Author's Note: 𝟭𝟴, M/M, Mpreg, Mates, Limes & Lemons later on, so be forewarned
𝘼𝙡𝙨𝙤, 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙮 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙗𝙚 𝙩𝙤𝙡𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝 𝙎𝙖𝙨𝙪𝙠𝙚'𝙨 𝙋𝙊𝙑
I never thought I would be spending my eighteenth birthday in the Hokage office, but here we are.
Sasuke Uchiha is my name, but others call me the last survivor of the Uchiha family. I was just a child when it happened, but I still remember the screams and the smell of smoke, and the feeling of helplessness as I watched my family's home burn.
I vowed to make those who did this pay, and from that day forth, and from that point on, I had done just that.
As the last Uchiha to still possess the Sharingan, a powerful eye technique inherited from my forefathers, I am also the only one left who is able to weld it. Using my Sharingan, I am able to see the future, predict my opponents' next moves, and even copy their moves.
As soon as I heard a throat being cleared, I was pulled from my thoughts and thrust back into the present moment. Tsunade-dono's gaze caught mine as I looked up.
We sat facing one another, the Hokage, and I. I'm guessing I was there to be informed about this new program circulating around the village.
This program had been implemented by the five major villages, Konohagakure, Sunagakure, Iwagakure, Kumogakure, and Kirigakure, to help rebuild their respective nations as well as to bring about peace among them.
Each village in the region had recently experienced a drastic decline in population due to a variety of factors, including war, famine, and disease. To combat this, the villages collaborated to create a repopulation program.
This program was designed to incentivize people to marry from other villages and start families all the while providing them with resources to make it easier to settle in.
They hoped that this program would lead to a resurgence of their population and create a stronger community between the five villages.
In my eyes, it felt different they wanted to domesticate us now that the truce treaty was signed.
To me, it felt like those who lost their lives during the war were being replaced by a false sense of community.
I don't know why this struck me as it did. I thought I had built an impenetrable fortress, but trepidation still found its way in. I was constantly on edge, anticipating the next attack. I felt like I was stuck in the middle of a battlefield with no way out. I was in a state of constant turmoil, struggling to find peace and solace.
Tsunade's honeycomb-colored orbs were fixed on me as if searching for something. She exhaled deeply her curvy frame seeming to slump in her seat.
"I'm sure you know why I summoned you here to my office." Lazily, she leaned onto her knuckles a shadow of a smirk forming across her aging face. She wanted me to tell her why I was there. I hid my frustration deciding to humor her.
"Marriage... I'm assuming." I muttered.
"That is correct! You are the last of the Uchiha clan..." She said. I peered deeply into her sympatric gaze.
"Let me, guess you have a candidate." I gave a heavy sigh. I had been promoted to the rank of ANBU captain, a position of great prestige and power. I just wanted to be the best at my job and make a difference. However, my skills and talents were being wasted on missions that seemed to have no purpose. I felt like a cog in a wheel, just going through the motions day after day. I couldn't help but feel like my efforts were insignificant in the grand scheme of things.
I was just a tool to be used for whatever mission the higher-ups deemed necessary.
Tsunade began to talk again gaining my attention once again, "I have several for you! You are quite popular, and the families wanted to arrange a meeting with you."
"Several!" Several candidates? There were other men my age better suited for this program! Who was more willing and able! As for me, I was not.
Tsunade noticed my stupor and reached out to me. The unintentional act was her form of comfort, maybe a sympathetic pat on the shoulder, but the desk between us hindered the unsuspected attempt.
She laid her hand flat on the surface once she realized what she was doing. I watched as her hand returned to her side.
"You'll get a day with each family, and once you are done with all candidates. Then it's up to you to
decide who you choose." She paused for a moment, allowing her words to sink in before continuing.
"You don't have to make a decision right away though. Take your time and think it through. This decision is important and you should feel comfortable with whatever you choose."
I took a deep breath, trying to calm the intrusive
thoughts that ran through my mind. I had been so consumed in the news that I had not noticed how uncomfortable the chair had become, or how long I had been sitting.
"What about the rogues and missing-nin!" I knew I sounded desperate, but I hoped this weak attempt would sway her mind.
"We are striving to create a better world for all, free from violence and war. Unfortunately, these ideals are difficult to achieve and evil forces will always exist. Nevertheless, we must not let that dictate our lives; instead, we must focus on caring for our future. Together, we can produce a world of lasting peace and harmony. We owe it to those who lost their lives to make sure that their sacrifice was not for nothing. Let us use this moment to remember them and to commit ourselves to building a better future. Let us ensure that the legacy of those who died will live on in our hearts and actions."
I broke away from her deep amber pools, seeking solace in my clenched fist.
Her speech struck a negative chord within me.
Peace! Harmony!
We Shinobi had sacrificed our childhood for this delusion of peace, and in the process, our lives were turned upside down as they taught us to kill or be killed and now they expect us to live normal lives. As if watching family and friends die was some minor inconvenience.
She dismissed me shortly after. I was seething underneath as I walked away, my mind spinning with a million thoughts.
I wanted to lash out and express my anger, but I knew that it wouldn't do me any good. I was so angry, I could feel my blood pressure rising. I kept my emotions in check, but inside, I was snarling.
My negative mood lingered long into the night.
The news made it hard to think. Hard to breathe even. I needed air, and my studio apartment wasn't helping this feeling of being trapped as the walls began to cavin in on me like waves. So, I ran not knowing where I was heading I needed to clear my head.
Several candidates...
In the middle of all this, I felt overwhelmed by the number of families and girls I would have to meet.
