7 Emotions

After the first day in the academy, Obito and Gin were walking home.

"Gin, what did you mean by a normal life?" Obito asked in confusion. Although he wanted to ask earlier, the instructor noticed everytime students weren't paying attention or chatting amongst themselves.

'Ah, so that's been bothering him?' Gin smiled, while he spoke. "I don't want to fight. Afterall fighting is something that's meant to be done by the brave, which I am not. That's why I want to live a normal life."

"You don't have to be scared Gin. Once I become the Hokage, I'll protect you like I'll protect everyone." Obtio proclaimed, failing to understand Gin's reason.

Hearing this, Gin didn't reply. His perpetual smile however grew slightly wider.

"Gin, Grandma said that we need to go to the Uchiha main hall after class. The clan head wants to address all the new students attending the Academy this year." Spoke Obito suddenly remembering.

"Yes, I remember." Replied Gin, smiling.

............

Uchiha Compoud

A man with long spiky black hair, wearing the traditional high collar Uchiha outfit, sat at the head of the Uchiha Main Hall. This man was Izuru Uchiha, the current clan head of the Uchiha Clan. In front of him were fifteen youths.

Gin was one of the fifteen youths in front of the man. 'So this is the famed Izuru Uchiha. Also known as Dream Killer, famed for his powerful genjutsu. His name is 'Izuru' and he's my leader, how ironic....' (If you know bleach, then hopefully you'll get this reference.)

"Our Uchiha clan is the pillar that Konohagakure leans on for support. We alongisde the Senju clan founded the village, three generations ago. Being the founders not only blesses us with presitige and power, but also the responsiblity of protecting the village and the people of the village. That's why it's crucial for Uchiha to be stronger than others. Not becasue we are better than them, but to protect them." As Izuru spoke, pride and greatness started filling the minds of the youths in front of him.

"The reason, I've gathered you here, is to pass down our clan's famed Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu. If learned to perfection, this jutsu will be one of your trump cards, even as a Jonin. You may also visit the library select the various shurikenjutsus, bukijutsus and kenjutsus we have." Izuru spoke, as he withdrew a scroll from his pocket. He bit his finger, and place it on the scroll. The scroll disappeared in a puff of smoke, and in it's place were fifteen similar scrolls.

Hearing the tern Fireball jutsu, students stared at the scroll in awe and longing. Learning a jutsu no matter how insignificant represents officially joining the path to becoming a ninja.

One by one the students went upto the clan head, Izuru, and recieved their scrolls.

During the entire ordeal, Obtio was perhaps the most excited by all this. 'Finally. I can become the Hokage. With this jutsu, I'll scare away anyone who harms the village.'

Gin on the other hand wore his usual expression which consisted of half closed eyes and a wide smile. '.....So this is a jutsu.' Gin thought to himself, as he stared at the the sealed scroll in his hand.

"Gin, come on let's head back home and start studying the jutsu." Obito, spoke unable to contain his excitement.

"Alright then." Gin replied with a smile.

But just as the two brothers were about to head out, they heard someone calling out to them from behind.

"Gin Uchiha, please stay back." The clan head, Izuru, spoke. The roughness in his voice and the cold look in his eyes, made it hard for people to judge this mood from his words and expressions alone.

Hearing this Gin and Obito quickly stopped in their tracks. '.....Has this man noticed anything? Not possible. Afterall, even I myself can't believe that reincarnation exists. Also I didn't just pop in existence. But then what does he want?'

"Lord Izuru, how can I help you?" Asked Gin politely, asfter turning around. Even as he spoke to the Uchiha clan leader, he wore a smile on his face.

'...What an interesting youth. Not only does he respond fluidly, but he shows no worry or fear when facing me.' The clan head, Izuru, revealed a rare smile. "I will explain in a moment. Let everyone leave first."

Hearing this Gin quickly spoke to Obito. "Obtio, wait for me back at home. I'll come after my meeting with the clan head."

"Ah, okay." Obito really didn't want to leave his brother alone, but hearing the clan head and Gin's words, he decided to wait for Gin outside the main hall compound.

The only remaing memebrs were the clan head Izuru, Gin and a heavy atmosphere.

"Take a seat." Izuru spoke, gesturing Gin to sit.

"Ah, thank you." Replied Gin with a smile.

"The reason, I've called you here today is to speak about your father....." Izuru's voice softer and softer as he reached the word father.

