14. Mistake

Uchiha Hamada was once an anbu. He became a highly skilled shinobi at a young age, true to his noble blood. In the clan, he had claimed his rights to be under the clan leader's list of the next right hand man. However, the achievements he had were nothing but the expectations he had to fill for his parents. He was an obedient child with strict parents but everyone respected the family and their heir.

When they died in a mission, Uchiha Hamada was left alone to decide what he wanted to do next in his life. He really had no idea until he met a woman that changed his life. She was as ordinary as he could think of, a clanless florist that helps in with the Yamanaka and down to earth, her smile was the warmest.

Hamada couldn't leave her out of sight. He didn't favour the flowers as much if it's not for her. Who knew that his every week presence at the flower shop would make himself noticed by the woman called Natsuno. They started with a simple greeting to having a small conversation and finally going out together.

Somehow, they ended up in a marriage. Hamada quit his life as an anbu and his peers were disappointed in him. He married an ordinary woman, not to mention he wanted to quit being a shinobi. However, he couldn't run away from his clan's duty- Fugaku asked him to stay. It would be very wasted of his knowledges if he quit being a shinobi overall. Natsuno didn't mind, so he gave up ever asking Fugaku to make him an exception-- in a few conditions, he didn't want the attention and wished to delete the records of his achievements. He deserves at least that for his past contributions and the Uchiha's leader agreed, never asking why out of respect.

After a year and a half, Natsuno had shown signs of pregnancy. They didn't expect her illness was a sign that she would soon be conceiving a child, nevertheless they were overjoyed. Hamada gave her his full attention, he didn't attend any of the clan's meetings until the baby was at least six months old.

Natsuno had hoped her child would be as humble as Hamada, as beautiful as the flowers. If it was a girl, she would be named "Hana", she would be as graceful as a flower and if it's a boy, "Guren". He would be as strong as a burning flame.

When the baby reached nine months old and at its peak, Hamada wasn't there. He was occupied with work, unaware of his wife's condition until she was sent to the hospital. Fortunately, Natsuno had Hanako as her company at the time. She was the one that had went to find Hamada and told him about Natsuno.

Hamada arrived at the hospital and was immediately given a devastating news. His wife, unfortunately can't be saved. Only god knows how shocking that was. Hamada mourned her for weeks with a baby in his embrace. A baby named after the crimson coloured-lotus. Once again, he had no idea what to do in his life. Not after the reasons for his life gone, leaving the child she bore with him. Hamada became lifeless, just like he was in the beginning.

Guren grew up just like she wanted. Humble and obedient. He resembled Natsuno so much that Hamada couldn't help but feels sad everytime he looks at the boy. So he occupied himself with piled up works and more works, until the child was two years old. He finally felt like he should at least spend some times with him. He felt guilt because they never had a proper communication. So he read him stories- he never said anything about his wife, fearing the overwhelmed sadness that might appear- Or taught him how to read. It wasn't much because he hadn't felt familiar yet being a single father.

Guren learned the rest by himself and he somehow never complained. He never said a word to his irresponsible father. All Guren did was training and until now, Hamada never did find out how he learns so fast. Of course he knows that Guren was unique, but when he found out that Guren had his Sharingan awakened, he felt another dreadful guilt. How could he not noticed? How could he not realised that his son was a genius?

"You weren't looking."

Guren's words that day changed Hamada's mind. He was hurt, but it was truly his fault so he decided to quit being a shinobi completely. This time, he'll finally look at him without having to think of his late wife. He'll make sure that he never misses a day of Guren's growth.

But to his dismay, the third hokage asked him for a last favour before he quits. Because of the war, Konoha has lost its soldiers and in needs of help. Hamada had no choice but to agree

With this last mission, he'll finally be able to have a proper family time. Guren will learn about his mother and he will not have to face everything alone.

He went home one day, seeing Guren in front of the entrance, seemingly waiting for his return. It has been days since they talked, because Hamada was preparing for his retirement and he was exhausted. Who knew it would be hard speaking to his own son after a while. Guren said he had something to say. It was a rare sight, he looked like an eager child. Perhaps it was a good time to tell Guren about his retirement.

