Growing Up Haruno

Chapter summary:

This chapter is plot-centered.

In which, we learn about the role Shisui and Itachi played in preventing the Uchiha Massacre. We already know Danzo is evil but have we ever questioned Sarutobi Hiruzen, the Hokage who just would not retire? He is very influential indeed. Also, Itachi has been assigned an S-ranked mission. What does it have to do with... Sakura?

Chapter 9

When Itachi knew he was being followed, he pretended not to notice. This would have amused Shisui on a regular day but he wasn't feeling particularly cheerful lately especially after picking up on his younger cousin's increasingly unusual behavior. Itachi Uchiha is barely seventeen years old and already, he has received his first official S-rank mission. The mission was long-term and never really needed to expire. He wonders how many missions such as this have been… arranged.

Itachi was being prevented from forming exclusive relationships as a part of the mission details. Shisui thought that it was hardly something they needed to try especially hard at considering he was the Uchiha clan heir and therefore, had serious expectations placed upon him. However, it does not mean it was any less restrictive, especially for Itachi whose life has been carefully curated since his birth.

With all of this in mind, Shisui had to make sure Itachi was not making mistakes this early on. He regarded his young cousin carefully. When it seemed like the teenager had his attention, he gestured his head to the side for Itachi to follow him. Light steps fell in line with his as they walked to a more private place to talk. When they reached a long secluded street, Shisui stopped and leaned against a lamp post. Itachi meanwhile stood in front of him languidly while holding on to a small pack of goods he decided to keep with him. From a distance, they seemed like two young men hanging out on their off days.

"I haven't seen you around in awhile, Shisui," Itachi greeted the older Uchiha.

"Eh, I've been around. Missions and stuff," Shisui replied easily.

"And stuff?"

Shisui ignored the remark and instead gave him an easy smile.

"What about you? What have you been up to lately, cousin," he asked, the beginning of a grin ghosting on his face.

"Missions… and stuff," Itachi blandly parrots the man.

Relieving a chuckle, Shisui folded his arms and looked at Itachi who was just slightly shorter than him and with room to grow.

"Look at you, being insolent to your older cousin."

"What is it, Shisui," Itachi sighed, cutting straight to the chase.

They both knew skirting around the issue wasn't going to make the conversation any easier. Shisui raised an eyebrow at this and regarded the teenager carefully. His long hair was carefully brushed and he was dressed neatly but the strain in his neck and the crease between his lower eyelids and upper cheeks were getting deeper each day. He looked tired and stressed, though wary and alert.

Always alert.

"Serious, as always. Alright then. I'll get straight to the point," Shisui raised his hands in surrender.

"I know of your assignment, and I've submitted my formal opposition to it," he began but paused when Itachi opened his mouth to intercede.

"You are too old," Itachi frowned.

With a shrug he simply replied, "Some marriages have bigger age gaps."

Before his mouth could be pulled into a grimace, Itachi smoothed his face over into a clean slate which earned him a big grin. Shisui noticed the smooth transition of blankness upon Itachi's face and silently praised him for his control.

"I got rejected anyway, which you already knew," once again Shisui paused, thinking carefully before proceeding.

"I'm not gonna lie. It's a shitty mission but at least it's better than… say… a genocide?"

This triggered something in Itachi as his eyes bleed into red. Shisui expected him to lash out, pull them both into a fight or something but instead, he watched curiously as the bloody iris receded back into black. The curly haired man wondered how many more buttons he could push before Itachi really decided his patience was not appreciated.

"Or being mind controlled," Itachi parried.

Shisui choked on his saliva before hacking out a laughter from deep in his stomach. This boy! He's got some nerve bringing that up especially in broad daylight. He was being a hypocrite, he knew, but an Itachi that bites was something new to him. His cousin was always known to be calm and mellow; not sarcastic and cutting.

Shisui recalled the day he was to execute his ultimate technique on his fellow clansmen, an order from the highest rank of Konoha. The Kotoamatsukami was a mind controlling genjutsu so powerful it could plant realities into its victim's head and manipulate them into a false life and belief. Those trapped in the genjutsu can have no will, no freedom and no choice except to follow the orders of the genjutsu caster. Like a living breathing puppet. The abominable nature of the genjutsu makes his stomach churn but it was a necessary evil.

