Chapter Text
It is an unbearably silent trudge back home.
His dad doesn’t look his way---not once.
Both Itachi and Sasuke quickly realize neither parent is in the mood for anything but obedience. Ichigo doesn’t try to explain it to them. They all say nothing as they're led out of the Hyuuga compound and make the long walk back home.
The boys quietly hand over their fine clothes to Mikoto when prompted. Fugaku is little more than a blur rushing past them at the engawa. The door to their parent’s bedroom closes with an audible click.
It isn't the first time his dad dragged him out of somewhere, but it does feel different this time.
His dad isn't speaking to him. That much is clear. He steadfastly ignores Ichigo’s many attempts to get his attention, to just get even one word in. Fugaku only comes home long enough to change before hastily heading to the station.
Sasuke calls out a hesitant goodbye that goes unanswered.
Mikoto tells Ichigo, “Go to your room. We will talk after your brothers are settled.”
Ichigo doesn’t protest. He thinks about it, but he doesn’t. He doesn’t need to be treated like a child. Then again, he does forget he technically is one. In the eyes of everyone, he is nothing more than an impulsive untrained child. Ichigo is a child being sent to his room for acting foolish in public and part of him knows he probably deserves it.
His anger got the better of him.
Ichigo can practically hear the scolding so many of his prior teachers all the way from the soul society.
Bursting into an official meeting between clan heads probably wasn’t the most sensible decision. During his meeting with the Hokage, he’d managed to hold his tongue. Ichigo could've tried harder. It's not like he can just change the tradition overnight. He knows that, but it still doesn’t make the lingering outrage go away.
It doesn’t sit right.
It feels too much like helplessness.
In his old life, Ichigo had the power to protect anyone. In this life, there’s so much wrong in this world and he’s somehow powerless to fix it. He's still, by all appearances, nine years old and the heir to a clan in decline.
He hates it.
Ichigo is well aware what kind of world he ended up in. In this world, it’s normal to send children to the frontlines. It’s normal for any shinobi to have immense power at their fingertips.
Perhaps, Shisui could shed more light. Even if their friendship is on tenacious grounds, Shisui is still a wealth of knowledge when it comes to shinobi. Ichigo will have to ask him next time he sees him. Hopefully, he’ll be able to prod Shisui into training once again too.
It doesn't take long before Mikoto knocks and slides open his door when he tells her to come in.
She sits on the bed and sighs, “This is quite a pickle.”
That’s one way to put it.
Ichigo sits quietly, and waits for her to continue. He doesn’t quite know what to say now that she's here. Apologies mean little when he’d already said it. She knows he’s sorry. He could keep spewing apologies again and again but it wouldn’t change anything. Ichigo knows that he ran into the fray without even a semblance of a plan. He can't even fully blame it on child impulse. His old life had been filled with plenty of it.
Somewhere, somehow, Rukia is probably calling him a fool.
Mikoto states, “I know you may not care what others think. In some ways, that is a good thing. Won’t you consider your poor father? He is struggling to keep his head above the water, this wave of pushback is rushing towards us all. You are his heir, our son. Your choices still reflect on the whole clan. “
“Why does their opinion matter more than ours?” Ichigo asks.
“Simply put, the Hyuuga clan is bigger than us.” Mikoto says. “Even with the Kumo affair, they are still in the Hokage’s favor. They are more powerful than us because of that. You had questions about the Hyuuga, did you not? So then, tell me what you’ve learned,”
Ichigo explains, “The branch Hyuuga serves the main family. They use a seal that can kill them if a branch member disobeys.”
“You are right. The Hyuuga say that branch was created to protect the main family. The cursed seal is placed on branch family members on their third birthday. It is powerful and deeply connected to their eyes.” Mikoto adds, “You know some people say the Hyuuga and Uchiha were probably related at one point long long ago because of similarities in our dojutsu. The Hyuuga actually claim in one story that Uchiha and Hyuuga mixing leads to impaired children.”
“I feel like… that's wrong.”
