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Uchiha Sae has a unique family, you could say.
His father was a strong shinobi from a powerful clan whilst his mother was a civilian.
Two people who you would never think would be compatible and yet their relationship grew every day. Considering he was one of three children.
Sarada, his older sister had followed the same footsteps as her father and decided to be a kunoichi. Her dream was to become the Hokage, Sae could see that.
She was compassionate, sociable and could quite easily break up any fights with her own threats. If she were to succeed, she would be the first Uchiha as Hokage and that would be a sight to see.
He on the other hand wasn’t sure which path to lead.
Granted he was only five, but usually at this stage kids his age would know who they wanted to be. Sae wasn’t sure what he wanted to do and had no passion he could think of, he felt that surely it was his destiny to follow his father as he was the oldest son.
Sae didn’t want to be a disappointment to him or the rest of the clan.
His parents however were supportive, saying he could take his time.
‘Don’t rush at such things. There are plenty of roles to take other than being a shinobi. If it’s meant to be it’s meant to be.’
His father, the Uchiha Sasuke was surprisingly understanding. His mother would tell him it’s because of the way he grew up, that he didn’t want their children to go through what he did and allowed them to enjoy embracing and just be kids.
They had never forced their own lifestyles onto their children. Simply allowing them to experience the joy and wonder. Sarada as a toddler quickly grew fascinated with the shinobi life. That was why she was on this path, and even then, her father would have talks with her when she struggled.
Even with his parents blessing, he still couldn’t help but feel like he was falling behind compared to everyone else.
Sae was helping his mother tidy up the house as there was so much clutter. They were currently going through one of the closets. Rin had wanted to help so he gave him small tasks that were easy for toddler his age whilst he would do the ‘heavy lifting’ insisting that he could carry such heavy items to his mother.
The boy had tried to pick up a box from a higher shelf and knowing what was coming Sakura quickly went over before the box fell on top of him completely. Only a few items managed to escape and one of them being a pink and white ball that rolled out.
Sae went to fetch the item to inspect it, the ball was quite dusty and old but still intact.
“Mama, what’s this?” Sae tugged at her clothing to get her attention as she adjusted the box.
“Hmm? Oh, wow. This takes me back; this is my first football.”
“Football?”
“Yes, it’s a game civilians play. Although it has gotten quite popular over the years with shinobi. When I was your age, your grandfather would take me to these games back in his hometown. He even taught me how to play since I was so fascinated.”
“How do you play?”
“Well, there are quite a few rules, but the idea of the game is that you work as a team to kick the ball from one side of the area to the other and score as many goals as possible before the time runs out.”
Sae tilted his head, still unsure of what she was talking about.
“I guess it would be easier to show you a game rather than explain.” Sakura mumbled with a sweat drop. Considering how young they were, it would be easier to show and explain along the way.
“Alright, let’s take a break.”
They had moved to an open area in a forest, one which Sakura was familiar with as this was her ‘secret practice spot.’
“So, I just kick the ball?” Sae looked at his mother unconvinced.
“Yes, like this.” Sakura demonstrated kicking the football, instead of rolling straight it flew and went high and high into the air, until it couldn’t be seen. “Ah, that is… not how to do it. I may be a bit rusty…”
However, both Sae and Rin looked at their mother in amazement with how high the ball flew.
“That’s so cool! I want to do that!!”
“Rin wants to too.” The young boy clapped.
“Boys, please. The aim is not kicking the ball high… well at least not that high.” The ball landed next to them with a thump and Sae was quick enough to react and reach for it before Sakura could running and kicking the ball ahead.
‘Well, at least he picked it up quickly.’
“Wait for me brother! I want to kick too!” Rin chased after Sae as fast as he could with his little legs.
The past few days Sae had been quiet and kept to himself however Sasuke had noticed there was a sudden change today with how excited he was and how quickly he was wolfing his food down.
“Papa, did you know mama could kick a ball that it would fly into the sky?” He said it with his mouth full, as if he couldn’t contain such ‘important’ information a secret.
“Ah, I’m aware.” It was how they met, her ball hitting him right in the stomach because her aim was off. Sakura’s cheeks turned pink knowing exactly what he was thinking about fully embarrassed. Sarada easily caught the look they were sharing.
“Urgh, please. Not at the table you two, there are kids here.”
“Sarada! It’s not like that.” Sakura chided.
“Do you think we can watch a football game? Mama said they’re popular in grandpa’s hometown.” So, this was what all the fuss was about. “You’re interested in football?” Somehow, it wasn’t that surprising as it did run in the family.
