Three for Three
Itachi elected to begin with the most demanding request and work his way down.
“First and foremost, you must accept that we will not be sharing all we know of the future with you.” he continued on even as he saw the elder shinobi raise a brow, his hands held tightly together in his lap below the table. “This is not out of a desire to be difficult, but rather, an understanding of the natural consequences of someone of your standing holding this information while the rest of the world does not. I want what is best for the clan, but I can not sacrifice everyone else in order to achieve that.”
He kept it short and simple, each word pointed and precise as he attempted to explain his reasoning without giving out more than was necessary. After all. Had it only been he, Shisui, and Izumi in the past, he would have likely tried to lie and manipulate the man into believing they were wholey and only dedicated to the clan and the clan alone. However. He doubted they would be able to pull that off with Sasuke by their side. The child was bound to slip up at least once or twice, even if it was unintentional.
The last thing they needed was to swear their loyalty to Tajima then have it accidentally contradicted by their youngest member. Someone who couldn’t begin to understand the implications behind mentioning his Inuzuka classmate or Uzumaki godmother in a time like this.
It was already going to be enough of a mess explaining to Sasuke what sort of twisted situation they were in and the secrets he would have to keep in order to secure his own safety. He had no interest in laying additional weight on his little shoulders.
Which left him here, forced instead to give out a middle offering. A promise of good intentions and plans for their clan, but full acknowledgement that they may not go about it in the most straightforward and honest way.
After all, even if they could get away with explaining the concept of the village to the man before him, he doubted their urges to accept that it was worth allowing to exist would be taken seriously if the man also knew of the general unrest the clan was currently under. Past or future, no good leader wanted the suffering of their people on their heads – and if the way the elder had approached the situation thus far was anything to go by, this man was no exception.
He watched as Tajima seemed to consider it, dark eyes sweeping him up and down as he toyed idly with his pipe. It almost reminded Itachi of Hiruzen or Danzo, though at least this man had the sense and politeness not to have his lit. The same couldn’t have been said for the former two, their ashes filling his senses even now.
“Fine.” the answer came with a sharp nod, admittedly surprising Itachi a bit. He had expected to have to fight back and forth with the man over the request, to have his capabilities challenged and intention proven at the very least.
Though, he supposed, he must seem older here – at least in a way.
Back home he was nothing more than a powerful child in the eyes of his clan and village. A valuable tool to be used by both, but a child even so. Too young and foolish in their eyes to have any of his words truly be worth listening to.
Here, he was simply another shinobi it seemed, if perhaps a bit inexperienced. Something that would be rectified soon enough, once they saw his capabilities, Itachi as sure.
The idea both added and took weight from his shoulders.
“And your second request?” Tajima asked, head tilting as he watched Itachi, like an old crow that couldn’t quite understand what it was seeing.
Itachi was beginning to recognize that he wasn’t a fan of it.
Yet still he continued, his own dark eyes matching Tajima’s firmly. Ready to give his second most demanding request, but the one he felt most heavily about even so. The one which would be the only real dealbreaker amongst the three if it was to be refused.
“My younger brother, Sasuke. He can not be placed within combat’s range.” he watched as Tajima’s brows rose further and further up his face, lips parting to say something but finding himself unable to as Itachi continued, “I understand that this is a time period less peaceful than our own - that existing here alone is enough to be dangerous for him. However. I will not accept him being placed in any more danger than he already is.”
He kept his tone firm, refusing to let the waver he felt in his stomach enter his voice at the thought of his little brother dressed up in armor. Placed on the battlefield a mere year or two from now, before he was able to so much as reach Itachi’s shoulders. Hands covered in the same vibrant red he himself had never managed to wash off all those years ago after the Third War.
“He’s what, six or seven? I have no intentions of placing him out on the battlefield.” Tajima waved a hand, “Even if he does turn out to be skilled beyond his years, we don’t typically recruit shinobi until their eighth birthday. Or, preferably, until their sharingan has awakened to at least the first stage.”
