Siiiiigh. Hey guys, how's it going? Not too good for me, seeing as I had typed up about half of this chapter and then had to restart my computer. WITHOUT SAVING. So now I have to wait until my Adderall kicks in (good thing I don't have any morning classes tomorrow because I will NOT be sleeping tonight) to start rewriting this. And I even had up until Sasuke's first birthday too... Uggghhh. Hopefully, placebo effect will kick in soon. Oh, there it is. Ahhh, drugs, sweet drugs.
To get a better idea of what Misaki and Naruto's apartment looks like, go google either 'Naruto's apartment' or 'Devil is a Part-timer apartment.' It looks just like that.
Also, for the potential pairings, please remember that I am ONLY taking guys from before the Konoha 12 generation. I will not have Misaki be a pedophile, or even close to the word. NO UCHIHA FAMILY MEMBERS, PERIOD. She will have a purely platonic and familial relationship with any and all Uchiha she meets. I will, however, be willing to write an omake pairing her with, say, Tobirama or any other Kage, for shits and giggles.
OKAY, SO POTENTIAL BOY TOYS LIST HAS GROWN: Iruka Umino, Kakashi Hatake (unlikely), Raido, Genma, Gai, and Tenzou/Yamato. One vote against Gai, so far. Don't blame you, I will admit it was more of an impulsive recommendation. Personality wise, I am leaning towards Genma at the moment, not gonna lie. It's just that the age gap between him and Misaki is even larger than the one between her and Kakashi. Seven years compared to four, but I think it might be worth it. From what I can tell of her personality, because not even I know it completely at this point, Misaki could use someone in her life that's not as gloomdoom or serious as some of the other potential guys. That's one of the reasons Gai popped up, he's cheerful and funny, which I've always liked in a guy myself. Genma is a wise-cracking, jovial, and according to the fandom, womanizing kinda dude. At the very least, I will make sure she is friends with him.
BECAUSE THERE WILL BE MALE-FEMALE PLATONIC RELATIONSHIPS DAMMIT. THEY CAN HAPPEN. As you will see in this chapter and several future ones. There is actually one I specifically have in mind, except it's more like two guys because they sorta come as a package deal. I will write an Omake of choice for the first person to guess who the pair is, to be posted with their Introduction chapter. Unfortunately, they must have an account so that I can contact them outside of author's notes! No spoilers! However, there will be an Honorable Mentions!
Also, I have decided to use Military Time for this story, simply because I think it fits with the setting more than a 12 hour clock. Don't stress over it guys, it probably won't come up enough for anyone to have a conniption. I know, the American using a 24 hour time system? How bizarre! Army JROTC, and over 200 years of military history on my dad's side alone. My father works on big rigs for a living. Where the hell do you think I learned to be so polite? ~... Pfft.
Disclaimer: Still don't own my laptop or this library PC. So I certainly don't own Naruto.
As Naruto grew, so did the hours I took at my various jobs. Five hours straight at the Akimichi bakery in the mornings, another four at the Yamanaka flower shop. Then, at night, I'd work several hours at the Inuzuka Veterinary Clinic. Luckily, my ototou was always either asleep or almost by the time that shift started. If he wasn't, playing with Kiba, who was adorable by the way, for a while sent both of them to dream land.
Over the next few years, I began to grow closer to clans I worked for, especially the Inuzuka. Much like their canine companions, they were blunt and honest, having never understood the concept of social niceties or its other trivialities. A member didn't like you? They let you fucking know. I have always appreciated such attitudes, so we got along swimmingly. It didn't hurt that they didn't mind Naruto, who I had to take with me everywhere, one little bit. Oh sure, the ninken were apprehensive of us in the beginning, especially the Haimaru brothers, triplets who accompanied Tsume's daughter Hana. One day, she had to leave them at the clinic while she attended the academy because they were due for vaccinations. I never really got the chance to interact with the animals anymore, due to my arm, but Tsume-san would sometimes let me carry things for her, like the tray of vaccines.
