Itachi had appeared outside of the shop, looking around. "I know I saw her.."
The streets had become busy, people hustling in and out of places, loud chatter heard. "What's going on here?" Tsuki practically yelled, getting some looks, and an answer.
"You didn't know?..." a short, stocky man asked, looking at her blankly.
She laughed lightly, "If I did, would I be asking?"
The man gave a "Duh" kind of look, "ah..Well then, It's the festival, Ma'am."
She stared blankly, "Festival?"
"Yes, our annual festival?"
"Yes..i know..The last one i went to was..far long ago."
"Are we staying for it?"
"We can't..Iya and--" Grimace, facepalm.
"Oh! We will be!" Iya yelled, appearing next to them.
"What about..?"
"The kids are with a good friend of mine, no problems there." Satuhari replied, walking over to them.
"Great.." Tsuki rolled her eyes, then sighed. "Well then, let's get to an Inn.."
"I have an odd feeling, for some reason.." Iya said, walking close behind the departing group.
Tsuki had been up for nearly the whole night, sitting in a nearby tree, close enough to the inn that she could keep an eye on her son. He had looked so much like him, it was scary. The possibilty that it was him was far too great, but it made no sense. why would he be here, of all places? He gave her no indifferent stare, he stared at her like she was just another person. But, it was expected, she was presumed dead to him. The wind picked up, and she sighed lightly. 'Maybe it was my imagination, then..'
Itachi stared out the window of the Inn, thinking to himself as he looked towards the moon, 'That couldn't be her..'
Iya appeared next to Tsuki, one eyebrow perking, "What are you doing out here, Tsuki?"
Tsuki sighed, "Thinking, of course.."
"About..?"
"Tell me, why did you two come here?" Tsuki replied, looking from the corner of her eye at her.
"I think you know..we had a feeling..and it's not too good of one..something's going to happen..i can feel it."
"Well, you're feeling was right, Iya."
"Iya gave a blink, then sat down beside her. "How's so?"
Tsuki explained her run-in.
"Itachi..as in, Saito's father, Itachi..the Uchiha?" She gave a small grunt..considering she never had a like for him.
Tsuki nodded, sighing lightly.
"What did he say, Tsuki?"
She pursed her lips, "..Nothing..we merely stared at each other, then..Well, he was staring at Saito. That's the only reason I noticed him..Saito was staring at him too." She sighed, putting her head on her knees. "He thinks I'm dead, Iya. I didn't know what to do..and then.." she rubbed her temples, "I ran off.."
"You just left? Avoided him?"
She gave a heavy sigh, "I did.."
"Well, you need to rest, for now..Chances are, you'll never see him again, Tsuki. I mean..think about it." she shrugged, "Perhaps you were seeing things.."
"That's what I figured as well..but still.." She sighed.
Two days later..
Saito frowned, staring at his mom, who wore another robe, this time a tint of red. "You're not actually planning on wearing that to the festival?"
Tsuki was about to give a blunt "Yes" mouth opening, but shutting once more, hearing another's voice answer.
"Of course she's not.." Satuhari replied, looking over at Saito as she walked in. "Iya and I decided upon getting everyone new outfits."
"You buying..?" Tsuki asked, sighing lightly.
Iya laughed, "Yeah right, you're paying for his and yours."
"I don't want to waste money--" she was fwapped by Iya.
"Shut up, we're doing it..besides, your son doesn't seem to mind much.."
"He wouldn't.." She sighed, giving a defeated look, "Alright..but no pink.."
There Tsuki stood, staring at the Yukata now being fitted to her..dark shades of..pink. She groaned, watching the two; Saito and Satuhari; considering Iya was too busy laughing to do anything.
"Mom, stop whining..you look really pretty." Saito nearly yelled.
"I feel like a stick of gum!" she gave a raised brow to her son, "Talk more...And you'll have a matching Kimono."
Saito decidingly fell quiet.
Her Yukata was long, slits up both sides to her thighs, as needed for a ninja, incase she needed to kick someone. The patterns were flowers, vines wrapping around the cloth, a light pink, complimenting the dark pink of the full Yukata. The top portion of the outfit was loose fitting, showing a well visible cleavage, as well as bandages, as she was still healing from her past fight. The sleeves were long, flowing past the tips of her nails for about two inches, light pink edges. Around her midsection; Instead of a giant bow; was a light pink ribbon, about three centimeters in length, which tied off to the side, allowing excess ribbon to flutter to the side. Her hair had a matching ribbon, but shaded all most tints of pink, lightest to dark. It held up half of her hair, the rest flowing down her back, two strands of bangs showing, one on each side of her face. She felt so weird without her Headband. "I hate these things.."
