Like the Glow of Light-Green Emeralds

by Yazziyou's Daydreamer

Itachi has been given a mission, to answer the plea for assistance from the Black clan, a clan the Uchiha are closely related to but too different from them to get along with. His father wants their precious 'demon blood gifted' males to join with his clan. Death follows and the only one left is a toddler, Harry, Itachi insists he raises the sweet demon child himself. MPreg, slash

21. Chapter 21

The chapter ended up being 12725 words long without author's notes. Please enjoy! It's quite a roller coaster this chapter!

Start Chapter 21

"Wait… we…. We are going to where our clan… where… where it settled?" Kakashi sputtered, evident excitement in his voice. He didn't even try to hide it. Finally he would be able to get real information on them and in turn Harri! He…. Wasn't even actually sure what their original clan's name was… huh… how did the kid avoid telling him for so long?

"Yes. Exactly. You, Shikamaru, Shino, Neji and Harri…. Though I'm surprised… Harri hasn't shown up yet… Harri's.. always early for everything after all!"

It was several minutes later before he showed up. "I apologize for being late…. The seamstress and metalsmith… had to make a few last-minute changes to my clothing and…. I had to… finish up some last-minute preparations." Harri explained as he walked, almost reluctantly, into Hokage's office. He was wearing something akin to a mixture of Shino's heavy jackets and of something more traditional Uchihan, resting at his knees with a collar so high Harri's face completely obscured. Around his middle was a light armored plate and sported a light chest plate. Dark almost bruise-like bags gave Harri's eyes an almost sunken look and his hair was set in a bun so messy it was hard to believe it was even Harri under all of it. He looked dreadful and incredibly odd.

"What the? What's up with this?" Kakashi more demanded then asked. Glancing over at Shikamaru who downright looked baffled.

"It's going to be cold and…. I thought…. Maybe I… Should pay my respects In such a way that I was… Raised to…. Anyways…. We may be heading to tea country… but it's the mountains of Tea that…. We… have to go and It will get cold at night… very cold."

"And the… fans?" Kakashi asked, eying half a dozen worn, but beautifully painted, ornate looking wooden fans hanging around Harri's waist. "Offerings."

Shikamaru stepped forward, brow furrowed."Harri- I"

Harri Pulled a Sugegasa from his shoulders, adjusting the chin strap as he slid it on. All the while trying his best not to even glance at Shikamaru. "Lets go…. It's going to rain so… I would…. cover up if I were all of you." Harri said before hurrying out of the room. He was glad he had thought to get himself a waterproof backpack and had insisted that his clothing was as water-resistant as possible. He tried not to fidget with the fans at his side. Specifically…. The one Fugaku had gifted him right before the massacre.

Harri remembered being so happy that day, even with all the fighting between his grandparents and dad. That day had been special, no one fought Fugaku had laughed and said something about making it for him… That it was unique to the Uchiha to give… an offering of a fan that he had crafted it with his own hands, a little piece of his soul in a sense.

It had been an odd obsession of Harri's as a small child, collecting fans… one that he had nearly buried until his days of mopping after Asuma died had him wondering around the Uchiha compound. He had found them all, hidden away in the temple… under the floor. It was the one place he had never really wondered into and he knew that he hadn't put them in there. That was why it always felt so special when he got one it was… an Uchiha giving a part of themselves. And so…. Harri… didn't feel so…. Alone when he had them with him.

"Harri! Why are you rushing off? This-this isn't like you…. Not-not at all!" Shikamaru exclaimed, as he nearly ran after the smaller teen.

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"Harri! You've been ahead of us for hours! Slow down a bit our you're going to exhaust yourself! You've just barely recovered from nearly dying, take a break! Please, I don't want to see you collapse! We're all exhausted!" Shikamaru growled… His face twisted up into something almost frightened and desperate looking as he reached to grab Harri's hand. "I'm… lets-lets just take a break." Shikamaru mumbled. Freezing up as Harri twisted his head and he was able to clearly see Harri's ears. Fans. Harri had little fans hanging from his ears. Uchihan styled fans. No obsidian colored spheres. Nothing like Harri would ever pick to wear himself… Nothing that he wore was. And those eyes, so unlike the sparkling delighted gems he so used to. They met his, daring him to take hold of Harri's hand. Shikamaru's smile quickly twisted into a look of pure horrified understanding. Harri… Hadn't been around lately not because he was busy…. But… because he had driven him away with his angered words. He had wanted to take all of it back… to apologize the moment his father had gotten him to let all of his pain and grief out over Asuma's death but… he honestly hadn't had the time to find him. Shikamaru had been sent on 3 consecutive missions in the last month and a half and each only left him with the time to sleep, eat and then get ready to head back out.

"Harri, he's right, we need a rest. Especially you."

"Yes, from what Lady Tsunade has said, you aren't fully recovered yet." Neji agreed.

"For a few minutes." Harri finally agreed after he realized where they were. An area not far ahead had some caves that Harri had hid in after he escaped Lighting country.

It only took a good 5 minutes before they were at one of the larger entrances and one of the best-hidden ones. This was his place. It was safe here. Harri felt like he could actually breathe again after entering.

"How did you know about this place? It is well hidden." Shino said, tone curious.

"Cloth and blankets… bones… even a candle… You've been here before… haven't you?" Neji exclaimed.

"For a… time. I was too exhausted to get to leaf in one go. My strength had been sapped too much to do something like that… So I had no choice but to stay here for a bit. Just until I had enough strength to leave." Harri explained, trying his best not to look around much. The memories were still too fresh for that.

"How… how bad of shape were you in? I've never really heard what happened." Shino asked.

"Yeah…. I hadn't either." Kakashi confirmed, staring Harri down.

"I got….. I got… captured and I….. escaped." Harri said with a tense shrug. Concentrating with all that he was on anything else but those memories. Digging his nails into his hand to force his brain from the sudden feeling of water all around, so much water. No, he wouldn't think about that.

"Hey, kid. You don't have to talk about it if you don't want to….. I know how it is."

"Jiraiya?" Kakashi squawked, barely controlling himself from throwing a Kunai at the man.

"Yeah, I'm as surprised as you all are, I assure you!" The older man laughed. Placing his hands on his hips and leaning forward with a sly grin. "I thought I saw that familiar hair of yours Kakashi. It was a few miles back when you were all passing through that little farm village… so…. Bein' the inquisitive fella' you all know I am… I thought…. I should probably check it out. Just felt weird, ya'know? I guess I was right though… Now I'm just wondering why you are all out here, this way? No one ever comes to this area, it's remote even for us after all."

Harri nibbled his lip and rubbed at an eye. Trying to let on how exhausted he really was though he turned to the white-haired man. "We're heading to my mother's compound… I-I need information. The only place I know of that can help me is that compound…." He explained. Clenching his sleeve. "You see…. It's the only place left that I might be able to finally find it…. I've looked through the Uchihan archives… and all of the Hatake I could get a hold of…. Same with the Nara…." Harri said, eyes gaining an almost fanatical glint of utter devoted desperation to them as Harri spoke.

"I've even looked through as much of the Leaf's that I was permitted…. I tried looking through the Sand's and as much of the land of Wave's and Lightning's that I could get a hold of! The-the only fruitful things I have found were a few tiny pieces outside of those that my father brought back in the leaf and not much outside of the Uchihan archives and a-a book in sand that was interesting but useless…. U-useless! And most things were just legends…. Lightning…. And even Wave was more fruitful… but still useless for what I need." Harri explained, hysterical and wild-eyed and he sounded nearly in tears.

