Danger hides in beauty, and Beauty in danger.

-Belva Plain


Kazue didn't sleep for long. After almost two hours, he was awake. For a minute, he stayed in bed thinking of all the images that came to his mind, every detail sick with clarity.

Was all that a dream?

One look at the room he was in, and he knew it wasn't. He slowly got up, and rubbed his eyes, sitting on the bed. He suddenly stopped, his hands still resting on his eyes, as his heart clenched.

His lips turned downward, quivering slightly, as he clutched his chest.

Mama.

He sniffed, slowly wiping his tears before they had the chance to fall. He hated them. He hated his eyes. It was their fault all this had happened.

But that wasn't all.

It's my fault too. If I hadn't called out to that man, then she'd still be fine.

Pulling his knees up to his chest, he wrapped his arms around them, burying his face in his arms. Had his loving mother not told him about the world just months ago? Told him to never talk about his eyes?

Kazue clenched his eyes shut, thinking back to the words she'd said, her soft voice calming him slightly.

"The world is a cruel place, Kazue. And the only way to survive here is to adapt. You're eyes...they're really strong. And if people found out, they'd want that power for themselves. You must never talk about your eyes to others. Promise me, you wouldn't."

Back then, he'd immediately agreed, if only to see those pretty eyes of hers to be free of her tears. It was the first time he'd seen his mama cry.

I'm sorry, mama. I'm so so so sorry.

After a few more minutes of his thoughts, Kazue straightened himself and stretched. The house was quiet as he made his way down the stairs. As he got closer, he hear humming and the faint sound of something sizzling. Nearing the room on the right side of the stairs, he peeked inside. It was that woman from earlier.

Sensing his presence, she turned, smiling softly.

"Hello there, Kazue. Hungry?"

She didn't need an answer, as his stomach growled. Kazue turned red. The woman laughed, gesturing towards a chair infront of the counter.

"Here, have a seat."

"Thank you."

As he relaxed slightly, he turned toward his host, his head cocking slightly as he watched her cook. Sensing his gaze, she turned towards him, placing his breakfast infront of him.

Analyzing her carefully, Kazue's eyes widened when he realized that her eyes were red too. But, he didn't dare say anything. He had learned his lesson.

"This might be strange for you."

Still chewing, Kazue nodded slowly. The woman seemed nice enough. Maybe she could tell him what was going on.

"Excuse me, but what should I call you?"

The woman held back a grin at his manners.

Oh, he's Hinata's son, alright.

Speaking of which...

"Ah! Where are my manners? My name is Kurenai, and you will be living with me for a while."

Kazue bit his lips, nodding. He wanted to ask about his mother. Where was she?

"Is mama ok?"

It took a moment for Kurenai to realize who he was talking about.

Remembering the brief summary Sai had given her of the situation, she sighed softly.

"She's in the hospital, but I'm sure she'll be fine."

"Can I see her?"

Kurenai hesitated.

"I don't know. I'll have to ask Kakashi about it."

Kazue's form visibly slumped.

"Oh."

For a moment, there was silence. Kazue bit his lip, the events of the day replaying in his mind. His hand clenched around his spoon.

"Kurenai, what's going on?"

His voice was barely above a whisper. Kurenai froze when she heard his voice, suddenly realizing how confused and scared he might be.

Her mother instincts taking over, she was by his side in a moment, rubbing his back soothingly as he hurriedly wiped his eyes.

"Hey. It's okay. Say what, I'll tell you everything. Who we are, and who your mother was. But before that, eat up and get fresh. Ok?"

Kazue only nodded in response. It was clear to her that he was still upset. Kurenai signed. Them suddenly, she perked up, having an idea.

"Kazue, wait here. I'll be right back."

Kazue watched, confused as Kurenai dashed out of the room, wondering what could possibly get her this excited. After a minute or so, she returned, a huge smile on her face.

Kazue watched as she approached him and kneeled in front of him. She held up a picture.

"Guess who this is?"

Confused, Kazue looked at the picture. It was a girl. Kazue couldn't help but think she looked awfully familiar. Especially her hair. The only person he knew with that coloured hair-

His whole form lit up.

"That's mama!"

She's so small!

Kurenai laughed in response, handing him the picture.

"She was an amazing student. So strong and so kind."

Kazue looked up at her in awe.

"Really?"

Kurenai grinned fondly at the memories.

"Yeah! Always putting herself before others. And she was always so shy."

Kazue grinned at the photo. He was still lost in thought when Kurenai jumped.

"Oh! I almost forgot!"

Looking at her questioningly, Kazue watched as she opened the refrigerator and took out a covered plate. Placing it in front of him, she uncovered it, revealing the multi-coloured sweet.

Kazue was visibly radiant.

"Sai dropped these off some time ago." Kurenai couldn't help but laugh at the nearly drooling boy.