The second I walked in the room, alone because Tsume-san had forgotten something and Kuromaru had went with her, the three pups had started growling, raising their hackles. I had always been fond of dogs, and knew their reactions to different situations. And ninken were still dogs, no matter how 'civilized.' So I had slowly placed the tray of syringes on the counter, put my hand up in the universal gesture of surrender, and with a soft, but carrying voice, I called for the closest Inuzuka working that day. Which of course was Tsume-san, coming back down the hall. Kuromaru had almost immediately barreled into room and in front of me. Which was a good thing, because the lead Haimaru brother had been preparing to lunge.
Tsume poured me a cup of tea, green by the smell of it. Man, I missed Earl Grey. Maybe I could buy some black tea to experiment with when I had the money. Did they even have Bergamot oranges in the Naruto world? She leant back on the sofa after uncorking a bottle of Sake for herself. "So pup, according to Hana's pack, you smell like fox and bad chakra. They thought you were an enemy." We both glanced over at Kuromaru, who seemed to be too busy scolding the triplets to notice. Even if I couldn't understand him like Tsume seemed to, that much was obvious. "They don't seem to like you very much."
I raised an eyebrow over my cup. I couldn't help but be sarcastic. "Woooow, really? I have absolutely no idea why. Tell me Tsume-san, do you have any ideas?~" A feral grin broke across her face, both of us purposefully ignoring the sound of toddler babble coming from the playpen next to the couch, where Kiba and Naruto seemed to be fighting over some sort of toy. They were nine and six months old respectively, but that didn't seem to hinder their ability to argue.
"Sorry Misa-chan, can't help you there," was her response. We shared a conspiratory grin. I had grown fond of Tsume over the last few months. She was a gorgeous, independent woman who, dare I say it, didn't need no man. In fact, she had actually chased and maimed her now ex-husband the week before Kiba was born because she had caught him cheating. Kushina and Fugaku had looked mildly concerned after I had read the article in the newspaper and instantly declared her my idol. Minato had just looked amused.
"Hmmph. Well, they can just get over it, can't they? I'm not leaving one of the few steady jobs I have because a set of pups don't know how to tell friend from foe." Tsume didn't get a chance to respond as Naruto began to fuss, which lead Kiba to fussing right along with him. Naruto was teething, while also beginning to crawl. Of course, most days, he tended to scoot around on his bottom or even roll across the floor instead. But he was getting there. Because he was teething though, he was constantly uncomfortable, which meant I hadn't gotten a good night's sleep in several weeks. A tired Misaki is not a happy Misaki.
Over the months since Naruto's birth, I had developed what seemed to be super hearing. Tsume had explained that it was actually an instinctive chakra exercise that even most untrained civilian parents could do. It couldn't be performed consciously if you had never received training in chakra manipulation, which was only taught among clans or in the Academy. I admit, I was a little disappointed I would never be able to do it, but none-the-less, the boost was appreciated. Naruto could be a sneaky little shit, especially after he began to crawl.
One April morning, after an especially harrowing and exhausting night, a le Naruto, I woke up to a screaming alarm clock accompanied by a baby section. Baby sections in an orchestra are never appreciated, especially at five in the morning. I was running late for work, Naruto was being especially difficult, and there are only so many things you can do one handed, none of which are quickly tying knots or buttoning pants. I snapped. Not at Naruto, oh no. I'd never hit a baby. I wasn't Kana. Growing frustrated with the light sweater I had spent the last five minutes trying to pull over Naruto's head, I stormed across the apartment and onto the miniscule balcony to yell at the Anbu I knew were there.
"Would one of you Kunai-brains come and help me before I have an aneurysm!? If I'm late one more time, Chouza-sama will skin me alive!" I shook the slip of fabric at the trees before going back inside, completely ignoring the startled silence outside. Not even the birds were chirping. I continued to dress and kept my back to the sliding glass leading to the balcony, not even twitching as the sound of footsteps on cheap, shitty hardwood reached my chakra-enhanced ears. I went about packing the baby bag and reheating Naruto's breakfast, all while trying not grin because of the baby giggles and muffled, frustrated cursing behind me. After finally managing to get dressed and having put on my sling, I turned around to find the door gliding shut and latching with a low 'click,' no Anbu in sight. Naruto was dressed in his insulated frog onesie, ready for the cool morning air, and scooting towards me, grabby hands activated. I couldn't help but smile back, before depositing him in his carrier and heading out the door. Surprisingly, I made it on time.
