When morning came he had busied himself with making breakfast, much to Granny Izuka's and Emi's reluctance. He had made eggs on toast but the eggs were sloppy and more like water and the toast was burnt to the point it would crumble once picked up. He was then forced out of the kitchen for some proper food to be made and Andrew just left without saying a word or goodbye. He hadn't slept all night, his vivid nightmare haunting him, never giving him a moment of respite. He walked around thoughtlessly with no purpose until he stumbled upon two Uchiha talking to each other.
They were the same people who hurt him and targeted Emi. Without an order from his brain he followed them from the shadows. He was making his presence invisible and his movements minimal and planned. He had learnt these skills from constantly evading the ninja guarding the care home and escaping. He finally realised why Karasu kept making him escape to get to his training. He was learning stealth, infiltration and exfiltration.
One of the Uchiha turned around but was met by an empty street which wasn't unusual in this time of war. There were kids running around in open streets and the elderly watching from their windows but he couldn't shake the feeling of being watched. But he thought nothing of it as he continued talking and walking.
Andrew observed then turned down a street feeling a pair of eyes glued to his back. He himself was being stalked as he was stalking his prey. He made a sharp turn down an empty side street and took a glance behind him catching a pair of black eyes locking with his own emerald green eyes. He hid behind another corner and waited, gripping the hilt of his Katana. As the person turned the corner he drew his sword to their throat. It was a kid of similar age to him and he was unfazed. He just turned his eyes in his direction and watched.
"What are you doing?" It was Itachi. He quickly looked over Andrew and analysed him. He quickly took note of the bags under his eyes.
"I could ask the same of you." Andrew didn't sheath his sword, keeping it pressed against Itachi's throat.
Itachi just looked in front as if in thought then looked back with an answer.
"Following you." Itachi was blunt and straightforward. Expectant of an answer from Andrew now.
"Following them." Andrew tilted his head to the boys who were growing further into the distance.
"You lost once, what makes you think this time will be different?" Itachi continued probing for answers ignoring the cold metal pressed against his throat. Andrew felt powerless even though he should be in control. Itachi was truly powerful for his age.
"Shut up." Andrew sheathed his sword feeling threatened and made a move to leave. "If you know what's good for you, don't follow. I don't want to fight you." Andrew gave a quick glance at Itachi taking in his indifferent expression.
What's going on his mind the both of them thought. One from a place of concern the other from weakness.
Andrew followed the two boys the rest of the day finding out where they live and plotting his revenge for their prank. Karasu wasn't dead. He couldn't be. He was strong after all. It must be a lie. And they will pay for it!
The next day the two Uchiha boys woke up to being stripped half naked outside the Hidden leaf shinobi school hung on a tree by their underwear.
How did this happen?
The two looked at one another then their surroundings. It was dark out and in front of them was a silhouette in the moonlight. They wouldn't need their sharingan to see them but their identity was still unknown.
"Who are you! Do you not know who we are! Let us down NOW!" The boy yelled but it had no effect. Instead a small jolt of electricity shot down both the boys back, shutting them up.
"Shut up. You're being loud." The unknown figure sneered, uncomfortable with the obnoxious and bratty Uchiha.
He walked closer, becoming clearer. He was covered with a black hoodie but his voice rang bells in their memories. The boy in front of them was familiar somehow.
"Wh-who are you?" The Uchiha brat stuttered.
"Someone who doesn't like depts. So I'm here to pay you back for your prank. Happy now." The boy smiled up at the two Uchiha and sent shivers down their spines. This time it wasn't from an electrical shock of lightning chakra but fear.
"S-stay back!" The boys flinched and turned away. Not that it would help.
"I thought I told you to SHUT UP!" The boy's voice echoed through the night. He cleared his throat then continued. The night would be long and uncomfortable, threatening even. And the two Uchiha wouldn't dare talk back or cause problems again.
Their screams of pain would resound throughout the still night, with no end in sight and help feeling distant with every bruise and cut.
Andrew smiled knowing the fun was only just beginning. It was a sadistic smile which took joy in their suffering. He was becoming less recognisable as a human as time passed. Only the future knew of what he would become.