Chapter 12: A Uchiha Upbringing

I hope everyone appreciates these title alliterations I make. This one was a struggle. And I'm at least 80% sure that to be grammatically correct, it's 'an' Uchiha, but that sounds so wrong when spoken. I'm just saying. So like, I know, but I don't know. You know? Why are the Uchihas so difficult? Ugh.

Tsunade looked at Gale's blue face, "You killed at a very young age and you didn't seemed fazed at all. Why do you think that is?" Gale's eyes narrowed and a darkness possessed his young features, "I am of the Bloody Mist or have you forgotten, Lady Tsunade? I would have been shamed by the village if I had waited any longer to bleed my first man. People die. It's what they do and it's what they are good at. Peace is an illusion and a violation of human nature. Why do you think disease and other 'polite' forms of death exist? They were created by peace. People will always die and always need something to cause that. I do not regret that kill at all. He was attacking my family so you can say I did it for the right reasons, but death is something unavoidable so there is no point in trying to make it something shameful or glorious or anything other than death. We are shinobi. Our job is to kill and wage war. I am proud to be of the Mist and of my father because the way I kill is particularly beautiful. I am an artist. I am a Lord of Death. And I will possess all of the Swords of the Mist."

Silence fell over the room. No one could think of a proper way to respond to this speech, nor was there one really. Leaf shinobi shifted uncomfortably in their seats and even the children sweated a little. Tsunade's face had softened for the first time today. She was able to fully grasp the damage inflicted on these children now. Maybe they did need help.

That's when Kiki fell to the ground with foam frothing around the corners of her mouth and her body convulsing violently. Masakai was by her side in an instant, cupping her slender face in his hands, "Kiki, show me! Show me what you see!" Sakura ran over, not skipping a beat, "I am a med-" Masakai repelled her before she could finish her sentence and her body slammed against the wall lightly, but hard enough to knock the air out of her. She slumped to the ground and attempted to catch her breath.

"Kiki, show me! Now!" Masakai was still screaming at his seizing sibling until everyone was pulled into her jutsu again. This time was different though. Everyone's thoughts ran through each other's as if the room was one giant conscience. Random images, colors, and sounds flooded through this mass of mental being. Confusion was the ultimate feeling that possessed the scene until Masakai's mental presence stabbed through everyone else's memories and thoughts.

CONCENTRATE

The pictures began to form into one, solid image and everyone's thoughts were shut out. Kiki was in control again.

Aiden was sitting on a stone with a slight breeze ruffling his golden hair. A scar ran across his jaw law now, making him look more dangerous than monstrous. A lucky break for him. He noticed a slender shadow crossin front of his path and he addressed it affectionately, "I'm glad you came. I know how hard this will be for you, so let me-"

"Shut up, Aiden. You talk too much now." The voice was familiar and warm despite the harsh words spoken. Aiden smiled and looked up at Zamira. Her normally braided hair was loose and floating playfully in the wind, "I am always willing to help my family." Aiden stood and greeted her with a hug. He was much taller than her now, far surpassing the height of Deidara.

The two walked a few meters to the mouth of an underground entrance. The earth was torn open, mostly likely from Aiden's explosives, and pitch black when the sunlight could no longer travel inside. The two ventured in, Zamira holding lighting in her hand to light the way.

They arrived in a dismantled laboratory. Broken glass and equipment were strewn everywhere and various solutions were spilled onto the tiled floor. Zamira shivered as she looked down on a Sound Village headband she had just stepped on. Aiden looked apologetically at her, "Zamira… if…" She cut him off quickly, "No." She walked to a perfectly preserved capsule twice the size of a man and placed her free hand on the dirty glass. Aiden lit a torch behind her and she let the lightning fade. The blonde boy stood next to her, "This is what you needed, right?" Zamira nodded, "Did you bring the sample?" Aiden reached into the sack on his side normally filled with clay and presented Zamira with a lock of golden hair.

The image faded and Kiki was panting in her brother's sturdy hands with her eyes rolling back and forth. Aiden stood, "What the fuck did any of that mean, Kiki?" Masakai shot him a warning glance, "She knows just as much as you! Don't ask questions after she's just come back either. It stresses her out." Aiden silenced himself and sat back on his stool as Kiki recovered. Millions of questions passed through Aiden's thoughts.

Tsunade glanced worriedly at Sakura who stood to brush herself off. Her mint eyes reassured Tsunade of her health and she walked over to Kiki a second time, "Masakai, let me help." Masakai didn't look at her, "The only medical ninja I trust is Zamira." Sakura knelt patiently by Kiki and Masakai, waiting for him to grant her permission to attend to Kiki. She was not needed however because Kiki sat up a few minutes later, perfectly normal. Kiki wrinkled her nose at the sight of Sakura, "Ew. Leave my presence. You're too happy." Sakura looked shocked, but did as she was told.

