All the More Precious

Authors' Note: I've been working on this collaboration for awhile now with one of my closest friends. She wishes to remain anonymous. This is our first time writing a collaboration together. It's going very different from my other work because the themes in it are much more somber than my usual writing: death, loss, grief, healing, family, and finding love again. If any of that bothers you, you might want to turn back now. For those of you still here, we hope you enjoy this tale and reviews are always appreciated.

Story Warnings/Spoilers: In the interest of being fair, I'm letting readers know ahead of time there will be at least one major character death in the beginning of this story. Hiashi is also going to be portrayed in a manipulative, if not outright evil. In the past, I've portrayed him positively, neutrally, and sometimes negatively. I do believe that he'll come off the worst in this story, though. Depending on readers' perceptions, characters may or may not be out of character since this is a modern setting and they're dealing with completely different circumstances than in canon.

Disclaimer: We don't own Naruto or make any profit from our fanfics.

Chapter 1

Her hands were going numb. She could feel her fingers begin to tingle under the whiteness of her knuckles. It didn't matter though; nothing mattered now. She continued to grip the steering wheel firmly, allowing the hum and vibration of the machine underneath her to lull her into a safe mental space. The music filled her, soothing her, a playlist of her mother's favorites blaring through the speakers. The sun's rays were no threat to her sensitive, emotional eyes, behind the dark tint of her sunglasses.

Behind them, she was untouchable, and life was just a memory. They were a gift from her uncle, to accompany the car her father gave her for her birthday. She gripped the steering wheel harder, small foot pushing the gas pedal even farther to the floor.

She had no destination; no consideration for anyone she left behind. For the first time in her short life, she was selfish. Nothing else mattered to her except easing the pain she felt, and the walls of her childhood home stifled
her. It had once been her sanctuary and now…she just wanted to burn it to the ground.

Most of the time, Uchiha Katsuki was content to be at home, spending time with her parents. Today, a month after her sixteenth birthday, she couldn't drive away fast enough. She couldn't bare her mother's sobs anymore. She couldn't take the looks of pity from her aunt and uncle as if they could see the future and just know how badly her life was about to suck. She turned the music up louder, through the controls on her steering wheel, and attempted to drown out the memories she just couldn't escape.

Katsuki fumbled through her school bag to find her house key. Her white blouse stuck out in all directions from her sweater vest, untucked from the plaid skirt of her school uniform. One sock had already fallen completely to one ankle, the other hardly covering her knee. Her black leather shoes were comfortable, but pointlessly heavy, and she couldn't wait to get out of them. Her sweats and t-shirts called to her…if only she could find the stupid key.

"Ah…ha!" She declared, producing the brass instrument and sticking it solidly into the lock. It turned smoothly, unlocking with the satisfying 'click' she'd recognized as her first mark of returning home from a long day at school.

Her brown leather messenger bag hung heavily on her shoulder, laden with the books of her advanced placement classes. She'd always taken more than her fair share of difficult courses, knowing that her father's business would one day fall to her. No matter how much he pestered her to 'have fun and be a kid', the underlying pride in his eyes was why she did what she did. Her mother always fussed over her, but being an only child, she'd come to expect it. She enjoyed having her small world exactly as it was, with her parents and extended family, punctuated by the occasional school friend.

Her mind was distracted, the music continued to fill her via the headphones stuck deep inside her ears. She fumbled in the dim lighting of the foyer, removing her shoes else to be scolded her mother later, tripping over her own feet into the living room.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!"

The intense shout from the crowd of people in her home startled her, causing her to jump and attempt to use her school bag as a weapon to defend herself. A flash of light blinded her, followed by the swift 'chick' of a shudder. As her vision cleared, and her eyes widened as she realized that she wasn't being mugged. She dropped her bag and pulled out her headphones.

"W-What?"

"It's your surprise party, Ka-chan!"

Her cousin, Keiko, bounded over to her, her deep brown eyes and hair bouncing with light. The others in attendance scurried about, turning on music, helping her mother set out refreshments, and otherwise enjoying the most informal party ever held in her home.

