A/N: Yes, I'm alive. Barely ;) I do have minimal access, so I was able to post this short(er) chapter, so my apologies. Thank you for following my story and encouraging me, always. Happy Reading, folks! Please review!
~OoOoO~
"Huh?" Kushina gasped, her mouth falling open. She didn't feel the glass slip from her hand. Didn't hear it shatter on her floor. Didn't see the light sparkle on the broken shards.
Tsume stared at her, canine eyes tortured and begging as she used her forearm to wipe her mouth. As quickly as the emotions had clouded her expression, they slipped away, the usual hardened kunoichi staring back at Kushina. Kuromaru gently whined his agreement as he nestled his head between his paws.
"You heard me right," Tsume finally sighed her resignation as she leaned unsteadily against the wall. She eyed the garbage can as if she were considering a second round. "I'm. Knocked. Up."
"You? Pregnant?" Kushina whispered, her eyes darting to Tsume's abdomen almost instinctively. Surely this was some kind of joke. The image of the wild-haired kunoichi drinking water at the bar suddenly flashed into the forefront of Kushina's mind. An overprotective Kuromaru. Tsume's carefully guarded words, overflowing with meaning—all of which Kushina failed to detect. How had she not known her closest friend was this troubled?
"Yup, there's a fetus in my uterus," the dog-nin pointed to her belly. Her lips twisted into an ironic smile. "I'm fucked."
"B-But...how?" Kushina's voice was hoarse, her eyes darting to Tsume's face and searching for any hint that this was all a horrible joke. Tsume pregnant? With a child? When she received no confirmation, Kushina realized that her friend was indeed telling the truth. The Inuzuka Clan would expand by one more.
"You really need me to explain that to you, Uzumaki? " she grunted, an eyebrow raised as she addressed the red-head's previous question.
The color flooded to Kushina's face. "Of course not! I know that!" she snapped.
"Do you really?" Tsume's eyes narrowed as she mocked Kushina's innocence. "Do you know how babies are made, Kushina?"
"I do!" Deep blue eyes were wide with shock as their conversation hovered on becoming scandalous.
"Hmmph," the dark-haired woman stared at her hands, her playfulness disappearing. After a moment, her lips parted. "Imagine my surprise, then."
"What are you going to do?" Kushina whispered after a few seconds of discontented silence. The question wasn't meant to be rhetorical, as she was genuinely uncertain of Tsume's intentions with her apparent pregnancy. It happened more than enough: a kunoichi returning from an assignment with details on her lips and a child in her womb. Quite often, the women sought medical expertise to remedy the problem, so to speak. Konoha's population did not rise as quickly as one would expect, given those circumstances.
"I dunno," Tsume stared out Kushina's window, her expression softening as desperation shone on her face. "I really...don't know."
"Did you...tell him?" Kushina wondered aloud, considering the baby's father. She knew there was a regular male in Tsume's life, though the Inuzuka heiress never really spoke about him or brought him around to meet her friends. It wasn't Tsume's "thing", as she would retort when Kushina would mention it. She was the alpha...female.
"Not yet." She blinked, her eyes gradually becoming unfocused. A grim smile spread across her lips. "He's on a mission. Figured it can wait until he gets back. If I decide to keep it, that is."
"I see," Kushina murmured, realizing her friend had not yet come to a decision. It was a sign of maturity for Tsume to not have so impetuously jumped to a conclusion regarding the matter. "What do—what do you think he'll say?"
"Say?" Tsume repeated, blinking away the fog she had submerged herself in, "Knowing him, he'll want to marry me—make an honest woman out of me or some shit like that."
"What?" the red-head raised her eyebrows in surprise. Was the dog-nin serious?
Tsume sighed, her eyes flickering over Kushina's face. Her usual ferocity had resigned itself to the situation-at-hand. "He's a decent guy, let's face it. He's the only guy I haven't managed to scare away. He's talked about family and long-term relationship crap with me before, but I've always just blown it off. It's not me."