"Mind explaining what just happened, Kiki?" Tsunade questioned.

Kiki looked at her as Masakai's strong figure helped her to her feet, "I saw into the future, milady. I figured you could have come to that conclusion on your own." Tsunade arched an eyebrow, "Does this happen often?"

Kiki shook her head, "About once a month maybe. Sometimes longer."

"Do you only see those you know?"

Kiki shook her head again, "Many times I know no one. Many times I see just objects. It's all random and sometimes doesn't even pertain to me. It rarely does." Tsunade wrote some things down before inquiring more, "Are you alright to continue?" Kiki inhaled sharply, "This drains a lot of my chakara… I am not sure if I can make it through the rest of us." Kaiser stood and walked over to her, "Take my chakara, Poison. My brother can just split his with me." Kiki looked momentarily touched by his gesture, but her features quickly turned cold again, "Thank you." She looked into Kaiser's eyes and placed her hands on his temples before draining the majority of his chakara from him. Kaiser fell to the ground, breathing heavily, and Kaspar ran to his side before medically splitting his chakara with his twin. The two helped each other back to their stools and Kiki looked better than she did before.

Naruto looked at Kiki, "Why did they just call you Poison?" She looked at him, "My father was called Pain as you know, but that was not his real name. So the twins have a running joke that I be called Poison. They would know more about it than me." She cocked her head, "Does that name displease you, Nine Tails?" Naruto shook his head, "I was just wondering, is all." Kiki smiled sarcastically, "Good for you."

Tsunade took note of this as well before interrupting, "Kiki, show me Masakai."

"Absolutely not. That will take too much chakara. I can do Hiro and myself before having to recharge."

"Why would his take more?"

"I never met his mother, but I must tell you of her. Therefore, I must use the eyes of his memory to look into hers and that takes much more energy. I will do his story last. If you don't mind."

Tsunade clenched her teeth, "Fine. Hiro then."

Hiro looked up at the crowd as Kiki drew everyone into his memories. The images were sharper and clearer now. It would seem that Kiki had been tired a long time.

Itachi and Kisame always ate at this tavern on their way through the town. It was the cheapest, but also the most discrete. The tavern wench there had always fancied Itachi, but Itachi never even bothered to notice her. He was used to girls gawking at him. He was used to them being afraid of him. Either way, it made no difference. It was Kisame who ended up making their relations happen. Kisame had bought Itachi a little too much alcohol and brought the tavern wench around a few too many times. Kisame knew she fancied him and he wanted his friend to 'loosen up' a bit. Kisame made it happen, yet Itachi never blamed him for the son he never accounted for.

A few months later when the partners swung back around, the tavern wench had a bigger belly. A pregnant belly. She did not approach Itachi though, he approached her. When she took the trash into the dark alley, he confronted her.

"Is it mine?"

She turned around, shocked and frightened, "Yes, my lord. But you don't have to worry. I know who you are and I know you have no time for a child. I am honored that it is I who gets to help revive your clan. He will be my bastard and I will bear full responsibility."

"He. You said he. How do you know it's a boy?"

"Mother's intuition."

"You do not have to suffer alone. I apologize. I will support you and visit every now and then, but you are right about one thing: I do not have time for him. I have written my own fate and my own death with it. Raise him well." Itachi turned his back to her, "How far along are you?"

"Seven months."

"I shall return in two."

True to his word, as he always was, Itachi returned two months later. Actually a little less. With his early arrival, he convinced her to leave and come with him to a secluded building slightly out of town. There, Kakuzu and Zamira were waiting. The tavern wench was frightened, but Zamira put her at ease. They were there to help. At exactly nine months, the most punctual birth Kakuzu had ever witnessed, the tavern wench went into labor and gave birth to Itachi's son. She did not make it though. Not even the combined efforts of Zamira and her father could stop the bleeding. She was a fighter though, just not tough enough.

Itachi refused to be in the building during the labor and was sitting on a stump nearby. Zamira approached him with his son swaddled and tucked into her arms. She sat next him and tried to give him to Itachi, but he refused. Zamira glared, "Take your son clan slayer or should I just throw him in the ocean now?" Itachi turned to her, shocked, "How could you have possibly known that-"

"That you didn't want him? That you were planning on giving the ultimate sacrifice for your brother and you couldn't bare to let your son grow up parentless? You are my friend, Itachi, I know you even if you don't like to admit it." Itachi shrugged away from her.

