A short flash back to Michiko and Shisui's argument! This links to the *eventual* main plot! If you are reading this story, I would love to hear back from you guys! The quarantine lockdown has given me plenty of time to sit down and flesh out plots and story-lines!
Here's some music for the Shisui-Itachi-Michiko secret trio: watch?v=xQihta79TaE (Saika- Matt Houston Remix)
Enjoy!
Some days ago…
"That is none of your business, Michiko."
Shisui has hardly imagined that he would be speaking to her in such a tone, but he feels triggered and his lashing out, in his opinion, is not uncalled for.
"Why? I'm as much a member of this village as you are!" She yells back, clenching her fists as she shakes her head, "Why the fuck are you being so defensive?!"
"Because Uchiha business is my business. It's not the fucking village's business. It's not your business. Don't try to interrogate me about things that aren't your place to talk about!"
Angrily, Michiko takes her plate from the table between them and hurls it at the wall, "FINE."
As the plate clatters into several pieces, food stains the mint green paint of the kitchen wall in Shisui's home. Furious, he takes a step forward, although to do what he has no idea.
"Why are you asking me so many questions?" Steeling against her rage with his cold fire, he intimidates Michiko enough for her to take a step back.
"You think I'm stupid that I can't see how different you've been acting?!"
"What would you know about different? You've been gone too long to know what has changed. You think everything would stay the same while you pranced around the shinobi world on your little adventures?"
Michiko's glare is softened by the sting of his tempered words.
"Did you think you would come back here and everything would be the same?" He pushes again, taking another step forward, "You broke a perfectly good plate throwing a stupid bitch fit about something you have no place talking to me about."
Guiltily, Michiko glances at the broken plate and the stain on the wall. She wants to apologise, but it is too late for that. The plate is broken, the food is spilled, and Shisui is enraged.
"Tell me." He says harshly, his eyes wide with anger, "Why are you asking me so many questions?"
That is how Itachi finds them; standing on either side of Shisui's tiny dining table, his chair lying on the floor, hers pushed back almost against the wall. Their hands are in fists, there is food residue on the wall opposite them and Itachi wonders which one of them would be stupid enough to throw a whole plate of food.
"Enough." He says coolly, startling both shinobi out of their rendezvous. "Pick up this mess and sit down. I want to speak to you both."
Michiko is silent, clenching her fists as she strides to the broken plate and picks up the larger pieces, cutting her hand on the crockery in the process. Glaring at the gash, she dumps the bits in the bin as Shisui gathers the rest of the mess using a broom. They work together smoothly and quickly.
Once they are done, avoiding eye contact with one another, Itachi beckons for them to sit at the table.
Shisui goes first, leaving Michiko standing behind him. She stares questioningly at Itachi, and then at Shisui, wondering what he could possibly want to speak to them about together.
Itachi looks pointedly towards her, patiently waiting for to sit down. Michiko finally relents, making her way to the table, hands in her lap.
"You both know the situation within the Uchiha clan is rife with dissatisfaction."
Shisui and Michiko nod, exchanging looks with one another.
"Michiko, you understand what is at stake for the village should the clan attempt a coup d'état."
Michiko nods.
"It has come to my knowledge that the clan is planning…something. Not for the immediate future, but perhaps in the long-run."
Shisui stiffens, fighting every instinct to look over at Michiko, whom he can feel is looking at him as if to say 'I knew something was up.'
"It is not in my interest to allow the clan to fall down this path, therefore I will be working towards improving the situation as best as I can. In order to do this, I need the help of those closest to me. Shisui, you have always been like a brother to me and I know that we agree on many things. Will you help me?"
"Of course, Itachi." Shisui does not hesitate, he does not as much as blink.
"And you, Michiko. You are an outsider to the clan, but you will soon gain a position with which you can aid the Uchiha and help set matters straight. Will you help me?"
"Yes, Itachi. I will." In a small voice, intimidated by the seriousness on his face, Michiko nods affirmatively, "You understand that I have had my concerns for some time."
"Yes." Itachi responds, glancing at Shisui as he speaks, "I know you saw this coming some time before either I or Shisui knew what was brewing. It only makes it important that you, with your foresight, help us tackle the various obstacles that the Uchiha clan faces."
