Chapter 4

Author's Note: Hello dearest readers! I hoped to get the chapters up quicker. Once more, thank you for those who have favorited and followed! This chapter does have a small amount of child abuse, so TRIGGER WARNING.

"Nee," A sneer was heard as Sora's face was thrown into the couch cushions. "Your kaa-cha paid the village to watch you brats, there is no need to kill yourselves." A genin that took the mission was vile a cruel to both of the boys. To everyone in the village, Naruto and Sora were freaks and monsters. The only people who seemed to even know that they existed was Koi, Kakashi, and the Hokage. To everyone else, they were despised. Being only five years old, there wasn't much they could do. The boys endure the abuse with the fear of being thrown out, or so that was what Sora was told. "We wouldn't want that blue skin to be bruised now, would we?" The trio of genin was like all the other generic genin. Three boys to a squad. All had brown hair and dark eyes with light skin. Aside from certain facial features, they were the same.

"Tch," Sora scoffed as he moved from the couch, "Kaa-chan will find out what you do to us."

"Oh yeah?" One of the boys started

"What is she going to do?" The second genin had his headband around his neck. He started to laugh at the attempt of bravery from Sora, "You will be kicked out of the village and be left alone." The third genin grabbed Sora by his hair pulling him to face the boy. A fist was raised.

"Your precious Kaa-chan isn't going to do shi-" A kunai flew past the squad. The genin released Sora ready to attack anyone who stopped them.

"I suggest you leave." At the door was the Hokage and a dog ANBU. They have seen enough to know that the rumors were true, the genin team was assaulting younger children.

"Hokage-sama!" they all gasped, bowing deeply. Sora and Naruto stood in the back bruised. The ANBU looked at them and motioned that they follow him. The two just looked at him.

"Shii-san, I suggest you leave," The ANBU threatened, "Now." The genin took off from the small apartment. Sora guessed that the neighbors heard the commotion and alerted the Hokage. It was a nice reprieve that Karma was going to catch up with them. By the time, his mother would get back, the bruises would start to fade and she would chock it up to him and Naruto roughhousing. Sora was too afraid of being thrown out of the village because he knew how hard his mother had worked to get to where she is. He was just glad that they left.

"Sora-kun," The Hokage sighed, "I'm sorry that this has happened. Why didn't you tell anyone?" The Hokage wasn't disappointed in the boys. No, he was more disappointed in the genin that caused this. He watched as Naruto put a hand on Sora's shoulder and nodded. "Naruto-Kun, why don't you take some of the money Koi-chan has left you guys and go get some ramen to go. Inu will go with you."

"No thanks," Naruto murmured. He wasn't hungry and he didn't want to leave his friend.

"We aren't hungry, Hokage-sama," Sora finished. The boys moved from their spot to the couch keeping their heads down.

"Well why don't we go for a walk?" the Hokage suggested. Both Naruto and Sora didn't move. They were quiet which wasn't their usual norm. When Koi left for the inn, the boys were left at the mercy of the village. Koi was a jonin and accepts missions for the village. Sometimes it's not enough and helps out at the family in. Sora is usually left behind so he can go to the Academy. Normally the old lady next door would watch them, but she was away this week. Every time the genin watched him, they beat Naruto and himself up and threatened them with the lie of being thrown out.

"They didn't hurt you, did they?"The Hokage questions. Sora and Naruto just sat there. "Did they threaten you?"Sora's tightened his hand into a fist. Naruto just looked down. "Sora-kun… You and your family will never be thrown out. Not even as punishment. That I can promise you."

Sora looked at the old man. It was a confirmation that his family would be safe. Even as a five-year-old, he knew the struggles of what his mother faced as a refugee here in the village thought she was a respected kunoichi. Naruto glared past the Hokage. He opened his mouth to start, but Sora beat him to it.

"They beat us." He whispered, "They beat us, yelled at us. Calling us every name from freak to monster." Tears started to fall from his cheeks. "They wouldn't let us eat or play. They hated us." Naruto silently sobbed next to his best friend. "Kaa-chan doesn't know. I didn't want her to worry when she already does so much. They told us we would get thrown out of the village. Kaa-chan said we would be safe." Inu just watches the two boys silently sob. The Hokage took both boys in his arms and held them tight.