"What? Ha-Harri… If I had known… you were becoming….. obsessed… I wouldn't have agreed to this…. This… is an unhealthy level of fixation….. You're…. Not just….. sounding curious anymore….. you… you've become obsessed you are…. Consumed by this." Kakashi hissed between his teeth. The man forced out a calming breath. "Maybe we should-"

"I'll go either way. I already told Tsunade…. If she… didn't allow me…. I would have left anyways! I'm… used to doing things myself… for myself at this point. I wish she had. Then maybe…. I could-…. I" Harri sighed.

"What the…. What is this?" Neji choked. Holding up a piece of paper, more specifically, a bounty.

"It's nothing to worry over," Harri assured, even as his eyes widened and he hunch over on himself.

"How-how isn't this something to worry over?! You have a bounty on your head, a huge one!"

"What? Harri, what is he talking about?" Kakashi demanded to know.

"Is that why you wa-wanted to go alone?" Shikamaru asked in a small trembling voice.

Harri rolled his shoulders and stood, being as quick as he could without making it obvious he was trying to flee.

"Not happenin' kid. What's going on here. Let me see that!" Jiraiya insisted, latching onto Harri's shoulder and holding his hand out.

"What the-200,000,000 Ryo? What the hell did you do kid? That's like small country destroying money!"

"It says here. Wanted alive, payment not given… if fatally injured…. Payment received from the Wave Daimyo himself! That's more than what Wave country as a whole!" Kakashi exclaimed. Immediately turning to his cousin. "What is going on here Harri? A bounty like that doesn't just spring up out of nowhere! And the Wave…. There's no way they could afford something like that by themselves so that means more than one person is involved! More…. More than one land!"

"It's nothing. I knew I wouldn't… be allowed back so near this area for a while if I said anything… but it isn't as big of a deal as your making….. it out to be, I promise! I just… I have to get to my clan's compound. I need to understand. I promise I didn't do anything to cause that bounty. I… They think I'm someone else. They put a bounty on me because they believe… I'm some person that the young lord had gotten engaged to or something a few years back who…. disappeared. Now he's obsessed with anyone with green eyes and black hair since it's so unusual there." Harri insisted, waving off the group's concern.

"Yeah… well, that may have worked… if the picture wasn't an exact match for you… It's a photograph of you…. Describing that unique ability you have….." Jiraiya pointed out.

"You mean the rain thing." Shino hummed out, waves of disapproving parent friend chilling the air.

"No….. I don't…. even know what you're talking about with that one…. I'm surprised none of you know….." Jiraiya snorted, then aimed a perfect pearly white smile at Harri. " Oh well, our Harri here has quite the nifty little gift here, Right Harri?.. Real interesting… Huh… Not feeling talkative? Then… Would you care to play a game of dice with me Harri? I wonder…. who would win?" Jiraiya said, smirking slyly when Harri tensed up.

"How-how do you know about that?" Harri choked out.

"You mean….. how do I remember that, right? Well… you see…. It isn't every day you see a powerful adult demon bowing and apologizing to a child while ranting and raving about not playing games of chance with individuals like you… since apparently whatever you are… never loses games of chance."

"Games of ch-chance?" Neji repeated, going slightly pale at those words.

"You… didn't happen to try to wipe the place out… right, gambling? Or even worse…. You were… guarding the Wave country's Daimyo…. Did he by… any chance find out about your nifty little trick and get greedy?"

"Stop! I-I don't want to talk about this… I can't." Harri begged. Bubbling water, cold and suffocating, he would drown in the dark. He would-would.

"Leave him alone, can't you see you are pushing him too far?" Shino shouted, pushing Juraiya's hand from Harri's shoulder and although against what he would typically be comfortable with he pulled Harri to himself in tight hug. "It's alright. Just breath. In and out, slowly." Shino instructed, pulling Harri to sit when the other boy began to sag in his grip. It wasn't long before Harri fell asleep totally exhausted after weeks of unrestful sleep.

"He's going to go no matter what we say. He hasn't been himself since… since Asuma-sensei died and I think… He's just trying to find his own closure in someway…. With… someone. Harri… has had… a lot of death happening around him of mostly people that should have been important figures in his life…. And most of it was when he was a lot younger…. I'm… sure that Asuma… being as close as he was with him… opened up…. a lot of wounds he had not even realized he had. Especially when he was ridiculed for not crying. It… has really deteriorated his mental state." Shino explained, shooting daggered looks at Shikamaru who ready to throw up and had his eyes completely averted.

"When I realized he wasn't going to either place, the Nara compound or the Hatake…. I began having him stay with me…. Why, you may ask? Because…. I was worried about him being alone after he spent the night the first time… I quickly realized… that he was suffering from symptoms of someone who has been extensively mentally and emotionally traumatized… It just… I do not think that it kicked in until… he felt isolated and vulnerable."

Shikamaru cringed along with Kakashi. Neither had taken the time to really interact with Harri in quite some time… Kakashi had been focused on Naruto's training…. While Shikamaru… He had actively been avoiding thinking about what he had said through work. But on more than one occasion, he had at least tried apologizing… Harri just always walked away before he could say anything or he would disappear.

Taking out the earings he gave Harri… that meant.. meant… he.. Shikamaru felt like his heart had been ripped right out of him. They had promised each other… they would always be together. And he had to be a total bastard to him. Worst of all he hadn't meant a word that he had said. Not a single one. Even as he said them he couldn't believe what was coming out of his mouth. Harri loved him Harri would have been devastated if anything happened to him. Shikamaru had just dealt with everything in a horribly unhealthy manner and in turn drug poor Harri into it. Gentle empathetic Harri who hadn't ever been allowed to express his grief properly himself… Or had ever really ever been allowed to express how he really felt until Sasuke left and Shikamaru had to call him a-a monster!

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"What the…. Look at these statues. They look like the ones in the shrine at home." Kakashi pointed out. Eying various nearly pristine-looking statues of dog-like creatures. As they went farther figures of people began to appear.

"Wait… I recognize these…. The foolish and crazed brother and sister twins who are known for having low standing among the gods Black… Then-" Neji said, trotting ahead a bit then waited for the others to catch up. "Yes just as I suspected! These statues, they go up by rank of importance!.. That means that this place is probably one of the very last monuments so far south that hold a full temple of all of the gods Black! There are several that I have never even seen before!"

"There's…. a really creepy vibe to this place," Jiraiya grumbled, glancing at Harri.

"What-look at that! It's amazing! Like a palace!" Neji exclaimed uncharacteristically overly enthused, making a startled noise when Harri yanking him back as the young man went to rush over the threshold. Harri did this before walking over it himself. Instantly lightning hit him from all sides making a strange symbol in the air around him.

"What the, Harri!"

"I'm fine I just-" Harri grumbled, yanked his necklace off, with weak jerky movements. Relief instantly bubbling through him as he felt like for once… he could actually breathe. This was right more right than anything he had ever experienced before. Finally, being able to release all of that pent up energy without fearing, he would kill everyone. Once the energy eased down Harri beckoned for the others to come in.

"The protections around this place were desperate for renewal. I could feel it latching on to me before I even approached the gate. If Neji had come through…."

"I… would have likely died." The other boy finished, grimly, rubbing at his eyes.

"Yes," Harri said, hesitantly putting his collar back on. It felt so wrong.

"This place… I thought you said it had been burned?"

