To Never Love Again
Written by Brown Eyed Girl17
Beta'd and typed by Love the Omni
Brown Eyed Girl17 doesn't own Naruto... but I do! Ha ha ha! ... just kidding. No I don't. B) But I bet you there's one kid out there who actually believed me. :O
No lemons in this chapter but, as always, we bring you plenty of perverted sex jokes and the like. So don't be alarmed. :D
Chapter Four: Complications Part 2
Rekki never thought having a child would be so hard. Little Zai was a pain in the ass as the previous Zai had been. Uzumaki Zai was given the title of 'heir to the Ishizaki clan' since the Ichigan was dominant in males. Rekki had to guess that any daughters they had would have the Byakugan. Despite Rekki's disdain for pregnancy, Ryuho was set on convincing her to have another one of his children eventually.
"Isn't he sweet?" Hinata asked her daughter-in-law.
"He is. He's my little man," Rekki admitted. Ryuho faked a look of hurt.
"And I'm not?" Ryuho asked.
"You probably are because you came from the dickless wonder, 'little man'," Sai assured him. Ryuho gave him a look of pure anger.
"Sai, what did I tell you?" Sakura snapped.
"If I can't say something nice I shouldn't say anything at all," he recited.
"Then he'd never speak," Naruto mumbled. Sasuke, who stood next to him, gave them his famous Uchiha smirk.
"NARUTO! SASUKE!" Sakura growled, punching both of them with her monstrous strength. Hinata and Rekki sighed when poor little Zai started crying. Rekki started bouncing the infant and made a shushing noise.
Sakura stopped beating the Hokage and her husband senseless to check on the baby.
"He needs his diaper changed. Would 'daddy' like to change him?" Sakura asked Ryuho. Ryuho nodded hesitantly.
"I've never done this before," he announced, taking his son from his wife. Zai was still crying, his little face wrinkled and red. His hands were in fists and his toes curled.
"You'll do fine, honey. It can't be any worse than the first time your father changed you," Hinata assured him. Naruto glowered at the mentioning of his biggest act of idiocy.
"What happened?" Rekki asked. Sakura and Hinata exchanged all-knowing looks. Naruto, Sasuke and Sai shifted uncomfortably.
"Naruto was trying to change Ryuho and he started peeing while he was changing him so Naruto carried him through the house while he was still peeing and set him inthe toilet," Hinata told them. Naruto turned bright red.
"I was new at the dad stuff then but now I'm a pro," he announced.
"Although I've had more practice," Sasuke said. "I have six kids," he taunted.
"Seven, Sasuke, you're forgetting Taro," Sakura corrected. Sasuke gave his wife a sad smile. Then suddenly, before anyone could stop him, Katai, who'd remained silent up until now, asked the dreaded question.
"Who's Taro?" Sasuke glared at Katai. You did not ask that question in the presence of Uchiha Sakura.
"Sasuke's and my son," Sakura smiled, an obvious fake. "He died after he was born. That's how Hitomi got the Mangekyo Sharingan," Sakura continued.
"Sakura-san, forgive me. I didn't know," Katai apologized. Sakura only smiled.
"It's fine. I'm just glad I didn't lose both Taro and Hitomi. Though, if Itachi keeps taking her I'll have to kick him where it counts." Sakura beamed. Sasuke wanted to groan at the thought of his wife kicking his brother in the balls with her monstrous strength. That would have to be painful, not that Itachi didn't deserve it.
"Hitomi was a twin," Rekki stated quietly to her husband who'd just successfully changed Zai's diaper on the first try. Ha, beat that Rokudaime!
"Yeah, but no one likes to talk about it," he answered with equal quietness. He handed Zai back to his mother.
"So, Ryuho," Sai began, "planning on popping out another one?" Rekki tensed. Here it comes. "That is if you can, dickless wonder Jr."
BAMM! Sakura dusted off her hands as Sai lay on the floor holding his head in pain. Sasuke and Naruto couldn't contain it: they laughed. Ten seconds later Sasuke and Naruto joined him.
"Men," Sakura huffed. Rekki and Hinata grinned while Ryuho and Katai chuckled nervously, sweatdropping.
