A/N: Shout out To Bleuxe for giving the best review and feedback. Also please check out her story Liars Ever After. It's an Obito/Hinata fic and I am obsessed with it. So good, you got espionage, you got good sex, you got heartbreak, you have Hinata standing up for herself. Just great all around. Sorry for my fans on for not updating but you will see chapters uploaded in rapid succession.

Chapter 16

Anzuru yori umu ga yasashi

Giving birth to a baby is easier than worrying about it.

It was dark when Itachi finally returned to his temporary home. When he entered he noticed two pairs of shoes at the door. One of course was Soraya's, the smaller shoes he assumed were Naruto's. With the unexpected guest in his home, he transformed into his altered appearance. He glanced at himself in the mirror. Reflected was an auburn man, that appeared in his upper thirties. A stark contrast from his teenage self, that was approaching 17. His appearance was not out of the ordinary which he liked. He could blend in and not be himself for a change. Nevertheless, he liked the fact that Soraya would see right through his transformation.

Itachi walked toward her room and admired her sleeping form. Soraya cradled Naruto protectively in her arms while she slept on her side. Something stirred in him that he couldn't put a finger on. He liked that she saw the essence of someone and instead of relying on other people's opinions. He told her to blend in, and she could have easily ignored Naruto's existence like everyone else did, but she showed complete mercy and even created a bond. He watched them from afar when he could, but knew if he got too close that his identity would be exposed. Kakashi didn't have to tell him that she was growing weaker by the day, he saw it for himself. Itachi studied her again. He noticed the dark circles that started to form under her eyes. He also noticed only slightly that her chest started to get faster. She was awake.

Soraya could hear Itachi come through the door, but instead of greeting him, she pretended to be asleep. She tried to even out her breathing, but she could feel him looking at her. She tried her hardest to keep her heartbeat under control, however, she could feel him looking at her. It took Soraya everything not to look him in the eye and tell him everything she felt. She could feel Naruto started to stir and she used her power to put him in a deep sleep. He needed it.

Soraya felt the bed lower behind her. It folded under Itachi's weight as he sat on the side of the bed where her back faced. Soraya's breath hitched in her throat, as Itachi glanced at the cracked window. He would excuse the security issue for now.

"I know your awake", whispered Itachi. "Are you displeased with me, hime?", he asked. Soraya did not respond but she cradled Naruto tighter to her chest trying hard not to respond. How could she be upset with him? He made sure that she was fine with Kakashi. That was enough right? Itachi knew her reclusiveness was a sign of her being upset. Soraya had so many questions and wanted to tell him so many things, that she couldn't form them into words.

"Do you want to talk?", he probed. Her head turned towards him briefly and gave him a look that told him that he should probably try harder with his line of questioning. She then turned back on her side and rested her head back on the pillow.

Itachi thought about the tips that Kakashi gave him on forming a friendship with Soraya. He couldn't make eye contact with her because she refused to look at him. How was he supposed to listen if she refused to talk? "Did you miss me at all?", He questioned. Soraya curled her legs tighter to her chest. "I yearned for your presence when I was gone", he said honestly.

Truthfully, he stayed away because he was scared of the bond that they were forming. All of his friendships ended rather traumatically. The bonds were forcibly cut by his deeds. Everyone looked at him like a monster. It was a matter of time before she found the truth. He knew it best to tell her himself, but he didn't want her to look at him differently than she did now. She saw him as a good person, her protector, her friend. "I know I haven't met your expectation of friendship and I'm sorry", he lamented apologetically.

Soraya swallowed the lump in her throat. The apology was enough to disarm some of her anger. "Why? Why did you leave me? Where were you?", Itachi looked down at his hand picking at his callouses out of nervousness. If he told her about the breathing treatments, she would worry and he would have to reveal other things. He wasn't ready.

"I was always watching you when I could", Soraya finally lifted herself and turned towards him.

"Then why didn't you say anything", she demanded in a hushed tone. Itachi still had his back towards her.

"Why are you hiding how sick you are?", he countered. "Why didn't you tell me you had Leukemia before", he questioned back.

"That isn't fair", retorted Soraya. "I didn't want to worry you, and I'm fine"

"That is a lie", he retorted firmly. "Kakashi had to lie about going on a mission to make you stop training", he said bluntly. "You bought make-up to hide the dark circles under your eyes, I saw you at the store"

"Why didn't you say anything", tears she whispered, trying not to wake Naruto. "Don't you dare avoid the question, I haven't seen you in months except at night if that, do you know how lonely I was without you, I couldn't tell you about Naruto, I couldn't tell you how I was improving in my ninjutsu, I couldn't tell you how I felt about learning that my brother may die?", a sob escaped her mouth, and she quickly wiped the tears away. "Fine you were there, but having your best friend vanish is hard"

"You shouldn't trust me, or anyone so easily", he retorted quickly becoming defensive. He was unsure of himself now that she started to cry.

