A/N:

"Hisashiburi" - Long time no see

This story has been rated M for a reason - you have been warned.

Happy Reading! ^^

Chapter 15. The Youngest Uchiha

Nami walked down the steps with Shiori next to her, serving as her and the child's guardian. The leopard engulfed her and the infant in her chakra, keeping them safe from any harm. The child calmed down in her arms and fell asleep once more. Shiori's presence was calming. As they reached the bottom of the stairs, they came face to face with Uchiha Sasuke. Even though he did not show it, the young Uchiha was startled to see the blonde kunoichi exiting the Uchiha hideout — or perhaps it was the presence of the large black leopard.

"Hisashiburi Sasuke. I wish we would have seen each other under better circumstances. Go ahead, he's waiting for you inside," Nami said as she looked at the younger Uchiha brother.

"What are you doing here oneesan?" he asked, his hand resting on his sword.

"Just saying goodbyes … I'm going home," Nami replied simply as she continued to walk.

"So, what you defected Konoha to be with my brother? You bore his child?!" Sasuke snarled noting the child in her arms.

The leopard growled in his direction as her chakra spread, shielding Nami and the child from harm. Sasuke's companions backed away, not liking the presence of the large feline and its menacing chakra. Sasuke did not need to know the truth of Sachiko's parentage.

"Yes, I did," Nami replied with pride in her voice," You cannot harm us, while we are under the protection of the guardian of the underworld. Go see your brother Sasuke. He's waiting for you. It's time you two end this."

"This isn't over oneesan. You and I have to talk after I kill him," Sasuke growled.

Then he unsheathed his sword and turned towards the base, heading for his brother. Nami held the child close to her as she and Shiori headed off in the direction of Konohagakure.

Meanwhile in Konoha.

Team Kakashi and Team Gai finally returned to Konohagakure after managing to save Gaara from the Akatsuki. Kakashi was hospitalized in the hospital due to overusing his Sharingan. Team Kakashi was currently in the hands of Yamato — a former ANBU and teammate of Kakashi. The moment they arrived in Konohagakure, they knew something was wrong. The news of his sister's disappearance at the hands of the infamous Uchiha spread like wildfire through the village. He was intent on leaving and going to find her at once — it took all of team Gai and Yamato-taichou to restrain him. The news hit Kakashi the hardest. He arrived in Konoha unconscious — thanks to Gai's youthful sprint all the way home. Once he awakened, Naruto told him the news of Nami's disappearance. He pushed himself to recover, so he could join the search. He was not willing to lose the only person he had left. Sure, he had his team but Nami — he loved her most ardently, and he'd be damned if he lost her before he had a chance to tell her.

Few days passed since their return and Naruto was anxious to go find his missing sister. There they were, the current team Kakashi standing in the Hokage's office demanding to go on a rescue mission.

"You are the last person who should be going for this mission. It is clear that your sister has been targeted with the purpose of luring you out to the location. Clearly it is a trap," Tsunade proclaimed.

"I do not care. She is my sister! I am going and you cannot stop me baachan," Naruto replied.

"Calm yourself Naruto-kun or you'll start sprouting tails!" Sakura eased.

"I already dispatched a team of ANBU to her last location as noted by the other medic-nin Aoi. There has not been an update yet. Therefore, we must wait until they return," Tsunade said.

"Sasuke's brother took her. He's going to kill her if we don't save her!" Naruto exclaimed.

"I don't think he would," Tsunade stated simply as she thought back to the relationship between the Uzumaki kunoichi and the elder Uchiha. _

A few days later.

Team Kakashi was back in the Hokage's office. Kakashi was present as well — although he was not at full strength, he was eager to join the search.

"The ANBU returned with no leads, how do you expect to find anything?" Tsunade asked the blonde ninja.

"I will find her. Please baachan let us go. Kakashi is better, he wants to go too," Naruto pleaded.

"Fine! Go but for the love of everything that's holy RETURN. ALL. OF. YOU! You're dismissed," Tsunade replied and she leaned back in her seat as team Kakashi left.

Two days later.

She was in land of fire traveling home with an infant and a leopard. They were resting at the edge of the Kanagawa forest, only ten kilometres away from Konohagakure. Nami was sitting by a fire, leaning against the black leopard as she held young Sachiko in her arms. The child was well fed and happy in her mother's arms. Shortly, the little girl fell asleep.

"Your papa is… was the bravest man I ever knew," Nami whispered to the sleeping newborn in her arms.

"We have visitors running towards us from the direction of the village. They are your friends," Shiori said.

Nami looked towards the direction that Shiori was looking and noticed a bright orange running towards them.

"ONEECHAN! YOU'RE ALIVE! HOLY SHIT THAT'S THE LEOPARD!" Naruto exclaimed as he came to a halt, keeping a safe distance from his sister and the feline.

"Yes, I'm alright. Don't worry about Shiori. She's a friend remember?" Nami replied, smiling at her younger brother as she remained sitting.

"I thought I lost you. How did you get away? What… who's that?" Naruto asked as he approached his sister, sitting down next to her.

"Itachi let me go," Nami said as her daughter fell asleep once more in her arms.

"Nami."

Nami looked up as she recognized her lover's voice, her silver-haired jounin appeared in front of the campfire, followed by Haruno Sakura and Yamato. Kakashi took a step forth towards her but then hesitated as Shiori's chakra flared up. His eyes shifted from Nami to the feline.

"You may touch her son of the White Fang," the leopard spoke, permitting him to enter the chakra shield.