"The sleeping quarters…. And my mother's quarters had been. Anywhere… someone slept. My father… said even the dogs… the dogs were burned."

"Everything looks taken care of…"

"A statue of the goddess, Sirius! It looks almost alive!" Neji pointed out. Frowning when he saw the hyper realistically painted idol.

"It… looks so much…. like you, Harri." Shikamaru muttered, a strange twisted feeling writhing in his stomach…. It wasn't right… something wasn't right…. How did some old statue of an ancient god… look… so much like him? Too much like him to be mere coincidence. What was going on here?

"Nephew, my dearest princess, is that really you? I'm so happy you came home! I'm… sorry I couldn't bring you back.. but, I had to sleep until you returned." A deep voice called out. Mist began forming around everyone's feet and the sounds of shoes clapping on brick filled the air in the most unnerving echo. A tall, handsome, in a rugged sort of way, man with wild dark colored hair, and with facial hair came from around a corner, all relieved smiles that quickly melted into a mess of horrified tears.

Harri felt frozen on the spot when the man met his eyes with gunmetal silver. And the man was suddenly standing in front of him, cupping his cheeks. "Your-your nearly an adult. But… it hasn't been nearly long enough for that. I'm sorry! So sorry! I knew we couldn't trust the Uchiha to care for you properly! I would have faded if I tried leaving though! I'm sorry! "

"Can someone please explain what is going on?" Kakashi hissed shakily, pulling a Kunai out. The feeling about this man. It… it was terrifying!

The dark-haired man barely even gave the group a glance until his eyes landed on Kakashi with a startled eyebrow raise and a sad longing. "Huh, you're actually a descendant of two of my closest cousins…. I wouldn't bother trying to harm me. They may have been brilliant… but with their inferior strength and deluded blood…. even together they couldn't have tried taking me on. They were… more tacticians than anything….. Though even weaker than most of us… I do miss them very much…. They would have known how to deal with all of this before it got to this point….. They would have been able to make my lady see reason." The man lamented, nuzzling Harri.

"So… Why have you all come here?" The man asked, pointing to his forehead. "Clearly, you aren't here to ask for prayers to be heard…"

"Wait so…. You're… you're Harri's… you're his uncle?" Jiraiya managed to speak up. Looking at the man with distrust.

"Not…. exactly. I'm a close cousin. But…. Well… we all were to some extent…. Besides my twin cousins…. And a few bastards with the Uchiha clan…. The main family was as pure as it gets….. That's not exactly easy to do when your such a rarity, though…. So very many of us have died over the eons. We.. don't always get along…. And when that happens…. Anyways…. I'm as good as being his uncle…. I always have been. Now why are you here?"

"I-I need information." Harri nearly begged, feeling fuzzy and warm and better than he had in months. This was his close relative. He was certain. His scent was familiar and warm, so safe feeling. Like a good dream.

"Whatever you like… sweet boy! I've always tried imaging what your voice would be like when you were older… It's a good voice. I will take you to the archives. Sadly your mother wasn't one for reading all that much. Your father was, though. Your mother was dear to me, but… I did always hope with that more curious disposition that you would eventually end up more like him in that aspect." The man laughed, leading Harri by the shoulder down past a rainbow of colorful flowering bushes and flowers.

Kakashi… wasn't a fan of those casual touches and clever eyes…. Something felt… off… like really really off...

"Wow, look at all the hot springs!" Shikamaru pointed out. Looking around there was pool after pool full of steaming water as they walked.

"It is just up ahead here. Not far."

"How big is this place? I swear we have been walking forever!" Jiraiya said, eyes all over the place as his eyes got bigger and bigger at all of the sights.

"Yeah…. It makes me wonder how many people once lived here." Kakashi agreed.

"Here. It's this one." The man said, pointing at an ornate building easily 5 times the size of the Hokage mansion.

"Just this is your archives?"

"Am I the only one to notice all of the dog and fan decoration on all of the buildings? What strange architectural features….. That… and a few statues of the same man holding a scythe. They are always presented just as beautifully as those of Sirius and his fan weapon."

"What do you expect. We live for a long time…. And at one time there were many of us."

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This is amazing! A Journal, written by the first Hokage's great grandfather! A Jutsu scroll from the first Mezokage! Scriptures on different types of demons etiquette! Treaties signed by sages and clan heads! You even have stuff on the Nara in here!" Jiraiya shouted, totally impressed.

"Yes, I've found everything my clan lost just in the last few hours…. I-I'm learning so much!... yet…. Some things are still not quite adding up."

"Maybe we need to look in different areas?…. But I feel the same way…"

"He's…. Really fawning over Harri… isn't he?"

"Yeah… I can't read the guy."

"And it's like he's trying to distract us any way possible."

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It was late into the evening of the third day when the strange man joined the group to bathe. Smiling wistfully as he spoke about the night that had ruined everything.

"He was… nearly drowned in my cousin's blood…. That… that is why he is so afraid. Harri didn't like water when he was little…. His… screams… they… they were terrible until my older brother would cheer him up…" The man ran a hand through his hair. A haunted frown tugging at his lips. "It probably didn't help that his mother had forgotten him in water a few times when he got distracted… not deep mind you but deep enough to make one so small…. nervous... But… he's so afraid now." The man shuddered, staring at the surface of the water with an almost lost expression. All except Harri, who only stayed in long enough to get clean and booked it out of there.

"It…. It was the only time I ever saw him cry in fear." The man insisted, wringing his hands together. "You… see…. He was always such a happy child. So… very happy… He was always smiling and even as a pup he tried his best to cheer everyone up. He's always been.. very empathetic and so…. Very sweet." The man said, tone suggesting that he didn't think it was a good thing. He abruptly stood, going stone-faced. "Anyways…. I'm going to go and find something to eat…. I'm sure you are all hungry after all.."

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He didn't want to leave. He didn't ever want to leave… but why did this feel-

"Harri! Where are ya' kid?"

"They won't ever leave us be… if they were to find out what we are. That's just how humans are….. Here let's get you something to eat. Let uncle take care of you, my treasure! I'm sure you must be starving. You poor thing, so thin. I won't let anything like this happen to you ever again… I can't let them take you from me… I can't bare being so alone again!"

Harri nuzzled into petting hands, nearly purring in delight. What was he thinking about before? A delicious scent hit Harri's nose. The familiar smell of small furry mammal.

"Your mother loved rabbit…. he craved it while he was pregnant with you…. I am sure that you will like them too!" The dark-haired man insisted. His face fell for a moment. "I am sure they never taught you how to hunt properly, so I'll catch these ones." The man's face lit up with an almost crazed grin.

"I am so proud that I get to be the one that teaches you such things!... Though it saddens me that our pack was unable to experience this as well. Because of… of. That's… okay though.. Okay, because you will be a fine hunter after I am done teaching you! Maybe not like my brother right away…. Big brother was the best, He was the best. I miss him…. But…. Everything is okay now! We will get through this together…." The man's tone warbled for a moment before his face fell back into a cheerful mask.

"And once I teach you how to stabilize my body, we will be able to go back out into the world together!" The man said, smiling even as something about his tone of voice had terribly sinister note to it. A dark promise… And Harri nearly reacted to it… but…. it was fine. Everything was how it should be. Uncle knew what was best. Harri purred when the man nuzzled him affectionately and tugged him into a hug then kissed his forehead before heading off, making Harri feel pleasantly fuzzy. He stumbled over to a tree and sat down feeling sleepy and disoriented, utterly drained. That… didn't feel.. normal.