But he couldn't think of the right words and they ended up not telling each other anything. He then found out that Guren was trying to tell him about his first mission outside the village.

Hamada wrote a letter because he was afraid. Afraid that he might not be able to convey his words properly. He was scared that he might not be able to see Guren anymore after hearing how bad the situation was. Hamada will try his best to stay alive, he had promised to be with Guren but his days of being a shinobi tell him otherwise. He had to be prepared for anything.

Hamada thought that his mission was over. His relief was uplifted when the third hokage sent him a late notice of Guren's disappearance. It was the second time he felt as if the world is collapsing. And he didn't want to experience that fear again so he ran, despite his injuries, he ran with thoughts of his promises.

He will not let their precious child, born out of his and Natsuno's love to die. Never.

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Guren was somehow separated from Yahiko and Kie. The one by his side was Nagato and they were running towards the border- leaving the other two behind per Yahiko's order.

The shinobi that chased Nagato earlier was Konoha's anbu. It was strange for them to be seen there, why would they be there in the first place?

Guren was in a deep thought when he was suddenly pushed aside with a strong force. He didn't fall but instead, skidded backwards. His eyes immediately caught Nagato's back against him as the man's scream pierced his eardrums, "Go! I'll cover you."

Guren nodded, moving his feets forward and left Nagato behind with the anbus. Some who had gotten past Nagato were chasing after the boy. Guren couldn't help but noticed two of them from behind. He kept running nevertheless, pulling a few explosive seals out from his pouch and stick it to the trees he ran by. Not with the intention to injure them but to to interfere with their line of sight. So that he could find a place to hide temporarily. It was impossible to fight with two anbus, highly skilled shinobi placed under either the Hokage or the one who works behind the shadow, Danzo. It was probably not the latter. They've been running for a while but none of them had sent any attack towards Guren.

So Guren decided to halt, a kunai was held firmly in his grip and his eyes turned a blazing bright scarlet. The two behind him followed suit as they contemplated the brave boy across them. "What do you want?"

One of them who has a slender figure of a female kunoichi, stepped out. She had a mask resembling a raccoon on her face and she was the one to speak, "Uchiha Guren, we're here to validate your actions accordingly."

"What are you mumbling about?"

"Report to us what you had schemed with those Amegakure's shinobis or you'll face the consequences."

Guren was irked, he had no clue of what he had perceived but he had a guess that they were the Root, anbu under Danzo's command.

So Danzo was already in Amegakure.

"Are you referring to the Akatsuki? What does a child like me has anything to do with them?" Guren bluntly answered.

"Haven't you realised that your existence has been acknowledged by Konoha? You have the potential to be a great shinobi. "

Her words were intimidating. Instead of 'acknowledge', he knows that it could also be intrepretated as a 'threat'. Uchiha Guren was a potential threat to Konoha. And that was a first. But the possibility was low, not until he was found out associating with the Akatsuki. Who was it? Who was the spy implanted in the Akatsuki and reported to that asshole?

Danzo was the one who felt that Amegakure was a threat to Konohagakure. If Akatsuki and Hanzo, the leader of Amegakure combined, Konohagakure will face trouble. And if an Uchiha, the most feared clan in Konoha itself is to join Amegakure's shinobi-- Guren understood Danzo's fear. He wasn't a foolish old man. Clever.

Danzo won't let him go as easily. He would have to withstand being under the old man's watch so he put on his fighting stance, "I'm done talking." Sooner or later, he'll probably lose his life since he was already been deemed as a threat.

"Fine, suits yourself." The woman took a step back and lifted her right hand over her head, her fingers formed a sign, "Have you seen a wave before?"

The other anbu vanished and went behind him. Guren gritted his teeth when he realised he was completely surrounded. He stole a glance behind to see the man doing nothing but standing still. His attention then went back to the woman, "I've seen water dragons before." He murmured under his breath. He hoped he could deal with another waterstyle jutsu.

"What was that? I can't hear you!" She immediately weaved a sign with both hands just slightly over her head and she slammed her hand down, a wave of water follows. The water overwhelmed his presence and slammed him down to the ground, hitting him in the head as Guren was unable to dodge. He laid on the ground, wincing in pain.