"Just like you," Kushina crossed her arms over her chest, smirking knowingly. "You give me advice, yet you do the exact opposite of what you preach."
"Don't give me that damned motherly look, Uzumaki I'll smack it off your face," Tsume growled, a sharp incisor baring itself, despite the lack of certainty in her voice, "I'm just sayin' that I don't think he'll be disappointed in this sort of news. In fact...I think he'll be...excited." She pulled a face as she spat the foreign words; Kushina barely repressed the snort that had threatened to reveal itself. Tsume was almost endearing in this state.
"So..." Tsume whispered, biting at her nails, nervously. It was something Kushina rarely saw the kunoichi do, and she knew that it only happened with the dog-nin was really bothered by something. "I made an appointment."
"Appointment?" Kushina cocked her head, still not moving from her position against the counter. She spied the broken glass and nudged a piece with her toe. Kuromaru watched her intently—as if he couldn't believe what he was hearing as well.
"Yeah, you know..." Tsume avoided Kushina's inquiring gaze as she continued to devour her nails, "With the doctor. I thought I'd go listen to my options or some shit."
"Sounds nice." Kushina treaded carefully, afraid that she would easily pursuade the disheveled kunoichi otherwise.
"Sounds like something a real woman would do, don't lie to me, Uzumaki." The tip of a pink tongue protruded from between her teeth.
"Don't be so hard on yourself," Kushina smiled encouragingly, "It's a smart thing to do."
She could tell something was still agitating the dog-nin, and she watched the woman carefully. Tsume fumbled with her hands, staring at the floor, "Erm...and there's something else." This time, both Tsume and Kuromaru were watching Kushina expectantly, "I was wondering...wouldyoucomewithme?"
Kushina gasped in realization of Tsume's words, leaping over the shattered glass and pulling the pregnant woman into a hug. "I'd be...honored."
The dark-haired kunoichi chuckled softly, allowing Kushina another moment of embrace before pushing her way. "Don't get all mushy on me—are you crying? Are those tears?"
Kushina sniffled, "Shut up. I'm so happy for you!"
Tsume shook her head in disbelief, relief on her face as her former playfulness returned, "I figured you could be my plus one...until I figure out what I want to do."
"Of course." It was her decision, after all, Kushina knew.
"Thank you," Tsume whispered, a rare, serious moment from the Inuzuka heiress. "Really."
"What are friends for?" Kushina's smile was one of happiness, broad and dazzling. "That'll make you and Mikoto."
"Huh?" Tsume crinkled her nose in distaste.
"My friends that are going to have babies. Maybe you can ask her for advice-" Kushina's gaze slid out of focus as she clapped her hands. The sudden excitement she was displaying terrified Tsume.
"Let's not get ahead of ourselves, Uzumaki. I don't need to ask that bitch anything."
"Be nice! I happen to like her very much."
"I was being nice."
"Oh."
Tsume sighed as Kushina's expression turned to one of disapproval. "Maybe it's all these hormones, I dunno," she gestured toward her stomach, "but i'm feeling extra cranky lately."
"That's normal for you."
"Yeah, I suppose you're right," she scratched her head, yawning loudly.
"How far along?"
"'Scuse me?"
"How far along do you think you are?" Kushina glanced at her abdomen again. She truly couldn't see any difference in size.
"i dunno, four months, tops."
"You can't tell," Kushina whistled, leaning down for closer inspection.
"Thanks!" Tsume smiled, scratching her unruly nest of hair.
"No wonder you were drinking water," Kushina shook her head softly, her eyes smiling. "And why Kuromaru has been acting like a henmother."
"Yeah," Tsume looked away, her cheeks pink, "he seems more excited about it than I am. Freakin' baby, that one."
