Hi there readers. I am sorry for the heaviness of that last chapter, this one isn't much better but it's about half the length. Hang with me, the next chapter will be much lighter. I know you guys are so awesome. Thank you for the support. Please don't forget to review. I can't tell you how much your feedback inspires me. Thank you to Ember-Elric-X and Princesshyuuga01 for inspiring me to continue. If it weren't for you two, I think I would have called it quits.

"Yeah I know sometimes things may not always make sense to you, right now. But hey, what daddy always tell you? Straighten up little soldier, stiffen up that upper lip, what you crying about? You got me."

I DO NOT OWN NARUTO

AU

External Affairs

Chapter 21: Goodbye, Daddy

It had already been relatively late in the evening, Ino assumed that even though her parents must've been worried sick trying to get a hold of her, she assumed that the twins were probably sleeping. After giving her father a quick call to let him know she was fine, she and Sasuke got into the car that Tenten was driving, and she took them both home.

Sasuke had refused to go back to the hospital. Perhaps he was afraid that if he went back, he would fall back into a deep sleep that he couldn't awaken from. But Tenten knew that he really wanted to be out so that he could better protect Ino. He felt terrible for being unable to help out while he was there, perhaps none of it would've happened should his body not have failed on him and held him captive in that hospital for weeks. There was just no way that he was going back.

He and Ino sat in the back of the car, Sasuke had an arm around her while she rested her head on his shoulder. Ino was more than grateful that Sasuke had been there tonight, it was such a shock but he was the one she was needing the most. He was okay, and now they could pick up where they left off. She was silently praying that things would stay calm for a while. All Ino wanted was Sasuke, and a good home for their children. Things had gotten out of hand, what if one of their children had been taken, or harmed? How would she ever forgive herself? She wouldn't be able to, that was certain.

She shuddered when she felt Sasuke's long fingers comb through her long beige tresses and she heard a quiet sigh escape his tired lips. Sasuke leaned his head back against the seat and closed his eyes, thinking about all of the chaos that had just unfolded before him. While he was trying to remain thankful that he had been reunited with Ino, he was upset that his brother and Tenten were once more on difficult terms. Both were wrong, and in some ways both were right. But if it was one thing that Sasuke knew about those two. it was that they always found a way to come back to one another. He would simply have to keep an eye on them in case he had to intervene.

There was a dreadful, yet peaceful silence that had fallen over them, and Sasuke reflected on their marriage and the fact that they would finally be returning home as husband and wife. It wasn't like they were living much differently beforehand. They practically were married, but things were official now. Perhaps they would need to have a second ceremony since their first had been abruptly cut short.

Soon, Sasuke noticed the car slowing down, and before they knew it they were parked in front of their home. He heaved a thankful sigh, and looked at Ino who seemed to be elated to be going home with him.

They thanked Tenten for driving them, and with Ino's help, Sasuke got out of the car and the two of them walked to the front door hand in hand slowly.

Tenten looked after them, remembering what it was like to fully trust someone, like Ino trusted Sasuke. Her heart grew heavy and she tried to put the events of the night behind her, but she couldn't. Not yet.

Sasuke and Ino heard Tenten pull away and Ino unlocked the front door and ushered Sasuke in, hoping that he wouldn't see the strange scene that she had left there when Hidan had visited. Of course he did, because he was rather observant and he didn't miss any details of usually anything.

"What happened here?" He inquired as he walked up to the kitchen counter before Ino flicked the kitchen light on and he examined what was before him. An emoty glass, a bottle of vodka and a small plastic bag that he was more than well aware of the contents. He wasn't sure if she was trying to poison herself or someone else, he still had yet to hear the whole story anyway. He'd only pieced things together.

Ino looked down at her feet, overcome with a terrible shame. "I.. Sasuke I did something stupid."

"Did you try to poison yourself!?" He barked angrily, holding up the bag and looking at her sternly.

"No! I tried to poison Hidan!" She exclaimed nervously, looking at him with large, blue, pleading eyes. "I'm sorry, I thought I could try to handle things on my own, but they backfired. He caught me, and kidnapped me. And then he and Konan forced me to get Tidus out of school. This whole mess is my fault, Sasuke! If I hadn't have done that, they never would've kidnapped Tidus and I and Tenten's father would probably still be alive!|

Sasuke set the small bag back on the counter and approached the now sobbing woman before him. Gently he slung his arms around her and told her to stop it. "Ino, what happened was inevitable. One way or another, Itachi would've gone after them, Pein and Hidan, and whomever else worked for Pein. This was going to happen, don't blame yourself for the events that took place. Zabuza, Itachi and Haku all knew they had a chance of being killed back there, they took that risk on their own."

