The Light That Seeps Through the Trees

Chapter 23: A Closing Distance

Itachi never gave much thought to how it would be to have nephews. But when Sarada, Kato, and Kenzo were born he found himself in love with them. He loved them as if they were his own kids. Sarada was a mixture of Sakura and Sasuke. She was smart and kind but also serious. Kato was more like Sakura. He was always full of life and excited. While Kenzo seemed to be a replica of Sasuke.

Itachi hated to play favorites but there was no denying that he found himself drawn a bit more to Kenzo. He just reminded him so much of the younger Sasuke, of his younger brother that he had left alone.

He wanted to redeem himself by being there for his nephews. Right now he could tell that the one that needed him the most was Kenzo. He had wanted to talk to him earlier but he had to go to the sand village to keep an eye on Hayami. Now he was back and he was not going to let this opportunity go.

"Kenzo"

"Uncle Itachi" Kenzo greeted as his uncle approached him.

"I heard your sharingan matured"

"You can thank dad for that"

Itachi felt the way his tone got colder at the mention of the word 'dad'.

"I also heard of what you saw"

Kenzo clenched his fists as the images flashed through his head.

"It might be hard for you to understand but your father went through a lot. It might not seem like it now but he did. I'm not referring to the battles he fought but to the battle he had to fight within himself. I'm sure you understand seeing as you yourself are fighting against yourself."

Kenzo felt a sense of shock as his uncle deciphered him perfectly. He had been in a turmoil. He was constantly fighting against his desire to destroy his very own father for everything he had put his mother through but at the same time he found himself wanting to forgive him.

"That person showed you the worst of Sasuke, but what have you seen of Sasuke so far."

Kenzo scoffed, "he was gone for nine years since I was born. He can barely hold a conversation with us. He never shows any affection towards my mom. He wanted to leave after Lord Seventh died not caring for how sad mom was. Do you want me to continue?"

Itachi sighed, something he found himself doing lately, "okay, maybe he isn't perfect, but you should give him a chance. After all he is still your father."

Kenzo was left to think about it. He finally decided to walk back home but stopped as he heard talking. He hid behind the tree as he saw Sasuke and Kato.

"Okay let me see if I got this right" Sasuke said trying to hold his laughter, "you thought it was a good idea to confess to Himawari by recreating the scene of how you started to like her?"

"Yes" Kenzo affirmed.

"So you recreated everything, but she thought it was another mission and begun cleaning up. You tripped her so you could catch her like she did with you, but instead of catching her you let her fall into the cow poop?"

Kato blushed furiously, "I didn't let her fall! She slipped through my fingers and fell!"

That's all it took to get Sasuke to burst out laughing. His laughter echoing through the village.

My son is an actual idiot. Is he really my son? He reminds me more of Naruto, Sasuke thought.

"At least I didn't try to chidori my future wife" Kato glared.

Never mind, he is my son.

Sasuke stopped laughing as he found his son's glaring adorable. Soemthing he would never admit out loud. He then saw a figure moving from behind a tree.

Kenzo stepped out continuing his way back to the house. He felt his fathers gaze on him but ignored it.

Sasuke turned his attention back to his son that was glaring at him. He swiftly poked his forehead, "go apologize to her."

Sasuke stopped Kenzo from walking more.

"Hn" Kenzo replied.

"Let's talk"

He slowly followed his father. They stopped right behind their house.

"I realize that my attitude has not been the best" Sasuke said.

Kenzo let out a sarcastic chuckle, "that's an understatement."

Sasuke took in a breathe and did his best to manage his patience.

Why couldn't talking to him be as easy as it is with Kato?

"At that time I had my reasons. I'm aware nothing excuses my actions but I have spent the last years trying to make up for my mistakes."

Kenzo wasn't sure of how to feel. He knew how much them being mad at each-other affected his mom, and siblings. He didn't want them to be sad but at the same time he wanted his father to suffer what his mom had.

"I don't care. The only thing I care about is them being happy and if you make them happy there is nothing I can do about it. I don't need you to do right by me I don't care about that. I don't care about how my relationship with you is. All I want is for you to do right by them."

Sasuke was beyond shocked at his sons words. And if he was to be honest they hurt more then he expected. After all that his son and even if he didn't often show it, he loved him.

Not being able to say anything else he let Kenzo walk away.

Back at Ino's and Sai's house Himawari finished taking a bath.

Boruto knocked on her door softly and stepped in as she said, "come in."

It had been a few weeks since they had talked ever since she got back from that mission.

"Himawari, I'm sorry"

Her eyes were glowing with tears and she ran and hugged him. "I'm sorry too."

He wrapped his arms around her. "I will always be here for you. You're my sister and I will always protect you."

She pulled away to look at her brothers face, "no matter what happens just know I love you, oni-Chan."

Boruto seemed confused by her words but decided to ignore them. He was glad his sister had forgiven him.