"Wow, Ryuho. Good job!" Sakura beamed at the new father and his work with the dreaded diaper.
"You have him trained well," Hinata commented.
"MOTHER!" Ryuho gaped.
"I have to say, you and Hitomi did most of the work." Rekki beamed. Ryuho picked up his son and shielded his ears.
"Don't teach him that! Poor boy," Ryuho sniffled.
"Just think of it this way, Ryuho," Naruto began. "When he gets older we get to teach him the important things. Like how to act like a man!"
"How is that? How to sit on a couch and scratch himself?" Sakura asked wryly.
Naruto glared at his former teammate. "No! Like how to become the next Hokage!" Sakura and Hinata looked at one another.
"Naruto, have you been at the bottle again? Cause I think you're a little..." Sakura made drinking motions.
"NO! I'm not like Tsunade. I do not drink like that," Naruto argued.
"Nope," Sasuke backed him up. Sakura looked doubtful.
"If you say so," Sakura sighed. "Well, we need to go. Visiting hours are over and little Zai needs a nap." Sakura pushed everyone out of the room but Ryuho and Rekki.
"Sakura-san, thank for all your help," Ryuho grinned.
"I enjoy helping out first time parents, especially when the parents are such good friends of my daughter," Sakura smiled a genuine smile. Rekki smiled back.
"I'll leave you two alone now," Sakura announced before leaving. Rekki and Ryuho sighed.
"I love you, Ryu-kun," Rekki said to her husband.
"I love you too, Rekki," Ryuho whispered. Zai made a cooing sound and stared at his parents with his good eye.
"And we love you, Zai," Rekki said, cuddling her son close to her.
* * * * *
Haru had been on edge ever since Mikoto told him Obito might like him. Mikoto and Haru were getting along now but Haru couldn't just say, "I want to rape your brother" to her. That would be weird. It'd also be weird if he went up to the Uchiha heir and kissed him, not to mention awkward!
Obito, on the other hand, was terrified. Seeing Haru made his heart speed up. It scared him how easily dirty thoughts of the new citizen aroused him. No girl had ever really done that. Obito was afraid that if he admitted it he would really be gay. Maybe if he ignored this feeling it would go away but so far the feeling only increased. Obito wished Hitomi were here. If Haru was lusting after his sister he wouldn't be feeling this. Although a dark part of his mind said Hitomi looked just like him and wondered if that meant that he was Haru's type too. Obito freaked.
Obito decided he needed some fresh air to help him calm down so he went for a walk. Along the way Mikoto joined him.
"What do you want, Mi-chan?" Obito asked.
"What's bothering you, onii-chan?" Mikoto wondered. "I'm sick of your little emo fest."
"Mi-chan," Obito glared at her, "it's nothing."
"I don't believe that, Obi-kun." Obito turned around and glared at Mikoto.
"Do NOT call me that, Mi-chan," Obito snapped.
"Why? Obi-kun is such a cute nickname that I gave you. Remember Hitomi's? She always called you 'Obio' and you'd get mad. That's why you hate being called Obi-kun, right?" Mikoto asked.
"Mi-chan, be nice. I just don't like being called anything other than Obito," he complained.
"What if Haru called you Obi-kun? You wouldn't mind, would you?" Mikoto asked.
"Wait, you know? I don't like him, I mean," Obito stammered, attempting to cover the slip-up.+
"That won't work, onii-chan. I know you feel something for that boy. Otherwise you wouldn't avoid him like the plague," she reasoned.
"I feel nothing for him," he insisted. "I'm not gay."
"Obito, there's nothing wrong with liking Haru. He'd nice and I know for a fact that he likes you as much as you like him, only Haru's not afraid to admit it," Mikoto taunted. "And you call yourself an Uchiha, Obito, really!"
"I DO NOT LIKE HIM!" Obito growled.
"You're right. You love him!" Mikoto sang as she skipped off. Obito's mouth dropped. That didn't go quite as he had planned.
'I don't like him. I don't like him!' he mentally chanted. '... it sounds like I'm trying to convince myself.