"You are acting like a child." She sighed and rocked the baby, looking at his face fondly, "Have you at least thought of a name? His mother wouldn't tell us one. She said she didn't know any good Uchiha names." Itachi was silent still. Zamira cursed him and left with the baby. She was immediately infatuated, Itachi could tell.

When they arrived at the hideout a few days later, Itachi finally held his son for the first time. He knew that was a mistake, but this isolating behavior was unlike him. He loved. And his love was true. But he already planned out his fate, so now he must plan his son's.

Itachi began to walk away with his boy, "Zamira, I know you named him in your head. What did you name him?" Zamira flushed, embarrassed, "I named him Hiro because I want him to save you and your clan." Itachi turned to her and smiled, "It's perfect. Now, I'm about to do something unethical, and I figure his god-mother should be aware." Zamira's jaw dropped, "Me? But I am so young. Surely Konan would be better." Itachi shook his head, "You are my friend and you know Sharingan as well as I do. You will be good to him." With that, he left and Zamira sat, pondering the unethical thing Itachi could be attempting.

A few hours later, a small boy ran up to Zamira and hugged her legs, "Mira!" She was shocked, but soon recognized him. He had Itachi's eyes.

"Hiro?" The boy nuzzled deeper into her calves as Itachi walked up, "Sharingan masters reality and bends time. I gave myself more time with him, but accelerated his."

"He's as old as Kalypso."

"A year older to be exact. Proper playmates I suppose." Zamira laughed and picked up the slightly grown Hiro, "I can't believe how big you've gotten!"

Itachi smiled, "This is the right age for Sharingan to develop. I will be here for this process and train him enough before I depart." Zamira was busy tickling Hiro, "Yes, okay. That's fine."

"You didn't even hear what I said."

"At dinner, right!" Itachi rolled his eyes and joined Zamira in playing with Hiro.

The scene shifted to Hiro and Kalypso playing in the garden. Kisame's daughter was sitting at the river bank, boasting about her physical prowess.

"I can walk on water now."

"No you can't! That's a lie! You can barely weave all the signs properly."

"I can too! Climbing trees was too easy and so is walking on water!" Hiro made a disgusted face as Kalypso kept talking, "I'm sorry I have superior amounts of chakara and chakara control." She flipped her long, blue hair as Hiro looked at the water sadly. She laughed, "You mean you can't walk on water yet? Wow, I thought you were a Uchiha. Maybe you're just a wash out."

Hiro shot her a look of pure rage, "Prove it!" Kalypso stood and stretched before gracefully skipping on the surface of the small river. Hiro was in udder disbelief, "H-How?!"

"I guess I'm just that good!" Flustered, Hiro ran over to the water source and timidly placed a foot on the surface. He instantly fell into the river. He surfaced quickly though, sputtering, with his dark hair plastered to his face. Kisame's daughter laughed harder, "Take a look at the great Uchiha Clan!" Ashamed, Hiro pulled himself out of the water, shaking his black locks dry, "Well, I can already use justu." Kalypso wore a face of surprise now, "No you can't! Prove it!"

Hiro smirked and started walking away from Kalypso. She shouted after him, "Come back, coward!" Hiro's hands formed a few signs in front of his body so that Kalypso couldn't see. She ran at him and he turned around suddenly, unleashing a ball of fire at her stronger than what he originally planned. The blast traveled to the small girl who tried to move out of the way, but was too slow. The right side of her figure was hit and her screams echoed around the chamber. Her small, sizzling figure crumpled to the ground, giving off smoke. Hiro instantly ran to her side, shouting her name. The closer he got, the stronger then stench of burning flesh became. He never reached her though. Gale prevented that. He landed in front of the small Uchiha and put a dagger to his throat, "WHAT WERE YOU THINKING? YOU BURNED MY SISTER!" Hiro fell backwards, tears stinging his eyes, as Gale picked up his whimpering sibling. She screamed in agony at her brother's touch, but Gale paid no mind. He fled to get her help.

Hiro stared at the singed grass covered in blood where he had hurt his friend until the image was plastered in his brain forever. Consequently, this image was clearer than all the rest so far. His vision soon became hazy due to tears and smoke. He couldn't stand another second there. Not knowing what else to do, he ran until he reached the darkest, smallest corner of the hideout he could find. He ran until he became lost. Exhausted, he collapsed onto the cold floor and cried himself into a guilty slumber.

His father's touch woke him. Startled, the small boy sat up quickly, but relaxed when he looked into his father's red eyes. Itachi sat next to him and placed his son in his lap, wrapping Hiro in his cloak. Hiro cried for a few minutes into his father's strong chest until all the tears were gone. Itachi said nothing for a long time. Neither did Hiro. They never really needed to say much to each other though. Simply being with one another was enough.

