Disclaimer: not mine
I've been trying to figure out how to change things to be less cliched but it would mean massively changing the story so I've left most of it.
Chapter 9
Harry paced the room out of agitation. He'd finally told Tsunade and Kakashi everything and the two were in the other room discussing it. He hated to admit it but he was worried about what would happen next. Would she decide he was too dangerous and kick him out or worse? He didn't want to leave, not anymore. In the time since he'd woken in the hospital he'd found a home in Konoha. He couldn't bear being forced from another home. He didn't want to leave Kakashi, Iruka, Sasuke, Naruto or Sakura. They were all special to him in their own ways. The younger three were becoming younger siblings while Iruka was a mentor and friend. He wasn't sure about Kakashi but they seemed to be settling into almost a sibling/friend relationship. He's never had an older brother but Kakashi did a good job of acting the annoying part that went with the job.
He could practically feel the amusement coming from the two ANBU guards as he continued to pace. They thought he was just a civilian traveller that had been found in the forest. He knew they'd be a lot more alert and cautious if they knew who and what he really was.
"Harry, come back in," the Hokage called.
He took a deep breath and opened the door, slipping into the Hokage's office. He took the indicated seat and forced himself to relax.
"I understand why you didn't tell us everything at first," she told him. "I can also understand your reasoning for not wanting to complete your Shinobi training, however I do believe it would be beneficial for you to do so. I could arrange a private teacher so you wouldn't have to go to the Academy with children far younger than you and there are genins older than you. Even if you chose to never advance further, at least your training would be more well-rounded than it currently is. As for your Majority we will have to work quickly to prepare. Exactly how bad do you think it could be?"
"Bad," he admitted. "The magic here is wilder and there is a lot more of it. I don't know how it will react to mine once the blocks are gone. I have some of the spells and stuff in my workbook since we had to change them slightly for me but I don't know if they'll be enough. It would be safer if this was done far from any towns or people, just in case." Normally, there'd be no worries. Yes, they'd been prepping a secure room for him, but that had been more for the sake of better safe than sorry. All the old families did it, just to be safe. In Harry's case, with the wildness of the local magic, he had the horrible feeling it was going to be a necessity.
Tsunade nodded. "How long will it take to prepare the area as much as possible?"
"The sooner I can start the better."
"Very well. Pack what you'll need. Kakashi you'll go with him as will your team." She raised a hand as Harry went to protest. "Sakura is my apprentice; you may need her skills as a medic after this. It is too dangerous for you to travel alone. When the time comes they will leave to what you think is a safe distance but until then they will stay with you. If things go badly you will need them to get you back here. Understood?"
Harry swallowed and nodded. "Yes ma'am."
"Good. Kakashi inform your team they have an A-ranked mission."
"A-ranked?" Harry asked.
"If they can't get far enough before it begins."
Harry nodded and the two left the office.
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Tsunade watched them go, still thinking over what Harry had told her. He would make a good addition to the village and she was beginning to think he could really be trusted but she still didn't like his ties to Itachi. She had the feeling there was more to it than Harry was saying and that worried her.
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
The three genin were waiting at the gates for their sensei. He'd shown up, told them to pack for a mission, given them the time and then vanished. None of them liked not knowing what the mission was, or even its rank. They watched as Kakashi walked into view with Harry by his side.
"Harry! You came to see us off!" Naruto yelled, hugging the older teen.
"No, I'm coming with you." Harry gently removed Naruto before he lost the ability to breath.
"What? Isn't that dangerous?" Sakura asked, and Harry winced.
"Come on, we need to go." Kakashi ushered them out of the gates. "Can you run in the trees?"
Harry nodded and followed them up into the branches. He wasn't quite as good as them but he still managed to keep up.
"What is the mission Kakashi-sensei?" Sakura asked as they left Konoha behind.