"You both are safe," he promised, "Inu will stay here with you. I have to attend to those in my office." With the Hokage disappeared, leaving the ANBU alone with the boys.

In the Hokage's office, he requested the ANBU to find the jonin in charge of the genin. A masked jonin knocked and entered his office.

"Hokage-same," he bowed followed by two young genin

"Ah, Kyo Matsumura and Huni no Ryu,' The Hokage said, "You two are under arrest." Two ANBU appeared behind putting them in chains.

"What is the matter with this?!" the jonin yelled.

"Shisu-san, these two have withheld food, tortured and beat two five year-olds."

As their tears dried, they fell asleep holding each other on the couch. Inu removed his mask and watched the boys sleep. He summoned a ninken and sent it with a scroll. Koi will know about this. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Koi made it to the inn before sunset. The inn owner stood outside sweeping the welcome mat. The inn and its keeper was the only family she had left in her life. Koi smiled and help Koto close to her chest.

"Koi-hime," You bowed, "and little Koto." The infant started to wake up from her nap and whimpered for food. Koi adjusted her top giving the child her breast. "Hungry as ever, I see."

"Hai," Koi smiled. "Yuki-sama, you said you needed help today?" Koi took in the older woman. She had shrunk since the last time she saw her. Even her hair was a bit more white than before and yet she still ages gracefully. She was considered the grandmother Koi never had and even spoils her children.

"Give me the child, once she is done and start on room thirteen."

"Hai, Yuki-sama." Yuki held a look in her eye that always spelled trouble for Koi and she saw it. Though, she knew better than to question the woman. They both walked into the main lobby. Koi noticed Koto had just finished and unraveled the child from her wrap, adjusting herself as well. Yuki quickly reached for her and scooping her up in her arms.

"There we are! Look at you!" Yuki cooed at the child. Koi smiled and grabbed the apron behind the counter. "Now be careful, Koi-hime, we've been having trouble with that door." Yuki pointed to the cart door. Koi just nodded and opened the door with ease. "Well then." Koi shook her head and grabbed the little cart. The last time she was here it was Koto's birth. Months ago seemed like forever. Yuki took the child in another room as Koi left to find her assigned workplace. Traveling down the halls, Koi hummed a small tune.

The door to room thirteen radiated with chakra. Koi's heart jumped into her throat as she recognized the chakra signature. She hesitated. Koi knew that she wanted to open the door and practically kill herself doing it. But the fear of being hurt was stopping her. She shook her head. No even if he does kill her then it was would be worth it. Koi disabled the chakra filled door as well as any traps that had been laden for an intruder. She entered the room only to have a kunai barely miss the tip of her nose as it dug into the wall next to her. A grey-blue figure charged at her as she tried to dodge. A massive hand gripped around her throat and the door next to her was shut in an instance. Barely able to breathe, she smiled, "Ki-sa-me-kun,"

The figure let her go and stepped back. Koi's smile turns into a grin as she embraces the man before her. His arms wrapped around her and pulled her close. If Kisame was anything, it was loyal and honest. When it came to his village, he was deadly and fierce. Koi and Kisame' relationship wasn't the ideal match either one of them had hoped for, but by kami they made it work. Koi was graceful and in a way, pure. While her love was monstrous and bloodthirsty. The Uta Clansmen called the couple Bijo to Yajuu* as they earned that title during the war.

"I've missed you, Guppy." his voice was the same. Gravelly and deep. Koi pulled away from him, only to be hit by a cold draft. Her kimono was now damp. It was then that she realized that the man before her was dressed only in a towel. Her face heated up as a slight blush appears on her face. Kisame was going to fight his intruder naked? Then again, modesty wasn't something a shinobi should be worried about. Kisame's faced held a questioning look until he felt his towel drop slightly. Koi's eyes slowly trailed down the shark man's toned body. It was the first time she saw him nude. She couldn't stop the blood before it trickled out of her nose. She turned around holding her face giggling like a school girl. Kisame deadpanned as he remembered how much of a pervert the woman he loved was. "You know Koi-chan, we've done more things then we can count." He moved back to the bathroom to at least get pants on.

