Chapter Text
The traveling party of three breathe a collective sigh of relief when they finally see the towering red gates of Konohagakure. The evening sky above them is turning from a light blue to pink. As they walk, Ichigo absentmindedly watches the fluffy dandelion seeds blow through the air like snowflakes. It truly feels cruel to be arriving home on such a beautiful day only because they received horrible news.
Both Asuma’s brother and sister in law were killed in a mission gone wrong. Their three year old son, Konohamaru, is technically in his grandfather’s care now. Asuma started packing as soon as they heard the news. He said that Konohamaru was probably under the care of tutors and nannies more than anything. He was immediately granted leave by the daimyo to attend his brother’s funeral with Ichigo and Chiriku to act as his traveling companions
Lord Mitsuhide insisted on it, loading up Ichigo’s luggage with gifts for the family and a large letter addressed to his parents. Ichigo has been away from home for five years even if it doesn’t feel that long.
Five years of chasing any mention of the afterlife this world believes in and even some they don’t, coming up with nothing but rare whispers of forbidden jutsu to show for it. Ichigo tries to keep an open mind, but the only reference he was able to find of shinigami was a picture depicting a creature with a demon-like face, holding a sword in its mouth. It certainly looked like the spectre he saw with long white hair and robes There wasn’t anything written beneath the picture outside of a vague reference to Uzumaki forbidden jutsu and information on Uzumaki is even harder to find.
Ichigo spent many tiresome days integrating himself as a part of the daimyo’s court as Lord Mitsuhide’s student, making friends and allies for his clan along the way. He took archery lessons with a few other lord’s sons, and attended enough fancy luncheons to last him a lifetime. Time felt slow, each day busy with needless tasks but without any threat against his life hanging over his head. Honestly, Ichigo was getting pretty bored of it all.
Any time he could manage to be alone, Ichigo trained with Zangetsu: his damn zanpakuto and his damn cryptic words and dreams that don’t make sense. It feels impossible to believe that he’s finally fifteen again. Part of him feels more comfortable like this but Ichigo knows there’s something still not right. The spirits of this world remain stubbornly out of reach and his zanpakuto is stubbornly tight lipped on the matter. Ichigo keeps listening out for sounds that get swallowed up by the night, but every time he tries to run for the lights that flicker in the distance they’re always gone by the time he gets there.
Asuma says,“we’ll check in with the Hokage first. No doubt my father will be there, but after that you’re welcome to see your family. That's okay with you, Ichigo.”
Ichigo retorts,“Let’s see our illustrious Hokage, long may he slink.”
It makes Chiriku laugh and Asuma does crack a small smile.
“Your little brothers must be so big now,” Chiriku says, “do you think they’ll recognise you?’ He ruffles Ichigo’s hair, as if that answers his question.
Ichigo would do the same to him if the monk had any hair on his smooth head.
“I’m pretty excited to see everyone. My Aunt Momo had another baby.”
It’s hard to believe his baby brothers aren’t babies anymore: they’re thirteen and eight respectively. Ichigo can barely contain his excitement even when he sees Danzo Shimura’s face carved beside Namikaze Minato’s on the Hokage monument. He glares at it for a moment before continuing their trudge to the Hokage tower.
There have been budget cuts everywhere and the everyday citizens are beginning to notice even if that carving was the first thing to be commissioned. Thankfully, the Uchiha have more than enough trade deals to make up for Konoha’s cuts, but they can’t do anything to help everyone with the new tax on outside merchant stalls. The prices for permits have skyrocketed, but it’s not like Danzo is too concerned with the merchant's anger. He has trouble being thrown his way on all sides.
The daimyo ordered a stay of execution for Orochimaru until the investigation into the missing children has been concluded. When one side pushes, the other pushes back until both of their feet are dug firmly into the ground.
The Fifth Hokage, Shimura Danzo, sits comfortably in the Hokage’s chair. He studies Ichigo with his only eye. He hasn’t changed much, but there’s a tired slump to his shoulders. It must not be easy to operate under the eyes of others for a man used to being unquestioned in the shadows.
Danzo says,“So, this is the Uchiha clan’s chakra incompetent firstborn. Has gallivanting amongst the nobles lost its glamour?”
Hiruzen stands beside his desk, smoking away at his tobacco pipe. He looks smaller without his traditional robes and like he’s aged even more than five years. Hiruzen doesn’t interrupt the pointed insult, a silent observer, but Asuma has no such reservations.
He says,“Lord Hokage, that’s a bit insulting. I beseech you to consider that the Uchiha heir, my friend, is here to accompany me to the funeral of my brother and his wife.”
That gets some emotion out of Hiruzen; a flash of exhaustion and pain that is buried as quickly as it appears.
Ichigo meets his eyes, “you have my sincerest condolences Lord Sarutobi.”
Chiriku bows and offers his own condolences too.
