Thanks for being patient!

I have some art deviations on my deviantart of what I pictured Kirya and Sashira's eyes to look like. You can check it out here with no spaces foxsykitsunevamp. deviantart .com

Ok! On with the story!

Kirya pondered on the story told by Sashira and regretted not telling her what Siren had said.

The chancellor had broken out of prison and regained power through lies and manipulation. He had placed the country under military rule and his forces were keeping everyone inside the nation.

"That" said Siren "is why it took me so long to get to you…and the fact that I tried to find the princess."

Kirya didn't want to trouble Sashira with bad news from home, knowing how sensitive a topic their birthplace was to her. She even doubted Sashira would want to hear it at all.

Kakashi had returned from his mission and was now sitting at their table across from Siren. The old woman stared at him not saying a word. Her features were set in a harsh scowl and he turned to Kirya who was walking towards the kitchen. "Are you sure you don't want help Kirya?"

She scoffed at him "Please, I think I can make tea by myself. I'm pregnant, not useless." She stuck out her tongue and smiled. "I want you two to get acquainted anyway so this is perfect."

He turned back to the woman with the scowl. 'Why is she glaring at me like that?' he thought to himself 'did I do something?' He decided to ask in a quiet voice hoping Kirya would not over hear him. "Did I do something to offend you ma'am?"

The old woman's eyes narrowed even more and she took a breath "What are your intentions towards Kirya?"

He looked at her puzzled "Uh, she's my wife and soon to be mother of my child. My intention is to help and protect her."

He felt as though he were being interviewed by an overprotective mother. "What are your feelings for her?"

He raised an eyebrow. "I love her."

"Are you sure?"

He slouched sighing heavily "I'm very sure ma'am"

"Would you be willing to die for her and the child?"

He cringed, were these questions really necessary? "Yes, I would."

Kirya walked in with a tray and he rose to take it from her glad to get away from the woman's glare for a second or two. He didn't know why, but she made him jittery. He glanced back over and saw a smile on the old woman's lips.

"Kirya child, I am excited for you, but I still don't see why you married this man" The old woman's eyes were as sharp as ever as though she were boring into his soul.

Kirya laughed "I don't need your approval Siren, and I married him because I love him."

The woman sipped her tea and nodded "I approve then."

Kakashi sighed, this was going to be an interesting few months.

…

Siren had found a small apartment to move into after the child was to be delivered. She had decided she wanted to stay in Konoha after the child was born to help raise it. Kirya however wasn't too sure she was fond of the idea.

"Well what if I want my child to become a shinobi?"

The old woman clicked her tongue "She will be the next guardian and that is final."

"Well she can be a shinobi and a guardian can't she?"

"If she swears loyalty to a village she will forever be used by that village."

"And if she swears loyalty to the next princess it will be the same. She'll always be just a guard or just a pawn, so either way I don't see a difference."

"She must know of the ancient traditions and language. I can teach her that and help her as she grows her powers like I did for you when you were young."

Kirya took a deep breath and let it out slowly "Everything you taught us, Sashira is trying to erase. She's tried to change the system and I think it's due time to change the guardian rules."

"You can't walk away from what you are Kirya. You are linked to Sashira in a way that no one else in the world is linked. That bond of servitude will last through generations. If Sashira so much as pronounces a command on you, you'll have no choice, but to follow it, and so shall be your child to hers if she ever has one."

"I hope she doesn't" muttered Kirya under her breath.

"As do I child, as do I." added the older woman.

…

Standing in the kitchen, Kirya gripped the counter with her hands in frustration. "Are you ok?" asked Kakashi noticing her tense stance.

"Yeah…yes, I'm fine. I just want some sort of stability in our child's life. I don't want to play tug-o-war with my ancient traditions. I want my child to be here in Konoha. I want it to be like you."

He held her from behind curving his hands around her stomach. "Let's let our child decide. We'll raise it knowing both paths and let it decide which one it wants to take."

She nodded slowly "I suppose we could, but our traditions are a little intense."

He hummed in her ear "Our training as shinobi is a little intense."

She laughed "I guess you're right." She leaned back against his strong form and closed her eyes. "I remember watching you train when we were kids. I think the most fun I had was watching your fights with Gai. That was entertaining."

He smiled "Yeah, he always challenged me back then."

"He always challenges you now!" She giggled

"He's persistent. It's kind of his biggest character trait." He murmured laying his chin on her shoulder and recalling the day Gai had first seen Kirya.

…past…

Kakashi remembered sitting on the ground under a tree watching her as she practiced using her powers. He'd been told to keep an eye on her because she trusted him more than the other ninja that were assigned to guard her.