Katsuki allowed her cousin to embrace her firmly, enjoying the affection from the older girl. Keiko Hyuga was an anomaly. Her pale brown eyes were the perfect mixture of her parents. She'd inherited her father's hair but her mother's personality. She understood what duty, honor and family meant to the Hyuga, but where they were only black and white, Keiko was shades of gray. She stood taller than Katsuki by a head and was older by a good seven months. There hadn't been a time when Keiko hadn't adored Katsuki. She treated her like the little sister she didn't have and Katsuki was glad to have such a doting 'older sister'. Her cousin was fiercely protective of her, but ultimately, crumbled to the younger girl's will. It didn't escape Katsuki that her Uncle Neji treated her mother the very same way.

Her Aunt Tenten had once said that she was the product of her Uncle Neji's indulgence, but Katsuki had never understood that. Her uncle was never indulgent. That didn't mean that he wasn't doting. Keiko had been the first
Hyuga child born in nearly two decades and she was her father's pride and joy and he showed it. Where Katsuki had preferred the simplicity of her life, Keiko indulged in the Hyuga's hedonistic preferences. She was Hyuga,
through and through, and that fact had brought pride to Hiashi.

It had been no secret that she was named clan heir in their grandfather's will, despite her mother's humble origin. Katsuki's own mother, Hiashi's eldest daughter, had declined the role in favor of marrying her father. She didn't know why Aunt Hana didn't take it but for whatever reason, Uncle Neji stepped up. It didn't bother her, or anyone else, because he was made to replace her grandfather in retirement. She loved her uncle like a second
father and clan politics had never been a concern for her anyway. Hiashi Hyuga had passed the mantle two years ago and had been broody ever since.

Hiashi Hyuga would never win any Best Grandfather Awards. He didn't fawn over her (Keiko either, but he was warmer to her cousin). He'd never offered her his sagely wisdom or hard candies or whatever it was grandfathers were supposed to do. Hiashi had just tolerated her and for the longest time, she'd assumed that's what grandfathers did.

Keiko was bursting with glee, happy to have finally surprised her cousin. Katsuki was quiet by nature, observant to a fault. Rarely did anyone catch her off guard. Today, though, seemed to be the exception.

"My birthday isn't until next week."

"You're so hard to surprise," she whined, "sooo Auntie Hina helped me pull this off! Consider it payback for mine last year." Keiko winked, pulling her in for a hug.

"Gee, you're so thoughtful," she replied playfully, allowing Keiko to hug her again.

"AH! You're so big now!" she declared, "I can't believe that my baby Kachan is all grown up now."

Katsuki rolled her eyes as her cousin released her. "Because seven months difference makes you ancient."

Keiko nodded sagely, "I remember when you would hide behind me at these parties, so excuse me if I get a little sentimental." She wiped a nonexistent tear from her eye. Everyone who mattered to her was here, even her grandfather had shown up.

"How'd you get Hiashi here?" Keiko let out a small sigh and an uneasy smile replaced her usual bright one. She knew how he outwardly favored her over Katsuki, and it made her uncomfortable. It had never mattered to her that Keiko was the favorite, she had her parents and that was more than enough for her.

Keiko rolled her eyes, "Grandfather only came because your dad's parents sent you some extravagant gift and you know him…can't let the Hyuga be outdone by anyone. Not even in the birthday gift arena."

Katsuki let her eyes fall over the gifts and instantly recognized the gold wrapping paper that signified her grandfather's present. It was going to be outrageously unnecessary and she truly hoped she didn't have to open it in front of him. She also found her paternal grandparents' gift, wrapped in a bold navy blue, sitting proudly next to it. Her mother was always so careful to arrange things equally between them.

Katsuki had never met her father's parents or brother, but she knew that they thought she was special. It was weird at times, because they had become entities to her rather than people. While her mother's family had adopted a more American front, her father's family was very proud of their heritage. The whole of the Hyuga clan had immigrated her when her mother was in college and, shortly after, had met her father. They were married back in Japan, and her mother said that even her own father wouldn't take the time to return for the ceremony.

