You've Grown... A Lot (DISCONT.)

Where the beginnings start and friendships are made

Shisui, compared to other people, remembered enough of his childhood. Not to say all of it were happy memories though.

When he turned three, they enrolled him into the academy. He adjusted with amazing speed and became the best in his class, easily catching up to his older classmates. Just how the Uchiha were expected to be.

Then his baby cousin was born and a large chunk of that attention moved away to coo at the newborn. Honestly, Shisui didn't know what they saw in Itachi. Sure, he was the son of the clan leader, but he was also a wrinkly small thing that Shisui was sure he could beat in a spar.

Besides, Shisui himself had some amazing roots. His father and mother, loyal to Uchiha and amazing in every way, as well as his own great ancestor, Uchiha Kagami. Kagami was a hero, from Senju Tobirama's own team. How cool was that? Much cooler than something Itachi had.

He had grown to love Itachi, but still. Nobody looked at him the same now that the leader's son, the prodigy, was here.

Years passed. He was only six and still in academy when he was first introduced to the clan politics. Wrinkly old elders looked down on him with their sour faces and muttered something he couldn't hear. Graceful kunoichi glanced at him with the interest that seemed to evaporate in mere seconds, while tall, well-muscled men glowered at everything they saw, including him.

And then there was the clan leader, on a whole new level compared to other Uchihas. The Uchiha patriarch was in fact, very tall, easily towering over Shisui. He was also very grumpy. Never in his life, Shisui has seen someone scowl so fiercely. His name was Fugaku-sama and little Shisui decided that this, maybe, was the most scary person he had ever seen.

His opinion changed when the meeting started, however.

Mikoto, as he later learned, was very graceful and exquisite in a very deadly way. Her skin was as white as porcelain and hair so dark it had a bluish tinge to it. She also had those sharp onyx eyes that most of the Uchihas possessed.

Still, even as her face softened in a smile when she saw him and how gentle she seemed to speak with other members, Shisui saw she was the one not to be underestimated. Mikoto seemed to control Fugaku, and he always did as she suggested, without even a hint of hesitation. Often he saw her dab her husband on his shoulder and whisper something in his ear. Fugaku would obey, changing his plans immediately.

Throughout the meeting his aunt would whisper to him, pointing out all the different diplomacy tricks. She revealed him to the sharp, hidden meanings of the sweet, convincing words while complicated sentences had nasty insults shine through.

This was the day Shisui had started to hate the political meetings of the clan.

Right after he turned eight when the Itachi's brother was born. Again, approval he worked so hard to obtain flew right through his hands, though not that he understood why. Sasuke was a a tiny devil, always crying and throwing a fit every five seconds. And he had that ridiculous chicken-butt-hairstyle, which both caused Shisui laugh like crazy and lose all faith in the haircutter that did the job.

Yet, Itachi stared at Sasuke like he was the most precious little thing and Shisui did not understand any of it. Probably just a sibling thing. Shisui himself never had siblings, so he never thought about Sasuke like Itachi did.

Again, years passed. And that's where all the twists and turns in his life begin.

*****

How do you feel about, that, you little fucker? Yeah, run home to mommy and cry, you Uchiha wussy! Your clan is more problems you're worth and you all are some useless pricks. Pick up out of the village, nobody even needs you or your fucking clan.