"There you are! It is a good thing I sent out my insects for reconnaissance earlier or we would never have found you in this place!" Shino said, pure relief in his tone of voice.

"I didn't need to be found…." Harri weakly protested.

"What are you saying? Of course, you do! Even if that man is your clan mate he clearly is not in his right mind."

"I'm staying…. here… Here feels… right."

"Neji is missing Harri! I do not know what that mist is, but once it faded a bit we were able to realize he was gone."

"Uncle said he didn't hurt him," Harri mumbled, yawning.

"Wait… you know?"

Harri hummed, blinking tiredly. "Hyuuga's can see what we are. They're not something safe to be around at my age… That's what Uncle said… its what-dad said to. They'll figure it out and lock me away… like Lightning tried doing."

"What you are? Lightning?"

"Harri!"

Quite suddenly, a familiar scent filled Harri's nose as he was crushed to a comforting chest. Wait. What was going on here? Harri could feel himself able to focus a little more and the feeling of wrongness became more noticeable.

"I was so so worried about you! I'm so sorry for all the things I said to you! I-I never meant a word of it! I never did! I'm so sorry! I love you so much! So much!" The young man babbled, clinging to Harri desperately.

"I-I felt like I was going to die the last few months without you around. I let my hurt turn me into a monster when Asuma died! You weren't a monster, I've never thought you were one! I was the monster, not you! N-Never you! I was a total cowardly bastard! A total drag! I hate myself so much for hurting you! I was just looking for someone to blame because I was too much of a coward to admit things like that can happen without reason. I was… just too scared! No matter what I had done… That I… No matter what I did… I hadn't been good enough at the time to save my own sensei!" Shikamaru sobbed, that handsome face covered in tears and snot.

The Nara teen didn't even care at that point who saw or heard about his little breakdown. He needed Harri to see that he really did mean it all. Harri was too important to him and he would never ever again treat him that way just to save face and hide away from his fears and problems! He had told Harri to never hold back how he felt because he was safe with him. How could he have said that then ridicule him the way he did because he himself felt so hurt? He disgusted himself how pathetic he was. Shikamaru was braver now though he would never hide himself from Harri again. Harri should never feel anything but the happiness and love and comfort that they had always brought each other and Shikamaru would strive to spend the rest of their lives doing anything he could to make up for his behavior.

"Shika? I… I'm sor-ry for…. Asuma. I'm… sorry." Sadness and relief bloomed in Harri's stomach at those words and when lips met his own… it felt like fire blazing through him. He wasn't a monster he-he wasn't one. Harri managed the weakest of nuzzles against the boy's neck before the conflicting feelings of needing to be obedient to his uncle and thinking for himself kicked in. "We…. Need.. to collect the s-crolls and find Neji. We-…. Need to leave." Harri managed to say after a few minutes of deep breathing the potent pheromones from Shikamaru's scent glands.

The pair nodded.

"I believe your… uncle… was bathing you in his pheromones…. " Shikamaru observed, sounding none too pleased about it and he rubbed his face over Harri's jacket, unable to help himself at that point with so little of his own scent on Harri.

Harri nodded in agreement and pushed himself to his feet even while a part of him protested disobeying the other man. This one… Harri adored Shikamaru. "Alright le-"

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Harri woke to the sounds of paper shifting and scrolls being dropped left and right. He had to use all of his concentration and strength to force his way to his feet. Harri looked around, feeling a bit dazed. Not really sure where he was or what was going on. The last thing he remembered was Shikamaru breaking down in tears and apologizing to him.

"Hey…. Hello? Ugh, kid, get up! I don't have much time left… It took too much energy to wake myself up… And well…. I was barely able… to keep a flicker of me attached to this place. I was too disintegrated at that point….. meaning I don't have much time left so move it!" A handsome strange familiar man insisted making shooing motions with his hands.

"Come on! Hurry, I doubt you will be able to come back for a long time after this pup! This area is all boring useless crap about old men." The man said, motioning around with a disgusted look and completely disregarding the bewildered Harri.

"I overheard you saying something about needing information on family techniques while your poor uncle was slowly descending farther into his role of being king of the batshit crazy kingdom. Not saying that I don't love him dearly but he is ya' know a little eee….. if you know what I mean.." The man said making a so so gesture.

"Anyways nothing in this area is worth looking at for learning how to be a magnificent god-like me and you'll need to get all the help you can for what's ahead; trust me! That damn bitch probably thinks she's home free now that I'm out of the picture no one would have tried the crap that was going on if I was still in the picture but… well it can't be helped now." The man said with an irritated growl that reminded Harri very much of a feral dog. Honestly something about the man, in general, did that, but he couldn't really put his finger on what.

"I mean yeah, there was that one time that I decided I just wasn't going to step in when she first started up… but well.. you know sometimes dealing with human issues, you need a break. How was I to know not dealing with her would turn into such a hassle for you? I mean… not that I would change anything! That 200 year break was awesome and so needed I mean listening to humans and lesser demons whine all the time!" The man grumbled rolling his eyes as he led a disturbed looking Harri.

"Oh, please stop the mudslides they are destroying or villages! Hey, I was an asshole, but please don't drown my country! I mean maybe stop building your houses there and maybe you should throw around a couple of compliments when I'm nice enough to stop in your little gambling hall! That's all that I ask. It gets so draining! Like a total killjoy, you know? And the vacation was worth it. I had the most beautiful tan during that time and my hair looked great too! Not that it doesn't always look great." The man babbled, grinning cheekily as a battle-ready Jiraiya literally jumped in front of him.

"What the hell are you going on abou- What the- You-you looked just like that-that statue… The one Sirius…. But how?"

The roguishly handsome curly-haired man grinned, "I'd like to think I'm a lot better looking than that old thing! I mean I may not be a pup anymore, but I'm sure not some geezer either. I mean, I've never been turned down even once in my whole life!…" The man insisted. "and I mean… I've lived quite a bit longer than anyone I know of…. Excluding maybe…. the Shinigami… and they were kind of just, you know… around for all eternity… so that's not exactly fair to bring them into this conversation. But still! Honestly I look great for having a pup, less than half a millennium ago, right? Too bad I couldn't have made him stay that way like before. He was so cute as a little pup! He.. he was always so happy and friendly, without fail he could put a smile on anyone's face! I wish he could have never lost that life… but you know things happen." The man said, said tone quickly turning back into a boisterous devil may cry sort of tone.

"What your saying… your…"

"Harrison's mom, uh yeah.. pretty sure that's what I was saying! I mean look at us. He may be built more like a traditional carrier, but that gorgeous face doesn't lie! Do you really think anyone else could make someone that was that good looking? I mean even that butt, that's a continental religion grade ass there!" Sirius insisted make an up and down motion as Harri looked ready to pass out or die… or both. Whatever happened first. Even Jiraiya looked mortified on Harri's behalf, even if he did agree with the man… demon…. god… whatever. Thank god that man hadn't been around to raise the poor kid the way he eagerly showed the kid off like a piece of meat to a total stranger. He may have been a perve, but ugh, Harri was like a little grandkid or something to him. This was just too wrong even for a S class super perve like himself!

"Anyways, let's collect your little friends here and get to the fun stuff! I still can't believe you ended up like your father, so unfair! If he were still alive I'd have to tell him he was right, then he'd say 'I told you so!' At least you got my looks gorgeous, just like your Momma!" Sirius teased, squshing a stunned Harri against his chest playfully. Then Winking saucily at Jiraiya who wasn't sure to be disturbed or…. A little turned on. He didn't think he had ever been attracted to a man before… Something about Sirius was both terrifying…. And a bit sexy somehow.