"Kakashi said that I'm important to you, is that true?", she asked. Itachi's breath hitched in his throat. Damn Kakashi. "Am I important to you?", she repeated the question.

"Yes.", he confessed. Soraya gave him a gesture to elaborate. "I had business, that's the truth, but there is something private I'm not ready to share yet?"

"Does it have anything to do with Naruto?", Soraya asked. Itachi looked confused in her line of questioning. Did she know about the Kyuubi that laid dormant within Naruto? "Kakashi was told to stay away from Naruto, and we found this on Naruto", she handed him the small hand-drawn picture to Itachi. Itachi turned around and his stoic face faltered when he saw his mother's face.

"Who drew this?", he asked.

Soraya grabbed Itachi's hand and lead him into his room. "Naruto drew it", she whispered as she peeked into her room making sure Naruto was still asleep. Itachi glanced at the picture again. It was very similar to his mother's art style, but you could see Naruto's own style developing.

"Why was Kakashi told to stay away?", he questioned out loud. Kakashi didn't usually hide important information like that from him. He put a mental note to inquire about that later.

"I was hoping you had the answers", she asked. "You guys seem...close", Itachi was suspicious of her last statement, there was something that he didn't like about that statement. "Friends" Soraya clarified. Itachi brushed it off and Soraya was glad he didn't probe. "Naruto said that she would come see him every day when he was at the orphanage, she taught him how to draw, helped him with homework, but she died and he was soon kicked out of the orphanage."

"She was probably his benefactor", he wept as a tear rolled down his eyes. "I didn't know" His voice started to crack mid-sentence. Soraya could feel Itachi holding back sorrow and guilt. His hands started to shake as wet drops started to drop on the picture. Soraya took the picture away from him and her tiny frame embraced him. His transformation jutsu was slowly fading and she closed the door with her foot just in case Naruto woke up. Itachi hugged her back and her knees buckled under his weight as he started weeping. Soraya could feel her nightdress getting wet with Itachi's tears. Soraya had no idea that his mother's death affected him so much. She wished she missed her family as he did, and that made her feel guilty. Nevertheless, she started to cry as well as a response to his sorrow.

"I'm sorry", she whispered, as she patted his back in comfort. "You don't have to tell me anything now, but know I'm here. I just want to know that you are okay once in a while", Itachi closed his eyes in disagreement. She shouldn't expect the bare minimum from anybody, she deserved more in this friendship and it bothered him that he wasn't able to give more.

He touched the back of her head to deepen the embrace. "I will tell you in time, I just don't want you to look at me differently, and I too want to know when you are hurting, I know it hasn't been easy for you either", he admitted. Soraya closed her eyes in relief. Soraya pulled back and wiped away his tears with his thumbs. And he did the same with her. "Can I please see your smile", he asked. More tears started to gush out, but she managed to form a real smile for him. And he smiled back. A stark contrast from the tear stains on his cheek. His face was so majestic to her and she gazed at his lips and wanted nothing to do but to kiss them as Kakashi did with her, but that was the thing that stopped her. He put his forehead on her's in comfort as if sensing her conflict.

"I promise I will be better." The illness that shortened Itachi's life made him quickly realize what he felt for her. But he wouldn't admit anything until she knew the total truth. Everything. "I will tell you everything after you are healed and back in Amegakure.", she nodded as she gave him a final hug. "Now tell me, how do you like Konoha?", Itachi grinned wider as she excitedly told him off all her adventures.

Soraya awoke with Naruto staring at her, waiting patiently for her to wake up. She closed her eyes again before slowly getting up, registering it was much later than when she usually arose for the morning. She stretched as she watched Naruto fidget in the seat next to her bed with three fishing polls next to him. She then noticed that he was fully dressed and not in the pajamas he was in when climbed through her window last night. Meaning that he had enough time to go back to his apartment to get changed.

"What time is it?"

"Almost 3", Naruto said. "Yuki Senpai said you needed rest so don't wake you". Soraya deduced that was Itachi's alternate identity. Soraya didn't realize that she slept so long, just to be more tired when she slept. "He was super nice, weird but nice",

Soraya furrowed her brows at the term weird. Itachi wasn't weird, he was reserved and honest, sometimes blunt. However, she concluded that it may seem weird to a 10-year-old boy who was well known to be rambunctious. It was then she noticed that she saw fishing pools in the corner by the window with a note attached. "Fishing polls?", Soraya questioned.

"Your friend ", Naruto stressed. "Left this here earlier today, he said he couldn't join but Iruka-sensei is!", he exclaimed. Soraya held her head in pain at the loud noise coming from Naruto. "Oh sorry, he said I should be quieter", noticing her discomfort. "Can I make you tea? Sensei said he would be hereafter classes"

"Why aren't you in class", Naruto shrugged.