Michiko nods quietly, wringing her hands under the table. Shisui sits very still. The talk is very mature and adult-like- but Michiko cannot shake off the feeling that they are still to young to really make a difference.
"One of the first obstacles at the moment is Root. Danzo-sama aims to dissolve the Police Force and it's investigative powers so that he can replace it with his own creation. This move will be forwarded in the next meeting that Hiruzen-sama has with him and the clan heads."
Shisui's eyes widen in surprise and Michiko frowns; she has always had a bone to pick with Danzo.
"Currently the number of clans in his favour outweighs those who would support the Uchiha. There must be some way for us to stop the Hokage from letting this step pass."
Itachi looks quietly from Shisui to Michiko and back, "The Hokage is one of the most neutral people at the moment. If we can somehow get to him, or make him see the dangers in letting such a move pass- it would help us."
Michiko is quiet, formulating her thoughts before she speaks, "I have a way. Leave it to me."
Shisui knows a way too, but he quietens, wanting to think it over before he voices anything out loud. Soon after their strange meeting, Michiko excuses herself. As she leaves Shisui's residence, the Uchiha follows close behind her.
"Hey." He calls out, stopping her as she steps off the porch, "Michiko, wait."
Looking over her shoulder, the Sarutobi freezes in place expectantly, "What is it, Shisui?"
"I think…I think it's better for us to take a break."
If Michiko is startled or hurt by his words, she reveals nothing. Turning to face him, with a blank, expressionless face, Michiko speaks clearly back to him.
"I think it's best if we break up. In light of everything that is happening with you and the clan, I just don't think you and I can handle a relationship at this time."
"I agree."
They regard one another; Shisui at the top of the porch and Michiko on the pavement. Her eyes are sharper than usual, steeling against his own with a fervour that is intangible to Shisui. She turns quietly on her heel and leaves. Shisui watches her, until she is well out of sight.
When he returns inside, he stops in the doorway and presses his palms to his eyes sadly. Making his way back to the kitchen, he is almost angry at Itachi.
"Why are you involving Michiko in this?"
Itachi expects that this will come some time or the other- Shisui is very personal when it comes to the clan, preferring to keep things between him and the Uchiha. Just as much, he is fiercely protective of the people he loves and he will do anything to keep Michiko away from the drama and the politics.
"You are the one who approached Hiruzen-sama." Itachi says carefully, "You involved the Sarutobi in this."
"But why Michiko? She doesn't have the same power as the Hokage, and she is only an ex-Anbu. If anything, she has less power than she did before she left Konoha."
"You know she will soon be elected as the clan head as Hiruzen-sama retires." Itachi reminds him, "She can represent the Sarutobi and side with us at the next meeting. This could drastically change the future of the Police Force."
Shisui wonders if Michiko is aware that she will have so much of a say in the politics of Konohagukare with her new role. He hasn't had a chance to explain it to her - they have been arguing since she set foot in Konoha.
"I know." He admits ruefully, "Hiruzen-sama explained to me why it was important to make Michiko appear as neutral as possible…" He trails off uncertainly as he questions the efficacy of such a step. "What do they even think they could accomplish by taking away the Police Force?"
"It would be a heavily misguided step. One that ascertains war." Itachi says finally after a moment of quiet.
Shisui reproachfully scratches the surface of the table, wondering how deep the Uchiha and Konoha will, together, dig a grave for their clan. Both boys, although young, have been hardened by the Shinobi War of their childhood. As pacifists, neither of the two will give up any hope they have of securing a future for the Uchiha within Konoha, through a path of peace and non-violence.
So much of politics, Shisui realises, is a game of power played by old men with selfish motivations. As he thinks of Danzo, he has the sudden urge to spit- he has never come across someone as cut-throat in his life. He wonders how someone hasn't killed the man as yet.
What Itachi does not reveal to his friend is the true reason he has looped Michiko into all this: Madara Uchiha.
Knowing that the ancient figure probably seeks vengeance against his clan, it would benefit Itachi to approach him, should he become desperate.
He hopes that he will not have to take such actions.