* * * * *
Akatsuki
After cleaning up Itachi's office and finishing the paperwork, the two fully dressed Uchihas went down to the kitchen to get something to eat. Kisame and the newly returned Deidara and Sasori were at the table.
"So... the two of you decided to grace us with your presence... yeah," Deidara teased.
"Why didn't you two report to me when you came back?" Itachi asked.
"We tried to but the door was locked and some very questionable sounds were being made in your office," Sasori said. Hitomi blushed and turned to Itachi.
"I told you so," she mumbled. Itachi smirked.
"I'd give them a ten out of ten for hanging in there so long," Kisame said.
"Nine. It could have been louder... yeah," Deidara commented.
"Seven. I'd rather see it than hear it," Sasori admitted. That set Itachi off.
"Sasori," he growled.
"Oh, relax, Itachi. It's not like I'm saying I'd fuck her," Sasori assured.
"Would you?" Itachi asked. Sasori realized how he was in a lose/lose situation. If he said yes Itachi would kick his ass for obvious reasons. If he said no Itachi would kick his ass asking if Hitomi wasn't good enough. See any patterns?
"I would," Sasori admitted. He might as well go out with a bang. No pun intended. Itachi narrowed his eyes.
"You would?" he asked again.
"If I wasn't in love with Deidara and you weren't with her," Sasori answered. Itachi seemed to accept the answer but still the inevitable happened: Itachi threw Sasori across the room and through a wall.
"Itachi! Lose some of the violence!" Hitomi said to her lover. Sasori stood up and dusted off his clothes, his puppet body unharmed.
"I'm fine, Hitomi. I'm a puppet," Sasori assured her.
"She was worried about the wall," Itachi lied.
"Itachi-kun," Hitomi warned. "Are you sure you're okay, Sasori-kun?" Hitomi asked.
"Yes, thank you for your concern kunoichi." Sasori smirked at Itachi's reaction. The elder Uchiha had a look of displeasure on his face. He was jealous! Sasori pulled Hitomi into a hug. Itachi had three veins bursting out of his head and flames over his chibi form.
"Do you like going through walls?" Itachi asked. Sasori pulled out of the hug.
"You know where we are if you're into a threesome with Deidara and I," Sasori said as a last jab at Itachi. He winked and sat down. Itachi's chakra became dark and murderous.
"Sorry, Sasori, no thanks. I'm amazed I can even walk right now as it is." Hitomi winked at Itachi who smiled proudly.
"Ha!" Kisame laughed. "Ten dollars says that it's because your hips are torn up and bruised!"
Deidara looked at Hitomi. "Itachi, you must be careful with our beautiful kunoichi! She is a work of art that won't last forever... yeah."
"Then it's not true art. Art is meant to last forever!" Sasori insisted. "Of course, if Itachi has a say in it Hitomi will last forever..."
"Art is more transient," Deidara began. "And our beloved kunoichi will fade with time, for the beauty of art can not last forever... yeah!" Sasori made a face.
"Art is something that can last forever!" Sasori insisted. Hitomi, Kisame and Itachi groaned.
"How about this: art is in the eyes of the beholder?" Hitomi suggested. Itachi shook his head. There was no way Hitomi could convince those two to stop arguing about art.
"No, kunoichi, art isn't something that can be explained so easily," Sasori said. Hitomi sighed.
"Then how about you not argue about it at the moment?" Hitomi asked.
"Of course, my beautiful kunoichi... yeah," Deidara answered, teasingly watching Itachi. The argument stopped and Itachi and Hitomi fixed themselves something to eat.
Sasori, Deidara and Kisame continued to tease the couple mercilessly until Itachi finally threatened them.
"I will kill you if you say one more thing," Itachi growled.
They took the hint and left it alone, talking about safe subjects like missions and techniques. Sasori and Deidara broke out into the art argument anew until Hitomi herself threw them both through a wall.
"Ha! That'll teach them!" Hitomi cheered.
Itachi smiled proudly at the kunoichi's work. "Good job, Hitomi. Soon I'll teach you how to gain some respect from these morons."
"I think you've 'taught' her enough," Kisame teased. Hitomi blushed for the millionth time. These Akatsuki members didn't have any shame, did they?