"Didn't want to go", he simply stated. "It's not like they care anyway, except Iruka-sensei, and I didn't have any classes with him today"

Soraya nodded in understanding. "Look Naruto, I know it's hard but you can't skip school. If you are going to be Hokage there is a lot you have to learn", lectured Soraya. Naruto turned around and crossed his arms in defiance. Soraya sighed. "Look if I give you a present will you skip school less?", Naruto peaked behind him at Soraya.

"Maybe", Naruto groaned definitely. Soraya kicked off the covers and went to her closet. Naruto turned around as his curiosity grew. Soraya put the items behind her back and smiled.

"I need a yes before I give this to you.", she negotiated.

"Okay fine. ", said Naruto deflated.

"I'm sorry I missed your birthday, but I think this will help you explore your talent in drawing a little more", she presented him with some paints and an instruction book for shading and toning. "I made sure it was age-appropriate and that it was easy to understand. I'm not good at drawing or painting, but I thought this would help-", Naruto leaped and gave her a hug knocking her over.

"Thank you, Thank you, Thank you", Naruto kept repeating the statement in excitement. Soraya smiled and embraced him back.

"I created a tab for you at the store and it's paid for so, draw as much as you like", In truth, it was a mixture of Kakashi and Soraya that gave Naruto the present. Soraya paid for half of it and Kakashi made a vow to keep paying the tab as long as she promised not to tell him that he had anything to do with the gift.

She went to grab the note from the fishing polls and indeed it was Kakashi's handwriting. It was basic to the point, letting her know that he was on a mission, which she knew was a lie according to Itachi, that these fishing rods were a gift, and that Iruka is nice but certain information should be kept confidential. She set the note ablaze in her hand and went to the bathroom to shower and get changed.

As Soraya went into the bathrooms she noticed the blade on the counter that she used the night before on herself. Her heart quickened, did Naruto or Itachi see. Her heart rate slowed as she glanced around the room and noticed that nothing was moved, meaning no one had come into her bathroom. And her secret was safe with her. She took a deep breath trying to calm down. But she could feel herself starting to have a panic attack. On impulse, Soraya cut her wrist. She winced in pain not accustomed to the type of incision on that part of her body. She dropped the blade and quickly picked it up before running her arm underwater.

"Fuck, what you gotta be such an imbecile", she chastised herself. She picked up the blade and rinsed it off to erase the evidence of what she did and for future use. Soraya felt herself becoming calmer but noticed the wound was not closing as fast as it usually did on her thighs. She glanced at her wrist noting that she didn't hit a vein or artery.

Naruto got up from his chair sensing Soraya's distress. "Onee-chan, are you okay?"

Soraya glanced at the blade in her hand and cleared her throat. "Yes, Naruto I'm okay", saying it in her upper register as an act of reassuring him. "Give me about 10 minutes. I will be right out"

Naruto opened the door and Soraya gracefully turned around with a smile with one hand behind her back with the blade. "Why are you being weird?", asked Naruto.

"Well you just barged into the bathroom", responded Soraya.

"You never cared before? Is that blood?", Naruto pointed at Soraya's exposed wrist. Soraya quickly surveyed her wrist.

"I hit the corner of the sink", she shrugged. It was then she heard the front door open.

"NARUTO", Soraya knew it was Iruka that Naruto and Kakashi were talking about.

"In here sensei!" Naruto waved Iruka in the room. She heard Iruka slightly jog in the room and took the opportunity to hide the blad in her pocket. "Onee-chan is acting weird and her wrist is bleeding", said Naruto filing Iruka on the situation.

"Sorry for meeting like this, I just scraped my wrist on the sink", she smiled. "And I'm not acting weird", she insisted through gritted teeth at Naruto.

"Oh I hate when something like that happens, no problem I have totally done that before", Iruka was taken aback by how beautiful Soraya.

"Butttttt, she is acting weird", repeated Naruto.

"Well Kakashi said that she has been tired lately, it may just be that."

"Thank you, Iruka, now if you excuse me. I'm going to get ready.", she pushed Naruto out of the bathroom and closed the door behind him, and let out a big exhale.

Iruka heard the shower turn on and faced Naruto. "You can't just barge into a woman's bathroom like that"

"Why not, she never cared before", said Naruto. "Plus, I felt something bad coming from her, not sad or angry, I can't explain it". Iruka remembered the time that Naruto felt his negative emotions when he decided to harm Naruto. Thankfully, he had a change of heart and got to know Naruto a little bit more thanks to the Third Hokage. So he didn't discount what he was saying at all.

"I believe you", acknowledged Iruka. "I think you mean she was in distress, it was probably the blood coming from a wrist", Naruto perched his lips knowing that he wouldn't get his point across. It was then Iruka noticed the paints on the bed. "What's this? Does she draw?", he asked.

