Chapter Text
The warm rays of the sun kept him from sleeping any longer in his comfortable bed. He groaned in annoyance, as he wanted to rest a little longer before getting up. He rolled over, tangling himself in his soft cotton sheets, and focused on falling back asleep. Just a few more minutes… or maybe a couple of hours.
But it wasn’t to be, as he began to hear a knocking at his door.
—Itachi-sama, I’ve come to prepare your bath.
He grumbled lazily and resigned himself to his fate, far from the world of dreams. He opened his scarlet eyes and rubbed them with his hands to shake off the sleep. He muttered a “come in” that sounded more forced than it seemed.
—With your permission, Itachi-sama.- said Izumi, and she entered. She gave him an amused look. -Have you stayed up late again reading that book?
—Good morning to you too, Izumi.- he snorted, stretching like a cat in his bed- And yes, I’ve read it again.
—I apologize. Good morning, Itachi-sama.- she murmured, embarrassed by her rudeness, setting her things aside and heading over to open the curtains. -But you’ve read it many times.
—And I’ll never tire of doing so.- said Itachi, turning away from the sunlight and getting out of bed- It’s my favorite book.
—I’ve noticed.- she sighed as she went to prepare the bath- By the way, Shisui-sama is waiting for you in the gardens to speak with you after breakfast.
—I see. Thank you for letting me know, Izumi.
—I’ve also laid out your clothes.
She wanted to say something else, but didn’t dare.
—I’ll head out now, Itachi-sama.
—Go ahead, Izumi.
Itachi exhaled when he heard her leave. He saw the navy blue kimono with the black obi, perfectly folded, along with the zori and two pairs of tabi that Izumi had left on a small table. He frowned and headed to the bathroom to clean up and rid himself of that uncomfortable feeling.
He knew that behind Izumi’s servile and submissive demeanor, her feelings for him were still hidden. Itachi couldn’t return them for two reasons: he loved her as a friend, nothing more, and because of their caste.
She is a beta. Itachi is a magna omega. The clan decreed it so.
Itachi belonged to the Uchiha clan, which ruled a vast expanse of territory within the Fire Empire, known for its mineral deposits and forest resources. His father, Fugaku, held the position of clan leader alongside his mother, Mikoto. He had a younger brother named Sasuke, and both were considered crown princes under the new laws implemented by Kings Madara and Izuna, who were his father’s brothers.
Unlike other nations, Uchihagakure* was ruled by two omega kings rather than a single alpha king. This was because no single alpha was powerful enough to stand up to the two brothers, Madara and Izuna. They asserted their authority over their alpha brothers, and their father, the former king, had no choice but to designate them as heirs. Upon his death, Madara and Izuna ascended the throne and set out to reform the old customs and laws that oppressed their caste, so that their future descendants would not face hardship. They ruled with an iron fist, yet with a gentle hand.
Despite being a small country, they were related to the kingdom of Konohagakure. Both kings of Uchihagakure were related to the rulers of that country and had fathered children: Hashirama and Madara had Obito and Tobirama, and Izuna had the twins Kagami and Shisui. Due to the nature of the parents, there was a minor dispute over which son would be the heir to their respective nations, which was decided in the most ridiculous way possible: in a game of poker.
Hashirama won, and Madara, seething with rage, accepted that Obito would be the heir to the kingdom of Konohagakure. Izuna consoled him by saying that one of their sons, Kagami, would serve as his second-in-command to ensure that Obito ruled well and didn’t mess things up. Shisui already held the position of heir to Uchihagakure, as did Itachi and Sasuke, since they were the only true alphas and omegas within the clan.
On the other hand, things were handled differently within the clan: the “privileged” castes were the grand alphas and omegas, which gave them a greater advantage than that of being merely normal alphas and omegas. The situation was different for the betas: since they made up the majority in this category and did not excel in any other qualities, they were assigned positions of servitude. This was the case for Izumi, who had been in love with Itachi since childhood and, thanks to the close relationship between their mothers, had been able to build a good rapport with him.
