[Chapter 36: Take a Break! (And Get Away)]

And a break, so I did.

Honestly, I didn't know why I thought something interesting would happen on its own. But it didn't— insert tears here.

My ass was so bored but then bam: it hit me. Literally too. Aka I woke up slamming my face against the floor.

"Guah..." I let out with a pained groan, sitting up with a hand on my cheek. How did I even fall? I exhaled.

And then immediately got bonked on the head. "Ack!" I yelped, a hand swiftly reaching out to whatever had the fucking audacity to hit me. Son of a-- oh. With slightly blurry eyes, I squinted at what I held. Ah... In my hands was a photo frame, with a picture of my family, all happy and you know, not dead?

Glancing up, it must have fallen off when I crashed down, I sighed, and sluggish pulled myself up, gently placing the frame back at my cabinet. But then my eyes lingered at the glassed picture. My index fingertips traced the outline. A feeling of what I think was sadness flourished in my chest. My brows furrowed. I...

"Oh!" I suddenly exclaimed, clapping my hands together. The ends of my lips quirked up. That's what I'll do today!

✂⋃

So yeah, that's how I ended up back at the gates. The gates for the Uchiha compound. Its wood was dusty and full of moss, green flourishing everywhere as an empty yet gloomy aura surrounded it. I blinked, is this what I get for abandoning it? The gates seemed to only taunt me back.

Like I mentioned earlier, other than the time I had that mental breakdown, I've never set foot in here. Not since getting out stuff to move to our apartment. I sighed, pushing open the gates with both hands, earning a loud creek in response.

Oh well.

As expected, the place was barren, only the wisps of the winds and the soft chirping of the bird could be heard. Rumbling out a random tune, I walk with curious eyes. The place, the districts, everything was disturbingly silent, even from a clan known to be aloof. Ah... sometimes, I wish that I got to know my family better. I thought casually to myself, hands behind my back. But then again, I don't think I'd be able to...

No, there's no need to think about that. I sighed as I turned to leave as if I've done this just yesterday. With a smile, I gasped, as if God finally gave me an answer as to why capitalism exists. "We're no strangers in love... you know the rules, and so do I~!" I sang at the top of my lungs, boosting my awesome vocals. "A new commitment's what I'm thinking of! You'll never get this from any other guy!" I giggled, never gets old.

I halted in my tracks. I'm here. Something familiar swelled in my chest, though, it anything, it was not positive. I took a deep breath, I can do this.

Sliding open the door, I was instantly met with dust. "Ack!" I hacked out. I swatted my hand around, closing my eyes just so no dust bunnies wouldn't stab me in the eye. When I deemed it was saved, I opened them once more, shuffling my feet in.

Closing the door gently, I leaned down to take off my shoes, only to shake my head. It doesn't matter now.

Glancing around, I walked around the table and cabinets. The air was cold, but not freezing. From the windows, light shines out and onto the living room, where specks of dust were exposed. But I didn't care. I didn't even glance at all the nitty-gritty details: I just kept wandering.

The wood underneath me creaked under my footsteps as if announcing its owner that someone is there. Too bad they're not alive to care. Spinning the balls of my feet, I opened yet another door, but this time, I didn't feel the dirty spray of dirt.

Stepping in, what I saw was a bed, a blanket, and pillows neatly sprawled over it with a coat of lint. On the side, there was a light wooden desk with cabinets on each side. The closet was on the opposite, slightly open to showcase its long-forgotten wardrobe.

Sitting on the bed, I didn't care if I got dirty as I then laid down. Air flew out of my lungs. I knew it...

Shisui somehow always ended up in my mind.

As if in shame, an arm was placed over my eyes, shielding me from the light. My feet just took me here... just how depressed am I?

If you couldn't tell already, I was in Shisui's house. It was a small one, being the only resident here ever since his parents passed, but even then, he never looked lonely. His smile was so content whenever he was with me and Itachi. As if he accepted it.