Mikoto shrugs, “Probably, my great aunt always used to say that messing around with Hyuuga boys means you’ll end up with one dojutsu in each eye. It made me laugh.”
Ichigo asks, “Why only the branch family? How come our clan doesn’t do that?”
“Your father told you we disagree with the Hyuuga about the seal. He was right. The Uchiha have known control and servitude in our history---power is valued and they see power in our eyes. The Hyuuga chose one path, we chose another.”
“It doesn’t explain why they still use that seal,” Ichigo says. “Don’t people know it’s wrong?”
“Their seal is the Hyuuga’s way of protecting their bloodline. Understand that you were shown reasonable lenience because you saved the life of the Hyuuga heir, a member of their main line. It’s considered extremely rude to criticize another clan's practices.” She pauses for a moment before she corrects herself, “Well, that used to be the custom. It seemed as if the criticism never ends when it comes to our own”
“The Fire festival isn’t wrong.” He answers honestly, “The seal is wrong.”
‘I know that. You know that. It doesn’t change what their clan has practiced for decades. Our belief cannot change their own, not in an instant. You acted rashly. I do not ask much of you, but I do expect you to set an example for your brothers.”
Ichigo scoffs, but Mikoto cuts him off.
“Cut the attitude.” She says, “You’re upset because of your father. You can’t fool me.”
Ichigo argues, “No, I’m not!”
“You are.” Mikoto asserts. “I understand why. Perhaps you’ve grown too used to things easily going your way. Your father is lenient, and you’ve been quite content to bulldoze over his wishes. Do not misunderstand. I know that I have indulged too. Do not want to insult you, far from it. I need you to truly understand me with all the gravity it entails.”
Mikoto keeps her words simple and sweet with her younger sons. Sometimes, it surprises Ichigo how honest his mother is with him.
She is just herself.
Mikoto pats his head and ruffles his hair, “You are a political disaster. I love you, sweet son. With all my heart, I will always be proud of you. Still, I have wondered what life would be like had our firstborn been dark of hair and a compliant child.”
“Way to be blunt about it.” Ichigo retorts.
“I must be. You need to grasp this.The Uchiha are in no position to be judging the Hyuuga. My primary concern right now is protecting our clan. There have been rumors that we are discontent. Is that what you want people to think?”
Maybe. Truthfully, Ichigo wants everyone to know. It’s happening and keeps getting worse. The clan is discontent and rightfully so. The Branch Hyuuga have every right to be unhappy with the lot they were given.
“Mom, I know I messed up. I get it.”
“Do you?” She demands, “You tell your father that again and again, and yet here we are. I need to know those are more than just words.”
He’d never been the type to just accept that there are some things that just can’t be changed.
Ichigo decides to answer with a shrug, “I don’t like seeing bad things when I know I can do something about it.”
Mikoto pulls him close to her side, “It was our mistake. We should have prepared you with the knowledge of the seal. I know the practice is ghastly. Your father believed ignorance was the best move. Even if your father is head of our clan, we are in no position to be publicly disagreeing and taking action against another clan head. There are so many problems that need solving.” She hugs him, her cheek pressing against his hair, “Sweetling, I know that you are angry. I am too.”
His mom is one of few people who never doubts his words. She listens, she gives her own thoughts, but she never doubts him. She trusts him wholeheartedly, and Ichigo truly doesn't know what he did to deserve it.
She continues,“You are too brave. Reminds me of Masato. I will tell you what I told him when he followed me into enlistment.”
Ichigo listens carefully as she lowers her voice to a whisper.
“Being strong is one thing. It is another to be too brave.” Mikoto says, “Fortitude is needed for any shinobi, but always remember there are limits. Do not overstep. I do not want to see you die. This is the fate of those whose courage cannot be tamed.”
Ichigo feels every word settle heavily in his stomach.
He replies,“I understand. I do.”
She kisses the top of his head, “Don’t worry. I will try to settle the matter with the Hyuuga.”
Sasuke calls for her down the hall. She stands and taps his nose lovingly before she turns to leave.
“I will speak with your father too. He can never stay angry with you.” She speaks with absolute certainty “He has and always will adore you.”