Kizashi was a huge fan of football since he was a boy and despite being a girl he wanted to share his hobbies and interests with his daughter. Sakura had picked up on Kizashi’s interests with as much enthusiasm and her goal was to one day play a match with them.
Unfortunately, it never happened as unlike her father they remarked that football was a game for ‘men’ and that women couldn’t join them. It devasted her but she accepted it, on the hopes that instead she could make her own team with women back in Konoha. That idea itself was shut down as not a lot of people cared for the sport and since then Sakura’s love for the game had died down with it.
Perhaps with Sae’s new passion, his wife could rekindle hers.
She would have to be the one to teach Sae anyway and show him all the tricks and knowledge.
“Rin wants to kick! Rin wants to kick!” The youngest exclaimed all excited, perhaps make it both their sons.
“There’s a game next week,” Sakura looked at her husband with hopeful eyes. “I figured we could make it a fun family outing, unless your schedules are too busy.”
“I can find some time.” Sarada interjected.
“Sure, it’ll do them some good. Besides, I don’t think we get a say in the matter with those looks.”
“Yaaay!” Sae by now had finished his food and went out to practice his kicking.
“Sweetie, you need time to rest and let the food go down.”
Too late, he was out of earshot.
Sasuke wouldn’t call himself a football fan, he knew a lot about it with the way Sakura constantly talked about the sport. It sure didn’t look hard to do, kick the ball to the other side.
Seemed simple enough.
Of course there were rules that they had to follow, such as not using your hands to push and get to the ball. But again, being a shinobi Sasuke had faced harder and life-threatening tasks so he didn’t see the big deal. However, seeing that Sae and Rin couldn’t keep their eyes off the game, watching where the ball went from one direction to the other. If this is what made them happy then he’ll support them.
One of the players on their team was suddenly on the floor clutching his leg.
He had only turned his head for a moment, and this is what happens?
“Mama, that’s a foul play, right? He can’t do that.”
“Foul play!” Rin copied his brother. He was probably too young to understand the game itself and what was going on. Sasuke had no doubt he’ll take after his brother though.
“Well done, you’re picking up the game quicker than I did.” Sae grinned and continued to watch the game. As expected, they had taken off the other player too. It seemed this team liked to cheat. Sae watched each person studying their movement. Noticing how most of them had their own style, the rest just did what they wanted making no sense. Perhaps it was because he was an Uchiha that he noticed these little things but everything about the game got him excited more.
Maybe this was his calling.
“No papa, you have to kick the ball harder like this.” Sae demonstrated trying to show his father how to kick the ball properly. “Then I can tackle you on the side.”
….
Perhaps he underestimated how difficult the game was, it should be simple enough to kick a ball, but Sae wanted him to keep running whilst kicking the ball so he could practice his tackles.
“Hmm, well you can’t teach an old dog new tricks.”
“Who are you calling old?” Sasuke turned to look at Sarada as she stuck her tongue out. Laughing at how he was failing on such a simple game.
“Your brother is only three.”
“Yeah, and I’m sixteen. Proving my point.” They did have her quite young.
“Well, Sarada is right dear. Most football players retire before any shinobi do. That’s just how it is.” Even his own wife was betraying him too.
“Say, papa why does mama look so sad sometimes whenever football gets brought up.” Sae sat next to him on the couch. Ah so he did notice.
“Your mother wanted to play in a game like you but was denied because she was a girl.” Sae let out a dramatic gasp. “What? But mama’s really good at football and-”
“I know but tell me, do you see any woman playing in any of the matches you watch.” Sae pondered about it for a moment realising his father was right. That there was no woman playing football. Maybe they weren’t interested but even so, if one of them did then surely, they could join in on the matches.
“Tsk! When I get older, I’m going to make Konoha have a football team!”
“Oh? You are now?”
“Yes, and there can be one for men and one for women, mama will like that right? It’s not fair to exclude them. Right papa?” Sasuke smiled softly, ruffling his son’s hair lightly.
“If that is what you want but you will have to work hard. Few people in Konoha care for civilian sports so you must show them what they’re missing.”
“I will!” He was determined to make it happen.
Years later and Sae had fulfilled his promise. Konoha now had their own football team and of course he was one of their top players.
There was a bunch of fangirls squealing gushing about Sae.
They were most likely there for him rather than the sport itself, still no matter how loud they were.
“Shanarooo! That’s my boy!” They would never match her. He could hear his mother’s cheers anytime he scored.
‘How embarrassing.’ Sae thought but it didn’t matter. He did this all for her.