Hidden Villages

I: Stubborn Fortitude

A pair of dark eyes stared up at the gray storm clouds. Rain poured down in torrents soaking everything in sight, and yet the young child looking up at the sky found his clothing drenched with sweat long before the clouds opened up their torment upon his small frame.

Sasuke's breath came in a labored manner as he clutched a throwing device in his hand yet found himself unable to stand from where he collapsed to the ground. The child's small frame shook from overexertion as the rain cooled the rise in temperature he'd ignored in favor of continuing his self-study.

A familiar figure moved into his line of sight and leaned over. "Sasuke?"

The child closed his eyes and tried ignoring the person he idolized.

"You overdid it again, didn't you?"

"No I didn't."

The lie didn't phase his older brother and instead he felt hands gently lift him from the ground. These same hands lifted him up into a pair of strong arms and Sasuke found himself resting his cheek against that of his older brother. One breath was enough to take in Itachi's scent which in turn calmed the small child and made him feel safe.

The child's ears picked up the sound of the rain, but not the sound of his brother's footsteps. "Itachi, are you excited about Sasuke's entrance ceremony?"

Sasuke felt his brother's body tense up. The child glanced up and looked over at the old woman who ran the bakery in the compound."Aunt Uruchi."

"Oh. You're actually awake Sasuke."

Sasuke's eyes blinked a couple of times upon seeing the woman's husband. "Uncle Teyaki."

"Hold on." The old woman headed back into the her small bakery and soon came back. "I've got a treat for you."

The younger of the two brothers watched her hold out a package of treats towards him. He heard the rumble of Itachi's voice. "I don't think father would be happy if Sasuke spoils his appetite before dinner."

"He can have them later then."

Sasuke watched Itachi reach out with one hand while the other continued to support his younger brother in his arms. Slowly the preteen took the package before making a slight bow. "I'll see you later Aunt Uruchi, Uncle Teyaki."

Sasuke continued letting his head rest against Itachi's shoulder, but before he could leave with his young brother the old woman reached up and pinched Sasuke's cheek making Itachi swallow, or at least Sasuke thought he heard his brother swallow.

The two other members of the Uchiha clan let the two by and Itachi headed towards the family home. Upon arriving at their home, he set Sasuke down so his younger brother might remove his sandals from his feet before stepping into the home.

"You're soaking wet." The stern voice of their father made both young Uchiha look up. Sasuke's eyes widened upon seeing the man and he slipped slightly behind Itachi.

"Don't worry. I'll see that Sasuke changes into dry clothing."

"That isn't your job Itachi."

Sasuke buried his face into Itachi's wet clothing. "I'm sorry."

"Sorry?" Fugaku took a deep breath as he towered above his two children. A squeak escaped from Sasuke's mouth. "I think you should head onto bed Sasuke."

"Yes sir."

Itachi held out his hand preventing Sasuke from moving forward. "Sasuke hasn't eaten yet, but he hasn't done anything wrong."

"He can take his meal in there."

"Why must you be so strict?"

"Why?" Their father crossed his arms and looked at Itachi sternly. "You know why Itachi."

"No, I..."

"You know full well I'm referring back to the Nine-Tailed Fox incident. Everyone in the village knows only a Uchiha could have caused the beast to go rampant meaning a Uchiha betrayed not only the trust of the other clan members, but they also betrayed the trust of the entire village."

"I wasn't talking about how strict you are with the rest of the clan, or the fact you forced everyone to move into the compound area. I am referring to the fact you're too strict with Sasuke, but while we're at it, you're putting yourself at risk of assassination..."

"This isn't a conversation we should be having in front of your brother Itachi, but the clan elders agreed with me."

"It's also not your generation you need to worry about, but mine."

"Your words border on subordination Itachi."

"I'm simply letting you know some of the younger members of the clan feel they are being punished for something they could not, as children, have possibly done."

"Sometimes the innocent get punished along with those who are not. This is not a conversation we're having in front of Sasuke." Their father turned, and roughly took Sasuke by the hand and started leading him off to his room. Sasuke's eyes traveled to the ground watching his small feet.

He heard Fugaku open the door to his room and let the door slide open. The man then roughly removed the wet clothing before dressing him in his warm night clothing. The man motioned for Sasuke to climb into his futon.

Reluctantly Sasuke climbed into the warm futon and pulled the top up to his chin and closed his eyes wishing his father would go away. "Are you warm Sasuke?"

Sasuke's eyes opened making him peer up at his old man. His stomach grumbled slightly, but not audibly and he wanted to complain he was hungry, yet he didn't want to get into more trouble. "Yes. I'm warm sir."

"You don't have to be so formal. You have a very busy day tomorrow, what with your entrance ceremony, so get as much sleep as possible. Do you understand."

"Yes sir."

"Goodnight Sasuke." The man stepped out of the room, yet Sasuke's stomach continued to grumble. His small body ached from the training he pushed himself through, but one arm covered his eyes as a soft sob escaped his lips.

The door slid open and Sasuke held his breath while attempting to hide the fact he'd been crying, yet a few tears still trickled down his face. "Sasuke?" He didn't hear Itachi approach, but did feel his older brother sit next to him. A clinking sound was heard and he felt Itachi nudge him. "I know you're awake."

"Father hates me."

"He doesn't."

"Then why is he punishing me? What did I do wrong?"

"I don't..." Itachi paused as if thinking over his younger brother's question carefully. "I don't think he intended to punish you, or that you've done anything wrong. I think he simply wants you to be well so you don't miss your entrance ceremony tomorrow. He means well, but doesn't always see the whole picture."

"I'm hungry."

"Well, I brought you some dinner. The treats Aunt Uruchi gave you are on the tray. Eat, then go to sleep."

"Won't you get in trouble with father?"

"If I am in trouble I'll receive a lecture when I get back to the dinner table. You need to get plenty of sleep though, as you have a big day tomorrow."