"No, it's mine", he explained as he was going back to sit in his chair. "It's a birthday gift. Don't worry I won't use that kind of paint for graffiti"

"Better not", reaffirmed Soraya.

Itachi left earlier that morning. His reasoning was twofold: 1) he needed space to process his developed feelings and 2) he wanted to catch a glimpse of his brother Sasuke before he left with Soraya.

As always Sasuke came to the academy even on the weekends to train. Nevertheless, it was new development to see him studying old Uchiha scrolls. Possibly trying to become stronger. He was outpacing his classmates by a long shot. However, Itachi begged the Hokage not to accelerate him. Itachi felt his biggest detriment to his life was not learning and maturing with his peers. It showed in his appearance. He was only a year and a half older than Soraya but he looked in his upper 20s, he sometimes forgot that he was a teenager himself. He continued to study Sasuke and wrote down all the strengths and weaknesses in his training to give to Kakashi. Kakashi would give it to Sasuke and Naruto's teacher, Iruka, who would help Sasuke with his training.

On the other side of the school, he saw a lot of the academy kids playing and training. Some with their parents, some not. However, what caught his eye was a girl sitting down in one of the training areas. Her skin tone was a few shades lighter than Soraya's and her hair was just as thick, but straighter than Soraya's coiled hair. He just needed to see her eyes to confirm his suspensions. She appeared a little younger than Naruto, but as he studied her more he noticed the other girls training a few feet away.

Itachi sent a raven to have a deeper assessment of the situation. The youngest girl was singing and seemed to be in her world. Itachi heard Soraya sing a few times to herself and felt that she had a nice motherly voice, but her voice seemed almost angelic and something foreign he has never heard before.

From far, far away I hear

Your breathing, your voice

Your sounds that are painful even in my dream

If everyday I walk

Following the clouds, following the wind

Maybe I will see

Your beautiful smile

Itachi's crow relayed the sound from the girl and he remembered Soraya telling him how she would sing the song to her cousin, Priya every time she saw her. How she distinctly remembered her being born and holding her as a newborn. He just needed to see her eyes. Then he saw it, through his raven. The Russet eyes. All four of them had the same color eyes. Itachi could feel his heart quicken and he was excited for Soraya and vowed to tell her once she got better.

He knew the one singing was Priya. And by Soraya's description of the rest of them, he could probably guess which was whom.

"Priya, you need to be training, so you can get in the accelerated program and we can be together as a team", Itachi guessed that was Talise, she looked exactly like Soraya but more of a deep expresso complexion. The resemblance was uncanny and he could already tell they shared some of the same mannerisms.

"Chil' leave her alone", Itachi just knew that was Eulalia. Her honey skin tone and straight hair were a dead giveaway. Additionally, she seemed to have the most easygoing attitude. "She already knows everything on the test, and she'll do fine"

"You think everything is going to be okay, so what if she knows it, she needs to have the ambition to exceed her potential.", This girl looked more like a mix between Masaru and Eulalia, but she shared Talise skin tone so he knew that was Hestia. Soraya complimented her many times on her hard work too.

Priya stopped singing and glanced at his raven and gave it a pet. "Do I have to be a ninja to be an ambassador, that's all I want to do", she groaned.

"It's the best path, the more powerful you are the more they will listen to you, at least that's the impression I got.", Hestia wondered aloud.

"But wouldn't that be counterproductive, diplomats are supposed to be a negotiator, avoiding conflicts and be good at people skills, I don't see the point of learning how to fight", Priya protested and walked off angrily.

Talise was about to go after her, but Eulalia shook her head in protest. "Leave her alone, she will be just fine", she said giving her gesture to calm down.

Itachi noticed a quiet presence that landed right next to him. "Are you a creeper?", Itachi glanced to his right and noticed Priya gazing at him quizically with her head tilted to the side. Itachi was impressed at quietness and the speed that she came to his spot. However, he did not let it show.

"No", he answered as he smiled in jest. "I think we have a mutual friend"

"We don't have friends", Priya responded. Itachi smiled and nodded his head. A little unexpected laugh came from him. "Me and my sisters only have each other".

"Then how do you expect to be an ambassador for a village as great as Konoha?", he retorted.

Priya sat down in irritation. "I'm working on it, I know nothing about this place, ever since we came here after our entire family died". Itachi noticed the grief that came over her.

"Priya, correct?"

"How do you know my name? And it's rude if I don't know yours?", she eyed him suspiciously.

