Kisame laughed when their kiss ended. "I can't tell you much I've missed those incredible kisses of yours. Now when we get home-" He paused for a moment as her face fell. "What's wrong?"
"I don't want to go home."
He sobered as he grew concerned. He was well aware that Ritsuko didn't care much for Kirigakure because of her family, but this was the first time she had ever suggested leaving for good. "Where do you want to live then?"
"Here in Konoha." She pulled away and turned back to repacking. "In fact I was already in the middle of moving to the new place." She paused for a moment and looked over her shoulder. "I like it here Kisame. I'll admit that I didn't at first, but I've made a genuine friend. So has Katsuye. And…well," she nervously tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "I don't want to lose that so I want to stay. Will you stay too?"
He knelt down and helped gather her things. "Now that's a stupid question. Of course I'll stay. You don't think I'd abandon you now, do you?" He kissed her forehead and smiled. He knew how hard it was for his wife to open up to others. Because of her being illegitimate she had been abandoned by her parents and passed around the rest of the family. From the few experiences she had shared with him he knew she had endured all kinds of horrific things. But there was no knowing the extent of the things she suffered. When he first met her as a ten year old, she had been abandoned altogether. She ignored anyone who tried to get close to her and kept to herself; earning her the nickname Ritsuko the Loner. She just didn't know how to relate to others. Her hostility had been her way to keep out the hurt. "I'm glad that you've opened up enough to make friends."
She smiled shyly. "Me too."
"Sorry to interrupt," Miko called from the front door. "Why don't you both come inside? Dinner is ready."
He helped Ritsuko carry the two boxes inside and set them down by the door. He looked around, admiring the place. It seemed cozy enough and Ritsuko led him by the hand. Itachi was just setting the food on the table when Yusei and Katsuye came back into the room. With a bark of laughter Kisame charged forward and picked his daughter up off her feet. She cried out in surprise as he spun her around before hugging her. "At last we meet my little kingyo!"
Yusei frowned suspiciously. Why is he calling her a goldfish? She looked nothing like one. "Her name is Katsuye," he corrected though by this point he was completely ignored.
Katsuye smiled shyly as her father showered her with compliments. He loved her short spiky hair with the long braids that was the same color as his and the fact that she had her mother's brown eyes. "You're going to grow into a beauty just like her," he gushed.
She thought he seemed really nice and liked his broad smile. Hesitantly she reached out to touch the gill marks under his eyes. They looked just like hers. She briefly wondered if he ever got teased about them too. "Can you whistle through yours?" He asked, his eyes had a mischievous look to them.
Her eyes widened in surprise. "Whistle through gills?"
He nodded as he adjusted his grip on her so he had a free hand. He took a deep breath and held his nose. The gills wiggled slightly as he whistled through them, a high wobbly sound. Katsuye laughed and Kisame did too. Yusei rolled his eyes and walked over to the table. Great, just great, he thought grudgingly. She gets the fun dad and I'm stuck with Mr. Jutsu-see-through-er. He sat across from Itachi and eyed him suspiciously. Mom had said that he was a prodigy, a legend in his own right. So he's clever, so am I. Yusei thought as he smiled slyly. I'll find a way to get him one of these days. A real first class surprise he won't see through.
Itachi noticed his son's scheming look and raised an inquiring brow. Yusei smiled innocently in return. "Its great to have you home dad. I hope we can have some fun now that you're back. Though something more stimulating than…you know…" he jerked his head over to Katsuye who was trying to whistle through her gills while Kisame gave her pointers.
"Alright, give it a rest you two," Ritsuko said as she called them over to sit down. Everyone sat down together and ate. Itachi told about some of the fun parts of living with the allied forces, and of course Kisame had to tell the story of how he faked his second death. In return the ladies shared some funny stories of their own. Yusei shared a few of his exploits, and everyone looked shocked. Everyone that is except for Katsuye who only groaned every now and again. Nothing Yusei did really shocked her anymore. While she found his adventures secretly thrilling, she just wasn't brave enough to carry out any of his crazy ideas. Yusei had the talent of getting out of trouble nearly as well as he found his way into it. He had the "kitty cuteness" factor. All he had to do was tilt his head to side and make his eyes sparkle. His fluffy ears and tail did the rest, making him look the very model of perfect innocence. She tried the motions, but apparently gills didn't have the right impact.
Poor Itachi felt at a loss. Apparently Miko had left out quite a bit in her letters over the years. Who exactly was this child? Yusei seemed wild and crazy, just out to have a good time. But there was a keen look to his eye, showing innate intelligence. Though it seems that his brain came up with more playful schemes than it was put to more practical use. Then Itachi caught his strict train of thoughts. He was beginning to remind himself of own his father. His words still haunted him: No Itachi, you are not a child. You are destined for great things and that will only happen if you remain focused. Playtime is over.
No, he would not make the same mistake his father did. Yusei was still very young, not even of academy age. Let him have his fun and live without the pressure of perfection. He would make his own choices and grow at his own pace. He certainly had his mother's spirit and Itachi wouldn't dream of crushing it.
