A/N: Okay, Chapter Two has been written, edited, and is ready to post! Also, after writing this chapter I discovered that the scenes with the home videos take a lot longer to write out than I thought. Because of this I think that this story might pan out to be around ten chapters rather than five. There's a lot of footage they have to get through, not to mention that Naruto and Sakura's friends are going to leak into Tsunade's office little by little too. So yeah, this story is definitely going to be more than five chapters! :)
Well, that's all I have to say for now. On with the story! :)
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto. I only own Miki and Kazumi.
Chapter Two: A Glimpse Behind the Scenes
Tsunade pauses the DVD the moment Kazumi speaks her daughter's name. Not because she no longer wants to watch it, but because she wants to hear what the others think. The moment she pauses it thoughts start pouring in. Specifically, the thoughts come from the room's skeptics.
"Okay, there's no way that this lady's for real! No woman would ever marry Itachi Uchiha!" the jinjurichi exclaims loudly.
"I'm sorry, Lady Tsunade, but I have to agree with Naruto," supports Shizune. "Itachi was only twenty-one when he died, and that was just a couple weeks ago. He was far too young to have a wife, let alone to produce another Uchiha. I'm not sure what this woman is trying to do, but whatever it is it must be a hoax."
Eyes narrowed curiously, Sakura goes up to Tsunade's desk and pulls the portable DVD player closer. A few seconds is all it takes for her to disagree. Pointing to the little girl, she speaks out.
"I'm not sure if that's true," says the pink-haired girl. "Just look at Miki. It's been a while since I've seen Sasuke or Itachi, but I remember what they look like. This little girl looks exactly like them."
Kakashi walks up behind Sakura and peers at the screen over her shoulder. "I have to say I'm on Sakura's side, here," says the copy ninja. "I don't know if this woman, Kazumi, was actually Itachi's wife or if that is really her daughter, but Miki definitely has the features of an Uchiha."
A short moment of silence passes before Shizune speaks again. "Lady Tsunade, what do you think we should do? Do you want to dispose of the DVD now, or do you want to turn it over the elders?"
"I will do neither," replies the Lady Hokage after a moment of hesitation. "Press 'play', Sakura."
Again, nobody speaks. The moment the video is off of pause all eyes return to the screen. Only a minute or so after continuing to watch it already gets more difficult to believe that this woman wasn't married to Itachi. Not just because of what she says, but because of what she shows them. Eyes glued to the screen, they each listen as Kazumi speaks.
"…When Itachi died several days ago I didn't plan on telling anyone about our marriage, about Miki, or about what he was actually like. Itachi knew from the moment we met that our time together would be short, and it was his dying wish that I not inform anyone of his true self. As soon as I figured out that Sasuke killed him I tried to make myself respect his wishes, but…I just couldn't. Letting everyone believe that man I loved, married, and had a child with was some insane murderer and an evil Akatsuki member…it isn't right. As the Hokage, you have the right to know about Itachi's true self, Lady Tsunade."
Kazumi hesitates momentarily, brown eyes turning deep and sad and nostalgic. If they didn't know any better, they would say that it looks like she's trying to hold back tears. Clearing her throat, the young lady continues.
"If I was there in person I would simply tell you what he was like. But I'm not there in person, and even if I was, I doubt you would believe me. So instead I'm going to show you what Itachi was like. In the years after we met, from the time Itachi was fifteen to twenty-one years old, we made home videos. Some were filmed by me, others were made by Itachi himself, and there were even some things that his partner Kisame recorded. What you're about to see is our whole lives up until a day or so before Itachi's death, starting with the footage I recorded. There are only two copies of this footage in existence. You have one copy and I have the other, so consider yourself lucky to have this."
Suddenly, Kazumi's daughter interrupts. "Are we going to show them the daddy videos, mommy?" she asks with a bright grin.
Smiling kindly at the child, she says, "Yes, doll, we're going to show them the daddy videos. Right now, actually."
Onyx eyes brightening, Miki claps. "Yay! We're showing them the daddy videos! Itachi is my daddy!" Turning to face her mother, she asks, "Mommy, when is daddy coming back? I want him to see them too."