However, when her caste was revealed, she was demoted to being just another servant in the main house. She tried to plead her case before the clan leader and the two kings, but she received only rejections and a punishment meant to teach her her place. Fugaku was a ruthless leader and would never allow his precious firstborn to mix with someone of such a common and ordinary caste. Madara and Izuna argued that they knew such a union wouldn’t work, since she was a beta and could never conceive a child with a magna omega—and vice versa. Izuna tested this claim by suggesting that, if Itachi had feelings for her, perhaps they could reconsider their decision.
When they spoke to Itachi in private, both brothers realized that the young woman had taken a fancy to their nephew. Seeing the governors' refusal, she pleaded that they at least let her stay by his side to serve him. The governors agreed with reservations and secretly ordered other servants to keep a close eye on her in case she behaved impertinently toward Itachi. He found the situation uncomfortable, especially since the girl sometimes didn’t hide her feelings, but he felt guilty for having rejected her. Sasuke thought she was bold, and Shisui advised him to get rid of her before she did something foolish. Itachi was considering this last possibility.
To keep from letting the situation overwhelm him, Itachi submerged himself in the tub and set about washing his body with soaps and essences. He let his own scent—of camellias and cherry blossoms—emanate from his scent glands, and allowed himself to be enveloped by the blend of fragrances. When he was satisfied, he stepped out of the water and wrapped himself in a robe. He dried his hair, applied a few drops of flower oil to soften it, and brushed it carefully. He put on his kimono, obi, and the rest of his attire, making sure everything was in perfect order.
He left his room and headed to the dining room, where his family was already waiting for him, seated at their respective places at the table.
—Good morning, Otou-sama, Oka-sama.- he bowed respectfully to them and turned his gaze to his younger brother- Otouto.
—Nii-san.
Sasuke’s smile made his worries fade into the background. Itachi adored his little brother and saw him more as his own child. He was much more involved in raising him than his mother, since she had many responsibilities as the clan’s matriarch. To Sasuke, Itachi was his role model and his second mother—even more so than his own mother—and a unique, unbreakable bond had formed between them.
From the faint scent of peonies and plums, he knew Sasuke was very happy. He’d find out during their training sessions.
—Itachi, you’re up late.- said his father, looking at him suspiciously as he sipped his cup of tea.- Are you feeling all right?
—Yes, Otou-sama, I just read too much last night.
—Are you sure, my dear? I’d like the doctor to check on you.
Mikoto raised her hand, and one of the beta servants came over immediately.
—Go fetch Taisuke-san.
—Right away, Mikoto-sama.
—That won’t be necessary, Mikoto-oba-san.
Shisui appeared, and with that, Itachi was able to breathe a sigh of relief—albeit only a partial one. Shisui was his best friend and, one might say, the person closest to Itachi, vying for that spot with Sasuke, who would pout at him when his parents weren’t looking. Despite being the heir, Shisui was passionate about medicine, and the fact that Itachi’s health was so fragile led him to specialize in that field. He loved his cousin dearly—he saw him as his own little brother—and would do anything for him.
He was even much more overprotective than his own parents.
—I’ll examine him after breakfast so you can rest easier.
—All right, Shisui.
He dismissed the servant and ordered him to prepare a room for his nephew
—How are your parents?
—They’re fine, and they send their regards. They say they’ll come visit once they’re done with their business at the Iron Country’s Kings’ Summit.- Shisui sat down next to Itachi, ignoring Sasuke’s frown. -Hashirama-donno and Madara-ojisan say the same.
—We appreciate their regards. In that case, I’ll entrust Itachi’s well-being to you.- Fugaku gave him a serious look.- I don’t want you to overlook any details.
—I will, Fugaku-san.
—But, Oka-sama, I’m fine.
—No ‘buts,’ Itachi. I don’t want your health to be compromised.
Itachi didn’t respond to his father’s words, especially when he saw the worried look on Sasuke’s face. Unfortunately, Itachi had been very sickly since childhood, with serious lung problems and, more recently, heart problems. Even so, he proved that he could keep his ailments at bay with the care and medicine he received, so that he could measure up to Shisui as a potential heir to the throne or the clan leadership.
Sensing his brother’s distress, he released a small amount of his pheromones to calm him down. He smiled, having soothed the youngest omega.
—May I stay, nii-san?
—Only if you don’t interfere, Sasuke.
—Understood, Otou-sama.
—Say no more—let’s eat.