The Uchiha were a clan known for their great sacrifice and battle prowess. They were a clan whose strength was harnessed from intense emotions and drive. As such, when they have been snubbed aside and continuously denied their share of the village since the founding, it caused serious hate and resentment to grow towards Konoha and its ruling members. It wasn't just power that was denied to them...

Shisui remembers the vitriolic conversations between his uncles and aunts. The words his own father spat when any Senju was mentioned and how disconsolate they were every time a Senju and their affiliate adorn the Hokage mantle. They strongly believed the Senju was trying to take all the control and power while at the same time, oppressing the Uchihas through their many laws and policies. Why else would they push all Uchiha to the farthest corner of the village and render them to live in near seclusion?

And although the Konoha Military Police Force was a gift to the Uchiha, they still rally that it was an attempt to exempt any Uchiha clansman from actual political and economic influence. Despite that, his clan took great care in maintaining order as the police force in the village. It was a matter of clan pride that they refuse to be shown as weak no matter what adversaries they face. Besides, power is power no matter how little.

The clan felt hurt, like they were constantly pushed aside and given the short end of the stick in terms of village rulings and livelihood. This causes hatred and distrust to grow. Now, they have moved away from their petitions and boycott into planning a full blown coup d'etat. The Uchiha clan head and his higher ranking members were very good at keeping their plans concealed. They were even better at maintaining their proud and dignified image to the rest of the village in order to hide their truth.

The Uchiha came strong. Fugaku was a demon on the negotiating table and even the Third had been rattled to his bones by the force of his words and actions. Truly, there is nothing more fearsome than the red eyes spinning ablaze. Shisui was aware that all negotiations had fallen through in spite of the looming threats. Fugaku was a strong brick wall and the Third was no pushover. Minato Namikaze, Shisui recalled, was placed on the throne, face set and eyes cast downwards. A man with all the power in the world but with very little sense of political force. Who could've doubted Hiruzen Sarutobi-sama, the God of Shinobi. It was best to listen to the wise one, Shisui concluded.

Due to their many demands not being met, the Uchiha became impatient and were starting to rock the solid foundation of Konoha. Fearing an uprising from one of the strongest and influential clans in the shinobi history, the Third Hokage had ordered Shisui to use his technique to prevent a civil war. While he understands where the Uchiha were coming from, he couldn't betray his Will of Fire and the village by acting against it. This village meant so much to him, it is home. Besides, many people will perish from the consequent civil war and it hasn't been that long since the last great war. Shisui was too young but old enough to fight. He resented those who decided that fighting and killing was the best way to achieve peace. As such, he turned coat and gave himself for the village to use; to preemptively stop any conflict from arising.

This led them to the Kotoamatsukami, one of the greatest genjutsu under Mangekyou Sharingan's arsenal. Shisui was sent that night to cast his ultimate genjutsu and prevent the coup d'etat from ever happening. He was to submit each and every one of the dissenting Uchiha to the village and to force them to commit to the Will of Fire. Though it was a shame their curse prevented them from truly learning about the peaceful ideal, Shisui reasoned that his genjutsu would teach them. It was better guaranteed that way, Sarutobi-sama convinced him. As such, he had readily agreed and accepted the mission. It was for the greater good, he thought.

"Yeah, well. What do you want me to say, huh? Glad you showed up?" Shisui snorted.

Itachi stared at his older cousin blankly but his mind was replaying the scene of that fateful night. On his way to execute his orders, Shisui had been ambushed unexpectedly by a group of highly skilled shinobi. It didn't take him long to realize that they were ROOT agents tasked to assassinate him. It was pure coincidence that Itachi happened to be nearby and detected the fight. Otherwise, Shisui wouldn't be alive today and his Sharingan would have been lost, gouged out to serve another man with evil intentions.

They discovered that night that Danzo coveted the use of Shisui's sharingan and wanted it for his own personal use. The elder himself revealed that Shisui's Kotoamatsukami was better suited for a better plan, his plan. Though Shisui was able to defend himself against ROOT and Danzo with the help of Itachi, they still managed to slip away.

