Kapitel 41: Chapter Fourteen: Reunion 1/2
Author's notes: Hi! Okay, confession time: I had originally intended to include this as part of a larger chapter, but as I wrote these scenes, I began to realize that they work better as their own chapter, and as a nice little resolution for the cliffhanger from earlier. Besides, I figured you guys had a long enough wait for the previous chapter, so I'm being nice to you this month!
Enjoy!
Chapter Fourteen: Reunion
Of all the encounters Itachi could've had today, this was the last one that would ever have crossed his mind. This was supposed to be just a routine patrol, but to say things had taken a turn for the unexpected would be a considerable understatement. Standing in front of him, after he'd taken her life fourteen years ago, was none other than his mother.
Where did he even start with that?
His heart and mind were a complete mess. Images of the night of the Uchiha Clan massacre flashed through his head. His mother's last words, her acceptance of her impending fate and her request that he protect Sasuke…
…and then her blood dripping from his blade.
He couldn't move. Hell, he could barely breathe. Words completely failed him. All he could do was look at the woman standing before him and wonder. She'd been in the Soul Society for fourteen years, and so close to the Seireitei. While he'd been studying at the Academy, she'd been out in the Rukon District. Was today her first encounter with Hollows? Given that the beasts were attracted to people who had even slightly higher-than-average amounts of spirit energy, he doubted it. While he'd been attending lessons in safety, she'd been in mortal danger.
He'd already murdered her, and now he'd unwittingly neglected her by failing to find her before now. It didn't matter that he hadn't been able to patrol the Rukon District until just a week ago, or that it was incredibly vast and the odds of today's encounter were ridiculously small. The only thing that mattered to Itachi was that she'd been here this whole time, potentially at the mercy of the next Hollow incursion or one of the less savory inhabitants of the district.
How had she survived for so long? Yes, she had her old training as she'd amply demonstrated earlier, but that could only do so much. Between the Hollows and the criminal element found in the Rukon District, she would've been hard pressed, especially given the fact that her spirit energy made her a highly appealing snack for the beasts. Itachi had only spent a couple of weeks in the Rukon District before moving to the safety of the Seireitei; she'd been out there for fourteen years.
He was so caught up in the tempest that was his thoughts that he almost didn't even see her reach out to him, and nearly jumped when he felt her right hand on his left cheek. Her shock must've been as great as his, and Itachi couldn't blame her for wanting to make sure that what she was seeing was real.
"I… I've looked for so long…" she said, her hushed tone almost cracking as she fought back tears, "I wanted to find you, but… at the same time… I knew what it would mean if I did. Itachi…"
He couldn't bear to meet her gaze, not after what he'd done to her that bloody night. "Mother… I…"
He wanted to say 'sorry', but that word felt wholly inadequate given all that had transpired. Did 'sorry' make up for the fact that he had murdered her and then mentally tormented his younger brother when she'd asked him to protect Sasuke? How in the name of the Soul King could he even begin to apologize for what he had done?
He felt his mother's hand slip beneath his chin, and he didn't fight her as she lifted his gaze to meet her. That was when he saw the smile on her face…
…and the tears of joy falling down her cheeks.
Without a word, she took him into a fierce embrace. She held him tighter than he'd ever felt before, as if she feared that he would vanish should her grip loosen even the slightest. He felt completely unworthy of such a gesture, but all the same he returned it. She was openly sobbing now, but even though he couldn't see her face he could tell just from her voice that she was also smiling.
"My son!" she cried, running one hand through his hair, "Itachi… I've… I've missed you so much!"
His restraint faltered, with a small smile appearing on his face and tears of his own slowly beginning to trickle down his face. "Mother… I… I've missed you too. I'm… I'm so sorry… for everything… I…"
She loosened her grip so that the two of them could face each other, although she didn't completely let go. "It's… it's all right, Itachi. That night… your father and I… we accepted your decision. We knew why… and we didn't blame you. We never could… I never could."
Itachi shook his head. "That doesn't matter. I… I still took your lives. You and father… and so many others. What I did that night…"
"Itachi, stop," his mother firmly cut him off, "When your father and I accepted our fates… we both knew what you would do would tear at your heart for the rest of your life. It was the last thing either of us wanted, but I knew it was unavoidable. That's why, when I woke up here and realized what this place was… I made a promise to myself. I swore that… if I found you… I'd do all I could to help you heal. What kind of mother would I be if I did anything less?"
Itachi sighed. "It's… it's not just about that night. What happened after… with Sasuke…"
Mikoto's eyes widened slightly. "He's… still alive, right?"
