Chapter 1
Seven year old Sasuke had no clue what woke him up. He had a really sick feeling deep in his stomach. He got out of bed, rubbing the sleep out of his eyes, and started making his way to the bathroom. He wasn’t really paying attention to his surroundings as he made his way down the hall. A light caught his attention and he stopped a moment to observe it. He didn’t think anything of it until he heard his father and brother yelling at each other.
“Why don’t you understand that they’re helping us,” Itachi yelled. Sasuke didn’t think he was supposed to yell at their father like that but father was yelling too so it might be okay. He’d never really heard either of them yell before so it must be important.
“They’re throwing mission after mission at you in the hopes of taking out one of our strongest fighters. We need you to be strong to fight when the time is right.” Fukagu threw back at itachi.
“If you would only reconsider…..” Itachi started and Sasuke didn’t know what they were fighting about but one thing was clear to his young mind.
Father was angry because someone was being mean to his big brother and whatever it was, it was making them fight. With all the confidence of a seven year old, he pulled the door open and was greeted by three stunned faces. His father and brother were standing with their sharingans activated and his mother had her hands over her mouth. The tears in her eyes brought a rage to Sasuke he didn’t think he’s ever felt before.
“Well, nobody gets to bully Itachi while I'm around.” It was almost comical how certain he sounded. His brother and father sat back down and his mother edged back towards the table. Wiping her eyes, she called Sasuke over. He happily went to her, excited to be part of the conversation.
“Who do you think is bullying Itachi,” Mikoto asked as she moved Sasuke’s hair out of his eyes. The other two looked on curiously. Sasuke was happy to be involved in the family conversation and didn’t think about why it had to happen in the middle of the night.
“Whoever is sending him on missions that makes him too tired to train with me,” that was obviously the biggest problem here. Mikoto almost laughed at the thought until her youngest turned almost shyly towards his father. “You too,” Fugaku looked almost stunned at the accusation. “Why are you making brother fight. Of course he would be amazing at it but he shouldn’t do something he doesn’t want too.” Itachi looked like the idea of not fighting had never occurred to him. Silly brother, they went to the same school with the same teachers. Somebody must have told him it’s not okay to fight just because you can. With a nod of his head, he confirmed the thought.
Fugaku thought for a moment and tried to explain to his youngest son. “Sometimes when people aren’t doing right, you have to make them by fighting and your brother…”
“Nu-huh” Sasuke interrupted. “He doesn’t have to do anything.” Sasuke looked at his brother who looked just as stunned as their father. “If someone is being mean to him and you're worried, then you should just stop taking missions from them. Iruka said fighting when you don't have to is wrong and you should just walk away from bullies.” Sasuke was so proud to show his parents and brother what he learned in school.
Even Mikoto stared at him and repeated “Walk away..” She looked at both Fugaku and Itachi before she turned back towards her youngest. “Why don’t you head back to bed. We’re gonna talk for a bit longer and you have class tomorrow. The mention of the late hour and class had Sasuke yawning and his eyes getting drowsy again. He nodded and got out of bed. He tossed a goodnight to his mom over his shoulder. His father and brother looked thoughtful now and he heard his mom start talking quickly as soon as he left the room.
His mother was the best and could always get his brother and father to talk to each other. She always started the conversations at the eating table and nobody ever argued then. So, Satisfied with a job well done, he finished his business and went back to bed. Content that everything would be okay.
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The next morning, Mikoto woke Sasuke up like she did every morning. Sasuke got dressed and finished his routine quicker. He was worried about his family after everything that happened last night but they were there like they were every morning. Mikoto was finishing up breakfast and his father and brother didn’t look like they were fighting anymore. If anything, it looked like they were less tense than they had been in forever. Sasuke never noticed how upset they were til the started feeling better.
After eating for a few minutes, Mikoto sat down at the table and cheerily turned towards her youngest. “Sasuke, would you like to help me out today? I’ve got a lot of work to do and could use your help.” Sasuke didn’t know what was special about today but he did think something was weird.
“What about school?” His parents were always so adamant that he attended class at the ninja academy. Sasuke already knew most of what they were teaching but it was important to go to school. Even if he learned more at home from his mom. Apparently it was some sort of rule that he had to go after he got old enough. His mother tried to explain it before but he didn’t understand it.
