CHAPTER - The bloodlines

(Third point of view)

The room was warm and cozy, a fire crackling softly in the stone hearth. Soft light bathed the room in a golden glow, illuminating the wooden furniture and the simple decor.

Makami sat across from Sasuke, her eyes fixated on him as she silently observed him eat.

The room was quiet except for the sound of Sasuke's innocent munching, blissfully unaware of the mysteries surrounding him. Finally, Makami spoke up, breaking the silence.

"Sasuke-kun," she began quietly, her gaze unwavering.

"Are you really sure that you don't remember anything else? Not even a little bit? Not even a tiny glimpse of something else from your past?" Her voice was soft and gentle, belying the depth of her concern for the young Uchiha boy in front of her.

Sasuke paused, his munching ceasing as he listened to Makami's question. He frowned a little, his young face scrunched up in concentration as he tried to remember anything beyond the knowledge of his own name.

He sat in silence for a few moments, his eyes fixated on the fire in the fireplace. As he looked at the flames dancing in front of him, a sadness filled his eyes, as if he was trying to recall something that just wouldn't come.

Finally, Sasuke lowered his head, his small shoulders slumping as if a heavy weight had been placed upon them.

"I wish I knew," he murmured, his voice tinged with a hint of sadness and a sense of loss. "I can only remember my name, but nothing else. It's like I wasn't meant to be here, like I don't belong."

Makami frowned at Sasuke's words, her expression one of concern mixed with curiosity.

Makami's mind whirled with thoughts as she continued to observe Sasuke. She pondered over how this could have happened to such a young boy.

She wondered what could have caused him to forget his memories, leaving him with only the knowledge of his own name.

She also wondered how he had ended up unconscious by the lake, alone and seemingly abandoned. She couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy for the child sitting in front of her, his young face filled with confusion and uncertainty.

Makami shook her head slightly, cutting off her thoughts as she remembered Sasuke's previous words.

The realization dawned on her once more that it wasn't normal for a child his age to think such deep, almost foreboding thoughts.

Makami looked at Sasuke intently, her eyes filled with a softness and tenderness that mirrored a mother's love. She called him closer, and Sasuke obeyed, approaching her with a questioning gaze and innocent eyes.

She gently poked his head, her expression one of stern determination mixed with a hint of affection.

"Don't think of those things again," she stated firmly.

"Just because you've lost your memories doesn't mean it's the end. Remember, an Uchiha never gives up, do you understand?"

Her head was held up proudly, the pride of the clan coursing through her veins. Seeing this, Sasuke held his head up slightly, a flicker of determination stirring within his young eyes. He nodded in response to Makami's statement, a hint of hope mingled with his innocent expression.

"An Uchiha never gives up," he repeated quietly, the words echoing in his mind as if they were a silent reassurance to himself.

...

For the next few days, Sasuke followed Makami like a little shadow, his endless curiosity driving him to ask question after question about everything he came across.

Makami, amused and endeared by Sasuke's constant presence but also slightly overwhelmed by his endless questions, patiently answered each one, taking the time to explain things in a way that a young child could understand.

As they walked through the market, Sasuke's eyes caught sight of a man walking past them, adorned in a large, red, heavy armor. He tugged on Makami's sleeve and pointed at the man, his eyes filled with curiosity.

"Makami-san," Sasuke said, his voice filled with childlike wonder.

"Why is that man wearing that armor? It looks heavy and uncomfortable"

Makami chuckled at his innocent question, She kneeled down to meet his eye level, her tone filled with a gentle understanding.

"Ah, you're quite observant, aren't you, Sasuke-kun," she said with a smile.

"That armor the man is wearing isn't something people wear all the time. It's specifically used by warriors during times of war. They wear it to protect themselves from injuries, such as swords, spears, or even ninja weapons."

Sasuke's eyes widened with fascination as he listened to Makami's explanation. But before he could ask for more details, Makami continued with a slight frown on her face, choosing her words carefully.

"War is like a big, fierce battle," she explained, her tone gentle yet serious.

"Sometimes, clans like ours must fight other clans for various reasons. During those times, people wear armor like that man to protect themselves from being wounded or hurt."

As Makami finished her explanation, her gaze shifted to Sasuke's small face, now reflecting a pang of sadness in her eyes.

She looked at him quietly for a moment, her thoughts consumed by the reality of the world they lived in and the dangerous path.

The memory flashed through her mind. It was of Tajima, the former leader of their clan, who had sent young children into battle during the past.

The memory brought a pang of sadness to Makami's heart as she recalled the tragedies that had befallen those young lives.

Tajima had five children in total - three had perished in the war, leaving only the eldest son and the youngest one alive.

Makami's expression darkened as she thought about the sacrifices those children had made far too early in their lives.

Sighing in defeat, she reached out and gently ruffled Sasuke's hair, a bittersweet smile on her lips.

"Sasuke-kun," she said softly, her voice gentle but firm.

Gently, she placed a hand on Sasuke's small shoulder, her gaze meeting his

"Even though war can be dangerous and scary, our clan is strong and resilient. We have traditions and history that we must uphold."

Sasuke's eyes blazed with a newfound resolve as Makami's words sank in.

The mention of the clan, tradition, and history ignited a fire within him that he didn't even know existed.

He clenched his small fists, his young face filled with newfound purpose and determination.

"Makami-san," he spoke up, his voice surprisingly resolute for a young child.

"I want to learn more about our clan's traditions and history. Teach me everything."

wide smirk spread across Makami's face, her eyes gleaming with satisfaction as she observed the determination radiating from Sasuke.

The will fire burned brightly within Sasuke's heart and veins, signifying his determination to uphold his clan's honor and traditions.

There was no doubt that he was a true Uchiha, destined to fulfill his ancestors' expectations and carry forward the name of his clan without disappointment.