"This is… your mom?" Shikamaru squeaked. "But I thought he died and why does he look like Sirius?"

"Uh because I am! Seriously, I'm sure it hasn't been long enough to forget all about this beautiful mug of mine! Get it, Har' seriously? No? Ugh, you ended up being so your dad's kid!" Sirius pouted. "You act like you haven't ever seen any head family full of gods!"

"Wait so… my grandfathers.. were gods?" Kakashi sputtered, swaying. "You have to be joking?!" He insisted even though he had the most outrageous feeling that the man was telling the truth. But-

"Uh… technically if you go by mortal standards its like Demi-gods because they were part lesser demon, but still duh! Didn't they like keep any records about it? I mean, what about that painting I sent them? Surely you still have that right? Or the cards I use to send before I felt them fade out?"

"Uh… we um sort of had a horrible fire… that killed most of the clan?"

"I knew I should have made them come home or at the very least sent them a statue of me! Rudolphus was totally wrong! How could something like that be inappropriate when that painter he picked used materials that could burn? Who uses things that can burn when you know humans are at war? Like burning and pillaging are just on the 'to do' list during those times. So stupid! And that was such a nice painting too, they looked so dignified and proud." Sirius huffed, actually sounding a bit upset over them.

"Anyways. Yes, I am a god. No, I am not technically alive and I'm going to completely fade out pretty quickly here. Also, good job finding eye candy companions pup. Super happy with the packaging going on here… though… I could do without the frantically praying and chanting Hyuuga here… Like… I'm digging the worship and devotion playing out, makes me feel pretty, but we don't have the time for it and I still got a bit of a tick involving hearing a Hyuuga pray. I'm…. not really understanding how Snivilous' descendants ended up halfway decent looking but… I'm assuming like 99% of that ended up being whoever the unfortunate soul that he ended up hooking up with and I'm low balling it… Hopefully you're not as much of an asshole on top of it…. The Aburame….. is a weird choice… Not judging your fetishes, I mean, I've got a closet load… but I sort of am… You've got odd taste… I'm blaming that totally on your father."

"Your mom is weird, Harri. Like no smiting me or whatever but…. He is totally not what I would think of as some deity. Like, at all." Shikamaru grimaced, pointed looking at Sirius. He totally had no filter at all! "I take it back about having to deal with Kakashi and Iruka. I would rather that any day."

"He was… about like this in the few journals, I read…. I just… wasn't expecting him… to be a god… so… Yeah… lets just… um start moving. Also… I heard that and will be telling Iruka you've been complaining about us." Kakashi said, flustered at that point and more than a little mortified on Harri's behalf, who looked ready to just be buried. It seemed Sirius had… possibly even less of an attention span than Naruto if that was possible and would need some guidance getting back on track. Anything to distract from what it sounded like the man was implying was between Harri, himself and the others.

"So uh… what's up with your cousin?" Jiraiya asked after listen to the god idol chat as he led everyone to the proper archives.

"Huh…. Well… you see… He doesn't have a purpose anymore. I have learned that most Gods… and demons…. When they live… this long… when they have no purpose…. they… just lose it. Endless time full of empty nothing… Nothing to tie them to. It will send them spiraling into madness. It's the Black's curse. Rabastan' has always been more fragile than his brother but stable… His purpose was caring for and protecting the clan and to be a constant companion to his elder brother… Then Harri came along and you in particular light up his world. He helped keep things running and watched Harri all of the time…. Rudophus was one of the most stable out of all of us and Rabastan looked up to him and practically worshipped the ground he walked on. Now… Harri is the only one left he has." Sirius explained, tone almost regretful.

"I, myself, didn't do well for a time. I started to lose it after deciding I wouldn't grow attached to humans anymore after they had caused us so much heartache and anger. Remus filled that void… but then he died right away and I nearly went with him but.. Harrison became that piece keeping me from completely losing it. I can't be without companionship. Most of us wilt and warp, It can turn us into monsters and drowned whole countries with our unshed tears. You just… have to let everything out and get it over with. It's the best way to deal with most of the issues you'll have. Just know our love hurts. It's a terrible awful thing…. When you fall in love. There is no other that can keep your attention or make you happier or make you even feel alive ever again…. And if they die… You feel like piece of you are just slowly rotting away. You'll eventually die of heartbreak if you can't find something strong enough to hold you to this world…. And our kind doesn't have deaths like mortals. We… eventually, just fade until we are nothing… there is no afterlife. Don't be careless with who you give this power over you to because it's as good as pressing your beating heart into their hand." Sirius said, suddenly looking far more serious and focused then he had before.

"Your… quite the cheery one." Kakashi laughed out awkwardly.

"It's probably not the best time… to mention that Harri and Shikamaru were engaged then?" Shino said, giving Shikamaru the hairy eyeball. "As in him." Shino pointed at an alarmed looking Shikamaru.

"Him?" Sirius snorted, looking completely unimpressed. "I mean he's not bad looking but… I mean.. with your looks you could easily have anyone you wanted… and on top of that your so young why would you want to put on the old ball and chain so soon? And… where's your engagement jewelry? Nara very rarely find a suitable mate, but when they do their possessive bastards that want everyone to see what's theirs and that others can't have them, a leftover charm of Snivalius, I'm sure…. And I don't see anything dangling from those ears that suggests your engaged to a Nara."

"Why does everyone say that?" Shikamaru grumbled.

"I… was upset… He.. said somethings I knew he didn't mean when his sensei died but it… hurt more than I wanted to admit… I was feeling horrible at the time… and I took them out. But I found some old earings around the Uchiha compound and I put them in so the holes wouldn't close up. I…the thought of breaking off our engagement hurt too much, but… thinking he may really hate me…. That hurt too much for me to bare wearing a reminder around."

Sirius gave Shikamaru a nearly pants pissing glare. "You're lucky we're here. Start collecting what you can. It won't be long before Rabastan picks up on where we are. I don't have the power to avert his attention for much longer. I wish we could have talked a little bit longer…. Now… for that collar…. It needs to be removed…. It's… tricky because of what I know Rabastan will do to you if you remove it. But… Honestly it's the best option… and having it on for very long isn't good for you. Especially at your maturity….. With it on… he can take power from you… and force you under his influence. The longer you have it on around him the weaker you become and stronger he becomes…. But… if you take it off…. He will be able to force you into… your base form…. Something… I can tell you haven't been in since you were with me… then he will once again try to force you under his control, but… it will be harder and he won't be able to gain any advantage over you by subjugating your power. I'll disrupt him as long as I can… but… I won't be much help for more than a minute or so I'm too damaged to stay together no matter how much energy I put into trying to repair myself… because all that's left of me is hardly a matchstick worth of what I was." Sirius said, completely diverting the conversation.

"Is it true goddess Sirius? Have all of the other gods been destroyed?" Neji asked, looking at Sirius like he was his only one true salvation.

"Yes. It's not all that big of a deal in the scheme of things I suppose…. We're just miracle makers. We don't actually have to be around for things to happen… I mean look at the world around you. It's still gone on without us. Though maybe part of it is because we're… just a form of sentient energy? I don't know… I liked to leave the deep thinking to Remus and Snape. Harrison is still around to so…." The man shrugged.

