[Open] Intro - Rudly Awakened

[beforethedarkness]

When he had woken up, it wasn't in his bed and it wasn't in the Uchiha Compound. The startled boy raced to his feet and nearly stumbled over the cliff-side -- that was there!? He froze then, having regained his balance as he started looking around. He would have woken up if he had been ambushed and kidnapped, he was sure. Unless it was Kakashi...

No, for an elaborate training mission it was too much work for him to do anything more than leave a note for him at home. And Naruto would have been too noisy... Where was he?

At the sound of footsteps approaching he tensed before quickly slipping up to a nearby tree and out of plain sight, watching carefully. He had to be careful, cautious now...

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[beforethedarkness]

"But you weren't expecting to die, either," He murmured softly, still feeling quite shaken at everything. When he re-opened his eyes, they were glassy and red once more with his heightened emotions, "I couldn't do anything even if I was there. He proved that that night."

[proudofmybaby]

She shook her head, hesitating visibly before she took a deep breath. She had to own up. "That's... not actually true. Baby... me and your father... we didn't fight."

[beforethedarkness]

If anything could have gotten his attention, it was that. His eyes snapped open and he stared at her, almost as wide-eyed as when he had simply seen her for the first time, "What?"

[proudofmybaby]

She loosened her hold a little and gently pushed his hair out of his face, looking very resolved. "There was no fight. We knew what was going on. He took a stand and we were proud of him for that, and it was all that was left to be done. I'm sorry that we left you alone sweetheart, I really really am."

[beforethedarkness]

He reached up to rest his hand over hers, staring unblinkingly before he shook his head, "That's not right. You never would have let him kill you! And..."

His head was spinning. They had let him? And they were proud? But why? Why would they be, when Itachi murdered not just them but most of the clan in cold blood...

[proudofmybaby]

"By then it was too late. He picked a side and it wasn't ours. I am -so sorry- baby. Don't feel guilty okay? It wasn't your fault. -None- of it was your fault."

[beforethedarkness]

"What are you talking about? What sides?"

[proudofmybaby]

She stilled at that and studied his face for a moment before dragging him into a tight hug. "Baby... Itachi really -did- manage to keep you out of it. I wasn't sure he could. He did the best he could, okay?"

[beforethedarkness]

"... You're not making any sense, Mother," He was still in her arms, resting his head against her chest before almost hesitantly hugging her again, "Is there something else about... About that night? Something I don't know?"

It hadn't even occurred to him, and the thought almost made him sick. Just the idea that something else was in play, that mother and father had let Itachi kill them... It made sense, but it didn't. And, for the first time since it had happened, he was questioning it.

[proudofmybaby]

"There was but..." She took a deep breath and shook her head. "Just know that it wasn't your fault okay? We all wanted to protect you, me, your father, your brother. We just... had different methods. So don't... I'm so sorry that this has hurt you so very badly baby."

[beforethedarkness]

He finally made to frown up at her, eyeing her critically, "He... He said he killed the clan to test his strength, but that isn't true. Not if what you said is. What aren't you telling me?"

[proudofmybaby]

"Things that would make you think the clan was full of idiots sweetie." She shook her head. "Let's leave it at that okay?"

[beforethedarkness]

"I don't want to leave it at that."

[proudofmybaby]

"Of course you don't. You take after me." She heaved a sigh and just shook her head. "Ask me less general questions than that and I might give you answers, does that sound better?"

[beforethedarkness]

He frowned thoughtfully, shaking a little under her grip before he too a breath to prepare himself, knowing that he wasn't going to like hearing the information he was asking for, "What was his real reason for massacring the clan?"

[proudofmybaby]

She grimaced at him. "You just had to ask that didn't you? You won't like the answer."

[beforethedarkness]

"I wouldn't like it no matter what it is."

[proudofmybaby]

She narrowed her eyes a little. "True, but you're lucky I'm telling you at all. I don't have to you know. I probably -shouldn't-."

[beforethedarkness]

He winced at that tone and backed down a little, turning a little pink when he mumbled, "I'm sorry."

[proudofmybaby]

She hummed, but clearly accepted the show of repentance. "Good. Now. The clan dying was because of a lot of politics and a portion of the clan being well... somewhat thickheaded."

[beforethedarkness]

He tried to process the information, but he eventually did decide to try and get his mother to elaborate further, "I don't understand."

[proudofmybaby]

"There was a... coup planned honey." She gave him an awkward, kind of sad smile. "I didn't really interfere one way or another, but I knew what was going on."

[beforethedarkness]

A coup as in... A revolt. He tensed, staring at her and all traces of frowning gone before the first thing that came to mind slipped out of his mouth, "Why?"

[proudofmybaby]

She sighed deeply. "Because Uchiha are prideful idiots honey."

[beforethedarkness]

"What does that have to do with revolting against the village?"