Chapter Text
It's been a busy week; full of meetings and hard conversations. The KMPF are still hard at work collecting evidence in the tunnels. The Inuzuka and Aburame are working in tandem to search for any similar hidden alcoves throughout the Land of Fire. Fugaku had found his own workload increasing so much that he’s partitioned out most of his everyday duties at the station.
The investigation into the missing children has more traction than it has had in a long time. It’s hectic, but it’s better than doing nothing.
For whatever reason, Orochimaru waits patiently in the T&I cells for Fugaku's personal interview. The Third Hokage insisted that he speak to his student first, and it's not like Fugaku could deny him.
Of course, Danzo saw fit to attend.
It was still all for naught.
Orochimaru said he'd speak only to Fugaku.
It's troublesome—to say the least.
They were supposed to be discussing where to go next. Dinner, drinks, and business; that's all. If they truly are going to make moves to unseat the Hokage, they’ll need to tread carefully. Ino-Shika-Cho still collectively decided to make the night more festive. There is a mood of celebration in the air, for all the work left to do. They all think this is over, but Fugaku knows better. The nights are growing colder and longer. The matter won't be solved so easily. But Fugaku doesn't want to bring down the mood by bringing it up, so he keeps his thoughts to himself.
The trio booked a private room. Fugaku thinks it's too much considering they didn’t bring their wives, but the Shikaku insisted. It's finely decorated and warmly lit under lantern light. Inoichi says all drinks will be on his tab, urging them to have a good time. Choza even ordered a large platter of karaage. When it arrives, Fugaku snags the cherry tomato from the side and pops it in his mouth. He’s not upset about the food, but he’s still not in a partying mood.
Inoichi announces cheerfully,“The beers here!”
Like always, Fugaku finds his thoughts turning to his eldest sons.
Spirits are not something shinobi deal with. Fugaku’s never even given it much thought before. The spiritual world is best left in the hands of monks, priests, and other folk like that. Fugaku may have loved the stories and the myths, passed down from the elders. They claim that the Uchiha are descended from ancient creatures of fire: the phoenix and the dragon. They are spirits in the sense the Kyuubi is, primordial entities of power. The myths say the Uchiha gained their sharingan as a gift from the dragons.
Fugaku respects the spirits. He believes in following their traditions. He prays, for all the good it’s done him, but he just never thought the dead would walk side by side with his child.
He understands why Ichigo wouldn’t mention it. It’s genuinely insane.
But still, Fugaku does not doubt his son.
Ichigo can leave his body to enter the spiritual realm, or at least, that’s how Fugaku understands it. Seventeen minutes, that’s how long he’s able to manage it, but no more than that. Even without leaving his body, he’s apparently always been able to see ghosts.
It has to be true.
His son repeats every name of the known missing without skipping one. There are some even Fugaku does not recognize. Ichigo tries to explain some of what happened to the poor souls, but even he struggles to find the words. Some of the bodies will never be recovered.
Fugaku intends to speak with each bereaved family. It’s only proper.
The Uchiha may not have been allowed to pay homage to the Gods of their ancestors for some time now. Fugaku doesn’t even know if there truly are any benevolent ones listening.
But he can have faith in his son.
Inoichi pours him a shot of sake. He asks quietly, “I hope your son is well, Fugaku. I understand he was present at Orochimaru’s arrest. How’s he faring?”
The alcohol burns pleasantly in his belly as he tosses it back. Fugaku replies, “He’s well…all things considered. We’re all a bit on edge, but you’d never guess it when it comes to that boy.”
Choza says, “Your heir isn’t even a shinobi, but he’s a tough one.”
Fugaku chuckles, “that he is.”
Shikaku often smiles harder when he notices Fugaku is amused, but it seems more intense today. He says, “It's all thanks to you, Fuku. All your hard work is why we’re even sitting here today,”
They take another shot together, raising a toast for a productive week.
Shikaku is already pretty tipsy. He drinks too much on a regular day, but today he started drinking even before coming to the restaurant. They all know it, but no one is brave enough to say anything about it. It's another thing they don't talk about, although that list is growing shorter these days.
Shikaku slaps Fugaku’s back,“Come on, Fuku. It's about time we got the whole story. You can tell us. We’re not going to run our mouths. The women aren’t here. None of us here will judge you.”
Choza and Inoichi are clearly perplexed by his announcement as they look at each other for an answer, but find none.
Shikaku continues, “Tell us, do you know?”
“Know?” Fugaku asks.
“Do you know who Ichigo’s real father is?”
Fugaku’s body goes very, very still.
He almost thinks he misheard Shikaku, but the words settle into his skin.