Hiruzen nods, “Thank you both for accompanying my son, regardless of the circumstances. It must feel good to be home again.”
Danzo’s lips tighten but he has no more condemnations. He also doesn’t apologize for his words or welcome them back to the village, but Ichigo has no doubt the last thing Danzo wants is more Uchiha in Konoha. The KMPF keeps digging with Fugaku at the helm, even when the paperwork hurdles pile up and every new law and restriction makes it harder for them to do their job. They keep forging ahead.
There's no doubt in his father’s mind. The person behind the organization that's been taking Konoha's children—is none other than Shimura Danzo.
The very man the shinobi are expected to respect and trust as their Hokage.
It doesn’t help that Ichigo and Shisui still don’t know what the masked man is planning and if he plays a role somehow in this somehow. Danzo might even be benefiting off the mask man’s actions unintentionally. They still don’t have enough information about man as they’d like, but at least they’re not the only ones. Konoha is locked in a cold war where each party is pushing ahead with their own agenda while smiling to each other’s face, each carefully waiting for the other, waiting for the first strike. The tension rises with each passing year seeping through his parents' letters whether they meant for it to or not. It’s plain as day.
Kakashi steps through the door without knocking. Rather than bow to his Hokage, he offers a cheeky salute.
“Oh, hello Ichigo, funny running into you here!”
Ichigo shakes his head fondly. Kakashi can pretend he just so happened to deliver a report to the Hokage right now, but no one else in the room really believes it. Overprotective dumbass.
Ichigo still uses the moment to excuse himself.
“If I may, Lord Hokage, I’d like to go home to my family now.”
All he gets in return is a dismissive wave in return.
Shisui says Danzo is another person who doesn't know what to make of the weird Uchiha clan heir. Danzo appears to believe the story about his supposed chakra ineptitude, but Shisui continuously warns Ichigo against drawing any more of his attention than he already has. It probably helps that his status as a civilian only makes the Hokage more dismissive of him.
Besides, Ichigo has more important people to see than the Hokage.
Once the Uchiha district is in sight, Ichigo breaks into a run. Inabi is on gate duty today and he nearly topples out his chair when Ichigo rushes past him.
“Hey, it’s Ichigo!”
As soon as Inabi says his name, a chorus of voices call out their own greetings and welcome homes. Many Uchiha are dark haired, with dark eyes to match, but not all of them. Ichigo still stands out like a fire in the dark as any Uchiha not embroiled in work make an effort to at least give him a wave. Even if he’s been gone a while, the Uchiha clan remember the succession tournament and Ichigo can’t help but feel a bit bashful under their unrepentant pride.
Uchiha Uruchi waves, “It’s you! Goodness, Ichigo, you’ve gotten so tall!”
Uchiha Teyaki is sitting in his usual chair, newspaper open. He looks up when his wife calls out and agrees, “he’s going to be as tall as Masato, just you watch!”
Ichigo laughs and he jogs in place to chat, “It’s good to be back. I’ll take more later. Do you know if my mom's home?”
“I believe so, and I know I saw Sasuke is already home from school!”
“Thanks!”
The house looks the same, all but for the new bunch of peonies planted near the door. The window awnings have been repainted too. Ichigo jumps onto the engawa and quickly slides the door open, his heart racing.
He yells,“I’m home!”
It feels so good to say those two words.
Mikoto rushes to the door. Her eyes sparkle with joy and she wastes no time in hugging her eldest son. Her arms are so warm and familiar that Ichgio feels the tension slip away. The village is changing bit by bit, but at least this feels the same. He lets her fuss over him and comment on how tall he is like everyone else does. Her eyes are a bit misty, but Ichigo can’t deny his own chest feels tight seeing her.
“It’s good to see you, Mom.”
Itachi hesitates awkwardly at the doorway as he fidgets with the end of his ponytail. He’s a lanky teenager now. Twelve year old little Mitsuhide Junko has been asking about Itachi, deeming him from a worthy candidate for her betrothed much to the other boy’s obvious disinterest. Mikoto says that while Itachi appreciates the gifts she sends, he doesn’t know what to do with them either. He’s not interested in most of the finery and perfumes that Junko seems to think he needs.
As for Sasuke, all the traces of toddlerhood have faded, leaving behind a kid who looks just like his mother. He peeks curiously around Itachi. It makes sense if they’re feeling a bit shy. For the adults, five years is time away at war. To Sasuke, Ichigo has been away from home most of his life. He probably doesn’t remember him well outside of stories.
Itachi says, “Welcome home, big brother!”
He goes to bow but Ichigo stops it before he can finish, pulling his little brother into a hug. He stiffens in that shy way of his before relaxing as Ichigo rubs his forehead against his in the same way their parents have always done.
“I missed you, Itachi. I’m sure you’ve been taking good care of everyone for me.”
