on we go with the story! I'm on a roll! enjoy this fluffy chapter! Beta read by the impeccable katydid001 ❤️ To answer a question I had been asked a lot lately: Katsumi binds her chest because she is uncomfortable in her maturing body. As she grows up she blossoms into her femininity. But because she has grown up looking up to her brothers masculine figure, she struggles to come to terms with the things that makes the twins different. It is a complicated psychological subject. I hope you understand ❤️
Enjoy the story!
In the wee hours of the morning, Katsumi woke with a jolt, clutching at her chest to check that she was still in one piece. Trauma certainly wasn't a welcome addition to the young teen's nightmares. She groaned when she felt the sweat soaking her sheets under her hand. Usually, Katsumi would search for her brother after her nightmares, but tonight she was grateful he was gone.
'Surely I am getting too old to have nightmares,' she thought to herself as she stripped her bedding. She dragged the soiled sheets to the bathroom, dumping them in the hamper. While standing in the bathroom, she decided to shower and wash the perspiration from her skin. Hot water was usually a great way to relieve the stress she felt deep in her muscles. She stripped from her pyjamas, dropping them into the basket on top of her bedding. With a turn of the faucet, the water cascaded down in a steady stream. Katsumi tested the water before she stepped in, not minding the cold, as she knew the water would warm soon.
Once finished, she turned the water off and stood in the tub, letting the water drip lazily down her body. She pulled a clean towel from the rack and wrapped it around herself before stepping onto the bathmat. The towel was fluffy and warm which contrasted wildly to the chill in her bones. It seemed as if even a warm shower couldn't chase her blues away. With a sigh she started to dry herself, avoiding her hair at all costs. Katsumi had learnt from a young age to keep towels away from her curls, unless she wanted a ball of fluff on her head. Some days, she rocked the poofy hair and other days she let her hair drip dry. The latter resulted in more ringlets and less frizz.
The young teen made her way back to her room before pulling the stolen library book from under her mattress. It probably wasn't the smartest place to hide it, but Katsumi had full faith in Kakashi's respect for her privacy. They knew each other well enough that keeping a secret was pretty much impossible, so the book in her hands had to be important for her to have kept it to herself for so long. She sat down on her bare mattress, towel still wrapped tightly around her middle.
The book called to her. It's contents begged for her eyes to devour its knowledge, promising answers to questions she didn't even know she had. A sigh left her lips as she gently pulled the book open, only for the words to suck her in immediately.
Small hands reached up to turn the bedroom door handle, sliding the door open with little effort. Green eyes scanned the hallway as she felt her stomach rumble ravenously. Carefully, she tiptoed into the hall, slipping along the wall in an attempt to make herself disappear. She hoped that her parents might leave her be. The little girl couldn't hear anything apart from the dull buzz of static in her ears. As such, she didn't hear her mother get up from her chair or the dragging of her heavy feet across the floor.
A bottle flew through the air and smashed against the wall besides the girl's trembling figure. Her only warning was the rush of air as the glass impacted and shattered violently. Hunger forgotten, the girl ran from her mother, knowing full well what came next if the woman caught her. She wiggled her thin body under her bed and curled in on herself, tightly shutting her eyes, desperate to keep the monsters away. Her hand brushed against the hardcover book she had slipped under the bed earlier, just in case anyone wanted to take it from her. The floor vibrated with every methodical step her mother took. Willing herself to ignore the fear that gripped her soul, she tried her best to imagine a life somewhere else. To be warm, fed and loved… all the things she wished for with all her heart.
A cold hand gripped her ankle and wrenched the terrified girl from her sanctuary.
A gasp wracked her body as she broke out of her trance. The sun trickled through her bedroom window, warming her toes as she sat there, still shaken from her flashback. She snapped the book shut in frustration and slipped it back under the mattress. Most of her free morning had been wasted on confusing visions and all she had to show for it were more questions.
Determined not to let another moment go to waste, she got herself dressed and made her bed with fresh sheets. When she was finally done she felt a lot more energetic, but for some reason her chest felt hollow. A feeling she wanted to get rid of, ASAP.