"Do you three mind?" Hitomi scoffed. "I'm a girl and all of my friends were guys so I never talked about sex much with my friends."
"Really?" Kisame asked, shocked. "We talk about it all the time."
"Huh, I had no idea," Hitomi said sarcastically. Kisame snickered.
"Well, kunoichi, our job as S-rank criminals is to taint the innocent. While Itachi's method is interesting, to say the least, the rest of us do it the old-fashioned way.
"What? By being a lecher?" she asked. "If so, Zai and Ryuho already failed. Not to mention Kakashi-senpai and Ojii-chan," Hitomi informed them.
"But we're the Akatsuki... yeah," Deidara said, pulling himself up. He looked a little worse for wear.
"What does that have to do with this Deidara-kun?" Hitomi wondered.
"We've been around... yeah," Deidara continued.
"And we're criminals so we're really perverted," Sasori finished.
"If a porn wielding ninja couldn't phase me, I doubt anyone could," Hitomi laughed.
"Then how about three porn wielding criminals and your lover?" Kisame asked hopefully. Hitomi eyed them carefully. Not even the perverted Genma had bothered her. Well, that was a lie, she did beat the shit out of Genma for smacking her ass. Kakashi later had also beaten his friend. Kakashi was protective of the Uchiha kids, although he was only Hitomi's godfather.
If Uchiha Sasuke and Uchiha Sakura ever died they would all get split up. Obito went to Tsunade and Jiraiya, if they lived much longer. Mikoto went to Ino and Shikamaru and Hitomi's godfather was Kakashi. The twins Inabi and Ayame went to Naruto and Hinata. And finally little Fugaku would go to Sai. Yes, her eccentric parents put Sai's name on the forums to be Fugaku's godfather. Whatever possessed them to do that Hitomi would never know.
"Hitomi?" Itachi snapped her out of her musings.
"Itachi-kun?" she said questioningly.
"You were spacing out, kunoichi," Kisame grumbled.
"Sorry but I was thinking," Hitomi huffed. Itachi had to smirk. Hitomi was lost in thought, thoughts that were probably about him.
"Well, forgive me for bothering you!" Kisame shot back. 'Oh no. Here we go again,' thought Itachi.
"It's okay. I forgive you," Hitomi assured him, still fuming. Kisame opened and closed his mouth a few times. "Stop it, fish boy, or I'm going to make sushi out of your ass," Hitomi threatened. Whatever Kisame had planned to say died before it left his throat. It was never wise to bait an Uchiha. Kisame learned that the hard way when he was first partnered with Itachi.
"So, kunoichi, what are you planning on doing for the rest of the day... yeah?" Deidara wondered.
"Nothing. Why?" Hitomi answered.
"Well, Sasori and I are going to town since you and Itachi finished the 'paperwork' we want you two to come along... yeah," Deidara said. "Sushi-chan, you're welcome to come along as well... yeah."
Kisame grumbled at his nickname and a few times you could hear, "damn kunoichi," and, "fucktards," clear as a bell.
"Well, Itachi-kun, can we?" Hitomi bit her lip, afraid Itachi wouldn't go now that he was the leader of the Akatsuki.
"Go get your cloak," Itachi ordered, "then we'll go." Hitomi squealed and hugged Itachi tightly.
"Oh, thank you, Itachi-kun!" Hitomi praised Itachi for a few more seconds before running to the small apartment she shared with Itachi.
Hitomi grabbed her cloak, a new one since she sort of burned the last one, and ran back to the kitchen. Itachi was waiting patiently for her but Kisame, Deidara and Sasori were bickering yet again.
"Do you three mind? Act like you like each other," Hitomi said sternly.
Itachi smiled when he saw her again. It made Hitomi blush. Itachi was planning something, meaning Hitomi had to be on her toes. Otherwise Itachi would probably have her pushed up against the side of a building and... Hitomi stopped that train of thought right then and there. Sometimes she really wondered if she were a pervert herself or not.
"Well, let's get going," Sasori said.
They ran through the forest in silence. No one felt much like talking at the moment. Hitomi was too preoccupied with thoughts of her beloved Itachi-kun.