"Hiro," Itachi began with his paternal voice, "Tell me what happened."

Hiro hid his face, "I burned Kalypso."

"Why would you do something horrible like that?"

"It was sort of an accident. I just wanted to show her what I could do because she's so good at everything and I just wanted to be as good as she was and my fire was stronger than it usually was and it went farther too and I only wanted to scare her a little bit, but I scared her a lot a bit and now she's probably dead." Hiro shed a few tears at this thought, "I killed my best friend."

Itachi looked tenderly at his son and brushed the hair out of Hiro's face before drying the boy's tears, "She's not dead. She is very much alive."

Hiro looked up, excited, "Really? She's okay!?"

"Yes, but she's badly injured. I think you owe her an apology at the very least."

Hiro looked back down, "I can never see her again. She is going to hate me."

"She will only hate you if you do not apologize. She knows forgiveness is a sign of power. She's always been a smart girl. What do you say we go and visit her? People like being visited when they are hurt." Itachi smiled at Hiro who wiped his eyes, "Yeah, daddy. Let's do that. Can we go pick her some flowers first? I know which ones are her favorites."

"Yes, of course, little one." Itachi helped his son to his feet and took him outside to pick the prettiest wildflowers that had ever grown.

Kalypso was laying in one of the hospital beds, right side lightly draped in gauze to ward off infection. Some flesh was still visible and took on a bright pink color foreign to her normal aqua complexion. Hiro timidly placed the flowers in a vase by her left side. Kalypso glared at him the entire time. She addressed him when he was done arranging the plants, "You have a lot of nerve showing up here."

"I just wanted to say I'm sorry and I hope you get better soon. I understand if you hate me forever." Kalypso didn't say anything. She turned away from him after a moment, cueing Hiro to leave. The small boy sighed sadly and lightly touched her left hand. She immediately pulled away and Hiro gave up. Itachi and he left the clinic and waited outside for Kakuzu upon Hiro's request. When the sown man appeared, Hiro jumped to his feet, "Is she going to be okay, Kakuzu Sensei?"

He peered at the young Uchiha over the rim of his mask, "She'll be perfectly fine. She was very lucky. No thanks to you." With that, he walked into the clinic, leaving Hiro with both a sense of relief and guilt.

"Daddy," Hiro started. Itachi looked down at him fondly, "Yes?"

"I'm going to never hurt anyone again. I'm going to be a hero like my name says I will be. I will make you proud!" Itachi knelt in front of him, "Hiro, you already have." Itachi embraced his son.

Kalypso was healing nicely and soon the two were back to playing. Kisame and Itachi watched them as they usually did. After a few minutes, Itachi looked at his partner sadly, "What if he was born bad? What if he ends up like my brother?" The blue man looked at his daughter lovingly, "If he ever hurts my daughter again, I'll kill him, Itachi. I am letting this one go because you are my friend." Kisame looked at his partner now, "Personally, you're the only Uchiha I've encountered who wasn't born bad." Itachi's eyes shifted to Hiro's happy face. He couldn't be evil, could he?

The memory jumped. Masakai was holding Hiro on his shoulders as the two watched the sunset together. Hiro loved spending time with Masakai. After all, Masakai was family. He helped him train when father was away and would give him pointers on just about everything. Masakai knew so much. Hiro wanted to be just like him and develop the Rinnegan too!

Masakai set Hiro down and the small boy admired him from the ground. He was so tall. Hiro smiled, "Masakai, are you and Zamira going to get married?" Masakai's eyes widened and looked down at the young Uchiha, "Probably not. Why do you ask, little one?" Hiro shrugged, "You both take good care of me so I think you could take good care of your own babies. Could I be their cool Uncle?" Masakai smiled, "Yes. That spot has always been reserved for you." Hiro fisted the air, "Yes! Uncle Hiro is the coolest!" Zamira walked up to the boys, "What's all this then?" She ruffled Hiro's hair and looked at Masakai, "Is Itachi not back yet?" Masakai shook his head, "Tomorrow, I believe." Zamira picked up Hiro and hugged him, "Hello sweet boy!" He smiled, "Swing me!" Masakai took his right hand and Zamira held onto his left. The two shinobi swung Hiro back and forth until his heart's content.

The scene shifted to Zamira sitting by Itachi's corpse. She had flipped him around so he was sitting properly, but there was still blood and destruction everywhere. Such is the mark of Sasuke.