Kuromaru's ear twitched and he raised his eyes in realization that he was being discussed. Kushina watched him thoughtfully, her mouth opening to say something. A knock at the door interrupted her comment as she glanced at her friend. Tsume's brow raised with interest, and Kushina shrugged her silent uncertainty. She tiptoed through the glass, throwing the nearby broom at Tsume, who easily caught it in her right hand.
"Clean up, will ya?"
"Yeah, sure, make the pregnant woman do your housework."
"Never killed anyone," Kushina smiled as she pulled the door open. Her eyes fell to the mousy girl in her doorway. "Rin?"
"Um, er, hi, Uzumaki-san," the girl bowed, her hands clasped in front of her.
"Please, call me Kushina. No need to be formal." Kushina urged her as the girl snapped upright. She felt a slight affection toward Rin, most likely due to the hours she spent training Team Minato. "By the way, I wanted to commend you on your first fight in the Third Round."
"Oh," Rin's eyes widened as her cheeks flushed. She didn't look the least bit disappointed that Kakashi was the only genin from Konoha promoted to Chuunin status. "T-Thank you, Kushina-san."
"Now that second fight, I will not make mention of," Kushina's eyes flashed mischievously as Rin's face grew more pink. She cleared her throat as she noticed Tsume peering over her shoulder at the girl. She locked eyes with her friend, who feigned disinterest as she continued to sweep the floor. Deep blue eyes focused on Rin's face. "Did you need something, Rin?"
"I...Minato-sensei wanted me to deliver a message to you," the girl looked at her feet, the purple paint crinkling on her cheeks as she scrunched her nose with the memory of her teacher's words.
"He did?" Kushina tried to step away from prying ears, but Tsume was too quick. She appeared behind Kushina once again, this time propping the door open with her elbow. She raised both of her eyebrows in expectation as she, too, awaited Minato's message. Kushina did her best to hide her creeping blush.
Rin's eyes darted from Kushina to Tsume before falling to the ground once again. "He...er..."
"Go on," Tsume prompted, practically leering as her words dripped with a sweetness that Kushina knew was purely for show. The red-head closed her eyes in anticipation.
Rin's mouth popped open and the air quickly rushed between her lips as she robotically repeated the message: "He wanted me to tell you that he was assigned to an urgent mission, and he is not sure how long he will be gone. He said to tell you he was sorry and that he had a good night!"
She bent forward in a sudden bow before quickly retreating. As she scurried away, she cast one last glance over her shoulder, her eyes widening as Tsume jutted her head out the doorway to watch her with interest. Kushina waved and quickly pushed her friend back into her apartment, her mind reeling with an excuse with which to feed the dog-nin. She shut the door, her eyes once again clamped shut as she awaited what was to come.
After a few moments, nothing was spoken, and Kushina dared to hope that nothing would be said. She slowly turned, finding Tsume leaning on the broom, both her and Kuromaru sharing the same, amused look.
"What?" Kushina's cheeks were burning as she knew she had no way out of the forthcoming interrogation.
"Nothin'," Tsume shook her head slowly. Deliberately. She glanced at Kuromaru, "Whaddya think, Kuro? Does she or doesn't she have some explainin' to do?"
Kushina sighed as she tightly packed the last of her supplies into her bag. It was only a one-week assignment, but she had grown accustomed to not having to travel. It was the packing that she hated the most, followed closely by the unpacking. Still, she was slowly regaining some of her pre-kyuubi freedom. Hiruzen had asked her to take a group of genin up north, to help dig a well to provide means of drinking water to a small village for a meager fee. Kushina couldn't deny that she missed the surge of adrenaline from her more vigorous missions but she understood the Hokage's caution. Besides, she found that, more and more, she was liking the idea of having her own team to train. Her short time with Minato's team had brought that out in her.
Minato.
