Anticipation is a neutral sensation. Like many a phenomenon in world, anticipation can fall either side of the scale. On one hand it can be a joyous sentiment where a person is filled with giddiness opposed to anticipation. It is a light sensation. People have described feeling an army of butterflies wandering about their stomachs, they causing the already twitchy organ to jitter and jolt.

On the other hand, anticipation can morph into something dark. The inconsequential feeling that was once a minute niggle of uneasiness can easily transform into a consuming state of anxiety. It can be relentless and equally as debilitating as fear. Whereas previously the sensation may be light and airy, it can turn at any time. The butterflies that once danced about can fall like lead, their beautifully painted wings becoming torn and crooked.

And unfortunately for Tomo, she felt both forms of anticipation.

Stirring numerous pans on the stove Tomo attempted to keep herself busy. If one were to smell closely one could imagine the menu she had prepared, identifying individual items like miso soup to stir fried vegetables from the cacophony of aromas. From time to time her glasses would fog up with condensation, the small trickles running down the length of the lenses. She was avoiding concluding the dilemma that had haunted her since earlier that day.

Should she have involved herself with the Uchiha siblings?

It was not Sasuke that plagued her thoughts; after all he was merely a product of his environment in her eyes. The village was the reason he had fled to the darkness. They were the reason he had allowed it to consume him until it was no longer possible to distinguish between the two.

It was the elder of the Uchiha who made her so doubtful.

It was not his sense of character that made her weary. From the moment she set foot in the Hokage's office she knew he wasn't corrupt with power like so many people had said. His aura, although dark, did not radiate evil; he was equally as nervous as the other people in the room, even if he did not show it outwardly.

It was how his miraculous return was going to affect Reina that was worrying her. In the short amount of time that had passed since waking from her coma Reina had come on in leaps and bounds. The night terrors of Yomi and the heartache of losing Itachi had long been forgotten. What if seeing him again somehow triggered that suppressed fear and woeful longing? How would that impact Reina? She was blissfully unaware of everything.

That was one side of her inner debate.

The other side was the sleeping babe in the adjacent room. Did Kohaku not have every entitlement to bond with his father? And did Itachi not have every right to know his only living relative, his only flesh and blood aside from Sasuke? Unlike many of the children in the village, Kohaku had been given the opportunity to bond with a parent that was previously lost to him. It was this factor that had propelled Tomo to her current situation.

With Reina lecturing, the three of them had time to talk without the ears of unwanted people spying. Tomo found herself staring into the bubbling pots; she was about to introduce her great-grandchild to their father for the first time and here she was gawping at kitchenware as if it was going to ignite a conversation. She had to time it right - for everyone's sake.

If there was one small, even minor, hint that things were to go astray she would tell them. As much as Tomo cared for the brothers, Reina and Kohaku were her main concern. Speaking of which, Tomo grimaced at the thought of telling Itachi, Reina had no inkling of what occurred between them. Any trace of love between the pair had been lost; the only recollection being what few interactions they shared as children.

What had she gotten herself into?

"Kami help me." Tomo sighed edging her glasses back up the bridge of her nose. The Kami had smiled at her enough as not to burn any of the food, which she took as a good omen. For the time being the wing of the compound was quiet, bar the occasional hiss of steam and clatter of plates. Tomo was thankful that despite his vivacious nature, Kohaku slept like a log. Reina had lain him down for his afternoon nap just as Tomo returned from the Hokage's office before she went on her way to teach an evening class.

If she timed things right, she could feed the brothers and explain everything before Reina returned. There had been enough surprises for one day without Reina stumbling in on their rendezvous, unannounced. Wiping her hands on a nearby tea towel Tomo took in the small feast in front of her. Admittedly it was a lot of food, but then by the looks of the brothers, they probably hadn't had a decent meal in a long time.

She glanced at the clock on the wall: almost six. They would be here soon. Satisfied with her work Tomo set the table and dusted off her hands then headed back to her room to freshen up. If anything was for sure, it was likely to be the most interesting meal she had had in a while.

On the other side of the village Itachi and Sasuke had finally left the Hokage's office. Both were visibly fatigued. Between the length of their previous travels and the overwhelming events of the day they were running on empty. Both brothers had distinguishable bags beneath their dark eyes; Sasuke was the more irritable of two, the furrows of his brow deep from glaring at people passing by. Itachi was surprisingly lax. Regardless of everything that had happened, Konoha felt like home.

He paused for thought, mentally correcting himself. It wasn't the village that felt like home, it was knowing that Reina was safe and well that made him feel like he was home. It was Reina that evoked the concept to him. After all, home is where the heart is, and Reina most definitely had a place in his heart.

"Do you remember where the compound is?" Sasuke questioned idly, noting how Itachi seemed to wander of his own accord. Itachi nodded, motioning to the distant road with an inclination of his head.