"Why didn't you tell me you were sick?" Itachi's dead body gave no reply. "Why didn't I know you were sick?" His corpse was cold. "Why did you go through with it? Why did you leave Hiro to me?"

"Dead men tell no tales." Zamira looked up to see Madara standing nearby. She jumped to her feet and stood in front of Itachi's body, guarding it, "What do you want?"

"His eyes if you don't mind."

"Over my dead body."

"You are more than welcome to join him, but don't make Hiro lose two parents in one day." Zamira reluctantly stepped aside and turned away as Madara tore her dear friend's eyes out. She couldn't bear to watch.

She let Madara and Zetsu deal with the corpse. Hiro needed her.

She found him training, as usual. He hit every target flawlessly, but was still cursing himself, "Where is your Sharingan? You aren't training hard enough!" He went to collect his kunei for another round, but Zamira lifted him onto her hip. He giggled, "You snuck up on me, Mira!" She smiled at him, "You just weren't really paying attention is all." She looked at him. His black eyes were round and innocent. Secretly, she didn't want them to turn red. She didn't want him to grow up. She didn't want him to have to kill anyone. She didn't want him to be a Uchiha.

"Why are you staring at me, Mira?" His voice snapped her out of her trance. She sat down with him and turned him to face her, "Hiro, your father died today." Hiro seemed unfazed. This confused Zamira, "Do you understand, sweet boy?" Hiro nodded, "I'm not stupid. I knew this was coming. Daddy told me he would die soon. He had to die for a very important reason. A reason that would unite me with my Uncle. He says my Uncle is a great man and a fearsome shinobi. Is this true?"

Zamira swallowed, "We shall see, my love. We shall see. Actually, I can say that he is a very talented warrior." Hiro beamed, "I cannot wait to meet him."

The memory transitioned to something very recent: Sasuke's arrival.

Hiro had just finished showing Sasuke everything he was capable of. The elder Uchiha raised an eyebrow, "All of that skill and still no Sharingan?" Hiro deflated, "No, Uncle. I am sorry I have displeased you." Sasuke looked empathetic, "You have not displeased me. I am just surprised." Hiro looked up with his big, black eyes, "I understand that everything always came easy to you and my father. I am sorry I am such a clan wash out." Sasuke stood abruptly, "Don't you dare say another awful thing about yourself!" Hiro looked at him fearfully, "Yes… sir…" Sasuke shook his head, "That blue freak tells you this, doesn't she?!" Hiro was too shocked to respond.

"Answer me! Now!" Hiro shook his head, "No. Never." Sasuke's eyes turned red and Hiro faltered, "S-sometimes, but she doesn't mean it!" Sasuke stormed past him and went towards Kalypso who was by the river as usual. Hiro ran after him, "Uncle! Stop! Please!" Hiro grabbed onto Sasuke's leg, but Sasuke kicked Hiro off and the small boy slammed into the ground. Hiro watched helplessly as Sasuke grabbed Kalypso's blue hair roughly and hoisted her off the ground. She kicked and screamed, but no one was around to hear her. Hiro gritted his teeth and lunged after his Uncle, knife in hand. Sasuke easily evaded his attack, and let Kalypso down gently. Hiro froze. What just happened? Why did his Uncle stop attacking? Sasuke approached Hiro slowly and turned him so he could see his reflection in the water. Hiro's eyes were blood red now as all his ancestors before him. Hiro spun around and realized he could see chakara. He smiled from ear to ear, "My Sharingan!" Sasuke poked his forehead as Itachi had always done to him, "It was only a little overdue." Hiro looked at Kalypso, who was blushing, "Wow, I didn't know you cared that much about me." Hiro turned as red as his new eyes and huffed, "Ew. No, you have cooties. I was just scared of your brother's reaction." Kalypso frowned, "Whatever. Uchihas are jerks." Sasuke looked at the both of them, "Come on you two…"

Kiki released her jutsu, "There wasn't much to him, Tsunade. Accept my apologies."

Tsunade looked at Hiro skeptically. Could he be evil? Arrogant, yes, but evil? Hiro noticed Sakura's sad smile, "Pink girl." Sakura looked up, "Yes?"

"You loved my Uncle, didn't you?" Sakura furrowed her brow and was about to respond, but Masakai interrupted, "Hiro, those types of questions make people uncomfortable. Stop asking them." Hiro looked at his feet, "Yes, Captain." Masakai smiled at Sakura apologetically as the poor girl wiped away a tear.

Attention Itachi lovers: He's too wonderful for words to capture. So accept my most humble apologies Itachi fans. As always… you know. Kayloveyoubye

Countdown to Judgment Day: 2 stories