Chapter 24

Blood everywhere. They were dead. Mother and father were dead and Itachi killed them and why? Why would he do that?! He- They were supposed to be family- No, no, no, no.

The whole Clan is dead. They were alone. So much blood and so many bodies over and over again.

Sasuke reached out through all the darkness and blood and bodies, screaming. He didn't want to be here. He didn't want to be alone. He needed to stop Itachi who kept killing and killing and killing-

"Sasuke."

A hand clutched his own.

He was drowning in blood. He was too weak. He was too weak to be killed and he was too weak to save anyone! Why was he so useless? He couldn't do anything-

"Look at me. Let me take over from here, alright?" A cool hand touched his face. "Open your eyes."

Sasuke tried. He tried to listen. He tried to push them open. But all he could see was blood. So much blood and darkness and Itachi murdering everyone-

A blur of colour, purple and brown, passed by his blood-filled gaze, and a forehead pressed against his own.

"Good. Trust me?"

It was Izumi. Of course, he trusted her.

"Always." He tried to say. He didn't know if he succeeded, or if his words were drowned in blood and bodies, but he tried.

"Good, Sasuke. Good pup." Izumi sounded soft, a tone reserved for the hardest days, one where all they could do was huddle up on the couch or one of their nests and just lay there. "I'm taking over, alright?"

The blood disappeared, along with the bodies and Itachi. No, instead he was on a field, their usual training field. Kakashi was reading his book at the base of a tree, Naruto was trying to attack him, but Kakashi easily flipped him over. Sakura huffed and shook her head.

Izumi threw him a smile from her perch above Kakashi, sitting on a tree branch.

Sasuke rolled his eyes at their antics and walked their way.

He felt eyes staring at the back of his head, cold and piercing, but the cold was smoothed away. A crackling warmth greeting him, and the piercing gaze disappeared.

.::.

Izumi glowered at the curse mark. It was on Sasuke's scent gland and the sight terrified her. If it kept causing Sasuke pain it could damage him or his Omega side which was only still a pup. She didn't know anyone who had lost their secondary gender, or if it was even possible, and Izumi didn't want to find out. She didn't want Sasuke or his Omega to die. What would happen to him then? By the Sage, Sasuke was only a child. Why was it always him who had to suffer?

Izumi saw red again but gritted her teeth and forced her anger back.

Hatred wasn't her way. This was her life.

It didn't belong to Itachi. It didn't belong to Konoha. It belonged to her.

To them.

It was their life.

Izumi flinched and forced her hands back open. Blood trailed down her palms from where her nails had torn open the skin. Izumi grimaced, but shoved them out of the way when she heard footsteps coming her way.

"Izumi-san?" Sakura sat down by her side. "He's stopped shaking. What did you do?"

"He's under my genjutsu," Izumi said. "That should give him a bit of time to rest."

"You put him under a genjutsu?" Sakura startled.

"Yeah, genjutsu's can be used to subdue someone you care for, not just to torture the enemy. Imagine if Naruto was under another's control? You could use genjutsu to knock him straight out. Or if Sasuke refuses to sleep? You can give him pleasant dreams, like I'm doing now." Izumi frowned. "It's hard, genjutsu is difficult. It's why it's so rarely used in most cases."

"It's rarely used?" Sakura frowned.

"You're good at seeing through them, but rarely use them, even with your fine chakra control. Kakashi was the same as a kid, if what he told me was right. He rarely used genjutsu. It's not just about having good chakra control, you have to be in control of whatever you're making them see. It takes a lot of concentration, which is why Sasuke, despite his use of the Sharingan, doesn't really use genjutsu."

"I honestly don't know what I should do..." Sakura admitted, and stared down at her hands, a helpless gaze to her eyes. "I'm not good at anything except book work-"

"That's not the worst thing," Izumi said. "If you don't know the theory then you're no doubt going to be lousy at the practise. You however know a lot of the theory, and have an opportunity to be as good as these two, in fact, maybe even better. But you can't wait for someone to start training you. There is only one of Kakashi, and he's pregnant. It's why a lot of genin branch out. Like me. I don't work with Naruto, his fighting style isn't my type, but Sasuke's? Yeah, we suit each other. You on the other hand I'd have a different training routine for. Kakashi boasts about your chakra control-"

"Wait!" Sakura startled. "He does?"