"Do you want to tell them?" Kakashi asked, and Harry shook his head. The three genin exchanged looks. "Right, we are to escort Harry to the remotest area we can find, help him set up and then retreat to the minimum distance he gives us. After that we are to wait for at least six hours before going back for him. At this point your skills as a medic will most likely be needed Sakura." The three teens stared at their two older companions in confusion. "This is an A-ranked mission," Kakashi added almost as an afterthought.
"I don't understand." Naruto was looking between the two as they ran through the trees.
Harry looked at Kakashi before moving so that he was running beside Naruto. "I…have abilities, different to yours. When I hit eighteen they will be fully unlocked. We were prepared for it back home but circumstances have made my being there for this impossible. There wasn't enough time to prepare a room in Konoha and ensure there would be no risk to the village. That's why we are coming out here. When the time comes you have to stay away until Kakashi says its safe, no matter what you see or hear."
"Will it hurt?" Naruto asked, concerned for his friend.
"A lot. I…if worse comes to worse it could kill me." Harry looked away from the pained look on Naruto's face.
"Then why are you doing this!?"
"This isn't something I have a say in Naruto. It will happen whether I want it to or not. All I can do is try to make sure no one else gets hurt," Harry shrugged slightly. "This is what I am, I can't change that." They had stopped running and Harry pulled Naruto into a hug.
"I don't want you to die!"
Harry smiled sadly at the blond; he was still so innocent in many ways despite his training and life. "I know and I am going to do everything I can to make sure that doesn't happen. Sakura's here to help me afterwards. There's nothing else that can be done." Harry started moving again; fully aware of the way the others were watching him as they travelled.
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Harry clung to Itachi as they lay beneath their tree. The older man was hiding his fear well but inside he was a mess. In three days he could lose his love permanently. Harry had told him the general direction they'd had been heading in and he figured that if he ran flat out he could catch up before it was time for Harry to be left, but that would only lead to a fight. Unless…
"Harry ask to talk to Kakashi alone, see if he's willing to look the other way if I show up."
Harry sat up and stared at Itachi as if he'd lost his mind. "Are you crazy? He'd have to try to capture you, or worse! And what if Sasuke saw you?"
"Harry you could die! I just want," Itachi took a deep breath, "I want the chance to hold you for real even if it's just once. Kakashi knows this is dangerous, he may agree to give us this."
"He doesn't know about us! They think we're just friends!"
"Even then, don't we deserve to see each other once?"
"You're not going to give up on this are you?" Harry grumbled, and Itachi smiled down at him fondly.
"No. Either way I'm coming. I don't want to find out just because I never dream like this again. I can mask my presence from them."
"Just stay away while it's happening. I don't want you to get hurt."
"I promise." Itachi kissed him gently, but Harry pulled him closer, deepening the kiss desperately. Itachi lay back, pulling Harry down on top of him as they continued to kiss and cuddle, trying to make as many happy memories as possible just in case this was all Itachi would soon have.
"Love you."
Itachi smiled at the quiet declaration. "Love you too," he whispered back words he'd never thought he'd be able to say to someone.
There was no way to predict how the magic in his world would react to Harry's. Harry had explained about his inheritance when they'd been prepping for it, before the takeover of the school. While there had been some risk of injury, they hadn't really been worried. But now? With no magical healers on hand, with a world of wild magic…he knew there was a chance Harry could die if the magics conflicted too badly.
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Kakashi kept an eye on Harry as they backed up the camp and got ready for the days travel. He had the feeling Harry had dreamed last night and whatever had happened between him and Itachi had him on edge. He didn't like the way the teen kept glancing his way while chewing his lip, an obvious sign of nervousness. Harry usually had better control of his emotions than that. He wasn't surprised when Harry approached him and asked to talk to him alone. He sent the other three on ahead and waited for Harry to talk.
"I know there's no way you can say yes, I'm only asking because Itachi was adamant and he is great at distracting me and you really don't need to hear that…"
Kakashi couldn't help a flash of amusement as Harry babbled nervously.