She was pretending to be a princess and a princess of her nation was always well rounded in all different skills. She twirled and used her powers to materialize flower petals.

A silver fan appeared in her hand as she continued to practice and she used it to brush the surface of a small stream nearby drawing out droplets and manipulating them with her energy. He became aware of a presence approaching from behind.

"Kakashi! I found you!" Gai dropped down from the trees and pointed at the silver haired boy "I challenge you to a fight!"

Kakashi sighed "I'm kinda busy right now."

Gai looked around finally catching sight of the girl. His eyes narrowed "What are you up to out here alone with a girl?"

"She's a princess visiting from another nation and I'm keeping watch over her."

Gai's eyes widened and he smiled "A princess huh? Well, every princess deserves a handsome knight in shining armor to protect her. Kakashi! From this day on I will be the bold hero to keep the princess safe!" his teeth twinkled and he winked.

"I really don't think she needs a hero, or a knight for that matter." Added Kakashi.

"Nonsense! Every princess should have one." Gai turned to where the girl was and marched down to her. "Princess." He addressed her before bowing "I am Might Gai Konoha's blue beast and I will be you knight in shining armor!"

Silence was all that came in reply and he looked up for the first time. His mouth went slack and his cheeks turned pink.

"I'm sorry if he's bothering you." said Kakashi joining them at the stream bank. Gai suddenly stood from his bow and dragged Kakashi behind some bushes "Ow what was that for?"

"Kakashi…she's pretty…I think…I think I like her." Kakashi rolled his eye and left Gai sitting behind the shrubbery to be with Kirya.

"What was that about?" she asked as he neared.

"That's just Gai, he's kind of a friend of mine and he wanted to help protect you."

Gai had gotten over the initial shock of seeing the fake princess' beauty up close and rejoined the two. "Princess, I would be honored to become your bravest protector while you are here."

She smiled politely "Thank you Gai, but there is already someone guarding me. If you'll excuse me." She walked past the two boys back toward the center of the village.

Gai turned a defeated look towards Kakashi "You beat me again."

Kakashi looked at him confused "What do you mean?"

"It seems she only wants you to protect her. Why!? Why are you so cool and popular with the girls?! Even this princess only has eyes for you."

The silver haired boy shook his head "She just knows me better and she really doesn't like to be around new people. I'm sure she'd be your friend too if you give her some time. She took a while to open up to me as well, but she lets me keep watch on her and that's what the Hokage wants."

"So this is like a mission?"

He nodded "Yeah I guess. Not officially no, but…"

"Then I'll help you! Missions are done in teams right!"

"Not all the time." Muttered Kakashi as Gai excitedly ran after the princess.

"Princess wait!" Gai caught up to the girl and bowed again "Accept my strength and my loyalty to show you how amazing the men of Konoha are." He struck a good guy pose teeth shining and winking.

She giggled demurely "You're amusing. I've never met anyone like you before. I suppose you could stay around for a while, but don't get too used to it."

Kakashi had joined them at that point and as they all walked back towards the center of the village Gai turned whispering excitedly to him. "She said I amuse her and she's never met anyone like me before."

"I can believe that." mumbled Kakashi.

After a few weeks Gai built up the courage to confess he liked the young girl. She politely refused his request "Forgive me." She said as disappointment showed on his face "Think of it this way Gai, part of growing up is learning to deal with heartbreak. So, just consider this a way to become more mature and grow."

His face lit up and he seemed even more energized "Thank you Princess! I will train harder and become stronger! I will rid myself of heart break to keep the essence of youth!" He ran away probably going to train somewhere and Kirya turned to Kakashi.

"So…what just happened?"

He shook his head "Don't worry about it, he's always like that."

Years later, Gai had caught sight of a new expression in Kakashi's eye just after Kirya left. Seeing that his eternal rival was sad at the girl's choice to leave rather than wait for him to accompany her to her homeland, he stuck out his chest and declared "Well I guess part of growing up is learning to deal with heartbreak."

"What are you talking about? I'm not heartbroken." The teenager scowled.

"Whatever you say Kakashi. I know you probably had a secret crush on her, but for now let's go fight to forget the feelings of rejection!"

"I don't have feelings of rejection, and I don't want to fight right now."

…present…

Kakashi thought about that incident years ago and wouldn't admit till now that every time she left he felt sad and every time she came back he felt happy. It wasn't until now that he fully understood the feelings he had as a child. He had known before what it meant, but never knew what to do about it. He was grateful that she had comeback to stay and as he ran his hands over her round belly he smiled that something he'd never really thought about was going to happen. He was going to be a father.

