itachi’s brows press down and he tries to hide the nerves as they come, behind the smooth, emotionless mask that had been bred into him. he’d made indra-sensei mad, hadn’t he? for his attempt at broaching the subject diplomatically he should’ve realized that it wouldn’t be welcome. FAMILY was a complicated idea for most of their lineage.
he’ll… he’ll go through kata alone then, until it reaches the time of night where fugaku won’t question why he’s returned. if fugaku —— it’s on the second time he catches himself, flushes with shame, otou-sama, finds out he’s displeased his sensei, there’ll be a lecture, and that quiet disapproval that only recently had crept into his father’s voice.
maybe the expectation of a lecture is why INDRA’S catches him off guard. turning back is a fluid motion, all long limbs and a child’s peculiar grace. itachi is aware of the space he inhabits, every movement and muscle has a purpose. but what indra-sensei says —— it seems OBVIOUS to him. the first lesson that indra-sensei has ever imparted that he… well, that he ALREADY knows. but it worries him regardless, does sensei doubt what he feels for his brother? his loyalty to the house, the clan? itachi settles on both feet, a look of concentration passing his features.
“indra-sensei… i would do anything for sasuke,” his hand settles on his chest, some half motion of fealty for a boy, a toddler, who’s too young to understand the depth of itachi’s devotion to him. “he’s why i have to be the strongest that i can be,” not just that he can be, not really, he wants to be the STRONGEST, full stop. he wants every inch of power that he can afford and more besides. but he doesn’t tell the adults that. that sort of ambition tends to WORRY. “i would give anything for sasuke.”
as quiet of a child as he’s prone to be, he means this. there’s DEVOTION in his voice, reed thin and quick as a whip. he can taste the meaning behind his own words. ONCE he hadn’t been sure what the meaning of life was, why ninja fought, why they died. but he knows the purpose to his own existence, it’d come into clear focus as soon as sasuke had been born.
indra was not upset with itachi nor did he feel as if the boy showed him any disrespect. it was because of he, himself, that he caused such strife for his descendants. maybe he came at the wrong time in the wrong era. lips turn down into a small scowl as his eyes opened --- swirling back to that onyx color they once were. it was easy to disguise his feelings when not having his sharingan activated.
if anything indra knew itachi would train alone and he would watch over him. if he heard so much as fugaku scolding the child he’d get on the father’s case. the god had every right to. how he’d notice that disappointed look pointed towards the younger sibling, it’d made indra’s skin crawl with hate for it had been that same look his own father had given him long ago.
wisdom was a rarity bestowed upon the god. he could only voice the thoughts that an elder brother should for if itachi ever should lose sasuke now would be the time to tell him; protection by any means necessary. what if indra was not here one day and everything went to hell? what would happen if this clan were to be in ruins and sasuke not found the next?
indra looked over his shoulder at itachi, there was a softness in his eyes; that of an older brother who’s lost his way but understood the child’s meaning. if only he hadn’t messed up could he have become a boy like itachi? could he have been as gentle? it was a sad, grief stricken look. the corner of his lips twitch up into a sad grin,
‘ follow through with your words, child. heed my word as well, if it must come down to nothing one day then you must do ANYTHING within your power. i will not begrudge you for actions you might take for they will be of your own righteousness. ’
it seemed as if the night were getting darker and indra was growing weary by the second.
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