"It's on the outskirts of the village. It's peaceful out that way." Itachi's tone was almost melodic, his memories transporting him back to the few times he had visited the Hitori compound in his younger years. Sasuke watched his brother with a hidden curiosity. Despite everything, Itachi seemed happy to be in the village. The sights, the sounds, even the people seemed to rekindle a happiness in him that had long been suppressed.

"Can you feel her?" Itachi glanced to Sasuke, surprised by his sudden bout of inquisitiveness. The answer was yes. But now, now the connection didn't feel as strong as it had done prior- something was different.

"I can but...it's hazy." Itachi turned his gaze back to the thinning road ahead of him, occasional sprouts of grass encroaching on the pathway. Sasuke didn't press. He gave Itachi the time to adjust; after all he had undergone a seismic transition. "The connection is there but it feels like she is in a field of fog, whereas before everything was as clear as day." Sasuke nodded, mulling over his words. He looked to his own wrist where the indenture string usually sat. Vaguely, he could make out the string's outline, its former glow dimmed and dulled.

The likelihood was that their connection had withered with his passing and Reina's weakened state; Itachi cast his thoughts back to their reunion in Yomi. The indenture had been strong then, to the point of them sharing thoughts as if it were normal conversation. Something didn't sit right with him. He would have to see if previous indentures had been documented to compare cases.

Then there was situation of Reina's condition.

The last Itachi saw Reina was with child- their child. What if the harshness of Yomi and the severity of her injuries had taken a toll? What if she lost the baby? And for what? All because she wanted to save his wretched soul. Itachi grit his teeth together, the enamel crying out in protest. The thought of Reina losing the child because of him made him feel sick to his stomach. If he hadn't been so selfish and given in to his feelings in the first place. If he had simply stuck to his original plan Reina wouldn't be in any of this mess. His skin paled at the thought of it all. He wanted to vomit. He knew the action would be futile; he couldn't remember the last he had eaten, his stomach would simply wretch, bringing up bile and non-existent contents.

"Will you stop beating yourself up already? You're giving me a headache just watching you argue with yourself." Sasuke snapped, visibly irked. It was like he had assumed the role of the older brother and Itachi the younger. "We're here now. There's no going back. So just stop would you? Izanami would love seeing you all woeful and conflicted."

Itachi was stunned.

Sasuke stared at him, intent on breaking the vicious cycle of self-deprecation Itachi was always tangled in. The sickly feeling in his stomach began to gradually wither away; Sasuke was right. Izanami would thrive on his negativity. Sighing softly Itachi nodded, running a hand through his hair in exasperation. Satisfied that his brother had gathered his bearings and quietened his inner demons Sasuke motioned to the compound gate.

"Gomen." Itachi murmured softly; Sasuke acknowledged his words with a low grunt and slight nod of his head. The pair entered the compound, noting the occasional light from behind numerous shoji screens. Crossing the courtyard they found themselves face to face with the front door.

"Are you ready?"

"As I'll ever be." Itachi breathed deeply, the slight sickly feeling returning to his stomach. Itachi wasn't given much time to prepare himself as Tomo threw the door open, a smile plastered on her face.

"You're on time which I'm afraid means you're late." Tomo eyed the pair closely. Sasuke remained behind Itachi who for the briefest of moments resembled a deer caught in a trap before his usual facade melted back into place.

"Forgive me Tomo-sama, things took a little longer than expected." Itachi smiled allowing the Hitori elder to usher them inside. Everything was how he remembered. Everywhere oozed warmth and comfort; it was a welcomed change to the shadowy lifestyle the pair had previously been leading. Tomo pottered about idly chatting away as she poured three cups of tea. Setting the teapot down Tomo nestled herself at the table, clasping her hands together.

"I'm glad you both came. There is so much we need to speak about...However, food first then we'll talk because you both look awful."

The pair came to find that Tomo was a force to be reckoned with. She was an open book in comparison to Reina. Tomo said everything how it was, even if what she said was uncalled for. Within the span of the meal she had remarked on the boy's table manners, impressed how impeccable they were given they had lived with criminals for so long.

The food, to say the least, was delicious. The table was ladened with a multitude of dishes; different sized bowls and plates occupying the low slung table. Even the simple action of eating as a family unit held a special place in the brother's hearts, even if they did not voice it aloud. It unearthed long buried memories of their own family meals; it was back when times were simpler, when the only important thing was whether they had washed up before dinner.

Tomo smiled to herself watching the brothers eat. Any anxiety that had been there had melted away at the door; however the anticipation was still bubbling away in her own stomach. She could see they were being polite; they were chomping at the bit, a barrage of questions on the tips of their tongues. She wasn't sure where to start; there were so many things she had to cover before Reina came home.

Then there was Kohaku.

"I know you want to know about Reina. And I'll explain everything and answer any questions you have. But first there is someone I think you need to meet." Tomo rose from the table, a soft smile etched onto her lips as she held Itachi's gaze. "I shan't be a moment."

Tomo excused herself leaving the brothers to wonder in silence.

"Do you think...?" Sasuke began.