Itachi nodded. "He was when I last saw him, and I believe he still is even now. Still, what happened between us from that night forward…"
His voice caught in his throat. After telling Yoruichi everything, he would've thought that this would be easier, especially given his audience. However, given the request she'd made before he'd cut her down, the guilt and shame Itachi had carried ever since was once again pushing itself to the forefront.
His mother seemed to sense as much. "Itachi... I'm sure things weren't easy between you two. Sasuke… it'd be natural if he held a grudge. Your father and I understood why, but Sasuke would've still been a child… he wouldn't have been able to grasp everything that was happening back then."
Itachi took a deep breath; despite his fear, he knew his mother needed to know the truth of what had happened after she'd died. "We should find someplace safe to rest and talk. There's… a lot that I need to tell you."
….
Dusk had long ago turned to night, but that didn't mean all activity in South 28 had ceased. With the Hollows having been swiftly taken care of, the residents of the district had returned to their normal routines, and the night life of the area was now in full-swing. The market stalls had closed up for the day, but taverns and teahouses all over were open for business and fielding full houses of hungry and thirsty customers. Bustling crowds of people chatting with friends, family and colleagues gave Mikoto and her eldest son all the cover they needed for him to tell her what had happened since that tragic night fourteen years ago. Itachi had gotten them a private booth in the back corner of one particularly lively tavern, and after ordering drinks for the two of them he'd wasted no time in telling her everything she'd wanted to know and a good deal more.
He went through so much after that night, she thought somberly as she absorbed it all, Itachi and Sasuke both… they had to grow up far too quickly. If only things had been different…
Her son had not held back, and Mikoto hadn't failed to notice how harsh he was being towards himself. It was certainly true that she was far from happy regarding some his actions, particularly when it came to how he'd manipulated Sasuke and fed his little brother's hatred through tormenting illusions, but it was hard for her to feel like she had any right to judge what he'd done. After all, there was so much that she should've done before that fateful night, but hadn't.
Fourteen years of wandering the Soul Society had given Mikoto more than enough time to think back on all that had transpired leading up to that horrific night. Her eldest son wasn't the only one harboring guilt and regret. Mikoto had lost count of how many times she'd wracked her brain since passing on, search for signs that she should've recognized, ways that she could've acted to prevent the tragedy that had unfolded. She hadn't been an active Shinobi since she'd first become pregnant, but that shouldn't have stopped her from being more proactive as the situation had deteriorated.
All this and more ran through her head as she listened to Itachi. She hadn't been keeping track of time, but when he'd finally finished, she was sure that several hours at the very least must've gone by. The crowd at the tavern was still going strong, so they had plenty of cover, but Mikoto could tell that the strain of the day's events was starting to wear on Itachi. It wasn't from physical exertion; he'd dispatched the Hollows easily enough. Rather, it was emotional and mental, which didn't surprise her at all. She could only imagine how he must've felt telling her what he had.
He looked down at his cup in shame when he finally finished. "That night, your final request was for me to look after Sasuke… and I failed. Short-term, I might've secured his survival, but beyond that… I know that what I did wasn't what you had asked me to do. I know that…"
Mikoto reached across the table and grabbed his hand. "Itachi… that's enough."
He brought his gaze up to meet hers, his eyes widening slightly. "Mother…"
"I've had fourteen years to think about what happened," she said firmly, "and that includes what might've happened afterwards. It's true that I'm far from comfortable with what you did to Sasuke to get him to hate you and avenge us; that was the last thing I wanted, and I'm sure it's the same for your father. Nevertheless, I understand why you did it. I may not approve of your plan, but I can comprehend the reasons you had for it."
Itachi shook his head. "Those reasons don't change the fact that it was wrong."
"They also don't change the fact that Sasuke's still alive, and that you acted above all to protect him in your own way," Mikoto replied, "Itachi… the last thing I'm going to do is add to the guilt you've carried for so long. If anything, you've put far too much of the blame on yourself."
"Hardly," said Itachi bitterly, "My actions, both that night and leading up to it…"
"And what about my actions?" asked Mikoto pointedly, "Or rather, my complete lack thereof? Did you ever think about that?"
"You were raising Sasuke," Itachi countered, "You had more than enough to deal with back then, and you were trying to shield Sasuke in your own way from what was going on between the clan and the village."