Itachi chuckled remembering how Soraya tried to be intimidating when he first met her. "A mutual friend, well friends", he clarified. "And it's Yuki",

"You know I can tell people lie right?", informed Priya. "May I touch you", Itachi thought it was a weird question. But complied. Priya touched Itachi's face. "Please only think about this friend or friends that you claim we know." Itachi did what was ordered. Itachi felt an instant connection with Priya like their minds were playing his memories like a movie. At first, it was black, then images of Soraya came to mind. The first time they met, when they were cooking or talking, and training. Then images of him training Masaru and playing chess. She took her hand off his cheek quickly.

"They're alive?", she exclaimed with glee. Itachi nodded in confirmation.

"They are not safe", he emphasized. He touched her face and Priya saw the images that she needed to see.

"She is sick again?", she questioned tears forming in her eyes.

"Again?", he questioned. "She has been sick before, terminally?"

"Many times, she flat-lined when I was born, that's why the last two of our letters are the same because our family thought she died. Her mother wasn't the same after that. Oh and Masaru was stillborn, they pronounced him dead. Come to think of it, everyone has had a near-death experience between the six of us." Priya shrugged at the information that she just relayed. "We must have a purpose for something. Guess why I don't see a point in fighting. There have to be better solutions than destroying life, it's precious right?" Itachi nodded.

Itachi didn't know how or what to say to the information she just gave. "Don't lose that perspective. I went through The Great Ninja War and had to kill at your age. I was considered a Hero and genius, but every time I took a life-it destroyed me. There is always a better way. And you are an intelligent girl for recognizing that. However, war is inevitable when you have to protect what is most precious"

Priya smiled. "Thank's Itachi". Itachi was surprised at all that she discovered his true name.

"Can you do me a favor Pri-chan?", asked Itachi. Priya smiled at the nickname Itachi gave her.

"I can't tell my sisters about our meeting, they would die if they knew I had a full conversation with a grown man, so I won't tell them about Soraya and Masaru.", Itachi refrained from the urge to correct her about his age. "They will show up eventually" Priya paused "Is Sasuke, your brother?"

Itachi hesitantly nodded. "Don't ever tell him you saw me, his life depends on it" Priya couldn't help but nod at the seriousness of his tone. And something in her felt that even if she wanted to she couldn't. It was like an invisible force commanded her to bend to Itachi's will and obey. She swallowed out of nervousness. Priya nodded. "I'm sorry for scaring you", Itachi wanted to mentally chastise himself. "You sing nice"

"I can dance to, and gymnastics, we all have some type of talent.", she said jubilantly

"That's Good for a Kunoichi", Itachi said.

"PRIYAAA", Eulalia shouted. "It's time to go". Priya got up, but Itachi grabbed her hand before she could leave. "I apologize for scaring you", lamented Itachi. "I'm not good with people".

"Your not", she agreed. "But you want the best for everyone." Priya looked away as if thinking what to say next. "My gift, when I touch someone I see their perceptions, their feelings and I can show them mine. Deep down I know you are a good person, you need to tell Soraya your feelings"

"PRIYA"

"I have to go! But I'm glad I met you Itachi-Kun", she bowed in respect and ran towards her sisters. But before she left his vicinity she turned around and waved. "And by the way, I like my new nickname", she said with a smile. Itachi couldn't help but smile back at the young girl's contagious grin. Itachi watched Priya playfully smile at her sisters as they inquired of her location. He glanced down at his hands and remembered all the blood that was spilled because of them. Priya's resolve on minimum conflict strengthened his desire for protecting Konoha and ensuring that they will have lasting peace.

"If only you knew that being Good is relative, Pri-chan", he clenched his hands into a fist and left to go tell his findings to the Hokage.

Soraya was appreciating the tranquil river knowing that she should be grateful for the peaceful moments while she can She wiggled her bare toes in the water as she watched Iruka show Naruto how to properly fly fish.

"It's all in the wrist", explained Iruka. Soraya smiled as she chose to watch for the time being preferring her traditional fishing pole. She got a bite and slowly moved the bait until she felt the poll bend indicating that the fish was latched on the hook. It was the third one of the day. One more and she would have to throw some of them back. She watched as Naruto finally caught one with Iruka's help and it made her heart warm. She wished Itachi could be here to watch.

Itachi was a good teacher and made her think about what his life would be like if he stayed in Konoha. She had no idea why he left, but his kindness, talent, and pacifist mentality would easily make him a good Jounin for the village. And the way he trained her and educated her would make him a better teacher. Now that she was thinking about it, Konoha had a knack for letting go of true talent. The Sanin, the Uchiha, the Uzumaki, The Rui; all linked to the History of Konoha and helped build the village to where it is now.

Iruka noticed Soraya deep in thought and sat by her side. "Is there anything I can help you with", asked Iruka. Soraya gazed in his eyes and looked down.