When they made it to town they split up: Deidara and Hitomi, Sasori and Kisame and Itachi went off by himself. They went about their business until Hitomi saw someone from Konoha. It was that damned pervert: Genma. Oh, today just wasn't a good day for the kunoichi.
"Hey, Hitomi!" Genma called. He had yet to realize she was in an Akatsuki cloak standing next to an Akatsuki member. If he had he had chose to ignore it.
"Hi, lecher," Hitomi said when he was within earshot. Genma moved the senbon in his mouth to the other side.
"Now, is that any way to greet me?" Genma asked.
"Yes," Hitomi mumbled. "What are you doing here?" Hitomi wondered.
"Oh, I'm here with Kakashi," Genma answered. This was really turning out to be a bad day for Hitomi.
"Kakashi's here? Oh shit. Deidara, go find Sasori and Kisame. I'll go look for Itachi-kun," Hitomi ordered. Now Deidara had to listen to Hitomi since she was engaged to the leader of the Akatsuki. Deidara was gone within seconds. Hitomi turned to leave but Genma grabbed her.
"Itachi-kun? Hitomi-chan, what's going on?" Genma asked.
"Genma-san, please, if Kakashi-senpai finds me I'll have to leave and I can't do that to Itachi," Hitomi pleaded with the pervert.
"Too bad, Hitomi-chan. We're going to find Kakashi right now." Genma dragged her to the bookstore in town and shoved her through the door.
"Hey, stop it, Genma!" Hitomi snapped at him. She looked up and her eyes met with Kakashi's lazy one.
"Well look who's shown up." Kakashi's voice held mock surprise. "Where'd you find her?" Kakashi asked seriously.
"She was walking around with them," Genma told him. Hatake Kakashi sighed.
"Genma, go tell the others we've found her. Leave her here with me," Kakashi ordered. When Genma left Kakashi hugged Hitomi. "Damn, I never thought I'd see you again, kid," Kakashi breathed.
"Kakashi-senpai, I'm sorry but I can't go home," Hitomi whispered.
"Hitomi, we have an ANBU squad hunting for your ass and if you resist arrest you'll be killed. Think of your duty as an ANBU medic. If you willingly go nothing bad will happen to you or Itachi, as long as it's marked as a kidnapping. Only Genma and I will know," Kakashi told his goddaughter, pulling out of the embrace.
"But Kakashi-senpai, I can't be away from him. I love Itachi-kun." Hitomi felt her eyes water up. This couldn't be happening again. She didn't want to leave him again.
"It's okay, Hitomi, we're here." She turned to face Itachi and Deidara.
"Hey, kunoichi... yeah." Deidara waved. Kakashi tensed up behind her, ready for a fight.
"Don't," Hitomi whispered. She knew Kakashi was no match against Itachi alone but with Deidara Hatake Kakashi had no chance.
"Hitomi?" Kakashi asked.
"Itachi, I need to go home and work some things out with the Rokudaime. I want to always be with you but not at the expense of my family," Hitomi admitted.
Itachi nodded. "I'll see you soon 'Tomi." Itachi waved goodbye to his fiance. "Take care of her, Hatake-san," Itachi ordered. Kakashi gave Itachi a weird look. Was this truly the same Uchiha Itachi he'd met before? It seemed the little kunoichi had a good effect on the criminal.
"Will do, Uchiha Itachi," Kakashi assured him before the two Akatsuki left. Kakashi pulled Hitomi into another hug.
"You really love him?" he whispered so only she could hear.
"Yes, with all my heart," Hitomi answered. She didn't even pause to think about her answer. Hitomi was more like her mother than she'd ever know. Hitomi was rash, passionate and she too fell for an Uchiha. However, unlike Sakura, this wasn't a fling. This was honest to pocky love.
"Hitomi, shall we join the squad?" Kakashi inquired, breaking away from Hitomi.
"Yeah, I suppose so. Hopefully when we do I can beat Genma into a bloody pulp!" Hitomi cracked her knuckles. She was definitely like Sakura.