And hell, maybe he did.

I pushed my lips together, that just makes me worse. Pushing myself back up, the bed creaking in response, I decided to snoop around. Honestly, it wasn't much, anything he had the anbu people might have already gotten. Or heck, it's possible that ROOT disposed of it all.

ROOT... I felt my eyes narrow as I shuffled through all of his shelves. How am I supposed to deal with that? I need to be considered "potential" and to make sure I'm not sealed up. I hummed. Maybe Kugui would help me? No, if that Egghead found out then he could accuse me of controlling Suna, which is bad.

I gritted my teeth, finding nothing. What should I do? I looked under the bed. How can I solve this? I checked all the floorboards. How can I avenge— I froze in my tracks.

Avenge? I blinked. As if I wasn't in control, my fists clenched tightly at my sides. Is this... Is this how Sasuke felt? This urge to serve justice? My eyes narrowed. I already knew that Danzo was a bastard. Hell, everyone in the fandom hated him! I would sell drugs just to get him killed by seagulls! But now...

It just feels personal.

Because it was now. The Uchiha were my family. All of the sudden, it was as if a weight was suddenly lifted off of my shoulders. Ah... that's right, I had a family. And just like that, I felt my heart crumble. And I was too blind to realize it.

I shook my head. No. Stop. It's not worth it. Placing my hands on the closet, I spread my legs apart and crouched. With a burst of strength, I flung the sliding door open, earning a good slam and dust cloud. Hmm... I looked through all the clothes, the back of the doors, even the small box that was a the corner of the small room. No, just rusty kunai.

A sigh went through my nose. I guys there is nothing here.

But just as I was about turned away, something appeared in my air. What the— inching closer to the wall, my eyes squinted. It... it looks like there's something there. I noted, placing my fingertips onto its surface. It's as if— as if it's not supposed to look like that. It's like it has— Oh!

I couldn't help but gasp out loud. It's genjutsu! Ok, now I'm really glad I spent all those months improving my genjutsu skills. Furrowing my brows, I tried to inspect it further, only to find out that I couldn't. Huh. Maybe with the Sharingan? With a blink, I activated them on, my vision suddenly turning red. And yet— I can't see it still. I huffed, my lips pushed together in slight frustration as I closed my sight once more.

Mangekyou Sharingan!

With a newfound determination, I forced my eyes to the next level, a new, deeper, darker shade of red appearing in my vision. Within the instant, the unfamiliar text suddenly appeared on the wall. I smiled, Shisui, you mad lad! What if someone found this?!

Underlining the kanji with an index finger, I hummed in thought. "I don't know what the duck it means," I mumbled. I blinked, ok, let's take some baby steps here:

The kanji used here are 'family', 'blood', and 'storage', which means this is probably a storage seal. But pretty risky to use it on a wall. I shook my head.

Anyways, based on the color and the slight rustiness, and even the slight smell of iron, I can only guess that this is blood, which means if I mess this up it'll probably blow up.

My eyes narrowed, still shining red even in the dark. "Should I get Tenten here?" No— you can't. I immediately refuted in my head. Even if she is a good guy, I don't know if she'll get manipulated into spilling the beans.

So I'm back at square one.

Jesus, Shisui, making it difficult for me, huh?

Wait. I glanced at the kanji again, another idea in mind. Why is there a kanji for 'family'? He doesn't have any close relatives besides maybe Kagami but he'd be dead already—

No, I'm getting this wrong. Is this even Shisui's blood in the first place?

And just like that: an idea slapped me. A stupid idea, maybe even considered suicidal.

But I was willing to try it.

With a bite from my teeth, I winced as the pain entered my thumb. How the fuck does Naruto do this?! Oh wait— is it the OP Uzumaki powers? Or the OP Kyuubi powers? Either way, fucking hurts.

Feelings a small trail of my blood drip down, I hastily smeared it over the seal. My air consumption seemed to stop. If I die, tell Hinata I love her!