Mikoto shook her head. "It's true that I had devoted my time to Sasuke… but he's not my only son. You grew up so fast, Itachi… and I think part of that was my fault. I should never have let your father take you to that battlefield all those years ago. I loved him, but I should've fought so much harder against his decision that day. When the two of you came back, I realized that something inside you had changed forever… your innocence had been taken far earlier than it should've been. You were still so young, but from that day forward you were no longer a child. I recognized that, but… I failed to fully understand just what that really meant. Your abilities grew so quickly from that day forward, and your father and I were proud of you, but neither of us really comprehended just how much you'd matured. We felt that you were already growing beyond us, and when Sasuke came along I focused my attention on him… and neglected you."
"That's not true," Itachi argued, "I knew you still cared for me as your son, and I didn't begrudge you for concentrating on Sasuke. He needed your care more, especially with all that was happening."
Mikoto nodded. "Since Sasuke was so young, he did need my care… but so did you. No matter how quickly you had grown, you were still my eldest son… and I failed to recognize what was happening to you. How the turmoil between the clan and the village was consuming you… and how desperate you were to save the Uchiha from what they were becoming. When your father told me what the clan was planning, I had my concerns, but ultimately, I didn't argue. I should have, though. If I had done so, if I could've convinced him not to go along with the others, to report to the Hokage and work together to find a solution… none of this would've happened. Instead, I simply left the clan politics to him and focused on being a mother… and you paid the price for it, Itachi."
"I didn't want you to get involved," Itachi protested, "I wanted you to keep giving Sasuke the affection and care he needed to grow."
Mikoto smiled. "I know, but… what about the affection and care that you needed, Itachi? If I'd spent more time with you… sat down with you and talked to you honestly about what was happening with the clan, let you share your true feelings with me… how much could we have changed the future? You have no idea how many times I've asked myself that very question these past fourteen years…"
"Still…" said Itachi softly, "This… this wasn't your fault, mother."
"Perhaps not entirely," Mikoto replied, "but there were still choices that I could've made differently. I don't know if I could've changed things, but I should've at least tried. My inaction was my failure as your mother, and I've regretted that ever since."
Itachi sighed. "It sounds like we've both had our share of guilt and remorse since that night. Our past casts a very dark shadow, and we're still fighting to break free of it."
Mikoto's smile grew ever so slightly. "We can't change the past, Itachi… but there's still hope for the future. I had no idea what awaited me on the other side that fateful night, but this… the Soul Society's certainly not what I expected, and yet it's better than I could ever have hoped for. It's hardly perfect, but we have a second chance here, and we can't afford to waste it. I've been doing all I can to make the most of it… and it looks like you have as well."
Itachi raised an eyebrow. "What exactly have you been doing since you arrived here? You don't have control over your spirit energy, so you'd be a beacon for Hollows, not to mention unable to keep your spiritual pressure from harming those around you."
Mikoto nodded. "I'll admit, I was at a loss when I got here. The Soul Society… it's so unlike anything the religions practiced across the Shinobi nations teach about when they speak of the afterlife. It might not be Hell, but depending on the part you arrive in… well, calling it 'Heaven' would be a stretch, to put it mildly. I got off easy; I first wound up in South 41. Hardly an ideal spot to land, but it could've been a lot worse."
Itachi's eyes narrowed. "South 41 to South 28's quite a journey without Shunpo. How'd you manage it?"
"It wasn't overnight, that's for sure," Mikoto replied, "I was initially taken in by a merchant family. They were very kind to me and offered to let me stay as long as I wanted, and I repaid their generosity by helping out with their business to the best of my abilities. However, it didn't take long for my presence to become a burden. My spiritual energy was higher than theirs, and despite everything I tried I couldn't stop it from harming them. I realized that I would have to leave… and that I couldn't get close to another family like that again. From there, I began to drift. I may no longer have had chakra and had no idea how to control my spirit energy, but I was able to brush up on my taijutsu. At first, I was definitely a bit out of practice, but I managed to regain enough of my former skill that I could look after myself… and a good deal more beside. Ultimately, I got into the bodyguard business, and my jobs gradually took me from South 41 to here."
Itachi looked puzzled. "I'm sure your past experience as a Shinobi served you well in that capacity, but your lack of control over your spiritual pressure would've been a risk to your clients. How did you compensate for that?"
"I picked up a few tricks over the years," she answered, "I learned that my emotions played a role in the episodes where my power flared up. That helped me mitigate it to some degree, but it was no substitute for complete control… something I still lack even now. Despite the vast number of souls in the Rukon District, finding training outside of the Soul Reaper Academy to properly control one's spirit energy is quite difficult."