Owl sighed, but let out a snort, muffled by their mask, as their partner complained for the third time in just as many minutes. Snake had lost the sudden game of Janken*, and thus had to go help dress the brat. Really, it wasn't that big of a deal. Sure, they could have just ignored her demands, but after a half year of protecting Kishimot Misaki and Uzumaki Naruto, most of Anbu had built a grudging respect for the ten year old. There were some adults who couldn't manage what she did. Case in point, Snake.
"She has to deal with that every morning? I couldn't do it Owl, I swear. I think I'd go insane." repeated Snake, a whine in their voice. "I've seen steel beams more malleable than that kid's arms. And she actually manages to be on time almost every day?" Snake was new to the protection detail, it being their first day on the job, so didn't really understand what the big deal was until about five minutes ago.
Owl shook their head. "And every night, and all through the day as well. All while only using one hand too. While working three jobs." Snake shuddered, causing Owl to chuckle once more. "And unlike a certain captain, she actually knows how to manage her time."
"Oh, you mean Dog-taicho? Where've they been anyway? Haven't seen 'em around HQ lately."
Owl cocked their head, looking much like their animal namesake, in a thinking pose. "I believe they were assigned a long term mission, right after the Kyuubi attack, along with Woodpecker*. Not supposed to be back for a few more months, at least."
"Ah... oh look she's arrived at the bakery. Time to settle in for a day jam-packed with boredo-, I mean, guarding two very important figures."
"..."
"... Owl?"
"Yes Snake?"
"... Remind me to NEVER have kids."
"Of course Snake."
Eventually, July arrived, which meant that I had a fuck ton, okay more like two but whatever, of birthday parties to attend. None of which were my own, because I absolutely despise parties. Oh, I didn't mind a nice dinner or outing with some close friends or family members, but a large party was always so exhausting. I wanted to have fun on my birthday, not put on an act. Unfortunately, there are no amusement parks in the Naruto world, which had always been my go-to celebration for 'important' birthdays…. I really miss rollercoasters.
For Kiba's birthday, Tsume asked if I could make some of the desserts that had actually gotten me promoted to kitchen assistant at the bakery. They were only half-remembered Western-style cakes and sweets, but had been gaining popularity anyway. Especially the three-layered lemon cake with lemon curd filling. It didn't seem to matter all that much to Kiba what flavor his cake was, so for the assorted babies and toddlers, I just made carrot cupcakes. For the adults, mostly Inuzuka of course, I made a dog bone shaped chocolate cake with white icing. They found it amusing. But it was even funnier when Kiba fell asleep and landed face first on his cupcake. Naruto, being around ten months old, followed shortly. We all had a good laugh.
Then it was my turn to be officially one year older. Eleven is not an exciting age. All three of my employers had informed me the day before that I should not, would not bother showing up for work on my birthday because they would immediately send me right back out the door. From Akimichi Chomei-senpai, lord of the sweets at the bakery and the person I had begun to follow around as his assistant, had baked me a cake. Chocolate, with lemon curd filling, and dark chocolate icing sprinkled with sea salt. Yuuuum. Chomei was a large man, being an Akimichi, and Chouza-sama's cousin. He took his sweets seriously and was a hard task-master, but I was fond of him anyway. Chomei was very much that crotchety old man that everyone liked, despite his best intentions. Chouza-sama and his wife gave me a bonus, and even a raise!
From the Yamanaka, I also received a bonus, plus a bouquet of flowers. Baby's breath for festivity, delphinium for my birth month and boldness, daffodil for chivalry, daisies for innocence, freesia for spirit, gladiolus for strength of character, and hydrangea for perseverance. A strange, but beautiful bouquet, bright and colorful. They had placed it in a simple, white ceramic vase, as to not distract from its beauty. Naruto tried to eat a daisy. He didn't like it, much to a baby Ino's delight.