It had been nearly a month since she saw him last, following their chaotic and embarassing first date. She smiled as she recalled his geniuine discomfort around her, and she fondly recalled the blanket spread on the bluff overlooking Konoha. She silently hoped that his mission was going well, though she didn't expect otherwise from him. Hiruzen dropped a few hints here and there, without so much as an ounce of instigation on Kushina's part. She had an idea that he had left with Jiraiya for Amegakure, though the details were spared. She had a gnawing feeling that insurgents were becoming more numerous, and the whispers of war held some truth. Still, she was appreciative of the Hokage's subtle mentions of the blonde jonin, despite his motives. No one else seemed to have a clue about the goings on between her and Minato. It was evident that Shikaku—bless his heart—had not said a word to anyone (or her) about what he witnessed that night. She cherished him all the more for it, making a mental note to pay him back for his faithfulness. She would put in a few good words with Yoshino—who was much more pleasant toward the Nara heir, lately. Could love be blossoming there as well? What was becoming of their class?
Four weeks.
Four long weeks since she had seen him. It seemed like torture, but she reminded herself that this was the life she had sworn herself to—and one Minato cherished as well. He would be Hokage some day, and his duties would only grow. Kushina wondered if she would be by his side...
She slapped herself in the face, silently berating herself for such childish meandering. "Next thing you know, you'll be wondering about having babies, too..." she mumbled to herself as she pulled the drawstring of her bag.
She smiled as she recalled Tsume's visit with the doctor. They had run into Mikoto leaving with a tiny black-haired bundle swathed in her arms. The new wife and mother had smiled warmly at them, her eyes unjudging as Tsume mumbled some excuse regarding her reason for her appointment. Kushina said nothing as Mikoto put a gentle hand on Tsume's arm.
"Feel better," the Uchiha clanswoman smiled. She offered nothing more as the infant in her arms—Itachi, as Kushina recalled him being named—began to fuss. Mikoto adjusted the blanket, her smile genuine. "It's feeding time. Nice seeing you both. Do stop by and see me sometime. I miss having company. You, too, Tsume, you are welcome any time, of course."
Tsume seemed taken aback by the kind offer, her mouth hanging open as Mikoto walked away. Kushina smirked, "Bitch?"
"I'll take some of it back." Tsume muttered as she spun around and entered the office. "Some."
The office visit had gone well, and Kushina had enjoyed it much more than she had anticipated, despite not knowing what to expect. She felt like a nervous parent as she watched the female doctor reveal the fluttering heart to Tsume. The dark-haired woman's eyes filled with tears as she heard the tiny trill of a fledgling fetus' existence. It was then that Kushina was certain that Tsume would keep her child.
And so she did. One month later, she was finally showing—a soft swell of her stomach beneath her jonin vest. The father had returned, and Tsume had stormed over to Kushina's yet again, tirading about his expected proposal.
"I don't want to get married!" Tsume had spat the words. "Don't need it."
"But he cares about you, wants to be a family," Kushina had explained, hoping to talk some reason into her friend.
"No. Uh-uh. We don't need to get married to do that! It's just not my thing."
And so, that was it. Kushina argued no more, and neither did Tsume's boyfriend. He was loyal, and that was something the Inuzuka heiress valued. Kushina respected the young man all the more for his dedication to the difficult kunoichi. How anyone dealt with her, Kushina would never know.
The sound of a hurried knock at her door caused Kushina to spin around, jostled from her thoughts. She had barely taken a step when the door was flung open, and the blonde jonin strode into her apartment. His face was set in a mixture of agitation and agony. He paced into her kitchen, his eyes raising to meet hers briefly, and she could see he was deeply troubled. There was an angry cut on his left cheek, blood long ago dried on the skin.
"Minato? What are you doing?" she asked, surprised by his intrusion but not put off by it.
His expression was unreadable as he continued to pace. She had an idea that this was what he always did when he was bothered by something. "I'm sorry. I just returned, this was the first place I thought to come."
Her heart swelled with pride as her pulse quickened. She could see him glance at her packed bag, his disappointment evident on his face as looked crest-fallen, "You're leaving."
It wasn't a question.
