A/N: Wow. This is the longest I've taken to update anything, ever. Last night I arrived back in the middle east where I live. The flight was 11 hours of torture. The last few days of my trip in the states were hectic, I couldn't write with all the stress. Anyways, I'll be traveling again in a day or two.

This chap and the next one (possibly the next two) will deal with a little arc involving the kids and the Buffyverse. For those of you who hate cross-overs, please just skip this. I'll be getting back to more serious, gritty, angsty stuff after this arc. This chap is short and light.

Thank you for the fabulous reviews! I haven't had a chance to review ppl's work in a while, but I'll get back to that as soon as possible.

Chapter 11

Uchiha Sumiko watched her classmates file out of the last class of the day nervously. She was left alone in the stadium seats to stare at her test paper. She cast a glance at the doorway again and saw Hiroko give her an encouraging thumbs up. Sumiko took a deep breath and nodded.

Udon wasn't paying attention to his students. He was only peripherally aware that they'd all filed out of his classroom while he looked over the test papers that had been handed to him. A frown appeared between his brown eyes; judging by the majority of the answers he was seeing he'd have to administer the last three chapters of the text book again and make up another test. Dismal scores, just dismal!

Someone cleared their throat softly near his desk.

"Um, Udon-sensei?"

Udon looked over his glasses to see his favorite student standing in front of his desk, holding her test paper as if it were a shield. He set the papers in his hand down so that he could give her his full attention. "What is it, Sumiko-chan?" Udon smiled.

Sumiko tried hard not to let her knees buckle. Udon-sensei was smiling at her.

In all fairness, Udon was nothing like the snot-nosed, apathetic child he'd been. He'd grown to be tall, fiercely intelligent and solid. Not as solid or as muscled as Konohamaru, but his body was nicely fleshed out with his years of training. His long-sleeved T-shirt hugged the strong arms and shoulders, emphasizing a well-built body. His brown hair was perfectly straight, laying over his forehead in floppy thickness. His glasses only served to emphasize his strong, hairless jaw and his chiseled lips. He smelled like the lemon drops he sucked on constantly.

"I had a question about problem thirteen," Sumiko said quietly.

Unlike her older sister, Sumiko didn't behave foolishly around the person she loved. At ten going on eleven, she was self-possessed and calmly confident. Her feelings were held inside her rigidly controlled personality. They burned brightly, intensely.

"Oh?" Udon said raising his brows. "You always get every question correct, I can't imagine you ever having trouble with something I teach."

And she didn't this time, he found out. Her question was one that had him taking out a piece of paper and scribbling her words down. She wanted to know a possible application of the problem under certain circumstances. The answer needed to be multiplied, squared and divided thrice.

Udon had to admit that she was the most intelligent person he'd ever come across. She was smarter by far than the legendary Haruno Sakura whose scores were still posted on the academy wall of fame, along with a few others. Udon's own name was up there. Sumiko was going to be a formidable kunoichi. She already was one. Gai-sensei said her Taijutsu was phenomenal and Tenten, recently teaching at the academy now that another sitter for young children had been found, said Uchiha Sumiko was the only other person, ever, to match her in precision and accuracy when using weapons.

Udon found, to his everlasting shame, that his bright little student quite turned him on with her keen mind. He never betrayed his feelings by so much as a glance, though.

He peeked at her face as he slid the scrap paper across the desk to her. Her hair was shiny, falling around her shoulders in a cascade of dark glory that made his hands itch to touch it. Her equally dark eyes and fair skin were already showing signs of the beauty she'd grow up to be.

You fucking lecher, will you stop?! She's just a kid! Udon lectured himself sternly.

"Oh, I see," Sumiko said softly as she studied the paper. Her cheeks warmed with color as she gave him a small smile. She thanked him and left the classroom, her hair swishing from side to side with her gait. Udon reached between his legs and adjusted his pants; they were uncomfortably tight of a sudden.

Udon had reason to believe that Sumiko-chan might harbor feelings for him. She routinely left him an onigiri on his desk at the beginning of each week and he sometimes caught her staring at him. She wasn't bold and bubbly like her sister Hiroko (Konohamaru still cursed in rage every time her name was mentioned. Udon mentioned it often just to see his roommate turn purple). She was quiet and serious. Her stares usually ended with her face turning slightly red. He loved her stares.