Breakfast began after Mikoto’s words and proceeded in a tense calm. Itachi noticed something strange in Fugaku’s expression; lately, his parents had been acting somewhat suspiciously, all stemming from reports from the squads patrolling the southern border. The fact that his uncles, the kings, had come wasn’t just a courtesy visit; they had come to discuss very serious matters.
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—How’s my nii-san, Shisui?
—His lungs are fine, except for his right one. And I thought I heard a heart murmur.- He gave Shisui a stern look, but Shisui ignored him after listening to his heart.-How long were you planning to keep this from me?”
—Today I thought I was just imagining things, but now I know that’s not the case.
—Tachi, your health is never nonsense.
—Is it serious?
—Calm down, Sasu-chan. There’s no need to panic right now.- He dodged the pillow the younger omega was throwing at his face. -I’ll consult with the leader of the Nara clan to gain access to his medical records.
—What about Tsunade-sama? She’s Naruto’s grandmother and a legendary doctor.
A deep blush spread across his pale cheeks.
—I-I can send a letter to Dobe asking him to treat Itachi-nii-san.
—That’s a good idea, Sasu-chan.- Shisui said with a mischievous smile. -You’ve been in touch with Naruto-kun a lot, haven’t you?
—T-That’s not true.- he muttered, the blush now spreading across his entire face-It’s just that he’s the only person I can talk to.
—The only person, huh?- Shisui flinched as he felt a pinch from Itachi. -Then you’d better send a letter to Naruto asking for an audience with Lady Tsunade. The sooner, the better.
—I’ll go right away and ask a servant to bring Taka from the aviary.
Sasuke hurried off, leaving Shisui and Itachi alone. The two exchanged a knowing glance once they were sure Sasuke’s footsteps were no longer nearby.
—Tachi, something’s troubling you, isn’t it?
—I’ve heard rumors, things the servants whisper when they eavesdrop behind the doors during Otou-sama’s meetings with the Uchiha councilors.- Itachi said, anguish in his voice. - The fact that there are rebels from the Land of Water raiding caravans passing right through our territories is alarming. And your parents’ visit, along with our uncles, confirms it.
—I’ve been investigating, and we’ve captured about twenty civilians matching that description. They’ve refused to talk, despite potential bribes and torture aimed at extracting information.
Shisui sat down beside him and took his hands when he saw how nervous he was.
—We’ll be able to keep it under control, Tachi; don’t worry.
—How much longer? This could spark a war between our two nations.- he said, squeezing the hands that were holding his - Kirigakure isn’t just any nation, it rivals ours in power and strength, and its leader is a sinister strategist.
—I’ve heard rumors that his power is comparable to that of a divine beast. Also that he was able to annihilate an army and subdue a village with just his sword.- Shisui snorted, clicking his tongue. -But we’re no pushovers either, and we’re certainly not weaklings. We have a certain advantage in terms of power and territory, not to mention our resources and allied forces.
—I see. However, there’s something that troubles me.
Itachi’s expression darkened.
—Lately, Otou-sama has been quite tense and very busy with the elder councilors, searching for a possible solution to this conflict.
—Those old vultures are still clinging to their outdated ideas. They’ve never forgiven Oka-san and Madara oji-san for joining forces with Otou-san and Hashirama oji-san. It seems they still hold the Uchiha’s ancient hatred toward the Senju very close to their hearts…—He paused when he saw that Itachi was deep in thought.—Are you afraid that your father might want to resolve the conflict in a different way? Tachi, if what you’re thinking is true, Fugaku oji-sama would be committing a serious offense by failing to inform the kings. He could be accused of high treason.
—He’s protected by his position as leader of the Uchiha clan; I’m afraid that idea has gotten into his head because of the advisors’ recommendations.
Itachi sank deeper into the pillows.
—Leader or not, his loyalty must be to the kings. Any decision, despite his position as clan leader, must be approved by Oka-sama or Madara oji-san, who must agree with that decision.
Shisui replied, considering any way to calm his cousin, letting a hint of his citrus- and cedar-scented pheromones waft through the air.
—They wouldn’t allow a war to break out if there were another option.
—I know that, but…
—It’s not just a war that worries you, is it, Tachi?
