**Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or the quote below. I just own Sintary ^^ Also I do not own the other OC Kokuro. He's my friend's.
SOOOOOO? I hope you guys enjoyed the last TWO chapters. I thought it was a good Christmas present (Or just a holiday gift if you don't celebrate Christmas) to have two chapters; especially since the last one was 15 pages and beautifully done with the wedding! But enough of that. Down to business. Nothing too drastic happens in this chapter. If you guys read the December 27th post on the blog, you'll know where I'm going on this. So, this chapter is a sorta bridging two "arcs" together. We're moving towards the end of the story. And essentially, that post explains the status of the ending of the story. I have about five more chapters after this one is planned - and that's it. There is no sequel. There will only be the continuation of The Tales of Kokuro, but I honestly can't guarantee that he'll have that out frequently. So, we're nearing the end; it's the final stretch. I'm really praying to get another chapter out before the end of next week because after that, Ko and I both go back to school, and it'll be difficult trying to balance to the two schedules since I will be using him a ton in the final chapters. Please keep an eye on the blog for updates; they don't happen daily because it's not always necessary, but I will post the status of a chapter or if there are delays and such. If you've never visited the blog, or have no idea what I'm talking about, google Dear Itachi News and it'll be the first one in the search.
Without me continuing my ramble, please enjoy the next installment and continuation of cuteness!
"To enjoy good health, to bring true happiness to one's family, to bring peace to all, one must first discipline and control one's own mind. If a man can control his mind he can find the way to Enlightenment, and all wisdom and virtue will naturally come to him."
—Buddha
The sun had long since risen when the couple finally woke up after their wedding night. The villa had been sophistically equipped with black out shades for sleeping in. The windows were cracked slightly to let in the cool, lake breeze.
Kokuro smiled very softly, looking over the dreamy man next to him – his husband. His heart clenched with such love. They were married – they were going to start their future together.
Lips suddenly covered his and he smirked more into it.
"Morning, handsome," Kiba said quietly once they pulled away.
Kokuro kissed him again. "Such a lovely way to wake up."
"And to think, we get to wake up like this every morning now." The Inuzuka boy reminded him with a happy smirk.
"Yes," his partner kissed him deeply, "we do."
The couple laid in each other's arms in a comfortable silence for a while before they picked up conversation.
"It certainly won't be this quiet once we have kids," Kokuro stated quietly.
"I can't wait to have kids," Kiba told him honestly. "How about you?"
"I've been waiting my whole life to have a family. Now that I have my loving husband, I don't want to wait for our children to come along."
"Do you have an idea about how we could go about this?" Kiba asked his knowledgeable lover.
Kokuro slowly nodded. "It's going to sound a little crazy, but hear me out." He forewarned his companion. "So, Sintary's second child – Meisa – wasn't exactly convinced the normal way. Orochimaru had taken Kazuki's genes and separated the genes out so it was basically Itachi's genes remaining. He then injected that into Sintary's egg and, you know, created a baby that way. So, if he could do all that, we could possibly mix our DNA together and have that fertilize a surrogate mother's egg."
Kiba looked at him, uncertain. "Are you sure we can do that? Orochimaru was a mad man and didn't do what was exactly ethnical."
"Of course, the way he went about it was absolutely wrong," Kokuro agreed. "But the idea he had was sorta sound. I just – I really want our kids to be, well, ours." He expressed heartfully. "And this idea gave me hope."
"Hey, hey," Kiba said gently squeezing his husband's hand. "All we can do is ask, right? So, who do you think would be able to splice genes together?"
Kokuro sighed, expelling any negative energy he had built up. "Well, Sakura has perfect chakra control. She would probably be our best bet. Plus, with her running the hospital it would need to be approved by hear anyway."
"Do you think she'd even approve it?"
"It's not like we're doing anything like Orochimaru. We're both willing to go through with this, and we'd make sure whoever we chose as the surrogate mother would be okay with it too. We'd have everyone's consent – and it's not like she has anything to lose by trying this." Kokuro tried rationalizing.
Kiba nodded gently. "Where would we all stay? The apartment we're renting isn't big enough for a family." He asked changing the subject.
"Well…" Kokuro started having also already thought about it. "You know how the Uchiha compound was rebuilt to its former glory? They have a lot empty housing since it's just the five of them. And I've always been close to Sintary and Itachi – and it's actually not far from the Inuzuka clan either."
Kiba, again, looked a bit uneasy. "Won't it be awkward living near each other?"