The seal fizzed, similar to the sound of an explosion. Oh I'm gonna die I was stepping back, I watched in awe as it starting glowing a bright light. I squinted, turning off my blood-limit and turning away. Not the sunshine I wanted! Glancing back, the seal was visible to my normal sight. It wasn't even a seal anymore, more of a white blob on the wall.

Is that supposed to be an entrance or something? I wondered. And hey! I smiled, looking down at my body. I'm not dead! I should know, already died once.

Craning my head back up, I walked up to the white light, though it dimmed to some extent. Reaching a hand out (will I regret this? Maybe.), I slowly, cautiously pushed forward. I felt nothing.

Blinking rapidly, I looked back to see my hand in the seal. Huh. Inching forward, I tried to see if anything was there. "Hello~? Is anything there? Maybe some hidden porn stash?" I giggled before my hand accidentally felt a stab. I winced.

"Ow!"

At a slower pace, I fumbled my fingers onto the solid that I touched. It feels like a box... when I finally took a firm grip, I ripped it out, stumbling back when it went out as smooth as it came in. Gaining balance in my footing, I glanced down as to what was in my hands.

Huh.

It was indeed a box— no, a chest, a small one. It was as big as a puppy with its sleek, wooden frame. I moved it in all directions. Doesn't seem to have a seal on this one, just clasps. Darting my eyes back at the wall. Huh, it's gone. In normal vision though, I think.

Existing the closet, I instead sat on Shisui's bed, the chest resting on my lap. You know, it could still be Shisui's porn stash. I commented in my head, a giggle out of me. With a smile, though it didn't feel as big as usual, my fingers lingered on the metal clasps. But even then, it's probably different.

Blinking in sudden realization, I glanced up and clapped my hands together. Please don't kill me, Shisui-kun! I swear it's not grave robbing!

And with a click, I hesitantly opened it.

It wasn't much, just a bunch of papers and another box. Another box? Lifting the significantly smaller one, the size of my hand yet had a long length, I noticed that it was like a gift box. With a hand on the lip, I plopped it open, peering inside. It was something shiny. Money?!

Grabbing it out hastily, I found myself staring at my discovery. Is that a... uh... I tilted my head, wacking my head for the correct term. "Oh!" It was called a bira kanzashi hairpin, a very... Woah.

The pin was colored silver with a red poppy flower charm at the plate tip, chains of cherry blossoms, and pink roses dangling off from it. I blinked, the weight of this... just how expensive was this?! My eyes widened as I imagined the cost, it's so pretty but was it even worth it?!

But— Huh? My hand slightly lowered. Why does he even have this in the first place? Tearing my attention from the hairpin, my eyes landed back on the bigger box, the papers inside specifically. The answers should be there.

With careful hands, I placed back the Kanzashi back in its box and then grabbed hold of the papers. Getting ready to stack them neatly, I realized that, oh, it has a binder clip placing it together. I knitted my brows together: that means it's already in order. Inspecting it, I realized that these were letters. And that there were... wait, is that my name?

Dear Megumi Uchiha,

If you are reading this, then that means my plan failed. Whether it was because of Danzo or our clan, I just wanted to make sure of some things.

This probably wasn't something you wanted to see, was it? I'm sorry, but hear me out:

Ever since the clan started urging for a coup, I knew that it would end horribly. But even then, I wanted to keep the peace between the village and us. A small part of me felt like I was betraying my family, but the rest of me knew that it was for the better.

At times, I wondered, is this the right way? It haunted me for days as if it was trying to make me understand.

But then I was reminded of those dear to me: Itachi, Sasuke, you. Even with my parents, I never particularly felt close to them. And I couldn't feel a connection to my ancestor Kagami Uchiha, someone who many have compared me to.

You were a family I never had.

And it was then that I realized the true meaning of the will of fire: the will to protect those dear to you.

So, whatever I had to do, I wanted to protect you most of all.