"Well, as much as Kakashi boasts about anything. You're the best out of these morons. He also thinks you could be the leader for this team one day, because you are level headed and might control these idiots." Izumi smiled. "You have a lot more than you give yourself credit for, but you have to find out why you want to be a ninja. Is it some romanticised notion? Are you here for Sasuke? Are you here because your friends are here? You have to figure out your reason, not just follow everyone else."

"And..." Sakura shifted. "What do you think?"

"I agree with Kakashi." Izumi chuckled. "Didn't think I would about some girlish girl who gushes over boys and dresses, but surprisingly I do."

Sakura nodded and got to her feet. "I'll talk to Kakashi sensei when this is over."

"Good luck." Izumi nodded. "I'm sure you'll do great."

A scream abruptly cut off her thoughts. Naruto screeched, clutching his head, and Izumi choked down a laugh when she realised Choji had whacked him with a tree branch. Naruto searched about then threw himself to the ground, still screaming.

"EVERBODY HIDE! QUICK, GET DOWN!" Naruto was probably alerting every ninja within miles of his location. "That ninja. Where could she be hiding?"

Choji jabbed him with the stick, just as Shikamaru sighed and shook his head. "You really are one of a kind," Shikamaru complained. "And I mean you're the kind that gets on my nerves."

"What crawled up your ass and died?" Naruto huffed.

"My tolerance for your crap."

Izumi sighed. If she was going to have to listen to this until Sasuke recovered she might actually set their asses on fire. Hopefully that wouldn't happen, because Shikamaru's mum might kick her ass.

.::.

Kakashi had been oddly contented and happy for the past few days. It made Obito feel good, even if he had initially dismissed the feeling. But the longer the happiness lasted the more at ease Obito felt. The scan must have gone well then.

Obito shrugged on the robes the Daimyo insisted he must have now that he was an advisor to his court as he headed out his newly acquired bedroom. Rich people. The idea made him roll his eyes. The bedroom was far too fancy for a room that was meant to just be slept in. It was even nicer than that inn room he and Kakashi had been in.

That was the only reason Obito pretended to use it.

He might have use of it soon.

Yes, he said he'd trust Kakashi, but Obito would take measures to keep him- and the baby- safe if he had to. But for now Kakashi was perfectly fine from what Obito could feel. It was rather odd. Kakashi's happiness never lasted days, but maybe a baby was changing his perspective on things?

.::.

Kakashi awoke in a pile of cuddly toys.

He blinked, tried to sort out his muddled thoughts, and blinked once again at a stuffed turtle sat next to his head on his pillow.

It reminded him of Guy's turtle.

"Are you awake?" He heard Tenzo asked tentatively, kneeling beside his bed.

Kakashi peered out the pile of toys- Seriously, what the hell?- Blankets and pillows, and yawned. He felt good. Like he had gotten the best nap ever, which wasn't normal. Kakashi pushed some of the toys off him and the bed, and groaned.

"Why am I surrounded by cuddly toys?"

Tenzo smiled. "Thank goodness you're awake. Your Omega took control after your scan and you've been asleep all this time."

"I wasn't aware at all?" Kakashi choked. "Crap! What did I even do?"

"Bought fluffy pyjamas, a bed full of cuddly toys, and baby shoes."

"Baby shoes?" Kakashi frowned. "Why?"

"You kept saying they were cute."

Kakashi groaned and collapsed back into the toy/pillow/blanket fort. Damn Omega. He swore he could still hear his Omega purring contently. "How long was I out for?" Kakashi asked despairingly.

"It's day four of the Forest of Death."

"So I've been out ever since the exam started?" Kakashi hissed.

"I tried to wake you up!" Tenzo cried. "I've been supervising you ever since Guy let you come back with all these toys."

"Why was he supervising me?" Kakashi asked dryly.

"Because your Omega was in full on control after you heard your baby's heartbeat-"

Kakashi purred at the memory, then flushed. He groaned and buried his face in his pillows. "This is all Mr. Kidnapper's fault..." he complained.

Tenzo sighed. "Well, since Guy was at the scan the doctor allowed him to supervise you since it wasn't safe for you to wander about so unaware and deep within your subconscious. So Guy was asked to look after you until you woke up. But he let your Omega do whatever he wanted."