Meanwhile Kisame turned towards his daughter. "If you ever feel comfortable, I'd love to see Kumori in action."
She started at this and dropped her chopsticks. "You know about my sword? But how?"
His expression softened. "Just because I couldn't be there doesn't mean that I haven't kept tabs on you. I happen to know that your favorite food is unagi but that you hate rice. I also know that your favorite color is blue and that you have a sweet nature which I must say is a surprise given the hot-heads your parents are."
Katsuye smiled fondly. She was happy to hear that her dad had cared enough about her to keep himself informed, even from the shadows. Yusei looked disturbed. "What are you, some kind of stalker?" He grimaced as Miko kicked him under the table. He bent down to rub his throbbing shin. "What? Am I the only one who thinks that's weird?"
She shot him a warning look to shut his mouth and he quickly obeyed. Miko was very easy going, but you don't mess with her either. Kisame laughed as he clapped Yusei on the shoulder. "Far from it kid. I just kept in touch that's all. But I must say that I'm pleased to hear that our little kingyo has inherited the talent for swordsmanship." He grinned, flashing his sharp pointed teeth. "There's no better feeling than that sturdy weight in the palm of your hand, the steady flow of momentum when you wield it…"
He went on, but only Ritsuko and Katsuye seemed to understand what he was talking about. The others had long since been lost. Just as dinner was winding down, Ritsuko stood up and bowed respectfully. "Thank you for dinner, it was delicious. Now if you will excuse us, we must be leaving."
"So soon?" Miko protested, still reluctant to let her friend leave. It was going to be weird to not have her around. Under the table Itachi ran a hand up Miko's thigh and gave her an affectionate look. Suddenly she couldn't wait for her friend to leave. She stood up to show them out, giving Ritsuko and Katsuye one last hug before saying good-bye. By the time she returned to the kitchen Yusei had already left.
"He said he wanted to go for a walk though I suspect he's up to something else," Itachi explained as he stood up. "A walk seems too calm an activity for his tastes."
Miko agreed with a smile. "He is perhaps a little too energetic for his own good. But he really is a sweet boy, you'll see."
"I don't doubt it," Itachi said as he pulled her close and nuzzled against her cheek. "Not when he has a mother like you."
Itachi had forgotten how intoxicating her scent was, this new heightened sense was a definite plus. She smiled as she gently traced his lips with her finger. He playfully nibbled it and she giggled. "Feeling feisty are we?"
"Maybe," he said coyly as his eyes smoldered. "Can you blame me when I have someone as sexy as you?"
She rested her hand against his neck as she tenderly kissed the other side. His breathing slowed and his heart raced at her gentle caress. He scooped her up in his arms and carried her away to their room. She giggled as he kicked the bedroom door closed and she kicked on the light switch with her foot. He playfully dumped her on their bed and she grabbed him by the shirt and pulled him down for another kiss. He knelt on the bed in front of her as she pulled off his shirt. Then she saw it and screamed, backing up against the headboard as she stared at his bare chest. She covered her mouth in horror.
He looked down at the long black scar that ran diagonally from his navel to his left shoulder. "Oh this? Try not to worry, it doesn't hurt too much."
She slowly lowered her hand and crept closer. She cautiously touched it and traced along the raised jagged scar. Tears came to her eyes. "Oh Itachi," she murmured sorrowfully. "What happened to you?"
He heaved a weary sigh. Perhaps now was the time to tell her. "It was from my battle with Sasuke."
She sucked in her breath and her face fell. "I see." He started to explain but she stopped him with a shake her head. "I don't want to hear it."
"Are you sure?"
She nodded as she wore a sad smile. "I have a pretty good idea what he may have told you. But you know what? I no longer care. I love you Itachi. That's all that matters. He won't stand in the way of our love and I won't waste time worrying about him either." She leaned into him, enjoying the coolness of his skin. "So don't you worry either."
He hugged her close and kissed her shoulder. "I wish I had your faith in the future."
"You don't?" She whispered; her breath on his neck.
"He nearly killed me Miko. What if…" he swallowed nervously. "What if I'm not strong enough to protect you?"
She turned his chin so she could look into his dark eyes. "I have no doubt that you will, so why should you?" He still looked uncertain and she smiled kindheartedly. "We've come such a long way and sacrificed so much to be together. Besides I don't believe in a destiny that would force us to be apart."
His eyes sparked at the memory. "Those are my words, aren't they?"
She nodded. "Yes they are. So have faith in them once again."
He gently pushed her onto her back and knelt over her. She lay so peacefully, her long ebony hair splayed around her and her crimson eyes gleamed with ardor. He smiled down at her. "You are so incredible Miko. As always, you have a way of setting my troubled heart at rest."
She smiled sweetly as she reached up to cup his face in her hands. "Funny, I was about to say the same thing about you."
He chuckled as he kissed her, enjoying the taste of her once again.
"Welcome home Itachi," she murmured softly between kisses.