* * * * *
Konoha
Back in Konoha Obito was still struggling with the new sensations of his feelings. Sure, he'd come to terms with how he felt for Haru. That never meant he had to act on them.
Obito was an Uchiha and an Uchiha thought with his head, not his dick. Obito had a family name to uphold. This family couldn't take anymore shame. First there had been Itachi, then Sasuke's betrayal and now Hitomi, who was sleeping with the worst smear on the Uchiha clan's history.
So Obito, as heir to the Uchiha clan, decided he was somewhat gay for Haru. No other person made him feel giddy with just a smile: only Haru could. Obito wished he'd been born in Tokyo as a normal child allowed to act upon passion and emotions. Obito wished he could experience the freedom Hitomi had, to run away whenever he wanted and to have all the power of the Uchiha clan.
"Obito-san," Haru greeted, taking a seat next to him. "Mi-chan said you looked lonely so I thought I'd keep you company," Haru told the brooding youth.
"I do not wish for any company," Obito replied gruffly. He sighed. So he was sitting on a hill watching the sunset with the person he had feelings for. Big deal. It was NOT romantic how the sunlight was giving everything an orangey glow.
"Well, okay then, I'll leave," Haru said disappointedly, starting to get up.
"Stay if you like. I don't mind as long as you cease your incessant chatter," Obito growled. They sat in silence for about three seconds.
"So, Obito, I've never gotten to talk to you much. How old are you?" Haru asked.
"Twenty one," was Obito's gruff reply.
"That's funny. I'm older than you," Haru commented. Obito looked at the civilian.
"How much older?" Obito was curious.
"I'm twenty three." Wow, two whole years. That was nothing compared to the nineteen years that separated Hitomi and Itachi. Obito inwardly smirked. He suddenly had a plan to be able to get out of being named heir and to be able to start a relationship with Haru but he would need total cooperation. Obito smirked. This would be fun.
* * * * *
Since little Zai had been born he'd been stirring up a bit of trouble. They kept him extra long in the hospital to do tests on him and make sure the mixing of ocular kekkai genkai in his blood wouldn't mess up his health. Zai had been the first ever baby born between two clans with a kekkai genkai for the eyes.
However, everything was fine. Since Zai was the future heir of the Ishizaki clan and Hyuga clan they were currently talking to Naruto about Uzumaki being its own respective clan.
The consideration of this idea would mean mountains of paperwork and many meetings with the elders. The poor Hokage. Ryuho and Rekki had no problem with their own clans but they didn't want Zai growing up in the Hyuga clan because of the whole Head family/Branch family thing that'd been going on since what seemed like time began. Also, the Ishizaki clan wasn't exactly a family kind of clan. If people like Ishizaki Katai came from that clan and could so easily abandon their duty then Zai didn't need to be raised near it. Not to mention it was almost as extinct as the Uchiha clan had been.
As parents, Ryuho and Rekki were forced to make decisions like this for their son.
"I don't know, Ryu-kun. I mean, if we do start an Uzumaki clan then the Ishizaki clan won't have an heir to rule after me. And what about the Hyuga clan?" Rekki rambled on, holding her son close.
"Then we'll just do this: raise our children and those with the Ichigan will be the Ishizaki descendants and all our kids born with the Byakugan will be the Hyuga descendants," Ryuho suggested. Rekki pursed her lips. For that to work it would require her to have more children. Ryuho took his son from her arms. "Ishizaki Zai," he said.
"What?" she asked, confused.
"Instead of calling our kids Uzumaki like my father did we'll name them based on which clan they take after," Ryuho said. "Saves your grandpa from paperwork and meetings, eh little guy?" Ryuho cooed. "I'll call dad and tell him we talked it over." Rekki took Zai back and smiled at him.
"Yes, I know you're daddy may be the heir to all idiocy but he does sometimes have good ideas," Rekki said in a babyish voice. Zai smiled and giggled. He loved being talked to. He also seemed to like his great-Uncle Neji, or at least his hair. Where Ryuho kept his blonde locks as short, as his father does, and Rekki kept hers pulled up and out of Zai's hands, Neji did neither. His brown hair was always being pulled.
