If Only I could have spent a little more time with you.
I do not own Naruto.
Fugaku is out of his dept. He had decided to try to get to know his children. That sounds really bad but sadly it is the truth. He doesn't know, doesn't understand his own children anymore. But he doesn't know where to start. He has never been that good at the social aspect.
Itachi has always been a person of a few words. The only things they talk about is about missions, Itachi skills and the clan. They don't talk about other things and it is hard to disrupt that pattern. He doesn't know what other things to talk about. All the times he tried Itachi always circles it back to either his skills, his missions or the clan. It is like he can't fathom Fugaku wanting to talk with him about anything else.
''How are you doing, Itachi?''
''I am doing well. I am fit enough to go on my mission tomorrow.''
Now Itachi is on a mission. Fugaku sighs. Maybe he should try again when Itachi is back from his mission. He looks around the house. Sasuke is sitting at the table doing his homework. He has tried talking with Sasuke to but when he tried Sasuke looked at him suspiciously and poked him with his chakra to see if he was someone else henged into him.
His sons responses to his tries speak more than words ever could.
He sighs again as his youngest looks over at him. He looks puzzled like he doesn't understand what his father is doing here. It is his very house. But then again he is never home that early. Mikoto advices him to start with apologizing. His wife has changed too. No that is not true. She always was like this, strong and protective of the ones she holds dear. But she understood their positions when he became Clan Head and knew they had to form one united front. But he had forgotten that even if she remained quiet next to his side that didn't meant she agreed with everything he said or did. They need to communicate better too.
He takes another glance at Sasuke from the corner of his eye and decides to approach his youngest again.
''Sasuke.'' He addresses his youngest son. ''Do you have some time I want to talk to you.''
Sasuke regards him for a while and seems to think about it. He then nods and lies his pencil down. Fugaku sits next to him.
''I wanted to apologize to you.'' He begins and Sasuke's eyes widen in surprise. ''I shouldn't have pushed you for an answer. I...I was worried about you. You have changed a lot after you got your sharigan and I know how a sharigan activates.''
Fugaku notices that Sasuke's expression sullens as he mentions him changing. Did Sasuke really think he didn't notice?
''No matter what you think Sasuke I do care about you and your brother. I..I realise I have not shown you though that I did so I can understand why you would think that I don't.''
Sasuke looks away at that.
''You need to understand that I am the Clan Head and such a position comes with responsibilities. I have to do what is best for the clan. But I should have not neglected you or your brother's feelings completely.''
Sasuke looks at him for a while before opening his mouth.
''How do you know that what you do is what is best for the clan?''
Fugaku blinks. Obviously what he does is what is best for the clan.
Right?
But now that he thinks about it one will never know all the consequences of someone's actions. He will never know for sure that all his actions will really benefit the clan. He has never questioned his actions before.
''I guess you can never know for sure.''
They stay for a while in uncomfortable silence. Fukagu glances at his son. He doesn't know how to continue the conversation. Sasuke picks his pencil up again.
''I care about you too.'' He mutters under his breath but before his father can reply he asks in a louder voice.
''Do you know what my teacher means with this?'' He points at a random question in his book.
His son is not subtle at all but Fugaku takes the chance his son gives him. It will take time and will go slowly but he will take this chance.
...
The next time that he and Sasuke train he might have complimented his youngest without comparing him with his brother.
The next time he talked with his youngest he might have asked about his friends and what they did together.
He might even have taken a night off his duties so that he could enjoy a night with Miktoto and Sasuke together. Maybe even Itachi joined them at some point.
It may be petty but Fukagu might want Sasuke to send him the same bright smile he gives his mother.
He might have even pressed a kiss to Sasuke's forehead when he brought him to bed after the boy fell asleep while reading clan scrolls.
Mikoto smiles as she watches them.
Author's note
Fugaku's talk with Itachi will be in a much later chapter. I am so done with writing hard and long chapters at this moment. Next chapters will be much shorter. Writing the last few chapters took weeks! Sorry for the wait. Thank you for all your reviews. It seems the site works again.