Ino nodded sadly and pushed her face into her husband's chest as she desperately tried to hold back the tears that were pleading to fall from her burning eyes. "Sasuke I'm scared, what if something like this happens again? I almost lost you." Her breathing was rather unsteady, but the only thing bringing her comfort was Sasuke's warmth emanating from his body and brushing across her trembling skin.

"You are never going to lose me, Ino. I promise you that." Sasuke assured as he drew her body even closer, and placed a gentle kiss on the top of her head.

Ino nodded her blonde head and sighed quietly before hugging him even tighter, but this caused him to cringe lightly. "Oh, I'm sorry!" She exclaimed and she pulled away from him. "Let me take a look."

"Ino, it's fine." Sasuke let out a light chuckle and shook his dark head. "I'm still healing, but it's fine. You just have to be gentle, for now even though I know you like to be rough." He said with a wink and a subtle smirk.

Ino's cheeks burned hot with a blush and she folded her arms over her chest, "Leave it to you to talk like that even after a life altering event that nearly took you from me!" She teased and gently smacked his arm. "Come here." She ordered before walking down the hall to their bathroom.

Sasuke was a little unsure, but he shrugged and followed her obediently. Ino turned to face him and forced him to sit on the closed lid seat of the toilet, and so he did and before he knew it, his shirt was gently being removed.

Ino's delecate fingers peeled back some of the bandages, she was thankful she didn't see any blood seeping through the white gauze. She continued to remove the bandages until she saw the stitches along his chest in a 'c' like curve. They seemed to be in place, though a little clear liquid was seeping from them. Quickly, she dug under the sink and found some hydrogen peroxide and some cotton and she gently dabbed the wound with it.

Sasuke hissed through gritted teeth and his fists balled up at his sides. "Ow..."

"I'm sorry, Sasuke." Ino frowned before dabbing the wound with a clean, dry cotton ball, focusing intently on the wound before she felt his strong hands grip both of hers and he tilted his head upward and captured her lips with his own.

'We're all we got in this world, when it spins when it swirls...'

Tenten had arrived home a few minutes after her husband and son had, and she got out of her vehicle slowly. Her legs were almost unable to move and she raised her head to the night sky, staring at the thousands of stars that peered out and twinkled for her, somehow easing the ache in her chest only a little. Zabuza had raised her to be strong, he'd not raised a weakling. She was not to cry, if she was upset, that emotion should be converted into anger. That's all she knew, and she was angry. Of course she was angry. Itachi had gone behind her back the entire time, and what was worse was that he acted as if things were fine. Typically she could read him, when something was suspicious she could tell. But not this time. She was tricked.

And they had gotten their revenge, but at what cost? The price was paid with the life of the man who had raised her alone. On his own, he taught her about life, death, friends, family, hate, love. He strengthened her, created her and cared for her when she was hurt. Perhaps he was the person who loved her more than anyone else loved her. She was his little girl underneath it all, and he was gone.

As she stared at the sky, a single tear streamed down from her left eye, trickling lightly down her cheek. "Goodbye, daddy." She whispered before blowing a soft kiss to the sky, wiping her tear and walking into her home.

She saw her husband and Tidus sitting at the table, Tidus was actually sitting on the table and resting his head on his father's shoulder until he saw Tenten. Then he shot his head up and pushed himself off the table, his legs running as quickly as possible and once more he flung himself at her. Tenten knelt down and picked him up, cradling him close and putting a hand behind his head. She could feel his little heart thumping hard in his chest, and his shoulders would now and again shake when he let out a quiet sob. "Chi-chan mommy, he's gone." He whispered low enough to exclude Itachi from hearing.

"I know sweetie," Tenten whispered. It was her turn to comfort, despite desperately needing to be comforted. "But it's okay, Chi-chan loved you so much, and you just have to remember that.| She said quietly as she pet his hair gently and was suddenly overcome with anger and sorrow as it pumped through her veins. Especially when she saw Itachi's face staring back at her from a distance. She hit her knees, and the urge to cry couldn't be suppressed.

"Mommy," Tidus whispered as he leaned his body back and looked at his mother's broken face. "Please don't be mad at daddy, he tried to save Chi-chan, he tried really hard mommy." Tidus choked on his own words, Tenten could see the sincerity in his onyx eyes that were just as broken as her own.

Had Tidus witnessed the entire thing? This poor child would grow up to be just as deadly as his parents, and Tenten wasn't sure that that is what she wanted for her child. But of course, that was too late now. Perhaps the boy was right. Tenten had been extremely harsh to Itachi, but her heart had been ripped from her chest then. She was angry, and she had every right to be. Itachi was wrong, and so was she. It was going to take some time to heal from all of this, an awful lot of time. But for the sake of her son, and their child on the way, she would find a way to forgive their father.