Itachi leans into his touch, “of course!”
When he lets go of Itachi, Sasuke is startled when Ichigo sweeps him up into his arms. He laughs as his youngest brother wiggles and protests. It even makes his mom burst out laughing, which Sasuke complains about.
“Sasuke, you’re definitely not a baby anymore!”
Ichigo puts him back on the ground and Sasuke bristles like a disgruntled cat.
“I’m not some baby! I wanted to tell you in person myself, but I’m going to the academy! Isn’t that cool?”
Ichigo looks down at Sasuke’s wide smile, but his own joy feels dampened by his confusion. This is the first time he’s hearing anything about this.
“What? Why?” Ichigo asks.
Sasuke’s smile falls until his eyebrows furrow in irritation.
“I don’t need you to protect me! I can be strong too!”
Ichigo’s struck by the thought of Karin, looking up at him with those same dark eyes pleasing her own strength too. It’s not that Ichigo doubts them, but it’s never been easy for him to accept having to share the burden.
He’s not alone, and that’s a good thing.
Itachi interrupts, “I tried to dissuade him, Ichigo, but Sasuke just wouldn't listen to me.”
“Shut up, suck up!” Sasuke snaps.
Ichigo flicks his ear, “don’t be so rude.”
Sasuke turns away from Ichigo and stomps away from the door, his prior excited hug long forgotten. “You’re not the boss of me either. It’s not a big deal. Itachi’s been training with Shisui till he throws up!”
“No, I haven’t!” Itachi replies, a touch too quickly.
“You’re such a bad liar!”
Mikoto finally decides to intercede, “Boys, there’s no need to argue. Your brother is finally home and this is meant to be a happy occasion. Itachi, Sasuke, your father will no doubt be home any minute. Won’t you set the table for me?”
Itachi says, "I don't believe that’s a two person job.”
Sasuke rolls his eyes and tugs him along anyway.
Once he hears clanks and clatter in the kitchen, Ichigo asks,“So, Sasuke is in the academy now and I wasn’t told this because…”
Mikoto runs her fingers through his hair, even if her eyes are stern, "Because you even think it’s reasonable to ask that question. We're a part of Konoha and sometimes the clans are asked to prove that through their shinobi. It certainly is not easy to talk down the support after three sons. It makes sense when many of the other clan heirs are already enrolled as well.”
Ichigo snorts and crosses his arms, uncaring if he looks bratty.
“I don’t care about that if my little brothers aren’t safe,” Ichigo says.
“Be reasonable. None of us are ever safe.”
It’s not like he hadn’t considered how different their upbringings were.
Ichigo remembers living in Karakura Town, Japan in the modern era. He went to compulsory education at seventeen. In this world, most people are married by then. Shinobi aren’t known for their long lives. Isshin may have thought sneak attack wake-up calls, but in this world children are told to prepare to die so early. Excluding his soul society adventures, his past life was not the world of war lords this one is.
More often than not, these children don’t get a choice whether they fight or not. Sometimes it doesn’t seem like anyone even knows what they're fighting for.
Ichigo doesn’t want his baby siblings to fight. He didn’t want Karin out there getting hurt protecting people and couldn’t imagine the task falling on Yuzu. It was always his duty, his alone, and even when his own friends' strength grew—Ichigo’s fear for them never left. He knows, deep down, that he has to trust in the strength of his friends and family to survive and fight by his side.
But it’s hard.
The desire to keep everyone safe weighs on him sometimes. He’s just gotten good at bearing it.
In this world, mothers readily send their children to fight.
Mikoto understands that he doesn’t agree, but she probably expected him to oppose it from the beginning. Some people think secrets are the best way to protect their loved ones.
“We’ll discuss it more with your father.” His mother has to stand on her toes to kiss his temple now, “I’m sure he’s going to love this surprise. Allow us tonight with you and your brothers and we'll explain everything you’ve missed in the morning. Is that acceptable to you?”
Ichigo can’t say no to her. Not right now.
“Alright, but we’re going to talk later. You promise?”
“I promise.”
Without another word, Mikoto leads him by the hand into the kitchen.
There’s truly nothing like the fresh smell of steamed rice. It permeates throughout the entire kitchen, accented by the scent of soy sauce and crispy fish. Itachi and Sasuke sit on opposite sides of the table, patiently waiting for them as if they weren’t just trying to eavesdrop.
Mikoto takes the empty seat cushion beside Sasuke. Even if his mom had no way of knowing he’d be joining them for dinner, she set out a good meal: a platter of grilled cod, a spicy green onion salad, and even corn cheese. Ichigo sits down beside the empty cushion where he knows his father will eventually sit.
She notices Ichigo staring wistfully at the spread,“your father was asking for corn cheese and I received a wonderful brick of cheddar as a gift from Yoshino last week.”
