Crossroads (A Naruto Fanfiction)

Shinobi

Itachi and I weren't kept away in our rooms as before on the day of our fourth birthday. Instead, we stood beside Mother as she greeted the guests as they came in. This would have been Father's task but Father didn't come home since the day before.

Last year, nearly a hundred guests were present, but now there was barely half of them. Bandages peeked out from under sleeves and some walked with crutches. The guests who weren't injured were retired housewives and children. Not one showed the gloom from the ongoing war.

"Happy birthday Itachi! Satsuki!" This was a familiar face, one I and Itachi became friends with during our third birthday - Uchiha Shisui.

It was weirdly endearing that such a hyperactive kid was - would be - my brother's best friend. Like how Naruto was Sasuke's closest friend. Shisui was older than us by a good three years and introduced himself to us at last year's birthday party. Something about Shisui clicked amazingly well with me when I didn't have any of my memories. We were glued to each other the entire day as two sociable and energetic children. Now, however, it was hard to express the same delight as before. It was immediate when Shisui's bright demeanor dimmed. He looked at me worriedly but was distracted when Itachi greeted him happily.

Now with my foreknowledge of his fate, I didn't want to be his friend. He was going to kill himself, embroiled in the conspiracy the Uchiha would bring to its worst.

"Satsuki?" Shisui called me hesitantly and grew more panic with worry when I didn't respond.

Mother smiled a little somberly and put a hand on his shoulder as she explained, "I'm sorry Shisui. Satsuki is going through a very troubling time right now, but I know he is very glad to see you."

No, I'm not. I wish I was. He's a good kid.

Shisui was one of the prodigies of the new generation. In fact, he mentioned last year that he was due to graduate from the academy around this time. He was most likely already a Genin. He looked at me closer and caught the telltale signs of some kind of clue from the way his worry disappeared. Personally, I never looked at myself in a mirror. Never had the thought or will to do so.

Shisui was able to smile wide again even if not as brightly and excused himself to head inside. I thought he would be the last of the guests, but unexpectedly someone who I hadn't thought of for a while arrived. I should've been more aware of this man as he was the one to have indirectly triggered my memories. I didn't know whether to hate him or thank him for making me remember sooner than later. If he was a trigger, there could've been many others besides him.

"Minato-san, thank you for coming." Mother greeted.

"Thank you for inviting me," he said as his eyes trailed to me. Of course, if Kushina was told about me, then he would know by nature of being Kushina's most trusted. Mother wouldn't be opposed. Minato could be considered experienced in dealing with troubled children. After all, he does deal with Kakashi and succeeds some in helping him, more than anyone else could have. But... I was still very different from Kakashi's situation. There was no reason, to them at least, for me to act this way. "I'm sorry Kushina couldn't come today," Minato apologized.

"No, it's alright. I know how busy everyone is at this time."

"Is Fugaku-san here?"

"Unfortunately, no. He's still at work at the headquarters."

Minato pursed his lips, something akin to grief appeared in his eyes. "I hope it doesn't last too long."

Mother sighed and put a hand on my head. I glanced to her other side where Itachi was. He seemed to know why they were so solemn about Father's work. I could only guess from him being the Head of the clan and Uchiha police force. I would later learn that a part of his job was to record the names of the deceased and seal their eyes so it was safe from being stolen, before he was to send someone to inform the direct family of the victim.

No, not a victim. I should do well to make myself aware that each shinobi that fought on the field were doing it to protect what is most precious to them. They were heroes all in their own right.

After a while, I wondered why I wanted to see them as heroes. Another look at Itachi was when I figured out the answer. It was him:

Itachi, an unsung hero. A definite shinobi.