"I don't want to leave Naruto alone, he needs someone"

Iruka perched his lips together. "You have to leave soon", Iruka stated. "And you formed a deep bond with Naruto, as a teacher I can tell that you positively impacted him. He doesn't skip school as often, his grades have improved, fewer pranks. I was like him as a kid. Alone"

"If you care so much about him, why don't you take care of him?", Soraya asked. Soraya could feel so much love for Naruto from Iruka that her heart almost burst.

"I don't make much money as a teacher", contested Iruka. "And I'm pretty sure the elders would be against it", he added.

"So you have thought about it", asked Soraya. "He needs more than a part-time teacher. He needs a parent." Soraya grabbed her backpack. "He cares for you. Look", she grabbed Naruto's sketch pad. She flipped through pages and Iruka noticed the drawings of people that Naruto seemed to observe. Hinata, Sasuke many of his classmates with their parents. Toward the middle of the sketchpad was a sketch of Iruka and colors on the side and notes made by Naruto. "You are his first coloring project", she stated. "You are the only person at the school that cares about him." She shut the sketchpad and put it back in the backpack.

"He talks about you too", admitted Iruka. "Villagers have been talking about an outsider with Naruto and I took him out to Ramen to pry about you", he put his hand behind his head in nervousness and blushed at the confession. "There is something you have to understand about Naruto. He can always sense people's negative emotions. It's how he has been able to survive this long. He can probably sense your turmoil now, especially since you are close to him", Iruka grabbed her wrist that was bandaged. "Get better for Naruto".

Soraya just simply nodded in response. Iruka did check her wrist again before he went back to Naruto. "You should be more careful next time", he undid the bandages. "Looks like it's not going to scar". Soraya took her arm back and cradled it. Not wanting to say anything in fear she would give herself away.

Tsunade walked to the Akatsuki compound and was greeted by Konan. "Lady Tsunade, I'm so glad to make your acquaintance", she bowed.

"No need to be so formal Lady Konan. It is I that I'm supposed to bow to you, that is the custom in these parts, eh?", said Tsunade informaly. "Please take me to the patient". Konan lead him to Masaru's room. Green chakra admitted from her hand as she surveyed his body. His body was in prime condition and had atrophied yet, which was a good sign. She reinforced his muscles so when he woke up he wouldn't have the effect of his long sleep. She finally put both of her hands over the side of his head surveying his brain waves. As expected, they were very active.

"Who are you?", Tsunade could tell the voice in her head was Masaru.

"It's been a long time since I had a voice in my head, you scared me half to death. Tsunade."

"Lady Tsunade, one of the Sannin? But I thought she would be far older"

"Watch it Kid, but yes, it is I"

"You've seen my sister?", asked Masaru. "She's sick, you need my bone marrow"

"That cut down on some time, yes"

"Take it, I will be here for a while anyway", Tsunade didn't waste any time and took a needle out of a sealed scroll.

"Wait what are you doing?"

"Getting Bone Marrow for your daughter?", Tsunade said simply. Tsunade stuck the needle into his hip.

"Wait are you telling me that her illness is that serious?", questioned Yahiko. Tsunade.

"Yeah, had her body not been consuming chakra at an alarming rate and trying to heal itself, she would have died months ago. But that is also killing her as well.", she said a matter of factly. "She just needs some of her brother's DNA to help her body get back on track, Orochimaru will figure out the rest"

"Wait. Are you saying all this is a theory", asked Nagato.

"More of a hunch", Nagato stormed off feeling his anger rise.

Konan's knees buckled at the information she received from Tsunade. Her lungs felt like all the air was sucked out of them. Tsunade glanced her way and it was then she noticed Konan's growing belly. Tsunade surveyed her body. Her years of medical ninjutsu made her able to observe patients from afar even without touching them. Konan's breathing was normal for a woman under stress, the baby's heartbeat was not fine.

"Get her on a bed", Tsunade commanded. Yahiko complied with Tsunade's orders even before Konan could respond. He lifted her and took her to their Master bedroom where Nagato was residing. Nagato reacted to the sudden intrusion in worry. Tsunade lifted her shirt and had Konan's growing belly exposed. Something was distressing the baby. Something was slowly killing it, and something was protecting it from being killed. Tsunade stood up and her hand lit with green chakra scanned Konan's body again. Her body was acting naturally as it should. Then she noticed another chakra signature. She knew it was Hanzo. She made a few hand seals and noticed the seal. Out of the years of training of having a poker face, she couldn't hide her surprise.

Nagato did not like the lack of smugness coming from Tsunade. "What's wrong"

"Did you know that there is a seal on Konan's womb?"

"What do you mean?", Konan and Yahiko asked in unison.

"There is a seal on your womb", Tsunade repeated. "This is an old Forbidden Fuinjutsu.", she stressed. "This is an Alpha marking his territory. How many miscarriages have you had?", Tsunade questioned.

"Eleven", answered Yahiko. He could feel his heart becoming elevated. "Is this Hanzo's doing". Tsunade nodded in confirmation.