Itachi shot him an anguished glance, biting his lip under the strain of his cousin guessing that this wasn’t one of his fears. A few knocks on his bedroom door startled them, and they quickly regained their composure so as not to give themselves away. Moments later, the door opened and Fugaku, his wife, and one of the council elders entered.
The vultures were lurking, always on the lookout for carrion.
—Why is one of the council elders here?
Itachi discreetly took Shisui’s hand to calm him down and released a hint of his pheromones. It was well known that Shisui detested the clan elders with all his might for having repudiated his parents’ union—and, by extension, their offspring. He watched as the elder frowned and replied with concealed haughtiness.
—As a member of the council, it is my duty to be informed of the state of health of one of the crown princes, Shisui-kun.
—You forgot the ‘taishi,’ honorable elder.- he spat with subtlety and biting sarcasm, just as he had inherited from his mother.- Remember that you cannot address me so familiarly—or have you forgotten the rules of royal protocol?
Itachi had to bite his lip to keep from laughing; his mother had done the same, and his father merely snorted as he watched the elderly council member clench his teeth and grip his cane tightly. No one could argue with that: of all those present, Shisui held the highest social rank, acting as the kings’ representative.
—I apologize, Shisui-taishi.- the elder mumbled, then pressed on. -That said, I’m here to inquire about Itachi-kun’s health.
—I don’t think I need to remind you not to speak so familiarly: Itachi is also a crown prince, not just any ordinary boy. Show the proper respect.
Shisui’s expression darkened.
—A letter containing that information will be sent to you, so you must leave. Your presence is not required.
—I’m a member of the council and—
—This is a matter for the royal family, Kenji-san, so council members must only be informed in writing; they may not attend family meetings or enter their private chambers without proper announcement. Do not forget your place.
—His father, the clan leader, has granted me permission.
—And I, the crown prince and representative of the kings, deny it.
To further emphasize his position, Shisui let a portion of his magna aura escape to make it clear who was in charge. The old man swallowed his words, gave a quick bow, and hurried away, leaving a trail of unease in his wake.
—Shisui, you shouldn’t have done that.
—Someone has to remind those… elders of their place.- he hissed, controlling his pheromones. - Just because they belong to the council doesn’t mean they can do whatever they please. They’re nothing more than advisors. They shouldn’t assume powers that don’t belong to them.
Out of the corner of his eye, Itachi noticed his father make an almost imperceptible grimace, but he knew those words were also directed at him. A silent—yet threatening—reminder not to forget his position as leader of the Uchiha clan and brother of the kings.
He had to know to whom his loyalty lay.
—How is Itachi, Shisui-kun?
—One of his lungs isn’t functioning properly, and it seems his heart has a murmur.- He spoke quickly when he saw his beloved aunt growing alarmed. “Fortunately, we’re still in time. I’ll go personally to the Nara clan’s libraries to request their medical texts, and I’ve also asked Sasuke to send a letter to Naruto so that Tsunade-sama will grant us an audience.
—That’s a relief.
—What can we do in the meantime?
—Itachi must rest and take a tonic that I’ll prescribe for him.
He took a quill, ink, and paper to jot down some notes, then drew a series of seals to summon an owl.
—Deliver this as soon as possible, Shiro-sama.
—Yes, Shisui-sama.
The bird flew out the window, and Shisui turned back to his uncles. Itachi felt a little left out, since he hadn’t said a word since his parents had entered, but it wasn’t as if he wanted to speak either. He was exhausted and tense; his father’s presence only heightened the latter.
—I’ll continue: Itachi must rest and remain calm, so he must not attend any meetings or training sessions.
—That’s too much, Shisui.- Itachi protested- I feel fine and can continue with my normal activities.”
—No. As your official doctor, I recommend and order complete rest. No training and no attending meetings.
He was about to argue, but the alpha’s subtle wink signaled that he should follow the plan. This wasn’t a prohibition, but an opportunity to find out within the clan what his father and the troublesome elders were up to. No one would suspect Itachi, who would be resting to recover, and thus they would take advantage of his absence from the meetings to reveal their true colors.
—I get it. As crown prince, I must also take care of my health; I mustn’t be selfish or act carelessly.
—That’s right.- Fugaku agreed. - As my future successor as clan leader, you must take care of your health and stay well. You can take a few days off from your duties and lessons.
—Understood, Otou-sama.