Old Blood

The Mejin studied the scene in front of him, keeping his amusement well hidden. He was peripherally aware of Kakashi-kage and Genma-kage, watching the scene from behind the decorative tapestries that lined the walls.



He noted the way that Akira soothed and gentled Sasuke without realizing how much the boy needed it. He noted the wildness in the boy’s eyes and the desperate way he’d spread himself wider to get as much of Akira behind himself as possible. He saw the way Akira let himself be protected, as if realizing that Sasuke needed to be able to protect someone the way he hadn’t been able to protect his family and friends.



Well played, Kakashi-kun. He thought wryly. You read the board deeper than anyone I’ve ever played.



“Ashiwara-sama, please arrange for Akira-kun to be moved to the Heir’s chambers.” The King said after a moment of silence. His Chancellor looked startled, then elated, and finally bustled off in a flurry of joy.



As soon as he was out of sight, Sasuke’s kunai disappeared and the boy went to one knee, head bowed and fist on the floor. He looked so serious and small, a perfect little miniature ninja, that King Touya bit the side of his tongue lightly to keep from laughing. The boy’s grief was so fresh, his need to atone so palpably great, he wouldn’t understand that the laughter was not meant mockingly. Touya Koyou would never mock passion that deep, or make light of someone else’s obsession. Not after his own lifelong quest for the Divine Move.



He could feel his son’s quiet anticipation. Sending away the Chancellor and elevating Akira to Heir had been a brilliant opening salvo. Sasuke had taken the second hand on himself. It was the King’s move; Akira-kun would have to wait and see what his father would do before he could play his next round.



He held the silence a little longer, studying the boy. As usual, Kakashi-kage had planted the perfect seed. He could, in fact, guarantee that the boy wouldn’t murder in their sleep. By giving him something to protect, something to make his life meaningful.



By giving him Touya Akira.



Shinobi were tools, weapons. No tactician worth his game would leave such a sharp tool lying around carelessly. It could be broken or dulled. It could break.



It could be taken, picked up by someone else and used against those foolish enough to leave it unclaimed.



And if that happened, someone could get hurt.



“Uchiha Sasuke.” he said finally. “Only a Chunin can make the decision to become a Royal Kage. Only a Special Jounin can take the test and swear the oath. Only a full Jounin – the best of the best - can truly be an effective Kage for a King.”



Sasuke didn’t move. Touya could swear the back of his hair was bristling, however. Behind him, Akira was watching, blue-green eyes wide and full of questions. He looked exactly like his mother, fine-boned and graceful, and Touya Koyou loved him with every part of his being.



He looked at the child on the floor, the toy soldier offering up that which he was far, far too young to truly comprehend. For a moment, he felt sick with shame, disgusted with the fact that he was about to twist this young boy’s grief and anger and guilt at surviving into a shield to keep his own child safe. But he was a King as well as a father, and what he might not have done solely for his child, he had no choice but to do for his Heir.



At least...he liked to believe he wouldn’t do it solely for his child.



“My son will be officially sworn in as my Heir at sixteen. You have nine years. Nine years to become Jounin. You can if you wish, offer your life to him once you become Chunin, but you may not legally be tested for Kage until you are Jounin.”



“As it stands now, however, you are not even Genin. You have nothing to offer my child.”



Both boys flinched as if slapped. Sasuke began to shake, tiny quivers rippling across his narrow shoulders.



“Except friendship.” Touya Koyou added softly. “Which is, I believe, a far greater gift than blood.”



Akira sucked in an audible breath. Sasuke’s head snapped up and he looked at the Mejin with uncomprehending wonder. Touya could see his left hand convulse around something he was clutching in his fist. Questions chased themselves across his face, which had been carved from rock moments before.



He was allowed this? He could have this?



“Get up.” the King said gently. “Go. Play.” He smiled at them, at their faces filling with happiness and joy, and felt compelled to warn them. “You don’t have long, after all. Sasuke-kun will have to go to Konoha Academy in the fall.”



Akira flung himself forward and hugged his father tightly, than dashed over, grabbed Sasuke and fled.



Air displaced with a gentle woosh-ing sound on either side of him.



“Tell me, Kakashi-kun.” Touya said, gazing down the hallway after his son, “Why is it again that you don’t play go?”



Kakashi’s eye was direct and almost kind.



“I’ve told you before, Koyou-sama.” he said gently. “I could never play to your satisfaction.”



“I’m simply not ruthless enough.”









End Old Blood







A/N: Read and review, please. I'm working on a sequel. We'll see what happens.