"Yeah and then some," She laughed, "You still can't say sex without blushing Kisame-kun."

"You were the one who was rude about it," He hollered from the bathroom. Koi wiped the blood off her face and peaked her head into the bathroom. A sly smile crept on her face as she caught a glimpse of Kisame's tone buttocks. Yes, it was true that Koi was a bit of a pervert, but she couldn't help herself when it came to Kisame. "Do you-"

"No need to yell," She hushed. Kisame turned to see her sly grin. He quickly put on his pants and just shook his head.

"You do remember when we-"

"First had sex?"

"No!" He sputtered. Koi laughed at him fluster form. She loved this man for all he was worth, but his sex life wasn't something to talk about. "No, I was talking about when we first acknowledged our love."

"Yes," Koi moved into the bathroom and leaned up against the sink. Kisame embraced her feeling like the moment would never end. "You grabbed me by my hair-"

"Koi!"

"And you pushed me against the wall, you bit done on my nip-" Kisame covered her mouth with his in a hard kiss. He didn't want to relieve that particular moment of their time together right now. He pulled away from her leaving her in awe.

"What were we talking about?" She dazed.

"Spoiled brat." Kisame shook his head once more as he walked out of the bathroom and sat on the bed. Koi sighed. She was miserable without him. There were no words in heaven or hell to describe the way she felt about the man. They both have been through hell and back. It was the little things like being at the inn made things in their life thrive. Being a Jonin from the Kiri and a jonin from Konoha, making life incredibly hard. Kisame missed his Guppy and his fry. However, things were getting more and more difficult for the Koi. Considered a traitor to Kiri, Koi was being hunted constantly outside of the village. Kisame only wanted to keep her safe.

He held out a hand for Koi to take. He watched as she took his hand. He took her in. Nothing much has changed about her. Maybe a few smile lines, but that just meant she was happy. Kisame's eyes linger on her face as her emotion in her eyes gave her away. She was jittery. He took her chin in his hand and turned her face toward him.

"Whats the matter?" he asked. She looked at him and beamed. Koi no longer worried that her love was dead. No matter what people have told her. In her mind, her family was complete. Her Sora, Her Koto. Wait! Koto! Kisame didn't even know about her yet.

"Stay here." She jumped up and ran out the door. Kisame just sat there thinking hard about what Koi was planning. He noticed that she was hiding something, but what. He sighed, ready to give up as she enters the room once more with a moving bundle of blankets in her arms. Closing the door, Koi shushed the bundle. "Kisame-kun." He watched as Koi turned the bundle around to reveal a small child. Kisame stood up in shock. The robin egg complexion started the man as the child laughed and cooed at him. Kisame knew of his son, Sora, but now the shark shinobi has a daughter. He moved closer to get a better look. Koi only grinned at the surprised look on his face.

"Koi-chan…" He hesitated.

"Her name is Koto." Koi handed her to Kisame. It was confirmed. The Monster of the mist had a daughter. Kisame held her close as if afraid to break her. He slowly moved back to the bed. How long had it been since he held a child this small? Since Sora was this little maybe? "She'll be ten months old soon." Panic rose within him. Has it been that long since he has seen Koi? Kisame stared at the infant who only looked at him. Soon Koto gave him her own toothless grin with a squeal of joy. She was a daddy's girl already.

"Hello, my little guppy." Kisame smiled. He had relaxed a little since holding Koto but was still extremely careful not to break her. Koi joined Kisame on the bed and leaned up against him. Her family was complete in her eyes. Kisame's heart swelled with joy and pride, Koi knew that. However, she couldn't help but feel something foreboding within the pit of her stomach.

