Shizuka Uchiha

Chapter 4- Training

Shizuka lets out a deep breath while Shisui walks over and takes out the shurikin out of the tree in front. Sweat slid down her back and her clothes were clinging to her skin. It had been two weeks since Shisui started training her in secret. They would meet up after dark every night- or whenever Shisui was able to attend. A week ago, Shizuka became top in their class, Sasuke third.  Since then, Sasuke has been nagging Itachi constantly, more than he had before, to train him so he could grow stronger. Shizuka felt bad but she knew what she was doing was important. She had about six months before Itachi would attack the village. Six months for her to gain enough strength to stop the slaughter. Every waking hour was filled with anxiety, the constant reminder that she was running out of time. Shizuka knew how big the gap was between her and Itachi's strengths but still, she needed to try. 

Pushing off the grassy floor, Shizuka's body protested, begging her to stop. She ignored it, widening her stance. "Again!" she shouts. Shisui sighs but comes at her none the less. Shizuka braces herself, moving just in time to avoid his first attack. She grits her teeth, her eyes focusing on his every move. Despite not yet awaking the sharigan, Shizuka was able to keep up with his fast movements, dodging at every strike. The two of them flowed together, like a dance. Shizuka dodged, then counted with an attack of her own, aiming for his throat. Unsurprising, Shisui blocked it with ease and gripped onto her wrist, flipping her over until she landed on her back. Shizuka gasped for breath, coughing and spluttering, winded by the fall. Shisui walked over, offering her a hand. 

"That's enough for the night. Come, I'll walk you home" 

Shizuka looks down in frustration. She lasted five minutes. How was she going to help anyone if she couldn't even fight someone longer than five minutes? Her body was weak, her reflexes were slow.  She needed not only train in ninjustu but instead in taijustsu. She needed her body to be stronger, faster. 

Shisui sighs again, running a hand through his hair. "I'll be away for the next coming week on a mission. Don't do any extra training besides what the academy tells you to do. You need to rest Shizuka, otherwise your body is going to fail you." He says unexpectedly, pulling Shizuka off the floor. Her eyes widen. What? Her stomach tightened and her chest fluttered. No. He couldn't be leaving now. Not when she had so little time left. But Shizuka had to bite her tongue and accept the fact. He was shinobi of the leaf village. Of course he would be assigned on missions. Shizuka would have no choice but to train on her own. 

                                                                                            🥷🏻

"Tadaima" Shizuka announces, taking off her sandals and placing them on the shoe rack. 

"Okaeri" Her mother shouts back from the kitchen. 

She ventures down the hall and enters the kitchen, the hot steam from the stove smacking her in the face the moment she opens the door. Shizuka inhales, then coughs out the smoke. Snickers from the table could be heard in the background, no doubt from her brothers. 

"Gomen Shizuka, this new recipe isn't turning out as I expected" Her Mum calls from behind the stove, her scrunched up eye brows showing her dissatisfaction. Shizuka hummed in response, joining her brothers and father at the table. She settled down next to Sasuke, sending a look to her father. Fugaku Uchiha was an interesting man, one whom Shizuka has avoided as much as possible. He was a strict man and did not fail to scold his children at a moments notice, especially when it came to Sasuke. He had little interest in their conversations and less interest in Shizuka, it was kind of unnerving. Fugaku sat in silence, reading off of the village's daily newspaper, not even looking up to greet her. "Why are you so late? Are you avoiding me?" Sasuke whispers in her ear. Shizuka freezes slightly. Everyday after class, Shizuka would run off on her own, waiting in her and shisui's secret training spot. She hadn't truly spent time with Sasuke since her arrival. The pit in her stomach grew, guilt spreading through her body. Shizuka moves her hand under the table, squeezing Sasuke's and sending him a small smile. She shakes her head and mouths 'later'. Sasuke pouts but nods his head. Shizuka breathes out softly, ignoring Itachi's suspicious look. 

And so, dinner was soon served and her new family ate in peace before each person headed off in their own directions, all but Sasuke who followed Shizuka all the way to her room. 

The door to her room shut and Shizuka turned around, facing her brother. "Why are you following me?" she snaps, her tiredness reflecting her mood, enhancing her ever growing frustration. Sasuke flinches, surprised by her outburst. His expression changes and soon, his face is bright red and his brows furried. "You said you weren't ignoring me! Why aren't you playing with me anymore?" he shouts, his eyes watering. Shizuka sighed, glaring at his feet. "This isn't the time. I said I would tell you later" she grumbles. Sasuke wasn't having it. He charged at her, wrestling her to the floor. "Why won't you tell me!" he shouts, his voice echoing. Shizuka pushes against him but he grips her shoulders tightly.

"What are you doing?! Get off me!" she screams, lifting up her feet to push against him. "You're supposed to be my sister. Sisters shouldn't ignore their brothers!" he yells, moving himself around her and sitting on her stomach. Sasuke pulls her hair causing Shizuka to scream, the pain excruciating. She grabs his arms, digging her nails into his skin, trying to loosen his grip on her hair. Sasuke cried as she drew blood, the red liquid dripping down his arm and onto her neck. The two siblings fight back and forth, their screams shaking the house. 

Loud footsteps rush down the hall and the door to her bedroom slams open, revealing three bodies in the doorway. 

"What on earth are you two doing?!" A voice booms, causing the twins to freeze. Sasuke's face paled and Shizuka looked past him, only to lock in with her father's eyes, blazing with anger.  Fugaku stormed over, ripping Sasuke from her and throwing him to the ground. Sasuke landed with a thud, his eyes wide with fear. Shizuka flinched when he turned his attention towards her. She trembled, her eyes never leaving his. The man gripped her arm, yanking her off the floor. Shizuka hissed in pain, her shoulder dislocating from her arm. Tears slid down her cheeks yet her mouth was sealed shut, too afraid to cry out. Their mother watched in shock, her hands covering her mouth, her eyes watering but Itachi just stood and watched, his fist clenched tightly to his side. He dragged her across the tatami mat and threw her beside Sasuke. 

"The next time I hear the two of you fighting, it'll be the cane. Apologise and be done with it. I will not tolerate disunity under my own roof." He growls. Sasuke sniffed, his voice coming out in pauses. "I-im sorry Shizu" 

Shizuka lowered her head, "Sorry Sasuke" she mumbled. Their father grunted, leaving the room without another word, their mother following shortly after. Shizuka clasped her shoulder, gritting her teeth every time she moved, a sharp pain engulfing her body each time. Sasuke sobbed quietly next to her, hugging himself for comfort. She crept towards him, hugging him with her good arm. "Im sorry,I didn't mean for you to get upset. I promise to play with you tomorrow." she whispers, blinking away her own tears. 

Itachi headed straight towards her, his attention on her arm. For the rest of the night, Itachi focused on their injuries, the worst was pushing her arm back in place which hurt more than she would like to let on. Sasuke clinged to her side for the whole night, refusing to leave her side. Shizuka spent the rest of the night sleeping next to Sasuke, her good hand holding his, not letting it go until she awoke the next morning.