Ryuho's cousins, Hyuga Hiroshi and Hyuga Ami, also liked little Zai. Hiroshi being both Rekki's teammate and Ryuho's cousin meant he spent a lot of time with the little monster.
"Ryuho, sweetie, what's wrong? You look so pale," Rekki commented when her husband came back from talking on the phone.
"The ANBU squad found Hitomi. She's alright," Ryuho began. "They want us to talk to Hitomi as soon as we're free." Rekki nodded. It was never good when the ANBU had to drag Hitomi home.
Ryuho, Rekki ans Zai all went to the Hokage Tower and waited for Naruto to call then into his office.
* * * * *
Uchiha Hitomi sat calmly in the office of the Rokudaime. Kakashi stood beside her with a comforting hand on her shoulder.
Ryuho flew through the door, obviously pissed from impatience. "Well?" Naruto asked, holding back laughter.
"Why are you making us sit out there, father? It's so boring!" Hitomi his a smile behind her hand. Ryuho would never change.
"Ryuho, get back here!" Rekki snapped, a small infant attached to her hip.
"Ryuho, please wait in the hall. I'm sure Hitomi would like to see her parents first-"
"It's fine if they stay, Hokage-sama," Hitomi said politely. Naruto gave her a strange look. The Uchiha children were not known to be polite to the Hokage due to the closeness of their parents to him.
"Alright, we can stay!" Ryuho cheered happily. Rekki shook her head.
"Is that your son, Rekki?" Hitomi asked.
"Yes, he's only a month old," Rekki said proudly.
"He's cute. What did you name him?"
"Ishizaki Zai," Ryuho answered, watching his teammate carefully.
"He's really cute." Hitomi smiled.
"Are you sure this is Hitomi?" Ryuho asked suspiciously.
"Ryuho," Kakashi growled. Hitomi sighed and feigned a look of hurt.
"My own teammate has forgotten me! Oh, the tragedy!" Hitomi burst out laughing. Ryuho grinned.
"Your acting skills are terrible, as usual, Hitomi." Ryuho ducked away from a well aimed punch from his friend.
"Should I be jealous?" Rekki teased.
"Oh hell no!" Hitomi shouted. Ryuho gave Hitomi an evil look hidden behind a sad face.
"That's not what you said last night," Ryuho whined. Rekki looked suspiciously at Ryuho and Hitomi.
"Is there something I should know?" Rekki inquired.
"Yes. I'm secretly Uchiha Hitomi: your husband's best friend and teammate," Hitomi said dryly. Rekki faked a surprised look.
"I knew it!" Rekki shouted. Hitomi sighed. Where did they find the energy to be so dramatic?
"I suppose our dark secret's out, Hitomi-chan," Ryuho sighed. "Yes, Rekki, this is my best friend."
"Why is it that every time I find you you're joking around?" Sasuke questioned, walking into the office.
"Father," Hitomi said politely. Sasuke acknowledged her with a nod of his head.
"I see you have returned again," Sasuke said. The air around them was crackling with tension.
"I have," Hitomi answered.
"So what did the bastard do this time?" Sasuke asked smugly. Hitomi glared at her father.
"I don't see how it concerns you," Hitomi answered flatly. Kakashi forced her to sit down and held her shoulders tightly.
"It does concern me because I will destroy that bastard-"
"TEME!" Naruto shouted. Sasuke turned to glare at the Rokudaime. Naruto couldn't bear to watch Sasuke tear up Hitomi's happiness again. No child deserved to have their father single them out of the family.
"Shut up, dobe," Sasuke retorted. "Hitomi, come. We shall continue this at home." Hitomi's hands gripped Kakashi's, pulling them from her shoulders.
"Hitomi, don't," Kakashi begged. "You don't have to listen to him." Kakashi gripped her hands.
"Kakashi, she's mydaughter. She will listen to me." Sasuke smirked. "Just because Sakura didn't listen to you when you told her not to marry me you feel like you have to make Hitomi think of you as a father. News flash Kakashi: she's your goddaughter," Sasuke spat.
"Yes, I'm her godfather, meaning when you're incapable of caring for her she goes into my custody. And you, you miserable piece of shit, can not and haven't taken care of her!" Kakashi shot back.
