[~ 1400 Words]
~ A few days before the Uchiha Massacre.
Location & Time: Late afternoon, Konoha's dango street stand near the training field crossroads. A popular spot among off-duty shinobi.
The skewer crackled lightly as Haruki bit into the grilled dango, the sweet sauce sticking slightly to his lips. He had just stepped out from Takeda's Tools and was heading back toward the residential path when he noticed a familiar voice break into laughter just ahead.
He stopped.
Three kunoichi in standard attire, each distinct in their energy, stood at a dango stand. Laughing, eating, chatting — like the weight of the village's tensions didn't quite reach this moment.
Yūgao Uzuki. [his age 18]
Anko Mitarashi. [slightly senior at 19]
Yūhi Kurenai. [Senior at 22]
Haruki hesitated for a beat, then smiled and approached with his hands in his pockets.
"Didn't think I'd see the whole powerhouse trio in one place. Is this a tactical meeting or a sugar raid?"
Yūgao turned at the sound of his voice — her lavender eyes lighting up with familiarity. "Haruki?"
"Hey, Yūgao," he grinned. "Still got a better posture than most captains."
She chuckled. "Still making unnecessary compliments, huh?"
Anko leaned forward with a grin. "Oho~ Who's this smooth-talker? Another fanboy?"
Yūgao shook her head. "We were classmates at the Academy. Haruki Uchiha."
Anko exaggerated a gasp. "Uchiha? And you didn't come brooding and flaming like the others?"
Haruki mock-bowed. "I specialize in dango diplomacy instead of arrogance."
Kurenai laughed softly, her expression warm but reserved. "That's a first."
Haruki scratched the back of his neck. "If you ladies aren't in a hurry, I'll buy the next round. Least I can do for the trouble of being memorable."
Yūgao smirked. "We're not turning down free dango."
They gathered at a low bench beside the stand as the vendor brought over four fresh plates.
Anko chewed loudly, already on her second skewer. "So, what's our mystery Uchiha been up to? Teaching? Chasing skirt? Secret ANBU?"
Haruki smiled faintly. "None of the above. I've been on stand-by. All missions canceled for my squad. Everyone's being pulled back. A little… frustrating, honestly."
Kurenai's red eyes flicked toward him thoughtfully. "You're not the only one. Most Uchiha genin and chunin have been recalled, right?"
Haruki nodded. "Yeah. Even my old teammates from the Nara and Yamanaka clans got pulled out for internal clan 'training.' No word on when or if we'll be reassigned. It's like I'm being benched in a match I trained ten years for."
He looked into the distance, tone mild but with an undercurrent of resentment. "Feels like something's moving under the surface, and no one's telling us what."
Kurenai placed her skewer down gently. "You're pretty observant. But don't lose sleep over it. The higher-ups are tense, yes… but sometimes, the best thing a shinobi can do is stay sharp until the storm passes."
Her voice had a calm assurance to it — not dismissive, but he felt good hearing her calm voice.
Haruki gave a small nod. "Thanks. Just needed someone to say it."
He turned slightly toward Yūgao, eyebrow raised with playful curiosity. "And what about you, Uzuki? Still training with Hayate? Or is that training now?"
Yūgao froze, mid-chew. "W-What?!"
Anko burst out laughing, nearly dropping her plate. "Oh hell, he went there!"
Kurenai smirked. "I was wondering how long it would take him to ask."
Yūgao's face flushed pink as she waved her hands. "We're not—! I mean—he's just— we're sparring partners! That's it!"
Haruki laughed quietly. "Relax. I was just asking."
Yūgao gave him a look between flustered and betrayed. "I should've let Anko prank you back in the Academy..."
Anko leaned on Haruki's shoulder exaggeratedly. "Don't worry, Yūgao and Hayate sitting in a tree is our favorite training chant now."
Haruki smirked. "Poor guy's doomed."
After the laughter died down, Haruki's tone turned more thoughtful.
"Actually, Kurenai-san. I wanted to ask a favor."
