Redemption In Your Eyes

Epilogue

 Shoulder length, dark hair tied up in a high, short ponytail, the boy sighed and rested his chin in palm. His legs were crossed under the table and his elbow rested on top. His long sleeve shirt was gray, as were his capris. His sleeves dark blue overshirt had the Uchiha crest emblazoned on the back. He opened his bright blue eyes and frowned across the table at his cousin.

Sarada grimaced back him, crossing her arms. "Why don't you just go home Hatsuharu?"

"Sarada!" Sakura explained from the sink in the kitchen. "How rude!"

Clenching her fingers into her elbows, she retorted, "Mom, he's always here. Always."

"Yes," she nodded. "And he's family. He's always welcome. Always."

Finally, he spoke up. "You know why I'm always here. Don't act so spoiled."

"You're embarrassing!" She jumped up and pressed her fists to the table top. "You're unbearable, Haru! Go find an apprenticeship already!"

"You know that won't happen for someone like me." He sighed.

"Hey now," Sakura finally put down the dishes and stepped into the room. "Even with your condition, someone would be happy to have you. Medicine has reached a point to be able to manage things like what you have."

"Sure," Hatsuharu rolled his eyes. "Random seizures are totally manageable, Aunt Sakura."

"Well, if you or your father would allow us to run some more tests or try some medication, yes. They are probably completely manageable."

"Just face it Haru," Sarada scowled. "You're not going to be a shinobi and you're just getting older. It's embarrassing for me to be related to someone who looks like a bum to outsiders."

Sakura sighed loudly. "Sarada, go to your room. We are going to discuss how you talk to your cousin."

Sullen, Hatsuharu leaned into the table. "It's fine. I'm not hurt by it. Let her say what she feels."

Caught off guard, she looked at both children. "You may be willing to let your cousin act however she pleases, however, I am her mother. Don't try to undermine me Hatsuharu."

He nodded in response. As Sarada began to drag herself to her room, Sasuke entered through the side door in the kitchen. He didn't pause upon noticing Hatsuharu at the table. Quickly, he pressed a gentle kiss to Sakura's cheek and gave only a brief glance as she followed their daughter upstairs.

Seating himself, Sasuke asked, "So, what's happened this time?"

Hatsuharu put his head in hands, shamed. "It's my fault. I'm a screw up."

"No one in this family has ever thought that about you," he chided. "So what did you do now?"

Glaring at his uncle, he grit his teeth. "My father certainly thinks that. He set up for me to take entrance exams at the business school."

"I take it you didn't go to the exams?"

"Of course not!" Hatsuharu exclaimed. "I'm going to find a way to become a shinobi. Even if I have to wait until I'm 18 and can do what I want."

Treading cautiously, Sasuke reminded him, "The class you would've been with has already long graduated. If you hope to do anything outside your father's control, a job is your best bet. If you continually spurn his setups for interviews and classes, you'll never have any way out from under him. It may seem cruel, but I promise your father wants what is best."

Looking at his lap, Hatsuharu didn't respond at first. Carefully, he thought over his next words. The small aclove in his home crossed his mind. Inside, there was small shrine to his mother. He knew his father spent time there daily, but how long he wasn't sure and didn't care to find out.

"Uncle," he began, almost pleading. "I am the child of two of the best shinobi this village has ever seen. And..." He raised his now crimson gaze, the single toma spinning slowly. "I have this. I am meant to become a shinobi. There is no other path for me."

His nephew's determination and certainty gave him pause. For years, he had wondered what Itachi's wrath would be if he found out what Sasuke's true feelings were about how Itachi treated his son. He had never disagreed with Hatsuharu, but had also never been able to express that. He wondered if his nephew could be trusted to keep a secret and not brandish it like a weapon in his next fight with his father.

"Look, maybe..." Sasuke froze, unsure what he was about to say. "Maybe I can help. But we will need to discuss it. Privately."

The blood red faded from the boy's eyes and was replaced by a sky blue. "Wait... what?"

Sasuke shook his head. "You know what I'm saying. But it will have to wait for now."

The front door burst open suddenly and Hatsuharu jumped. Itachi walked in without waiting for an invite. His face was tight and his shoulders squared. Sasuke barely acknowledged him, simply glancing in his brother's general direction.

"At least you're predictable enough to find easily," Itachi scolded. "You're coming home. Now."

Hatsuharu stood obediently, sliding a look towards his uncle. Shuffling his feet, he followed his father towards the door.

"Nice to see you too, Itachi." Sasuke sighed.

Itachi turned. "Look, I'm sorry about my entrance. But I need to take my son home and speak with him."

"Sure. Of course."

The walk home had felt longer than normal. His father never raised his voice, but his insistence was deafening. Hatsuharu had remained silent, letting his father try to coerce him into attending a class or procuring a job. The arguments had sounded like jibberish to him and he had mostly been clinging to what his uncle had hinted at. Finally, they arrived in through the front door of their secluded home. He was aware it was the same his parents had lived in before he was born. However, that meant little to him and did not affect him.

"You haven't listened to me at all, have you?" Itachi asked, facing his son.

Startled, Hatsuharu didn't reply immediately. "Look, dad... I've heard every word. But I am built to be a shinobi. And one day, whether you like it or not, I will be."

"Clearly you heard, but you did not listen. Listen to me now," Itachi clenched his fists. "As long as I live, you will never see war, death, or suffering. You are brainwashed about what it means to be a ninja. I will die before I let you step foot on a battlefield."

Tears formed in the corners of Hatsuharu's eyes. "I won't be a child forever. One day, I will do as I please. And I won't have forgotten what you've said to me."

Itachi frowned. "Good. I hope you never forget what I've said."

Unable to stomach arguing with his father any longer, Hatsuharu retreated upstairs to his room. After he entered, he shut the door softly behind him and laid on his back in the bed. Lacing his fingers together, he rested them on his stomach. I will become a shinobi- a great shinobi. No one can stop me.