I do not own Naruto.
Chapter 16
Dawn hadn't quite broken across the skies when Kakashi kissed Ayame's temple. She mumbled his name sleepily and something or other about pickles. She rolled away onto her side, long hair sprawled all around her shoulders and pillow. It even draped over the bedside. His fingertips grazed its length.
She mentioned wanting to cut it the other night and he, with careful words, asked if she could refrain. She considered him then and agreeing to his request, she said she'd only get a small trim.
Not for the first time Kakashi marveled at his circumstances. He'd fallen in love and was married—with a child to arrive in less than four months. He hoped the kid liked him.
He had a home, put together very tastefully thanks to his little wife. Kakashi deemed his cooking to be notable but he never had time to make his own food so Ayame's insistence on preparing lunches and dinner pleased him. No more takeout. He was very pleased, indeed. The way she loved him with words and touches and looks was beyond him, but he ate it up.
The few times he'd been home on time for dinner, they'd curl up afterwards and talk about nothing. Sometimes they discussed their family and friends. They even, with great care as if not to offend or overwhelm the other, scraped subjects like his childhood team and her mother. She even told him a little about her childhood sweetheart, Menrui Yuu.
Her every emotion was open to him. She had the uncanny ability to open her mouth and say everything she meant and felt in one sitting.
Often, she practiced kissing him. Last night, she worked herself into a frenzy and didn't know what to do with him, so he took command, kissing the length of her as she mewled and gasped. His mouth sought her delectable thighs and further between them, delivering her from incomplete frustration. She had been astonished at the experience.
Pulling away from his sleeping wife, Kakashi left to the Tower, the early morning musings nearly working him into a frenzy of his own.
Ayame dozed off in a remote corner of the Mental Health Clinic, in the culinary wing.
In just a few weeks, refugees filled the classrooms and now she instructed three classes a day, Monday through Friday, not to mention the 7am course with Shikamaru. Five months pregnant never looked so tired. May's weather wasn't quite hot but moving around so much made the layers she wore inconvenient.
She dreamt of Kakashi folding piles and piles of baby clothes and woke up with a cheesy smile when Haruhi tapped her.
Haruhi was squatting in her work uniform, smiling back at her. Her scrubs had teddy bears all over them and her long black hair was pulled up, making her look paler and prettier. Although she could not speak, the small children at the daycare loved Haruhi. Much to Soota-chin's great jealousy.
Ayame straightened on the floor and blinked at her friend, concentrating on her signs. 'Go home. I teach.'
"Oh Haru-chan, but how will—"
Haruhi saddened. She stood and turned away. Was she offended? Was questioning her capability to teach due to muteness insulting? Ayame repositioned her cardigan and stood as well. But it was a legitimate concern. How would the patients follow along?
Ayame still did not know the language of signs very well, although she practiced every chance she could with the book Kakashi gave her. She hadn't picked up signing as fast as Kakashi, but he was a genius or something. He tried to explain his cognitive advantage nicely one night and she yelled at him, dramatically assuming he called her dumb. She was lucky he found her outbursts adorable, he often teased.
Haruhi turned and grasped Ayame's wrist, determined. She pulled her towards the classroom and before Ayame knew it, they stood in front of the chalkboard and Haruhi had magnificently drawn out the recipe for the late afternoon class. Each ingredient was drawn out in incredible detail and below them, the numerical unit needed for the recipe.
"You're amazing, Haru-cha—"
Haruhi's dainty fingers pressed on Ayame's lips. Eyes wide, Ayame watched the once again saddened girl take chalk and begin to write.
Soota-chin's father would call me 'Haru-chan.' I'd like you to just call me Haruhi. No more 'chan.' You are my dearest friend.
Ayame barely knew what to say. "I'm sorry. I didn't know." Haruhi's chalk continued to tap on the board.
You never ask questions about my past. Thank you for your kindness and patience. I will be more open with you. You can too.
Haruhi put the chalk down and approached Ayame again. Her hands were out so Ayame thought she would hug her (as Ayame often did to the unsuspecting girl).
Instead, Haruhi tenderly touched Ayame's hidden belly. Haruhi knew. They were together almost every day and Ayame realized the closeness between two females involved lots of hugs, shoulder leaning, hand patting and proximity. On one occasion, even a sleepover with Soota-chin. Kakashi had slept in the upstairs room. On top of all that, Haruhi was a mother too. Of course, she would notice.
'How long?' Haruhi signed.
Ayame trembled. The dreaded question. Ayame had been so occupied after the honeymoon she had yet to see her father and now she avoided passing by Ichiraku's for fear of exactly this.
She could lie but this was Haruhi. This was her friend. "Five months."