“Wellll….” she drew out her words. “Skipping school isn’t good but sometimes there’s more important things to do. I’ll send word to your teacher that you're feeling a little under the weather today and then we can go shopping. It’ll be our super secret mission today.”
Sasuke lit up at the idea. A mission with him and his mom. He could work just like his father and brother. School was important but how often could he say he went on missions before he graduated, but he couldn’t say anything because apparently it’s a super secret mission. “Okay,” he happily agreed and grinned. The three older people shared a look before they continued breakfast. Now listening to Sasuke chatter about what their “mission” was. Mikoto and Fugaku looked amused and Itachi just looked exhausted.
“Maybe you should stay home and help too,” Sasuke supplied. “You look really tired today.” He remembered that’s what started the fight last night.
Itachi attempted and failed to explain, “Uh, I can’t, you see.”
Fugaku took pity on his oldest and explained it to Sasuke. “The people giving him missions said today was really important but I am going to meet with them and get this sorted out.” He looked away but Sasuke didn’t catch the lie.
“Good. That way my brother can train with me more.” Sasuke was happy his parents were taking care of his brother. Itachi was amazing but everyone needed help sometimes, at least that's what his mom said and she was the smartest person he knew. He didn’t like it when Itachi came home tired and upset. This parent teacher conference was overdue.
Instead of the normal routine where Fugaku and Itachi left first and Mikoto cleaned up before taking Sasuke to school. Fugaku and Itachi helped clean off the table and Sasuke and Mikoto left at the same time as the others. They said their goodbyes outside and went on their way.
“Now the first thing we need is boxes for this super secret mission.” Mikoto was getting into the game now. Sasuke jumped a little as they were walking. “Do you see any places where there might be some?”
Sasuke thought hard for a second, “Oh, I know where there’s a bunch near the school.” Mikoto grinned.
“That won’t do, remember we told them you were sick?” Mikoto was leading him to an answer.
Sasuke pouted and thought harder. “Well, we’ll just be sneaky then. I can’t get in trouble if they don’t see us.”
“Do you think you can be extra sneaky?” Mikoto was happy to disguise this as a game.
“Yes, let’s do it!”
It took almost no time at all to find the boxes Sasuke was talking about. They were stacked near the back of the school so nobody saw them come from the surrounding woods. “Great Job! This is perfect!” Mikoto praised and Sasuke preened. “Now let’s fold them and get them ready to carry.”
Sasuke looked at the large pile and back at his mom. “How are we supposed to carry all of these by ourselves?” Mikoto giggled at his antics before she pulled out a scroll of sealing.
“We’re gonna fold all of them up nice and neat and put them in here.” Knowing that they did have time and hadn’t gone over it in class. Mikoto explained what the scroll was and how to use it as they folded the boxes. When they had all the boxes folded and sealed. Mikoto picked up Sasuke and they left as quietly as they came.
It took most of the morning for Sasuke and his mother to fold the boxes and get them sealed. They stopped at a ramen shop for lunch. Sasuke was excited because his mother insisted ramen was junk food and they couldn’t eat it that often. After they ate, Mikoto took him to do some grocery shopping. She got more than usual but that was explained away by shopping early because of her son’s extended missions. It also explained why there was more preserved food than normal. Sasuke listened to his mom and the shopkeep talk for a few minutes before they left and finally went home. When they returned it was almost dinner time but nobody was outside. The shops that were usually open weren’t and none of the other children were playing outside.
Mikoto ushered him inside the house to put everything away and then took him to the underground meeting room. Even itachi was there. Sasuke felt so grown up getting to go in but soon was bored out of his mind. The adults were talking about supplies and maps. His ears perked up a little at the mention of horses. Ninja didn’t usually travel by horse because it could be so noisy but Sasuke always loved the powerful animals. Talk didn’t last long after that but it seemed important so he tried to listen.
He only understood some of what they were saying but it sounded like a lot of Uchiha were going on an extended mission. It sounded like it was going to be a long and hard journey. Sasuke hoped they didn’t send Itachi. He still had big bags under his eyes.
He actually ended up falling asleep in his mother’s lap and being brought to bed but everyone seemed so happy that he couldn’t bring himself to be upset. After all, tomorrow was a new day.