"I am. But not for long," she replied calmly, her stomach sinking. His defeated demeanor upset her. "Just a minor mission with a genin team up north. Well-digging."
"Oh," his voice was flat as he stood there, staring her her baggage, blood caked to his face.
She angled her head, "Are...you OK?"
"Huh?" he glanced up, his expression wearied as he tried to blink it away. "Yes...I...just—I'm sorry." He glanced at her door, as if realizing, for the first time, that he had so rudely barged into her apartment. "I shouldn't have come here." He turned to leave as quickly as he entered. She quickly recovered from her shock at his reaction.
"Wait." Her voice was stern. Commanding. She instantly knew that tone. It was the same as Lady Sarutobi used to use on her as a child. He hesitated, his eyes growing wide at her unusual firmness. He didn't look at her, his shame hidden from her view. She sighed. "Sit. I'll make you tea. You must have had a long travel—at least let me do that for you."
He wordlessly did as she instructed, his eyes following her every movement as she eased herself about the kitchen. "I'll fix you something to eat as well. You're probably starving. I made noodles, and they will only just spoil in my refrigerator while I'm gone. It's best to make use of them, I suppose..."
She kept chattering, and it brought a smile to his face. It was the first real smile he was able to give in nearly four weeks. He was amazed by how much she could calm him. It had been a long and tiresome assignment, and there were things he was still trying to grasp regarding Konoha's involvement in the slaughter he had happened upon in Amegakure. He knew Hanzo was involved, but he couldn't quite put his finger on Danzo's motives behind his support.
"Cold is fine, thank you. I am quite hungry."
"Good," she nodded, pushing the food in front of him as well as a cup of steaming liquid. "Now tell me what has you so upset." She sat across from him, resting her chin on her hands as her deep blue eyes shone violet in the light. Her gaze was intent, and her expression receptive.
He nodded, the move hesitant as he started to eat. He quickly realized just how famished he had been. "When are you being deployed?"
"I meet with the kage in six hours," her eyes flickered to the clock.
"Not much time," his voice was filled with disappointment. She felt her heart flutter at his reaction.
"Miss me that much?" she raised an eyebrow mockingly.
He avoided her stare, and she could swear his ears turned red. She suspected he had yet to see the Hokage for his debriefing and she felt flattered by that notion. Honored, even. Giddy. After some time, he pushed his plate away.
"Thank you, Kushina," his voice was earnest as he flashed her a bright smile that hid the volatility beneath.
"No problem. Now talk, Namikaze, before I kick you out."
He looked at her, his blue eyes filled with amusement. After some time, he nodded, an indescribable trust in her taking over him. "As much as I wish for peace in this land, all evidence points toward another conflict, it seems."
"War?" her voice was flat with disappointment and fear. The effects of the last war hung heavily on both of them. It was ironic that it was that war that led her to Konoha. To him.
"I hope not," he sighed, his chin resting on steepled fingers. "There was so much death." His eyes focused on something unseen behind her, and she knew he had seen an unspeakable devastation on this last mission. It was most likely why he was so agitated. It was not like him to discuss specifics, especially not of highly classified missions, so she would not press the issue.
"I dislike killing," he finally admitted as his shoulders sagged with his exhaustion. "detest it, even. I'll do it if it is necessary, but that is necessity is a tough line to define."
"I'd highly doubt that anyone would enjoy it," she nodded her understanding. She, too, had killed many—more than she would like to count. She never took joy in doing her job, though there were a few exceptions that teetered dangerously close.
"Some do," he whispered, his eyes on her face, some far-away memory dancing in their blue depths. "Some will do whatever it takes for power." His words were cryptic, and her brow creased as she sought to digest what he was sharing with her. She was unsure if she should ask him to clarify—or if he even wanted to. Before she could speak her inquiry, Minato blinked, his usual demeanor returning.
"Thank you for your hospitality, Kushina," he stood,, glancing at her door, "But I should get going. Hokage-sama will be expecting me, and you should rest before your mission. I apologize for my intrustion."