…

As days moved into months Sashira found herself sitting at the window as though she expected a sign to appear telling her Kirya's baby was born. She knew that Kirya would be weak and probably not able to tell her right away when it happens, but it didn't deter her from keeping her mind open.

"Are you worried still?" She turned to face Itachi as he walked towards her.

"I know she'll be fine, but I kinda wanted to be there to help support her and to see the baby."

"Then why don't you go?" he questioned calmly already knowing the answer.

"And let her see me like this? I'm supposed to support her not stress her out right before she has a child." He smiled at her feistiness and looked over her body once more.

Before, she had been barely showing, but now the growth of her stomach was noticeable. She blamed it on his transfusion of energy to her. She had asked him to stop once and remarked that it was making the baby fat and she'd have a hard time pushing it out.

He touched his forehead to hers breathing in her scent "I'm glad you decided to stay with me. I hope you'll make that decision again when our child is born."

She stepped back "It's not a choice I can make at will. I really wish I could, but…"

"Sashira I love you. I don't wish you to die, but if you do I'll be joining you soon."

She narrowed her eyes "Was that supposed to be funny? Look, all I want right now is to forget about the future and hold you in my arms for as long as you're mine."

He moved towards her again and swept her up in his arms carrying her to their room "I think I can help you with that."

…

Sweat gathered on Kirya's forehead and temples as she tried to steady her breathing. The pain was getting worse as her labor progressed. It had been hours already and the pain was at its peak so far.

Siren was poised to deliver the child and medical a ninja was by her side instructing her and comforting her. Kakashi sat worried on her other side holding her hand "It'll be fine Kirya hang on."

She took in a sharp breath as the pain started again "I know it'll be fine, but I'm getting impatient."

As Siren told her to push she contracted her muscles and cried out. Again and again she was ordered and she did as she was told.

After what seemed like eternity a tiny cry filled her ears. She smiled and laughed out loud as tears streamed from the corners of her eyes.

"It's a girl." proclaimed Siren.

A bigger smile went across Kirya's face and she looked up at Kakashi who she could tell was smiling too. He held her close and held his cheek to her hair. "You did it! We have a daughter." He whispered. She sighed happily and lay back exhausted on the hospital bed. The nurses finished their work and Siren approached her with the newborn in her arms wrapped in a blanket. Passing the child to its mother Siren stood back and watched the happy couple fawning over her. Siren smiled and spoke "She needs a name."

Kirya stroked her newborn's pink cheek "Mizuka. Mizuka Hatake." The baby moved grabbing on to her fingers.

"I think she likes it." Smiled Kakashi "Mizuka." He whispered gazing at the child.

"Will you hold her for me?" requested Kirya. "I really need to sleep right now."

He nodded and she placed the tiny bundle in his arms. He seemed almost afraid of holding her too tight, but also afraid to let her fall. He marveled that something so small could be his biggest fear at the moment. Looking at the child's face he felt as though the world had stopped spinning and time was standing still. He never thought he'd be in this position, but here he was holding his first child.

"Girls are not usually troublesome as children, but when she realizes boys can be more than friends with her, the trouble will start." joked Siren to one of the nurses quietly.

'Not if I can help it' he thought, already going into protective parent mode.

After a few days Kirya was released from the hospital and they brought Mizuka home for the first time. Kirya watched as she slept in her new crib and smiled as strong arms held her and a low whisper sounded in her ear "She's perfect like her mother."

"And she'll be strong like her father." She added "She's already more like you than me, just look at that hair." A small tuft of brilliant white hair rested on the baby's crown.

"My father's hair was white." He commented staring at the child.

"Then let's raise her as a tribute to him." She turned and smiled before leaning her head on his shoulder. "But right now I just want to sleep!"

He laughed and picked her up carrying her to the bed and tucking her in so she could rest. "I'll be back later. I have to pick up a few things and I'll get us something to eat." Kissing her forehead he stood and glanced back at the cradle once more before exiting their home.

Kirya was dead tired still, but tried to reach out to Sashira. "Sashira?"

"Hello love, how is my darling sister?" came the overly happy reply

"Is something wrong Sashira?" she asked

"No, why do you ask?" a bouncy voice replied

"Because you always overcompensate sounding happy when something is wrong." She remarked accusingly.

The other girl paused before speaking "Kirya…I'm…I'm lonely, Itachi's gone off on another mission and I'm stuck here alone." Unseen to Kirya the girl closed her eyes and bit her lip hating herself for not having the guts to tell her the real reason for her worry.