"Itachi's coming. He wants to know if you'd be willing to look the other way for a bit. I…I know it's a slim chance, but there's still I chance I could... We've never even seen each other for real, you know?" Harry looked away, but not before Kakashi noticed the sparkle of unshed tears.
"Harry, how close are the two of you. Honestly."
Harry's head snapped back around and he opened and closed his mouth a few times before suddenly finding the ground fascinating. "I love him and he loves me," Harry answered softly.
Kakashi sighed, that complicated matters. "Why didn't you tell the Hokage or me earlier?"
Harry shrugged.
"He is a missing-nin Harry, a criminal. I can't ignore his presence." The teen nodded sadly and Kakashi looked at him and came to a decision that if anyone ever learned of could get him in a lot of trouble. "However, if I don't know he's there then I have nothing to report and no reason to act, do I?"
Harry's head snapped up and he stared at Kakashi in shocked hope.
"He cannot be seen Harry and if he tries anything…"
"He won't. I…thank you Kakashi." Harry hugged the older man to his surprise.
"We better get moving before the brats get worried."
Harry nodded and they were off. If Harry couldn't stop grinning the entire day no one said anything.
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Harry stretched; glad to finally be able to stand after bending over for so long. There was a reason he hadn't taken Ancient Runes, they were interesting sure, but using them was a pain, literally. At least he was finally done. The clearing was as good as it was going to get, all that was left was for him to activate the wards once he was inside the circle but that wouldn't happen until tomorrow night.
He packed his supplies up carefully and got ready to head back to the temporary camp but froze as he sensed he was no longer alone. It was too risky to try a spell with all the wards he'd placed so his hand slipped down to the kunai holster Kakashi had convinced him to wear for the trip.
"Would you really use that on me?"
Harry spun, bag falling from his hand as he stared into the trees wildly. Was it? "Itachi?" He called hesitantly, tensing as a figure dropped to the ground. He relaxed as the figures face was revealed and then he was running across the grass.
Itachi caught him easily, holding him tightly for several long minutes before pulling back. They studied each other silently, noting the few differences from how they appeared in their dreams.
"This is real right? I didn't fall asleep without noticing?"
Itachi smiled down at him. "I'm really here Harry. Kisame is nearby keeping an eye on Kakashi and the kids to make sure we're not caught."
Harry nodded, stepping back into his arms. "I've wanted this for so long," he whispered, before stretching up to kiss him. "They know not to expect me back till morning. How long can you stay?"
"As long as you want. We'll be as close as we can until this is all over."
Harry nodded before taking Itachi's hand and pulling him to the edge of the trees farthest from the camp. They settled against the base of a tree, content to lay in each other's arms quietly for a while, occasionally exchanging gentle kisses.
"Can we…I've never…." Harry stammered and blushed slightly. He took a deep breath and tried again. "Make love to me? Please?"
Itachi's eyes widened at the soft question. He moved so that he could see directly into Harry's eyes. The emerald orbs were filled with love, determination and fear, but fear of what he was asking or what was going to happen tomorrow night? "Harry…"
"Please? I'm sure about this Itachi. Tomorrow I might…this way we both get good memories in case, right? And even if I don't we may never see each other like this again."
"Are you sure?"
"Positive." Harry moved so that their lips met.
He knew what he wanted and it was Itachi. He'd never felt like this about anyone before. That thing with Cho had been a simple schoolboy crush; heck it didn't really even count as that much. Itachi stood and pulled Harry further past the tree line just in case, last thing he needed was his partner or his little brother stumbling across them! Itachi glared at the hard ground and Harry smirked. With a muttered word there was a comfortable mattress for them to use.
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Itachi gently pushed Harry down onto the mattress, they had all night so he planned to take things slowly and thoroughly enjoy himself. And from the look on Harry's face he had the same idea. They continued kissing for some time, hands roaming underneath clothes until Itachi eventually pulled Harry's shirt off, seeing another difference from how Harry looked in their dreams. Harry paled and tried to pull away but Itachi stopped him. Harry looked down in shame; refusing to look up at what he was sure was an expression of disgust.