"That's it? Rat hasn't even moved from his spot." She laughed, walking towards the boy. She couldn't help but felt amused. The boy had fell unconscious with only a B ranked jutsu? How the hell was this pitiful boy be considered as a threat to Konoha? "Lets bring him back, Rat." Her gaze shifted towards the man- but he wasn't there. "Rat?"

Suddenly, her vision blurred and she felt numb on her abdomen. Her throat was burning as she coughed out blood. Trembling, she brought her hand to her stomach and saw the all familiar crimson liquid.

The boy was no longer on the ground, no longer with the injuries he had from her Jutsu. He stood in front of her with a bloodied arm and kunai. The blood wasn't his. It was hers. Unable to endure the pain, she fell flat on the ground.

Guren looked down at the unmoving body, then he checked on the guy with the Rat mask on. He was the first one to fall after Guren had used his Genjutsu, then the woman. For sure, Guren's use of Genjutsu had gotten a lot better compared to the first time in this life. He wasn't confident earlier but it turned out fine. The Root anbus are strong, they are handpicked by Danzo himself. But people kept forgetting of Shirai. Madara's brother that resided in a child's body. Guren was glad eventhough it drained a lot of chakra.

He inspected the bodies, especially their tongues. Just once, he wanted to see the cursed tongue eradication seal that was implanted on every Root members to prevent them from leaking important informations. He grabbed the man's mouth, forcing it to open as he pulled out the tongue with his gloved hand.

When he was finally satisfied, he raised himself up and took a deep breath. His glowing scarlet faded into his normal dark orbs. Finally, he can try to figure a way to get back with Yahiko and the others. There is no way that he will continue his journey without his tour guides. Not to mention if he had to fight more shinobi that would come in his way, he would rather have comrades by his side.

"Guren? Is that you?"

Guren was snapped out of his trance when a familliar voice came from his back. He immediately turned around to the source and his eyes widened when he had seen the figure standing in front of him. "Father? What are you doing here?"

Hamada's eyes contemplated the child, having found him to be a little taller than what he had remembered, "Guren, lets go, you're safe now."

Guren was confused. After a few moments of silence, a hoarse voice appeared next to the boy, "Oh, he's arrived. I was about to inform you." The voice spoke with a hint of being sarcastic. "It seems like i was a little late." The boy looked at his right with narrowed eyes, not surprised by the presence of Zetsu. He was sure that Zetsu purposedly appeared at a bad timing. His attention went back to Hamada who was in shocked after seeing a creature of unfamiliar sight by his son's side.

Hamada hastily pulled Guren to him and brought out a kunai with the same hand, bringing the curiousity in Guren's mind. Why was his father's movement stiff? Then it hit him. "Father, you're injured?" His father was covered in a robe, so he didn't notice.

"Get back, Guren." The older man pushed his son behind him, protecting  the boy as he went on his defense stance. He ignored Guren's words as it wasn't as important as saving the child's life. "Who are you?" His voice sterned, earning a smirk from Zetsu. But they didn't respond.

They continued to stare relentlessly. It wasn't a stare directed to Hamada, but instead, a signal for Guren. A look of expectation for the one behind the man and they won't stopped, until he make his move. They were both staring at each other, something that only they understand and Hamada wasn't stupid. He noticed this weird atmosphere. Not to mention, Guren didn't react towards the creature when it had appeared earlier.

As if.. they were acquainted.

"Guren--" Just as Hamada was about to finish his words, he felt a stinging pain on his chest. He turned around as best as he could while enduring the pain to find his child, Guren with a kunai in his grip, trembling. His gaze was lowered to the ground, unable to meet his father in the eyes. When he pulled out the kunai, the blood splattered on his face and the shaking didn't stop.

The red liquid on Hamada's chest kept trickling down his body as the pain spreads like a burning fire. He was stunned with what had happened but was unable to rearrange his thoughts. The only hand he was able to lift was trying to reach to the child's face however, he couldn't muster the strength to anymore. He fell on his knees and finally, his face hit the ground.