That same night, Shisui admitted to Itachi about his mission, confident in his trust towards the younger Uchiha who was of the same mind as him. They both agreed that Danzo, who was acting on his own personal means, was a threat to both the Uchiha and the village. They had scoured for anything that could prove his attempts to steal the Sharingan but all evidence was meticulously destroyed. Since then, they had been especially careful around Danzo and vice versa.

It would've been easy to approach the Hokage and report their findings but without strong evidence, they might as well exacerbate the coup d'etat. They were Uchiha first and foremost, so the village elders held very little trust towards them with the exception of the Third and Fourth Hokage. It was like standing on thin ice just by carrying the Uchiha name despite having the village's best interest at heart.

Moreover, Danzo could easily twist their words; falsely accusing them for trying to promote the coup by trying to paint the village's leadership as acting against the Uchiha. This would discredit both of their loyalty towards the village despite their hard work to be able to stand and serve in the Hokage's innermost circle.

Danzo's manipulative abilities and heavy influence over their Hokage (both the Third and Fourth) was frightening and caused both the Uchiha to stand down. They realized that if they turned to the Uchiha for help instead, the clan would definitely attack the current Konoha leadership as it was clear proof the village was acting against the Uchiha's interest and had assaulted one of their own. Either way, they were unable to find a solution. It was like being pointed with the tip of a sword on each side.

Shisui wanted to protect the village and realized Konoha is sick because of its roots. So he vows to be a double agent to both, to protect his clan's Sharingan from evil Danzo and to protect the village from the Uchiha's Curse of Hatred.

"It's… not fair," Itachi confessed though he's not sure if Shisui understands.

The older Uchiha waited for Itachi to continue, watching the tense shoulders and curled fingers as Itachi recalled the events after Shisui's directive.

"I should've done something but I was too scared. I had to protect Sasuke," Itachi shared regretfully.

Shisui wondered why the teenager was feeling bad. He had known Itachi since he was young and the pacifist in him would never side with their vengeful clan knowing their stance against the village and its leadership. Besides, Itachi loves his brother more than anything in the world.

"Kill the entire clan to stop the coup…" he paused, eyebrows furrowing at the painful recollection before he finally sighed out, "And Sasuke's life shall be spared."

It was a suffocating feeling. It felt like his heart was being gripped tightly by an iron steel, struggling to beat against the painful hold. Shisui closed his eyes and took a deep breath and he felt the pain slow down to a dull throb. Within seconds, he was back to his typical laid back demeanor though the frown laid heavily on his face.

"Tough choice, huh?"

At least he was asked to use the Kotoamatsukami and not forced into it, Shisui thought. Though in hindsight, he wondered what the Hokage would've done if he hadn't readily agreed.

"Danzo gave me the orders himself. I was going to execute it, the night that my father had called for the emergency meeting. Do you remember?"

Shisui nodded his head. That day, he was dismissed to return home by Danzo when otherwise, he was on Hokage's tower ANBU guard duty. Minato and Hiruzen were locked in the meeting room behind them, negotiating once more with a steely-faced Fugaku. Gritting his teeth, he had no choice but to obey despite sensing something foreboding was coming out of that order. Danzo smirked hideously as Shisui left to return home. When he reached the village's compound, he stood guard and looked for anything suspicious. That was how he found Itachi, fully clad in his ANBU regalia, tears running down his face. Shisui would've been the first to be struck down that night if it wasn't for the fact that an Uchiha messenger had barrelled straight into them, gasping that they were being summoned to attend the meeting at the behest of the clan head and elders.

"I… yeah. I know, Itachi. You told me this already. There's no way you could've known that Danzo was acting independently of the Hokage. He's a manipulative shit face," Shisui rasped out, still uncomfortable about this memory despite it happening three years ago. Clearly the terrible ordeal was still haunting them both.

"Shisui… if the orders weren't even from Danzo, I would've chosen the same."

Shisui heaved a deep and terrible sigh from his chest. Couldn't they have this conversation at a sleepover or something? Oh, right… he was the one who started it. Rubbing his face, he tried to form the right words to convey to Itachi.

"Never apologize for choosing the village, Itachi."