Gin was taken a aback. 'My father?' The mentions of his father and mother were but a fleeting moment in his new life. He didn't know them nor held any true paternal duties towards them. Afterall he wasn't their real son. So although he was curious, he never gave the matter much thought.

But for a five year old boy growing up without a father and mother, the thing they'd long for the most is their parents. Knowing anything about them would bring a five year old orphan untold joy, and that was exactly the part Gin was going to play. It would be odd if a five year old child didn't show any interest in his missing or dead parents.

Gin turned off his facade, which resulted in his smile turning into a neutral expression. His half-closed eyes were fully open, revealing deep black pupils. "Yes Lord Izuru, please tell me."

Seeing Gin's expression, Izuru felt guilty as he spoke. "Your father's name was Miyabi Uchiha, and he was a member of Anbu."

'Was? Is he dead? I thought he was a traitor?' Although Gin was slightly confused he continued to listen carefully.

"Your are too young to comprehend the missions of war, but your father failed in fulfilling one of these missions on behalf on village." Izuru sighed, as he spoke.

"...and failing one of these missions makes him a traitor?" Questioned Gin, trying to feign interest.

"The situation is bit more complex than that, but the leaf was divided between two viewpoints. One believed that your father perished and didn't become a traitor, while the other believe that he sold out the village. But most people believe in the former, which also includes me." Izuru spoke.

"Ah, I understand." Gin agreed, as he cast his gaze downwards.

"...Although it's not likely, some might tease you or insult you for being the son of 'traitor'. I want you to know that Miyabi was a splendid shinobi who gave his life to protect his friends even at the door of death." Izuru, couldn't help but reminisce about his old friend. "What happened to your mother was truly regrettable...."

"....I understand Lord Izuru. Leaving aside my parents, I'm grateful for you having assigned Grandma to take care of me." Replied Gin, wearing his facade once again. Gin already guessed that his 'mother' commited suicide cause she couldn't bare the insults and taunts.

Seeing the boy's wide smile, Izuru was perplexed. 'He knows how to let go of the past and focus on the present...'

"I didn't assign Kyouka (Elderly Woman) to take care of you. She herself took a liking to you and wanted to adopt you into her family. Although I did put you in her care until I could find a suitable home, but turned out I didn't need to search any longer." Izuru spoke.

'...What? She took care of me off her own volition? She wasn't forced into it....? I thought she was just fulfilling her duty towards the clan....' Gin, was flabbergasted. He didn't how or when, but he started to feel warmth after he heard about what the elderly woman did for him. 'What is this....feeling?'

Gin quickly regained his composure and spoke. "Lord Izuru if that is all, I'll be leaving. I don't want to worry Obito and Grandma."

"Yes. Of course." Izuru replied.

Gin got up and gave a formal bow, as he proceeded to leave. Just as he was about to leave, Izuru spoke. "Gin, I want you to remeber, that the Uchiha clan will always be your home, parents & family. The entire village leans on the Uchiha clan for support suring tough times, but what about us? Even we are human, even we need support sometimes. So we lean on each other support. So don't hesitate to reach out for help if things get overwhelming."

Gin didn't turn back. "I know Lord Izuru."

................

Outside the Uchiha main hall, Gin found Obito leaning against the wall and sleeping, with the secret scroll lying about on the ground.

'This idiot.....' Gin didn't know whether to prank him or just simply kick him awake. "Obito, wake up."

Hearing this, Obito jolted awake. "Gin...are you done?"

"Yes. Shall we head home?" Gin asked with a smile.

"Yeah. We can go home and start studying the Fireball jutsu." Exclaimed Obito, as he bend down to pick up his scroll.

'Study the jutsu..huh..' Gin thought to himself. '..If I learn how to control chakra or learn jutsu....there's no going back. I don't wish to fight or learn anything related to fighting.'

'I have no purpose in this world, and I don't intend to find one either. I merely want to exist. I also have nothing to protect.....' Gin thought about the purpose of existence, but as his thoughts came on the term 'protect', Rangiku's image seemed to disappear from his mind. Slowly the elderly woman's and Obito's image started to appear in his mind when he thought of the word 'protect'.

Gin shook his head slightly to dismiss his thoughts. 'No..they don't need protection. The village and Uchiha clan will protect them....'

"Gin, do you think there will be meat for dinner?" Asked Obito, seeing that Gin was dazing off.

"I hope so." Smiled Gin.

"To be honest, I don't really care. I love grandma's cooking." Obito drooled, as he thought about food.

'Love.....' Gin's mind pondered over the word, before he replied. "Me too."