Knowledge is always preceded by an assumption. There is nothing more dangerous than incomplete knowledge.
-Anonymous
Kazue was seated on the couch, staring at all the pictures scattered on the coffee table. They were all of his mother, her teammates and her friends. All but one.
The pictures showed the growth of his mother over the years, told her story. He'd also learned about many new people. People who Kurenai said we're his family. He had and aunt. Hanabi. That was her name. And Neji was his uncle. Kiba and Shino were his mother's teammates.
In an hour or so, he'd familiarised himself with the names and faces of everyone. Kurenai had also told him many stories.
Including the one of how his mother disappeared years ago, and how it had been a blow to everyone. Now, he could understand a little bit, sympathise with the feelings of others. Their confusion made more sense, and so did their worry.
He knew his mother's story completely, except for the gaps created by his father. These, even Kurenai couldn't fill. So to fill them in, he decided to know his father's story, of whom he knew only a name and a face. He decided to change that first.
Kurenai stuck to her word, not telling him a thing about his father, so Kazue requested her take him to someone who had the right the disclose the mystery that was Itachi Uchiha.
Or more specifically, Uchiha Sasuke.
Kazue had been staying at Kurenai's for the past few days and he had a routine set. In the morning, he would wake up and have breakfast with Kurenai and Mirai. After that, he would either watch as Kurenai did the housework or play with Mirai. Once in a while, he would ask questions about his parents and Kurenai would answer. Then, on some days, he'd go visit his mother with Kurenai.
In the evening, he played around with Mirai, who told him all she knew about Shinobi, and how cool it was to be one.
"Being a shinobi," She'd told him once, her eyes wide, sparkling with excitement at finally having someone to spend the time with, "is awesome! You get to beat the bad guys like they do in those stories mama tells!"
Kazue had listened, lips parted in awe as he thought about him being a hero.
Then, I can protect mama! And she would never get hurt again!
"I'm-I'm going to be a Shinobi too!" He'd proclaimed immediately, his eyes burning with determination. Mirai had grinned at him, punching air.
"Me too! I'm going to be the greatest Shinobi there is!"
Kazue had frowned, cocking his head innocently, "No, you can't. You're a girl. Only boys can be heroes."
Mirai had narrowed her eyes at that, pointing a finger at him accusingly.
"No! Girls can be heroes too! Mama was a shinobi, and she was super strong!" Then, she'd blinked, grinning as if coming to a sudden realization.
"Isn't your mama strong? And she's a girl!"
Caught in her trap, Kazue had blushed, eyes wide, "B-But, that's different!"
The conversation had eventually ended after a mini argument between the kids, after which Kazue had hesitantly agreed to her point of view.
At night, Kazue would sleep in a room that Kurenai siad had once belonged to his mother. If he had nightmares, he would walk across the hallway and into Kurenai's room, where he would snuggle in with her and Mirai. Kurenai often told them stories.
Today, however, was going to be different.
Today, Kurenai had finally given in to his much insisted request, and was taking him to meet Uchiha Sasuke. Kazue had been on his toes the the whole morning.
He'd finally get some answers about his papa!
Kurenai smiled at him softly.
"Ready?"
Kazue nodded, grinning back. Kurenai took a hold of his hand and they went off on their way to the Uchiha Compound.
There were whispers as people saw and pointed, the words 'Hinata' and 'son' repeated again and again. News had always travelled fast in Konoha, and this time was no exception.
Kazue clutched at Kurenai's dress as the whispers and the stares increased. He cowered slightly when a shadow fell upon him. He buried his face in Kurenai's dress, as he saw a woman bend slightly, and extend a hand towards him.
"Just as shy as your mother, I see."
Her voice was scratchy, as if she hadn't used it for a while. Kazue peeked up at her wrinkled face. She was smiling slightly, and in her hand was the reddest apple Kazue had ever seen. He loved apples.
The old woman made a show of discretely looking around, as if about to tell him a secret. Her voice was a rusty whisper when she spoke.
"It's the best produce of today."
Kazue giggled in response, taking the apple. Then he bowed at the waist, just like his mother had taught him.
"Thank you."
"And polite too." Someone else mused firm the street. Kazue blushed in response. The woman raised her eyebrow.
"And let's not even forget that blush." Another voice claimed. Everyone agreed, muttering and mumbling. The old woman sighed wistfully.
"Such a kind, pretty thing she was." She said, her eyes distant.
"Makes one wonder what happened." And with that, she stepped aside and walked away.
People smiled at him, cooed at how adorable he was. Kazue simply blushed at the attention, unused to it despite the girls that had always wanted to play with him back home.
These people, Kazue realized with a start, really liked his mother!
Beside him, Kurenai was having similar thoughts. The village people had liked Hinata, that's why they liked Kazue.
But, Kurenai knew better.
She could see some of the Shinobi glaring at him, either being witness to the Hokage's announcement a few days ago, or hearing it from their friends.