Shaking himself, Udon got up and stuffed the test papers into his bag. He needed to get home and grade them before heading back out to help at the rebuilding the village.

Hiroko was waiting for her sister outside the academy building. "Well?" she asked when she saw her younger sister.

"I didn't tell him. I couldn't. I'm only ten, why would he take me seriously if I told him I loved him? More importantly, why would he care?"

"Because," Hiroko said as they met up with the rest of their siblings who were coming out of the building, "he likes you. I can tell. He looks at you more than the rest of us and he always calls you 'chan'. He only calls the rest of us by our name and that's it."

Hiroto decided to chime in. "And you'd be the expert, huh, Hiroko? Konohamaru no niichan still runs in the other direction whenever he sees you."

"Want me to mind-control you into telling dad your real test scores for last week?"

Hiroto edged away from his sister.

"Anyways," the blond girl resumed, "I'm sure I'll convince Konohamaru-dono to love me soon. We're destined to be together."

Kaito spoke up. "Who here has actually kissed someone? Besides Hiroko." A chorus of 'eww' and giggling broke out amongst his siblings.

"Why are you asking," Kenji said.

"Because I'm going to kiss the eternally lovely Hyuuga Hanabi."

The others had something to say to this announcement.

"Liar!"

"As if."

"Yeah in your dreams!"

"I'm telling dad."

"I'm telling Hiashi-sama."

Kenta spoke up. Everyone quieted down to listen since he rarely spoke. "That's never going to happen because she would never look at a younger guy. Especially one who's face is black and blue."

Kaito flushed scarlet. "I'm twelve, she's only three years older than I am. And anyways I'm taller than her."

No argument there. Kaito had shot up in the past six months. He was starting to fill out and he was certainly taller than the petite Hyuuga.

Kaito had been in the hospital for a few days, though. His face still sported the bruises from Sasuke's fists.

Last week…

"Aww, dad, why can't I come to the picnic with everyone else? That is so unfair!"

"Your uncle Sasuke would like to discuss something with you."

"But why can't he discuss it with me there?"

"It's a private matter, Kaito."

"Okay well can I come to the picnic after the discussion?" Kaito was desperate. All his friends were going to be at the picnic. He couldn't understand what his uncle could have to say to him that would keep him home.

"It's unlikely you'll want to come afterwards."

"But-"

Itachi had left then. Kaito had caught the look Uncle Naruto had given him: a look of regret mixed with distaste and resignation.

Kaito had gone to the window by the house door to watch his family walking away. They were laughing, talking, running ahead…

"So," a voice said behind Kaito. He whirled around.

Sasuke was wearing a pair of black shorts that came to his knees. Nothing else. His hair was messy, his eyes lidded and slightly glassy. He and uncle Naruto just finished screwing, Kaito thought. He attempted to use this information.

"Uncle Sasuke, you don't want to stay here while Uncle Naruto and everyone else go to the picnic, right?"

"Not especially."

"Good!" Kaito grinned in relief. "Then we can skip whatever this discussion is about and go to-"

"I don't think so. I've already put this off for too long."

Kaito looked at his uncle warily. "Is it a sex talk? Because I already know all about sex."

"It's not a sex talk. Why don't you come into the living room, Kaito."

By now Kaito was curious in spite of himself. He followed his tall uncle into the living room and waited as Sasuke looked around at the furniture, murmuring to himself.

"Right. Kaito, my boy, do you remember when you tried to kill me?"

And as easily as that Kaito forgot all about the picnic. His attention, indeed his entire mind, body and soul was drawn to one point and one point only: How bad this talk was going to hurt.

He hung his head in shame and (secretly) in an attempt to mitigate the pain he knew was coming by eliciting some shred of pity from his uncle. "Yes," he whispered.

"And do you remember when I rescued your ass from Akatsuki?"

"Yes."

"Well, back then you made your apology to me, correct?"

"Yes."

"Ever wonder why I didn't accept it?"

"Sometimes."

Sasuke regarded the lowered head. "Why do you think I haven't?"

"Because you…you haven't forgiven me?"

"That's right."

Kaito felt tears well in his eyes and willed them not to fall. Sasuke interacted with him, spoke to him, but there was always a coolness present that was absent when Sasuke spoke to Kaito's siblings. Kaito couldn't escape the quelling sense of regret and shame whenever he was around his uncle, but he hid these things, hoping Sasuke might one day accept Kaito despite what he'd done.

