Chapter Ten

Hideaway

A week and a half went by. Everything was calm, even if Shisui's team was still at it tirelessly. Itachi had less trouble at the office with Toneri notably, and the cases he would handle were less troublesome for some reason. For once, he had a peace of the mind. Alas, it's only the calm before the storm.

He spent this week looking into one certain item which he was impatient to show Hanaru in a few more weeks, praying to Amaterasu she would say yes.

Aside from that, his mother was a nervous wreck. She kept pleading with him to bring Hanaru over because she missed her and had been worried sick, just like she'd been when her first grandchild was murdered, and Fugaku had fared no better either. In fact, whereas he'd been stricken with disgrace, he seethed with righteous fury and pulled Itachi off to the side one day.

"Now they're putting their eyes on our family as well, if they're coming after you and everyone you care about, Itachi," he said through his teeth. He clenched his fist, holding himself together in an attempt to not punch the wall next to them. "Your mother and I could have been killed! How much longer is this going to continue?!"

He closed his eyes and failed to provide the answer his father needed. "Father, we may have two members dead, but they don't go down without a fight. They hide and strike us at vulnerable point. Haven't they done the same to you?" he returned. "But have they done the dirty deed in perhaps blackmailing someone close to you? Someone we have no solid leads on yet?"

Now this made Fugaku slam a fist into the wall without cracking it. "Come again?!" he exploded. "You're questioning your own father for his failures?!"

I hit the nerve. "No," Itachi replied evenly, "but I am asking if you felt what I am now. The night that thug that you tried to get behind bars had tried to kill Mother and I, when she was still carrying Sasuke...but it was no fault of yours. However, on both our parts, the ones we love most could have been ripped from us by the ones we want away from the streets of this town we love so much." He closed both his hands into fists of his own. You would have lost Mother, Sasuke and I - the same way I would have lost Hanaru.

As Sasuke and Sakura lost their child.

His father locked eyes with him, silently struggling for words of his own...but he got the message. Instead, Fugaku muttered, "But this one...it's someone near and dear you don't realize." The words hit home for the nth time.

His stomach twisted as he tried hard to think about WHO it could be so close to him. He was always surrounded by people he knew he could trust, and Shisui he'd known his entire life.

Kisame was the one to take him into the office, mentored him in the field after Fugaku spent years grooming him. The man was a friend of his and also knew his father well - but not as knitted as he and the younger Uchiha were. The shark-like man had been with him through thick and thin since he first took the Akatsuki case...

"Itachi?" Fugaku pressed, calm but thinning on patience.

Itachi shook his head. "I wish I could provide an answer. To trust many people and not know who could have done this..."

His father shook his head. "As I am inclining to agree with you, I would recommend something that you can have done if this is going to go on like this. You won't be able to save everyone you care about, but you can do one thing for Hanaru," he said, "and I have a feeling you may agree with me on this, or not..." He trailed off there, adverting his eyes to the tiled floor.

He already saw this coming because Jiraiya had said the same thing. Somehow the younger Uchiha got the feeling Hanaru wouldn't like this, even if it was the logical source.

~o~

She didn't normally lose her temper like this, but now felt like a way to relieve the tension on her part. She slammed her palm flat on the precious marble of her table. Of all the things -!

"YOUR FATHER WANTS ME TO GO INTO HIDING?!"

So Fugaku had approached his son and "suggested" - no, ordered - that she who he set his son up with should leave Konoha until the investigation was over, after the incident. She was livid, torn between exploding and cursing, but also to agree to this because she might end up killed...or someone else around them would be killed. "I want to say Fugaku has gone too far," she hissed at Itachi as he reclined back in the chair. "I don't run and hide for my own safety..."

"Perhaps not," he interrupted calmly. His arms folded across his chest. "But my father is right. We may not always agree, but this time I have a very good reason. I know you can take care of yourself, Hanaru, but as long as this investigation goes, there's a chance the Akatsuki will try again - and perhaps where you hurt most. They could come after you, as well. It's highly possible that the Akatsuki sees you as my...weak spot," he finished softly.

But my brother, Hinata and everyone else...

Itachi went on as if he knew what she was thinking. "If you're away, everyone else will be safe. Hopefully. The same goes for me; I am going to hide away with you until the bomber is found."

Hanaru felt her breath hitch. He...he was forced to go away, with her. She saw now why Fugaku had insisted: as long as she and Itachi were here, no one around them was safe - including them both. But that begged where they would go, and so many others. Naruto and Hinata could handle the store without her, but it was her LIFE. She had a life to live, and so far it was to the fullest - but these monsters with the red clouds wreaking havoc on all of them were forcing her to hide away. They were after the man she loved, the man who had done what his father couldn't, and it was him personally, even if those closest to him got in the way intentionally or not.