"Who did this to you?" Itachi asked in the same tone he had used when Sasuke was little and scared.
Harry still refused to look at him and pulled away, wrapping his arms around his chest.
"Harry," Itachi reached out, and Harry flinched. He moved, faster than Harry could dodge and pulled the teen into his arms. Harry began to fight his hold, tears streaming down his face but Itachi refused to let go.
"I love you, no matter what. They don't matter, don't change anything," he murmured, trying to calm Harry before he made enough noise to alert someone to his presence.
Itachi had to push his anger aside to comfort him, how could anyone have done such a thing to Harry? He kissed Harry's hair gently, waiting for him to calm down and gently ran his fingers over the scars. Scars that littered his torso but were not from battle, well, most weren't. Magical healing very rarely left scars, unless Dark magic was involved. It was why Harry still bore the one on his head and Itachi could tell a few of the marks were not from anything like a physical weapon. Which meant the most likely culprits…he knew Harry hadn't had a happy childhood, but he hadn't realised they had gone that far.
Itachi gently tilted Harry's face up so that tear filled green met his. Harry stared at him for a while as if unable to believe what he'd said before slowly nodding. Itachi smiled and then kissed him hard. Harry flinched slightly as Itachi moved, gently kissing all of the scars. Harry's body held a multitude of scars, some were from training and various fights, while others had obviously been made under more painful circumstances, but Itachi kissed them all lovingly, never flinching away from the sight and slowly Harry relaxed and began to enjoy himself again.
He knew that his actions wouldn't cure Harry's fear of the scars being seen completely but it would go a long way to helping. He paused as he reached Harry's pants but the younger teen simply lifted his hips. Smiling Itachi removed the clothing and then let Harry do the same for him. Harry gasped at the first feel of bare skin meeting and Itachi kissed him again.
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
"We need to get up," Itachi murmured, nuzzling his lover's neck. That earnt him a sleepy sigh.
"Don't wanna," Harry mumbled, and Itachi laughed.
"Yes well I'm sure you want Kakashi or my brother to find us like this even less."
Harry was up like a shot and dressed before Itachi could blink. With a wave of Harry's hand Itachi found himself dressed and their mattress gone. He smiled, magic sure made hiding things like this easier, there wasn't a single wrinkle in their clothes.
Harry threw himself into his arms, holding him tightly. "I'm scared," the wizard whispered.
"Everything will be fine; it has to be," Itachi whispered, and Harry nodded. They broke apart as Kisame appeared.
Harry smiled at the other man and received one in return. "Nice to finally meet you."
"You too. Never thought Itachi would find himself someone who could actually stand him." Kisame grinned at his glaring partner. "We've got to go. Kakashi is headed this way."
Itachi nodded and pulled Harry in for one last kiss.
"Be careful," Harry whispered, and Itachi was gone. "Look after him if…?" Kisame nodded gravely and then vanished. Sighing Harry headed back to the clearing to meet Kakashi.
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Harry knelt nervously in the middle of the circle dressed only in a pair of loose pants. The others had left three hours ago and should have been travelling for most of that. Itachi had shown up after they had left, just long enough to kiss Harry before vanishing into the forest. The parting had been hard, the nights coming events weighing heavily on all of them. He'd given them all a hug, even a shocked Sasuke. The look on the teens face had been priceless but no one had laughed at him.
He could feel midnight approaching and forced himself to relax, it would only be worse if he were tense. He knew that Itachi and Kisame were somewhere to the north while the others were to the south. The memory of the previous night made him smile softly. Maybe he'd be nicer to Kakashi and stop hiding his book for a while to say thanks. Thanks to his magical healing he wasn't sore, without it Kakashi would have known what had happened for sure with the way he would have been moving.
He wished he wasn't alone for this but he knew he had to be for everyone's safety. He began to meditate lightly, preparing his mind for what was to come.