"Why didn't you apply?" asked Itachi, "Even if your Shinobi skills might've been rusty, you clearly retained enough of them to survive the Rukon District. That would've been more than enough to get you through the entrance exams; I can speak from experience there."
Mikoto sighed. "Believe me, it was tempting. Several times, I almost did, but… I felt like I couldn't yet. I knew the odds were low given just how massive the Rukon District is, but I wanted to find someone from my family first. Not just any Uchiha from the clan, but one of us. The most obvious candidate was your father since both of us died the same night, and yet… there was a part of me that desperately hoped it would be you that I found first, Itachi."
Her son was clearly taken aback by that. "Why?"
She put both of her hands over his. "Please, do not interpret this as meaning that I wished for your death. I knew that the only way I would find you here would be if you died, and I wanted you to live for as long as possible before that day came. That being said… I had a feeling that old age wouldn't be what killed you. It was more than just the clan that died that night; I think a significant part of you perished in the Uchiha downfall as well. At that point… well, it was just a matter of the rest of you catching up to what you'd already lost, I suppose. Seeing you here today bears that out."
Itachi nodded. "It took eight years to meet my end, and then another six to find you… but yes."
Mikoto smiled again. "I wish it had been longer, but at the same time… seeing you has made this the happiest day of my afterlife. Goodness, that sounds strange to say, doesn't it?"
She was surprised to actually see him chuckle at that. "Not really. I find that 'strange' and the afterlife go together pretty well. Besides, after six years in the Soul Society I almost find myself forgetting that I'm actually dead."
Mikoto couldn't recall the last time her eldest son had displayed any sort of humor, and it only deepened her joy to see that he seemed to have regained it since passing on. "Yes, I know what you mean! Who knew that the afterlife would end up being so… life-like? I don't sound crazy to you, do I?"
Itachi gave her a small smile. "No more than I sound to myself… mother."
How long had it been since she'd seen him smile? Mikoto genuinely couldn't remember; the harsh facts of life in the Shinobi World had stolen her son's smile all too quickly. She wished that it hadn't taken death for him to reclaim it, but she was grateful to see it now just the same.
She ran her hand down the sleeve his black robe. "Training at the Soul Reaper Academy takes six years, so you must've started shortly after your arrival here. While I was drifting through the Rukon District, you were already applying yourself and training to protect souls from Hollows. Itachi… I'm so proud of you!"
"Thank you," he said, "Truth be told, I had some help. A pair of Soul Reapers saved my life shortly after I arrived here. Both were Captains, and now I'm in one of their divisions. I felt it was the least I could do to repay her, and I don't regret my decision."
Mikoto's eyes narrowed ever so slightly at a key word. "Her? Don't tell me you applied to join the Thirteen Court Guard Squads to chase after a woman, Itachi!"
Much to her shock and delight, she had the pleasure of actually seeing her eldest son blush. "It's not like that!"
Oh, but he had been far too defensive and hasty in his reply, and Mikoto pounced on it. "You did, didn't you? Oh, Itachi…"
For the first time in a long time, Mikoto began to laugh uncontrollably. She'd heard from Fugaku before the clan's downfall that an Uchiha girl named Izumi seemed to be close to Itachi, but her eldest son hadn't talked about her. Mikoto deeply regretted not asking her son about her, especially since Fugaku had indicated a particular fondness for Itachi on Izumi's part. Now it appeared to be her son chasing after a girl rather than the other way around, and Mikoto was eager to play the traditional role of the teasing mother after having missed her chance the first time around.
"Mother… please," Itachi muttered, looking nervously around the tavern, "You'll draw attention…"
Mikoto managed to reassert some control over herself, but her smile never left her face. "I think the crowd's lively enough that they won't care about a woman laughing, but if you insist. So, what's she like?"
She was afraid that Itachi would clam up, but much to her surprise she saw him smile again. "She's… incredible. It's… well, it's hard to put into words, really."
Mikoto leaned forward. "Well, you're going to have to try. You can't just leave your mother hanging like that! I won't take 'no' for an answer!"
"Any words from me wouldn't do her justice," said Itachi, and the look in his eyes told Mikoto that the gears in his head were running on full steam, "However… I think I have a solution for that."
"What would that be?" asked Mikoto.
Itachi took a deep breath. "Mother… would you like to meet my Captain?"
….
"He's really late," said Soi-Fon, "That's not like him."
Yoruichi shook her head. "No, it's not."
Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
-- Power-
Rangliste 
-- Power-
Stein