Itachi's heart suddenly began to race at the possibilities. Who had she gone to collect? Surely it wasn't Reina? It wouldn't be Atsushi. That barely narrowed anything down; Itachi's throat was parched despite the amount of tea he had consumed. He remained rigid, his ears perking up as the soft padding of footsteps edged towards the kitchen. His palms suddenly became clammy; chancing a glance at his wrist he could make out a new string that hadn't been there previously.

Then Tomo appeared in the doorway with Kohaku tucked neatly in her arms.

At first Itachi said nothing, he couldn't. His eyes were locked on the toddler in Tomo's arms. He felt ill and elated at the same time. Sasuke too was struck with silence. He managed to tear his eyes from the dark haired child to look at his brother who looked like he may faint at any given moment. Itachi managed to push himself to his feet, walking over to Tomo somewhat timidly.

"Is...is he?" Itachi began, the corners of his eyes watering up and threatening to spill over his dark lashes. Tomo nodded and adjusted Kohaku on her hip.

"Hai. Itachi, I would like you to meet Kohaku, your son." Tomo murmured softly to Kohaku, pointing at Itachi with her free hand. Kohaku snuggled into the crook of Tomo's neck, he still waking up from his nap.

"May I hold him?" Itachi whispered, his voice cracking with a mixture of fear and excitement. Tomo's smiled widened as she too was teary eyed. Sasuke watched in awe. Tomo handed Kohaku over, Itachi instinctively holding him like he had held Sasuke all those years ago. "Hello Kohaku." Itachi gazed at the child in his arms; his features strikingly similar to his own. Salty tears trickled down his cheeks, they trailing along his jawline until they fell from his chin.

Kohaku, albeit drowsy, had his signature gummy smile plastered onto his face. Itachi held Kohaku close, the tears beginning to fall freely down his face. He made no attempt to conceal or wipe them away; instead he simply stared in awe at the piece of pure unadulterated perfection he held in his arms. Kohaku stared up at Itachi, blinking in curiosity at the new person holding him. Inquisitively he reached for Itachi's face, a slow murmur of babbles passing his lips as he felt the wet skin of his cheek touch his hand.

Sasuke watched as the occasional quiet sob passed his brother's lip, he too feeling a pang of emotion in his chest. This was the life Itachi deserved, to be home with his family and the person he loved. He shouldn't be living on borrowed time; he should be free to live a life he chose, rather than a life that was given to him.

"How old is he?" Itachi asked, he didn't dare take his eyes off Kohaku for sake of him being a cruel genjutsu that might disappear without warning. Tomo wiped her eyes, they glossed from her own tears.

"He'll be one in a few weeks. A summer baby, just like his Father and Uncle." Tomo smiled turning her attention to Sasuke who lurked in the background of the sentiments.

"One? Is that how long has passed..." Itachi thought aloud, attempting to piece everything together. Just how much had he missed out on? He gazed down at Kohaku, a smile replacing his tears. Kohaku had hold of his face, his podgy little hands holding either cheek. The dark haired toddler was awake now, the excitement of new faces amping his usual level of babbles and jabbers.

"Itachi, I must know...How are you here?" Tomo had sat back on her futon at the table, intrigue imprinted on her aged features. Carefully, Itachi sat back down, he cradling Kohaku in his lap allowing him full view of the room. Sasuke stared at the toddler next to him; the pair exchanged gazes, they both silent before Kohaku squealed in delight like a piglet in fresh mud. Itachi, still struck by his son, toyed with the toddler's cocoa locks idly; Reina had done a phenomenal job in raising him so far, it was yet another thing he needed to apologise for.

"Reina and Sasuke came for me. They returned to Yomi in order to bring me back. But I lost her…and…" Itachi paused, almost ashamed to admit that he struck a bargain with the goddess of death. Sasuke, hearing the torment begin to creep into Itachi's voice interrupted.

"He struck a deal with Izanami."

"Izanami? As in Izanami no Mikoto?" Tomo susurrated lowly, her eyes widening as the severity of the situation dawned upon her. Regaining his composure Itachi continued to fill in the blanks, Sasuke filling where Itachi couldn't. Tomo knew her granddaughter was a brave soul, but everything the pair told her dumbfounded her. She dreaded telling Itachi that Reina had no recollection of their time together; her chest tightened as they grew closer to the end of their tale. The only thing that kept the mood of the room above water was Kohaku. The lively toddler babbled away, crawling about in Itachi's lap, he occasionally grabbing at his ponytail or attempting to sneak a sip from his tea cup. Itachi was in awe of the child. He could see so much of Reina in him that it unnerved him somewhat; he was cursed by misfortune and yet here he was with something so beautiful and perfect.

It just made his decision so much harder.

"Itachi, there is something you need to know…about Reina." Tomo began, her tone taking a sharp turn. Itachi manoeuvred Kohaku in his lap, the toddler contently toying with his necklace. Sasuke listened quietly, he didn't like where her words were heading; her tone was hesitant and laced with a heartache he knew all too well. "Reina is~"

"Baa-chan, are you in here?"

Home. Reina was home.