So different was Kaito's personality, his thoughts, indeed his entire life from the time when he'd lived on the mountain that he sometimes had difficulty remembering those years at all. A confused sense of unreality swept over him whenever he looked at his uncle and remembered that he'd deliberately tried to kill him. Had Sasuke looked as he did now, had Kaito known of his uncle what he knew now, he would never have attempted it. Kaito's hero worship of Sasuke had only grown stronger since meeting him in his true form. He admired and looked up to him, feelings that exacerbated his shame.

"So," Sasuke said now. "I want to put it behind us. I want nothing but positive things in my life now, I've had enough bad to last me. I want to enjoy you, Kaito. Enjoy knowing you."

Kaito picked his head up at last. His uncle had never said anything so nice to him. The two Sasukes stared at each other, understanding passing between them: The crime was huge, therefore the punishment would be huge. Kaito swallowed but squared his shoulders. He deserved what was coming. And he would do anything to be accepted by the man he'd been named after.

Sasuke had to firmly bite his tongue to keep from smiling in pride.

The beating was severe. Kaito was almost senseless from the first blinding punch to his skull. Sasuke's revenge was taken in silence. Kaito's lips never uttered a sound. When it was over, Sasuke cradled him, hugged him and took him to the hospital. He sat with him until Ino declared that he would be fine in a few days.

"What makes you think she'll let your stupid ass kiss her?" Kenji wanted to know.

"I'm going to woo her with a love song. And you, Kenta and Hiroto are going to help me."

Good-natured arguing and teasing followed this statement. This lasted until they got home and found the house empty.

"Hey, where is everyone?" Akane looked around curiously.

"There's a note," Kaito said as he pointed to the fridge.

Children,

I have another meeting with the council and elders this afternoon that might run late. Willow has taken the triplets to Suna to visit with Gaara for a time. Sasuke and Naruto were given a mission this morning and won't be back for another week at least. There should be food in the fridge. Raiden and Aimi are with the sitter, Kaito or Hiroto is to pick them up and return home. Homework is to be done by the time I arrive. Sasuke said Aimi has special ointment for her mouth; she's teething.

I will see you all when I get home.

Itachi.

Kenji stepped away from the huddle in front of the fridge to face his siblings and grin. "Y'all thinking what I'm thinking?"

"Does it begin with 'P' and rhyme with 'hearty'?" Yukio spoke up. Kenji nodded emphatically.

"Woohoo, no adults!" Akiko screamed. There was boisterous agreement to this as the kids ran around yelling.

Well-trained as they were, they did do their homework first. Hiroto went and picked up his cousins. Aimi was six months old now, Raiden three. The baby was sat on the floor once everyone was home. Raiden himself got two bottles and a bowl of baby cereal which he mixed himself. He sat in front of his sister and fed her the cereal as fast as he could. Aimi gobbled greedily.

"I want to go sing for Hanabi before we party," Kaito insisted.

"Dude, you are so lame. Hiashi-sama would Kaiten your butt into the afterlife for even going over there. Then he'll tell dad." Juro didn't bother looking up from his homework as he said this.

"I can cast a Genjutsu," Hiroko piped up. Being the romantic that she was, she felt all lovers should have a chance. "We can break into the Hyuuga estate like Uncle Sasuke and his friends did one time. Remember that story Granny Mikoto told us?"

This was received by some and rejected by others. It was pointed out that Itachi would be back at an unspecified time. Should he come home to find his children missing…

"I have an idea," Raiden spoke up. "Why don't I just Pull her here?"

"Thought you weren't allowed to do that without permission?" Shouta said.

"I'm not."

"And you promised," Yukio added.

"I know."

"So what gives?" Asami asked. Her green eyes were alive with curiosity.

"You guys cover for me while I go tell Wyatt that I have a baby sister. If you guys agree to help me, then I'll bring Hanabi-chan here."

The suggestion was mulled over in ringing silence. Ever sensible and careful, Kenta spoke up. "What do you think your dads will do to you if they found out? They were pretty mad the last time and you swore you wouldn't do it again."

