Stand By Me

STAND BY ME - chapter 15

Itachi was breathless, he had ran all over Konoha looking for his father, and Aya.

"Mom, is Father here?"
"Uh... no. He isn't, he just left for a mission, Itachi. Why?"

Itachi sighed, closing his eyes. "I suspect Aya's with him."
"A mission with Aya and Fugaku?" Mikoto asked, perplexed. "That's strange."
"She'll probably be walking on eggshells around Dad." Itachi said, concerned.
"Don't worry about Aya. She's an excellent shinobi, so she can definitely handle Fugaku." Mikoto smiled sweetly.

---

I still had not forgotten the way Fugaku had glared at me that day, when the Kyuubi chakra resided within me. He looked disgusted, Itachi.
I forced myself to shove the memory aside, and acted quietly in front of the Uchiha's father.
Shisui and I were rather silent around him, his stern presence prevented us from being too lax.

"I want to prove to him that I'm worthy of you, Itachi." I recalled. This was my chance to show him I'm strong.

---

It was getting late. We had spent the past two days travelling throughout a seemingly endless forest, in hopes of coming across a merchant of some sort to gather information. Each day was becoming unimaginably tense around Fugaku.

Right now we were camping, the fireplace was crackling. It was peaceful, seeing the flames dance because of the wind. I looked to the side to see Shisui knocked out cold. He must be so tired. He seemed so carefree, sleeping so unbothered like that, not a care in the world as to the possible dangers around him seemed to disturb him.

I looked up in the distance to see Fugaku sitting in front of a river, with his shoes placed to the side. He was soaking his feet, I assumed, after such a long couple of days which consisted of running and walking.

I, myself, wanted to sleep so badly. I was craving sleep. I hadn't slept the past couple of days, because I would look out for Shisui, whenever he'd rest, to make sure he was unharmed. Sitting on the piece of log, my arms crossed, my head would slowly droop every now and then, but I'd flinch awake.

"Aya." I heard a stern voice echo. I looked up towards the source of the sound, it was Fugaku. His hand raised in the air, motioning for me to come beside him. I got up hesitantly, glancing back at Shisui, approaching Fugaku.

"Fugaku-sama," I stood a distance, bowing slightly towards him, "Anything I can help you with?"
I would give anything but to be here right now, as Itachi's father frightened me. But I guess this would have to happen sooner or later. I knew Mikoto was pleasantly surprised at the fact that Itachi and I were together, but I had never heard Fugaku's opinion of it.

He moved his shoes to the side, gesturing for me to sit beside him. I took him up on the offer.

"No need to be so formal around me." He said, arms crossed, his feet dipped into the river.
"You should soak your feet, it's a de-stresser."

I obediently listened to him, taking my shoes off, rolling my pants up, dipping my feet in the river. I sighed, it did feel relaxing.

"So, the chakra has been extracted from you?" He asked. Is this all he saw me as? A girl who harbored the nine tails chakra just for a moment?

"Yes, it's gone," I responded, "I thought the extraction would take a toll on my body, but I suppose I'm just luck-"

"What is your relationship with my son?" Fugaku interjected, looking at me.

Sasuke? Fugaku knew I was training Sasuke every now and then, helping him hone his chidori into other forms that could be used.
"Ah, Sasuke is doing well. His training is paying off tremendo-"
"Not Sasuke... my elder son." He said. I stayed silent for a moment, slightly shocked by how the conversation took a change. Am I being interrogated? I had no other choice but to be honest with him.

"Itachi and I are close," I said, "Fugaku-sama... I'm serious about being with him. I think you've known me long enough to know that I don't play games."
"He's the successor of the Uchiha clan," Fugaku sharply said, "It would be unusual for him to be with an outsider."

"Well," I closed my eyes, "I'm not exactly an outsider. The Uchiha are descendents of the Hyuga."
"What are you implying?" Fugaku quickly responded.

"The Uchiha and the Hyuga are friends in armor. We have history." I looked up to him, my Byakugan was gleaming pearl under the moonlight. Fugaku sighed. "It shouldn't be strange." I added.

"Itachi was withdrawn as a child, during his time at the academy," Fugaku began explaining, "And was close with Uchiha Izumi. I was convinced they'd end up together."

My heart began beating furiously. I couldn't help but notice the linger of disappointment in his tone. Why would he say that to me?

"I guess you just can't fight fate." I worked up the nerves to say at least that. I liked Izumi, she's a great friend to have around. But for some reason, I felt threatened every time her name came up alongside Itachi's. Why?

And we sat there for what seemed like an eternity, admiring the flow of the river, and the shining moonlight.

---

I sat directly in front of Shisui, watching him intently, twiddling a branch in my fingers. When will this guy wake up?! I need to tell him!
Moments later, Shisui's hands twitched, his eyes fluttered open to see my face above his.

"Oh, Kami!" Shisui rested a hand on his heart, "Do you always watch people sleep like that!?"

I had frightened him. I couldn't help but laugh. "Ahahahah! I'm sorry, Shisui... I didn't have it in me to wake you up."

"I feel sorry for Itachi, if he has to deal with that."

I pouted. "Don't worry about me and him," I stood up, helping Shisui get up, "C'mon, I need to tell you something that happened last night." I muttered the last part out, Fugaku was near by, preparing our things.

"What happened?" Shisui and I began on a small morning stroll.

"Fugaku went all controlling on me last night..."
"What?"
"He went all "What's your relationship with my son?" " I imitated his voice.
"Hah! You're funny," Shisui chuckled, "Does he scare you?"
I twiddled my fingers, "Yeah... sort of..."
"Don't worry. It's his way of showing that he cares, being all nosey like that."
"You really think so?"
"Yeah. Fugaku is nice, once you get on his good side." Shisui explained, reassuringly.
"His good side..." I muttered, wondering if Fugaku would ever consider me like that. Maybe that's why he took a liking to Izumi. Was she on his good side? Is that why?
"Mhm," Shisui placed his hand on my shoulder, "For the record, your dad is scarier."
I laughed out loud.
"I couldn't agree more. Let's go back."

---

Byakugan! I leaped in front of Fugaku and Shisui as fast as I could. Intruders were ahead.

"Fugaku-sama, Shisui, you guys can go on ahead. I got this!" I said confidently. I wouldn't let the attackers get in the way. Quickly, a battle ensued, while the other two made their way to the village.