He picked up a stick and bit into the treat, his cheeks gaining colour at the delicious taste. Looking at the treat, a thought sudden struck him.

"Papa loved dango."

The words were out before he could stop himself. At once, the warmth around him disappeared, the atmosphere turning cold. Kurenai froze at the sudden proclamation, once again her vision replacing Kazue's face with his father's.

She swallowed hard, a shudder rolling off her spine at the thought of the deceased Uchiha.

Kazue, unaware of the change, held up the picture of his mother.

"Do you have one of papa too?"

It was only when his wide, pleading eyes turned to her, that she broke out of her trance. Looking at the innocence in his eyes, her own eyes softened as she remembered that Kazue didn't know anything. She thought for a moment.

"Wait here."

The way his eyes lit up were totally worth it. Going to the living room, she picked out the Bingo book from the shelf, opening the page which marked Uchiha Itachi. Grabbing a pair of scissors, Kurenai began to cut. The page also contained other details about him, and Kurenai didn't want Kazue to see that. Once she was finished, she looked at the picture.

Kurenai was a Kunoichi. She knew how dangerous the man was. But, she was also a woman. She wasn't surprised when she felt her face flush slightly.

Even in the picture, his eyes were intense, as if he were staring straight at her. His silky tresses framed his face, complementing his aristocratic cheeks and perfect jaw. The creases beneath those eyes only added to his handsomeness.

Even Kurenai had to admit that he was, undoubtedly, the most good looking guy she'd come across. Unlike Neji and Shikamaru, who were admired for their elegance and lazy persona respectively, Uchiha Itachi had a dark, dangerous, mysterious and--dare she say it--sensual appeal.

She mentally commended Hinata for snagging such a delicious looking man.

Snapping out of her thoughts, Kurenai shook her head, mentally berating herself. She walked back to the kitchen and handed the photo to Kazue.

Kazue had always been told by his mother that he took after his father. Now looking at the face of his father, he couldn't agree more.

He knew what his papa looked like now. Maybe, he could find out more. But, then he remembered something. Kakashi had told him that everyone here had missed his mother. That everyone here cared about her.

But, what about papa?

Kazue suddenly understood why that guy who had the same eyes as his mother had ran away after seeing him. He understood why Kurenai had started crying.

Because at the moment they'd looked at his face, they'd seen his father instead. He suddenly remembered how horrified they all had looked when Kakashi made his announcement. He had been hurt at that time, thinking that maybe something was wrong with him. Now he realized that that problem wasn't him at all.

It was his father.

Do these people not like him?

He took a deep breath.

"Kurenai?"

The woman in question was watching him silently, as the emotions flashed through his eyes.

"If I ask a question, would you answer honestly?"

Kurenai felt a sense of foreboding, dread settling deep in her stomach. What ever his question was, it wasn't good. She contemplated, weighing her options.

"Honestly, or not at all."

Kazue was now holding the picture of his precious papa to his chest.

"My papa. Did he do something bad?"

Kurenai felt the breath being knocked out of her throat, a choked sound escaping her lips. Kazue looked up at her, eyes wide reflecting fear.

How was she supposed to answer such a question? Especially when he was looking at her like that?

Instead of answering, she swallowed.

"What makes you say that?" She asked slowly. They were walking on delicate ground now. A single slip, and the light from his eyes would be gone forever.

Kazue only clutched the picture tighter.

"It's just that...whenever he is mentioned, everyone goes silent. And earlier, when I was with Kakashi, everyone looked scared, so..." He trailed off.

Kurenai thought of Sasuke, and how he had attacked Hiashi, recalling all the hatred she'd seen in his eyes. His way of protecting Hinata and Kazue had been possessive. It occured to Kurenai that they were the only family he had left, and he was adamant on protecting them, even if he would have to set the whole world on fire to do so.

Kurenai slowly shook her head, making up her mind.

"I'm sorry, but it is not my place to tell you. I'm afraid I don't have any answers regarding Uchiha Itachi."

Kazue dimmed.

"Oh."

"But," Kurenai began, before she could stop herself, "Sasuke might have some answers."

"Sasuke?"

Kurenai cocked her head slightly, remembering what Sai had told her. She bit her lip. She needed to thank Sasuke for bringing Hinata back.

"The guy with black hair. The one who brought you here."

Kazue remembered the guy. Thinking of him, the first thing that came to his mind was that-

"He hurt mama."

"He was surprised, that's all."

"Why would he know about papa?"

It suddenly occured to Kurenai that to Kazue, there were only two people for him in his world. Hinata, his mother, and Itachi, his father.

Kurenai placed a gentle hand on Kazue's shoulder, and took a deep breath, ready to break the news to him.

"Sasuke is your uncle, Kazue. He was your father's younger brother."

Kazue only stared at her.

"Uncle?"

"Yep." Then, she sighed, "Eat up. We have lots to talk about."