SASUKE: The Beginning Of The Journey.

Prologue: Clan Meeting.

The sun began to rise on the horizon, casting its warm glow over the village hidden in the leaves.  Sunlight streamed through the window of a certain Uchiha residence, rousing its occupant from slumber. A soft knock echoed through the room, snapping Sasuke from his drowsiness.

“Sasuke, breakfast is ready. Go downstairs, okay?” His mother’s voice, filled with warmth, came from outside his door.

“Okay, Mother,” Sasuke replied, stretching and getting out of bed.

He yawned, rubbing his eyes before getting up and opening the curtains, allowing the morning light to flood his room. He got dressed, trading his pyjamas for a black long-sleeved shirt and white shorts.

Glancing at his reflection in the mirror, Sasuke saw his hair was a bit messy.  He grabbed a comb and ran it through his hair until it was perfectly in place.

After putting the comb back in his drawer, he left his room and made his way downstairs. The delicious smell of food wafted up to him as he descended the stairs, drawing him closer to the kitchen.

Upon entering the kitchen, he was greeted by his mother, busy preparing plates at the table. “Oh, welcome, my dear. Come sit down, join us,” Mikoto said, her voice filled with happiness.

“Yes, Mother,” Sasuke replied, making his way to the table and finding a chair.  He looked up and caught his father’s eye. “Good morning, Father,” he said brightly.

Fugaku nodded in response, his expression stoic but his eyes showing a hint of warmth.  Sasuke sat down at the centre of the table, his mother passing him a plate.

“Here, Sasuke, I made your favourite,” Mikoto said, placing a bowl of steaming soup in front of him.

“Tomato soup?” Sasuke asked, surprised, his eyebrows raised.

Mikoto nodded with a smile. “Yes, tomato soup is our breakfast today. Your favourite.”

Sasuke’s face lit up. He loved tomato soup.  He started eating, munching happily, and Mikoto chuckled at his enthusiasm.

Fugaku also smiled, taking a sip of his own soup.  “This is very good, dear. I love it,” he said, even though he wasn’t actually a big fan of tomato soup.  He simply enjoyed his wife’s cooking and took pride in her culinary skills.

“Yeah, Mom.  This tomato soup is the best,” Sasuke agreed, his mouth full of soup.

“Thanks, darling.  I knew you two would love it,” Mikoto said, beaming at her two boys.

Sasuke paused, looking around the table. He felt a sense of incompleteness, a missing presence.  “Wait. Where’s Itachi?” he asked curiously.

Before Sasuke could continue, Fugaku answered, “He’s on a mission, Sasuke.  He’ll be back tomorrow.”  His voice, as always, was stoic and emotionless.

Sasuke felt a pang of disappointment. He had been looking forward to training with Itachi after breakfast. It seemed his brother was too busy with his ANBU duties, leaving Sasuke with a feeling of yearning.  At eleven years old, Itachi was already an ANBU member, a testament to his extraordinary talent.  He often received his father’s praise and attention, something Sasuke longed for.  He hoped one day his father would acknowledge him too, just as he did Itachi.

Then he left that thought aside for now, as he started eating his food again. He overheard his parents talking, so he glanced at them briefly.

“Dear, are you going to the clan meeting today?” Mikoto asked her husband.

“Yes, dear.  I wanted to go there early today,” Fugaku replied.

“Oh, that would be very good, dear.  You always wanted to be the first one to arrive, right?” Mikoto said happily, raising her finger.

“Of course.  This is a very important matter to me.  I will not be late for a ‘Clan meeting.’  It would be a shame to the Uchiha clan if their leader arrived ‘late’ at a meeting,” Fugaku said pridefully.

Mikoto giggled at her husband’s pridefulness.  Every Uchiha was indeed prideful, especially the women. Talking about “Uchiha pride” with her husband was quite amusing to her.

Fugaku started talking again. “I was hoping to bring Itachi with me to the clan meeting.  Since he is the clan heir to the Uchiha Clan,” he said, a hint of sadness in his voice.

This made Sasuke sad, too.  He knew Itachi was the next in line to lead the Uchiha Clan.  It wasn’t like he was interested in becoming clan heir, but at least his father would give him some attention, just as he always did to Itachi.  Sasuke’s hand trembled slightly as he gripped his spoon.

This didn’t go unnoticed by Mikoto.  She sensed Sasuke was listening to them, and she knew he wanted his father’s attention.  She had an idea.

“Dear, how about you bring Sasuke with you to the clan meeting instead?” Mikoto said happily to her husband, clapping her hands.

Sasuke’s eyes widened in shock at his mother’s suggestion, and Fugaku raised an eyebrow at his wife’s words.

“What do you mean?” Fugaku asked, his tone questioning.

“Because, Itachi isn’t the only one who is an heir to the Uchiha clan. Sasuke is, too.  Since Itachi is not here, it is better if you also bring Sasuke with you and teach him how to be a good leader someday,” Mikoto said, smiling and clapping her hands again “And also, this is a good opportunity for you two to have a ‘father and son’ bonding experience,” Mikoto said with a smile, looking at Sasuke and giving him a wink.

Sasuke giggled at his mother.

Fugaku wanted to argue with his wife but decided to agree with her. “Very well then, Sasuke, ready yourself.  You are going to the clan meeting with me,” Fugaku said, standing up and walking towards the door.

“Sasuke, you should prepare your things now.  Your father will wait for you outside,” Mikoto said, smiling at Sasuke.

“Yes, Mother,” Sasuke said excitedly, getting ready.

Mikoto watched as Sasuke headed upstairs to prepare his things. She smiled, knowing she had made her little boy happy.

Sasuke sprinted upstairs to grab his shoulder bag from his room, then ran back down to put on his sandals.  But before he could finish, he heard his mother’s footsteps behind him. He glanced over his shoulder and saw her approaching him.

“Sasuke…” Mikoto said.

“What is it, Mother?” Sasuke asked.

“Don’t make trouble with your father at the clan meeting, okay? Be a good boy out there,” Mikoto said, smiling and holding Sasuke’s cheeks.

“Don’t worry, Mother. I won’t cause a problem at the clan meeting, and I’ll be a good boy. I promise you that,” Sasuke said, smiling at his mother.

Mikoto smiled and gave Sasuke a loving kiss on his forehead.

Sasuke blushed at his mother's kiss.

“Good luck out there, okay,” Mikoto said.

“Don’t worry, Mother.  I will,” Sasuke said, nodding.

Then he walked to the door, opened it, and went outside to find his father.  His mother watched him go, a proud smile on her face.

Outside the house, he saw his father leaning against the wall, folding his arms and closing his eyes, waiting for him.

Sasuke approached his father and said, “Father, I’m ready to go.”