Kakashi took a step forth and entered the chakra and he immediately dropped to his knees and wrapped his arms around her. Nami kept a slight distance between them, shielding the baby in her arms. Sakura let out a soft aww while Yamato and Naruto pretended to look away while Kakashi showed affection towards her. Kakashi pressed a mask covered kiss on her cheek, but then pulled away as he heard the infant cry.

"Who … who is she? Nami?" Kakashi asked, noticing the tears forming in her eyes.

Her face was puffy, and she appeared exhausted as she held the infant close to her body, doing all she could to protect her. He looked down to the small child in her arms, examining her feature — black hair, black eyes — Uchiha. He looked back at Nami, waiting calmly for an answer.

"She's …. mine now. My daughter … gomen Kakashi," she replied.

"I'm an uncle. Wait… Kakashi you impregnated my sister and now … but she doesn't look like…" Naruto rambled as he took a step towards them.

"Oi! Naruto! Shut up! That's inappropriate!" Sakura exclaimed as she banged him onto the head.

Nami leaned into Kakashi as he sat down next to her. Kakashi gently placed his finger on the infant's hair, gently caressing it.

"She's his, isn't she?" he leaned down and whispered only for Nami to hear.

"Hai," Nami whispered back.

"No harm will come to her. I promise you," Kakashi said and he pressed a masked kiss onto her forehead.

"I need to speak with Tsunade-sama once we return. I need to ensure her safety. That… backpack… I found a mission scroll in there that will prove everything was a set-up — the massacre, everything was a set-up Kakashi. It was a mission given to him by the Konoha council. He was pushed to do it," Nami spoke.

Kakashi was stunned to hear that but he decided to remain calm.

"It's ok, we'll go together hm? Let's get you girls home," Kakashi offered as he put his arm around her, comforting her.

"Nami-san, you saw Sasuke-kun's brother and he let you go?" Sakura inquired all of a sudden.

"Hai, I saw them both," Nami replied.

"You saw Sasuke?! Where? Where's Sasuke-teme?" Naruto inquired.

"Two days that way, at the Uchiha hideout near the Hidden Waterfall Village. But by now he's either dead or gone from that area. The brothers fought and I know that Sasuke finally got his revenge," Nami replied as she stood up.

"Are you sure you're ready to walk little one?" Shiori inquired as the leopard also stood.

"Hai, I wanna go home," Nami replied.

Kakashi picked up the grey backpack and put it on his shoulders. Yamato doused the campfire with a water jutsu and the team headed back to Konohagakure. Sakura walked next to Nami, looking over at the infant. The black leopard walked majestically next to her summoner, continuing to protect them until they'd be safe in the village.

"She looks like Sasuke-kun. What's her name?" Sakura asked.

"Her name is Sachiko," Nami answered as the little girl opened her eyes.

"A child of happiness? What a beautiful name." Sakura commented.

"Hai, it suits her," Nami smiled as they made their way home.

Several hours later.

Shiori disappeared as they walked through the gate of the village. Once they arrived at the Hokage tower, Tsunade was glad to see the medical student back home. After several inquiries about the child in her arms, Nami explained everything to the Hokage, her assistant and team Kakashi. Although skeptical at first, once Nami provided the original mission scroll from Danzo that ordered Itachi to kill his family — everyone in the room believed every word.

"None of you do anything. This scroll will be placed into the vaults within the mountain under lock and key until we are able to do anything about it. Right now, we need to close ranks, and focus on the enemy on the outside. Akatsuki is closing in, I have received a message from Jiraiya. He is planning on infiltrating Amegakure. After we finish dealing with Akatsuki … we will clean house. For now, in the case of Uchiha Sachiko,

However, I must insist that for outer appearance for now, you call her Uzumaki in public so that her life is not threatened by Danzo and his Root. Do we understand each other?" Tsunade ordered.

"Of course, Tsunade-sama, I understand," Nami replied

"Good, for now I order you on a maternity leave for a period of six months. You are dismissed … all of you. Get some rest and do not mention any of this to anyone. Understood?" Tsunade ordered.

"Hai Hokage-sama."

"Hai."

"Hai baachan."

"Hai shishou."

After briefing Tsunade, Nami returned to her apartment along with Sachiko, Naruto and Kakashi. Nami turned her attention to Sachiko. She gently cleaned the child, changed her clothes, fed her, burped her. Now she was resting on her bed, the youngest Uchiha lying next to her sleeping soundly. Nami watched her intently. She was her daughter now. She briefly thought to her birth mother, curious on who she was — Itachi mentioned the rain country. At this point, it was best not to know. She felt her heart ache as her thoughts ventured back to Sachiko's father. As she was resting, Kakashi entered her room quietly, making his way towards her bed.

"I sent Naruto for some supplies and food," Kakashi said softly.

"Kakashi?" Nami looked up at the silver-haired man.

"Nani?" he asked all gentle as he came over and sat down on the edge of the bed, shielding Sachiko from the other side.

"I've never lied to you and I don't plan on starting now. I kissed Itachi …" she admitted.

Kakashi was surprised by that statement.

"I see …" he paused for a moment as he thought about it — or pretended to.

"Well … first loves… they're quite unforgettable hmm? It's alright, I understand," he added, giving her a soft smile.

"Arigatou," she smiled back.

Kakashi stood and walked around the bed. He gently pulled down his mask and then pressed a kiss on her temple.

"For now, rest. I'll take care of you both… I promise," Kakashi whispered in her ear.

Then he claimed her lips for a soft kiss before heading out into the living room, letting them recuperate. Nami smiled as she watched him go, thinking just how lucky she was to have a man like him in her life.

A/N: End of part 1, now onto part 2. Until next time.