"But what if," she said after a moment, "the Akatsuki go after the others while we hide away?" That was what scared her the most.

He shook his head. "I have no doubt they will not. This isn't the first time, Hanaru." He sighed. "I never told you this..." She raised an eyebrow. This was the first time she heard him say that he never told her something of his life. "...but I was five years old when my mother was pregnant with Sasuke. During that day, my father lost a case, and the man was free to walk the streets. It so happened that we were the unlucky to come his way, or maybe he planned to get back at my father this way. Mother was knocked unconscious, and I would have been taken away had Shisui not showed up and saved my life."

Shisui saved his life. They met that night, and that was the beginning. He, his mother and unborn baby brother would have died had he not...

"That was when my father realized he should have had us hidden away for safety," Itachi went on, eyes dulled. "It never happened again after that, but now he insists that I do this for you - and for everyone else." He leaned forward then across the table and reached for her. He took her hand and clasped it tightly. "Please, Hanaru. We can go away for now if it is for the best."

He didn't like this anymore than she did, and the decision had been made, she could tell. She sighed sharply. Guess that means I can't tell my brother and Hinata where we go - and he can't tell Sasuke and Sakura. We need a good excuse without telling WHERE we are going, or how long we'll be away. Unless Fugaku...

"Don't worry about the details, Hana-chan," he said tenderly. "My father isn't the only one to plan all of this..."

~o~

"Grandpa Jiraiya, of course."

The white-haired old man grinned at her from ear-to-ear. "Likewise, kiddo! And where better than where your grandmother and I used to spend the summers before we brought the whole family here?" He gestured ahead behind the wheel as he brought them both on the gravel towards the beach house which was a breathtaking fusion of ancient temple and modern architecture.

Itachi admitted he loved it better than home.

The structure was two floors high, set with glass walls at many angles. The lake was off to the right side and traveled behind. It looked like someplace his parents would own themselves - and himself if he wanted to. But he didn't want to be anywhere isolated from friends and family. This was the first he was learning about this place, and Hanaru was back here for the first time since childhood. His breath was taken away...but not as much as her sitting next to him.

Did she have to wear that dress? It wasn't revealing, and he wasn't having those thoughts. Blue like her eyes, wrapped around her body perfect...she enticed him. Her hair was held out of her face and in a ponytail like him. But she rarely cracked a smile, making him sigh a little. She agreed, but to go for an uncertain period of time without their friends and loved ones? Itachi had not once let go of her hand in his, and the truth was when he got comfortable holding her for comfort, he'd eventually forgotten about her skin against his.

"Very impressive, Jiraiya," he told the older man. "It's magnificent for an escape of every sort in the book..." And it's perfect.

Jiraiya chuckled and tapped his fingers against the wheel - but now the Uchiha heard the distance in his tone. "Yeah, me and Tsunade had a hell of a time before Minato came along..."

Hanaru turned to look out the window to her other side, saying nothing. At the mention of her grandmother, Itachi couldn't help but feel annoyed at Tsunade Senju. The woman had mentored Sakura in her med school days and was a somewhat mother to her. In terms of her blood family recently, she was elsewhere without saying where she was going, having retired some years ago. Her own granddaughter in the hospital, and her ex-husband had it in him to visit Hanaru for the course of that week. But she left before the incident. It still did not make it right. His girlfriend had told him herself if she saw her grandmother, she might as well risk a blow like Tsunade would give anyone who crossed her.

"So, as a first cause to celebrate day one of freedom -" Jiraiya was surprisingly cheery despite the reasons why they were here, and as his personal means to distract himself from the baggage he carried. "- I'll be cooking my special sea bass with miso and soy!"

At the mention of his specialty, Hanaru's eyes lit up. Itachi's smile stretched to both sides of his face.

It had been two days since they decided to come out here. His father and Jiraiya had taken liberties to let everyone they knew that the couple was leaving for an uncertain period of time. Lesser ones would ask so many questions as if they had the right, but these ones knew too well why. But if he and Hanaru took off without a word, everyone would worry to death - especially Naruto, who would not shut his trap until he got his wish in knowing where his sister was.

Jiraiya pulled them both into the driveway at the same time the garage door opened at his automatic signal...but that was when the three of them immediately spotted the CAR that was already parked inside. Someone else got here before us. Itachi felt his blood freeze at the same time he jerked forward, not recognizing it, before Jiraiya barked with laughter.

"Oh, Tsunade."

"GRANDMA?!" Hanaru exclaimed, mixed with fury and surprise. "SHE'S HERE?!"