The Inuzuka didn't really give me anything except for a bonus, but I didn't mind. Yes, I was liked and one of the few outsiders to work in the Clinic, but like dogs, the family as a whole took a while to be trusting. However, Tsume personally gave me a gorgeous scarf, a deep forest green with gold edging, already cut and knotted to act as a sling for my left arm. My old, standard sling had been wearing thin after a whole two years of daily use, so it was greatly appreciated. The scarves were also infinitely more comfortable. I strongly suspected it wasn't her doing, but she wasn't the best at domestic things anyway. The Inuzuka clan head had actually gotten me several of them. The one for daily use was a plain, natural burlap, which was durable and not that hard to clean. The other was white silk to wear only when I dressed up or wore kimono. Which wouldn't be very soon, if I had anything to say about it.
Fugaku was on a mission the day I turned eleven, but would return by the time Sasuke's first birthday came around, so my birthday dinner with the Uchiha family was postponed until then. That didn't stop Mikoto and Itachi, plus Sasu-chan, from popping up at my apartment with a homemade meal and presents. There was of course the monthly check, which certainly helped pay the bills, plus a bonus for me to use for whatever I wanted. The bonuses from work, I used to finally buy a washing machine so I wouldn't have to go across the village to do laundry. Any extra money was put into a savings account or used to invest in my places of employment. I planned on eventually buying a house and paying with cash, so I wouldn't have a mortgage. Luckily, Naruto's years at the academy would be covered by the Third. Otherwise, I wouldn't be able to afford it.
I blinked in confusion at the package on the low table in the center of the room, Mikoto and Itachi looking over my shoulder or around me to see what had made me pause. "There… is a package on my table."
The look on six year old Itachi's face clearly said 'Duh, stupid.' "Yes, there does appear to be."
"I have no idea who it's from…. Mikoto-obasan, can you please check it out?"
Mikoto frowned, marring her pretty face and stepped inside, with us behind her. She spent several minutes examining it, with both her sharingan, since when did she have that, and several other mystery ninja things. I really should have known she had the sharingan. She had been a jounin before retiring. "There doesn't seem to be anything amiss. Is it okay if I open it for you though, Misaki-chan?"
"Go for it." She opened it quickly, jumping back in case of an explosion or something similar. When nothing happened for several moments, the house-wife relaxed minutely before dumping out the contents. It was several packages of thick paper, along with rolls of typewriter ink ribbons, and a cleaning/repair kit. Hesitantly, I crossed the room, leaving both Naruto and Sasuke at the door with Itachi, and caught the note fluttering to the floor.
'Kishimoto Misaki,
There are quite a few of us who would like to wish you a happy birthday. Use the supplies well and we look forward to reading your published works instead of just your manuscripts. It would be most unfortunate for such creative skills to go unnoticed. And remember, you have quite a few fans already, so don't get too discouraged either.
Love,
The Kunai-brains'
I couldn't stop my snort of amusement or my small smile as I read the note. Damn sneaky Anbu, reading my translations. I appreciated the gift though, because I had run out of ink and paper several weeks ago, not to mention the roller was jammed. The kit would especially come in handy in fixing that little problem.
"It's all good Mikoto-obasan. Just a gift from some spectacularly sneaky ninja." She raised an eyebrow, silently questioning, but I answered only with a secretive smile. I clapped my hands. "All right! Who's hungry?!" Naruto gave quite the adorable responding squeal, but Sasuke's very obvious 'what the fuck' look in response was the thing that got us all laughing, or chuckling in Itachi's case. We all sat down to eat the delicious bento Mikoto had made.
A few hours later, after the three Uchiha had left, I began to sort through the gifts I had received. The flowers had been placed on the table, the scarves in the dresser, and the cake, what few leftover slices were left, in the fridge. I put the writing supplies up in the closet, with the typewriter and notebooks. I began folding the three samue, traditional working clothes, mizuya-gi, a smock/apron worn while cleaning, and the new everyday outfit I had received from the Uchiha family. My new geta and ninja shoes were already by the door. The outfit consisted of a pair of green cargo pants, to be wrapped with bandages around the ankles, and two black crop tops, one sleeveless, the other long-sleeved. I liked it a lot, actually.