"Now for the last thing, I have a war fan, carved from my very own bones and a difficult to find chakra channeling metal alloy. Quite literally a pain to make. But worth it. The Uchiha modeled their sacred Gunbai after it and your natures are perfect for it. Lighting, Water, and Wind… once you're trained up a bit more and matured I'm sure you'll have no problem whipping up storms and drowning your enemies! Someone gives you a bad hair cut, do what I'd do just make sure that never happens again and just send a hurricane or something to that area, totally foolproof!"

"Uh… as your parental.. figure.. at least your decent one with you right now… I'm telling you don't follow that advice. Please, just don't." Kakashi sighed, even as he continued stacking scrolls in neat piles on top of his unwound storing scroll. Getting a pout from the god.

Harri shot him a look like he couldn't believe the man felt like he even needed to say anything, Shikamaru did the same thing.

"This guy man… how troublesome!"

"Huh…. I guess it's going to rain….. Sooner then, I thought."

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It wasn't long after that when Rabastan showed up. Clearly enraged. He seemed even angrier when he saw Sirius, strangely enough.

Sirius had underestimated the amount of time he had by a couple of minutes and that probably was what turned the tide with the whole situation. They didn't manage to get incredibly far, but it was far enough that they could see the gates when Rabastan caught up, mist writhing around his feet and quickly spreading out like tendrils of a massive writhing octopi.

"Harrison. Here, now." The man growled.

Harri froze.

"Harri! Damn it!"

"Toss the necklace Harri! We'll figure something out to help with control! He said it was bad for you anyways!"

"I-I need it."

"No, you don't! Is it worth being trapped here forever?" Shikamaru growled.

"I can't. If I get too emotional."

"If you get too emotional, you can have a good cry! I don't ever want you to feel like you have to bottle everything up! I keep telling you this! This whole weird backward world thing didn't change anything about the way I feel about you! Got it you troublesome silly thing! Even if….. I do feel a bit hurt and betrayed that you didn't tell me anything about this… Though…. I may have not believed something so crazy without seeing it with my own eyes!" Shikamaru exclaimed, yanking the necklace over Harri's head and throwing it. He immediately snatched Harri's hand into his and practically drug him forward.

Harri fell to his knees and yowled in pain as his bones began to snap and stretch until he was a canine-like creature nearly the size of a large horse with strange fur that looked almost to be made of the blackest of storm clouds and sparks of lightning. Harri was confused not even noticing the added weight on his back when Shikamaru latched on for dear life.

Rabastan's adoring triumphant smile immediately fell from his face and he was so stunned by Harri running away from him, instead of to him, that he only managed to act after Harri was mere feet from the gates.

Harri wasn't sure how he was suddenly throwing himself over the compound's threshold but didn't question it. In his rage Rabastan had overshot the wave of water he sent at Harri and it was so strong it launched Harri off the mountainside and Harri had no idea how to right himself with his now large strange form.

Safe to say, he landed very very badly.

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"So….. first off. I'm going to say right now totally disregard anything that maniac told you. You aren't going to be mass-murdering people for petty reasons…. Though I doubt you would. Thank goodness!"

"Agreed. No offense… I know he was your…. mother… but… he was crazy as hell and really petty." Shikamaru grumbled, rubbing the back of his neck.

"You don't have to tell me that twice," Harri grumbled.

"Secondly, why didn't you tell me about any of this? Keeping this all a secret? Do you know how many people would be after you if they knew? I mean clearly, Lightning had an inkling with the way that you keep talking around them. Think about if the Akatsuki found out? Your mother and cousin barely had enough of themselves left to keep existing and I am certain we couldn't have faced either of them, not even all together! How powerful are you at this point?" Kakashi questioned.

"It doesn't really matter because I'm not interested in fighting anymore! I just want to get married to Shika' and…. I want to be able to do what I want to do. The best way to deal with this is to pretend nothing happened! I'll study the scrolls, but… unless I am needed direly I don't want to go out in the field anymore… with my intolerance to the cold being worse again… and my leg so badly broken… I doubt I'll have to for a while no matter what."

"Did… you do that on purpose?" Kakashi questioned, tone dead serious as he eyed Harri critically.

"No. Of course not! I'm not a fan of pain… but… that landing did its job all the same."

"Tsunade…. She's wanting to assign you to a mental healer."

Harri snorted. "What should I tell them? Oh, lighting country caught me and locked me up in a cave full of nothing but water and a tiny island in the middle of it to sit on because I pretended I wasn't a god when I was a god and was pretending not to be one because I didn't want to get involved in some crazy cannibalistic cult? Yeah, that's going to go over well!" Harri snorted.

"When did you gain the ability to become so sarcastic?" Kakashi snorted, even as he laughed in a bit of an uneasy way. Harri was joking right?

"We still haven't decided what to do…. It is important we figure out what to do with the information that we got." Neji insisted. Staring Harri down in fanatical worship. His eyes gleaming like the teen was convinced he could solve all of his problems. Yet his expression was twisted with conflicting feelings.

"Well, I thought it was already decided? Why, because Harri isn't a tool to use. If everyone was to find out about his true nature…. It would cause mass chaos. It would be hard enough to keep the peace if they all found out that Harri is a high classed demon, let alone a supposed god but far more doable." Shino insisted eying the Hyuuga with distrust.

"My clan was said to be amicable with the gods Black when they were here from what I have read and heard from the legends in my clan. We weren't best friends.. but we were considered allies to them specifically because we didn't have a desire to try and contain them or to use their power like other clans. The Nara, Yamanaka, and Akimichi trio are the same. They have never desired to use others to gain power and are content with what they have….. The Hyuuga, on the other hand, have a long history of fanatism and obsession with the Gods Black. Particularly members like Harri….. hermaphrodites. Harri said that Hyuuga can see… what he is. That's why he avoided the Hyuuga because he knew that if any of you found out you would cage him like a bird in a fine cage." Shino said, tone judgmental.

"He needs protection!"

"He has it already! He's a technically some sort of super-powered demon, remember kid? A demon marrying into one of the most powerful clans in the village, particularly in the political and allied department. He's marrying into an absolute powerhouse." Jiraiya pointed out.

"These days Shikaku has more sway on the council then just about anyone else. On top of that they'll be even more powerful since Harri will be taking up the Mantel of Lady Uchiha once they tie the knot and that powerful name connected with a good respectable clan like the Nara will have people practically groveling at their feet. No, inter fighting would be worth the risk of over a hundred angry tactician geniuses on your ass. I mean If the Nara weren't so lazy and weren't such decent people… good grief the damage they could do! I bet ya' they could take over the whole village in a matter of a few days and no one would be any the wiser!" Jiraiya exclaimed.

"Not to mention that Harri isn't exactly a pushover even if he isn't exactly the shining example of the legends of the gods Black… Though honestly, thank them for that because no offense but we don't need two Sirius' running around. That's just nightmare fuel there!"

"That.. is true. And… I don't want… him to not be happy. I…. I won't tell them. Only because he doesn't wish me to, though," Neji said with a longing gaze.

"By the way… What's up with the whole drowning people thing? Am I the only one that keeps reading things about Sirius drowning people for the dumbest reasons?" Kakashi pointed out.

"Yeah…. It seems to be mostly like. 'feeling cute today, I think I'm going to drowned a few villages later on, I'm sad now because I don't have anyone left to compliment me, going to go drowned some more, still feeling cute.' And then rinse and repeat with a few actual decent bits and pieces of information here and there filled with his ramblings about himself. It's like reading hundreds of years worth of some sort of demented narcissistic teenage girl's diaries." Shikamaru complained, so over with reading the diaries of a god already. He thought… maybe just maybe it would be cool… but he was so so wrong! He was totally not into it. Thank gods Harri wasn't anything like the man! Ugh, the idea. He didn't even want to contemplate it.