In that moment, listening to her daughter's question, something in Kazumi's composure breaks. Shutting her eyes tightly against tears, she whispers hurriedly, "Here is the first set of videos, Lady Tsunade. I hope you watch them."
With that the faces of Kazumi and Miki instantly cut to blackness. Sakura is about ready to press "pause" again, probably to ask Tsunade if they're actually going to watch the private home videos of a deceased Akatsuki member. However, one look from the woman is enough to know that she wants to let the video play through. With that the people in the room watch as rocky walls, bright artificial lighting, and the back of a large gray sofa comes across the screen. Along with that comes the sound of soft footsteps and giggles. The giggles are feminine, making it very apparent that they belong to Kazumi. Based on the angle of the camera and how far away she is from the sofa, she seems to be looking at some sort of large main room from a narrow hallway.
Releasing another string of giggles, Kazumi rotates the camera. First a rocky wall with a light switch shows, then a long endless corridor, after that there's a tall ceiling with rocky spikes hanging down, and finally it gets to Kazumi's face. The instant her face shows they can't help but be surprised. Her face, which looked to be about twenty or twenty-one when she introduced herself and her daughter, now appears to be about fourteen. This is all it takes to show how long she has known Itachi for. If she was really around fourteen when they met, and Itachi knew that their time would be short just like she said in the beginning of the video, it would only make sense that they might have a four-year-old daughter by now.
Shizune, Tsunade, and Kakashi are thinking this as well as the two teens, but none of them says these things aloud. Instead they listen to Kazumi's much younger voice, which sounds very amused. Her deep brown eyes shine with amusement as well, as if she's about to pull some kind of fantastic prank.
"Okay, I know I was hesitant about moving into the hideout at first, but now I'm really glad I did! Since moving in here, I have learned SO much about my boyfriend!" Young Kazumi whispers while snickering. "By the way, Itachi, I'm sorry. I know you hate it when I do this, but I have to do it one more time so I can capture it on film. Your reaction is always so hilarious that future generations need to see!" Pausing, she turns the camera around so it is once again facing the back of the couch. The moment it's situated she whispers cheerfully, "Alright, I'm going into stealth mode!"
That being said, the girl lowers herself to the ground and begins moving in the direction of the couch. Whether she's crouched down or crawling nobody is sure, but the fact that she's trying to be sneaky is very apparent. Of course, the moment she starts humming a dramatic tune to herself, all types of stealth fly out the window. At one point the camera turns at an odd three-hundred and sixty degree angle, suggesting that she tried to do a somersault of some sort. When the noise of skin slapping against stone and an "ouch!" are heard it is known that this is exactly what Kazumi had attempted.
"Ah! Sweet Jashin! That is the last time I try doing the spy roll!" the girl whisper-shouts in agony. "The Akatsuki really needs to invest some money into getting their hideouts carpeted!"
A moment after regaining her bearings Kazumi goes back to humming her dramatic tune and continues onward. The whole time the adults stare at the screen with brows raised in confusion at this girl's lightheartedness. Sakura and Naruto, while they still appear confused at how cheerful this girl is acting, seem a bit amused by it as well. Once Kazumi reaches the sofa their amusement only grows. Nobody's sure about what this girl's goal is, but it will most likely be very interesting nonetheless.
By now Kazumi has reached the couch and is crouching down behind it. Getting down lower still, she crawls around to the sofa's other end. Getting up on her knees just enough to look over the couch arm, the girl points the camera at Itachi. Like Kazumi he is much younger here, probably about fifteen years old. Not only that, but unlike the times they've seen him in person, the Uchiha is sleeping and appears very peaceful. Based on his girlfriend's amused giggle, his sleep probably isn't going to be peaceful for much longer. Then again, it might not matter. With his messed up hair and wrinkled Akatsuki cloak it looks like he's already slept for a while at this point, anyway.