"Do feel uncomfortable with the idea?" Kokuro asked his husband.
"Maybe not with the idea… it's just, I don't have the connection you do to the Uchiha. I always butt heads with Sasuke, and well, Itachi sorta scares me – don't tell him that though!"
Kokuro chuckled as Kiba's quick proclamation to protect his pride.
"We wouldn't have to be neighbor's, love." He explained. "The Uchiha clan had as many members as yours or the Hyuga clan even. The complex was – is – huge. It has a lot of housing, a least three full sized dojos. Ooh, and it's backed up against the forest which they've turned into a massive training field. And, they have their own private lake."
"It does sound like a lot of room for both families to grow." Kiba admitted. "And it would be having a tiny home in the Inuzuka compound or anywhere else."
Kokuro nodded enthusiastically. "And most of the homes are the bones; so, we would get to pick the colors, the appliances, all the furnishes and finishes. It would be custom to our style."
Kiba did like the idea of finishing their own house. He then talked to his soulmate about designs, and what he always wanted in a house – being near the green space would be a huge plus for Akamaru and small things that he got really excited over.
They stayed talking until late in the afternoon when the group gathered to return home. The two couldn't wait to get home and settle in as an officially married couple. Not even his mother's taunting could bring him and his husband down from their high.
It took a couple weeks to finally get to where they wanted to be. The business of Hokage kept getting in their way from accomplishing things quickly. Things were not as simple as the two new Hokages played. They were deep at work with figuring out the true plot of the Akatsuki.
"So, explain this Eye of the Moon thing again." Kokuro asked sitting on the Hokage desk cross legged.
"The Akatsuki's true leader – Madara Uchiha – devised this plan to ride the world of evil and hatred," Itachi started explaining. "He believes by casting his Rinne Sharingan on the moon, it will cast a jutsu called the Infinite Tsukuyomi across the world."
"And the Rinne Sharingan is a combination of the Rinnegan and Sharingan right?" Kokuro asked to clarify.
Itachi nodded. "Which you seem to possess as well."
"So, wait, how did Madara get this?"
"I do not know for sure… He might not even have it, but is instead building up to it." Itachi told his partner. "It could be why he's gathering the ten beasts."
"Okay. What about this Infinite Tsukuyomi jutsu? How did he learn about it, and what does it do?" The white-haired Hokage asked clasping his hands in front of his face.
"The legend was written on a stone tablet that has been kept in the Uchiha family since Madara's era. It could very well be hidden under the ground; it would just be a matter of getting to it." Itachi told him. "I've read the tablet myself when I was younger. It tells how to activate the jutsu as well as what it does… it casts the world in a dream."
Kokuro snorted. "That's ironic – since the Tsukuyomi is a nightmare realm."
"I'm sure there's more to the jutsu than the stone tells us." Itachi said. It was a feeling he had for a long time. It was same feeling he had as a child after the nine tailed fox attack and his clan's reassignment.
The raven-haired shinobi pushed those thoughts aside. He needed a clear head to piece together this puzzle.
"Have you ever heard of Kaguya Otsutsuki?" Itachi asked his comrade already knowing the answer.
Kokuro shook his head. "You know I don't know anything about my clan."
Itachi nodded and tossed him a scroll. "Read more, we'll discuss it tomorrow." He then glanced at the door. "Come in, Sintary."
The third member of the team pushed open the doors and came in carrying in the very active little girl in her arms. Little Meisa had these big, onyx eyes that seem to see everything. Her attention span was very short as she kept looking around at the different objects in her surroundings. She couldn't speak, only babble, but she had begun to crawl, and she could crawl efficiently.
This certainly didn't take attention from their eldest, Kazuki. He was showing all of Itachi's natural talent as a shinobi. He would be enrolling in the academy in a couple more weeks; sometime later in July. While Itachi and Sintary were in no rush to push their son into the shinobi world, they also knew it was "quality" family time. Even Sasuke realized it – he was the one out there training Kazuki along with other children who would be starting the academy with him.
Seeing the family quickly reminded Kokuro of his nearing appointment at the hospital with his husband. He bit his lip; he wanted to say something to his best friends, but he had to stick to his promise. After their original conversation, the newly wedded couple had decided to not tell anyone until they could secure the possibility of their future children.
"Hey guys, I'll see you tomorrow, I gotta go meet Kiba." The white-haired shinobi said gathering what he needed.
"Another night of house hunting?" Sintary teased.