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Itachi flinched and leapt to his feet as a blood-curdling scream reached them. Kisame laid a restraining hand on his arm. They exchanged a worried look as the screams continued. They were far enough that there was no way they should be hearing Harry's screams and yet they were.
Itachi wanted nothing more than to go to him, to hold him through his pain, but he knew he couldn't. There was nothing he could do but watch and listen and he hated it, he felt so helpless. He let Kisame push him back down to the ground and accepted the offered food as something to distract himself with. There was no way they'd be sleeping tonight.
,,,,,,,,,,,
All four ninja flinched as the screams started. Kakashi said nothing as they moved closer to him and for once he wasn't reading his book.
"Harry," Naruto whispered, and Kakashi put an arm around the teen's shoulders, offering silent comfort.
None of them liked hearing a friend in such pain. Even Sasuke had lost his mask and had hidden his face from the firelight. Sakura was shivering slightly and for once she didn't complain when Naruto moved closer to her, accepting the comfort of a friend. The four stayed huddled together, trying to ignore what they could hear.
The wind picked up, howling around them, putting the fire out and plunging them into darkness. They huddled together in the darkness Kakashi using a jutsu to put an earth wall between them and the worst of it until it died down. Kakashi got the fire going again and they sat to wait for the time limit Harry had given them.
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Kakashi dropped to the ground in what had once been a lush clearing. The ground was now burnt, ash blowing in the early morning breeze. He cautiously approached the middle, eyes never leaving the lump lying there and praying with all his might that Harry was still alive. He dropped to his knees, feeling for a pulse and breathed a sigh of relief as he eventually found one.
"Sakura," he called, and the girl moved quickly to his side.
He'd left the teens at the edge of the clearing, not wanting them to come closer if there was nothing to be done for their friend. He was happy to be able to call for Sakura's help since it would let them know that Harry was still alive. The teenager was bloody and breathing shallowly, but he would live, Kakashi knew enough to be able to tell that. He watched as Sakura went to work, giving Harry the potions he'd given her for just this purpose before using her own skills to help him.
Eventually she sat back on her heels and smiled at her teacher tiredly. "He's stable, we should get him back to Konoha though."
Kakashi nodded and called for Naruto and Sasuke. They cleaned Harry up a bit before wrapping him in a blanket and placing him on the stretcher they'd brought for that exact purpose. Just as they were about to leave, Kakashi paused and looked to the trees, he knew they were being watched.
"Naruto keep the stretcher steady; Harry will not thank you if he falls off because you tipped it," he called to his student. He could at least let the missing-nin know that Harry had survived.
,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Itachi heard Kakashi's call to Naruto, had seen him scanning the trees, and was grateful. He'd known Harry was alive, he could detect his chakra still after all, still, it had been an unexpected kindness from the man he had once mentally tortured. There were times he wished he could come clean about everything to the Hokage, to go home where he could be visibly at Harry's side. He knew it would never happen though, he had done so much, even if he had done it to protect the Village.
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Tsunade was waiting as Harry was carried into the hospital on a stretcher. He was pale and breathing shallowly, but he was alive and that was what was important. She got him into a room, listening to Sakura's report even as she got to work, Sakura assisting her.
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Iruka knocked on the half open door and smiled as Harry looked up from his book. The teen smiled and motioned for him to come in. Iruka took a seat in the chair placed beside Harry's bed. He couldn't believe the changes he had undergone since Iruka had last seen him. His hair was still messy but now long enough to just brush his shoulders, the green eyes were the same but the glasses were gone. Even stuck in a hospital bed Iruka could tell he'd put on some height and overall he just looked healthier. Before he could tell that Harry had been malnourished as a child but now he looked as if he'd gotten three good meals a day his entire life.
He'd been busy teaching the day they left so he hadn't gotten the chance to say goodbye before team 7 had left top accompany Harry on some sort of coming-of-age thing his people did, and he had been busy when they had arrived back. From what he'd heard he was glad he hadn't seen Harry then. According to talk, several of the medical staff had thought him dead at first until they'd seen him breath. Iruka did not want to know what sort of barbaric practises Harry's people put their children through to show they were an adult if it left them as bad as that.
