As the months went by, Katsumi's tummy grew. Ibiki made it his mission to make her as happy as possible. He went with her to every appointment, got her whatever food she wanted. The two of them hadn't told anyone about their relationship nor did they hide it. If someone asked, then they would say that they were together. Katsumi stated that if someone needed to ask after they had witnessed them holding hands, hugging, kissing or being intermate in any other way then they must be morons. Ibiki agreed with her.
Seven months along, Katsumi just wanted the baby out. Her tummy was huge, her feet were swollen, her breasts had started to become sore. She sat across her sofa, huffing annoyed, she couldn't remember the last time she was comfortable. Ibiki watched her with sympathetic eyes. Kenzo sat on the floor in line with her tummy, guarding her and the baby growing inside. Ibiki learned quickly just how protective Kenzo was. Ibiki had approached Katsumi from behind as she was starting to show. She hadn't noticed Ibiki yet, as his arm came around to pull her to him by her waist. Before his arm could reach her, Kenzo's jaw had locked down on his arm. It wasn't enough to break the skin but it hurt enough. He had an ugly black and purple bruise there for a few weeks. Now he made sure Katsumi knew he was there.
"Ibiki-kun." He heard her whine from the sofa. He smiled to himself and looked up from his book that he was reading from his claimed armchair.
"Yes?" He asked, he was waiting for his orders.
"My feet hurt." She complained. In other words, 'can I have a foot rub?' Ibiki thought to himself.
"Would you like a foot rub?" He asked and watched as her face lit up. He put his book down on the coffee table, making sure to mark his page. He got up, eyeing Kenzo closely, making sure the dog knew what he was doing. Kenzo had gotten a lot bigger since he was a puppy, he could easily come up to the five-foot five Katsumi's knee while sitting. Ibiki sat down at the end of the sofa, gently lifting her feet into his lap. His fingers gently rubbed her feet, earning a small moan from Katsumi's lips. The more he worked on her feet, the more frequent her quite moans became. Ibiki struggled to control himself.
Movement in Katsumi's tummy caught his attention. He gently placed his hand on her stomach and smiled as he received a kick from the baby inside. Katsumi smiled as she watched Ibiki. She never expected Ibiki to take on the role of a loving father. She wasn't going to force him to be her child's father but he seemed to have taken on the role like it was second nature. She knew he would make an excellent father.
A knock the door gained their attention. Katsumi huffed to herself, she hated having visitors. She had taken to wearing maternity leggings and Ibiki's tops, she refused to wear the flowery and pink clothing that seemed to be the only things sold. Kenzo was barking at the door, letting the person outside know that he was ready for any attack. Although, Katsumi was sure it was Kenzo letting them know someone was there. Ibiki got up and went to the door while Katsumi struggled to shift herself off her back to sitting up.
"Ah, Itachi-san, please come in." Katsumi heard Ibiki say from the hallway. Itachi had been stopping by regularly since he found out Katsumi was pregnant. It started out as once a month, now he was around every week, checking on her and the baby. Katsumi could hear muttering from the hallway and went to get up to see what was going on.
"I have some bad news." Itachi whispered to Ibiki.
"Go to the kitchen, she'll hear you. The last thing we need to do is stress her out." Ibiki whispered back as he heard Katsumi strain to stand on her sore feet.
Ibiki went into the living room and placed his hand on her shoulder before she could get off the sofa. "Would you like anything to eat or drink?" He asked her and her stomach grumbled. Ibiki chuckled while Katsumi blushed.
"Yeah, something sweet please." She told him as Kenzo sat down next to her on the sofa.
"Stay there and I'll find something while Itachi makes us a drink." He let her shoulder go.
"Putting him to work already?" Katsumi asked with a grin. Itachi always helped out how he could when he came around. One day he had come around while she was attempting to get out the bath. Ibiki had gone to work, this was when she was coming up to the six months mark. She hadn't thought about how she was meant to get out the bath after her struggle to get into it. Kenzo was barking like mad when Itachi knocked. He had waited for her waddle over and open the door but she didn't. He had gotten concerned, Kenzo and Katsumi had become inseparable. Itachi climbed through the hallway window and was greeted by Kenzo who continued to bark at him. He called for Katsumi who was rather embarrassed by now. She shouted back and told him her predicament. She had pulled the shower curtain closed as Itachi entered the bathroom. He passed her a towel without looking and waited for her to wrap herself in it. He then helped her out of the bath and let her waddle run into her bedroom. When she came out dressed, he had made her some green tea and had brought dango with him to share with her. Ibiki had come home in the evening and Itachi told him what had happened. Ibiki was pissed but remained calm, he told her to never have a bath without him there. From that point onwards, Ibiki was working less and less, clearly not trusting her not to get herself in another predicament like that again.