That was another thing; the duo hadn't settled on the "perfect" house yet either. They were still renting the apartment they had moved into before marriage.
"Probably," Kokuro chuckled. "Kiba can't decide on anything."
Itachi nodded. "Don't stay out too late," he reminded his friend before allowing him to leave.
"Are you ready to leave?" Sintary asked her boyfriend gently. "Kazuki really wants you to teach him the Fire Ball Jutsu."
"Sasuke hasn't already?" Itachi questioned slightly surprised as he gathered his own things.
His girlfriend shook her head gently. "No, Kazuki refused. He wants you to teach him."
The father couldn't help but to smile softly at that. "A stubborn one, isn't he?"
"Can't blame him for wanting his father to teach him the family jutsu." Sintary reminded him.
Itachi nodded at that. "Alright, let's head back to the Uchiha compound."
Sintary nodded as they locked up the Hokage Tower and headed to their home. They walked in step through the village. It was bustling with people; people who were appreciative for the normalcy that settled over them again.
Konoha was doing well after the rebuilt under their two Hokages. The people knew both Itachi and Kokuro for the most part. Both had been shinobi that served the village, and were legends among the little ones. Kokuro was accepted more among the civilians and the shinobi. Itachi still made people nervous, but the group of shinobi he grew up with – along with some of the slightly older shinobi knew that Itachi was a force to been reckoned with. That group had voiced their support; saying that it had been time to have their first Uchiha Hokage, and Itachi was the only one who could "fit the bill."
Itachi felt his heart clench.
He was the first Uchiha Hokage.
He closed his eyes as he relished in the idea. It had been a dream of his since he had been a little child. He had wanted to abolish the fighting in the world, and to accomplish that, he needed the power that came with being Hokage. Certain events had caused him to lose faith in that dream; believing he was going to die by his brother's hand or even by illness, but he beat the odds. Itachi, himself, had not instilled the peace the world was in. The force of the Akatsuki had pushed the Shinobi Nations to form an alliance with each other, ceasing the fighting. It had been his predecessor, Tsunade, who had paved the way for himself and Kokuro. It was their job to maintain it.
But for now, the village was calm and prosperous.
"Um, Lord Hokage! Lady Sintary!" Called a young, female voice from the side.
Itachi opened his onyx eyes and looked over at the young woman off to his left. His girlfriend gently peered passed him at the girl. She was no more than thirteen, but had no indication that she was a kunoichi or a civilian. Her big, brown eyes looked at them shyly, but with determination. Two long strands of brown hair framed her young face while the rest remained behind her. She looked familiar to the couple in a sense, but she would have been very young the last time they were in the village together
"Yes?" Itachi asked.
The young girl seemed to get even more nervous once her Hokage focused on her. It remained Sintary of herself and immediately knelt before the girl so they were closer in height.
"What's your name?" She asked as she bounced Meisa in her arms.
"Um, it's Naoko, Lady Sintary."
"Please, just call me Sintary, and you can call him Itachi. There's no need for formalities." She insisted. "And you can call her Meisa."
Naoko looked at the baby in her arms. "She is a cute one." She said and smiled as Meisa giggled happily.
Itachi followed his girlfriend's example and knelt before the young girl. "Naoko, did you need something of us?"
Her brown eyes pulled away from the child to her Hokage. They widened as she remembered her task. She gripped the envelope behind her tightly.
"Um, yes. I was told when you two got back to give you this." She said putting out the sealed envelope in front of her.
Itachi looked at it curiously, gently taking it from her. He opened it and pulled the contents out. Sintary looked over at what was inside and gasped, surprised.
It was the picture of them at their first date at the dango shop over at least six years ago. It was heavy of the couple to see such a precious moment from all that time ago. While Sintary was fixated on the picture, Itachi had moved on to the letter instead.
"Your… your grandmother was Masumi?" Itachi asked quietly.
Naoko nodded gently looking down.
"Wait? What happ—oh…" Sintary's voice dimmed as she read over the note.
'Sintary, Itachi,
If you two are reading this, it means you two have made it through hell and back. I always knew you two would prevail. You two were meant to be – the love you held for each other was unmatched by any that I have ever seen. I am grateful you two choose my little shop for your first official date. I appreciate your frequent visits as well.
My only regret comes with writing you this letter.
The past year would be my last on this Earth.
In my old age, I have come frail and unable to withstand the everyday pressures. I am sorry I will not be able to be there when you two wed or come visit my shop again.