Iruka focused back on the present as he felt a tug on his sleeve. Harry couldn't talk due to damage to his throat, although the nurse Iruka had spoken to assured him it was temporary. The teen had his head tilted inquisitively, causing Iruka to smile. Harry grinned in return.
"I'm sorry I haven't been to see you before this. The Academy and missions office have been busier than usual."
Harry shrugged to show he understood.
"I heard about the condition you were in when you arrived, it's good to see you looking a lot better than that."
Harry looked around and then grabbed some paper. He carefully spelled out 'thanks'. His language lessons had been progressing nicely but he was better at reading than writing. They both looked to the door as Kakashi wandered in. Harry glared at the clock on the wall and then at the older man causing Iruka to muffle a laugh.
"Harry, Iruka-sensei," Kakashi greeted, smiling underneath his mask at the two. Harry's look said very plainly that Kakashi had better have a good excuse for being late. "The Hokage wanted to see me."
Iruka watched as Harry studied Kakashi closely before finally nodding in acceptance.
"Doctors said I can take you home now, you just have to rest your throat till your voice comes back," Kakashi told him.
Harry grinned and scrambled out of bed, swaying slightly before straightening. Iruka relaxed as the teen stood under his own power, he'd been ready to catch him if necessary.
"Here." Kakashi tossed him a bundle of clothing, and the two Shinobi turned away to let him dress.
Harry held up the piece of paper he'd written on earlier and Kakashi nodded.
"Care to walk with us Iruka?" The Chūnin hesitated, but Harry tugged on his sleeve so he agreed.
The three walked slowly down the streets towards Kakashi's building, mindful of the fact that Harry had just been released from a two-week stay in the hospital. Harry was keeping up a good pace but it was obvious he still tired easily. But the teen was smiling happily as they walked, just glad to be outside again.
"Harry!"
Iruka and Kakashi moved to catch Harry as the teen fell under Naruto's added weight. "Naruto! Be careful! We don't need you putting Harry back in the hospital!" Iruka berated his old student. The blond hung his head but Harry just ruffled his hair and smiled.
"Hey! You grew!" A few groans were heard as Naruto commented on a fact the others had noticed a while ago.
It was true though; Harry had shot up from 5'6" to a good 5'11". A five-inch growth spurt in so little time was impossible Iruka realised with a frown. Just what had been done to the boy?
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
It was nice to be back in his own bed after two weeks in hospital. Honestly, he thought the Hokage was torturing him for getting hurt so badly in the first place. The local magic had not been impressed with him, but he thought they'd come to an understanding in the end.
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
"Harry!"
Iruka looked up to see the students tackling a familiar teenager and smiled. Harry grabbed one of the children and swung her up onto his shoulders, laughing as more clung to his legs. It was good to hear him laughing again, even if it was a little hoarse still. He played with the children for a few more minutes before heading for Iruka.
"Hey," Harry greeted as he sat beside the teacher.
"So you finally got your voice back," Iruka commented. He still didn't know what had happened to Harry and frankly he was still worried.
"Yep, all healed and as good as new," Harry grinned, and then laughed as he watched the children
"What happened to you Harry? Sudden growth like that isn't natural and the condition you were in…"
Harry stilled beside him, smile fading. "It was just a coming-of-age thing Iruka, no big deal," Harry shrugged.
"No big deal! You almost died! Harry please tell me what is going on." Iruka honestly liked the teenager and was happy to see the way he had bonded with the Naruto and his teammates, especially Naruto. He sighed as Harry got up and moved back to the children, ignoring his questions.
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Tsunade looked up as Harry was shown into her office. She smiled at the nervous young man and motioned for him to sit. "What can I do for you Harry?" What bombshell would he drop this time?
"Iruka's been asking questions about what happened to me and I want to tell him, all of it. Who I am, where I come from, everything."
TBC…