I don't know when I made it outside the village walls and into the woods, before I heard it, I was walking for an unknown period of time. The only sound was the crunch of leaves and twigs under my feet. I was looking for something, though I wasn't sure what. That's when I heard the sound of running water, pushing my way through the thick brush and leaves. My hand pulled back a stray branch revealing the source of the sound there was a waterfall!
I marveled at the sight before me. The water cascaded down in a shimmering sheet of crystal-clear liquid, creating a mesmerizing display of light and sound.
I could feel the mist on my face and the cool spray of the water as it tumbled into the deep pool at the base of the falls. I was captivated by the beauty of the scene and felt a sense of calm wash over me.
That's when I saw a figure break through the water's surface, illuminated by the moonlight, and drift along peacefully in the pool, seemingly oblivious to the power of the falling water just inches above them. It was a surreal sight, and I couldn't help but stare in awe as I realized the beauty of the moment.
At first, I believed this person was just a normal village boy, albeit a bit odd swimming in his birthday suit. But as I drew near, I noticed the distinct whiskers on his cheeks and two very large apricot-colored fox heads on his head.
His ears matched his shaggy spiky hair which glinted in the moonlight as he moves through the water with such ease. I had never seen anything quite like it before.
He playful splashed water and he dance and twirled about.
Having never seen anything like him before, it was bewitching to watch. He seemed so at peace with his surroundings. Slowly, my mind started to connect the dots. When I was young I heard tales of his kind.
Kitsune - They were fox demons that shapeshift into humans, and lure anyone unfortunate enough to cross their path to their death. I always thought the village elders told us these tales to keep us from venturing too far into the forest or to keep the village children obedient.
They said that Kitsune only ate children, but they especially loved the naughty ones. Silly now, but at the time it was horrifying to my six-year-old self.
I released a shaky breath and in that instant, his ear shot in my direction before his head followed suit. Our eyes connected as his face contorted with confusion.
No longer was he swimming he floated there in the middle of the lake, the water coming up to his chin. He seemed just as curious of me, as I was of him.
I took a step back, releasing the branch from my grip, letting it obscure my view. I knew it was too late I was already spotted.
Swiftly, my vision became clearer as I activated my Sharingan I could feel my deep obsidian swirled with crimson in its distinctive pinwheel design, so if a fight was to ensue, I would be ready.
But the unexpected happened in a blink the Kitsune was in front of me. He was faster than expected, his swiftness catching me off guard, my eyes narrowed on him, and as my feet planted firmly to the ground, I took a defensive stance.
At first, the Kitsune seemed confused. He paused for a second as he hiked a curious blonde brow. He seemed to come to terms with my willingness to fight him as a small smile tugged at the corner of his lips.
His smiling eyes danced with mirth as he struck his own feral stance. In a blink, he was on me. I underestimated his speed nothing could compare to the agility he had when in combat even though I blocked every attack. He moved like the wind.
His lean frame danced with mine as every blow he delivered was either countered or blocked. My Sharingan and skill had allowed me to keep up, unfortunately, at this rate, I knew I would tire soon and there was no sign of him stopping or slowing down. This Kitsune was good.
He kept close leaving no room for me to strike back, so I did the next best thing. I dug the heel of my scandal in the dirt crushing the earth below and kicking a pile into his face. Instantly, he hissed covering his eyes, and taking a step back. This gave me the break, I needed.
So, I caught him with an uppercut beneath his chin knocking him off his feet. I refused to give him even a second to recover. I swung behind him wrapping my legs around his own and curling my right arm around his neck. Ironically, enough I held him in a rear naked choke hold, fitting for his lack of clothing.
It felt exhilarating like every pore in my body was alive. I had never gotten this close to another that did not involve me plunging a kunai into their chest. This experience was, however, quite different.
It didn't feel like my life was endangered it felt more like a spar, and me being who I am refused to lose. My chest burned as I struggled to catch my breath.
However, this had nothing to do with being out of shape, it was from the rush of adrenaline and endorphins coursing through my brain and body like liquid fuel.
The earthy scent of oakmoss and lavender filled my nostrils etching itself in my memory, as damp blonde strands clung to my face. There was a lump twitching against my pelvis creating a strange sensation down there that felt foreign, but still, my legs remained firmly locked over his.
Even with the growing discomfort I soon realized there was a tail moving down there his tail to be exact. How did I miss that?
"You win..." He said, startling me from my thoughts. He can speak. Just then, my cheek brushed against his whiskered one. I could feel the rapid rise and fall of his diaphragm against my body, our breaths now in unison.
"I win," I repeated breathlessly. Internally I chastised myself for how dimwitted I sounded. However, my mind was hyper-focus on that tail, it had somehow wedged itself between my legs.
"I accept your declaration." He exhaled.
"What?" The feeling of high evaporated from my body as I released him and jumped to my feet.
Calmly, he sat up rubbing his neck before ascending to his feet. "You're a skilled fighter." He complimented. I ignored that wanting to know what he meant by declaration.
"What declaration?!" I shouted.
"It's Kitsune custom. I am bonded to the one who bests me. We are engaged now." I searched his face, but I found no hint of deception.
His lips pipped as if just remembering, "I must inform my kin." He said.
"Wait wait wait-" My mind was still trying to process what just happened.
He looked up at me with those big blue eyes cracking a large smile, his canines poking through. He mistook my confusion as me not wanting him to leave. "Don't worry... I promise to return back here tomorrow, night." He turned on the heels of his feet and gleefully bound away through the thick brush his tail swinging from left to right behind him.
"Wait! No!" But he was gone, leaving me standing there with my hand stretched out at the nothingness in front of me.
Instead of the Kitsune killing me. I somehow winded up engaged to it.