My daughter and her family have a different business running, and are not able to take on the responsibilities of my shop as well. So, I am entrusting it to you both. The shop is yours to do as you wish; though I am hoping you two keep it and get it running again.
I kept the recipes in the storage cellar under the shop; you two should have no trouble finding the book, or anything for that matter I hope.
I want to finish this letter with saying how happy and thankful I am that there is love like yours still present in this world scarred with hatred. I am sure your love will spread through the village, and you two will bring joy to our world because you certainly brought that to my shop.
May you two have long and loving lives together,
Masumi'
The letter brought tears to Sintary. She couldn't believe that the woman who had brought them small joys and memorable moments had passed before they could have seen her one last time. Then, there was also the fact that she had given them her shop with the recipes that they enjoyed. It was a heart clenching gesture that they could never thank her for.
"I'm so sorry to hear about her passing," Itachi told Naoko who had been silently standing there with her hands behind her again.
The young girl nodded gently, and then shrugged. "She passed in her sleep a couple weeks ago. Mama said she wasn't in pain that way… I wanted them to go and tell you guys, but father said it wasn't worth bothering the Hokage over…"
The couple's hearts dropped in their chests. They simultaneously reached out and embraced her in a hug.
"Naoko, if you ever need anything, please do not hesitate to ask either of us." Sintary told her gently. "You or your family – and I mean anything."
She nodded softly. "Okay, um, thank you."
"No, Naoko, thank you." Itachi's deep voice said soothingly.
The duo each gave the thirteen-year-old another hug each before saying their goodbyes and heading on their way.
Meanwhile, another infamous couple was receiving much better news.
"Wait? You – you really mean it?" Kokuro asked.
He and Kiba had gone to Sakura after their honeymoon to inquire the possibility of their future child/children. She had been hesitant at first, but had come back the next day telling them she needed time to review the information.
Today had been the day she finished and made her decision.
"Yes," Sakura told them. "As you know, there is no real literature done of this outside of Orochimaru's work. After a couple tries, he could manipulate the DNA and impregnate Sintary successfully. It will be more difficult for you two since I will be trying to mix your sperms with a surrogate's egg – do you two have any ideas of who you would pick?"
"Sintary," Kiba informed her. "We haven't asked yet though because we wanted to make sure this was… well… doable."
The pinkette nodded firmly at that. "I must do a health assessment on Sintary to make sure she's in proper health to carry another child – let alone one that is spliced together."
The couple nodded, holding each other's hand tightly.
"I can get started on trying to mend the two DNA together as soon as you guys get me samples." Sakura said handing them each a plastic container. "Then if Sintary accepts, she can come in for a health scan, and I can get her on the proper hormones to health initiate the pregnancy."
Kokuro and Kiba's faces broke out into wide, matching grins. They couldn't believe it; the possibility of their children was there. The couple had already been over the fact that this wasn't a guarantee, but the hope was finally there.
"Thank you, Sakura," they said together.
"Don't thank me yet, I still have to get this accomplished." She told them getting up. "Get me those samples sooner rather than later."
They nodded, and proceeded to go home. They would have those containers filled by tomorrow morning.
Elsewhere, Sintary and Itachi – as well as little Meisa – arrived back at the Uchiha Compound. They had picked a house in the back of the complex that was by the lake as well as the training ground. Both were visible from different areas of the house so the children could stay in sight. It was lonely back there because the streets and other houses were empty leaving them a quiet journey to their home.
Upon getting closer, they could hear elaborate breathing along with the clanking of kunai. The evening sun provided enough of its light to illuminate the training fields. There, a group of four soon to be students practiced under Sasuke's watchful eyes.
Sintary couldn't help but to smile seeing them train so well. She would have not thought Sasuke would want to be a sensei, but he was surprisingly patient with the children – although he demanded nothing less than perfection. The whole thing started after the rebuild of Konoha when Sasuke was starting train Kazuki in the normal training fields. A group of ten saw the two Uchiha doing basic techniques and wanted to learn too. Their naïve eagerness had originally displeased Sasuke. He believed they thought this was a joke; that it would be easy because they weren't in school. He corrected each of the children a bit too harshly while they practiced. Sasuke believed it would have been enough to scare them off, but surprisingly, some came back the next day for lessons again.
Over the past couple of months, the number of children varied, but there were always three that came to every session other than his nephew. These were the children that wanted to learn; wanted to be great shinobi. Sasuke could tolerate that type. He seemed to soften up slightly around them. His expectations were not lowered, but he learned to accept that they were children who have not had official lessons. Sasuke accepted they were doing this of their freewill and because they truly wanted to.
