Chapter Text
Ichigo waits patiently for his father. The waiting chairs aren’t great; frayed upholstery with shipped wooden arms. It’s still good to take a break. Tekka brings him an ice pop and he accepts it, even if it's a little demeaning. He watches his clan members try their best to work in the crowded station. The other officers, even old fashioned Yashiro, are pretending they’re not glancing at him with amusement.
For all his abrasiveness and oddities, Ichigo’s willingness to protect his own endeared him to many within the clan. They value family and taking care of one another. It’s why they value strength just as much. One can’t be protected without the latter.
Manju's uncle tells him Manju is being attended by a healer at home. He proudly claps a hand on his shoulder. Ichigo doesn't protest when he kisses his head.
It's not fair. It's not right. There's a simmering fury building in his clan. They're not just angry, but confused and hurt too.
For all their loyalty, for all their devotion, this is the thanks they get. Too many within the village look at them with suspicion and apprehension. The Uchiha fought and died for the protection of Konoha just like everyone else. Now it feels as if Konoha wants to protect everyone else--from them.
Old Man Hachi shouldn't have been forced out.
They all endure insult after insult.
What happened to Manju shouldn't be possible.
They did nothing to earn such distrust.
It's all wrong.
His mom claims everything is fine. It's not.
Nothing is how it used to be. Things change, they always do, but Ichigo knows this isn’t right.
His dad thinks they need to provide a proper image. They need to show their loyalty. That means not standing out or speaking up. He says they just need to prove their usefulness.
Ichigo doesn't care what people think. He doesn't need to prove anything to Konoha.
The village can kiss his ass.
If they think they can hurt Ichigo's people, they've got another thing coming. He's almost ten now and the average genin is twelve.
If people don't want to take him seriously, he'll make them.
When Hiashi Hyuuga finally walks out of his father's office, Ichigo rushes past not even hearing Hiashi's muttering about rude children. Fugaku allows himself a small smile before falling back into seriousness.
He gestures for Ichigo to sit. Instead of sitting behind his desk, Fugaku kneels in front of son and presses his forehead to Ichigo’s. Fugaku takes a moment to breathe before he speaks.
“It's time we have an honest talk,” his hold on the back of Ichigo's head is firm, like he could slip away at any moment. “You are smart, capable, and so strong. Do not doubt me. You’re such a good boy, I know that.”
“You don’t have to lay it on thick.” Ichigo retorts, “I’m listening.”
Fugaku remains kneeling. He clasps his hands on Ichigo’s shoulders and forces him to meet his gaze. “I’m serious, Ichigo. You've seen what happens to people, our people, when we step out of line. Things aren't like how they used to be. Actions have repercussions. I know, I know, there are many things happening that are wrong.”
Ichigo nods. The transgressions kept building and building.
“It's not right. I know that, Ichigo. You know that. Never be ashamed of standing up for what you believe in. You are strong, Ichigo, you and I both know that. But even when it's a couple chunin level ANBU, they still report directly to the Hokage. It is their word against ours. We may even be called into a meeting with the Hokage soon, and there will be gossip. We’re struggling. I need you to understand, truly understand. This is not a game.”
Ichigo got used to reading his usually closed off father. Right now, the look in Fugaku's eyes make his stomach tighten. He still tries to argue his point.
“I know that! I'm not just gonna let shit like that slide either!”
Fugaku doesn't have the energy to scold him for his language.
“We are being watched.” Fugaku shakes his shoulders lightly, as if it will shake some sense into him. ‘We're almost always being watched, Ichigo, the village has had their eyes on us for a while now.”
Ichigo knows things are rough, but the quivering fear in Fugaku's voice makes him really listen to his father's words.
“This is our home too.” Ichigo states.
Fugaku can't argue. All he can do is try to press the seriousness of the situation to his reckless son.
“Please, you have been given leniency because of your age. People underestimate you. I never sent you to the academy so people expect less. They think you're not good enough.”
“I get it, Dad, I do, but if things need changing, then I'll change them.” Ichigo replies, “I'll be safe and smart, I will.”
Fugaku says, “that means please stop picking fights”
“I don't start fights.” Ichigo assures him, “I finish them.”
Fugaku flicks his ear in response.
It eases some of the tension that has built in the air.
“I cannot bear the thought of losing you. Please, stay safe.”
Ichigo lets his father wrap him in a hug until another knock raps against the office door. This time, Fugaku doesn't call the next person in. He can come back to the station later. Right now, he has other duties.
“Come on, let's go home okay.”
As the sun begins to set behind them, the walls of the Uchiha compound feel higher. The guards at the entrance greet Fugaku respectfully. It’s gotten cold out, but lingering police are making sure the charcoal is distributed evenly. Children are running home as the shops start to close for the day. Ichigo watches his father relax the closer they get to their house.
Their new house isn't as big as the old one, but it still feels like home.
When they walk onto the engawa, Sasuke is chasing Mikoto around the kitchen on chubby legs: only two years old and attached to his mother’s hip. He giggles every time she steps out of his grasping reach for her apron. Itachi reads as he sits at the counter, pretending he isn’t laughing at Sasuke too.
“Welcome back!”
She smiles at her husband, but when her eyes turn to Ichigo her smile turns into a dazzling grin.