He spoke calmly even as he seemed to age another year with each word, his dark eyes losing the piercing spark in them and instead seeming to look right through Itachi as he spoke. “Any younger than that and it becomes an inconvenience. Their chakra control is messier, their hand-eye coordination poor. They haven’t yet had enough time away from their mothers to truly train, and tire easily. Not to mention their impulsiveness or the distraction their presence causes for the family members on the field. All it takes is one little one falling and the others their age will follow suit like a stack of domino, destroying moral amongst the elder shinobi…”
He seemed almost lost in thought, if not for the way he was staring a hole through Itachi. The younger of the two letting out a quiet sigh at the elder’s explanation and gathering his resolve to reiterate his request. Swallowing down the looming feeling at the thought of a child so young lined up right alongside the others to fight.
Given, he himself had been going on missions at that age, but that had been different...he had had a team, and an elder shinobi looking out for him as well...
He shook the thought off, discarding the distracting thoughts.
For as interesting and frankly useful as it was that the man had these similar opinions on the foolishness of employing such young shinobi, it was besides the point at the moment. Beyond valuable information to have, but not relevant to the request he was trying to make. “As much as I may agree, that is not what I am asking.” he repeated.
Tajima’s eyes snapped back to him, pulling himself from his pondering and back to the one before him. Itachi waited until he was certain the other was listening to continue.
“I am referring to long-term, should this arrangement remain.” he explained, “It does not matter to me whether Sasuke turns eight, ten, or twelve. If we are to aid you by providing a number of enhancements for the clan, I need at least that much. Final say in when Sasuke is old enough to be sent out to battle.”
Even if, had he truly had his way, he would demand the day never come. He wasn’t so foolish to imagine such an idea. It was impossible in their time, let alone here in the past.
If not due to the nature of the world itself, due to Sasuke being…well, Sasuke.
For as much as he adored his brother and wished to wrap him up in silk, far away from any danger. He knew the day would someday come when it was no longer an option. All he could do for now was make sure he gave him time to become strong enough to survive the perils every young shinobi dreamed of taking on, those that they would regardless of what their elders said…
“…You want me to exclude him from the war roster? Specifically him?” Tajima asked, a tight frown falling over his face.
Itachi’s own frown tightened in turn as he nodded, understanding the length of his request even as he stuck to it. He was already pulling back his own wishes to keep Izumi off the field as well, knowing she would never agree to such a thing. At least with her and Shisui he knew they were both strong enough to have a chance, but with Sasuke…well, Itachi knew he was being a bit unreasonable, but his feelings remained all the same.
Tajima’s fingers drummed lightly against his own arm as he leaned back in his chair, crossing them and not-quite biting the pipe but coming close to it. “Surly you must understand how such a thing will look. For me to pardon one specific child from the horrors and honors of the war, but no other.”
“I do. However, I must ask even so. For if he was to fall…” Itachi shook his head, “Let’s just say, it would be catastrophic for the fate of the clan. He is…treasured by the fates in ways I can not divulge to you at the moment.”
A half-lie, but one neither Gara nor Asu seemed interested in calling him out on. One Tajima seemed reluctant but willing to believe, his dark eyes narrowing as he listened to Itachi’s words and saw his head bow just a bit. “Are there no exceptions in which someone can be pardoned from the war roster?”
Tajima pulled the empty pipe from his lips, tapping it to his chin lightly instead. The gears in his head turning once more, face becoming unreadable as Itachi lifted his head. “I suppose. There are indeed a few rare exceptions which may be made. Though typically even our non-combative go out and into the field at least once or twice for the sake of self-respect…” he shook his head, “I’m sure we can manage to find a real enough excuse for the boy to stay away from the wars and missions, but I won’t sit here and lie to you. Once the day comes where it is obvious he should be out there. He’s going to attract negative attention for it from others his age and parents whose children are not exempt, more likely than not.”
Itachi nodded, grateful despite it. For as selfish as it was, he would rather his brother be alive and unpopular than dead and beloved. So long as he was safe, that was what mattered most. With any luck, perhaps he could help put a stop to the young fighters before the day came and Sasuke would be safe from even that ridicule. It would just depend on how willing the elder was to listen to his warnings and set aside his own preconceptions. With this in mind, he steadied his heart, agreeing, “I understand.”
