Reanimation Day

Sasuke whirled around, his heart thudding against his ribcage. He felt short of breath.

There in front of him stood Itachi. He looked just the same as the day he’d died. Sasuke tried swallow, he felt like he was going to throw up. Deep breaths. Deep breaths.

“Itachi” Sasuke said with a shaky voice. He had dreamed of this for years, tried to figure out so many scenarios but now he was here and he had no idea how to proceed.

“It is good to see you.” Itachi began.

“I-“

“Itachi?!” A broken cry interrupted Sasuke’s thoughts. He turned around to see his mother and father. His mother’s hand clasped over her mouth. Eyes darting between Sasuke and Itachi. His father’s eyebrows furrowed, standing tense.

“Sasuke?” His mother gasped her voice cracking, eyes wide as she pulled her hand away from her mouth. Tears beginning to fall from her eyes.

Sasuke stood in disbelief. His mother and father too had not changed, but he supposed he looked much different to them. He was nearly the same age they had been when they died.

She rushed forward wrapping her arms around him, holding him tightly and weeping. His father had not moved. Standing still, his gaze flickered between Itachi and Sasuke, his expression difficult to read, he appeared to be contemplating.

Mikoto released Sasuke moving to step behind him

“Itachi-“ She said breathily and raised her hand to slide it on to Itachi’s cheek

“Mother I-“ Itachi began, his voice sounding more unsure than Sasuke had ever heard it.

“Shh, I know. I know” She said. Sasuke stood in awe watching Itachi lean into their mother’s hand. The stoic, relentless, unwavering, fierce man he’d always known almost looked..soft. Almost, vulnerable.

Fugaku cleared his throat and Sasuke watched as Itachi immediately straightened, all of the softness fading in an instant as his expression hardened and his body tensed. His arms fastened behind his back and he stood tall, nodding his head.

“Father.” Sasuke could feel the tension. He had thought of this scenario. How it would play out, his father and mother reuniting with Itachi, their killer.

“Sasuke!” Naruto bounded up wrapping his arm around Sasuke, eyebrows rising at the sight of the stand off around them.

“Wow! You must be Sasuke’s parents! It’s so nice to finally meet you!” Naruto grinned, his gaze fell to Itachi and his smile softened.

“Itachi” he nodded.

Sasuke watched as his mother tilted her head in confusion, then realization, as her eyes widened, a slight gasp. Did she know of Naruto?

“Naruto.” Itachi returned the nod.

Naruto beamed.

He glanced at his father who’s eyes were trailing over the hokage cloak draped around Naruto’s shoulders.

“Mikoto!” A voice called and Sasuke turned to see Naruto’s parents walking over. The Fourth Hokage gliding over, Hokage cloak in tow being pulled by a very excited woman with fiery red hair, the tale tale of the Uzumaki bloodline, Naruto’s mother. She sported a wide and bright, very familiar smile.

It was Sasuke’s turn to express confusion. How did Naruto’s mother know his?

‘Kushina” His mother smiled in admiration at the cheerful lady approaching them. Mikoto meant to bow, but was swept in to a hug by Kushina before she stepped back and apologized clasping her hands together.

“Sorry, I just, well it’s hard to believe we’re back, you know!” Kushina said with a laugh and rubbing the back of her head.

Minato smiled fondly on her before glancing up and giving a smile to his Father.

“Ah Fugaku!” Minato said with a bow.

Fugaku’s eyes flittered from Naruto to Minato, and he returned the bow “Lord Fourth”

“So this is Naruto, huh Kushina?” Mikoto said smiling.

Kushina tugged Naruto closer “It is, can you believe it! So proud of him, I knew he’d do great things. My my is this Sasuke?!” Kushina’s attention shifted. “I always knew he’d grow up handsome” Kushina giggled leaning in whispering behind her hand to Mikoto. Mikoto smiled, and Sasuke felt a furious blush across his face.

‘Itachi, Sasuke. It is good to see you both again. Sasuke, I’m glad we are meeting on much different circumstances this time. Fugaku, it was a pleasure to fight alongside Sasuke in the war. Quite powerful boys you have there.”

“Hn.” Fugaku replied quietly.

Was that disapproving, did he disagree? Sasuke felt a drop in his stomach. He felt that nasty familiar creeping feeling. One he was all to familiar with feeling as a child.
Disappointing his father. Not being good enough. He glanced down, hoping no one noticed the falter in his pride. He felt himself growing smaller.
But Naruto noticed. Of course, he noticed. He always noticed. He felt Naruto’s eyes on him, then his arm punching him in the shoulder.

“Yeah dad, Sasuke is even more awesome these days, he’s like a legend. He’s actually the shadow Hokage, protects the leaf from any outside threats. Investigates all the super dangerous stuff and takes care of it single handedly.”