Katsumi locked the apartment behind her and set off on the familiar rooftop journey to her sensei's home. She made the trip in no time at all, noting the bustle of the streets below and the height of the sun in the sky. It was mid-morning at the very least, which made the kunoichi rub her temples in frustration. Knowing the time, Katsumi decided to climb through the window, instead of making her sensei walk all the way to the door. As she slipped in through the open window, she peered around for the fiery kunoichi.
"In the nursery, pup. Bring the screwdriver on the kitchen bench with you, please!" Kushina called out from the spare room, her tone sounded strained. Katsumi leapt into action, she grabbed the tool and ran in to assess her sensei's situation.
The heavily pregnant women sat surrounded by wooden parts and a half constructed baby cot. "I was trying to get this done before Minato got home. Turns out having a huge belly makes simple tasks really frustrating."
Katsumi giggled at her teacher's antics before settling down beside her and getting to work on helping construct the cot. They were just putting in the last screw when a knock came from the entrance.
'I'll get it sensei.' Katsumi was gone before the red-head could complain, opening the door with a smile.
"Good morning, Hatake-san." Mikoto Uchiha stood in the doorway cradling a blue bundle to her chest.
"Come in, Mikoto-chan! Let me see the little cutie!" Kushina waddled out of the spare room as Mikoto entered the home. Katsumi closed the door behind her before slipping past the ladies towards the kitchen. She filled up the kettle and lit the flame on the stove before setting it neatly in place. The young teen placed cups out for the two mothers and went searching for the tea leaves.
"Never mind that right now, pup! Come and meet little Sasuke." Kushina motioned for her with her hand, still cooing at the baby in Mikoto's arms.
Katsumi lit up at the invitation and scrambled over to her sensei's side. The dark-haired mother angled herself so that the young teen could see the chubby baby in her arms. From the second her heterochromatic eyes landed on Sasuke's sleeping face, she melted. He was so adorable that Katsumi couldn't help but let out a little squeal.
'He is beautiful, Mikoto-sama!' The girl signed up to her before giggling in excitement as Sasuke made a soft cooing sound in his sleep.
Obito adjusted his goggles out of nervous habit before rapping his knuckles on the door in front of him. A second later it swung open to reveal a smiling Rin.
"Obito-kun, it's good to see you. Come in." She opened the door wider, inviting him inside.
Never before had Obito seen so many medical scrolls and diagrams in one place. A desk sat in the far corner flanked by shelves full of scrolls and stacks of what looked to be paperwork.
"So this is where you've been hiding, huh? Nice." The Uchiha boy noticed the lavender plant she had growing on the window sill as well as various other purple flowers.
"Well Tsunade-shishou doesn't do things by halves, that's for sure." The brunette kunoichi giggled as she looked around her office as if appraising the space. "Actually, it was Tsunade-shishou who wanted us to meet here. She said she had something important to discuss." She pulled out her desk-chair before motioning for Obito to sit. "We may be waiting a while, for once you are the early one."
The raven-haired teen chuckled before making his way over to her and sinking down into the chair with a grateful sigh. "Thanks, Rin-chan. Sometimes I forget that I am still in recovery. It doesn't always feel like it."
"I can see why. Your progress is amazing!" Her smile turned to a mischievous grin. "In fact, Katsumi-chan tells me all the time about how well you are doing. She thinks you're incredible."
The boy's reaction was immediate, a blush spreading rapidly across his cheeks. "Y-y-yeah, well training with her definitely helped to keep me motivated." He cleared his throat, unable to look at his smug friend. "Stop it, Rin-chan, you know I can't help it. How could I not like her? She's beautiful, kind, powerful… but when I thought I was going to lose her forever I…" Obito trailed off as he placed his head in his hands. "I couldn't even…"
Rin crouched in front of her best friend and pulled his hands into her own. "Don't do that to yourself, Obito-kun. You didn't see her reaction when we…" she choked up before regaining her composure and pushing on. "Look, it doesn't matter what happened. You have to be blind not to see the fact that Katsumi is head over heels for you. Even Kakashi-kun knows it, though he would never admit it." Her doe-like eyes stared straight into his soul.