“I’m excited to try it. How’s she been?” Ichigo asks.
“We just went to the hot spring together last month with Lady Tsunade of all people, if you can believe it. Lord Akimichi has been a godsend in her mentorship, that man doesn’t know when to quit.”
Itachi and Sasuke both sit up, alert and back straight when they hear the front door open.
A familiar deep voice calls from the front door, “I’m home!”
Mikoto stands, peeks her head into the hall, and she calls out, “We’re at the table, darling! There’s a surprise for you!”
She waits for the sound of his footsteps to draw closer before she slides open the door with all the flourish of a stage magician.
Ichigo says happily,“Welcome home, Dad!”
Sasuke and Itachi dutifully repeat, “Welcome home, Father!”
Fugaku stares at them all, his mouth still half open with a question on his tongue. The surprise only flashes across his face for a moment, but the genuine joy lingers much longer.
The moment he sees Ichigo standing beside Itachi and Sasuke, Fugaku grins. It eases the deep frown lines of his face into something softer, like dimples.
“Ichigo! You’re here!”
Ichigo is overtaken by the warmth in his chest. It feels like standing too close to a bonfire. Fugaku’s hands cradle his face so tenderly as he observes his eldest son with his sharingan. He presses his forehead to Ichigo’s in the affectionate greeting of their clan. Even without words, Ichigo knows what it means.
I see you. I love you.
I see you. Here you are.
Fugaku says softly,“This is certainly a nice surprise. It’s good to see you home, son.”
Ichigo smiles,“It’s good to see you too. I’ll say one thing. It does look like both Itachi and Sasuke have developed some attitude while I was away. What happened there, huh, old man? Are you going soft?”
It startles a laugh out of his father, “you’re upset they grew defiant? You? I would think you’d be pleased how much those two have taken after you, Ichigo.”
Fugaku pulls away, giving his arm one last comforting squeeze before he turns to greet his younger sons. Both Itachi and Sasuke aren’t pleased, not having been acknowledged immediately like their brother.
Mikoto claps her hands resolutely, “Come sit down, all of you. I won’t have dinner getting cold. Any more talk can wait. I’d like to have all of my family together for a meal. Is that too much to ask?”
Never.
Ichigo doesn’t need to be told twice. He happily digs into the home cooked meal. The opulence and expensive tastes of the food in the capital pales in comparison to his family’s cooking. He felt the same about Yuzu’s and even if his mom sometimes adds too much garlic sometimes, it still tastes like home.
There’s a nervous energy buzzing in the air that he dutifully ignores. No doubt his parents have a million questions of their own. Ichigo knows that he does. Sasuke keeps peeking at him in equal parts adoration and annoyance. At least Itachi is focused on his food, swirling the corn cheese around on his plate. His mother is pretending like this is a perfectly normal dinner, but his dad doesn’t possess the same grace, eating methodically, while he keeps giving Ichigo pleased glances.
It isn’t even Sasuke or Itachi who dares break the comfortable quiet.
Fugaku asks, “Will you be staying home long or…”
His voice trails off, almost hopefully.
“Yeah, probably for a while.” Ichigo replies, “I’m technically here for the funeral but Lord Mitsuhide thought it would be a good idea to come home and see everyone.”
Fugaku says,“You’ve been doing good there. I’m very proud.”
Ichigo shrugs, “It’s no big deal.”
He picks up Itachi’s plate and slides his portion of corn cheese onto Ichigo’s own plate. Ichigo makes sure to leave behind a bit of extra cod as an offering. Itachi whispers a quiet thank you while Sasuke takes the chance to get more salad for himself.
Mikoto chides, “I thought you were attending your etiquette classes. What’s this then?”
“Sharing!” Ichigo replies.
“Looks more like encouraging your brothers not to finish their meals to me.”
Sasuke interrupts to tell the family about his day at the academy. He gives Ichigo a pointed look when he describes a spar with the Inuzuka heir, and Ichigo just sighs. Their parents are already giving each other looks in silent conversation about the very topic at hand.
There’s so much that Ichigo wants to ask them. There’s so much to tell them about but there’s no need to drag them both to his father’s office right now. His parents seem so happy and that joy spreads to both his brothers. They’re so big now but they’re not much different from how he remembers them being.
Itachi asks, “Ichigo, have you seen any ghosts lately? Shisui was asking about it and he told me if I saw you before him that I should mention it to you.”
Did he now? Shisui better not be pulling Itachi into shit he shouldn’t be.
The question makes Sasuke laugh as he snorts into his water, but Ichigo doesn’t think Itachi meant it to be taken as a joke.
Mikoto certainly doesn’t think it’s funny. She scolds, “I thought I told you boys before none of that kind of talk at the table.”
“They’re just excited, Miko,” Fugaku says but it quickly earns him a glare.
Ichigo missed this when he was away.
More than anything, he missed this.