Coming Home

The Uchiha Clan Compound was so remote that it took them quite a while to get there.

On the way, Shisui worried that Koki might get tired and asked if he wanted him to carry Itachi instead. Koki turned him down with a smile.

Night hung low, and stars dotted the sky. The Uchiha Clan Compound looked especially solemn and mysterious in the darkness. The clan members' homes were arranged in an orderly, varied pattern, like a beautiful painting slowly unfolding in the moonlight.

The Uchiha Clan Compound was lively at night, too! Its distinctive commercial district had a style all its own, security patrols proceeded in strict order, and a steady stream of pedestrians passed through, creating a vibrant scene.

Wave after wave of clan members came up to speak with Koki, and he responded to each of them, polite and friendly.

Kakashi watched in surprise. The Uchiha Clan Compound was nothing like the rumors he had heard.

Koki quickly noticed Kakashi's puzzlement and asked with a smile, "What is it? Is it different from what you expected?"

Kakashi nodded frankly. "It is a little different from what the rumors say about the Uchiha."

"Outsiders demonize the Uchiha too much. Everyone says the Uchiha are cold and heartless, but we're actually the clan that values bonds the most." Koki gestured for Kakashi to look at the clan members coming and going. "Do you see anything different about them?"

Kakashi silently shook his head.

"That's right. They're all ordinary people, yet because they were born into the Uchiha Clan, they're met with scorn and suspicion from the world, and even forced to live in the most remote part of the village! And that doesn't begin to describe the injustice they've suffered!" Koki grew more agitated as he spoke.

If Konoha's actions hadn't grown increasingly excessive, if the oppression hadn't become unbearable, would the Uchiha Clan have ever considered a coup?

It was the first time Obito had seen Koki so agitated. Though he couldn't fully understand what Koki was saying, he had a vague sense that Koki meant the village was bullying them.

"Koki, are you saying..."

"Obito, I'll explain it to you properly when we get back. Koki, don't get worked up." Shisui hurried to soothe them, gently patting Itachi, who was beginning to wake up.

"All right." Koki calmed himself and continued, "Besides, they also paint the Uchiha as bullies who oppress the weak. The Uchiha would never stoop to that! The Uchiha may be proud, but they don't bully the weak. They just look down on everyone equally."

"Exactly." Obito nodded in agreement. He was the most qualified to speak on the matter. "Even though the kids in the clan don't play with me, they've never bullied me, looked down on me, or even insulted me for being a dead last, like those people at the Ninja Academy do. Some of the elders in the clan actually take good care of me. They even give me an allowance every month. It isn't much, but it's enough for me to grow up without worrying about food or clothes."

"I'm sorry. I apologize to you both for the stupid things I used to think," Kakashi said earnestly, a hint of sincerity in his eyes that had never been there before.

"What? Idiot Kakashi, you can actually say sorry?" Obito froze and stared at Kakashi as if he had seen a ghost!

Was this really the Kakashi he knew? The proud, arrogant Kakashi who looked down on everyone? Obito couldn't help digging a finger in his ear, wondering if something was wrong with his hearing.

"What an idiot!" Whenever Kakashi saw Obito looking so stupid, he couldn't resist insulting him, but today his tone held less of its usual bite and a trace of rare warmth.

"Sure enough, you're still the same idiot Kakashi!" That's more like it! Relieved, Obito patted his little heart.

Watching the pair of bickering friends, Shisui and Koki couldn't help laughing.

They said nothing more as the four walked quietly through the Uchiha Clan Compound on that peaceful summer night. An indescribable warmth filled the air between them, and their breathing and heartbeats seemed to fall into the same rhythm.

At that moment, time seemed to stand still. They forgot the clamor and commotion of the outside world, leaving only each other's company and warmth.

Soon, they arrived at Koki's home.

The Uchiha Clan Head's home stood in a quiet, solemn area, surrounded by dense trees. Moonlight filtered through the leaves onto the elegant stone walls, casting a mottled pattern of light and shadow.

The peaceful night lent the home an air of mystery and solemnity.

Upon entering the residence, they were greeted by a spacious courtyard paved with neatly laid flagstones. An ancient tree stood in the center, its branches and leaves lush. Moonlight filtered through its crown and spilled into the courtyard, adding a touch of coolness and tranquility.

They crossed the courtyard and came to the main house. Its walls were built of massive rocks and bore the Uchiha fan crest, solid and imposing. Several strings of wind chimes hung beneath the eaves, swaying in the breeze and giving off a melodious sound, as if welcoming the visitors.

"I wonder if the clan head is home. Wouldn't it be a little rude to barge in like this...?" They were almost at the door before Obito came to his senses and began to worry.

Shisui teased him, "Obito, weren't you having fun today?"

"How is that the same? Nobody was home then," Obito muttered.

"What did my dad ever do to make you so scared of him?" Koki was genuinely curious.

"W-who's scared?"

If you're not scared, why are you stuttering? Not knowing whether to laugh or cry, Koki said, "Don't worry, Dad definitely isn't home right now!"

Fugaku worked overtime all the time, and so much had happened today. It would be a wonder if he managed to come home; he was surely still in a meeting.

Poor working stiff!

Afraid of waking his sleeping younger brother, Koki didn't shout before reaching the door as he usually did. Instead, they slipped quietly into the house.

After they changed their shoes in the entryway, Shisui gently took Itachi into his arms.

Mikoto was still in the kitchen preparing food for the next day. Hearing a faint sound, she came out.

"Koki, you're home. Why are you so... so late today?" Mikoto was startled to see the children standing neatly in the entryway.

"Shh, Mom, Itachi's asleep."

After greeting Mikoto, Shisui carried Itachi to Koki's room.

"Mom, these are two new friends I just made today: Obito Uchiha and Kakashi Hatake."

"Hello, ma'am." Obito gave her a radiant smile.

"I'm sorry to intrude without warning. I hope you'll forgive me." After speaking, Kakashi gave Mikoto a deep, ninety-degree bow, startling Obito so much that his eyes widened beneath his goggles.

"Hello, boys. I'm Koki's mother. Welcome." Mikoto smiled gently.

Just then, Shisui returned to the living room. Mikoto brought them in and sat them down, then went back to the kitchen and came out with plenty of snacks and juice.

"Go on and eat. Make yourselves at home." Looking at the four little ones sitting in a row, waiting to be fed, Mikoto felt a swell of pride. "Treat this as your own home. I'm so happy Koki has made good friends."