~o~

Well, that made me sound AND feel like a kid again. Not to mention, Naruto would have done the same.

Her blood was boiling again. She didn't know how to approach her grandmother now since this was not what she planned on. So, where had Tsunade been all this time? And she thought to come here, her and Jiraiya's old honeymoon spot and their family getaway, but didn't think to realize they might be coming? And by they, she meant herself, Itachi and Jiraiya.

Hanaru got out of the back of her grandfather's vehicle and moved around to open the trunk for her and Itachi's luggage. It didn't surprise her that Jiraiya had already brought his here. "What do you intend to do with her, Grandpa? Have another fight with her? When was the last time you spoke to her?" she asked coolly.

Jiraiya gave her a look, but it wasn't by means lecturing. "Months ago, remember? She's still your grandmother, Hana-chan, and you know she loves you. This is just how she is."

"Just as it's her to abandon her own family in the hospital like that?" she snapped angrily, stalking for the front door. She knew she was acting like a brat, and she was a grown ass woman! "This crosses the line, Grandpa! She never abandoned her own patients, but -!" He exhaled sharply again. Itachi watched them both but said nothing, choosing to stay out of it.

"Listen, kid -" Even at her age, he was still calling her and Naruto that. "- talking about your grandmother like that will earn you more than just a black eye."

Even worse than a kick of the ass.

She was first to enter the house, without bothering to use the key. She kicked off her sandals - she didn't bother with heels - and made way across the angular area, her feet padding across the polished oak panels for the kitchen that was visible. Beyond that was the spacious living area with some damned good entertainment for such middle-class living. The great windows provided spectacular views of the forest and the lake. The few carpets were made of bamboo lined with soft wool; the furniture pieces were smooth black leather to really pop against the mild color scheme. This wasn't simply man-made; nature itself dominated this place, in and out.

What she saw at the kitchen table made her drop her bag to the floor. There was none other than Tsunade herself with a bottle of sake in front of her. How long had she been there with that thing? It made Hanaru's temper snap that she felt like her mother when Kushina's limits were tested.

The well-endowed blonde took notice of her immediately, and a smile broke on her face. "Hanaru - back after all these years!"

"Grandma," was all she could say, and her body moved on its own as she went over to hug the older woman, who giddily laughed it off. She's so drunk she's not herself. Of course. But when she sees...

"Jiraiya!" Tsunade screeched, the sound in her ear making her flinch, and the embrace tightened. "You're here -" She blinked rapidly when she saw WHO came in beside him. "- and...Itachi Uchiha. I didn't think I'd see you again."

Itachi bowed his head once. "Tsunade-sama, it's a surprise to see you as well," he answered. "I must say you look...pleasant." Hanaru tried not to roll her eyes. Pleasant, really? He must be unable to think straight with her grandmother being here in this state.

She chose to step in, letting the older woman go and pick up her bag. "Yeah, and before we get comfortable, I'd like to bring my bag up," she said, a little too forcefully, which Tsunade noticed and raised an eyebrow over. Oh, she knew what the elder blonde was thinking, and they had a LOT to say to each other. But now she realized she was too tired and just wanted to relax and settle in. Maybe she and Itachi could go down to the onsen...

Looking down one of the windows as they proceeded up the stairs, she glimpsed out back to see said onsen customized into the concrete garden, surrounded by native flora, overlooking the beach beyond. Some would say rich folk could afford this, and there were truly very few like that today, but it wasn't the case with her family. It was simply hard work that paid off. Itachi took a look himself and hummed with approval. As soon as they reached her room - and yes, it was hers, untouched after all these years - she went right over to the bed covered with cherry blossoms and cranes, dropping the suitcase and opening it to reveal the clothing she packed. She had to take what she needed, even if all her old garments here might not fit her anymore. That was the downside; she had a lot to look through and give away to younger girls who needed them.

"Avoiding her on purpose," Itachi noted, sitting on the edge of the bed and watching her. He laid back then, stretching his body out and folding his arms beneath his head like a pillow. His navy shirt rode up to show some expanse of skin - his navel and part of his sculpted abdomen. She swallowed and looked down.

"I don't feel like dealing with her today," Hanaru said, pulling out the one thing she wanted: the sheer aqua wrap. She then reached for her dress and shrugged it off her shoulders, letting it fall to the floor, prompting a raise of both eyebrows from her boyfriend. If he thought he was going to see her naked, he was half-mistaken. "What were you expecting?"

Her bathing suit had a crop top and bikini bottom, both in striped summer colors. Itachi smirked to one corner of his mouth and sat up then, moving to pull his shirt over his head, showing off rippling muscles he could have gotten if he had been in the services. Damn it, why did she get so lucky?