Releasing another soft giggle, Kazumi reaches a free hand over the couch arm toward Itachi's feet. She reaches extremely slowly, probably because she's afraid of waking him. At this point her actions don't make too much sense to the people watching. After all of the whispering, giggling, and humming of spy music, why start taking precautions now? A moment or two passes and Kazumi's hand is about ready to make contact with the bottom of Itachi's right foot. That, however, is when her plan falls apart completely.
"Kazumi, what are you doing?"
The girl shoots straight up at the sound of her boyfriend's voice with a loud "EEP!" nearly losing her grip on the camera in the process. After a second or two she manages to straighten it and points it directly at Itachi's face. He speaks again. Only this time, most likely due to the stillness of the camera, they are able to see that he addresses her without opening his eyes as if he's still trying to doze.
"You didn't come out here to attempt another sneak attack, did you?" asks Itachi with a small, microscopic, smirk. "I already told you that sneak attacks don't work if you're humming action music to yourself and laughing. The racket you made with the spy roll didn't help you either."
"Hey don't knock my music or the spy roll. They help set the mood," Kazumi replies brightly.
His microscopic smile growing slightly larger, Itachi turns over onto his side and motions for her to go away. The whole time his eyes are still closed. "It should be clear at this point that your plan has failed. Now why don't you go re-strategize so I can rest? Kisame and I have to leave on a mission in a few hours."
"Okay, Itachi. Don't break out your sharingan. I'm leaving. But first…" Kazumi trails off.
Raising his head slightly, the Uchiha inquires, "First, what?"
The girl shoots her hand out rapidly, running her fingers across the bottom of Itachi's right foot. To everybody's surprise he jumps straight up while releasing the shrillest, girliest scream ever to be heard from a human male. Once he's up Kazumi touches his other foot, earning another shriek. By now Itachi's eyes are wide open with surprise, Kazumi releasing echoing guffaws the whole time.
Turning the camera back to herself, she says teasingly, "Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you the great and powerful Itachi Uchiha! He is the Akatsuki member with the most sensitive feet and the world's girliest scream!"
Though Itachi's face can't be seen, it is apparent that he must be giving his girlfriend the death glare by the irritation heard in his voice. "Kazumi, turn off the camera, and turn it off now!"
She turns the device at an awkward angle so that it's facing an area between the ground and the couch arm. Meanwhile she replies, "Fine, Itachi. Don't be such a spoiled sport. I'm turning it off."
With that the screen goes black and Sakura pauses. Everyone else in the room looks surprised at what they just viewed. All except for Naruto who is busy releasing small chortles.
"I don't know what they rest of you is thinking, but I don't think that lady's too bad. Up until now I had no idea Itachi's feet were ticklish!" says Naruto with a chuckle.
Putting a finger to her chin a considering fashion, Sakura turns to the Hokage. "Are you sure we should be watching this, Lady Tsunade? Even if Kazumi isn't using the video to trap us in a genjutsu, I still don't feel like we should watch this. It feels…wrong."
"You mean it feels like we're watching a part of their private lives that wasn't meant for our eyes?" Kakashi puts in. "I get what you're saying. It feels like that to me, too."
Crossing her arms across her chest, Tsunade looks to them. "I understand where both of you are coming from. By watching these videos it almost feels like we're eavesdropping. Even so, I'd still like to keep watching them. Itachi's widow didn't break into my office and leave them here for nothing."
The five of them didn't realize it, but the video left behind truly is incredibly distracting. So focused were all of them on Kazumi and that one clip they watched that they never even noticed the three new people that entered the room. By the time any of them do notice it's already too late, because the small trio has heard a great amount of the conversation. Of course, in a way, they each feel lucky. The people who entered the room aren't anybody too bad.
Shikamaru, Ino, and Choji all stand there gaping at them with big eyes. When one of them does speak it is none other than the shadow-possession user.
"Itachi's widow? Videos? What the heck is going on in here?" he asks wide-eyed with shock.
"It's simple," replies Kakashi. "It was Itachi's wife that broke into Lady Tsunade's office last night. Only, it appears that she didn't break in to take anything. In fact, she actually left something."
"Left something?!" Choji exclaims. "Are you serious?!"
"Yes, we're serious!" Naruto shouts in response. "Get over here and take a look."