She raised her eyes, locking them onto Itachi's. His face was stricken with grief, he was evidently just as sorrowful. Zabuza was a second father to him since he had lost his first, and now he had to endure that pain all over again. Tenten hadn't known that Itachi was contending for Zabuza's life, and had failed. He was more than guilty, Zabuza's blood was on his hands and he knew that. Tenten should be angry, but that didn't stop him from longing for Tenten and her embrace. He wanted to comfort her, that was his job. He swallowed a hard lump in his chest and offered her a sorrowful look.

"I-"

"Don't." Tenten stopped him there. She wasn't ready to talk to him yet. She turned her attention to her boy. "You're right sweetie. I know, and mommy won't stay mad at daddy. Right now we need to get you to bed, okay?"

"Mommy, can I please sleep with you and daddy?" He asked innocently, but he was sincere. He wanted to feel safe, and today had certainly had the most traumatizing day of his life. He needed his parents.

Tenten picked him up slowly raising up off the ground and looking at her husband as she thought. It hit her, a sinking feeling in her gut. Those onyx eyes stared back at her, silently but pleading. "Of course." She said softly, gesturing for Itachi to go up the stairs. She followed after him with Tidus, stopping off to his room to get him changed into his pajamas, and she joined Itachi in their bedroom after.

He was standing before the bed, pulling back the covers for them already changed from his attire from the day. He was wearing black and white flannel pajama bottoms while his chest and back remained bare with the exception of his long hair that covered parts of his muscular, fair skin.

Tenten set Tidus down who bounced happily to the large bed and flung himself into it, burrowing into the covers like a cute little animal. She turned her gaze to her husband, who remained silent but gave her a small nod before she went to the closet and changed into her pajamas. Once she had, she rounded to her side of the bed and climbed in where Itachi and Tidus already lay. Itachi was on his side, facing Tidus and Tenten's side of the bed, Tidus was happily in the middle, nuzzling into his father's chest and Tenten could not suppress the urge to smile. She scooted her body close to the two, and draped an arm around Tidus.

Tidus felt safe there between his parents. What he didn't know was that he was most likely the glue that was holding his parents together.

'I can see it in your eyes, deep inside you want to cry, cause you're scared I ain't there...'

"You look nice, Sasuke." Ino said softly as she watched her husband straighten his black tie. It wasn't a happy occasion today, but she was trying to bring some type of light to keep from feeling so utterly dark and helpless. Today they would be laying Tenten's father to rest.

The twins had been so happy that their father was home and okay, and they spent a week together getting reacquainted and falling into old routines. She was more than thankful that they had their father back. But today, they wouldn't be with either parent. Skylar and Josiah would be staying with her father. She didn't want to risk exposing them to that type of drama, and she wasn't exactly sure something wouldn't happen there.

She smoothed her simple black dress out and walked to her mirror, pulling her long hair up before being stopped by her husband.

"I think it looks nice the way it is." He assured, giving her a light smile. "Now get your coat, we're going to be late." He instructed before stealing a quick kiss from her and snagging his jacket off the coat rack in the hall.

It was a horribly rainy day, a fitting day for a funeral. But it was going to be a long one. He could feel it.

He held the door open for Ino and she rushed out to the car, holding her jacket over her head and taking cover in their vehicle and he followed after her after locking the front door.

She couldn't help but feel guilty, she was trying desperately not to think about the way she felt, but it was rather difficult, especially today. She let out a quiet sigh and turned her attention to the wet scenery that they were passing by when she felt a warm hand on her thigh.

"Stop blaming yourself, Ino." Sasuke assured, as though he had read her mind. He was always relatively intuitive, even more so after returning from the hospital. He always seemed to make her feel better, even if it was only with a few words.

She placed a hand atop his and thanked him, turning her head to look at him. She couldn't help but feel thankful for him, she had thought that she may not see him again, yet here he was. Alive and well and offering her solace and comfort. After today, they would be leaving on their much needed, and overly delayed honeymoon. Which she was anxiously awaiting.

Sasuke kept his eyes on the road, inwardly hoping that Itachi and Tenten were doing alright. He hadn't heard from either of them since that day, only when they gave him the funeral details. He was sure Tenten had been busy making the arrangements, but he was worried. Hopefully they would pull through, she was pregnant after all. And the last thing he wanted to see was the two of them split over this. It would just be bad for the kids, and Itachi as well. He was certain that Tenten would get over her anger eventually, and perhaps today would provide for her the closure that she needed.

It took a few hours to drive to Kirigakure, where Zabuza was from and where he most likely would've liked to have been buried, but when they did they were not alone. Several cars were lining the parking lot of a large chapel building, and he knew that this was going to be a rough day.

'No more worries, rest your head and go to sleep, maybe one day we'll wake up and this will all just be a dream...'