"Uncle Tachi, isn't our baby all grown up?" Keiko said, sniffing dramatically, conveniently changing the subject.
Katsuki sighed, shaking her head.

"That she is Keiko-chan," her father's baritone rang in the kitchen,"Katsuki."

She turned to her father's voice and her anxious thoughts instantly left her. She smiled brightly at him and ran to his open arms.

"This is my cue to go annoy my old man," Keiko said, hugging her once more, "see ya' later!"

When her cousin practically bounced into the living room, she returned her attention to her father. "Dad, were you in on this too?"

He welcomed her in his strong embrace and hugged her a little tighter than he usually did.

"I did," he said, releasing her, "and I'm now considering enrolling you in martial arts. I doubt that poor bag will stand a chance if you actually needed to use it." His dark eyes sparkled as he teased her, and she puffed her cheeks out in frustration. Her cheeks growing rosy under his loving gaze.

"Whatever, Dad," she mumbled.

His laughter filled the space between them, infectious. Katsuki couldn't keep herself from laughing with him and before long, her mother was by her side.

"Happy Birthday, sweetheart," she said, scooping her daughter into a fierce, warm hug. She was used to this; Mama's sentimentality was one of the things she loved about her. She relished in the scent of lavender and
vanilla, the smell evoking warmth in her heart and the many memories of being cared for by the woman who gave her life.

Her father watched them, although Katsuki knew he was mostly entrancedby her mother. She was his anchor and the force that always guided him home.

"Hina," he said smoothly, "should we show her?"

"Yes, I think we should," she affirmed, releasing her daughter from her hold but still grasping her hand.

"Let's sneak away before we're missed, hm?"

Nodding she walked with her parents out the kitchen door into their driveway. It was an unusually sunny day for Washington state, but she didn't mind. She enjoyed the company of the two people she loved the most and who, quite possibly, loved her in return even more.

"What's out here?"

"You'll see," he said, his voice playful.

"I don't see any—"

As they rounded the corner to the front of their home, she stopped. Her eyes widened and her bright smile grew.
"No. Freaking. Way," she declared, "is this for…"

"Yes, Miss Katsuki Uchiha, this is your car. Happy Birthday."

She squealed, running to hug her mother and then her father. "Thank you! Thank you!"

She was shouting now, but neither of her parents seemed to mind. Katsuki ran to her bright blue sedan and opened the door to jump in and admire it fully.

"You know, Hina, I don't think she likes it. I can always take it back…"

"NO! IT'S A-AMAZING!"

"Itachi," her mother giggled, "don't tease her."

She ran and hugged her father once again, squeezing him as tightly as she could. "It's perfect Daddy! I love it!"

Itachi beamed, "I got a 'Daddy' out of this. It was a successful gift."

He came to her mother's side and she smiled, shaking her head at their antics. Katsuki was blissfully unaware of her parents loving gazes and intimate conversation…

"I'm not sure how we'll top this next year," he said.

"You already spoil her, I'm sure you'll find a way."

"Of course, I do," he said wrapping his arms around her, "I enjoy lavishing gifts on the two most important women in my life. Mother would skin me alive if she thought I was anything less than adoring."

"Yes," Hinata giggled, "I imagine she'd do just that, especially considering Katsuki is her only grandchild."

They were quiet for a moment, conversation taking a serious turn.

"Do you regret it?"

"Hm?" she questioned, turning in his arms to face him.

"Not having any other children. Had I known I'd be diagnosed with—"

"Itachi," she said, raising a finger to his lips, "it's a miracle that she even exists. I'm quite content with our life together and she's more than enough. I've never felt incomplete with our family. I have a daughter and a husband
whom I love very much. Don't worry about such things."

He smiled at her then, one of the smiles that left her breathless. Itachi leaned into her, his lips finding hers and the world around them stopped. She melted into his arms and they were content to let the world pass them by.

"Guys, really?"