Sasuke's dedication to his "students" was admirable, but it would probably better suit for a team of Genin rather than Academy students.
Itachi gently took Meisa from Sintary as she went over to lend her hand in chakra control before he would show the fire style jutsu. He stood by his brother, watching his girlfriend teach in a friendlier way.
"The other nations want to proceed with the next Chunin exams." Itachi told his brother.
"Do you agree?" Sasuke asked not even glancing at the man next to him.
"I cannot say I do, but I understand their persistence. At the moment, it is hard to decipher what Madara's next move will be… We certainly don't want to be in limbo, and delaying the lives of our people." Itachi explained.
"Are you going to allow Konoha to participate?" Sasuke questioned.
Itachi nodded after a minute. "Yes, that is the likely outcome."
Sasuke then turned his eyes to his brother. "And you bring this up to me why?"
"Because you are one of the few of your group that is not yet a Chunin." Itachi stated flatly.
The younger brother narrowed his eyes. "And how am I supposed to participate without a team?"
"I suppose you could go in with a fresh group of Genin." The older brother suggested. While his voice remained flat, it was a humorous statement because Sasuke would never consider the option. "Of course, you'd never do it. Then again, I believe there's one other person who's not a Chunin yet."
Sasuke watched his cunning brother, wondering what he was chalking up to. "Who?" He asked everyone he knew of was already Chunin or even Jounin.
"Naruto."
"No." Sasuke denied. "I am not going in with him."
Itachi let a sigh escape his lips. "That's too bad because I was almost certain Kokuro and I could convince the other villages to allow just you and he take it as a team without the need for a third member."
This notion caused Sasuke to reconsider. Now that he was in the village, he needed a higher position. He certainly wouldn't be able to move up unless he went through the system; and he was not staying a Genin for the rest of his life. His options were either a wimpy group of Genin who would only hold him back… or Naruto… who at least he could work with.
"Fine. I'll agree to work with the blond idiot if you can get just the two of us it." Sasuke finally relented.
Itachi smirked very slightly at that. It was then his turn to teach the little ones. He handed Meisa back to her mother before taking the group down to the new pier. It wasn't big enough for them all to stand side by side across, but they would be able to go one at a time, and Itachi would at least be able to stand next to them to ensure they were safe.
The Uchiha Hokage first showed them the hand signs in a slow motion, letting them get used to positioning their hands together. He then told them explained how the chakra would build up in the mouths. Once they got the idea, Itachi turned to the lake. He didn't even have to think as his hands flew through the motions as he was suddenly releasing a massive fireball. The scene lit up the lake as well as sparked admiration and determination in the younger group.
Each of the children eagerly walked to the edge of the pier and tried to replicate what Itachi did. The first one succeeded in getting a little flame out of his mouth. Though the child was disappointed it wasn't as massive – or even close – to Itachi's, the older shinobi told her that it would take time and practice as everything else. The second child barely managed a spark, much to his dismay. Again, Itachi was quick to console the young boy.
"You may just not have an affinity for fire nature techniques. You could be a water, wind, earth, or lightning type. It is not unusual." He assured the young one.
The third child came up and produced similar affects as the first child. Then, it was finally Kazuki's time. He had been carefully watching his group of friends and his father. He knew not to expect perfection, but was still aiming high as the rest.
Kazuki went through the hand signs slowly, allowing his small chakra to build up. He envisioned a small to medium sized ball of chakra immerging from the back of his throat and out onto the lake. He could picture it transforming into orange flames. He felt the choking sensation of smoke his in lungs and knew it was time to exhale. He let out a steady stream of chakra and was shocked by the result. Kazuki's fireball was what he pictured; a medium sized ball of flames that steady came out of his lips.
Once the jutsu released, Kazuki slowly lowered his hand and looked up at his father. His father had a small, soft smile on his face as his attention turned down to him.
"He's definitely your son," his mother commented with a beaming smile.
"He's got the nature talent," his uncle piped up.
Kazuki turned his attention from them to his teammates who were in awe of his capabilities. He got mixed replies; congratulations as well as promises to do better than him. It was typical of their young group.
"You did very well, Kazuki," Itachi finally said drawing his attention back up.
"I can do better though; I promise I can." The young boy insisted.
His father gently placed a hand on his back in an assuring manner. "I know you can, Kazuki. You will get there. Just keep practicing."
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