"Really?" Obito stared off into the distance for a split-second before his blush spread to the rest of his body. "No way! There is no way! I'm a total loser."
The brunette ignored his pessimism and shrugged. "There is only one way to find out, Obito-kun. Why don't you just ask?" Rin shook his hands to emphasise her point. They stared at each other for a long moment, both of their minds racing in thought.
"Her birthday is coming up. Why don't you invite her out? You could be totally romantic!" Rin's voice bubbled with excitement as she ran through a heap of romantic ideas for how the boy could pull it off.
"How about something simple? Like a picnic?"
The Uchiha interjected, trying to calm his enthusiastic friend down. "Do you really think she feels the same?" He asked Rin, fighting away the taunting voices of doubt in his mind.
"Look, Obito-kun, a girl knows these things. Trust yourself, silly." The young girl gave her friend's hands one last reassuring squeeze before getting back to her feet.
It was then that Tsunade burst into the office without warning, strolling up to the two young shinobi with determination. "Great, we are all here. Let's get started."
Katsumi stared at herself in the mirror. She scrutinised every inch of her skin, noting the progression of the swell in her hips and chest. Her lips turned down in a frown before she turned around and strolled over to her drawers. Usually, now would be when the teen would ask her brother for help, but tonight he was out on mission. It was a real pain that they were rarely off-duty at the same time.
She opened her top drawer and pulled on her undergarments before grabbing a fresh cloth to bind her breasts with. After strapping herself firmly she started searching for something nice to wear. Everything seemed to either be super formal or sweat pants. Katsumi groaned in frustration as she pulled everything out, tossing clothes around the room in her frenzy. Finally she pulled out a green sundress, embellished with mellow-yellow sunflowers.
Good enough. She thought to herself before slipping it on over her head and fastening the top buttons with skilled fingers. When she was dressed, she cleaned up her mess before slipping on a black face mask.
Katsumi walked back over to the mirror and rubbed her arms in discomfort. She felt like an imposter in her own body, the pretty girl staring back at her felt too innocent. The dress looked beautiful paired with her ocean eyes and shoulder-length silver curls. Yet she couldn't help but feel like a wolf in sheep's clothing.
The teen took a deep calming breath, as she reminded herself why she was making such an effort. Obito had invited her out to celebrate her birthday early, since they weren't sure if the twins would be on or off duty on the actual day.
Calm down, it's just dinner. She chided herself as she smoothed the wrinkles in her dress.
A knock sounded at the front door. Katsumi felt her stomach roll with nerves as she made her way to open it.
Obito stood on the porch combing his fingers through his raven hair nervously. His eyes took in the beauty before him inch-by-inch. "Well hi… uh, you look… wow…uh…" he stumbled through his words feeling like a fool.
Katsumi felt her nerves wash away as she observed the boy before her. He was dressed in dark coloured shorts and a button up shirt with the top buttons undone. The visibility of his scars reminded the kunoichi that she wasn't the only one.
"After seeing you, I feel a little underdressed, to be honest." Her melodic voice teased as she closed the door behind him and started her way down the stairs. Obito followed closely behind her, chuckling as they fell into stride beside each other.
"Feeling up to a race to the lookout?" Obito challenged the kunoichi at his side. The little minx grinned at him and cocked her head to the side.
"I won't show any mercy you know." Her voice was laced with humour.
"I wouldn't have it any other way." The raven-haired teen smiled gently at his companion before taking off at great speed.
Katsumi stood in a state of shock in his wake. When had he gotten that fast? It was amazing that he was capable of such speed, especially with his new appendages. She violently tore herself from her stupor and sprinted after him with a tinkling laugh.