"My Omega likes to be spoiled!" Kakashi groaned. "Dammit."

"Yeah... Guy owes a lot of debts..." Tenzo winced. "Anyway, I took over and your Omega was mean to me the entire time for not letting him do whatever he wanted."

"Sounds about right," Kakashi sighed.

"You tried to break into the exams to go see the pups," Tenzo said, shaking his head tiredly. "I had to carry you back here because you refused to return with me when I caught up to you. I went for a bathroom break, barely even five minutes-"

Kakashi sheepishly rubbed the back of his head. "Sorry. How are the exams getting on anyway?"

"Fine," Tenzo said smoothly.

Kakashi tilted his head. Why did it feel like Tenzo was on edge?

"What's really going on then?" Kakashi insisted.

Tenzo sighed. "Honestly it's nothing-"

"I'm the master of bullshitting people, Tenzo." Kakashi snorted. "Don't try to question my rule."

Tenzo groaned. "Yes, I know, you love messing with people, but this isn't like that-"

Kakashi loudly sniffed. "I think I smell something. I think it's crap-"

"Fine!" Tenzo huffed. "Orochimaru's back."

It took Kakashi a fair amount of time to digest that little piece of information. An awkward silence filled his apartment. Tenzo looked irritated, but expectant, while Kakashi pondered on the information.

Kakashi blinked. "Okay... I have to admit I wasn't expecting that..."

What would draw Orochimaru back here at such a time? Something or someone rare. That was for sure. But who was rare enough to draw his attention.

The son of a bitch.

His Omega growled lowly, and Kakashi frowned. "He's after Sasuke. Isn't he?"

Tenzo nodded. "As quick as ever even with the pregnancy brain. Yeah, he attacked your team a few days ago, but Izumi got in there and is now guarding the kids as they finish up. Although not without some harassment."

"What do you mean?" Kakashi tilted his head.

"She's been 'ambushing' them, not constantly, but enough to keep them on edge and paranoid." Tenzo shook his head. "It seems to amuse her."

"Sounds like her." Kakashi nodded. "So the kids are alright then?"

"Sasuke has a curse mark. Izumi plans to pull him out of the exams if it can't be treated the moment they get to safety."

"I'm surprised she hasn't taken Sasuke out already."

"Izumi seems to be feeling confident after, and in her words, 'bitch slapped the creepy fucker into the dirt'."

Kakashi choked. "What?"

"Yeah." Tenzo winced. "She said she went feral for a bit there and her Omega attacked. She didn't say many other details apart from slapping him, then leaving him there to go after the kids."

"And we're not cancelling the exams because...?"

"Orochimaru threatened to tear Konoha apart."

"Charming as ever." Kakashi scowled. "Alright, when do we meet up with the kids?"

Tenzo shook his head. "Oh no. You're not going anywhere near this. Kakashi, you're pregnant-"

"I like to think I noticed that, yes."

"Don't be sarcastic with me right now. You can't rush into this in your condition otherwise it could cause you and the baby harm-"

Kakashi's Omega growled warningly.

Tenzo put his hands up. "Exactly. You don't want that. So just take it easy, yeah?"

Kakashi scowled. "I'm going."

"I know, but better to play this safely. We'll stick to the rules and not go running about, we can leave that to Izumi."

"I don't like being babied," Kakashi complained. "It sucks."

Tenzo rolled his eyes. "Sorry, Kakashi, but if I can spend days telling your Omega 'no', then I can certainly tell you the very same thing. Now, get some breakfast."

"You suck."

"Yeah, yeah."

.::.

Kabuto frowned. He couldn't get anywhere near the kids, not with Izumi Uchiha lurking around. She was staying out of the way, but close enough to keep an eye on them. That was troubling.

It would seem he couldn't evaluate Sasuke like he had wanted to.

But he was not going to risk getting the nasty bruise Lord Orochimaru had on his face right now. If whatever she hit him with gave him that, then Kabuto had doubts about surviving a hit from her. The only time he had managed to get involved was stopping two of the morons from opening the scrolls. He wanted Sasuke to get to the next level after all, but when he felt Sasuke coming back and Izumi looming around him, Kabuto had retreated.

.::.

