should be.
Mikoto smiled. This was cute. Who was this young boy Itachi brought in? She supposed with her husband they find out later from their eldest son.
Fugaku without a hint of emotion on his features watched the three. Specifically the middle one-Severus. He was skinny, look worn, but most importantly the boy looked like a fighter. One who wanted to fight to make someone proud. He had no doubt that person this boy wanted to impress was his eldest, Itachi.
Itachi caught his parents eyes and nodded mutely. He turned to Severus who was studying his little brother it seemed; quite amusing really. However, "Severus, go to a room, you and Sasuke can spend time together there. I need to talk to my parents."
Severus frowned, but he nodded anyways carrying Sasuke with him. He had a feeling the conversation was going to be about him-one he rather not hear.
"I guess I'll unpack later, I can get to know you Sasuke. You're Itachi's little brother."
In response Sasuke yanked on his hair non-to- gently.
As soon as Severus was out of earshot along with little Sasuke, Fugaku didn't hesitate to ask. "The boy...?"
Itachi closed his eyes momentarily. "I found him on a mission to Britain... the one in which find out if that terrorist was a threat to us..." Itachi began trailing off, heading into that first night.
"You, Itachi..the only one I can trust with this mission," the fourth Hokage said standing across from the window, looking outward towards the village below. "Will you take it Itachi?"
"Yes," Itachi knelt on one knee, responding to duty.
Mission was simple come back with information on terrorist wizards and if possible take one prisoner. However, after few days of arriving Itachi stayed close near alleys were they seem to pop out of nowhere when the non-magical folk weren't out an about. He was just roaming the allies, staying close to the streets to gather information-it wasn't hard to follow -what with suddent incidents happening abut; wasn't hard when a green skull was hovering in the skies either. One of those attacks led to a neighborhood that was a filthy as going through a waste dump.
The buildings were ruined, some even in shambles-crumbling down like a door only standing because of its hinges. Trash loitered the street, signs dangled from the shops that were abandoned even the factory mill looked rusted and molded. It was obviously a run-down -smelly-Itachi could smell the stench in the air from waste- it was a good place as any to get rid of something, or one; especially if..
Itachi stopped, pausing to kneel down just at the edge-the end of the factory were a broken pole was bended over crooked way. A little boy.
a boy bruised, tattered clothes and black hair.
Itachi was a pacifist by nature. He hated fighting -war since he was young. And, he hated things like this because sometimes, sometimes he had to put ones like that out of their misery he was just hoping he didn't. So, with that he shook the boy awake.
No response or action.
Itachi flipped him on his back.
Bruises. No, inflicted wounds. Glass-sharp from bottle no doubt. Itachi carefully pulled them out, but the boy was not bleeding. Either he had regeneration or there was something else with his chakra.
Tending to the injuries, Itachi watch for any movement however, the boy remain unconscious. He needed care and here was not where he could leave the boy; deciding with an impulse decision, or perhaps it was that he wasn't one for such things -to help someone in need-Itachi scooped up the boy in his arms and trotted away from the ruin factory.
"I found him just like that," Itachi began again, "but his injuries were worse when I tended him farther than I planned. I had no choice the doctors refuse to take him in-no record, no information.. It was almost as if he never existed..." Itachi trailed off shaking his head, closing eyes before taking a breath. "I figured out he was what they call there-magical. And, he knew it himself."
Mikoto and Fugaku looked at each other then back at their eldest. "Why did you wait so long to bring him?" Mikoto asked softly.
"I couldn't, rather I didn't want him to see more hell. However, I found myself drawn...
"Why don't- It dawn on Itachi if the boy didn't want to return home with such fever; making his temperature rise then that meant... "I see, I'm sorry, Severus-kun. You can stay for little while longer." Staying within a hotel room were Itachi and Severus.
The boy smiled widely. Itachi frowned. Malnourished, wounded injuries enough to kill him, now.. "If you going to stay, we need to get you few things, Severus-kun."
Severus looked questioningly as he tilted his head.
"Bruises, Severus-kun where you getting these?"
Severus didn't look at him, mumbling. "I fell down the stairs on my way here."
Itachi was not convinced in the slightest. That was a clear lie if the boy ever told one.
"We family, right Itachi?" One day as Severus peered into a book, a beginner book on writing the alphabet. Itachi paused in writing his report.
"What do you mean, Severus-kun? You have..
"No!" The boy suddenly shouted, dropping the children's alphabet book. The other book that was on the sofa-another alphabet book, but children's hiragana fell to the floor as well. "No! I mean, yes," he clenched his fist. "I have family, but they argue and...
Itachi put down quill and stood up, short walk knelt in front of the boy, picking up his chin in one hand and wiping tears with the other. "It's okay, Severus-kun. We're family. I like that -we are family."
With a snotty sniffle, Severus nodded; tension gone.
Instead of telling more of the tale Itachi pulled out a couple of letters spreading them out on the table.
Dear Itachi,
I'm going to practice and read my books you gave me all these years. Hiding them from my parents was pretty easy even from my best frind, Lily, surprisingly. I thought it be hard, but it wasn't. It so fascinating magic and Chakra. So many similarities that it almost seem surreal. I love potions! I cant wait till I go to Hogwarts to learn even more!
S.S
Dear Itachi,
Finally! I'm finally a Hogwarts student! The year is great. Write more soon and happy holidays.
S.S
"I never replied to his letters, only visited when he would leave the train." Itach started, breaking the silence, "I felt it was better and I was rewarded with pleasant smile. I didn't interfere with my mission, getting involved with him to the extent I did."
He folded those two up as Mikoto picked up a letter that they haven't read and gasp. Fugaku looked over reading the letter as well. Tear leaks and some blood stains.
The letter read:
I was deluding myself, it why I never put any of this information in my letters. But, I cant take it anymore! I know you said to fight bullies back, Itachi, not to show them you're weak, but I cant. I've decided to keep what I learn a -our secret. You're like a guardian I never had. I..I lost my best friend to the bullies, but even though I gained another friend-it feels empty. Void. Like I came here with intentions to learn magic-improve myself, but after five years...both going to those parents and that school...
I hope I have the courage to tell you what exactly happen, but...
Can I come live with you?
the letter was written just few months ago. Mikoto looked worried. "What did they do to make him leave?"
Itachi closed eyes taking letter from the table it now resided on. "That he will have to tell you himself."
They understood and the conversation was closed. Shortly after, Mikoto left them to go to Severus and her youngest Sasuke. She knocked on the door quietly before sliding it open softly. "Severus-kun?"
She smiled the boy was asleep next to Sasuke. He must have been tired. She'll let them sleep. Slididng the door close she left the room and headed to hers and her husbands room.
Fugaku remained with Itachi. A tense silence fell. Fugaku had a lot on his mind, but he knew his eldest son wanted something in concern with the boy. And, he had a feeling he knew what that something was. After all, he also felt something akin to a good omen would happen if he accepted Itachi request.
"Father," Fugaku waited for him t o continue and he didn't need to wait long. "I like if Severus-kun was adopted into the clan."
A pregnant pause who could hear a pen drop, or a missile launch in the air. It was that quiet however, Fugaku broke that silence with two short words that had Itachi's demeanor relax.
"Very, well."
Okay and, cut! I apologize for the late update! Short I know, but chapters sometimes will be from 2,000+ almost not quite 3,000 words for now that is. If change in the future you know by count, lol :D.
*The ages not much of a difference from series.
Hope you all enjoyed! No, beta..
Edited: 6/26/2020
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