I regret those times when I've chosen the dark side. I've wasted enough time not being happy.
-Jessica Lange
The war itself might've been over, but its effects were still felt by people all over. Though that were more cautious about who they let in, that enjoyed the peaceful atmosphere while it lasted. Especially a certain Uchiha.
Sasuke, no longer thirsty for the blood of his brother, strolled casually around the leaf. Contrary to many believes, the last Uchiha did feel ashamed and guilty for all that he had done. People still feared and he wished nothing more than to put them at ease about his motives. Another reason he preferred to stay away on his journey for redemption. Even now, he could feel the slight stares, the hushed whispers. He did what he had been doing his entire life.
He ignored them.
Sasuke stopped, watching closely as a few kids ran past him, shrieking in delight, their laughter echoing in the air.
Unbeknownst to him, a smile tugged at his lips. He suddenly realized that this was what his brother had lived for, worked for and died for; so that no other child would go through what either of them had.
Along with the memory of his brother came the heaviness in his heart. the familiar tug, which then stabbed repeatedly, reminding him of what he'd done.
Loneliness had been a constant companion of his for a long time, but now he had this new feeling. It came to him every time he saw something worth remembering. He knew what it was: he'd been trying to live with the guilt for quite a while.
It was constant reminder that, after everything either of them had done, it was Itachi who deserved to be here instead of Sasuke. And it bothered him to no end that his brother could've had a life in front of him, how he could have-- should have-- lived to see the peace he'd worked so hard for.
His eyes suddenly zeroed on two figures; one undoubtedly a child and the other, probably its mother. They were wearing black cloaks, the hoods covering their faces. He watched as the child took a hold of his mother's hand and started dragging her to where he was standing, until they were only a few meters apart.
His eyes followed them as nostalgia hit him. He was reminded of his own mother, whom had taken care of him and encouraged him after every failure.
From where he was standing, Sasuke could hear their conversation. Despite himself, he found himself smiling bitterly at the innocence of it all.
"Can we have some dango? Please, please?" He heard the boy, for that was what the voice indicated. There was a short laugh. Hearing it, Sasuke was reminded of soft, jingling bells.
"Kazue, we had dango last week."
"But, mama! Please?"
Sasuke saw the woman lean down, bringing herself to the same height as her son. She took two of her finger, extending them towards her son's forehead.
She poked him. Sasuke flinched.
Then, Sasuke's breath hitched as he heard the words he'd heard one too many times in his life.
"Not today, Kazue. Maybe next time."
Sasuke's hear pounded as he watched it all in slow motion. He was six again, asking his brother to train with him.
"Not today, Sasuke. Maybe next time."
The words swirled in his minds eyes as it repeatedly made him watch what had just occurred.
A coincidence, he told himself. His mind was just playing tricks on him. He was so lost in collecting his thoughts that he didn't see the pair walk past. When he did, they were still moving in slow motion. It was then Sasuke realized that his bloodline trait, the Sharingan, was activated. He quickly deactivated it, and turned to go back, intent on packing so that he could leave for his journey.
This happened every time he intended to stay.
Whenever he came for a visit, he saw something. Something that would remind him of the past. Then, he would began packing to leave the village. Only after months, when he had pulled himself together enough to walk through the memory-filled roads again, would he return.
But this time was going to be different.
Kazue was perched in his mother's arms when he saw them. The red eyes. After that he didn't think. He scrambled off of his mother and ran.
"Hey! Wait!" He shouted as he ran after Sasuke, one hand extending to snag Sasuke's cloak, his ears deaf to the shouts of his mother calling after him.
Sasuke felt someone clutch his cloak. He turned to see the kid from earlier, half of his face shrouded by a hood, revealing only a giddy smile.
"Kazue!" Sasuke heard the woman as she followed her son, Sasuke regarded her wordlessly as she bowed before him.
"I'm really sor-"
But, she was cut off by a very excited Kazue, who was now tugging at Sasuke's cloak, asking for his attention.
"Eyes!" He began gleefully, then turned to his mother.
"Mama! His eyes! They were red, just a second before!"
Sasuke blinked. Out of the corner of his eyes, he saw the woman stiffen.
One second everything was going fine, and the next nothing was. Kireina sneaked a glance at the man, hoping to all all the gods above that it wasn't him. But, it seemed as if her luck had run out as she stared at the handsome face of the one and only: Uchiha Sasuke.
"Kazue." Kireina began firmly, "It's time for us to go."
Sasuke noticed the underlying panic in her voice, He stifled a sigh.
Of course, he thought bitterly. He'd almost forgotten that his reputation reached far and wide.
"But, mama! Maybe he can help!"
That caught Sasuke's attention. Help?
This is bad, Kireina thought as she took ahold of Kazue's hand.
"Kazue," She repeated urgently, as she silently begged her son to let it go. She could see the walls of everything she'd done to hide her identity crack.
"But, mama!" Then, Kazue turned towards Sasuke, tugging his cloak, oblivious to the distress his mother was in.
"Can you please do that again?"
A ghost of a smile appeared on Sasuke's face as he looked down at Kazue. He activated his eyes for a moment, then deactivated them, paying attention to the slight shudder that passed through the woman.
"See?!" Kazue said, his excitement now tenfold.
Sasuke turned to the woman, suddenly reminded of something Kazue had said.
"Is there something I can help you with?"
Kireina was desperate. She forced a smile on her face, trying to keep her voice even.
"N-No thank you, sir. We're good." She cursed herself for the stutter-- she hadn't done that in years. She swallowed, hoping that she had sounded convincing enough for Sasuke to leave them. She thought that she could've succeeded, had Kazue not spoken.
"But, his eyes!" Kazue repeated, "They're just like mine!"
And just like that, all the walls came crashing down.
DUN DUN DUN!! BUSTED!!
Hehe...(clears throat awkwardly)
ANYWAY.
Here it is. The second chapter. Ending on a cliffhanger.
Which brings us back to the question: Just who are there people and who are they hiding from?
Guess we'll have to wait and find out.
A small fact I forgot to mention: the ages of the characters.
Kireina: 24
Sasuke: 24
Kazue: 4
Be sure to comment your thoughts and opinions, and point out any mistakes I might've missed.
Lots of gummy bears,
Your soon-to-be-favourite-author.