Kirya laughed "Is that all, geez I thought it was something serious. By the way I had my baby."

Sashira squealed happily "About time! Tell me everything! What's the name? What is it boy or girl? What does it look like?"

"Well it's a girl and we named her Mizuka, she's so small and she has white hair. She's so adorable just look at her." Kirya envisioned the baby girl in her mind so she could see for herself.

"She's amazing!" smiled Sashira.

"Yeah well, I'm doing fine, but I'm really tired so I'm going to go to sleep." She heard a soft congratulations and goodbye from Sashira before the link was cut and she welcomed the darkness of her eyelids.

…

Itachi found Sashira laying in their bed with skin even paler than before and her eyes fluttering open only to close once again. He'd only been gone for a few days, but here she was almost drained completely of her energy. Moving to her side he smoothed her hair from her face and called her name. She didn't answer, but opened her eyes slowly to look at him. He could tell she was powerless at this point even to speak. He automatically transferred some of his chakra to her to ease her strain. In a few hours her skin took on a pinker hue and she was able to talk.

"I couldn't tell her." Was all she had to say and he understood.

"You don't need to worry, it will only hurt you. You've spent so much time worrying about my condition and helping me I think you should do the same for yourself."

She laughed weakly and curled on her side as he held her close. Getting her energy up was difficult, almost as though the child was starving and consuming as much energy as it could. He made sure he slept close to her that night just in case. He didn't mind the child stealing energy from him, it didn't take as much from him as it did from her and he wanted her to stay strong.

"Did I tell you?" she asked sleepily

"Tell me what?"

She cuddled closer to him "Kirya had a girl."

…

Extra story bit…This wasn't in my original edit, but I thought you'd like to read it. Set somewhere after the Chunin exams before Sasuke left.

Sashira was enjoying her short time with Kirya. This was her second time visiting the village and she had kidnapped Kirya to have a day out with the girls. Kirya really didn't want to party and had settled for hanging out with all the girls she'd met in Konoha to let Sashira meet them and to satisfy the girl's thirst of adventure.

The adult girls would have their fun later, but for now Kirya had taken Sashira and the younger girls out for lunch. Sakura, Ino, Tenten, and Hinata were there enjoying the presence of the two older girls.

As is customary at girl gatherings the conversation soon drifted to the topic of boys. "Oh come on tell me who you like" prodded Sashira at the younger girls.

Tenten was shaking her head "No way! It's a secret."

"That's why I asked darling, because it is a secret." She glanced at Sakura "I already know she likes Sasuke and from the way they were arguing about him earlier I'd say Ino likes him too."

"Well who doesn't?" scoffed Tenten rolling her eyes.

"I'll bet Hinata has a different crush." stated Kirya casually drawing Sashira's attention to the dark haired beauty.

"Who is he?"

The girl went red and fiddled with her fingers."Well, I…he…I like…"

Kirya nodded and smiled to encourage the girl to speak. "I won't tell I promise." winked Kirya gaining a deeper blush from the girl .

"N..Naruto kun"

Kirya laughed "That is so cute I think you'd be perfect for him. Opposites attract right?"

As the subject of boys progressed the subject of sex wasn't too far behind.

"Can I ask you something Kirya? If you don't mind." Tenten decided to be bold and breach the topic when the girl nodded. "Is it awkward the first time? I mean are you shy at all on the first night with a guy?"

Kirya glanced over at Sashira who made eye contact with her. "I'm not really the one to be asking, but I'd say no. Not if you really love him."

Sashira nodded and turned serious pointing at each of the girls "Promise us you won't take that step till you find the one you'll love forever." The girls looked at her and she explained. "Sex is never 'just sex' I know that for a fact. When you do it with a guy you love it's like you are giving a piece of your soul to him or a piece of your heart if you will. If he loves you back he gives you a piece of his heart in return. If you do it with a guy you love but doesn't love you back you give him something, but get nothing in return, slowly losing your heart and becoming empty. You may have already felt this way a little if you like someone that doesn't like you back. The hope is there, but at the end of the day that loneliness is still real. If you do it with some random guy you don't love that piece you would have given gets destroyed and you rot away little by little."

The mood was heavy and the girls all thought about what she had said. "Wow, you should be a therapist." Joked Kirya "She's right girls. Don't waste your little heart pieces on boys you don't love or who don't love you ok?" she smiled as the girls nodded "And if you love him and he loves you it shouldn't be awkward the first time you are together. You might feel a little shy for a few seconds, but your feelings take over and it all goes away. Now let's talk about something else."

"Yeah!" chimed Sashira "Like who Tenten's crush is."

I hope you liked it!