12 Chapter 11

Chapter 11

Today was just another day. Similar to the rest of the days in the past year. Kaen got up early in the morning. He washed up, ate, and fed his cat. Before leaving, he dressed and equipped his weights. After a good morning exercise on the river running through the village, Kaen went to meet with Sasuke and followed him until he reached the academy.

While waiting for Sasuke to finish today's lessons, Kaen did his regular training. He made seals while resting, and before he met with Sasuke to accompany him back home, he ate okonomiyaki for lunch. After buying some dango for Sasuke, Kaen sat on the swings near the academy entrance, waiting for lessons to be over.

Sasuke didn't speak much with Kaen, but he did accept dango from him before leaving for home. Of course, before reaching his house, Sasuke stopped by the big pond in the Uchiha compound. With Kaen's advice, Sasuke performed the great fireball jutsu today. Kaen never knew he would see Sasuke so happy.

"I did it. Kaen, you saw it, right? I did it."

"Yeah, yeah," Kaen replied, happy for Sasuke. "Let's go home. You can show it to your father."

Sasuke quickly followed Kaen back home. On the way, Kaen checked if his seals were still set in their places. Even with sharingan, it would be hard to notice them as they were just pieces of paper right now. Yet they were holding jutsu that would save Kaen's life. Seeing that they were still in their places, Kaen breathed a sigh of relief, knowing that he had done everything he could to prepare.

"See you tomorrow, Sasuke," Kaen said his goodbyes.

"Hn," Sasuke replied before entering his house.

Kaen smiled at the lack of response from Sasuke and walked back to his own house. After returning, he was welcomed by his cat, who meowed for food. Kaen petted the ashen grey cat before filling his bowls with cat food and water. After making a light dinner for himself, Kaen went to his training place without anyone noticing.

"Any day now," Kaen mumbled as he took out his bow.

He had, at most, a few more months, probably even less. For all he knew, it could happen any day now. Kaen knew he had done everything he could, and now he could only polish his skills to perfection. Kaen has long since started to prepare for his battle, and part of him was excited to face off against Itachi with all his strength.

…

Kaen once again sat on the swing and waited for Sasuke. This time though, once the academy was over, Sasuke was in an intense stare-off with a blonde kid. Kaen quickly identified the blonde to be Naruto Uzumaki. The blonde made faces at Sasuke, while Sasuke just turned his head away in disgust.

"Find a new friend?" Kaen asked once Sasuke was free from the group of girls surrounding him.

"He's just a loser. He is angry because I have beaten him," Sasuke replied.

"Wow, you have beaten an orphan boy who has not learned anything before coming to the academy. I am so proud of you. What will you fight next? A child that has not entered the academy yet?"

"Hn," Sasuke had nothing to reply with.

"So, where to, to the pond for more training?" Kaen asked.

"What the point?" Sasuke asked. "It doesn't matter. I never will be good as Itachi."

"Is that so?" Kaen asked.

"Hn," Sasuke didn't want to speak of it anymore.

"You know, I am something of a genius myself. At least, that is what I was called when I was a kid."

"I heard you became too lazy and stopped training. That's why you stopped progressing," Sasuke replied.

"The clan wanted to nurture me by their standards, as they did it with Itachi," Kaen explained. "They did everything to show the village what kind of genius he was. He was better than anyone else, graduating from the academy in one year and becoming a chunin by the time he was only ten. Now he is in ANBU. Itachi is everything the Uchiha clan wanted, yet now they hate him. Do you know why?"

"No," Sasuke replied.

"He is hated because he took the path he wanted, not the one the clan expected him to take. I did the same, but sooner than Itachi," Kaen said. "Genius is only a title. The others use it to satisfy their flaws. People will tell you that you only succeed because you were born a prodigy, dismissing your hard work and dedication. Just like the clan only cares for the results."

"You failed to show these results? That's why they call you a failure," Sasuke asked.

"What is a failure?" Kaen asked back. "I believe as long as you live the way you want, you never fail. As long as you keep to your principles, who are they to call you a failure? It wasn't me who failed. It was the clan that failed to show their worth to me. So, in short, as long as you do what you believe in, you will never be a failure, no matter what others think."

Sasuke kept quiet for the rest of the walk to his house. While Kaen would sometimes stop to pet some stray cats, Sasuke would look at him in deep thought. When they arrived back at the Uchiha compound, it was already started to get dark. The winter was always over, but the short days still stayed.

When they arrived at Sasuke's house, Kaen noticed Itachi talking with Fugaku. Neither looked like they wanted to speak with the other. Since Shisui's death, Itachi became more detached from the clan and his family. It was clear that the clan didn't trust Itachi anymore.

Fugaku didn't care much that Kaen disagreed with him and didn't want to participate in what the clan was planning. But Fugaku couldn't let go of Itachi. Not only was Itachi a very powerful shinobi, but he was Fugaku's son and heir. Fugaku not only needed Itachi, but he wanted him by his side.

