Fashion Designer Sasuke-Kun

A Fox In Need Is A Fox Indeed

Upon arriving back at the Uchiha Clan compound, Sasuke's mind blanked as he tried to process what he was seeing.

"Nii-san... What's going on?" There were Uchihas standing guard on the roofs, Uchihas shunshinning into the streets, Uchihas patrolling wearing full gear, and Uchihas somberly sharpening their weapons.

But, the moment Sasuke and Itachi stepped into the compound, all eyes fell upon them and it was as though they all collectively heaved a sigh of relief and relaxed.

Confused about the situation, all Sasuke could do was hesitantly tug at Itachi's finger and ask, "Is there a war again?"

It couldn't be, right? The Third Shinobi War just ended 3 years ago...so, are they preparing to wage a civil war in Konoha now?! It's too early!

Sasuke, while internally panicking, tried to think of a situation in his memories which corresponded to this but came up blank. If it didn't happen then, was it something he did this time that caused this? Or did Danzo have memories of the future too?

As expected, Danzo must be killed as soon as possible! He must come up with a way to do it though.

First, he'd have to train until the fact that he was another Uchiha genius becomes common knowledge. Then, upon hearing of his talents, Danzo, who no doubt will be interested, will do all he can to get him into the Root. After that, he'll somehow get Kakashi involved.

Ah! At this point, Kakashi is still a depressed dog man who'd rather talk to a stone than pay attention to what's happening around him!

So, then... So then, what? Get Orochimaru involved too? Maybe if he made a deal with Orochimaru, he'd be inclined to help him in offing Danzo...

But, fortunately, it didn't come to that, since-

"There's no war, Sasuke." Itachi's calm voice slashed cleanly into Sasuke's dark thoughts like a sharp kunai. "They're all like this because they were worried about you."

With all his thoughts forcibly silenced, Sasuke flinched as though he'd been burned, jerking his head up to stare at his brother with eyes like a lost lamb. "Me..? They were worried about me?"

Suddenly, he was feeling everything. The eyes on him from the Uchiha's surrounding them, stern, but not cold, his brother's gentle hand in his shoulder, careful and protective, and the sounds of people living, breathing, and existing.

They were Uchiha. Alive, well, and worried about him.

His family.

Maybe it was because he'd already cried too much the night before that made him unable to shed any tears now. But, still, his eyes reddened, and his voice got stuck in his throat.

It's definitely the fault of his child body that made him unable to control his emotions. Or maybe it was the Uchiha trait that made him feel too deeply.

It was both a curse and a blessing.

Because, now, it made him truly feel that his family is here with him.

"Sasuke!" Suddenly, he found himself scooped in a warm hug and enveloped in the familiar scent of herbal balm and weapon lubricant.

As his mother fussed over him, checking him for any sign of injuries, he cast his eyes behind her to see his father gazing at him with stern eyes, yet the brows which were previously in a hard line visibly softened upon seeing him unharmed.

Yes... This was what he lost then.

And, he'll make sure he'll never lose them this time.

...