He knows what he heard.
No other noise around matters, not
Fugaku asks quietly, “what did you say?”
Unaware of the tension building in the air, Shikaku carries on blissfully.
He replies. “Don’t worry! I think that you should know Mikoto having some dalliance early in your marriage doesn’t reflect at all on you. If anything, you’ve been more than accepting of the kid. You’re too kind. If anything a woman like her has shown restraint. I’m proud of you! Hell, I’m proud the ice queen could warm enough to give you two. That Itachi takes so much after you.”
He laughs easily, completely unaware of the horrified looks of realization on his friends' faces. Fugaku should've known Shikaku would trip over his own tongue eventually. It's one thing to know that neither Mikoto or Shikaku can find commonality in each other. The jokes and teasing are one thing, but he never thought his friend would truly overstep so completely.
Fugaku enunciates each word slowly, purposefully. Maybe if he speaks slow enough, he’ll eventually hear the right answer, instead of all the wrong ones. Fugaku asks, “what is…a woman like her?”
“You knew about Kushina, but you must’ve heard some things. I know she’s always been pretty popular.” Shikaku chuckles, “It’s not uncommon. You don’t need to feel any shame about it. I just want you to know…I’m here. She keeps her options open. So why can’t you? It’s only fair.”
This fool truly thought they could pick up where they left off?
Fugaku doesn’t know how to put it into words. Even now, hearing such vitriol spewing from his mouth, part of him still cares for Shikaku. He cares for the friend he once had: a confidant and comfort until the war. Fugaku once thought he could tell Shikaku anything. Even so, their paths diverged. It hurt then, of course it did, but it’s been years.
He treasures the memories. Shikaku and Mikoto do have one thing in common: they both helped make him feel strong when he couldn’t
Even so, Fugaku still feels like the man he is now, and the boy he was are very different people.
It took him a while to reconcile with that.
Hell, he didn’t expect to fall in love with Mikoto either. Fugaku never thought he’d be able to speak on equal terms with Merciless Mikoto, his mother’s favored, the pinnacle of the Uchiha clan.
Things change.
He doesn’t want to imagine a world where her face isn’t the first thing he sees at dawn. Each kindness, each chance, each ounce of trust: Mikoto did not give it easily, and Fugaku did not ask. It grew like small tender roots digging and weaving the soil, spreading out as the leaves reach for the sun.
He loves his family.
Fugaku treasures all of his sons.
“I don’t have to explain anything to you. What happens between Mikoto and I has nothing to do with you. “
His anger and hurt must be bleeding into his voice. He doesn’t want to cry, he truly doesn’t.
Choza abruptly stands, shaking the glasses on the table,“I think you’ve had enough. We really should be leaving.”
“What no! We just got here?”
Choza tries to force Shikaku from his chair to his feet, but he resists. He wiggles away from his friend’s grip and slips closer to Fugaku. Shikaku pleads,“Come on, you’ve always been so shy. I know you’ve always denied the accusation, but you’re among friends here. There's no reason to be ashamed.”
He is moving closer, too close for comfort. Fugaku leans away, but Shikaku doesn’t seem to notice. He says, “If anything, it’s noble of you. I respect it, I do. You care for the boy as if he were your own son.”
“As if he were my son?” Fugaku hisses.
Shikaku is oblivious to the venom dripping in his voice.
“You have always done your duty. Can’t you be just a little selfish?” Shikaku sighs sadly, “Your wife certainly did. If she can have a bit of fun outside the marriage bed, why can’t you? You’ve got a proper heir and spare, your job is done!”
Inoichi attempts to pull Fugaku back. Fugaku is bigger, taller than the more slender Yamanaka. Fugaku doesn’t even realize he’s moving to grab Shikaku, but he resists hitting the drunken idiot. He wants to shake him, desperately, but he doesn’t.
Fugaku states firmly,“She is my lady wife. Watch how you speak of her.”
Choza tries to drag Shikaku to the door, “I think you’ve had enough. Let’s go, Shikaku. You need rest.”
“No, Fuku listen…”
“Do not call me that. Address me properly. Show proper respect for my wife and children. You do not have to like how I have chosen to raise them. You think I haven't heard that before? I will not hear any more words of slander against my family! I thought you knew better! Damn it, Shikaku!”
He’s shaking. Gods, he’s angry
Fugaku is struggling to not show how furious he’s feeling. People get scared. People do not like it when Uchiha get angry.
Shikaku is too far gone to realize this is no time for jokes. He leans close to Fugaku, even as the other two shinobi struggle to pull their friends apart. Fugaku tries to steady himself as he feels Shikaku’s sour breath against his face. “I could help you try to be less uptight, Lord Uchiha.”