About two weeks later, I found myself standing outside the Uchiha home, trying to somehow balance my arm full of baby long enough to either kick or ring the doorbell with my foot. This took several minutes, but I had just managed it when I heard the door open, and an amused Itachi walked out.
"Having trouble Misaki-nee?" He quirked an eyebrow.
I growled at him, not seriously though. "Oh shut up Itachi." I went inside the house and immediately plopped Naruto, already trying to escape, on the step. It didn't take him long to crawl away, towards the sound of other children playing. I wasn't upset about coming on Sasuke's birthday. Dinner tonight was for me, so Sasuke got his celebration during the day, simple as that. As soon as I had toed off my geta and put on some slippers, I followed after Itachi, who was vainly trying to catch Naruto. I pulled him into a hug after he had managed to herd the baby, almost toddler now, into the living room with the rest of the babies. Naruto had seen Sasuke and made a bee line towards him. "How've you been Ita-chan? Anything new going on?" I murmured into his hair.
He hugged me back. He had apparently decided to ignore the 'Ita-chan' for now. "I will be starting the academy this year."
"Are you excited?" I released the six year old to look him in the eyes, something I wouldn't be able to do without hesitation in two years.
He cocked his head, contemplating my question. "I suppose so. I do enjoy learning new things." I laughed, before ruffling his hair and poking him in the forehead, like he would eventually do to Sasuke.
"Well, just try your best okay? But don't let anyone push you around or make you do anything you don't want to, okay? You're gonna be great, I know it." He nodded and I kissed him on the cheek, causing a look of disgust to cross his face. Prodigy or not, Itachi was still six.
"Is that the wonderful voice of my favorite niece/daughter I never had I hear?~" came Mikoto's voice from somewhere in the house. Probably the kitchen, if the sound of frying meat was any indication.
I grinned at Itachi before I replied. He rolled his eyes and covered his ears, before walking off. "TADAIMAAAA!~"
There was the unmistakable sound of someone quickly standing from the seiza position, not a pretty noise by the way, and a shoji door gliding open on well-oiled rollers. Some quick, urgent footsteps down the hall.
"Okaeri Misa-chan," said Fugaku from behind me. I turned and took in his appearance. You couldn't even tell he had rushed from across the house to come greet me, if you ignored the stiffness of walking and slight wrinkles in his yukata. He wasn't even breathing hard. Otherwise, he hadn't changed much at all in the long months it had been since I had seen him last. But I didn't care about that. He was there. Fugaku let out a low 'oof' as I slammed into him, eyes watering and the biggest grin on my face. I nuzzled my face into the soft fabric of his yukata and felt his arms wrap around me. Out of all the adult Uchiha I had met, it was probably Fugaku I loved the most. I'd be destroyed when the Massacre happened. I still hadn't figured out a way to stop it. I know I shouldn't get so close to the Uchiha, but I couldn't help it.
We stood like that for what could have been only minutes or even hours before I finally had the energy to say something. "Fugaku-oji, Mikoto-oba must have not seen your clothes yet, because there is no other way you've been getting away with wearing a plaid yukata at a party." He snorted.
"Shhh, maybe if you don't mention it, she won't notice." I finally let go of him enough to let him see the disbelieving expression on my face. The Clan Head allowed a small smirk onto his face. "No go huh?"
I shook my head as we began to head down the hall, me clutching his left hand with my right. "No go." He let loose a very amusing, put upon sigh.
"Well, I'm not changing until she gives me The Look. Until then, don't say a-" Fugaku didn't get to finish as an enraged scream rang through the house, in the direction of the living room. "WHAT THE HELL IS THAT DEMON BRAT DOING IN HERE!? GET IT OUT!" An echoing slap. Shocked silence. A child began to wail. And not just any child either. Naruto. There was suddenly a loud roaring in my ears, and fire in my skin. I was no longer a match. I was a wild fire.