"The only person protecting your child is Masaru". Tsunade did some hand seals to reveal the two conflicting seals to the parents. "Look, you are carrying twins with two different placentas. This purple seal only allows Hanzo's seed to flourish in your womb and will even aid it when it senses his seeds' distress. But if this seal detects something that is not of Hanzo's lineage it will slowly kill the baby. This white Chakra is your babies', Masaru's chakra is blue which is very close to Uzumaki which is probably why he can pull this off. He is using his Chakra to create a counter seal and making sure that the babies are getting nutrients from Konan. But he is having a tougher time staving off Hanzo's chakra from this child."

"It's because I don't share any lineage with the Rui,", said Yahiko. "I'm clanless, just an orphan", he scuffed.

"You aren't being punished because your clanless, it's simple genetics.", said Tsunade dispelling her X-Ray Jutsu. "For what it's worth it seems Masaru is doing a very complex method to make his chakra compatible. And it seems you have a rare blood type yourself"

Konan raised herself from the bed. "How much energy is he using." Questioned Konan.

"He is going to need every ounce of energy to get through his training", said Konan. "I have to-

"So you do know", said Tsunade. "And Masaru is the only thing that is keeping your babies alive"

"Know what?", Asked Yahiko in irritation.

"Misaki wasn't always like she is now", she professed as the memories she recalled brought her tortuous affections of bygone memories. "She used to be kind and a bit mischievous and she always cared for me. But after she went through the Sanskara she was different." Streams of tears started to come from her eyes. "He is going to need every ounce of strength to survive it, I saw it, She almost died. It was the same thing"

"You knew this whole time and didn't tell any of us?", Nagato felt his voice rising. "How could you?"

Konan turned around avoiding his gaze. "I didn't want it to be true. You don't know what it's like for your mind to be haze, just so you can be a doll to be someone's plaything." Konan shook her head in disgust. " I have blocks of years that I don't remember, the only thing that was keeping together were you two. And if I would have known what Hanso did to me-" " what he did to us", she said clutching her stomach. Remembering all the miscarriages.

Tsunade felt like she was missing something. "So we know this Misaki is a Rui, who is she exactly and why is she important to him? Especially since that is a seal that can only be bestowed on wives? And why would he care for a Rui? A concubine?"

"You can say that", said Yahiko. "If incest can be considered as such." he clarified.

"This explains a lot, you didn't know and even if you did he would persuade you to do it anyway", Tsunade shook her head. "But I can't let you stop Masaru", said Tsunade.

"Why?", Konan questioned.

"The risk is greater if he stops now, your womb has three continuous seals and he would have to undo it which could kill him, and he is running on pure instinct, if anyone tried to stop him I don't know what he would do. There are too many variables and more questions than answers", Tsunade said frantically as she was processing and analyzing information at the same time she was speaking. "It's up to him now but this will only last to the final trimester, you have to break Hanzo's seal."

"And how is that?", Nagato asked.

"With his blood, and he has to be on the brink of death", Tsunade exhaled. "That's all I know", Tsunade started to quickly pack her things. "Just the image sends me...", She looked at her shaking hands. "There isn't much for me to do here, I'll be going"

"Wait", Konan called out for Lady Tsunade.

Tsunade stopped and turned around with an annoyed look. "You should be thanking Masaru for buying you time", Konan was taken aback at Tsunade's mood change. " Don't let his sacrifice be in vain. And tell Uzamaki to transfer some of his chakra to him." Tsunade then grabbed Konan's face in comfort. "You have to be strong for your children, no matter their fate. That is the first step in motherhood." Konan grabbed her hand and nodded, signaling that she would be.

Naruto and Soraya returned to his tiny apartment where Soraya started making dinner with the fish they caught.

Naruto was chatting away as usual, but for some odd reason, Soraya couldn't bring herself to fully pay attention and only gave general responses to him. During dinner, she could feel her heart rate speed up and could hear the pounding in her ears. She drunk more water than usual thinking that would help.

As she was washing dishes she braced herself amongst the sink feeling weak. Naruto took notice and called out her name. Then all Soraya could see was black before she became unconscious.

"Soraya-chan", Naruto shook her lifeless body. Naruto repeated, and when he didn't get a response he started to panic. After a few minutes, she opened her eyes and said his name before closing them. Naruto dragged her body on a nearby futon and placed a cold rag on her head. Soraya always told him to be the most logical in high-stress situations. So for the first time in his life, Naruto sat and meditated on what to do as he checked over her.

It was then he realized that there was nothing he could do to help her. He didn't trust that the hospitals would not believe him.

Soraya woke up and turned her head to Naruto. She felt guilty causing him distress. "I'm sorry Naruto"

"Don't worry I'm okay". Soraya fell back to unconsciousness. "I will take care of you".

