Chapter Text
20 years ago
„Congratulations, he’s a dominant Alpha!“
The doctor informed my mother, who seemed overjoyed at the diagnosis. Her hand reached out to cup my face and I couldn't help but notice the slight tremor in her hands. She lightly tapped her forehead against mine and whispered incoherable words under her breath. Her relief at my diagnosis was palpable.
I didn’t understand it, I never did. Their obsession with ones secondary gender has always been foreign to me, what does it matter?
But I suppose I should be happy that I’m an Alpha, a dominant one at that.
Alphas have it easier in society especially if they’re like me and get diagnosed young.
,They’re natural born leaders‘ the elders say when they talk about how Alphas will rule the world. Deep in my heart I’m relieved, I know what it would mean to be an omega in a family that is dominated by Alphas. It would be a disgrace for the family, ad we cant have that. Not again.
16 years ago
„It’s a heavy burden, you know. Being a knight isn’t a fun job, so think it through. It comes with hard work, sacrifices and hard choices. Are you sure you’re ready for that?“
Itachi leans against the door frame of the changing room in which I am getting ready for my investiture.
He’s always been against the idea of me being knighted at 16, the ‚golden age of knights‘ according to my father.
Itachi wasn’t fond of the idea of me joining the military and being a knight and I could never figure out why.
„Father expects me to, so how much of a choice do I really have? He wouldn’t let me live it down if I didn’t join now, you know what he’s like.“
„You have a choice. If you don’t want it, then don’t do it! Don’t risk your life just to satisfy fathers demands!“
I freeze momentarily, before adjusting my cuff links and turning around to face him. I always assumed that the reason he didn’t want me to join the troops was out of envy – father created this kind of rivalry between us ever since he made us earn his love.
But when I face him and dare to look into his eyes, I see another emotion, one that I can’t quite figure out. It’s dark and unsettling and unlike my brother, who’s always composed and kind hearted.
My eyes dart down to his hand, which is shaking as he slowly lifts his index and middle finger to tap my forehead – a habit he’s had from when we were kids, when we were close and could trust each other. I instinctively take a step back and avert my eyes as I move past him to leave.
„Sasuke, wait.“ I turn around and he sighs softly.
„Just be careful and…don’t make the same mistakes I did.“ I nodded slowly and walked down the long hallway toward the ceremonial door.
Present
„General Uchiha, there have been only 12 new recruits this season. The numbers are getting smaller every year, what are we going to do once people stop joining?“ Shikamaru informed me.
Shikamaru is also my close friend, and one of the only people whose judgment I trust. He’s correct, less and less people are joining the army which heightens the risk of attacks and weaker military power.
I’ll have to take matters into my own hands and make good with the soldiers we already have „I will train them personally this year to see for myself. Arrange the training to be taken place in the western mountains starting tomorrow and inform the soldiers.“ Shikamaru nods and turns to leave but hesitates at the door,
„General…should I inform the crown prince about this?“
„No need for him to be troubled with matters like this. Hand me the information you have on the recruits and leave“ My tone comes off harsher than I intended to, but I can’t worry about that.
The crown prince cannot know of this. He’s already looked for reasons to get rid of me and this will ‚prove my incompetence’ Shikamaru hands me the file containing all the information we have on the new recruits, and leaves the room. I sigh as I pick up the file and lean against the window, looking through the information about the different recruits. I come to a halt as I stare at the file of one recruit. I stare at the picture provided and…stare.
I stare into clear blue eyes, blonde hair and soft features. His full body picture reveals a lean but less defined body, in a frame not much smaller than me. The file says he’s 5’10, so he’s surprisingly not much shorter than my 6‘2 frame.
Naruto Uzumaki
25 years Old, born October 10th
5’10 ft
First Sex: Male
Secondary Sex: Beta
Family: parents deceased, no siblings, no further information
Birthplace: Kingdom of Konoha, no further Information
Past: worked in a tavern for two years before he quit due to ‚personal issues‘, no criminal history, no further information
Skills: skilled in swordsmanship, had best exam results
„25…“ I mumbled under my breath. He looks a lot younger, I would have guessed 21, but he’s only 7 years younger than me. Quite the pretty face. That’s going to get him into trouble with the other recruits.
I doubt that Kakashi will let him join precisely because of his face, his application will most likely get rejected. Cases of Sexual Assault or even rape are by no means rare in the troops. We have taken all the steps to avoid it and protect the soldiers from each other but when you put hormonal young men into a closed space with no women, they are bound to get out of control.
That is precisely why we don’t recruit Omegas, since they are easier targets compared to Alphas and Betas, but this guy has quite the face despite being a Beta.
I throw his application toward the other rejected recruits, and look through the remaining profiles.
By the time I’m finished preparing everything for the upcoming training, the sun has already set and the sky’s changing from the clear blue to a dark purple. I push back my chair and gaze out the window at the summer sun slowly setting before closing the blinds.
Walking down the halls at night has never been something I’m fond of. The emptiness and haunting silence are a constant reminder of my past that I so desperately want to forget.
The light of the candle illuminates the dark corridor and my feet move almost instinctively to the one place I should be avoiding. Once I reach the doors to the most haunted chamber in this place I feel as thoughts body isn’t my own anymore. My hands reach for the door handle instinctively, but before I can open it I hear a voice calling me and snapping me out of my trance.
„Sasuke, what are you doing here?“ I turn around to be met with the masked face of Kakashi.
His eyes flicker to the door behind me momentarily and he sighs, seeing right through me and realizing what I was about to do.
„What are you doing here?“ he asks, even though he probably already knows.
„Just wandering.“ I say, feigning nonchalance as I pull my hand back, hoping he won’t press further. I roll my eyes at the sigh he lets out and I catch his eye glancing at me with something close to pity. I feel my jaw tick with annoyance.
„What do you want, Kakashi?“ I don’t make an effort in fixing my tone talking to him.
„I wanted to check on you, considering...you know, what tomorrow is. I know it’s painful to be reminded, but–“
„I know how to handle my emotions, Kakashi. I’m not a child anymore.“
Kakashi stares at me momentarily without saying something, but eventually sighs and drops his hand in defeat. "Fine, don't listen to me, but don't do anything you'd regret.
Don't forget, tomorrow you'll be meeting the new recruits, so make sure to get enough sleep and," he grabs me by the shoulder
"be on your best behavior. We don't need a repeat of last year."