"Stop whining, Tsuki.." Iya replied, walking out as Sathuari disappeared to dress herself. Iya was wearing the formal Yukata. rather than Tsuki's "Unique" version of it. It was a dark tint of red, black hems and sequins flowing around in the pattern of crescent moons. Her hair had been pulled into a pair of chopsticks, young womens faces painted upon them. She gave a small sigh, looking over at Saito, "Oh..It's your turn, kid..Don't worry, it's not pink, either."
Saito gave a sigh of relief, "Good.."
"Remember..These are for the FESTIVAL!" Iya practically yelled.
"Yeah..yeah.." everyone replied.
They had all taken off seperate ways, Tsuki had an eye on her son, but, of course, he had scattered off.
Her attention was diverted, feeling an odd sense, as if she were bring watched for some reason. She could feel it. Something bad was going to happen. This wasn't a doubtful thing. She sighed lightly. Everytime she got this feeling, it was right. the scary part was..Iya and Satuhari had it too. that was most reassuring. She set off to find her son.
"Tsuki ...is her name..why do you ask?" Saito stared up at the man, recieving a slight grin.
"Just wondering..and your name..?"
"Saito.."
"Have a last?"
"I don't know it."
"Now now..Everyone should know their last name." The man replied, rubbing a hand on the boys' head. "If you want..I'll treat you to some food."
"Uh..No thanks, I have to find my mother..but, thanks anyways." this guy freaked Saito out. His hair was long, black, and he had a very pale face. Saito walked off quickly, disappearing into the crowd. 'He reminds me of a snake..'
"Well?" Orochimaru asked, One eye peering at the Raven haired boy near him. "He's Uchiha..and a smart one, too."
"Good..Let's go find me a new face. That last man was...not very strong.."
She yelled out for her son, watching him walk down the street. He looked over, then waved, giving a light smile. She smiled at him, but her view was blocked out by a man. He was wearing a black kimono, the sleeves long, covering the painted nails. His eyes stared at her, almost as if digging into her soul. They stared at each other for a moment. Those eyes..
"Tsuki.." His mind flashed back, recalling old memories of his, only to be brought back to reality as she walked around him, a slight glare on her face. He grabbed her arm, stopping her. "Can we at least talk, Tsuki?"
He recieved a grunt.
"Who's the father, then?" Itachi's eyebrow raised. He knew the answer, he wasn't stupid. He'd recognize that boy's eyes anywhere. He stepped back, looking into her eyes, "Better yet, why did you spread the rumor of your death, Tsuki?"
Her eyes narrowed slightly, then she felt a boy attach to her hip, "Mom?" He looked at the man, then her. "Who is that?"
She didn't know why, but the words came out, unintentionally. "You're father.."
A Silence.
"Tsuki! We found you! There's a resturant--" She stopped, staring at the three, "Oh dear.."
"My what..?" Saito replied, but was pulled away by Iya and Satuhari.
"We saw this lovely candy shop!" Satuhari yelled.
"Yes! We shall visit!" Iya replied.
They both slid into a booth at the resturant, an odd sense was felt as she walked with him. She felt like a kid again, like nothing had happened between them. But, yet again, she was snapped from her own world. "Tsuki, Why were you rumored dead? And the boy..? How could you not tell me?"
She sighed lightly, sitting back. "My plan was to infrom you of it..believe me, but, you left.."
"You didn't even bother to look for--" He was cut off.
"You joined Akatsuki, Itachi. It's not an easy group to find," She stared at him. "and even if I had..What would you have done?" She looked at him, raising a brow. "You know me, Itachi. Damn well. I didn't want it to interfere with your plans. Saito's my son, My responsibility. I won't make you, or ask you to hold any claim to him. He's gone three years without you."
Itachi held up a hand, trying to stop her from speaking, she did so, "And you know me, Tsuki. I would have taken responsibility for him, whether I wanted him or not." He held up a finger, "And that doesn't mean i didn't.." He gave a light sigh, and stood up, standing in front of her, his eyes holding a serious look, "Besides, The last thing I wanted was to leave you..especially with a kid!"
"Then why did you leave?!"
She practically threw it into his face, and he sat back "I killed--"
"Don't give me such a stupid reason, Itachi. I know exactly what you did." She held a hand to her forehead, then sighed. "What you did..it didn't bother me..not then, not even now. The thing that hurt me was that you left, without a single goodbye. I can honestly say that I loved you, Itachi. As a matter of fact, I can honestly say I still do." She looked at him, "Whether or not you feel the same, it will always be that way. you saved my life, and showed me a side you'd never show to anyone. I understood that then, and understand it much better now." "When they told me what happened, my only fear was that you were dead..and then..I found out you were gone.."