Itachi glanced to the left and saw a bench. He gestured to it and they both moved there. Sitting down, he opened the bag of sweet treats he had been carrying and offered one of the hanami dango to Shisui. He didn't really feel like sharing but needed to blend in with their act of two cousins hanging out on a cool sunny afternoon. Shisui was eager to fall in with the plan and made himself comfortable as he chewed on the dessert. Though there weren't many that used this street, they still had to be careful.

"You're still hung up on that, huh?" Shisui asked before taking a last bite of the dango.

Itachi hummed, glad that Shisui was at least reacting well despite his initial reaction. Back then, when the whole Kotoamatsukami and Uchiha massacre plan fell through, they found time to talk things out. It was then they were finally able to place where they both stood in regards to their clan and the village. Though they were both perplexed with how little they knew of each other's role and use under the Hokage, at least they agreed that the village's best interest is their main priority.

"Well, I'm thankful that the massacre didn't have to happen. Fugaku's a cool uncle," Shisui jokes.

Itachi managed a small smile. At the emergency meeting, the clan was shocked that Fugaku had decided to cancel the coup d'etat thoroughly. It was something unprecedented for his father as he was someone filled with anger, generational trauma and resentment due to the clan being ostracized since its formation. They later learned that Fugaku never really meant to turn against the village, simply force the village's hands so the Uchiha were treated better. Minato had agreed to work with Fugaku in this regard though not to the height of their expectations. However, he was grateful that his father had decided to stand down upon seeing Itachi in his ANBU equipment, sword drawn and its tip poised against his own mother's heart. No words were exchanged but a silent understanding fleeted as black meets red orbs. Uchiha really did love to a fault, after all.

When he had reported back to the Fourth Hokage, Itachi felt utter betrayal. He recalled feeling acid in his mouth when he discovered that the massacre of his clan was ordered by Danzo acting independently of the Hokage. Even worse, the Third had counseled Minato that the charges were better dropped rather than pursued to avoid widespread public knowledge and worsen relationships from all sides. And thus, the whole incident was buried effectively. Shisui and Itachi traumatized and Danzo strutted away wearing the poorly fitted innocence Konoha had once again clothed him in.

He glanced at Shisui whose body was leaning forward with his arms resting on his knees. He didn't look like the village had betrayed him at all.

"I'm fine," Shisui chuckled, as if able to read his thoughts.

"I'm just glad my favorite little cousin didn't end up sending me six feet under."

Itachi closed his eyes and exhaled. Though spoken in jest, he still felt the sharp jab in his heart.

"I think I misunderstood you," the older male said as he flicked the empty dango stick into the trash can across the street.

"What do you mean?" Itachi furrowed his eyebrows.

"The mission," Shisui shrugged, "I just thought you were a little too eager to please the clan."

"I'm not happy with it," Itachi clarified but he thought that this conversation is better suited for later.

"Perhaps we should meet again, maybe tomorrow."

Shisui raised his eyebrows at that and said, "Why?"

"Just… later okay, Shisui."

"But whyyyyyy."

Although years older than him, Itachi laments the fact that he was the more mature one of the two.

"I'm… not happy," he admitted.

Shisui frowned but he understood that it was something major for Itachi to be sharing something like this and it wasn't the time and place. They were already being noticed. They stood up and faced each other. Belatedly, he realized that he never really did get to address the real reason he was upset with Itachi today.

"Let's have a spar," he suggested, "Tomorrow."

The wind blew and fallen leaves swirled around them. He looked at the sky and noticed that the sun was standing straight on their heads, not really a good time for shadows to be so pronounced and elongated as it was right now. At noon the sun is directly overhead. So, the sun rays fall vertically on the body. Hence the shadow should be very short.

"One last parting advice for today," he placed two hands on Itachi's shoulder and stared straight into his eyes, "Stay away from the target until she is marked."

"I don't appreciate you calling Sakura that," Itachi admitted quietly.

"Sakura who?" Shisui nailed his point.

Itachi felt the most miniscule of chakra being displaced as his older cousin disappeared without a trace.

The shadows retracted.