"You came here," she pointed out, her argument losing steam. He hesitated, his eyes widening slightly. Her words held a truth to them. Why had he found his way to her apartment? He stood a few feet from her, watching her as she stood, her eyes narrowed as she formed her question: "Why?"
"I—because—" he started, his words failing him. It was a rare occasion indeed.
She shrugged, suddenly looking disinterested. "Obviously you had reason, but I won't press it."
His earlier agitation returned momentarily as his head jerked in a nod, his words low as he spoke the truth, "I wanted to see you."
"Oooh, you wanted to see me?" she teased, her sarcasm masking her true anxiety as she attempted to keep him there, if even for a few seconds longer.
He licked his lips, looking uncomfortable as his shoulders slumped in defeat. Exhaustion. She didn't know. "I..you were all I thought about. The entire four weeks," he admitted, his honesty raw. "I just wanted to see you. To talk to you. It was not a welcome mission for me. You help clear my mind."
"Did I succeed?" she asked, looking up at him. He was much closer than she remembered. She was becoming more bold in her questioning. He nodded, his eyes on her as she pulled a cloth from her pocket, his cup held between her fingers. "My hidden talent," she smiled, her former playfulness returning as she realized her brazeness as she licked the cloth and blotted the dried blood on his face.
"One of your many," he murmured as he watched her become consumed with her task.
She smiled, drawing back, "There! It was just a scratch. So much blood for such a little thing-"
She never had a chance to continue as Minato covered her mouth with his after his hands fiercely cupped her face. His kiss was rushed, frantic even. It was as if he were never going to see her again. What had he seen out there on his mission that had affected him so much? Namikaze Minato was not a man that was easily affected. Though, Kushina knew, even the best, most hardened of men had their moments of weakness. Did she bring out that out in him? The thought of having that much power over him frightened her.
The china fell from her fingertips, shattering on the floor as he pulled her against him, his hands sliding along her back. She returned his heated fervor, her hip hitting the counter surface as their kiss became deeper. It wasn't the careful, delighted kiss from four weeks ago. No, it was more needy, more urgent, more primal. She allowed him to reveal himself in that kiss, his hands wandering over her clothing, his finger caressing the skin of her neck as he crushed her against him. By the time their kiss had ended, she was seated on the counter-top, her arms flung around his neck as his hands gripped her hips.
"I'm sorry," he cleared his throat, stepping back suddenly. She looked at him, confusion clouding her eyes. Her lips were swollen from the friction of their kiss, her cheeks flushed and her breath quick. He ended their contact, and the shock of his skin being peeled away from hers was agonizing. She could only squeak her disdain .
"I...got carried away. You should rest before your mission. I have intruded long enough," he cleared his throat, straightening his vest. "Thank you...for listening to me," his voice was soft as he took a moment to collect himself. He looked somewhat disconcerted by how quickly the kiss has evolved to their heated and compromising embrace. She was unsure if he were put off by it or fighting to maintain control.
"No," she reached out and grabbed his hand, her mind still clouded by desire. He needed her, and she knew it. "Stay a while." The night.
His eyes widened as the color drained from his face, "Kushina, surely—"
"I'm just saying," she smiled, unsure of the meaning behind her own words. She knew, being the man he was, that he would hold no expectations. She was making no promises. "That it won't kill me."
She pushed herself off the slick counter-top, sheepishly stepping up to the baffled jonin. She prided herself in being able to render him completely speechless. Her smile grew more mischievous as she angled her face up toward his, her fingers pushing the hair from his face.
"It's only a meeting in the morning, Namikaze. Besides," she closed the space between them, noticing the quickening pulsation in the vein of his neck. She boldly envisioned her lips on that skin and her stomach fluttered. Her eyes flickered up to meet his, and she could see the sheen of sweat on his upper lip. Kushina reveled in the reaction she had elicited from him. It was empowering. "Isn't that what a good shadow clone is for?"