Fugaku reached the living room first, of course, promising Death on whoever had just slapped Naruto. He might have gotten there first, but I was the one who spotted her. Standing over Naruto's wailing, shaking form, with a smug grin on her face. And she wasn't the only one either. Half of the adults, of which there were no Uchiha, had the same hateful expression plastered on their faces. Itachi was frozen in shock, eyes wide. But that's when I stopped really paying attention.
With a scream of fury loud enough to rival a banshee, I lunged at the woman, no, the monster who had dared to hurt Naruto. I was sick of seeing people with faces like hers, uncaring monsters who willingly and happily hurt children. Their faces flashed before my eyes as I hit her and kicked her, not hearing, not caring about the screams for me to stop. My mother Kana, that Iwa nin who stabbed me and left me a cripple, the blank, mysterious faces of all those who had hit and run an innocent child just trying to cross the street. Wrong, wrong, why is this world so fucking wrong!? Then the faces of the victims. The Boy in the Box, found in Philadelphia, 1957. His identity was still unknown when I died the first time. Casey Brewer, his face remembered in mid-flinch, still not used to positive human contact. Lila Collins, her bloated body and sightless eyes found floating face down in the Mississippi River, raped then drowned by her insane uncle. A nameless teenage mother and her little girl, found frozen to death under a bridge in New York City on a cold January morning.
Finally, Fugaku managed to pull me off of the woman, who was nearly unconscious, and across the room from her. But not without one last final scream of "YOU'RE JUST LUCKY I'M NOT WEARING MY TOOLBELT YOU FUCKING BITCH! MAYBE A MALLET TO THE FACE IS WHAT YOU REALLY DESERVE!" I didn't, couldn't hear what Fugaku was saying, but he was using his cold, emotionless Uchiha voice, so it wasn't good. I was a match once more, but that roaring was still there, like the ever constant rumbling of magma underneath a volcano. People screamed as two Anbu operatives body-flickered into the room, obviously with Fugaku's permission, and picked up the woman. One paused and cocked their head at me, looking quite a bit like an owl, before nodding to Fugaku and disappearing along with their partner.
"-aki! -isaki! Misaki!" I blinked owlishly and turned toward Itachi, who was holding out what looked to be a damp rag. He had a first aid kit in his other hand. I looked at him in obvious confusion. He rolled his eyes. "Your knuckles are bleeding. They need to be cleaned or the cuts will get infected." I still didn't feel like talking, so I just wordlessly held out my fist. It's not like I could clean it anyway. Next to me, Fugaku sighed deeply and ran his hand over his face. I looked at him. I wouldn't apologize for the mess I made or what this incident would probably do to the Uchiha Clan's reputation. What was most likely an important lady getting attacked for 'no reason' by the Fox Brat's guardian while attending the Second Son's First Birthday Party? Sounded like headlines right there. I didn't feel guilty though, and I've never seen the point in apologizing unless you were legitimately sorry. It was a waste of time.
Fugaku's eyes turned to steel and he slowly stood to face the crowd, who had been conversing amongst themselves. They quieted. The clan head did not raise his voice, and it was as soft as a feather, like he wasn't even upset. But the guests looked afraid anyway. It might have been the Killer Intent he was leaking. "If there are anymore of you who feel the same for Uzumaki Naruto as that woman, or have even the slightest of negative emotions involving him, I ask that you leave now and take your children with you. I will not have such people attending my son's birthday party. Uzumaki Naruto is a guest and so is his guardian." At this, he gestured to me. Eyes flickered toward me in fear. Apparently, I had made an impression. "If you think you can weasel your way into staying by using your status, know that Naruto and Misaki have been on the guest list far longer than any of you have, and are far more important to me than having disrespectful scum like you support the Uchiha clan any longer. If you brought gifts, those will be returned to you as well. If there are a few of you who can actually keep themselves neutral towards my guests, or are actually grateful for the sacrifices made to keep you alive, you may stay." And with that, he stalked out of the room.
