Kolors

10

Following Morning

Uchiha Estate

Third Person's Perspective

"Sakura?" Itachi had set a plate of freshly cooked eggs and toast only to be met with Izumi's exhausted face.

"A little too late, love. She went for a run."

"A run?" Itachi is caught off guard by Izumi's words. Never would he have thought Sakura to be able to go outside much less on her own. "without Sasuke?"

Izumi pulls the plate towards her and stuffs the egg onto the toast.

"I, having crashed on the couch, heard her light steps going in direction of the front door. Since she was purposefully sneaky I feigned sleep. Teenagers will be teenagers I told myself," Izumi steals Itachi's coffee mug and sips on the black liquid. "Some sugar and creamer please." Itachi hands her both and she smiles slyly. "She's no normal teen is she?"

"She is."

"Mhm," Izumi raises a knowing brow. "then why is she living here?"

"Must I explain myself to you? She's here for the same reason you are. Visiting."

"You're always so cool aren't you. Nothing phases you. That same calm tone to your voice. Cold aloe over a sunburn dare I say."

"She's a distant cousin of ours."

"Funny," Izumi chuckles as she finishes her breakfast. "of course she is. Because pink hair and bright green eyes is a common trait amongst Uchiha women. How presumptuous of me to assume she be anything other than your blood."

"Her father's traits overpowered the mother's."

"Oh, yes, the wonders of genealogy. You know why Uchiha's are so recognizable. From their tall, lean, statures to their serious pitch black stares. Usually in families there is variety but the Uchiha are different. They are carbon copies of one another, branches of the same trunk, rooted in fine soil. It's as if you were bred of wealth and callousness."

"You too are from our lineage."

"Yes. I don't deny that I too carry the insufferable ego my forefathers have blessed me with. It is why I can't help but make verbal notes of others despite the insensitivity of my words. Imagine sitting before a regular woman you've plucked from the sidewalk and ruining her day by stating that she had been a rape victim. All because I caught the manner of which she buttoned up her dress shirt and crossed her legs protectively when a man passes her by. Did I mention I'm also never wrong. That is why I know for certainty that your taking me by the hair trying to sell that poor girl off as relative of yours."

"You do have a nasty way about your operations as a detective."

"And you try to play me as you do all your underlings. Hate to break it to you but I'm not so easily swayed."

"Neither am I."

"Why have you built so many walls around you since we last spoke? You used to confide in me. We've solved countless jobs and..." Izumi sighs tiredly. "when your father died we had each other. You ascended to his position of captain and I had helped you through the process. Mentoring you until you felt strong on your feet. I've never misled you and here you are reeking of the skeletons you hide in your closet. The stench is unbearable. Infuriating even."

"Everyone has secrets. I am no exception," Itachi removes Izumi's dirty dishes and runs them through clean water. His hands carefully scrub away the grease. "while I have changed, you have remained the same. I don't deserve to be criticized for it."