“Alright. Then that is how it will be.” Tajima nodded in turn, eyes narrowing in thought. “We can decide upon the specifics once the time draws closer, but for now, his age and inexperience are enough for it not to draw the ire of his clansmen.”
Perfect. Itachi let out a small breath, relieved with the acceptance of his second request and ready to move onto the final one. The one which he doubted the elder shinobi would have much of a problem with, considering his cooperation thus far.
“Thank you. All that is left to ask, then, is that however you decide to arrange us within the clan’s territory - we not be separated as far as our living quarters are concerned. Or at the very least, allow Sasuke and I to be paired up while Shisui and Izumi are the same.”
He had no excuse to give the elder man for his final request, unlike the prior two. For as reasonable and indulging as Tajima had been thus far for the sake of his clan, Itachi wasn’t about to trust the rest with the safety of the rare few he was able to call his friends. Even as he felt a horrible itch below his skin at the thought of distrusting his clansmen. It was a feeling he had grown accustomed to.
In yet another show of benevolence, Tajima did not make him speak his suspicions, the man merely nodding in agreement.
“I can arrange things so that you four are able to remain together.” he cleared his throat, his thus far piercing and intent expression melting into something more awkward. Silence lingered between the two for a split second as he looked prepared to say something, stopping himself once before seeming to put his foot down and come out with it. Itachi waited all the while, repaying the man’s patience with some of his own.
He did blink, however, as Tajima finally spoke. “…I would place you all in one of our spare homes, however, I feel this may not be for the best. If not due to the additional costs associated with getting the unused house up and running, due to the natural divide I fear this will cause between you four and the rest of the clan. It will be hassle enough trying to explain where you came from and why we should trust that you are not spies in disguise. Had it not been Gara and Asu that brought you, I may have believed so myself.” he shook his head.
“The most cost-effective and faith-inducing way to go about this is for you four to stay in the main house, if it is agreeable to you. This way we can continue to maintain things in bulk without wasting time running it out to a separate house, provide you all with quality housings rather than trying to repair the old, and stop any unfavorable rumors from spreading regarding what I imagine will be common visits if we have as much work to do for the clan as it seems.”
Itachi nodded, seeing no issue with the request.
He was sure there was another underlying reason for it of course, whether it be so that the man had the ability to keep watch over the strangers in his territory or to keep their cooperation in check with the fact they’d likely have to see each other each day, but that was irrelevant. It worked both ways, after all. It would give Shisui and he all the time in the world to keep watch over not only Tajima, but Madara and Izuna as well.
Itachi may not know precisely what had happened to lead them to ruin after all, but he knew enough to know the importance the three held in it all. Shisui and Izumi’s teasing as well as Sasuke’s pouting aside…it seems his interest in years past would come in more handy than he ever could have imagined.
“I understand. If you would allow it, we would be forever grateful.” Itachi spoke politely, hands on his legs as he bowed deeply. The implications of the empty rooms and Tajima’s reluctance to offer not lost on him despite his private thoughts.
He may be weary, after all, but he was not cruel…
The two shared a grim glance as Itachi sat up, though Tajima nodded even so. “Of course. I’ll likely have Madara or Izuna give you all a proper tour of the compound a bit later, but for now, know that we have two spare bedrooms in the main house. You four can decide how you wish to divide yourselves amongst them, though, I will ask that you and your cousin refrain from any improper deeds should you opt to share a room with the young lady. Otherwise I’ll have to insist on her either rooming alone or sharing with the child.”
He spoke the words so casually, not so much as blinking as Itachi’s brows pushed together. The pre-teen borderline scowling despite himself as he assured the elder man with only a smidge of embarrassment, “That’s not a concern. None of us have any interest in such a thing.”
Not anymore, anyway.
For while it was true Izumi had at one point had a small hallway crush on him, once it had become apparent enough that he hadn’t felt the same, the girl had dropped the idea. Something he was eternally grateful for. Even if it did sting his pride a bit every time she found herself tittering at her own supposed ‘poor taste’…
“Good. That certainly simplifies things.” Tajima nodded, drumming his fingers idly against his own leg. Willing to accept it for now even as he continued to hold a weary look in his eyes at the idea. “I suppose that just leaves two other matters, then.”