"Here." Koi handed then man a picture, "Its the most recent that I have had done." Kisame shifted Koto into one arm and took the photo. Looking at it, he saw a happy family. Two smiling children and a proud mother.

"Sora-kun has gotten big." He chuckled. Koi took Koto from Kisame and walked her back to Yuki. Koi felt there was something Kisame wanted to speak about, however, Koto was a bit distracting. Yuki never minded being a babysitter for the children. Koi just always felt bad about it. Even offered to pay, but Yuki always declined.

Kisame sighed as he stared at the photograph. What has the world come to? He should be with his family. Instead, he is fighting against her village and the relationship would put them all in danger should anyone find out. His son looked so much like him despite his' mother's honey eyes. Koto was beautiful like her mother even his genetics were more dominant. Kisame put the picture in his pocket and would be added to the others that Koi has given him over the years. Many years have passed by and it just seems the danger is getting closer to them.

"You never had the depressed look down," Koi joked as she entered the room. Kisame's head snapped up and saw her sad smile. She knew something was up and was about to find out. Koi sat back down on the bed and wrapped her arms around the blue man.

"Koi-chan," he hesitated. His arm moved to bring her closer. He always felt that he would lose her if she wasn't close by.

"Hmm?" She hummed.

"Do you remember the first time we confess our love?"

"During the war."

"Yeah"

"Why?" Koi looked up at Kisame and saw that his expression was far away. The feeling in her stomach only worsened. After years of training and being in close quarters with the man, she knew him quite well and this was a look that bared bad news.

"Tell me." He nuzzled his face into her hair. She always smelled of the river. No matter where she lived, she always smelled like home to Kisame. "Please?" His hands laced with hers as he pulled her back on to the bed. Koi placed her head listening to his heartbeat. The familiar thumping always made time stop. Even for the moment.

Koi sighed, "You were wounded…"


"Koi-hime!" A mist shinobi called the river princess over. Four men carried a body towards her as she soon realized who it was.

"Fuck!" Koi yelled. Frustration overtook her as she gathered up her kimono and ran over to them. The emotion coming from Koi radiated around her. The ninja slowly put him down on a sheet as everyone else watched. Those awake and those helping watched as the Ningyo tended to the Kaijin. Her mother soon joined her as she inspected the wounds on his leg and chest. "Baka, you promised!"

"Koi-chan its war," Misa reasoned with her. Koi whipped her head up with her kekkei Genkai activated. Her eyes shimmered like liquid gold. Nothing was going to stop her anger at the moment.

"Hoshigaki, Kisame does not get injured." She growled. Koi turned her attention back to the bleed man before her. She placed her hands on his chested and surged medical chakra through him. Even with his surplus of chakra, he had run just about out. Misa did the same to his leg. Around them, everyone watched in silence. They watched the Ningyo barely keep herself together as she healed her lover.

Misa stopped healing as she felt no pulse. She looked at her daughter as she continued healing him. She placed a hand on her shoulder, "Koi-chan…"

"No." Koi didn't even look at her mother, she just focused on his heart beneath his skin. After what felt like hours, Koi's chakra was starting to wear out. It was only minutes. "Kami…" Tears rolled down her cheek as she kept trying.

"Kisame-kun wake up." Her voice trembled as she made promises. "I'll make you all the crab cakes and shellfish soup you want. I'll never eat shark fin soup again. I'll even oil your sword." She lowered her head. Her tears fell on to the blue man's chest. "If you won't wake up for that, just let me tell you I love you once. I love you, Hoshigaki Kisame."

"Do you, now?" Kisame smiled weakly. During Koi's confession, Misa helped her daughter restart his heart. Koi's chakra was dangerously low and missed it. "Good. I love you too, my guppy." Koi slumped next to him as her vision faded. Her mother watched the pair as Kisame sat up to catch her. Only the Ningyo would be able to swoon the monster of the mist.

Author's Note: Hello dearest readers! Things are not as I have hoped. :( And I do apologize even my terrible grammatical errors T.T I have updated the chatpter as well as working on the next four. Hopefully I'll push out an Omake as well. :D Thank you for favoriting and following!