"Pretty much…." Jiraiya agreed. "Harri's mother was definitely a stereotypical god though."

"A god? Harri… is.. how is it possible?"

"D-dad? How much did you hear?"

"E-everything. I think… I need to sit down… I-I think I need a drink… a few drinks..."

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Things calmed down after a few weeks and everyone was closer than ever. Somehow them knowing what he was wasn't bad at all. Kakashi, although still a bit standoffish when it came to Harri's relationship with Shikamaru actually was not being quite as passive-aggressive and vocal about it. He even convinced Iruka to have dinner with the Nara. Iruka was still hurt and furious over the fact Harri hadn't told him about his engagement and how Shikamaru hadn't even thought of asking them for Harri's hand.

Kakashi had also taken to reading as many scrolls as he could that had to do with family chakra and jutsu so he could understand how to better help Harri. Shikamaru had done the same.. while Shino had taken to reading the scrolls that he had found about the origins of his own clan and their beetles along with different lost techniques of how to breed certain varieties of their beetles. The scrolls had gained a powerful friend in the Aburame clan as a whole. It… was so nice to have that weight lifted from his shoulders. Harri hadn't realized how suffocated he had felt for… as long as he remembered. It was such a relief…. Such a relief. Everything had finally begun to click into place.

000

Harri whimpered when teeth gently teased at his ear. "I told you to stop thinking so hard.~" Shika murmured, running cold hands over Harri's hips.

"You smell so good," Harri whined, tucking himself eagerly against Shikamaru, head foggy in a way he hadn't ever remembered happening before.

Shikamaru grinned wickedly, nipping at Harri's shoulder and shoved his hand between the folds of his Kimono. Moaning when his hands found a slick space. He watched Harri's reactions intensely. Pretty flushed cheeks had Shikamaru eagerly slipping his boxers off one thing on his mind.

"What the hell do you think your doing!?"

Shikamaru yelped as he was knocked ass first to the floor. "What the, why did you-"

"That is the second time this week…. and you smell.. even worse! You smell like…. Damn… Great!... That's all we need… You are going into rut. How didn't I… realize that before? If Harri sticks around you he is going to go into heat and that is… something I just cannot deal with right now. Iruka and I are way too young to be grandparents and I am….. sure your parents would feel the same way! Now quit it and go find something to distract yourself with, I'm sure a smart guy like you can cook up some hobbies…." Kakashi huffed and helped readjust Harri's robes.

"Harri, I'm making lunch. Would you like the beef or the- What the hell? Get some pants on boy! Ugh, I swear! I can't leave you alone with him for even a minute! What happened to the not doing anything under my roof thing? Or the promise to me you both wouldn't do anything together until you were married?" Shikaku grumbled.

Shikamaru quickly pulled his boxers back up, looking like he wanted to die in that moment. Though Harri didn't look much better.

"He's…. in the start of a rut. Probably…. for the first time…. I myself… have had some experience with such things….. I don't lose myself nearly as badly as a full-blooded demon would though….. But… it was probably brought on from a… mixture… of his love interest, Harri, coming back to the village, all of the stressful things that have been happening, and the fact Harri had, even if temporary, removed the earrings. So instincts will want him to make a more permanent claim before anyone else gets the chance. It's perfectly normal…. " Kakashi explained, trying to assure the other man.

"I know…. It's such a drag! I've been reading what I can about that sort of thing. It's….. Just not the best timing… especially with everything going on.. and with them both under my roof it's getting exhausting." Shikaku sighed. "I thought Shikamaru would have a bit more control of himself since he takes after me so much." The man admitted, giving his flustered son a look of resigned hopelessness.

"You underestimate the hormones of a teenager in love.~" Kakashi snickered.

"Didn't mean… to I just…. It's like my brain keeps totally shutting off!" Shikamaru exclaimed, utterly embarrassed by his laps of control again. Especially as he had never had anything like that happen before.

Harri nodded, unable to even speak in front of his two father figures, at least Shikaku didn't have to see what they were doing! That would be even worse. He didn't think he would be able to look at the man ever gain if it happened a second time!

"I guess we'll just be having to spend some quality time together at home. I'm sure being at home for a bit would soften Iruka up a lot more to your engagement…. Especially…. If it kept the two of you from… You know… going at it like rabbits. I…. somehow think that probably would not…. Endear either of you to him if that ended up happening and he ended up walking in on it…. Just…. a hunch there. But who am I to talk…?.. I'm just the uncool dad breaking things up before you can regret your decisions… or lack of them."

"What? No, I'll control myself! He's fine to stay!" Shikamaru insisted.

"No…. as much as I don't like admitting it, son….. Kakashi is right. This is for the best. Just until you've got your right head back in charge. Harri's going to need to stay away from you. I mean, if your this out of control, leaving him in the room with you alone for a few minutes… and this is the beginning of your rut…. Then… what's going to happen once it is in full swing if Harri's anywhere near you? His leg is broken… and even if he wanted to he wouldn't be able to get up and leave right now without help. I'm not saying you would hurt him. Far…. Uh…. from it… but you've got to remember you have a strong influence on him with those pheromones of yours. You will both end going at it whether both of you really want to….. No… Kakashi is right…. It's safer if Harri stayed with him and Iruka right now. As far from the compound as possible."

"But dad!"

"Can you really tell me you'll be able to keep it in your pants with him here?"

"I-uh"

"I think… your dad's right Shika'…. I can't think when I'm around you right now and clearly you can't with me around either."

"W-what… Harri? But I…" Shikamaru sighed, slumping as his father ruffled his hair. "Your right. Even now I can hardly keep my head clear enough to focus on this conversation. Damn it…. What a drag!"

"I know, son. Let's just get you through this as quickly and easily as we can so we can start to focus on the Akatsuki… and your wedding preparations…"

"Y-yeah."

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They quickly found out that even with Harri at the Hatake compound, occupied by more than half a dozen dogs and his precious Mai, separating the two was easier said than done. It eventually got to the point that neither were allowed to be unsupervised because there would be a high chance of finding Shikamaru all over Harri when one returned to the room. It was exhausting and not endearing Iruka to the idea of the pair getting married at all. It was because of this that when Harri's leg healed and Kakashi had to leave for a mission that Harri would be coming with him. Though, Harri had his own reasoning.

His mother had whispered to him before they had left… about a Gunbai, a battle fan that could only be wielded by he and Sirius…. Made from his mother's own bones… being hidden in the old Uchiha hideout. The sacred compound created long before the leaf was ever even a thought. That was where he would need to go. Having that Parental bond more firmly in place again with Kakashi and Iruka made it difficult for him to want to leave the man. He didn't want to upset Kakashi at all. He never liked doing things like that in the first place and it just made it harder…. But after this. After this…. he wouldn't have to fight anymore unless absolutely necessary.

When everyone was focused on Sasuke, Harri, took his leave. It would be fine. He would grab the war fan then leave. It was easy! It should be easy, he was sure! Something like that had to have some kind of energy signature or at least strong unique scent, so it wouldn't be that hard to find even in such a large compound. Harri was sure of that. What he didn't factor in was the fact that…. People might actually be there. Why would he ever think of something like that though? The hidden compound had been abandoned for well over 100 years already.