They broke a part, her father smirking and her mother's face brightening in embarrassment. This was commonplace for her; they were always affectionate with each other. She would normally let them have their fun but today her house was full of people—namely people from her school— so having her parents make out in the front yard wasn't particularly appealing.

"Katsuki, if it weren't for our love, you would not exist," Itachi said, making her squirm.

"Dad, that's…ew…now I'm just grossed out."

"Itachi," her mother chided, squatting his chest, "it's her birthday. Leave her be."

"Alright, my dear, this day is as much about you as it is our darling daughter…remind me, how many hours of labor was it?"

'Not this again', Katsuki groaned. Without fail, every year on her birthday, her father would recount the day of her birth.

"Thirty-six," Hinata said, giggling at her daughter's pitiful expression.

He wrapped his arms around her mother's waist and propped his chin on the top of her head. Katsuki brought her hand to her face. She'd always knew her father was too dramatic for his own good. Her mother thought it was charming.

"Thirty-six painful, agonized hours to bring you into the world. This angel of a woman, bestowing upon me the greatest gift of my life, suffered thirty-six hours of labor so that my only child—"

"A daughter," Katsuki corrected.

"—a daughter—could pierce the world with her cries of life. I've never seena more beautiful sight than your mother after childbirth. Look Hinata, our love given life, stands before us right now. How did sixteen years fly by so
fast?" His tone had turned wistful, almost sad, the usual spark in his eyes replaced with something she'd never seen before. Her mother, eyes already full of tears, reached out for her hand.

These two people in front of her had given her a life of happiness and love. She'd never been neglected in favor of work from her father and she'd always been her mother's priority. They were busy people but she always known that either or both of them would be by her side in an instant if she required it. She noticed the wrinkles at their eyes and brow, the gray forming slightly in their hair. When had they aged? She was so busy living her own life, that she'd forgotten how devoted they'd always been to her. She never lacked for anything, including their attention.
Her heart was tight inside her chest and she hurried to her mother's arms.

Katsuki hardly cried but right now, she just couldn't stop the tears from coming. Somehow knowing, her parents embraced her, her mother shushing away her fears and her father's strength giving her warmth. She was the luckiest person she knew and was positive she didn't deserve such wonderful parents, but was oh, so very glad they were hers.

"Hey, Katsuki!" Keiko called from the front door, "Come on! We've got cake in here literally with your name on it!"

She pulled back from them, allowing her mother to wipe the tears from her eyes.

"Go on, sweetheart, we're right behind you."

Katsuki nodded and hurried back into her home. Hinata and Itachi followed closing the door behind them. They found their place beside her, joining in the familiar tune and begging her to make a wish. She looked around her, pale eyes scanning each face in attendance.

Surrounded by her friends and family, she just couldn't imagine any other place she'd rather be.

She couldn't breathe anymore. Pulling over, she stopped her car and the shaking and emotions all finally overcame her. Her once loving and happy home had become a shell of what it had been. In the span of a measly thirty days, her life had been swept out from under her.

Katsuki pounded on the steering wheel in frustration.

Why?! Why did it have to be him?

The tears flowed and sobs wrecked her body. Her father didn't deserve this. He'd promised to be here for her! He'd always promised that and now…he wasn't. Her mother's wails still echoed in her mind. The chill that had settled over her from the night before still hadn't left her despite the sunshine.

The damned weather was mocking her now.

She couldn't take the warmth; she didn't care to bask in the light. All she wanted was to know why fate had taken her father. The man who saved lives with his hands. He was the best heart surgeon in the country! How many people had he given a second chance, and yet it didn't seem to matter? Her father had always been there. The man who made her mother's face light up just by walking into a room. The man who'd made her feel safe, and special, and treasured. It didn't make any sense. How could one day a person be in the next room, teasing you about your hair and then the next day, they just be gone? Nothing about her life made sense anymore. The only fact that remained was plastered at the forefront of her mind and relentlessly refused to fade away.

Her father was dead and there was nothing she could do about it.