“What's this I hear about my brave son helping out civilian clan members of ours?
“We've already spoken on the matter.” Fugaku lets his wife take off his vest and coat before he takes a seat next to Itachi. “There's no need to be so cheerful about it. He could’ve gotten himself hurt or in serious trouble.”
Mikoto scoffs. “For shame, Fugaku! How could you not be proud? Masato has said his skill as a swordsman will only grow as he gets older. Ichigo only does his best to help people.”
Ichigo doesn’t have to even look at his father to see the annoyance radiating off him. Sasuke helps defuse it when he tries to climb Fugaku’s leg.
He sighs,“I didn’t say I wasn’t proud.” He lifts the eager Sasuke onto his lap.
His mother doesn’t even notice it. She warmly asks Ichigo,“what sounds good for dinner, Sweetie? Anything you'd like! Maybe your father will pick you up some chocolate later.”
“Do we have any fish at all?”
“Luckily, we got a generous shipment of cod from the Land of Waves. I've got plenty of chili flakes too!”
“Thanks, Mom.” Ichigo replies.
“I didn't sign up for this.” Fugaku grumbles to deaf ears.
Itachi closes his book and looks at them dubiously. He asks, “Why is he rewarded for being bad?”
Before either Fugaku and Mikoto can answer him, Ichigo answers for himself. He rolls his eyes at Itachi, “Things are complicated. You won't get it.”
“I understand many things.” Itachi replies.
“You’re six.”
“I can grasp it!”
Ichigo says, “Sometimes you do good things but for bad reasons and sometimes people do bad things for good reasons, but it's not always one or the other.”
Itachi wrinkles his nose. “That seems needlessly complicated.”
Ichigo flicks his brother’s ear just as his father had done to him before. “I told you you wouldn’t get it.”
In another life, Itachi would've been a dutiful first born. He would've buckled under the weight. Ichigo with all the tenacity of an elephant didn't seem to even notice the burden.
Itachi bends to the will of others. He's a very obedient child. Ichigo is the opposite.
He wrestles with his little brother, easily and cheerfully, as Itachi bristles and whines about the audacious display. Sasuke is more than happy to join in on terrorizing their brother as he leaps off his father’s lap.
“Itachi, Itachi, come play!”
Itachi can be too serious at times and Ichigo likes getting a rise out of him. Itachi makes it too easy.
Fugaku doesn’t bother separating them, too distracted as Mikoto sets a steaming cup of tea in front of him.
She whispers into his ear as she takes a moment to embrace him. “We’ll speak after the children are in bed.”
The peaceful moments seem to happen less and less, but Ichigo’s grateful for the times his family can relax together.
It makes his hard work worth it.
After dinner, Mikoto and Fugaku see that their children are settled in bed. Ichigo shoos them away telling them any injuries he has are just scratches. Mikoto forces her way into his room so Fugaku can run a healing technique over their resisting eldest son.
Sasuke tries to sneak into Itachi's room twice before they can get him to sleep. He cuddles his stuffed dinosaur as they quietly slide the door closed.
It's not often they get a moment for themselves to just spend time with one another. Fugaku knows he can't relax for the night, not with work still to do, but just for a moment he lies down next to his wife.
Mikoto brushes her hair before threading the locks into a loose braid
“My brother should've been the clan head,” Fugaku muses.
Mikoto retorts sharply,“he would've put us in the red before the month's end.”
He can't argue with that, but his point stands.
“Ryuichi was decisive. He could make the hard decisions. I'm in over my head, Miko. I don't believe Ichigo is mischievous, I know he means well. I still can't encourage such recklessness. There's too much at stake.”
“I'm sorry I disagreed with you in front of the children.” She sneaks a kiss to his cheek. It eases some of the tension in his chest. “I'm proud Ichigo is willing to go the extra mile, not just for his brothers, but for everyone.”
“No need to be sorry.” Fugaku says, “I know doing nothing isn't an option. I just…Ichigo makes people nervous. The Hokage has already expressed some concerns to me.
Mikoto inhales sharply, her face aghast. “The Hokage has never had that much power over internal clan affairs, for any clan, not in matters of succession.”
“I know that, Mikoto.” He covers his eyes with his arm and sighs. “ I know that better than anyone.”
While they both feel incapable of any true change, their son charges into action.
It scares Fugaku more than he can express.
Nails that stand out get hammered down.
“I wish I could do more.” Mikoto lies down next to her husband. This isn’t the first time she’s felt so useless, and part of her knows it won’t be the last.
“You have given me three strong sons. You have been strong by my side.” Fugaku turns to her. He looks at her like her presence solves every slight. “You've done all that's ever been asked of you. I can't ask for more than that.”
“That's not all I can do. If I need to fight, I shall. I won't just sit on the sidelines.”
“I know, darling.” Fugaku assures her.
He's never doubted her abilities even after all this time she's spent away from active combat.
He leans into the warmth of her body. For just a moment, Fugaku allows himself to hope that things will get easier in time.
“I’ve never liked violence,” he says. “I'm tired of this.”
She’s heard it before but still runs her hands comfortingly through his hair.
When he tells her he has to head back to work, she's reluctant to let him leave her arms. She kisses him, and Fugaku chides himself for wanting more.
He promises her he'll be safe. She just asks that he come home soon.