As such, while Kazue grinned at all those he passed, Kurenai stepped closer to him, hoping he would hear the whispers of 'freak' and 'monster'.
Soon, they reached the gates of the Uchiha Compound. The place was neat the outskirts of the village. It was dark and gloomy, and the silence was deafening. Kurenai felt a shiver roll of her spine. She didn't believe in ghosts, but this place was really looking haunted. Beside her, Kazue too shuddered, and pressed himself against her.
Kurenai released a shaking breath as she realized that, once, the place they were standing in had been littered with dead bodies and blood stains.
She suddenly felt sick.
And the man who'd done it all was..
She sneaked a glance at Kazue, taking note of his pale face and crushing grip on her hand. Then, she shook her head.
No, she was not going down that train of thoughts again.
She suddenly took note of how the stalls and other materials were still scattered. Weeds had grown on the walls, and she could faintly smell fungus and decay. Distantly, the sound of dripping water could be heard.
Drip. Drip. Drip.
The wind blew past her, once carrying the laughter of children now only carrying their screams.
Kurenai felt her heart clench, her throat clogging up in grief as she recalled all those who had died. It was surreal to think that Kazue was even remotely related to the massacred clan, let alone it's only child.
And Sasuke...
At that, Kurenai stopped.
She bit her lip, suddenly feeling guilty for not thinking what he might have gone through. She'd often thought him to be too violent and blunt. It now occured to her that he had every reasons to be so.
He had been made witness to his brother killing his entire family overnight, without reasons, without answers.
Another gust of wind blew past them, leaving behind the cool press of steel against Kurenai's neck.
She froze.
"What are you doing here?"
It was the voice of the one she had just been thinking. Uchiha Sasuke.
She opened her lips but no words came out. The blade only pressed deeper.
"When I ask a question," She heard him sneer, "I expect an answer."
She closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
"Answers." She answered calmly.
"Answers." Sasuke repeated, not quite believing her.
Kurenai turned slightly, meeting Sasuke's eyes.
"Kazue wanted answers."
She felt him freeze, as if suddenly realizing that he was in their midst too. He retracted his sword, looking at the woman.
This must be Kurenai.
Then, he turned, fixing his stare on Kazue.
"Answers?" He asked, this time expecting a reply from Kazue, who cowered under his gaze.
"About papa." Kazue whimpered out.
Sasuke flinched at the word 'papa.'
He grimaced, weighing his options. Ignorance had led him to do many things he deeply regretted.
Vengeance had consumed him completely, because he had been too fucking blind to see through the game his beloved brother had been playing. His beloved brother who gave him piggyback rides as kids, who always made sure that no harm ever befell his baby brother. His beloved brother whom he had ended up killing in cold blood.
His life after that had been nothing but a collection of 'if only's.
If only he had listened to Kakashi as a Genin.
If only he had stayed in the village, and done everything in the right order.
If only he hadn't pushed back all his childhood memories, blocking out the images, in which, he only now realized, he'd seen his brother's tears too.
If only he had the eyes to see that there had been something truly wrong that night.
If only he had the heart to question the options his brother had, instead of the choices he made.
The list could go on forever. Living like this, with all the regrets and guilt and sorrow--it was hell.
Sasuke didn't want this to happen to anyone. Especially his beloved brother's son.
Making up his mind, he sighed.
"I'll tell you."
Kazue visibly perked up.
"I'll tell you everything. But before that,"
Now, he stared at Kurenai, his eyes showing his distrust.
Kurenai had been watching him silently, mentally commending his courage for deciding to tell Kazue the truth. She was unsurprised. In fact, she had expected this.
"Fine. I'll leave. But, I'm warning you," Kurenai narrowed her eyes, menacing. Staring into her crimson eyes, Sasuke couldn't help but look away. It reminded him to much of his own bloodline trait. It was too uncomfortable; looking into eyes that looked much like his own.
"Even a scratch on him, and I'll make Kazue the last Uchiha."
There was silence, as Sasuke raised his eyebrows.
Tch, as if you would be able to lay a hand on me.
Indulging Kurenai, he inclined his head slightly, taunting.
"Clear." His voice was cold, devoid of any emotion, and yet Kurenai knew he was mocking her.
"You're leaving?!" It was Kazue who cried out, suddenly stepping into the conversation.
Kurenai leaned to his height, placing her hands in his shoulders.
"Hey, it's okay. He won't hurt you. If he even looks at you the wrong way, I'll make him regret it."
For a second Kazue hesitated. Then, he nodded.
She smiled at him, pulling him in an embrace, running a hand through his locks until she felt him relax. Then, she pulled away, and after a brief smile, she left.
Kazue watched Kurenai's back as she walked away, until she was out of sight.
As if reading his thoughts, Sasuke spoke up.
"Reminds you of your mother, doesn't it?"
Not knowing how to reply, Kazue only nodded.
Sasuke sighed, wistful.
"Me too." He said softly, a ghost of a smile on his face. Then, he turned toward his nephew, extending a bandaged hand towards him.
"Come on. Let's go inside."