Itachi came back to the cottage later that evening. He took note that Soraya's shoes were not at the door, but then he remembered that she stayed over at Naruto's apartment when it got too late for her to walk home. And she was probably tired from fishing that day. Still, he felt a little disappointed that she wasn't there to greet him. Itachi thought it best to rest himself, as his last breathing treatment for the current session was today. Within the next few days, they would have to leave on a week's journey to the newly established village of The Sound. He knew that he would need all of his strength to deal with Orochimaru.

The Next Night

Her shoes were not there. Again. He stared at the empty floor near the door. Her room door was closed, but he opened it. As he surveyed the room he noticed that nothing had been touched since the day before. He then went into the bathroom and observed to see if there were any traces of her being there.

On the floor, he saw a tiny blade, right under the counter. Anyone could miss it if they were not looking. He picked it up and studied as if looking for something, but he didn't know what. He threw it away in the trash as an uneasy feeling came over him.

Morning

He was worried. No shoes. No signs of Soraya. He took a big exhale as he used a transformation jutsu to appear as his alternate identity.

In the shadows, he watched as the Academy children entered one by one. He took special note of Sasuke who went into another entrance to avoid the crowd. He also noticed how Priya took notice of Sasuke when her family entered the Academy girls. He waited until he heard the bell ring. There was no sign of Naruto. He saw Iruka setting up the outside Academy grounds for a training exercise and decided that he should talk to him.

"Excuse me, have you seen Soraya?", asked Itachi appearing as Yuki. Iruka was surprised at the question and his presence.

"You must be her escort. The last time I saw her was two days ago fishing", Iruka smiled at the memory. "I haven't seen Naruto since then either, but he hasn't pulled any pranks so I'm guessing he is with her doing something, those two are inseparable", he stated happily. "I take it, it's time for her to go back home then?", he asked. Itachi nodded. Iruka's face turned serious. "Well tell Soraya I'm taking her suggestion under serious consideration." With that Iruka went back inside the school and Itachi was left alone with his worry.

Itachi went into an alley to lurk in the shadows and activated his Sharingan. He was searching for Naruto and Soraya's chakra signatures. He didn't know exactly where Naruto lived, but he eventually found the two. Naruto had a surprising amount for a child, typical of an Uzumaki. Soraya's chakra signature was slowly fading and she wasn't taking in as much Chakra as at the beginning of their journey.

Itachi rushed towards the two deactivating his Sharingan, knowing that would be a dead giveaway for overzealous ninja. He knocked on Naruto's door. No one answered. However, as he turned the knob he noticed it was unlocked. He glanced around noticing how clean and tidy it was. How there were pictures of the two, and little elements of both of their personalities. This was truly her home away from home.

Nevertheless, Naruto was in the corner on his head on his knees, silently crying. Meanwhile, Soraya was on the futon with a cold rag on her head. Naruto finally looked up to see the man standing in her living room.

"She said you would come, Is she going to die", asked Naruto.

"No", replied Itachi.

"I can't feel her anymore.", cried Naruto wiping the tears away. "She was in pain. But I can't feel her anymore"

Itachi bent down to eye level with Naruto. "I'm not going to lie to you. She is in very critical condition, but she is a fighter and she will do everything in her power to stay alive for her family. She would not want you to worry about her, she would want you to focus on your goal to becoming Hokage", Itachi confessed as he patted Naruto's head.

"Ta...chi", Naruto glanced at her then back at Itachi again as Soraya muttered a form of his name.

"Is that your name", Itachi shook his head.

"The name is Yuki" Itachi walked over to Soraya's sleeping body. "Itachi is the name of one of her friends-he's a dork". That remark got a smile for Naruto.

"Like that guy who is always lurking around reading his pervy books", Itachi couldn't help but smile at the way Naruto explained Kakashi. Itachi finally stood at Soraya's side. She slowly kept repeating his name. He could feel that she knew he was there.

"Naruto no one can know that she was here sick or that I was here", he said grimly. "Sometimes in the Shinobi world, we have to keep secrets. This is one of those times."

"I swear!", exclaimed Naruto. "Secret is safe with me". With that Itachi bent down and picked up Soraya in his arms bridal style.

"I'm sorry I did not come sooner", whispered Itachi in her ear. Soraya clutched her hand near his chest too weak to voice anything. The next second Itachi was gone.

Naruto didn't know what to feel, he knew that she would die if she stayed here but he looked at his apartment and he was alone. He went to the table and glanced at his drawing that he began of her and decided that this was the time to finish it before the memory of her face was gone.

A/N: I'm playing around with the ages but for now, Masaru is 12 and Soraya 14. I know I said eight in a previous chapter, but the storyline is continuingly changing and I don't need Masaru to actually be that young for the rest of the story. We got about 4 or 5 more chapters in the Arc and I'm pretty excited for the next one.