When the teenage girl arrived at the lookout tree, she was stunned to see Obito already sitting in his usual spot. She stopped in her tracks at the sight before her. Obito had laid a thick blanket over the branch and sat proudly beside a woven picnic basket. Tears welled in the corners of her eyes as she stood frozen still. Just seeing Obito sitting in his usual spot in the tree again made her heart stutter in her chest. But the obvious effort the boy had made gave Katsumi chills.
"Are you ok, Katsumi?" Obito called down to her, his smile morphing into a look of concern. His voice compelled the kunoichi forward.
Katsumi leapt up onto the branch and slipped down into her spot, enjoying the softness of the fabric on her thighs. "This is wonderful, Obi! You did all this for me?"
"What are you talking about, Katsumi? This is barely anything! I was scared you would think it was a lame idea." Obito chuckled nervously as he watched the blush spread across her nose.
"This is perfect, Obito." She turned her face to wipe away the lone tear that escaped down her warm cheek.
"What did you call me? I mean before?" The dark-haired boy asked, his onyx eyes gauging her reaction.
The kunoichi turned back to face him as her red blush deepened. "O-o-oh…" she stuttered out. "You mean, uh… Obi?" Her anxiety soared as she waited for his reply.
"Yeah. I like that." They shared a long look, both of them searching for something in the other's eyes.
Katsumi broke the lingering silence with a giggle. "Well, Obi. I'm starving."
"Of course!" The teen scrambled to pull the bento he had packed out and lay them on the branch between them.
Katsumi pulled her mask from her face and smiled up at her companion, fangs glinting in the slowly dying sunlight. No matter how many times Obito saw her without her mask, her gorgeous features still made his mouth dry.
They shared their meal together, laughing at each other's antics and complaining about ninja life in general.
Later that night when the food was long gone and the stars littered the otherwise pitch black sky, the pair still sat in the same spot.
"So fourteen, huh? Do you feel like an old lady yet?" Obito teased her, earning a snicker from his crush.
"Do I look old yet? You're the old one! You're turning sixteen on your birthday!" Katsumi playfully pushed his arm as he roared with laughter.
"Hey now! No need to get defensive. Even if you were old you would still be beautiful." The words tumbled from his mouth before he could stop himself. He scrunched his eyes closed with embarrassment, waiting for her rejection. But the laughter never came.
"You think I'm beautiful?" Her timid voice whispered to him.
His eyes popped open to find two large mismatched orbs staring right back at him. The innocence on her face had Obito's pounding heart racing faster. She really doesn't know? He thought to himself as he lost himself in her gaze.
"I hope you didn't get me anything for my birthday, Obi." Her statement came out of nowhere, catching the Uchiha teen off-guard.
"What? Why?" He furrowed his brow at the girl in front of him.
"Because I know what I really want." Katsumi reached up a tentative hand, placing it gently on his scarred cheek. She summoned all the courage she possessed before pushing herself up, catching the Uchiha by surprise.
Katsumi pressed her mouth against Obito's lips in a tender kiss. Shock rolled through the Uchiha boy as he tried his best to register what was happening. When he didn't kiss back the young girl lost her nerve and pulled back with a look of shame plastered over her face. She opened her mouth to apologise, only to be abruptly cut off.
Obito cradled her smooth cheek in his palm as he captured her lips. All the emotions the teens had been hiding from each other flowed between them in the intimacy of the moment.
Eventually the pair had to pull back to catch their breath. They rested their foreheads together, basking in the afterglow of their kiss.
"Wow," was all the Uchiha boy could say as he lost himself in her twinkling eyes.
Katsumi giggled at this before nuzzling his nose with her own. "You can say that again."
Obito smirked before he repeated himself with a mischievous chuckle. His eyes sparkled with sudden confidence. When she giggled in response he swallowed the sweet sound with a passionate kiss.
A surprised gasp fell from the silver-haired kunoichi. She wrapped her arms around his neck and leaned herself against him to deepen the kiss even further.
SQUEEEEEE! First kiss feels! Thank you to my faithful reviewers! i love hearing all of your opinions!