He knew Shikaku was flirting, but he thought it was just a jest. He never thought it would lead to this.
Fugaku replies coldly, “I’m not laughing. I’m not happy, Nara. Be silent.”
Inoichi says quietly, “Fugaku…your sharingan.”
Ah, his sharingan. Of course, that’s the biggest problem right now.
He’s not allowed to get angry. Not them, no…not them.
His stomach feels hot and tight, the anger brewing is making him dizzy. There’s embarrassment there, that Fugaku wishes he could get rid of. He hates when it overwhelms him, making him unable to act.
Fugaku tries to flee the restaurant but Shikaku follows him. Blessedly, Choza and Inoichi do not. Fugaku’s glad for the privacy as he drags a wobbly Shikaku into the back alley behind the building. The vines climbing up the brickwork give Fugaku something to focus on一anything other than the ridiculous man he once called his best friend.
“I am not happy with you.” Fugaku says, “We are going to talk about this when you’re less drunk off your ass to remember I’m telling this to you.”
“I can talk now, honey. I'm fine.”
Really? Of all the nonsense…
Fugaku breathes in, sharp and deep through his nose. He only needs one arm to hold Shikaku against the wall. There’s no need to be so brutal, but Fugaku is angry. So angry, he’s shaking, and he really hates feeling like this.
Shikaku only proceeds to make it worse.
Fugaku demands, “Are you hard right now? Seriously?”
“Um…I'm sorry.”
He doesn’t sound that sorry, more sleepy than anything.
Fugaku takes a breath to steady himself. It’s irritating, but he’s going to let it slide from drunkenness.
Shikaku stammers, “I…I really didn't mean to…the adrenaline, you know. I’m not used to seeing you this mad either.”
“Shut up, please.”
Thankfully, he does.
“I…don't think you truly understand me as a man. Do you?” Fugaku demands.
“You're important to me.”
Fugaku grumbled, “cast it into the fire.”
Shikaku replies with a smile, “You and your Uchiha euphemisms.”
Fugaku isn't in the mood for jokes.
“How dare you question my boy? He is my heart walking. How dare you?”
Shikaku has no defensive joke for that.
“Fu…”
“No, listen to me. Truly, listen to me. I don't care. I know he is strange in ways even I don't understand.” Fugaku takes a moment to steady his breathing. He sweeps back his sweaty hair as he leans against the dirty wall.
“I have felt so empty…for so long, Shikaku. When Ichigo was born, I found that the Gods saw fit to send my heart off into the world. Don't you see how I have loved him unconditionally? How can you ask me if he is my son?”
Shikaku is at a loss for words.
“You think I did not have my own disbelief? Yes, but there was joy. He is my firstborn. He is my son.” Fugaku heard this from so many, but he never thought he’d hear such accusations from Shikaku. The words flow easier than they usually do as he continues, “you insult me. I thought you were smarter, I thought you were better. I am barely keeping my head up as it is, and you decide to tell me this. I do not feel this…care you claim to feel. I care for you. I would never say such a thing to you.”
“I…I'm sorry.”
“You insist on flirting with me. I do not know if I could have been any more clear but I am loyal to my wife. This is who I am. My duty is who I am, and I don’t think you grasp that. I loved you too, Shikaku. But Gods, don’t do this. I have enough to deal with.”
Shikaku whispers desperately,"I miss you.”
“You miss what we had. That's not me. I asked for a friend…that’s what I need of you. My clan is my top priority now. Can’t you understand that? Cease this petty jealous rivalry you have with my wife. I am not angry you feel this. I am angry you do not listen to me.”
Fugaku takes Shikaku’s face in his hands. His own face feels hot at the pleased look Shikaku gives him, but that doesn’t matter right now. He needs Shikaku to actually focus and use that mind of his. He dampens his brilliance with booze because of all the memories that he doesn’t want to think about.
Fugaku gets it. He does, but that won’t save anyone.
He says,“I cannot deal with this. I cannot. Please accept this answer.”
Shikaku’s face stills, lips pursed in a tight uncomfortable way that Fugaku recognises well.
“You need to vomit, don’t you?”
Shikaku nods.
Fugaku rests his hand on Shikaku’s back as he leans over to puke into the dirt.
He sighs deeply,“This discussion isn’t over. I am taking you home. Be nice to your wife, idiot man. You may miss me and be my friend. I beg of you, please. Or you can miss me in this manner you have been…and I shall end up despising you. I promise you that.”
Mikoto is not going to be happy to hear about this.
Fugaku tells Shikaku as much.
The man heaves even harder.