IMPORTANT NOTE: Had to replace Chapter 4 because I was not at all happy with it. It was only after I published it that I realized I wrote it because I wanted a cool scene instead of something that drove the character or plot. Plus, the new chapter 4 fits in better with Harry's personality and plans.

Apologies for the replacement but I could not go ahead with the rest of the story until this was fixed

CHAPTER FOUR

"Boar was all, 'I know what I'm doing' and then I said, 'Sure. But that's Tsume-san's special batch'." Shisui laughed. "I'm pretty sure he set a record for fastest lap to the gates that day."

Itachi's lips twitched. Shisui had learned that this was the equivalent of anybody else laughing their guts out.

Fukurou giggled like a little girl. Coming from the six-year old brat, it sounded kind of cute. "Did she ever find out?"

"Within the hour." Shisui loved this story and had repeated it more times than Boar wished he did. "Instead of beating him up, she just dragged him into the middle of a busy street and flayed him alive. And reduced him to a trembling mess with words. I'm pretty sure T&I were taking lessons in psycho-warfare."

Itachi blinked, looking undecided between amusement and exasperation.

Yet Fukurou's reaction was the most interesting. As soon as T&I was mentioned, he went from a jolly kid to a grimacing mess.

After Fukurou had not so subtly threatened him, Shisui had begun dropping on the boy's training. He needed to get closer to this kid who, by all accounts, was six years old and yet spoke with the authority that the Clan Elders would be hard pressed to match. Plus, he figured he could pick up a couple of chakra manipulation tricks, tricks that Fukurou had plenty of. Tricks which allowed Shisui to sharpen his chakra manipulation to a fine edge, pushing the possibilities of what he could do with chakra.

The physical exercises were the most surprising. At first glance, it did appear to be two kids playing everything from Tag to anything Fukurou made up on the spot. But as Shisui started paying attention, he realized that Fukurou's regimen of games was making Itachi run faster, hit harder, last longer and dodge quicker.

Yet, Fukurou never pushed his brother beyond certain limits, always careful to limit them to playing rather than truly pushing Itachi's limits.

It was like Fukurou was afraid to turn Itachi into a shinobi.

On reflection, Shisui did not think it was a far-fetched thought. Fukurou had welcomed him to the training sessions and would even banter back and forth but any mentions of the shinobi lifestyle would have Fukurou grimacing like he had taken a bite of a really sour apple.

There were time Shisui wondered what Fugaku-sama would do if he ever revealed that his freakish son would not be a shinobi and was likely moulding his brother to avoid the career as well.

Fukurou shrugged. "I guess Boar might learned his lesson."

Shisui just smiled. "That he did. We still have the pictures."

"I'll take some time." Fukurou checked his watch. "Did you leave the note like I said?"

"Are you trying to turn yourself into Kakashi's training dummy?" Shisui grinned. Fukurou had literally forced him into tracking down Kakashi-senpai's apartment and leaving a handwritten note from Fukurou to meet them at the training ground they were currently occupying.

"He's turned himself into a dummy." Fukurou shot back. "I'm trying to put him back together."

Shisui knew this kid was going to be an absolute blast. The entire clan despised Kakashi for 'stealing' the sharingan and here was the clan prodigy planning to teach the guy how to use it better.

How Fukurou found out about the entire story about Kakashi and Obito was still a mystery but he was determined to help Kakashi-senpai.

The Clan Elders were going to pitch so many fits when he reported this.

That was another thing. Fukurou had flat out told him to give the Elders the entire truth about the sessions. When asked why, Fukurou said something about how 'the truth was more terrifying to the senile fools'.

"And you think you can put me back together?"

Shisui jerked into a combat stance before realizing it was Kakashi-senpai standing right beside him. Looked like the new ANBU captain's stealth skills were not exaggerated.

Fukurou did not even blink at the entrance and gestured for his brother to relax. "Put you back together myself? Not happening. Give you the tools to do it yourself? We have to see how receptive you are."

Kakashi-senpai sighed and turned to walk away. "Never play any pranks like this again, Shisui."

Shisui winced at the menace underlying his senior's voice.

"So, you do want to keep disgracing the sacrifice of your friends, huh?"

Shisui turned to yell at Fukurou, only to find Kakashi-senpai tapping the kid's forehead lightly.

Fukurou showed no reaction, save for holding back Itachi from defending his twin.

Kakashi-senpai loomed over Fukurou. "What do you know of sacrifice?"

If Shisui knew that Fukurou was going to insult Kakashi on the one topic everybody avoided, he would have made the kid scrap his plans about the last Hatake.

Fukurou's smile was far too empathetic for a six-year old boy. "Not enough, Kakashi. Not enough."

The kid patted Kakashi on the shoulder. "But I do know that Obito wanted you to do more than stand for hours in front of the memorial every chance you get."

Shusui winced. That was one quirk nobody was brave enough to speak to Kakashi-senpai about and here was Fukurou poking the dragon in the eye,

Kakashi-senpai looked like the world had fallen on his shoulders. "Who are-"

Fukurou tapped Kakashi-senpai on the forehard, causing the ANBU captain to jerk back. "Just a guy who wants to help a man hurting too much."

Kakashi-senpai stared for a moment before vanishing.

Shisui leaned close to Fukurou. "Was that what you wanted?"

Fukurou sighed. "No. I was expecting more shouting. Looks like it's going to take a while before I get through."

Shisui did not know if Fukurou was recklessly suicidal or suicidally reckless. "You are very lucky Kakashi-senpai did not strike back."

"I really wished he did."

For the first time, Shisui really started to wonder if the kid had a death-wish beneath all that bravado. "So, what's your plan now?"

"Itachi can practice ANBU-hide-and-seek to annoy Kakashi everyday." Fukurou giggled with the air of a madman with a plan. "You, Shisui, are going to find out everything you can about Jinchuuriki. I overheard Mother speaking to her friend about it but she sent him off before I could hear the rest."

Shisui realized right then and there that Fukurou could not be boring if he tried.