Haruhi nodded and signed something Ayame didn't understand. Catching Ayame's apprehension, she wrote on the board. I am happy for you. Soota-chin will have another friend. After a pause and reassuring glance, Haruhi added, I won't tell a soul.
Despite being tired, Haruhi's discovery made Ayame stop by Ichiraku's but her father had left early.
Otousan missed her, she knew, and she missed him. She'd never gone so long without seeing him. But the more time passed, the more Ayame's fear grew.
Because it was on the way to her father's house, she made another stop she hoped she would not regret.
She went by Menrui Bakery, and Ayame very sincerely thanked God that only Menrui Fuu was there, Yuu's mother. Fuu was beside herself with delight seeing Ayame and after pleasant greetings, Ayame presented to her the idea of some of their employees volunteering their time at the Mental Health Clinic cooking classes.
Some of the women and children were wanting to know how to bake all sorts of things that were beyond Ayame's capabilities. One of the patients, Okita-kun, mentioned his favorite place Menrui Bakery.
Fuu's eyes widened. "That's a wonderful idea. But Aya-chan—oh, I'm sorry again, Daishukujo-sama, our employees need their wages."
Ayame knew she was right. "I was hoping the businesses I've contacted would work something out with their employees for such a noble cause. We will certainly be providing them with benefits." What benefits, Ayame was going to have to figure that out. What Fuu didn't know wouldn't hurt her.
Despite the ambiguity from Ayame (which Kakashi would be quite proud of thank you very much), Fuu seemed intrigued. She was Ayame's height and perhaps long ago had even been Ayame's build. Now she was plump and jovial, a mother of four grown men. Yuu looked so much like his mother, and as everyone always joked, nothing like his father. With all her sons married, many also wondered why she had no grandchildren.
Agreeing to discuss this with her family, Fuu escorted Ayame to the door with a bag of goods. "It's such an honor having the Daishukujo visit us in the middle of the day."
Ayame fanned her compliment away. "Fuu-san, you knew me as a girl." She leaned in as if conspiring with the older woman. "When it's just us, you can call me Aya-chan."
They both laughed and agreed to the scandalous arrangement. Her laugh was so much like Yuu's. It was loud and full of uncontrolled delight, teeth barred without care of showing too much gum.
It stirred a sense of nostalgia for the halcyon days at the bakery with the Menrui family. She used to follow Yuu around like an obsessed puppy. She had loved that boy so innocently and so foolishly. Now it seemed like so long ago.
Stepping out of the shop, Yuu and his skinny wife were on their way in, just as surprised to see her. Ayame was strangely grateful they bowed to her because it gave her a chance to collect herself.
"How are both of you?" she asked politely.
Yuu smiled at her his usual way. "We've been good! Business is great. Congratulations on marrying the Hokage, by the way."
Ayame knew that was his way of apologizing for last time's run in and she couldn't help but smile at him. They had known each other too well back then not to easily pick up on these slight character changes. Seeing her smile, his smile softened kindly, too.
Tomoe smiled with them, green eyes constantly sparkling, "Yes congratulations, you've been the talk of the town." And on cue, those pretty little green eyes fell to Ayame's abdomen and then back up, seamlessly and without a change in polite expression.
Ayame did not react but gave a nod of acknowledgement. "Thank you, Tomoe-san."
Menrui Tomoe was a cobbler's daughter who had immigrated to Konoha when Yuu and Ayame were in their early twenties. And just like that, Yuu fell in love with the scrawny brunette and Ayame's long friendship with him laced with unspoken innuendos dissolved overnight.
Ayame had been devasted but now standing here, she knew it had been a blessing in disguise. Time really did heal all wounds, and Ayame knew, Kakashi had a lot to do with it.
She departed from the bakery nonchalantly. After a few minutes of walking, her feet picked up pace and she headed towards her family home. Passing school children, she handed over all the baked goods Fuu gave her. Tomoe's quick glance had told her everything she needed to know.
Ayame thought of the seamstresses the day of her wedding and ohmygodohmygodohmygod. She had never felt as much fear as she did at that moment, thinking her father might've heard the rumors.
She should have listened to Kakashi and told her father the truth from the very beginning.
Martial law was always chaotic when it came to business-owning civilians. They would become upset about the limitations forced upon them, especially when profits dwindled due to the slowness of imports and exports.
"Are you rethinking the ban on travel?" Shikamaru plopped more files on his desk.
Kakashi said no, although at one point in great annoyance he thought of allowing the persistent complainers to venture out for their silks and golds but teaching a civilian a lesson at the cost of their life wasn't exactly great leadership.
So he would patiently listen and nod to business owners that made it to his office and then promptly turned them away to the Tower administration on the first floor. He had people for this sort of thing for the love of—Kakashi got to a point where he blackmailed an unwilling Shikamaru to chastise Kaede at reception "to do her job."
