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Metamorphosis

Chapter XII

Assassination

"Assassination is the extreme form of censorship." - George Bernard Shaw.

It was a lovely day.

The sun was shining and while it was warm, there was a cool wind blowing through the treetops that brought pleasant relief. The green leaves were just starting to turn a brilliant shade of golden brown, with a hit of red - a beautiful, lovely autumn day.

And while it was exceedingly beautiful, it brought a foreboding shiver along Fugaku's spine. Of course, that shiver was promptly ignored in favour of gazing at the exquisitely blue sky - the same sky that now both his sons were under. A small smile curled around the edges of his pale lips as he was reminded of his eldest's return - bringing back glory and pride to the family - but most importantly, he was back, safe and sound.

While Itachi had been at war, Fugaku had always spent a portion of his day sick with worry. And he'd had to hide that, as it was a sign of inevitable weakness - something that would completely ruin his business, the family business. Something that he'd had to keep stable for Itachi: even though he'd worried, he'd also known that his boy was strong enough to survive the war and come back a champion. Because that's who Itachi was, who Fugaku had raised him to be - a son so great that even his own father admired him.

And looking at that seamless blue sky, Fugaku was reminded of the royal blue on Itachi's old uniform - of his achievements. He was reminded how Itachi had missed four years in their lives - four years worth of fun, memories, holidays - Christmases and birthdays and whatnot. And Itachi deserved something.

He deserved something only a father could give him: recognition and fatherly acknowledgement of his achievements. Fugaku should give him something to commemorate Itachi's return.

With that thought in mind, Fugaku prepared himself to go shopping. Normally, he'd take his bodyguards - but just this once, Fugaku decided to indulge in the luxury of privacy. A thing that - with his status and role in society - was exceedingly difficult to come by.

And looking at the beautiful day outside, he really couldn't stop himself from doing so.

It was a mistake, he'd come to find out only a couple of hours later. It was a mistake that he would come to regret, it was a mistake that would drastically change both his life and his sons' lives. If only he'd known at the time...

He left the house, intent on going through the numerous small street markets in search for the perfect presents for Christmas. While it was still autumn, winter was fast approaching, and god knows that it was better to do these type of things early - because later, they'd come back to haunt you. And Fugaku had already spent most of the previous nights thinking about the perfect gifts...

Maybe it was time to get Itachi a car, Fugaku had decided. He had already been thinking of it when Itachi had graduated high school; and had been intent on getting him on as he went into university. However, when he went to fight in the war, there had been no such opportunities - so Fugaku thought it was a great way to make up for the time lost.

Fugaku still wasn't fully aware f his feelings on the matter. His boy had won a medal - awards - that made him feel proud. He was the father of the hero. At the same time, his son had grown up into a fine young man far away from his eyes; seen things that shouldn't be seen, experienced things that shouldn't be experienced. Things that he, himself, had never had the chance of experiencing. Sorrow mixed with pride had always been a strange combination.

But what should he get Sasuke, on the other hand? He was also graduating high school soon - so maybe a car would be a good idea? And yet, Fugaku didn't want to get Sasuke the same thing he had gotten Itachi; especially when Itachi was five years older.

Mikoto was easy... She was always content with jewellery; and he had seen some very nice gold earrings recently... maybe that and a necklace to go along with it.

As Fugaku was walking, his feet had paused at one of the fruit stands, and a sudden rush of memories engulfed him. Why had he gone into the mafia in the first place? Why had he become part of the illegal going ons in Konoha? When he was younger... he would have never thought... never dreamed... Not to this extent...

His hands grazed over the fruits that sat neatly on the fruit stand. He picked it up, weighed it in his hands. It looked juicy; it would make a nice snack for the children.

That was all he had ever really wanted. To keep his family safe. To keep his children fed and clothed, and going to a good school while receiving a good education. It was never his intention to sink so deep into something he couldn't escape from. He had only wanted to protect his family.

Reminiscing, he closed his eyes. The times were tough; the Uchiha family was in a recession. They couldn't help him directly, as he hadn't been part of the main branch, and hadn't been involved before. And he wouldn't have even needed their help if there were secure jobs... And because there had been none, he hadn't had the best of jobs and they had lived in a terrible neighbourhood where the mafia had been prevalent... Mikoto had been pregnant with Itachi.

And he had become desperate. When a main family remember offered him a position, he had quickly accepted and climbed the ladder to becoming the head: the Don.

Opening his eyes, his hands squeezed the fruit (which he finally identified as an orange) before he decided to buy some. Just as he turned, he saw something that glinted in the distance.

A gun.

Panicking, he almost ran into the store but there was no time as he had been shot; he could vaguely feel the pain erupting from his stomach.

He distantly heard the sirens and screaming of people, and he wondered if anyone would even take him to the hospital. In the back of his subconscious, however, he already had a suspect in mind: Kabuto. Whoever his boss was, they were dangerous, and he could only expect to be killed after crossing them.

But he couldn't think anymore as the world turned black and his vision faded.

Kind of like a rerun of the last chapter... But we kind of need Fugaku's thoughts to really... get anywhere. Don't worry, this is an important part. And Im sorry that it's taking so long to get into the 'romance', but Im just... really slow. And thorough. Reviews? Aurora.