Guy huffed. "Why are you here and not Kakashi?"

Izumi rolled her eyes. "Nice to see you too, Guy. Kakashi's taking a nap."

Kakashi had been far too drowsy to make it in on time to congratulate the genin for passing the second exam, so Izumi had taken over. She left him napping upstairs, but knowing him he'd appear sooner or later. Probably sooner. He was happy his kids were doing so well in the exams after all.

Guy perked up. "Of course! His youthful baby need as much energy as possible to grow. Kakashi is doing a fantastic job, just as shame he isn't here to see his students pass, even if it is only for a short time. After all my students are here and far more skilled and experienced."

Izumi blanked him out, along with the Hokage, and Hayate. Her attention drifted right up until Kakashi slipped into the room. He didn't seem to alert any of the genin, apart from the redhead kid. Kakashi stood next to her and Guy, yawning into his palm.

"Good nap?" She smiled.

Kakashi grumbled.

Guy beamed. "I'm glad you made it, Kakashi. We're about to start with some-"

Sasuke flinched.

All three of them turned their attention to him. Guy's gaze hardened. "Izumi, what is going on? I heard you were in the forest-"

"Later, Guy." Izumi frowned. "It's getting worse, Kakashi."

"The curse mark?" Kakashi smothered down another yawn. "Yeah, need to sort it out."

Izumi grimaced. "Are you capable of that right now?"

"Sure. I'll be fine." Kakashi dismissed her with a wave of his hand.

Guy grinned. "My rival can handle anything, even half asleep."

"We'll do it. The main question is, do we wait?" Kakashi asked, staring intently at her.

Izumi frowned heavily.

.::.

"Sasuke, you've got to quit." Sakura grabbed his wrist, earning a low growl. "That mark is only getting worse. Please, I'm scared for you. I don't want you to get hurt."

.::.

"We need to hand him over to the ANBU and sedate him until a seal is put on him," Anko insisted. "He's a danger to everyone and himself like this."

"As if he's going to comply with that," Kakashi scoffed.

"You be quiet. Don't you have some cake to eat?" Anko sneered. "It doesn't matter if he makes a fuss or not. We knock him out if he does. It's a miracle the kid is even still standing, and I have a feeling that is in large part to Izumi, the breaker of rules, over here."

Izumi didn't even reply, much to Anko's surprise. The Omega must be deep in thought then.

.::.

Tenten frowned. The pink pup and Uchiha were having a row then. Something about the Uchiha's condition? Something must be going terribly wrong, considering how Izumi had been watching over the three for the past few days. Lee had said something about Orochimaru, but then gasped and said it was a secret that Izumi had warned him not to go spilling about. He then said how Izumi told them to finish this exam, get out of the forest, and fast.

Neji, Tenten and Lee had quickly obeyed.

"Do you think I'm blind or something?" Pink pup cried, her voice getting louder. "Do you think I can't see how much you're suffering right now? Look at yourself, Sasuke! You're in constant pain. I'm just trying to help you-"

Blondie frowned. "What's wrong-"

"Nothing," Uchiha snapped. "Now be quiet, the both of you."

Pinkie shook her head and began to raised her hand. "I'm telling them about that mark-"

"Sakura. Leave it."

Tenten tilted her head. A mark? Some kind of seal? Interesting.

"It's on your scent gland! Who knows what could happen to your Omega if it keeps hurting you. I can't let you do this, Sasuke-"

But a guy in purple bet Sakura to it. He raised his hand and started going on about his injuries. He didn't look that badly off though. Something didn't feel right. Shikamaru Nara was looking at the guy with suspicion too, as was Sasuke Uchiha.

.::.

"I'm still concerned about what Orochimaru said," Third Hokage said. "Allow the boy to continue with the exam for now-"

Izumi glowered.

"What?" Anko startled. "But, Lord Hokage-"

"No," Izumi cut in. "As his clan head I'm pulling him out."

"Izumi-" Lord Third frowned.

"I'm not letting Sasuke be used as bait so you can draw out Orochimaru," Izumi said firmly. "So yes, I'm pulling him out as his clan head. If you have a problem with that you better change the rules regarding pups, clan heads and exams."

