Ch 18

Fugaku brought me to his house the next day after I was found on the Hyuga territory. I knew it would be an awkward and uncomfortable talk. 

And I was right. 

Itachi knocked on my door around 6 pm, without anyone even getting a notice. "Hello, would you mind if Ishi has dinner with us tonight?" I am behind my parents so they can't see my face, but Itachi can. I give him a wtf face. 

"What are you doing?" I ask him without speaking. I know he can read my lips. But the little jerk ignores it. 

"Oh? Well this is a little sudden but sure" my mom and dad both looked at each other in confusion but allowed me to go. As I walked with Itachi back to his place I questioned everything that just happened. 

"What was that about?" 

"What are you thinking?" 

"Are you for real?" 

I was so confused. Itachi just listened to me with a calm smile on his face the whole time, not saying one word. I entered his house with him, not one of my questions answered. I walk down the hall until we stop in front of a room. 

"My father wants to talk with you" he opened the door and pushed me inside. My dumbfounded expression turned to horror as I realized Itachi led me to my death without telling me. 

Fugaku was sitting down in front of me while my face was still horrified. "Can I smack your son?" I didn't even care that Fugaku was the clan head, I was telling him what I'll do. 

Not asking him. 

"No" he answered simply, he wasn't mad, he wasn't amused. He just answered. 

"Can you hit him?" Now I was asking. "I won't" he again, answered simply. 

I just frowned "don't let him eat dango for a week". He hummed in thought, "I could do that" I raise a brow, "you will?" He rolled his eyes "no". 

I sighed loudly and sat down in front of him, "your son is killing me". He nodded "Itachi tends to show his sarcastic side to you" I looked at him in surprise, "you know about that". He shakes his head, "not really, I know Itachi is more open with you" I nodded slowly. 

Interesting, I am terrified now. 

"Let's get to the point sir, Itachi said there will be food. But now that I know that was a trap, I would like to get this over with" I wasn't interested in idle chat when food was promised but not delivered. 

Fugaku hummed in agreement "alright, let's discuss why I brought you here." I crossed my legs and put on a serious face. This is Fugaku Uchiha, the leader of the Uchiha clan. And also, one of the people who are going to try to overthrow the village. 

"I make it my mission to know who is a valuable resource and a useful companion. You have shown the criteria to have my attention. At your young age, you have shown the true heart and soul of an Uchiha. But the question is, what are your intentions?" I stare into his eyes in thought. 

He was seriously assessing me right now. I won't lie, I didn't try to keep a low profile but has it come to this? I had definitely underestimated these people. 

"I don't know what you're talking about" I smile slightly to try to ease the tension. 

"Don't play dumb, I know you're smart" I narrowed my eyes. "Oh?" I leaned forward, now interested in this new development. 

"While you are childish, I know you understand everything that's happening" Fugaku crossed his arms, his relaxed demeanor from before is gone. Everything is replaced with that charisma that makes Fugaku the leader of the Uchiha clan. 

I myself, also cross my arms, trying to mirror his serious demeanor because this guy is very intimidating. "I am aware," I nodded, "I am completely aware." 

He hummed "I see" and closed his eyes as he thought about his next words. "Do you have your Sharingan?" he kept his eyes closed, "I do" I answered. 

It was best to be truthful right now, I can see this guy is determining if I'm going to be useful. Or if I'm going to be a threat. Fugaku opened his eyes and looked up at the ceiling. 

"The Nine-Tailed Fox's Attack was the catalyst for the Uchiha's isolation and mistrust. The Konohagakure's leadership began to suspect that the Uchiha clan were behind the attack due to the Sharingan's ability to control the beast" he looked at me, adjusting his pasture to become comfortable. 

"This mistrust and isolation from the village created feelings of ill-will amongst the Uchiha, and ultimately rekindled the hatred harboured towards the Senju-influenced government." 

He was closely watching my reaction throughout this whole ordeal. 

"As a response to this offence, the Uchiha are planning a coup d'état to overthrow the Konoha leadership" my eyes widened in surprise at his bluntness and that he actually told me about the coup d'état. 

He hummed again and slowly nodded his head, it seemed he thought my surprise was because he told me the truth. My surprise was because of his bluntness, which saved me from a lot of trouble. 

"Yes, a coup d'état is going to happen" I sigh and close my eyes, this is concerning. 

Why is he telling me this? 

"Now, I know you're not like my son. You're not a prodigy" I frowned a little at that, it was uncalled for "but you are smart, you can know the truth." 

I hummed "but what would telling me this do? Why do you need to personally tell me this?" I don't understand the big picture. 

"You got the attention of two clan heads without even doing anything remarkable" he chuckled darkly, making the tense room even denser, "that fact alone means you have potential." 

I softly groan in frustration, god, why did I have to go into the Hyuga territory. 

"Does this all have a point?" 

This whole conversation is too much against me, I need it to have relevance or I'm going to be a clueless idiot. 

"My question is, which side are you on? You can't say you're neutral because no one has time for such luxury." There is the question I knew he was going to ask, everyone loves these types of questions. My sarcasm is so not amusing that it becomes funny. 

I glared at the ceiling before turning to him, "My side is my family and friends. I don't care about the clan. I don't care about the village. If a civil war breaks out, leave me out of it" 

I sit up "this clan hates me, it hates my mother" I lean forward and bang my hand on the ground in anger "this village is no different." 

I glared straight into his eyes "to me, my clan and my village are no different. There is no victim, there is no attacker." 

I lean away, calming down a little "everyone is just trying to survive. And that's what I want. I want to survive." 

My gaze hardened "no, I will survive". 

Fugaku was quiet throughout my whole speech, listening carefully, watching carefully. But then he smiled, he smiled at me warmly. "Good. That's very good" he reached over and gently patted my head, "I'm glad you're living up to your name." 

I tensed up in shock before smiling as well. From what I know, Fugaku barely complements people, so this is something I should enjoy. 

"I'm glad you managed to have the will of fire" he's right, I was named after the will of fire. 

In Japanese it's hi no Ishi, Ishi directly meaning will. 

"I'm giving you free reign over what you would like to do, you don't need to join any side. I will protect your family from the Uchiha side of things" he stopped patting my head and went back to his normal serious expression. 

I nodded my head "thank you for being so generous" I continued to smile "but why are you being so generous?" 

He hummed "I respect your decision, you're just a kid. No older than my youngest" I scoffed in my head, I'm closer in age with your eldest. 

"And I don't think you can be of any great use for this sensitive situation" I scoffed but nodded my head, "I think so too". 

I was about to go but he had one more thing to say, "and about the academy". I shook my head, "no thank you, I'm making great progress on my own." he nodded his head, "I'll see if that's true another time" we both stood up, "would you like to stay for dinner, my son did lie to you about it." I smirked evilly, "make something he doesn't like." 

He nodded his head, 

"no."

A/n I'm just going to try to put out a chapter every two days because I did this chapter and half and the next chapter in 5 hours. I am confused but delighted in this turn of events. If you have any comments or suggestions, don't be afraid to speak. I look at everyone's comment. Thank you for all the support. Enjoy~

-Kay