Kurenai looked up.
"My younger sister, Izumi. She's got a knack for Genjutsu — but only a bit of academy-level stuff so far. I think she could really benefit from some guidance."
He took a breath, careful not to sound like he was overstepping.
"I'll pay for your time properly. She looks up to you more than any of the instructors. If you have an hour or two to spare sometime soon…"
Kurenai considered him quietly, eyes narrowed thoughtfully.
"Not this week," she said finally. "There's a lot going on — a few assignments overlapping. But I'll come by next week. No payment needed."
Haruki blinked. "You sure?"
Kurenai nodded. "I'll consider it an investment in the next generation. And besides… I always liked helping students who show promise."
Anko added, "If your sister's half as polite as you, I'm expecting cookies when I drop by."
Yūgao smiled. "I'll come too if you need a sparring partner for her."
Haruki's shoulders relaxed. He bowed slightly. "Thank you. Truly. I owe you all."
They talked a while longer — about old instructors, failed jutsu attempts, and sparring mishaps from the Academy. For a brief moment, Haruki felt lighter. Not like an Uchiha. Just like a shinobi. A friend.
When they eventually parted ways at the fork of the path, Anko waved lazily.
"Don't disappear. You're more fun than half the jonin."
Yūgao added with a blush, "Don't tell Hayate I blushed."
Kurenai gave him one last look, her voice calm and soft.
"Haruki. Stay alert. And… take care of Izumi. She's a good one."
Haruki nodded. "I will."
As they disappeared into the crowd, Haruki stood alone again. But not lonely.
For once, the village didn't feel entirely cold.
Location: Early evening, the Uchiha residence — warm lamplight in the wooden hallways.
The sun was beginning to dip below the rooftops of the Uchiha compound as Haruki stepped through the front gate, the soft crunch of gravel under his sandals barely audible. He slid open the paper door to the main hallway, the familiar scent of incense and tea welcoming him home.
"Izumi," he called out casually, setting down his bag. "You home?"
A rustle came from the room at the end of the corridor, followed by the hurried patter of small feet.
"Haruki-nii!" she beamed, peeking around the corner, still in her academy uniform. Her cheeks were slightly red from sparring, and a faint ink stain marked her sleeve.
He stepped toward her, hiding the smirk tugging at the edge of his lips.
"Got a minute? I've got something to tell you."
Izumi blinked, sensing the tone shift. She tilted her head curiously.
"Hmm? What is it?"
Haruki crossed his arms, then leaned against the wooden frame.
"I ran into Kurenai-sensei today. Asked her if she'd be willing to give you a little one-on-one Genjutsu training."
Izumi's eyes widened instantly.
"W-Wait. You asked Kurenai-sensei? The Kurenai-sensei?!"
Haruki chuckled. "Is there another one I should've asked?"
"Wha— What did she say?!"
"She said yes. She'll come by sometime next week."
For a heartbeat, Izumi just stood frozen, her little fists clutched near her chest.
Then she squealed.
"Waaaaah! Yessss!!"
She jumped forward and wrapped her arms tightly around Haruki's waist, burying her cheek into his flak vest.
"Thank you, thank you, thank you, nii-chan!! You're the best!"
Haruki smiled softly, ruffling her black hair with a warm palm.
"Study hard. Don't waste her time. Kurenai doesn't train slackers."
"I won't! I swear! I'll show her all the Genjutsu I learned already!"
"Mhm," Haruki said, tugging her ponytail lightly. "Just don't go trying to hypnotize me again with that fake fog trick."
Izumi giggled. "No promises~!"
She turned on her heel, nearly slipping as she bolted down the hall.
"Dad! Daaaad!! Haruki-nii got Kurenai-sensei to train me! She's coming next week!"
Haruki watched from the doorway, hearing the muffled sound of their father's surprised voice and Izumi's excited retelling bouncing through the house.
His smile lingered for a while.
In a village that felt colder every day, her joy was a rare warmth he'd protect at any cost.