A clan head was allowed to take their pup out of an exam if they felt the need. That was one of the rules Hashirama had installed, so nobody had ever tried to change it out of respect for the First Hokage. Izumi was going to take full fucking advantage of it.

Anko let out a relieved, grateful scent. "I'll summon the ANBU-"

"No need." Izumi smiled. "But thanks, Anko. We've got this."

"We can pull him out if the curse mark gets out of control." Third frowned.

"It's on his bloody scent gland, if that keeps going off he is going to die." Izumi scowled. "Or his Omega will before he's even had his first heat. I haven't seen someone without a secondary gender before and I don't want to. Kakashi, I know you might have let Sasuke continue, but-"

"No, I won't argue in this case." Kakashi nodded. "You're his guardian and this is another matter entirely. I'll help you seal it."

Izumi smiled. "Thanks."

Izumi walked past them and pushed her way into Team Kakashi's line-up. Sakura and Sasuke startled out of their argument, while Izumi gestured towards the door.

"We need to talk."

"Now?" Sasuke gritted out.

"Yes. Now." Izumi jerked her head. "Move, or I'll move you." Kakashi met her outside, and once they were a decent distance from the exam room Izumi turned to Sasuke. "We all know about the curse mark upon your neck."

Sasuke smirked. "Everyone knew all along, huh?"

"Yeah, and I think you know what I'm about to say," Izumi said pointedly.

"I'm not quitting."

"Doesn't matter. I've taken you out as your clan head. We're allowed to do that in special circumstances, and being bitten on your scent gland by a creepy snake stalker with a curse mark fits that criteria."

"What?" Sasuke startled. "You can't-"

"Sorry, but Izumi is allowed to in this case. Normally I would have kept an eye on you and let you continue, but I'm trying to follow some new examples in regards to pups," Kakashi admitted, laying a hand on his stomach.

"Well I'm heading back in-" Sasuke turned on his heel, but Izumi flung him over her shoulder, earning snarls and kicks. "Put me down!"

"If you think I'll listen to hormonal, egotistical pups then you don't know me at all," Izumi scolded. "Where we doing this, Kakashi?"

"There is a room downstairs. We'll go there."

"Why can't I just get a seal put on me later?" Sasuke wriggled.

"Oh yes, and ignore the pain you're in. That's a wonderful idea." Izumi cooed sweetly, but then hardened her resolve. "Sasuke, it's on your scent gland. Either this kills you, or your Omega if left untreated. I've been 'nice' enough by letting you get through the second exam without calling it quits, but now I'm at my limit. If you weren't going straight on to another fight I would have allowed you to continue the exams, but I can't take another risk. Please don't try to make me."

Sasuke stilled.

"You're all I have left, Sasuke," Izumi said, breathing in deeply. "I love you, so please don't make me lose you too." She lowered him to his feet, and Sasuke was oddly silent, staring at the ground. Izumi placed her hands on his shoulders, squeezing gently. "I would do whatever it takes to protect you. You're my pack, you're my pup, and if I have to fight a bloody Sanin and die doing it I will-"

Sasuke growled and snatched her wrists. "You can't die either then! You talk about how I'm the only one you have left, that means the same for me to you. If you die I'm alone." He shoved her back. "This is why I have to get stronger, Izumi. I won't allow him to kill you-"

"I'm Itachi's mate," Izumi said coldly. "He won't kill me. He'll wait for someone else to do it so he doesn't get driven insane."

"But he's already insane..." Sasuke said weakly. "He has to be. He murdered our entire clan, mother and father too..."

Kakashi looked very uncomfortable, but thankfully the troll was keeping his mouth shut and didn't blurt out any random nonsense to try change the subject.

"And killing me himself weakens him," Izumi said. "If he wants to keep testing his strength he won't weaken himself. Not like that. But now isn't anything to do with Itachi. This is you and I'm not losing you."

She grabbed his wrist and tugged him along. Sasuke went along willingly. Kakashi looked so relieved.

"You know," she teased. "You're going to have to get used to emotional conversations one day when you're a parent."

Kakashi winced.

Sasuke snorted. "He's a moron. Like he's ever going to manage emotional conversations when he uses a jutsu like 'a thousand years of death'."

Izumi choked down a laugh.

"It's very effective." Kakashi grinned wolfishly.

"At traumatising people."

"Yep," Izumi agreed.