"Bastard! You're just a pedophile who wants to make up for what you lost!" Sasuke growled. Hitomi pulled away from Kakashi.
"Kakashi-senpai, please stop. I don't want you to get hurt," she whispered softly. Kakashi pulled her into a hug.
"I promised him I would take care of you," he said quietly into her ear. When he released her she walked over to her father and the two Uchihas left. Ryuho and Rekki watched her leave with the man who dared to call himself her father. Naruto remained silent and brooding.
"Will she be safe with him alone?" Ryuho asked.
"He won't touch her until they get to the Uchiha compound, too many witnesses in the village," Naruto answered seriously. Kakashi headed for the door. "Where are you going?" Naruto demanded to know.
"I'm going to protect her like I promised," Kakashi announced. Kakashi slammed the door behind him.
"Dad?" Ryuho asked, once again confused.
"I don't know either," he admitted. Rekki gave an exasperated sigh.
"I hope she'll be alright," Rekki said, silently praying for her friend.
* * * * *
The Uchiha home was quiet and peaceful until Hitomi and Sasuke walked in in the middle of a screaming match.
"Shut the fuck up!" Hitomi yelled.
"No! I'm the adult here. I'm your father!" he shot back.
"You haven't been my father for nineteen years!" Hitomi snapped. Sasuke's eyes flashed red for a moment then faded back to black.
"Oh, so Kakashi's a better father figure? Let me guess, you're fucking him too, you slut!" Sasuke accused cockily.
"I am not a slut! You're the one who's cheated on mom, bastard!" Hitomi growled.
"Hey, chill you two," Mikoto said, her voice drowned out by the screaming.
"You are too a slut. You've been sleeping with your Uncle for God's sake!"
"So? I love him and I'm going to marry him!"
Sasuke had no retort to that. His fist came crashing into her stomach and sent her flying through the wall. She attempted to stand but fell back down, hugging her stomach in pain. She started coughing hard, gasping and wheezing to catch her breath.
Black spots danced across her vision. Hitomi was determined not to pass out. She stood, still clutching her stomach, and walked a few swaying steps towards her father. Just another step, one more and she'd punch him in the face as hard as she could. She moved to take the last step but her body wouldn't obey. Her legs gave out, sending her to her knees. Hitomi caught herself with her hands, coughing, gasping and panting. Her vision turned black as she collapsed.
Obito and Mikoto came running to her. "Hitomi! HITOMI!" Mikoto screamed worriedly. Obito picked up his little sister carefully. He was shocked to realize how light she was. Haru stood next to Inabi and Ayame. Ayame was crying while Inabi smirked. The damn kid was turning into his father.
Obito ran out the door through the Uchiha compound. Something wasn't right. Hitomi took worse beatings than that and never even flinched. So why did she pass out when her father only punched her once?
They had reached the end of the lifeless Uchiha compound and the entrance to the rest of the village. Obito continued to run like a crazy person, trying to get through the throng of people and to get Hitomi to the hospital and to their mother.
Too many people blocked his path. He could've easily jumped onto the rooftops and out of the crowd but, in his panic, he did what first came to his mind.
"MOVE! GET OUT OF THE WAY!" he yelled. Some turned to look at him angrily but most people ignored him. A 'poof' behind him signaled a fellow shinobi was there. Obito whirled around to face their Ojii-chan Jiraiya.
"Obito, what's wrong?" Jiraiya asked, noting the panicked look in his eyes.
"Hitomi - he - she - punched - hurt," Obito stammered. Jiraiya looked down at Hitomi bundled in her older brother's arms.
"Obito, what happened?" Jiraiya shrieked.
"Fatherpunchedherandsheflewintoawall," Obito said hurriedly.
"Your father did what?" Jiraiya asked, still confused. "Never mind," he continued when Obito opened his mouth to speak. "Let's go!" Jiraiya bit his thumb, allowing a few drops of blood to be released. His hands moved in a blur and a toad big enough to carry the three of them appeared.
They hopped onto the toad's back and Jiraiya told him where to go. "To the hospital and hurry!"