A few quiet days slipped by. Indra stared at the calendar hanging on the wall, the inked squares mocking him with their silence.
"Twelve days have passed… and still, my brother hasn't even sent word." His voice was no more than a whisper, lost in the empty room. With a sigh, he rose, sliding the door open and stepping into the morning air.
The training ground called to him, but as he walked, his path was suddenly blocked.
Two older Uchiha stood before him. One was a younger Fugaku, his sharp eyes already carrying the heavy authority of the clan's future head. Beside him stood another boy, spiky-haired, lips curled in an arrogant grin.
"Where is your brother, Indra?" Fugaku demanded, his voice calm yet laced with suspicion.
Indra met his gaze, unflinching. "He's on the battlefield front."
The other boy chuckled, exchanging a glance with Fugaku before they both walked away, their footsteps heavy with unspoken judgment.
Indra's brows furrowed as he watched them disappear down the street. A faint unease lingered in his chest, pressing against his ribs like an omen he couldn't name. He shook his head and quickened his pace.
Soon, he found himself outside the Uchiha compound, where Minato and Noboru were already at work. Shuriken glinted under the sun as they practiced their throws, the rhythmic sound of steel cutting through air filling the field.
"Okay! Minato first!" Indra called out.
"Indra!" Minato's face brightened as he and Noboru jogged over.
"How are you? Did your brother come back?" Noboru asked, cheerful as always.
Indra shook his head. "I'm fine. My brother hasn't returned yet."
Noboru slumped dramatically, sighing, "Aweee…"
Indra's gaze flickered as a thought gnawed at him. He said he was a jōnin because of his Mangekyō… but isn't that impossible? He's only fourteen. No record of him exists in Konoha's history—or the world's.
Pushing the thought aside, Indra readied himself. Noboru stood back to observe as Minato charged. Their exchange was fast, Minato's kick blocked and countered by Indra's precise strike. The clash ended with Minato sprawling back, clutching his jaw.
"You dislocated my jaw!" Minato groaned.
"Sorry…" Indra muttered, guilt flashing in his eyes.
Minato wasn't done. He darted forward again, his movements quicker, sharper. Indra's leg whipped up to intercept, but Minato's figure blurred—gone in a blink.
A voice rang behind him, calm and certain. "Okay, you're out."
Indra froze, his eyes widening as he turned. That speed… was that Swift Release? Or just my imagination?
"Good job, Minato," Indra admitted with a tight smile. "Now it's Noboru's turn."
Noboru bounded in, grabbing Indra's arm and trying to twist him into a suplex. His effort was clumsy, and Indra's balance held firm, forcing Noboru to stumble back.
High above, unseen by the three boys, Renji sat perched on a branch. His dark eyes followed every move with quiet interest.
"My brother… training civilians?" he murmured, lips curling into the faintest smile.
The wind rustled through the leaves around him, carrying away his words before they could touch the ground.
—A while After.
Golden streaks of sunlight spread across the grass, glimmering as the three boys panted heavily.
"Indra! When we all fight together, our senses should sharpen, right?" Noboru asked between breaths, his eyes bright with excitement.
"Yeah," Minato added, nodding. "Like in a real battle—we'd be able to instantly shift our stances depending on how many enemies we face."
"You're not wrong."
The calm, steady voice came from behind Indra. Minato and Noboru stiffened, eyes narrowing toward the figure approaching.
Indra turned, and the moment his eyes landed on the familiar face, his chest tightened. His lips trembled, but the next instant he broke into a smile and ran forward, throwing his arms around him.
"Brother!"
Renji chuckled softly, hugging Indra back, his hand ruffling his younger sibling's hair.
Indra pulled back, eyes gleaming. "Okay, guys! I'll be leaving first!" He grabbed Renji's hand, not giving his friends a chance to respond, and dragged him toward the exit.
Renji tilted his head, amusement flickering in his eyes. "What are you doing, Indra?"
"I wanna try a ramen place with you!" Indra's grin was contagious, impossible to refuse.
Renji sighed with mock exasperation before bending down and hoisting Indra onto his back, his little brother's legs dangling over his chest. "Fine. Point the way."
"Right! To the right!" Indra commanded like a general leading an army.
---
"Okay—we're here!"
Indra hopped down, gesturing proudly at the small shop. Renji's eyes narrowed as he read the sign.
Ichiraku Ramen…?
He stepped inside, following after Indra, only to be greeted by a familiar cheerful voice.
"Teuchi-san! How are you?" Indra beamed.
"Fine, Indra."
"We'll get two lamb ramen for now!"
"Coming right up!"
Renji stood silently beside his brother, studying the exchange. Indra's excitement seemed to radiate across the small shop, and then his little brother's words struck him.
"Teuchi-san, I didn't forget this time! Here's my brother!"
Teuchi turned, smiling warmly. Renji gave a small bow, his manners refined despite his fatigue. "Hello, Teuchi-san. My name is Renji Uchiha."
"Welcome to Ichiraku Ramen, Renji!" Teuchi replied before vanishing into the kitchen.
They sat together, and soon steaming bowls were placed in front of them. The rich aroma of broth and meat filled the air, and Renji's gaze shifted instinctively to Indra. His little brother's eyes were fixed on the food, drool glistening at the corner of his lips.
Has he… even been eating properly while I was gone?
Renji's jaw tightened, but before he could speak, Indra wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. "Itadakimasu!"
In the blink of an eye, Indra attacked the bowl with chopsticks, pulling noodles into his mouth with deadly precision. His eyes lit up at the taste, and Renji couldn't help the soft smile tugging at his lips. With a small chuckle, he picked up his own chopsticks and began to eat.
For a short while, in that tiny shop, the war outside didn't exist. There was only the sound of brothers eating together.
---
After finishing and paying, the two strolled back through the streets of Konoha, the lamps beginning to flicker on as night crept in.
"Brother!" Indra suddenly piped up. "Two Uchiha came to me today, asking about you."
Renji's eyes narrowed slightly. "Me?"
Indra nodded. "Yeah. I told them you were at war."
Renji stopped in his tracks, leaning closer. "Wait. How many people did you tell that?"
Indra laughed awkwardly, scratching the back of his head. "Almost all my friends… oh, and Teuchi-san. And those two Uchiha."
Renji pinched the bridge of his nose, sighing. "What did those Uchiha look like?"
"One was Fugaku—I'm sure of it. The other had spiky hair but… ehh, I forgot."
Renji nodded. "That's enough. Fugaku is plenty to know."
As they reached the Uchiha compound, Renji placed a hand on his brother's shoulder, his voice firm. "Listen carefully, Indra. Don't go around telling people I'm at war—and that you're home alone. Many would take advantage of that. Do you understand?"
Indra nodded obediently. Renji softened, patting his head gently. "Good."
They stepped into their home. "I'm back," Renji called softly, though no one else was there to hear it.
The two cleaned the house together, laughter echoing as the tension eased, then showered one after the other.
That night, Indra curled against his brother, his small hands clinging tightly.
And for the first time in many days, he slept soundly.
Because...Renji Is Back.