Gods, his pants were down then, too. That...holy shit, those trunks...!

Navy blue, high above the thighs and low on the hips - and the bulge! It was going to be so hard being next to him - and how the hell would she prevent her grandparents from seeing this?!

He walked past her with his head proudly held high, every muscle he owned rippling and begging for her to touch boldly. She chose to slink behind him because she didn't want to look at the faces of Jiraiya and Tsunade - the former having the epic nosebleed of the day, and the latter beaming with both eyes closed. Leave it to me to want to slip into the hot spring and just drown.

~o~

Jiraiya and Tsunade were having a serious, strained conversation, and Itachi had been outside the house, listening in on them through the window while Hanaru went down to the beach. The old man must have had the attack of the lifetime when he saw both his granddaughter and the Uchiha disembarked down the stairs and made way to the back door.

"...know where the leader of the Akatsuki might be," Jiraiya said, sitting across his ex-wife on the table, accepting himself a cup of sake left. He felt himself stiffen then and there. Part of him wanted to go in, but his better judgment insisted he stay out as it was between him and Tsunade, who almost choked on her drink.

"You mean, you finally got a lead after all these years," she stated in disbelief, clearing her throat. "And you think it would help me finally have a decent night's rest after all this time? You honestly think it would bring Minato and Kushina back?"

Old wounds can never be healed even if you finally find treatment. He shook his head to himself.

Then he heard the part about the Akatsuki, and his heart swelled with possible hope. However, if it was a dead end again, he would not tell Hanaru himself yet or they would both be disappointed.

Tsunade took another cup down, looking on the verge of passing out, but she was still listening to Jiraiya when he exhaled and looked down at the oak surface of the table. "I know what you're thinking, Tsunade. You never told me yourself all this time, but every time you look at me, you see our son...and you wish I died that night instead of him and Kushina."

This made her jolt upright again, and her glare directed itself at him for a moment, the vein visible in her forehead, before it softened a fraction or two. "You think I want to forget about them, Jiraiya? I lost Dan and Nawaki a long time ago, and to lose our son - it was more than I should have..." She broke off then and there, biting her lip to keep a sob from breaking out. This was the first time Itachi saw the powerful woman cracking like this. He wondered if Sakura ever saw this side of her mentor...

She lost two other men she cared about...one a brother and the other an old lover, perhaps? So now the loss of her son pushed her far more greatly than I realized. And in doing so, she distanced herself from her own husband as well. The river runs deeper than seen...

Itachi wanted to go up to them now, talk to them both, but logic insisted he leave it between them both, and Hanaru was down by the shoreline waiting for him. Sighing, he left the conversation between the couple, enjoying the sun beating down on his tanned, toned form.

There she was, sitting upright on the golden sand, on top of the towel she laid for herself, and his own was waiting for him. He exhaled sharply when he looked at her back, at her glorious form and recalled their times together. The light breeze picked up and made his tied-back hair ripple against the expanse of his shoulders.

He didn't want to lose her, the way he nearly lost her on his birthday - or the way her grandparents had lost each other, over the losses of their son and daughter-in-law, breaking their family apart. Or the way Tsunade had spoke of...

If Hanaru and I lost our brothers, we would feel the same. Each other will count as well. Loss is loss, and the pain is one you can never describe or recover from in a fortnight - or ever.

He said he would wait for a month, and now could be called a heat of the moment, but the blood heatedly rushed through him with a passion as he made the decision of a lifetime he swore he would never regret. "Hanaru!" he yelled, picking up his speed as he ran down the small hill. She whipped her head around when she saw him coming, quickly standing as if sensing something was wrong. "Itachi, wha -" She didn't get to finish when he picked her up and spun her in the air, bringing her down to hold her close.

"Itachi, what's gotten into you?!" she exclaimed, her arms wrapping around his shoulders when he put her down. Her sunny hair came halfway undone from her ponytail, which he reached to pull the band from and let the golden waves ripple behind her like a halo. He bent his head down and captured her lips in a desperate kiss, breaking apart for air and to let loose what he couldn't wait another two, three weeks for because life was too short and riddled with too many unknown surprises - good and bad alike.

"Hanaru Uzumaki...marry me."

The moment where Jiraiya and Tsunade discuss their issues was based off the scene between Han and Leia in "Star Wars: The Force Awakens". Their son (Kylo Ren, the main villain) fell to the Dark Side of the Force, resulting in family estrangement. :(

So, Itachi popped it. :'D It may seem like it happened so fast, but at the end, it doesn't matter, because he's right: life is too short. Let's see how things go in the next chapter. I WAITED FOREVER FOR THAT MOMENT - and I know you all have, too.