"What's going on?" Ibiki whispered to Itachi as he entered the kitchen. Itachi looked up from the kettle that he was waiting for to boil.
"Sasuke escaped." Itachi told him. Ibiki growled, stopping his search for something sweet.
"How did they let that happen?!" Ibiki hissed through his teeth.
"It appears that Sasuke had been planning with other inmates to start a riot. It was enough of a distraction for him to escape." Itachi informed him. "Naruto escaped too." He then added. Ibiki sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose.
"Naruto isn't a worry; I'm guessing he's gone after Sasuke." Ibiki sighed, he was trying to work out what to say to Katsumi. "This is the last thing she needs. She's two months away from giving birth." He stressed.
"I suggest we don't say anything yet." Itachi said as the kettle boiled. "I brought dango if she's asking for sweet food." He then added as he watched Ibiki's frantic search through the cupboards. Ibiki sighed with relief.
"You are a life saver." Itachi let a small smile appear on his face before turning back to being stoic. "How did you know?" He then quizzed, even he couldn't predict her cravings.
"Every time I come around; I bring dango. Even if she didn't know if I did bring some, she always asks for something sweet." Itachi explained and Ibiki looked impressed.
"What do we do then?" He then asked as Itachi passed him a bag that he but on the counter. Their convocation had to go back on track. Ibiki started plating up the dango.
"We wait for information. I will stay with you both, just in case, I don't mind sleeping on the sofa."
"Have the spare room, we haven't decorated yet for the baby." Ibiki told him. He felt Itachi staring at him. He looked over at the frozen Uchiha. He looked at him confused.
"If you're not using the spare room or sofa..." Itachi started. "Are you and Katsumi in a relationship?" He then managed to ask. Ibiki frowned.
"I thought you already knew?" Ibiki stated and Itachi shook his head.
"Let's hope Sasuke doesn't know, I dread to think what he will do if he comes back for her. He knows she's pregnant because the elders hadn't ordered a sperm donation from him. He knows his time is limited." Itachi said as he poured their tea. Ibiki nodded.
"We act normal, ask to stay for a while. I'll talk her into letting you if I have to." Ibiki told him before they left the kitchen, carrying the dango and tea.
Katsumi had moved back across the sofa. She wasn't fussed by Itachi seeing her being unladylike. Itachi smiled and sat at her feet. Katsumi smiled back and took a plate of dango off Ibiki.
"How are you feeling today?" Itachi asked.
"Sore, swollen, fat, hungry and sore." She answered him.
"You said sore twice." Ibiki told her as he sat down in his armchair. Katsumi shrugged and ignored him.
"Katsumi-chan, I was wondering if I could ask you something?" Itachi said calmly. Katsumi hummed for him to continue. "I was hoping to stay until the baby was born, I was hoping that you would let me stay." He said watching her closely. "I want to help more with the baby and help with decorating the baby's room. I want to make your life easier now you're getting closer to your due date." He went on to explain before she could tell him no. Katsumi thought for a moment. It would be useful to have Itachi around as well but she didn't want to wrapped in bubble wrap.
"I'm incapable." Katsumi stated.
"I think Itachi just wants to be there for you and his new niece or nephew." Ibiki weighed in, trying to convince her of Itachi's good intentions.
"I know that." Katsumi hushed him. "You can have the spare room until the baby is born." She added looking at Itachi. "But first..." Ibiki sighed, she was going to ask for another foot rub. "I need a foot massage; your skill will determine if you can stay." Ibiki laughed and Itachi smiled a little. He gently took Katsumi's swollen feet in his lap. As he worked his magic, Katsumi relaxed and smiled.
Once they finished eating and drinking, Itachi stated that he to get his things and he would be back in the morning with what he needed. He also agreed to bring more dango for Katsumi.
Katsumi sat up and yawned, stretching her arms.