But, if I fall, I at least wanted you to know this. Itachi knows this much as well—

I love you.

Your very own knight,

Shisui Uchiha

PS: That Kanzashi is an early birthday present! Perfect for a Princess, right?

"Shisui..." I noticed the way my voice broke but I didn't dare comment on it. Glancing back at the smaller box, I snatched it tightly. Pressing his letters and box close to my chest, the lump in my throat seemed to get tighter, my body feeling tense.

My vision seems to blur. I felt something wet on my face but I didn't care. "Aah..." My head lowered as my knees tucked together. You dumbass...

I... I love you too.

ຶຶ

What the Was all I could think when a door suddenly appeared in front of me. How many seals were there???

After that... you know what? I ain't a coward: I'll admit it, I bailed like a banshee. But anyway, after that, I ended up getting out of that house and went back to the main house— the house I lived in before the massacre.

Now that I wasn't in distress or that emotional, I was able to look through the memories of that house: the rooms Sasuke, Itachi, and I slept in, the kitchen where I learned to cook with mom, and the dining room where, even with their awkward aloofness, we had a nice time chatting.

It was then I came to Fugaku's office that something was wrong. As in, Fugaku also had a blood seal on his wall. And I'm like: why???

When I stabbed myself, again (god, I'm gonna die from blood loss) and swiped some on it, I was pleasantly met with a door. How the? I thought to myself, how did no one know of this? But I digress.

Stepping incautiously, it turned to be a— "Huh." I let out to myself. "Who knew that he had a private library here." In front of my eyes was bookshelves along the walls, stacked up on documents and books. But why would it be hidden? His office already has a shit ton of books. Walking towards a shelf, I picked a book up, only to make my eyes widen on its contents. "Holy shit."

These were Uchiha secrets! I realized, scanning the pages. Bruh— there's so much information on this shit! I could learn so— oh. "Ok, now it makes sense." It's so outsiders couldn't get it.

I hummed, glancing at the side, only to choke on my spit. Is that a refrigerator? Closing the book with a soft thud, I crouch's down to open the small refrigerator. It was then that I furrowed my brows when peeking in. That's a... lot of string cheese bars.

Grabbing on, I inspected it closer. And it doesn't seem to be expired either.

A giggle left my lungs, I guess dad was a foodie! After getting more books from the secret shelves, I planted my ass on the floor and ate some of the cheese in my hands. I blinked, glancing back at it. Oh my, this tastes good. How the

I shook my head. Nope! I have to do some research~ I flipped through a random book about the Uchiha-special chakra. Or maybe some juicy tea about my ancestors.

That was the last thought I had before diving myself through the books. It was really interesting actually. Izuna had a pet rat when he was a child. Pffft— who would've thought?!

But anyway! With the power of bullshit and the Sharingan, I zoomed through the pages, leaving the document deserted on the cold ass ground as I went to the other.

I didn't know how much time had passed, but then it was later on that I noticed something... weird. "What the..." I squinted my eyes, turning off my Sharingan to make sure the red wasn't making me imagine stuff. "Since when did Madara get a lover?" I reread the text carefully.

Despite what people think, he was seen in close or even romantic relations with a person along with the name of Kuri. Nobody knew exactly their true relationship, but people suspected that they were lovers. However, this ended when Madara, later on, defected from the village.

My brows knitted together. Who the hell is Kuri? I couldn't help but question, flipping through the pages to find more about them. No, that's it— that's the only piece of information.

I twirled a side bang in thought, my fingers thumping on the book in a rhythmic matter. You know, it could be a possibility that they're like us: an outsider. But, it could just be me overreacting: some aspects appeared in this world that the original author never wrote.

Ahhh! I pushed my lips together in frustration. Wouldn't this be important though?!?? No wait— romance was never an important part of the whole show until the last movie! So...

Who they?

I sighed, grabbing the books, and sitting back up. It's been too long, I can figure this out another time.