…

As every day before, Kaen arrived at the academy's entrance after training for today to wait for Sasuke. But this time, he found a blonde boy on the swings. Kaen sat next to the boy, who hadn't realized someone was next to him. He only did it when Kaen slapped the back of his head. The boy fell to the ground in surprise.

"Why do I always find you on the ground, boy?"

"Ahh, it hurt," Naruto Uzumaki yelled.

"Shouldn't you be in class?"

"Why do you care?"

"Why I shouldn't care?" Kaen asked back.

"Don't tell me what to do."

"I never told what to do," Kaen replied. "I am only asking. Did you give up on being a shinobi?"

"You know nothing," Naruto suddenly shouted, pointing his finger at Kaen. "You know nothing about me. You know nothing about being isolated and treated as dirt by everyone around you. You would never understand what my life is like. So, don't tell me what to do."

"What happened?" Kaen asked, patting Naruto's head. Kaen noticed that Naruto was in his head, he wouldn't listen to anything he said, so instead, Kaen decided to listen to the boy.

"I lost," Naruto mumbled, lowering his head. "Everyone called me a loser."

"Everyone loses," Kaen said.

"But I never win," Naruto grumbled. "No matter how hard I try, I always lose. I will always be a loser."

"Why do you think so?"

"Nobody believes in me," Naruto said, tearing up. "Everyone says that I will never be a shinobi. They say I should keep quiet and not bother others."

"That's not true," Kaen took a handkerchief and gave it to Naruto. "I believe you. I think you will be a great shinobi."

"You do?"

"Yes," Kaen nodded. "Tell me, Naruto, what is your dream."

"I want to be Hokage, greater than every other Hokage ever was," Naruto yelled with all his resolve.

"Why?"

"Then everyone will recognize me. They will accept me."

"That a good dream," Kaen replied. "The question is will you accept everyone afterward?"

"What are you talking about? Of course, I will," Naruto didn't hesitate. "Everyone in Konoha will be like a family to me then. I will protect everyone as Oji-san does. Believe it."

"I believe you," Kaen nodded with a kind smile. "Now, all that is left is for you not to disappoint me."

"Can I really become a Hogake?" Naruto suddenly lost his enthusiasm. "Even though I always lose."

"Yes, as long as you don't give up, no matter how many times you lose, it won't matter."

"Can I stay here for a bit?" Naruto smiled and sat next to Kaen.

"If you promise not to miss any more lessons," Kaen said. "No matter how boring they are, you have to learn. That is if you don't want to disappoint me. Apologize to your teacher after the lessons are over. They work hard to teach you."

Naruto nodded, and they both waited until the lessons were over. Soon enough, kids started to leave the academy in groups, with parents taking their children back home. Kaen, as usual, waited until the girls around Sasuke were gone before walking to him and following him back to the Uchiha compound.

…

Kaen started to visit the memorial stone more often of late. He tried to find answers, not even knowing the questions. He felt doubtful of his path and in everything he did. But his resolve hardens every time he reads out the names written on the memorial stone. He won't let the sacrifices of the heroes who died protecting the village go to waste.

To Kaen, the Uchiha name meant something. It meant dignity and courage. Uchiha did not fear anything but their weakness. Kaen won't let this name be tarnished because the clan couldn't endure a bit of oppression. With his resolve regained, Kaen left for home. There was one last thing he needed to take care of before it was too late.

…

Kaen found Yugao by the usual place. The place where they met the first time. She was playing with a new group of kittens. Kaen had not seen them before. He hadn't seen many of the cats for a long time. Now, he couldn't see a few that were usually around. The old orange fatty wasn't here. Neither was the scrawny black cat.

"It has been a long time, Kaen-kun," Yugao said without turning to see Kaen. "I never see you here anymore."

"I had many things going on in my mind," Kaen replied. "I didn't have time to see them."

"Your eyes are colder than usual."

"I have to keep my focus. If I don't, I might get lost forever," Kaen had resolved himself to let the whole clan die. He had done it from the beginning, so he didn't try to get close to anyone. Yet, he felt he should do something when the time was coming close. But Kaen knew he could do nothing. He could only save himself.

"Will you stay," Yugao asked.

"No, I have things to do. I came to ask you a favor."

"What kind of favor?"

"I want you to take care of his little guy," Kaen put Ash on Yugao's head. "He only eats the best cat food the money can buy."

"Why?" Yugao asked, taking the cat from her head into her hands.

"I won't be able to care for him for some time."

"How long?"

"It could be days. Or it could be months," Kaen replied. "You are the only person I trust to take care of him."

"Are you leaving somewhere?"

"No, but I will be gone for some time."

"I don't understand you at all," Yugao pouted and showed Kaen a few kittens. "Won't you at least stay? There are new guys that you have not met yet."

"I can't. I will see you sometime," Kaen waved at Yugao and left.

He couldn't relax. He had to keep his focus. Itachi and Obito were not enemies he could win against. That much Kaen knew. Yet he would have to face both if he wanted to survive. Plans formed around everything he knew about them. Every detail he could remember about their powers and abilities. He had the advantage of knowing about them while they knew nothing about him.