Kakashi refused to get on her bad side, much to Shikamaru's great dismay.
Ayame knew she was too late when Yumi exited from the front door of their father's home. Her sister spotted her immediately and gasped.
"Did you tell him?!" Ayame tensed, instantly defensive.
Out of character, Yumi hurried down the walkway to Ayame, worrying her lip. "No, Aya-chan, listen—"
"—Why didn't you come to me first, nechan?!" Her sister had not even visited her old apartment never mind her new home, always distant, always far from Ayame's reach. "How could you do this! How could you—"
Teuchi banged the door open. "No, Ayame, how could you."
Kakashi's brows rose as Fuko escorted Yugao into his office.
He remembered when Naruto had once, albeit improperly, made her come fetch him after one of Ayame's breakdowns. Since that time, he ordered Yugao to inform him of any thereafter, rain or shine.
It wasn't to avoid a scolding from Naruto—but, Kakashi had quickly begun to realize, he didn't want Ayame to be without him during a crisis.
Both sisters jumped at their father's booming voice. His face was red and he was the angriest either of them had seen him. Ayame whimpered.
Yumi wrapped her arms around Ayame's shoulders. "Otousan," she said calmly, "let's go back inside."
Teuchi seethed, rushing to them. He towered over them. Yumi's arms tightened around her trembling sister. "Ayame, why did you marry that man—tell me at once!"
"I love him!" she cried, nearly falling to her knees if it weren't for Yumi.
"Otousan, please!" Yumi begged.
"Don't lie to me," Teuchi's voice lowered in volume but it felt much, much worse than his shouting.
The sisters flinched when their father's hand rose, thinking he would strike Ayame, but no—his hand faintly settled on her stomach. It was not an affectionate touch—it was a cold examination. Loose clothing did very little to hide a five-month pregnancy from an investigating hand.
Teuchi recoiled as if burned, the last hope of it being rumors vanishing. "What have you done?" he whispered.
Yugao left and Kakashi made sure to find Shikamaru and Naruto, explaining he would be gone for the rest of the day. They were to report to Tsunade if needed in his absence.
"I wanted to tell you, Otousan. I did—it was an accident."
"An accident has married you off to the Hokage of Konohagakure! Do you have any idea—get out of my sight." Teuchi turned away when his voice fluctuated as if near tears. He was uncomfortable and embarrassed by the debacle, by its subject matter and by his failure as a father.
"Otousan!" Ayame cried. "We love each other!"
"Your love has deceived your entire family." Teuchi spun around and bellowed, "Leave!"
He might as well have slapped her. Ayame ripped herself from Yumi's embrace and kowtowed, forehead hitting the stone pathway. A door slammed.
When she dared to raise her gaze, her father was nowhere in sight.
Kakashi discovered Seito Yumi in his living room holding his wife. Ayame sobbed uncontrollably into her sister's lap, hands covering her face, too consumed in her grief to notice him.
Yumi, without moving, greeted him calmly, although it seemed she had been crying too. Kakashi was still taken aback at their resemblance. Hearing their exchange, Ayame wept harder into her hands.
"Ayame," he spoke lightly, lowering onto his knees.
She continued to cry and didn't acknowledge him.
"Aya-chan," Yumi rubbed Ayame's back. "Your husband is here. Come on—let's sit up."
Both Yumi and Kakashi helped Ayame right herself. Her sobs grew quiet but continued. She wouldn't respond to their soft promptings, gaze somewhere past them.
Yumi grabbed a glass of water from the kitchen. She stood next to a kneeling Kakashi as he attempted to hydrate his wife. After a few failed attempts, she took a sip.
Noticing Yumi's worrying hands against her stomach, Kakashi said, "Your sons must be wondering where you are."
As if surprised by his voice, Yumi nodded. "My husband is with them but he doesn't do well alone too long. Hokage-sama, please—please let me know if she's alright tomorrow."
"Yumi-san, you and your family are welcome to come by any time. Come tomorrow morning to care for your imouto."
"I know she's in the family way."
"Yes."
"Alright, of course. Please continue to calm her down."
"Yes."
Kakashi led Yumi out and returned to find Ayame standing by the stairs, staring at him.
She walked to him and rose on her toes to kiss underneath his chin. She nibbled. Kakashi closed his eyes. She pulled his mask down. He looked down and she kissed him. When he did not open his mouth for her, she bit his lip. He obliged, surprised. Her kiss was salty with tears. Her arms wrapped around his neck as a whispery sob passed from her mouth to his.
Is this what she wanted? He carefully withdrew from the kiss and she sweetly kissed his jaw.
"Ayame," he said softly.
"Please," she murmured against his throat and then pressed her forehead to his chest. "Please."