"I know I swore and promised and everything," Raiden pouted. "But they won't let me go tell Wyatt about Aimi! And I really, really, really want to see him again. After this I promise I won't do it without permission."

"Your promises don't seem to be worth all that much," Sumiko observed.

"They're worth something," Raiden protested, stung. "I did ask their permission…they just said no, is all. And anyways I promised Wyatt I'd be back before I promised my daddies I wouldn't go anywhere without permission, so my first promise comes first."

This made perfect sense to the other kids and it was decided that in exchange for Raiden Pulling the younger Hyuuga heir to the house, they would cover for him when he went to Wyatt. Homework was finished, Aimi was fed, changed and dressed in her footed pajamas. The kids stood in a circle as Raiden closed his eyes and concentrated.

Hanabi appeared in the middle of the circle, reclining. She had a book open in front of her, her dark brown hair swept over one shoulder. She sat up quickly when she saw that she was no longer in her room.

Kaito stepped forward, all smiles, as her white eyes took in her surroundings and the group of children. "Hanabi-chan, you don't have to be afraid. I brought you here so that-"

"How did I get here," Hanabi asked. Her voice was low and throaty, not as high as her sister's. There was a hard cast to her features, one that made people think she was not to be trifled with. Those people would be correct in their thinking. Kaito ignored her question. He gave a wordless signal to his brothers. They moved into position behind him, his sisters sitting to one side as Kaito poured his heart out to the girl he idolized.

"I love you, Hanabi-chan," Kaito gasped fervently. "You are the prettiest, smartest, strongest girl in the whole world. I have a song for you to show you just what I feel." Kaito nodded to his brothers.

What followed was a perfect rendition of Justin Beiber's One Time, Kenta, Kenji, and Hiroto singing backup. Kaito's singing voice was pitch perfect, if somewhat deeper than Justin's.

Hanabi watched and listened in silence. Her life was a cold, rigid, lonely affair. Until Hinata had taken over, Hiashi had drilled and beaten into Hanabi's skull daily how she was the future of the head family, and inadequate at that. Her father kept her locked away, training for sixteen hours a day, learning scriptures and jutsus. She wasn't allowed friends. Hinata was kept away from her for fear Hanabi would be tainted with Hinata's weaknesses. Hanabi hardly knew her older sister. It wasn't until Hinata took over that Hanabi got to see her sister on a regular basis, but by then it was too late. They'd lived their lives apart and were uncomfortable around each other. Other than holidays and birthdays they tended to go their separate ways.

Hanabi had been sent to the academy at Hinata's order when she'd taken over running the clan. It was the first Hanabi had been allowed prolonged contact with anyone outside her family. The younger Hyuuga thought about making friends, but she was too cold, impersonal and strong. Years of shutting away her feelings effectively stunted them until, for all intents and purposes, she was an emotionless and barren individual. Kids stayed away from her and she stayed away from them. She graduated quickly.

She no longer felt hurt at the lack of affection in her life.

This boy. She didn't know his name, but she'd seen him at the academy. He was one of Uchiha Itachi's kids. She seemed to recall he'd given her a valentine in February. She'd thrown it away without opening it. Hanabi cared about nothing and no one accept getting her father to accept her as he'd done her older sister.

His words were interesting. She'd never heard them spoken to her before. Love? It was a word, nothing more. One that held no meaning for her. She listened to his song, the words, and wondered why on earth someone would feel those things for her. She'd never spoken to him before tonight.

The song was over. Kaito looked at her expectantly. He took a step forward. A glance around the room showed all the children looking at her and waiting for something. Hanabi had no idea what it could be, but she returned her gaze to Kaito. He was the one who seemed to be leading this event.

She'd never thought about handsome or pretty, ugly or plain, but Kaito's looks pleased her. At least, she found that she didn't want to look away from his face, despite the bruises. In fact the bruises enhanced his looks nicely. His black hair was thick, falling to his collar in the back, to his ears and eyebrows everywhere else. His black eyes were direct, unflinching. Anyone else she looked at tended to drop their gaze quickly. He was a few inches taller than she was, his body solid and sturdy, though still boyish. There was a small cleft in his chin.

Kaito was over the moon. His song had successfully wooed her, since she hadn't protested or asked him to stop. He'd been hoping for a smile from her, but her silence probably meant she was overcome with her feelings. He decided that he was going to kiss her now while he had the chance.