Itachi having finished bandaging my hand during his father's speech, I stood and wordlessly went to Naruto. The crowd of guests parted like the Red Sea. He was still whimpering on the floor, though he was also being contained a bear hug by Sasuke. When he saw me coming, the blonde smiled through his pain like he would have to do when he was older dammit and reached for me. I smiled back and picked him up, allowing Itachi to handle his little brother. When we had turned around to follow Fugaku, a good fourth of the guests had left with their children, while even more were on their way out the door. Itachi led me by my left hand, the scarf must have come undone during the tussle, into and down the hallway, than out the backdoor. And there was Fugaku, rubbing his temples to try and prevent a headache. It didn't look as if he was being particularly successful.
A flash of guilt rushed through me, but I squashed it. I was not sorry for beating up that horrible woman, I refused to. She deserved everything I gave to her. Fugaku seemed to be able to read my mind, because he suddenly chuckled before gesturing for us both to sit next to him. I sat with Naruto, who didn't seem eager to squirrel off for once, on my lap and leaned into him. Itachi copied me on his other side. We were all very quiet for a while, before I finally spoke up.
"I'm not gonna apologize Fugaku-oji. I don't say sorry 'less I mean it."
He huffed. "I wasn't expecting you to. In fact, I don't even want you to, Misaki-chan."
I looked up at him, trying to gauge his emotions, but his face might as well have been painted on. "I am sorry about causing you what's probably a whole lotta trouble though. Those looked like some very important people Oji-san."
He nodded. "They were, supposedly. But I am beginning to realize something, the longer this night goes on…." I furrowed my brow in confusion, but the clan head just continued to stare at the sunset. I listened for movement in the house. There was Mikoto, who seemed as if she was at the door, seeing people off, but not even hinting she was sorry to see them go. So, had all the guests left then? The whole village would know by morning.
It wasn't long before Mikoto herself joined us, not looking the least bit upset about the whole situation. She actually looked rather maniacally pleased, especially with me, seeing as she patted my on the head on her way past, to sit next to Itachi. She'd probably wanted to do that to quite a few people since Naruto's birth and the subsequent Kyuubi attack but couldn't because it would cause the clan to lose face. Sometimes being so influential was a pain in the ass.
"Otou-sama, what is on your mind? You have been very quiet." It looks like Itachi broke first.
"… I am beginning to realize that the only people who should be important enough to affect how I treat my family should be my family. Not people who are so set in their ways, they cannot see what some innocent person has to go through just to allow them to keep living their comfortable lives." His voice seemed to take on a determined tone as he turned to me. "Over the last few months, the other major clans have begun to seclude us, sometimes not even bothering to send an invitation, at what should be peaceful and joyful events. But we as a clan are only met with scorn, or hostility. I had not realized until now why they had been doing so. Many of the Clan Elders are calling it distrust or bitterness because of how strong the Uchiha are, but that never sat right with me."
Now I was even more confused. "So why do you think the other clans don't like you anymore Oji-san?"
Fugaku sighed. "The other major clans have announced either their neutrality or their support of you and Naruto. The Hyuuga and Aburame could care less for instance, but the Inuzuka and Ino-Shika-Cho have all voiced their undying support. At least one of the reasons for their continued hostility is because the Uchiha have not declared their intentions yet. The only other clans who haven't, their opinons are obvious and extremely negative."
"So they assume you feel the same way?"
"Yes, I believe so. I do not blame them. They do not know of the checks we send you monthly, because they are private and not actually from the Clan accounts. We ask for donations." He paused, before continuing. "The Uchiha must make an official statement of our support, or I fear the distance between us and the rest of the village will only grow wider."
I stared at Fugaku in wonder. Was this really one of the reasons behind the Clan's continued seclusion? Fugaku being stubborn? And if I had decided not to come today, he would have continued being stubborn?! I spoke my next words straight from the heart and looked him dead in the eye. "Fugaku-oji, you're a moron."
Mikoto burst out laughing, and it seemed as if the tension just melted out of the area. It took her several minutes to stop laughing. When she finally did, she exclaimed, "Raise your hand if you want take out!"
Even the baby's hands went up.
Okay, so I hope you enjoyed! This is my longest chapter yet!
Janken= Pretty much Japanese Rock-Paper-Scissors.
Woodpecker= Dog shouldn't be too hard to guess, but if someone guesses who Woodpecker is and they're right, they get internet cupcakes!