Harri couldn't help but make 'baby' noises in the back of his throat at the scent that hit him. The shark man and his father were both there….. He had to fight himself to stay hidden. He couldn't help but still adore both of them…. Even as he was terrified of them. Of what they had tried to do to him. What was even scarier was that he was sure the pair had truly thought they were doing what was best for him it had been an act of love.

Harri shook his head, grimacing when he realized he had to make his way to the same building he was confident his father was in. He could feel it. The weapon was in the lowermost floor of the structure. And… Sasuke was fighting him. Damn it! Relief hit Harri when the pair ended up leaving the throne room. He hadn't been sure if he could stay undetected long enough to be able to get through or not.

Harri grimaced as his newly healed leg burned when he began trying to move the massive chair built into the floor. He was sure it was the entrance. He could feel the war fan just underneath. But…. Harri wasn't the most physically strong individual. From what he could tell there was a seal on the throne that not only made it heavier then it should be but also was meant to prevent anyone that wasn't an Uchiha by blood from the head family from opening the sacred space.

Harri growled under his breath, whimpering when his leg creaked ominously. He wouldn't be able to open it through force alone, but… if he made much more noise he would surely be noticed by someone even with the fight going on. Harri sighed, hoping he wasn't making the wrong decision. He pulled a Kunai from his vest. He doubted even a powerful seal like that would be able to defend against a chakra like his own. It might not even know to defend against something like that since his energy was so different from that of normal living things.

"Ha-Harri?"

Harri froze, Sasuke stood, staring at him in pure disbelief.

The avenger's face broke out into a twisted broken smile. "You came! You really came to help me!"

"N-no. I didn't. You keep doing whatever you want to do but…. I'm here simply to retrieve something. I'm not a part of this. I could never hurt him." Harri said, turning to focus back on his task. He flinched as he heard a snarl. But managed to mostly push away the fear he was feeling. Pretending that Sasuke wasn't even there, covered in some disgusting slime. Thankfully Sasuke seemed to decide to do the same thing.

"Fine then. I don't need your help and I don't want it!" The Uchiha spat. "No matter what you say, I know you are lying to yourself. You just aren't willing to face the truth because it hurts so much for you… and… you don't have the strength to feel the hate necessary to continue on. But… I am and once… this is over. I'll keep on facing all of the bad for you….. Because that is what I was always meant to do for you…. You will be my heart and I will be your blade and shield. I'll… destroy anything that gets in our way even if you beg me not to." Sasuke whispered after a moment, smirk firmly in place as his curse mark spread across his body.

Immediately afterward, Sasuke used a strange dragon-like fire jutsu and launched himself out of the crack Harri realized he had slipped his way through to hide. Panic filled Harri as he felt the building rumble around him and stones began to pelt him. He wasn't even sure if it was stable enough to try and use his jutsu anymore. Harri yelped and fell on his butt when the ground shook again, cringing in pain when a particularly large stone hit him. This was getting so so out of control!

Harri froze. No no no! He thought they would just fight and then his dad would beat Sasuke and things would go on as they always had. But… Harri sprang from the hole in the ceiling. He was dying; there was no way that his dad could survive this! Not unless Harri could-could place a seal similar to Mai's upon himself. He had read the text involved but… One usually didn't perform such a jutsu unless they were much much older because it took so much power. That-that didn't matter though. He-he just couldn't let him die! No one else. He couldn't stand the thought of another person he loved, even after all that Itachi had done, to die. He couldn't do it again! He couldn't-He couldn't not again!

"H-Ha-Harri?" The man said, startled looking even as he began to slump. "You….. came?" He mumbled, smiling happily even as he began to hack up mouthfuls of blood.

Harri ignored Sasuke as he slumped to the ground. He would live but-but his dad. He was fading so so fast!

"Don't die! I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I should have made him stop! I'm-I'm so sorry! I thought it would be as it always is! I-please don't die! Please, I can't have you dying to. Everyone they keep-I try to stop it but I'm always too late! I-I don't even care about what you did anymore. I just-"

"I was going to die anyway. Don't worry, its for the best. I'm just….. so….. happy that I… got to see you again… So happy. I'm sorry…. I'm sorry that I have made you sad though. Please…. Smile… for.. me? Just… one last smile, pl-please?" Itachi said, beginning to gasp and choke.

"You're not going to die!" Harri stubbornly insisted even as he put a wobbly smile on his face. He pulled a Kunai out and bit his lip. "You-you won't die. I can save you. Just…. stay alive long enough. Please!" Harri desperately murmured, pulling up his sleeves. He began to cut symbols into himself groaning in pain.

"Ha-"

"Now, all I have to do is perform the jutsu!" Harri told himself, hardly even noticing the rain that began to fall in buckets around them.

Harri forced as much power as he could he hardly even noticed when a man in an orange mask stood beside him, nor when he drug Sasuke away or when his vision began to swim and fade in and out. Just a bit more just a-

"STOP!" A man's voice rang through Harri's ears and suddenly, Harri's head felt like someone had taken a mallet to it as he was knocked flying. Harri shrieked as his already painful, barely healed leg snapped after hitting a boulder-sized rock. Head and leg horrifically sharp pain again then head and leg and leg and cold and his body felt like every bit of it was broken he felt like he couldn't get enough air, but-

000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

Where…. Where was he? Why did everything hurt? Why did it hurt? It all hurt so much! Harri gasped for breath and writhed, moaning in pain. He felt like every bit of him was broken into teeny tiny razor shards.

"It's alright, Harri, everything's alright…. You got pretty badly hurt…. It looks like you even managed to break both of your legs, half of your ribs, an arm, most of your fingers and that collar bone of yours pretty bad. It's all going to be okay, though, because…. I am here to care for you. Finally. We can be together again." A familiar ominous voice croaned so very sweetly. "After I finish wrapping up some loose ends…. We can finally be the family we should have always been. Won't that be nice? Just like Itachi wanted."

It wasn't right, it wasn't! There was no way be broken so many things Harri was certain that he couldn't with that hit, positive. He was still awake when he hit that stone, the only thing that he could have possibly of broke was his leg again at the most! So, how? Ugh, it hurt, Harri couldn't help but let out a sob when he tried flexing things. Panting he let out a little dry heave from the pure agony. He hurt so bad he was half desperate to practically claw his way out of his own body just to escape the pain if it were something possible. He didn't understand-he-he it hurt!

"Hey now, calm down. No need to get so worked up. I'm here and I'll never leave you again, right?" Dark bottomless pits for eyes suddenly were inches from Harri's face, dead eyes and a twistedly adoring smile. Harri couldn't help but to shudder. Not again.

"Hurts." Harri whimpered, feeling like his body could give out at any moment from the pain alone.

"I know, but it's for your own good. We can't be having you run off, no. Not while you're all twisted up and confused by the leaf. Don't worry though the pain will help get your head about you and once you're all fixed up from the Leaf's influence over you, then we can trust you to stay here like the good boy I know you to be!... Don't look at me like that, we're giving you enough to keep you from dying from shock-induced pain. We aren't monsters, after all!"

End Chapter 21

So this chapter ended up way longer than I was expecting it to be. Before I started to correct this last part it was less than 10,000 words long so yeah, I did a lot of corrections.

So any ideas on who you think it is that got a hold of Harri? Should he find a way to get away or get rescued? Any ideas for the next chapter?

By the way I'm posting my art all the time that I draw of Harri on my facebook and Instagram under this same name so if you want to see some of my stuff please check it out!

Please review! It really helps me keep my muse going and gives me great ideas for the future!