Hanabi watched Kaito's face drawing closer to hers with detachment. His proximity made her nervous; no one ever got so close to her. She responded as she responded to most things that irked her.

The palm thrust sent Kaito partially through the wall of the living room. This was followed by stunned silence before chaos erupted and the Uchihas launched themselves at the lone Hyuuga.

Kaiten had them flying to all directions. Raiden tugged Aimi out of the way before joining the fray. Kaito, Sharingan blazing, yanked himself from the wall and ran to lend assistance, furious that he'd been spurned.

Buffy, Xander, and one brunette woman materialized in Itachi's bedroom. They glanced around cautiously.

"I don't see Willow," Xander said after surveying the darkened room.

"There's her amulet," Christie said. She was pointing to the glowing triangle that hung on a small pedestal. It sat atop a vanity. Christie held the amulet's twin in her hand, also glowing.

"Great, so at least we know the magic works," Buffy muttered. "Shhh. You guys hear that?"

Xander and Christie, who was a witch, listened. Unmistakable sounds of fighting were coming from somewhere in the house.

Buffy led the way out of the bedroom and down the stairs. She and her companions stopped at seeing the brawl going on in the middle of the floor in what looked to be a family room.

"Uh, hello?" Buffy ventured.

The kids stopped fighting. They stared at the three strangers curiously. No one spoke. A baby sitting in one corner laughed.

"I'm Buffy. Is Willow around?"

At hearing her name, the kids jumped up and crowded around her, talking excitedly, saying they'd heard about her from their mommy, Willow.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa. Mommy? How did Willow get to be mommy to all of you?" Xander asked.

"She's married to our dad and Gaara," Kenji stated simply. Buffy and Christie frowned at hearing this. Xander's eye gleamed.

"Willow has two husbands?" Xander asked.

"That's impossible," Buffy spoke up.

"Nope," Kaito said. "She has sex with Dad and Gaara both. She's pregnant with Gaara's baby now."

Xander's mouth hung open at the image of their Willow having regular threesomes. Buffy, too, was caught staring before she recalled herself to the reason she'd come.

"Look, I need to know where I can find her, we don't have much time. Willow is needed in her world, now, before the amulet wears off."

Sumiko seemed to be the one to interpret what Buffy meant. She spoke up now.

"Willow is three days away. And anyway, my dad says Willow is supposed to be resting, since she's pregnant so soon after having the triplets. He wouldn't want her going to your world to fight. My dad's not here right now, but I'm sure we can help, right guys?" Sumiko looked around at her siblings.

A chorus of agreement met Sumiko, who looked brightly at Buffy and her friends.

"Okay, this is ridiculous. One of you little munchkins take me to Willow right now," Buffy said sternly.

"Buff, hang on," Xander said thoughtfully. "Didn't Willow say one of these kids was super powerful? Maybe they can help. If Willow is pregnant again, her magic might not even work as well as we want it to. What was the kid's name again?"

"Rider?" Buffy suggested with a shrug.

"You mean Raiden? That's me," a small boy piped up.

Buffy looked at the little boy with sandy hair and a sunny smile. She looked at all of them. "Can all of you fight?"

Glances were exchanged. Several eyes turned red with weird shapes in them. A series of fireballs, tornadoes, water spheres, and other strange phenomena paraded before Buffy, Xander and Christie's eyes. Kenta picked Buffy up and threw her across the room. Hiroto Shunshined in time to catch her easily.

"Okay, then," Xander said cheerfully. "We're taking the kids."

"But only because we're out of time and I'm desperate for help," Buffy clarified. She straightened her jacket. "I'm still not sure that this is a good idea. In fact, I think we should forget-"

"Hurry," Christie said. "The amulet is almost out of power."

Buffy, Xander and the kids crowded around Christie. Kaito scrawled a note at the bottom of the one Itachi had written before running to join them. Green light swirled about them and then they were gone.

Hanabi, though she'd hung back throughout the entire exchange, was sucked along with them.

The castle hall was subdued as the group sent to retrieve Willow appeared. Giles stepped forward, eyes wide in disbelief as he surveyed the group of kids. "What on earth…"

"Darn," Raiden said. "I forgot to bring Aimi a bottle." He struggled to hold his sister upright.

"My father will not be pleased," Hanabi said, staring around.