The three Chunin exchange glances before slowly making their way around to the other side of the Hokage's desk. As they do so, Tsunade speaks to them firmly.
"Just to be extra clear, you are not allowed to talk about the content of these videos outside of this room. If anyone finds out that this DVD exists you will answer to me! Am I clear?"
Ino is the one that responds. "Yes, Lady Tsunade. We promise. Not a word to anyone."
After a short pause, Shikamaru adds, "Are we going to watch this or not? I only have a few hours left until I have to be at the Academy to help out, and I was really hoping that I could take a nap first."
Nobody says anything. Sakura simply presses "play", the three new people in the room watching as intently as the rest; even Shikamaru's eyes are glued to the screen. The screen lights up once more with bright unnatural lighting. Only this time, instead of a sofa and a main room, the camera is facing what looks to be a countertop in a kitchen. Off to the side there very faintly appears to be an oven, confirming their beliefs of where this was taped. A moment later Kazumi comes onto the screen wearing her hair in a ponytail, adorned by a white apron with the Akatsuki symbol on it.
"An Akatsuki apron?" huffs Ino. "Hm. Why haven't we made Leaf Village aprons?"
Nobody replies to Ino. They're all too busy listening to Kazumi's sweet and joyous voice. This time those who watched the previous video note that she appears to be fifteen rather than fourteen in this clip. Apparently Kazumi didn't use her camera too much if this much time went by between videos. Either that or she cut some out before sending it to Lady Tsunade.
"Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen! Welcome to Kazumi's Kitchen! In this fantastic episode we will be making cookies!" says the girl with a cheerful smile. She pauses slightly with a hand cupped around her ear, listening to what her imaginary audience is saying. At last she continues. "What's that? You don't know what kind of cookies? Well what a coincidence! I don't know either! That's why we're doing a little something I like to call 'experimentation'!"
Once that is said Kazumi deserts the camera and runs off to another part of the kitchen. Although she can't be seen, the clanging of pots and pans and the slamming of cupboard doors can be heard in the background. A moment later she comes back carrying a bowl, an electric mixer, a pan, a carton of eggs, flour and sugar, baking soda, butter, and some vanilla extract. There's so much in her arms at once it's a wonder she's able to carry it all. The moment she reaches the counter Kazumi sets it all down in a heap. Wiping off her hands on the Akatsuki apron, she gives a pearly white smile.
"Okay, I have returned with my cookie baking supplies. I don't know what kind of cookies they'll turn out to be, so we'll just call them 'Whatever Cookies'! This would be much easier to do if Itachi and Kisame hadn't left the cookbook at the main hideout, but who cares. It'll be so much more fun this way! Who needs a cookbook?" Pausing, she digs a large metal bowl and the bag of flour out from the pile along with a metal spoon. "Unfortunately my boyfriend and his lovely partner forgot the measuring cups too, so these cookies will really be interesting!"
From here Kazumi starts scooping various ingredients into the metal bowl using spoons. Several times she runs off to various parts of the kitchen, realizing she forgot certain things such as milk or cooking oil or preheating the oven. Eventually, despite all of these small mishaps, Kazumi finally manages to mix something up that looks halfway decent. Though it probably has a consistency meant for cake batter rather than cookies. After a while the people watching begin wondering why this video is even in here. Did she add it in by mistake? That, however, is when it something finally happens.
"Kazumi, why is the kitchen such a mess? And is that my apron you're wearing?"
Right as he's speaking Itachi enters the kitchen. He's wearing his Akatsuki cloak and is standing tall, appearing as threatening as ever. Of course, upon hearing his voice, Kazumi releases a frightened shriek and accidentally tosses the bag of flour she'd been holding into the air. The bag flies, pouring out all over the kitchen. The majority of it, however, manages to land directly on the Uchiha. A few seconds is all it takes for him to turn white from head to toe. Suddenly he doesn't seem threatening at all.