Sitting on the sturdy branch with one hand resting on a propped up knee, he watched as the pink haired girl ran through some simple forms. Occasionally, she would switch up and apply various sequences with her invisible partner. His red eyes spun lazily as he silently regarded her stance and posture. It has improved as she practiced more but still needed fluidity and conviction, something only frequent sparring would help solidify. The girl was not lacking in practice, not anymore at least, but she would highly benefit from a serious training partner or a mentor. Though she found guidance from her many texts, academy instructors and her own parents when they had time to spare, it was clear she needed more frequent personal attention.

He decided to heed Shisui's advice; to leave the girl until his mission was fully in force. He wasn't dense enough to not understand the risk of his spying on her, no matter how discreet. Even though the ex-ANBU captain had trouble locating and detecting his careful genjutsu, he should not be taking any further risks than he already had thus far. So he said to himself, this shall be the last time.

Several years ago, he remembered being summoned by his superiors in the dead of the night, called forth into a room with intricate plans and details laid out bare for him to memorize. He remembered the surge of anger and frustration carefully concealed behind his mask. He remembered even more, the picture of a young girl barely the age of nine circled red with his name written next to it. When he left the Hokage's office, he had not immediately returned to his clan compound. Instead, he frantically searched for a small home with a pink haired girl lying asleep all by herself.

The memory unfolds before him, revealing his cloak of darkness as he approaches the small bed with the even smaller girl being swathed by pillows and stuffed animals of all kinds. His fist tightened and his eyes spun so fast blood ran down his face. The pain behind his eyes was blinding but he swallowed it as an unbridled rage coursed through his body. He had never lost control like that and it was only his luck that both her parents were next door passed out of exhaustion from the day's labor. He wanted to shake her awake, shout at her and lay hands upon her small throat. But when she turned and whimpered, he flinched and slapped his hands over his eyes, crumbling down on one knee.

He was turning fifteen, just a couple of years had passed since his redacted order to assassinate his whole clan. She was nine and only a few months older than his little brother. When he left at that time, he never realized that he would keep returning to stare at her with a tumultuous of emotions and accusations. The village took full advantage of his loyalty and had assigned him another life-altering mission. Despite that, he was a good shinobi. As such, he didn't question and accepted it.

Years have passed and his stalking of her reduces in number until he realized that one day, he had long since resigned to his fate. His obsession to watch her was unnerving, even to himself, for he did not have a strong reason other than to have some semblance of control. He had very little command of his life otherwise. For someone lauded as the strongest shinobi of his time, he didn't have the power to be free. The irony was not lost on him. He was the strongest piece on the board but never the one who chooses his own moves. His purpose was for others to fill and in return, his brother and loved ones was to be protected from the Curse of Hatred.

He sighed and then carefully stood up, his movements light and silent despite his weight on the branch. He allowed some leaves to flutter to the ground naturally but with fluency only a genjutsu user like him possess, he gently weaved layers of illusion as he jumped off from his perch on the tree. He didn't worry nor look back when Sakura stilled and excitedly waved her hands.

"Sakura-chan, I see you have prepared!" A loud booming laughter reached his ears as he started to leave.

"Daddy!"

He left the two Haruno to train in peace.

Behind him, Kizashi carefully approached the tree he was in minutes prior and placed a hand on it. The chakra innocently melts away into the earth and air before the older man could recognize and touch it with his own. Everything falls down into place as he intended, like it always did.

The frown on Kizashi's face smoothed down into mirth when Sakura aggressively tugged on his arm so they may begin. She was excited because her father had finally left the shop to help train her for the finals which were arriving sooner than they expected. It's been nearly a month since they had a session together and Sakura wanted to make great use of the time they have this afternoon.

"Alright, blossom. Prepare your seals and show me your best Lord Fourth impression!"

Author's Note:

1. Yeah, I know. I took my time with this update. Sorrryyyy! I got distracted with my other fanfic, "If Tomorrow Starts Without Me." But I'm here now and have 2 updates ready for you guys.

2. I edited the last chapter, particularly the last section. You don't have to read it but I basically just tidied it up a bit. I didn't like how I was trying to be vague and ended up making the paragraphs hard to read and understand so I fixed it. I feel much better about it now.

3. Please leave a review! I love to hear your thoughts (_)