Sasuke’s eyes shot wide as he glared at Naruto. Naruto’s eyes grew wide, “I mean, not single handedly in that way, like I meant by himself, but I mean kinda sorta in that way too if you know what I mean, but like-“ Naruto was stuttering and Sasuke stomped on his foot.

“Ow Saaaas”

“You’re rambling loser. Quit talking about me.”

“Sasuke is that any way to speak to your Hokage?” Fugaku addressed him for the first time. Was he serious? In his time he was literally planning to over throw his
Hokage.

“Where is your respect boy?” Fugaku finished.

Naruto and Sasuke exchanged looks with eachother.

“It’s fine, no big deal really. He always talks like this. He’s called me names since we were kids, didn’t change after we were married, and I wouldn’t expect it to change with me being Hokage, heh.” Naruto chuckled reaching down to grasp Sasuke’s had.

Sasuke felt his breath catch watching everyone’s eyes widen. None of them were probably aware of their marriage, and it was still a work in progress for it to be accepted now, the years in which their parents had been alive it was almost unheard of.
Kushina and Mikoto gasped, Kushina clasping Mikoto’s hand “Oh I just knew they were destined to be friends, it seems I wasn’t far off!” Kushina smiled. Mikoto covered her mouth stifling her giggle.

Fugaku stared silently, tensely. Minato’s eyebrows shot to his forehead in surprise, then a nervous chuckle, and Itachi simply smiled, gently, knowingly.. pleased even?

A quiet moment passed and Naruto cleared his throat.

“Right, well um, how about we head out of here, the building is starting to clear and we have rooms ready for everyone at our house” Naruto turned pulling Sasuke along with him. Itachi looked around tentatively, taking in his surroundings. Sasuke had noticed his actions immediately. Actions that he’d once done as well. Actions a wanted man makes part of a routine, observing, on guard. Even in death Itachi was tense, and something of it make Sasuke’s heart ache. His father was stone quiet walking aside his mother following them. His mother quiet, but gentle and soft, responsive when Kushina addressed her, inquisitive. Mikoto and Kushina appeared to be good friends. Sasuke made a mental note to inquire more on that later. Minato was confident, he beamed like Naruto, walked with his head high. He smiled, but definitely possessed a more quiet and polite demeanor than Naruto. Kushina bobbed along talking, laughing, she was light, carefree, bubbly, very.. energetic.
They reached their house, a traditional style home with few modern touches here and there. An Uzumaki and Uchiha symbol sat on opposite sides of each other on the gates surrounding their property. The house was not outrageous, but it was large enough. A stone walkway led to a large porch lined with plants and flowers, quite an abundance of sunflowers.

When they led everyone inside offering guest slippers before slipping in to the living area Sasuke felt like he couldn’t breathe. He needed space and air and mumbled he was leaving to make tea before slipping off in to the kitchen.

Once alone Sasuke let out a deep breath. He placed his hand on the cool countertop to steady himself, allowing his head to fall forward and his eyes to close. He focused on his breathing, his chest rising and falling. He’d wanted this for so long, but had no idea how to navigate it.

“Everything alright little brother?” Itachi’s concerned voice catching him off guard.

Sasuke’s eyes snapped open and he raised his head to peer at Itachi standing in the door way of the kitchen.

“Yes, fine.” He replied turning to grab the tea kettle.

“You seemed to be struggling with something. Do you feel ill?” Itachi continued to question moving in to the kitchen. And Sasuke thought Naruto was bad at pestering him when something seemed wrong.

“No.” Sasuke replied, patience growing thinner. There was so much he wanted to say but right now all he could think of was being alone. Trying to gather his thoughts. Sasuke grabbed the tea from the cupboard.

“If you aren’t feeling well, if this is all a bit much perhaps you should go lie down for a bit” Itachi was now standing just on the other end of the counter, staring at Sasuke expectantly, not breaking his gaze, not wavering. Sasuke forced himself further in to his task, trying not to glance at him.

“Sasuke.” Itachi pushed further.

“I am fine!” Sasuke shouted. Sasuke winced, he’d not meant to do that. Immediate regret flooded him. He just needed to take deep breaths.

“I’m sorry. Itachi. I’m fine, thank you.”

Naruto emerged in the doorway

“Hey, everything oka-“ He paused. One look at Sasuke was all he needed.

“Sas, hey? what is it?” He said moving in and up to Sasuke. Sasuke tried to hold his composure, standing stiffly, but he felt Naruto’s presence and the warmth seemed to unwind him, to soothe, he felt his breathing return. He looked up at him, blue eyes piercing in.

“It’s nothing. This is all, just a lot.” He said finally.

Itachi had stood still, he glanced away now.

“Not that it isn’t a good thing” Sasuke quickly added.

I’m glad everyone is here.” Itachi looked back at him. “Everyone.” Sasuke finished.

“We just have to, it’s alright, we are going to navigate this. It’s gonna be great.”