His hands wrapped around her thin biceps, mindful of her condition. "We shouldn't." At his words, she tried to pull away, clearly hurt, but he kept her within his embrace. She simply cried in his arms. "I want you, Ayame," he said, "but I'm more concerned with what's going on right here." He gently poked her forehead. "Do you understand?"
She nodded, lips wobbling. "O-Otousan found out!" Ah. There it was. Ayame's biggest fear. "He told me to get out of his sight," she keened, crumbling and he had to hold her up.
Kakashi felt it then, the responsibility of caring for the woman in his arms who was overcome with guilt and filial failure. A father's disappointment was devastating and Ayame was not prepared to handle it. He was her greatest idol.
Kakashi fathomed that Teuchi's anger and rebuttal had less to do with the pregnancy than it did with the lies. Even Kakashi wanted to be forthcoming but Ayame had been too horrified of telling her father. He originally thought going against her wishes would be disrespectful to her. Had Kakashi pushed Ayame a little more in the beginning of this whole fiasco to be honest with Teuchi, it could have saved his wife from the present turmoil.
Something gnawed at him. Could an onslaught of emotion harm Ayame or his child, as Yumi warned? Another emotion reared its ferocious head—a primal anger at the very notion of anyone, even her father, being so unreasonable to the point of causing her such devastation.
"Ayame, come with me," he spoke gently. He led her to their bedroom and sat her down. "Give me a sec." He went to the washroom and ran a warm bath. It was as if Ayame's weeping had tentacles, wrapping around each of his ribs, constricting them.
"Kakashi-san?" She sniffled from their bed and he went to her. She was lying on her side, frail with anguish but still looking to him in her moment of weakness. She had comforted him the night they returned from the honeymoon and he would comfort her now.
"Let's take a bath."
She didn't move an inch. He gingerly picked her up. Carefully setting her on the tiled floor in the bathroom, his hands went to her cardigan and pushed it down her arms unto the floor. Ayame simply leaned into him as Kakashi's fingers rubbed up and down her back until finding the strings of her dress and pulling. The clothing loosened at her shoulders.
He slowly undressed her, piece by piece. He went to his knees, removing her underwear. He reached up and held one of her hands as he directed her to step out of them. When she did, he looked up at his wife, completely bare—and finally, there was a calming look about her.
"You're beautiful, Ayame."
"Thank you," she whispered.
He stood and maintained eye contact while he undressed. He took his time twisting her hair into a passable bun, careful not to tug. She quietly handed him a rubber band from her wrist.
He stepped into the large tub and offered a hand. She took it and carefully dipped a foot in, other hand on her belly. She was stunning and his body was not without physical response.
Water swished around them as he lowered himself first. He extended his arms up so she could maneuver down and grip his wrists as she lowered herself between his legs. Foamed water lapped at her chest as she leaned into him.
Kakashi began to massage her arms. Her relaxed breathing emboldened him and his hands lowered to trace the curve of her belly and waist. His palms smoothed over her breasts. He grabbed a washcloth that hung over the tub's edge and lathered every single part of her, every intimate crevice. He released the washcloth and it floated away as his fingers lingered between her thighs.
His other hand tilted her chin up and he kissed her deeply. Her soft moans and sighs were sweet music. Her knees splashed over his. Her tremors caused water to tumble out of the tub. And then she was gripping his thighs, trembling and calling out to him. The intimate ache of it all overpowered his own release, surprising and pleasing him.
They sat for some time in the bath, making eyes at one another. Through his kisses, he whispered promises and tender words to her. She received them ardently, smiling softly, gaze mesmerized by him and his doting.
The truth was they had made great progress, but they'd reached the final boss, for lack of a better word. Takano Raiden and Uchiha Sasuke considered the blueprint before them. A dozen masked Anbu silently hovered around them.
Raiden pointed to one of the potential exits they kept coming back to. "How can we get them all out without suspicion?"
Ever since the underground cartel's 'dwindling product' across the land, security had heightened. Raiden was sure his cover would be blown any day.
Weaseling his way back in had been difficult but successful, if not disgusting due to the sights he had to endure to ultimately complete the mission. To his understanding, and if they were successful, this would be their biggest mass exodos yet. It would also be their last. And then they could return to Konoha.
Raiden would be able to see Haruhi and Soota and the old man. He would get to see Aya-chan. At this point, Yumi's grumpy face would be a sight for sore eyes. Upon his return, how long would he be able to stay in that precious, coveted village before being excommunicated?
Sasuke rolled up the map. "We'll need to contact the Hokage to see what other resources are available to us."
Raiden liked the idea of reinforcements. The younger man had proved not only to be indispensable but very powerful. And to Raiden's wonder, an empathic being.
'Tis easy enough to be pleasant
When life flows on like a song,
But the man worthwhile is the man with a smile
When everything else goes wrong.
- Ella Wheeler Wilcox