The service had been absolutely beautiful, heart-wrenching and breathtaking. Haku and Tenten had both spoken about their father, and lastly Itachi. They each had wonderful things to say about the fallen man, that was enough to bring the entire crowd to tears. Surprisingly, though, Tenten had yet to shed one.

She kept Tidus close and she and Haku stayed after as several guests, former and current yakuza members offered them their condolences as the rest of the guests drove off, some to the burial sight, and some just going home.

The crowd that would be there as Zabuza was lowered into the ground would be minimal and few. And Ino and Sasuke waited with Itachi in the grass as the casket was being carried down the pathway to his allotted place. Rain was pouring roughly that day, several black umbrellas were up and clustering together as the crowd watched in sorrow as Zabuza's casket was laid on the fixture above the deep, dark hole in the ground.

Tenten who was holding Tidus was following after them, eyes red and swollen as her eyes never left that wooden box, Haku at her side, holding an umbrella for she and Tidus, the water hitting his own face and he seemingly didn't care. They stood on the opposite side of the casket, and both lay a single rose atop it while the priest said a few touching prayers.

Tenten handed her son to Haku and walked to the casket when the priest was finished, and she placed her palm gently upon its glistening surface. "Daddy, I-" She choked, looking down and tears finally rolled down her cheeks.

Itachi watched her from the opposite side, his chest constricting as he watched his wife standing there in so much pain. He hated it, he felt like vomiting. Seeing Tenten like that, it drove him mad. He couldn't fix it, and that's what he wanted more than anything in the world was to see that smile return to her broken and sorrowful face. She was hurt, she was terrified, she was a mess and he couldn't do a thing to change what had happened. He had to turn away for a moment, his heart just couldn't stand it.

Sasuke looked between the two subtly, as he drew Ino's shivering body close to his own. He couldn't be certain if things had been resolved or not, but it seemed more along the lines of not. He resolved that he would speak with them after the service was over.

Ino brought a tissue to her eyes and wiped the tears that just wouldn't stop flowing. She felt so horrible inside, her friend, the one she considered to be her closest now, was mourning the loss of her father. She couldn't imagine the pain that she might be feeling, and if Ino had lost her father, she would probably spiral out of control. Her heart ached for her friend, and she couldn't hardly stomach it. She turned her head, nuzzling it into Sasuke's chest as he pulled her closer.

"I'll miss you, old man." Tenten finally managed to say as she tapped the coffin. "I'll see you again, but until then, rest easy." She swallowed the lump in her throat. I'll be strong for you. She thought before she retreated and they began to lower him into the ground.

The Demons of the Mist bowed deeply as the casket was lowered, offering their respect to their fallen leader, and they would not move until that casket was all the way to the bottom. But Tenten walked to them and urged them to rise, Zabuza would have forced them to stand. "You look ridiculous, and he would say the same." Tenten offered, bringing smiles to their faces. "Go drink, celebrate his life. He'd hate it if you cried." She informed. They all stood up, brushed their pants free of mud and surrounded the girl with an embrace.

"He's so proud of you!"

"Don't be sad, you know he's always with you!"

"He loved you both so much, you and Haku!"

"Chin up, beautiful. He's in your heart."

"No tears!"

Several of them spewed out words that lifted Tenten's spirits more than she ever thought imaginable. Perhaps her father wasn't too far away, after all.

Once the Demons were gone, she approached her family that stood on the side of the burial sight, waiting for her. Ino, Sasuke, Itachi, Haku and Tidus. She greeted them with a sorrowful smile. "Thank you all." She said kindly before hugging Ino and Sasuke and kissing their cheeks. "Go on and enjoy your honeymoon you two. You deserve it so much!"

Ino blushed only slightly, and she tried not to feel horrible for what happened. She took Sasuke's hand and squeezed it for extra emotional support.

"What if you two came?" Sasuke chimed suddenly, hoping Ino wouldn't kill him for offering. "You need a break. Both of you."

"I-"Tenten looked at Itachi and quirked an eyebrow. "I can't just leave Tidus."

"Bring him with us. It'll be fun!" Ino chimed in. Of course she was quite shocked at Sasuke's sudden offer, but it was true, Itachi and Tenten needed a getaway just as much as she and Sasuke did, and they would keep their distance. It would still be a honeymoon. Aside from that, it might be nice to have some girl-time with Tenten anyway.

"We should, Tenten." Itachi suggested quietly.

Tenten deliberated for a moment, she felt like it would be a good time to get away after all of this emotion that had run rampant in her life. They needed it, she and Itachi needed to set things right, and their child could certainly use some fun in his life as well. "Okay, we're in."

'Hush little baby, don't you cry. Everything's gonna be alright, stiffen that upper lip up, little lady, I told ya Daddy's here to hold ya through the night...'