Several people in the room, specifically Naruto, Sakura, and Ino, begin releasing giggles. Despite the fact that this video is taking place at an Akatsuki hideout and that this girl was involved with one of the organization's members, the sight is still a hilarious one. When Kazumi turns around in a flustered fashion, trips, and accidentally tosses cookie/cake batter all over Itachi's face this causes the rest of the people in the room to begin snickering as well. Not just because of the way Itachi looks, but because of the irritated scowl he gives his girlfriend and the look of mock innocence she gives him in return.
"Uh…Itachi…" says Kazumi, "you have a little bit of something on your face…"
For a moment the giggles cease, all of them terrified that Itachi is going to turn his sharingan on her. However, Itachi doesn't use his sharingan in the least. Instead he walks over to Kazumi, removes a good fistful of the batter from his face, and smears it onto hers. The girl gasps at the action, as does everyone watching this video. The only thing that surprises them more is the honest to goodness smile Itachi gives her. It's not an evil or conniving smile either. If anything, it almost appears playful.
"What a coincidence. So do you."
Kazumi, who should really be mad in all actuality, returns his smile. "Hey is this any way to treat me? I was trying to make you cookies."
Itachi switches his gaze from the girl to the kitchen counter at the statement. "You were trying to make cookies without measuring cups and without a cookbook? Why didn't you go out and buy cookies instead?"
Smile never leaving, the girl gives a shrug. "I don't know. I guess it just didn't occur to me." Pausing, she adds, "Although, this awful cookie batter is still good for something…"
Honestly curious, Itachi raises a brow. "What would that be?"
Reaching out a hand, Kazumi takes the remainder of the batter from his face and smears it through his hair. The Uchiha's eyes widen, clearly surprised by her action. A moment later his smirk returns and he walks toward the counter. Frighteningly enough he is revealed to be reaching for a carton of eggs. The whole time Kazumi eyes him nervously.
"Itachi…" she asks hesitantly. "What are you doing…?"
The young Akatsuki member doesn't answer right away. Instead he removes one of the eggs from the carton and cracks it perfectly atop Kazumi's head, causing her to gasp. Of course, once her momentary surprise is over, the girl laughs.
"Oh. So that's how you want to play, huh? It's good to know that I bring out your inner man-child." Kazumi wears a playful yet knowing smirk.
"No you don't," Itachi retorts, his face going blank in defense. "I was just getting even."
Kazumi bends down so that her hands are touching the floor, her smirk staying firmly in place. A second or two passes and she scoops up two large handfuls of spilled flour, tossing them directly at Itachi. Just like the batter, it hits him directly in the face. When he blinks widely she only laughs.
"What now? Do you want to 'get even' again?"
Once the words are out Itachi grabs another egg, throwing it so it makes a straight hit to her forehead. The main difference from before isn't the more open form of retaliation, but is that his playful smile is back. Itachi Uchiha wearing a playful smile; until viewing the footage before them nobody in this room ever would have believed that the mass murderer was capable of such a thing. As the video continues they see Itachi doing several more things that they never would have imagined otherwise.
They see him throwing food at a significant other they never knew he had, jumping behind countertops and cupboard doors for cover, and enjoying every moment of the childish food fight. At one point he sneaks up behind Kazumi and grabs her around her waist. Spinning her around so that their faces are nearly touching, he looks as if he's about to kiss her. Then, all of the sudden, his eyes make connection with something on the counter. Once that happens his smile disappears, his body freezes, and his eyes widen to the size of disks.
"Uh…Kazumi…" he says in irritation, "please don't tell me that that annoying camera of yours has been recording the whole time…"
Turning around to face the camera, the fifteen-year-old's eyes widen as well. Then she blushes bright scarlet. Freeing herself from Itachi's grasp, she sprints over to it like a runner at a marathon.
"Don't worry, Itachi! Not anymore!"
With that the screen cuts back to black. Once this happens nobody in the room utters a word. The only reason for this is because they're far too shocked. Nobody is able to guess why, not even Sakura, but Sakura doesn't press the pause button again.
A/N: Okay, folks, that's all for now. The next chapter is coming soon. Oh, and by the way, Itachi actually does have an Akatsuki apron! If you're curious get on YouTube and search "Itachi's sunny side battle". You might be amused! :D
Until next time! :)