Something probing entered his voice, something pointed.
His words didn’t come as a surprise to Itachi, the younger Uchiha having expected something along these lines were coming.
After all, if he was going to be so bold as to request three favors, why should the elder not? It wasn’t as if the information he would be sharing was enough to cover his requests. Not when it was information shared in hopes of benefitting both of them.
“I suppose it does.” Itachi agreed, tilting his head a bit as he watched the current clan head. Tajima’s eyes had regained just a hint of the confidence he had lost in the vulnerability that came with offering up his lost children’s rooms, his own head tilting in turn as he watched Itachi. Seemingly pleased with his cooperation. “What, precisely, are you thinking?”
“Nothing major.” Tajima mulled in a terribly slow manner, seeming to consider where he wanted to start before answering, “Nothing more than I would ask of any other child your age within the clan.”
His words were evasive, neither answering nor giving his visitor much of an opening to ask.
Itachi, trying his best to repay the man’s patience with some of his own but finding it a bit difficult when he was being borderline teased, frowned at the elder man. Imploring him to continue, “…Which would be?”
“Standard participation in shared clan responsibilities.” Tajima finally answered, a bit of the stiffness leaving Itachi’s shoulders even as the other watched him with amusement. “Beyond the information you will be sharing and your willingness to indulge in my cheapskating, I want you to continue on as any other your age would around here. Aiding in clan chores, taking on the occasional mission once we have a gage on your skill level, training amongst not only yourselves but the younger children as well. Keeping an eye out for the young and aiding the old. That sort of thing.”
Itachi was tempted to point out that his request seemed more like a dozen thinly veiled responsibilities under one title, but resisted the urge. Reminding himself that his own hadn’t exactly been simple matters either.
Besides, it wasn’t as though most of the matters were new to him regardless.
“Of course. Shisui, Izumi, and I will oblige by the expectations of the clan - as well as making sure Sasuke does the same.” he agreed, keeping his tone and face level as felt Tajima surveying his response. A beat of swift silence passing them before Itachi asked, “As for your final request?”
Tajima smiled wryly, leaning forward once more on his desk and just a smidge into Itachi’s personal space. His elbows propping his head up as his hand held his pipe loosely below his chin. “My final request is one meant just for you - unlike the previous two, which I expect to be followed by all.”
The man paused, giving him time to reject his words, but hearing no such refusal despite his listening.
After all, Itachi thought grimly, as little right as he had to accept his conditions on behalf of the other three…he had a feeling they would prefer it to having to deal with a hostile environment the moment they awoke due to his own inability to play nice.
If anything, it was not the mention of them that alerted Itachi to danger so much as it was the mention of himself.
For as easy as it was to tuck them under his sleeve and put the target on him…it didn’t make the kunai hurt any less once they finally sunk into his flesh.
Something he had a feeling was the case now as the elder shinobi watched him with the same hawk-eyes as Danzo and his father. The same surveying look he had seen on his teachers and superiors a hundred times over. The one which told him they saw protentional in him.
It was a very dangerous look indeed.
Yet he nodded even so, using all his training to keep his face as neutral as possible. Shoving down the horrible feeling in his gut as Tajima spoke, “Once the double digits are hit, young shinobi are often expected to take on an apprenticeship somewhere within the compound. To learn a craft or skill which they can carry on should their master pass on. For you, I wish to take you on as my own. Not as an heir.” he clarified quickly, as if reconsidering his wording, “But as the clan strategist. It is something I believe you have the mind for.”
He spoke so proudly, as if expecting Itachi to be excited by the news.
It was a play he’d seen put on a dozen times, one he didn’t quite have the energy to play along with at the moment.
So instead, he merely nodded, keeping his head steady as he agreed, “If that is what you wish for me to do, then I will.” far from willing to risk losing footing over the matter – looming feeling aside.
If nothing else, with any luck, it would give him even more of a chance than he already had to turn the tide in unborn Konoha’s favour.
He didn’t bother looking up to see the man’s expression as he kept his eyes turned firmly towards the table, asking instead, “If that is all you have to ask of me, I believe we should move onto the matter of the clan’s future. The light is already fading outside, and there is still much to discuss, Lord Tajima.”