"I was obviously stupid, thinking maybe you felt the same way about me. I'm fine knowing you didn't."
She was startled, the table being slammed by a fist, one that had painted nails. "Never..not once, did I say I had no feelings for you. If anyone, it was you.. When I left, I admit, I was an ass for not even issuing a goodbye." He looked down at her, his body being in a hunched position, a piece of wood cracked on the table. "I didn't want to get you involved, if i had told you anything..I wanted to be there for you, for everything. Being a father? That would have been wonderful, especially with you, Tsuki.." his head lowered slightly, "I just didn't want you to get hurt, is all"
She stared up at him, then stood up, leaning in to see his eyes, "And what do you think would have hurt more?" She gave a light sigh, staring down at the table. "Knowing you left hurt more than anything. I didn't care for anyone but you in Konoha. You saved me from everything. My foster parents..missions..everything" She could feel them..tears..my god..her face was burning with anger..and happiness..and so many other emotions. "I can't do thi--" She felt as if she were going to melt, two arms being wrapped around her, pulling her closer to his body.
He didn't know what came over him, well, he had a very good idea. She looked the best when she was confused, or angry, he'd admit it. That was the biggest reason they fought whenever they were together. Kissing him again..felt so good..
"Uchiha Itachi..Yes..That's your father. He and Tsuki go far back..Childhood.." Satuhari replied, walking with the two through the crowd, "They were together every chance they could be. When Tsuki got a new family, she snuck out every night to see him. They were envied by every couple in Konoha." she sighed, "It was beautiful.."
Iya grunted, "The stupid Uchiha.."
"Oh, Iya. If it weren't for you.."
"I know..I know..They'd of never met.."
"Really?" Saito asked, and Iya explained how they met.
They stared at each other for a minute, and Itachi spoke first. "how have you bee--" He grimaced, feeling an especially hard palm hit against his face, his head turning instantly with it. 'She's much stronger now.."
"Better. Now.." She replied, her hand dropping to her side...It stung a bit. Her heart had been in that.
"Good."
"What are you doing here, Itachi? doesn'y Akatsuki have something for you to do?"
He sighed, ..'It stings..' His cheek was a bright red. "I'm on a mission..actually..And you? i heard you left Konoha..You're a missing nin.." Hethought for a minute, his expression changing a bit. 'Is she my mission..no..she shouldn't be that strong..'
she looked off to the side, "i am. They'd send someone to find me, thinking the 'Death' was a false..and I'd.."
"Kill?"
"Get rid..Of them." She refused to use the word kill, she made a pact not to. He knew that...She hated killing, or claiming to do it..or even saying the word. She wouldn't give empty threats..She'd only say "I'll kill you" If she truly had a reason to do so..and intended to fulfill that promise...and that was never going to happen.
He changed the subject, "the Festival? You're going..?"
"Yes..Saito wants to see his first one, So I'm going to take him.."
"I'll go too..it can be a..family thing?" 'Family' ...He hadn't used that word in..Forever..
Tsuki got home late, saito was in bed. Her first few steps had been slow, but she soon found her way to the outside of the inn, making her way into a tree, sitting on the large branch.
"Are you two back together once more?" Iya asked, giving a light yawn and stretching. she was a light sleeper, especially in places where she didn't recognize the background noises. She sat beside her, staring off at the sky.
"No, we're not.." Tsuki replied, sighing a bit.
"And..why not?"
"It never came up..besides, we're not children anymore. things are different." She looked over at her, "Things can't just go back to what they were."
"And what about Saito?" Satuhari asked, finding her way to the opposite side of Tsuki, yawning and stretching as well. "He wants a father figure..and Itachi IS his father...and you two love each other..Don't try to say otherwise..I know damn well what most likely occured after I left."
Tsuki got a light red in her cheeks. "...That means nothing to the situation.."
They both rolled their eyes.
Tsuki grimaced a bit, holding her forehead. "damn.."
"what's wrong?" Iya asked, looking over at her.
"It's nothing..Just a bit of a headache.." to be honest, Tsuki had still been recovering from the Tsukiyomi, though, she didn't want them to worry. "I'm going to head to bed..It's the festival..and If I'm going to wear that thing.." 'Thing referring to the pink yukata, "I need as much sleep as possible.."
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I'm sorry it took me so long for this one.
I got SUCH A BAD writer's block! I hated it! And had to find time between my busy schedule.
I'm getting a Laptop for Christmas, so that means I'll be able to work on these anytime!! They should update sooner now!!
Well! Read and Review! Tell me what you liked, disliked..!
Reviews get me to update faster! so you know!
I'm out! peace!
Oh..P.S.
If there's typos..I'M SORRY! I posted this late, and I was too tired to fix them!! Forgive meh!