There's a smile. A thin, small one. But it's there. It was very kind of Father to try to quell the visitors in his home so that he could actually have peace and quiet with Mother, and tend to her garden in time if she so wished.

He's away so often that he unfortunately forgets Fugaku can be lenient. He tries to time it, he really does, too much time away and it seems like he's trying to separate from the clan entirely, and to little time gone and he'll be roped into grooming for the clan head too early for his liking.

He knew he'd have to do it eventually. It was really only a matter of time, and when the time came his silent and subtle protest would cease. He would put up with anything he had to.

Anything so Sasuke could continue making his own choices, even if right now they were trying to catch up to Itachi, still.

"Mm, I'll appreciate that." As little comments about his lack of a love life would always be appreciated. It's now he looks ahead, retaining his earlier passive expression. He's sure they'll leave as soon as the rain wants to clear up.