Updated 8/8/2017
Forever & Always
Chapter 1: Growing Pains
It took a week to get back to Konoha.
The journey went well, for the most part, but Itachi was glad to see his family's compound after his long mission. He would be safe there, and so would she.
Currently, she was underneath his bulky outer coat.
The child slept, her breathy snores barely audible over Itachi's footfalls. The journey was harder for her compared to him, and she slept for the most of it.
His home would be a perfect place for her, until he figured out what he needed to do next.
Itachi separated from his teammates a day before, tired of their incessant chatter. Going through the gates was easy enough without them. No one stopped him, recognizing his activated sharingan and letting him pass without a word.
It worked to his advantage.
Coming around a corner, Itachi found himself at the front gates of the compound. He was greeted enthusiastically by lower-ranking clan members going about their daily chores.
"Hello Itachi-sama! Coming back from another successful mission?" Said an older man bearing a whicker basket full of firewood.
"Good job, Itachi-sama! You're the pride of the clan!" Said a young girl looking at bolts of silk.
"It's good to see you well, Itachi-sama!" A shopkeeper waved.
Itachi said nothing in return to their greetings. He let them roll off his back like water off a duck. This was a normal occurrence, though not one he reveled in.
Itachi didn't enjoy compliments. He didn't like attention, to be honest. It rankled on his nerves something terrible.
But every once and awhile, when it the greet was from someone Itachi knew, he'd stop.
"Welcome back, Itachi!" An elderly woman, in her late 70's waved. She sat under a small awning, garbed in a pale grey kimono with the family crest on the breast. Her name was Ami, and Itachi's old nursemaid.
"Thank you, ma'am." He said. Itachi always greeted Ami if he could.
Ami set aside a magazine on reupholstery, so as not to be rude. "How was your latest mission? Getting the hang of it okay?" She said kindly.
Itachi nodded, but refrained from elaborating. Ami was not offended. Instead, she looked him over, assuring herself that he was well, but in doing so she caught a glimpse of something he was trying to hide.
Itachi really should have known better.
"What's that you're holding?" She was merely curious, not nosy.
Itachi sighed. There was no point hiding it. If he did, she wouldn't let him get away.
Moving aside his coat flaps, he present the child in his arms.
"Itachi," Ami pulled back in surprise. "Is that a baby?"
Itachi nodded.
"Itachi," Ami frowned. "What are you doing with a baby?"
Sometimes, Itachi knew, the best way to keep out of trouble was to reveal nothing. People who wanted to think good of a situation would make their own conclusions. Itachi was not disappointed with Ami.
Her thoughts immediately went to something benign. "Another mission already?" Her eyes widened as she sat back on her knees, seemingly disgruntled. "You would think they would give you a break."
Itachi let her think what she wanted, neither affirming nor disproving her thoughts.
"What did you do, Itachi?" Her eyes twinkled. Ami knew that when Itachi wanted to be mischievous, he could be. "Did you trick your teacher again?"
Itachi huffed. "No." That was one thought he would disprove. He hadn't pranked anyone in over a year. He was old enough now to know better.
Ami grinned. "Sure, sure. But a D-rank after a B-rank mission seems a bit of a punishment, don't you think?"
He shrugged.
"Well, be on your way then," she waved him off, a smile cutting deep lines into her face. "I don't want to keep you from such an important mission as babysitting."
Itachi fought a smile, bowing respectfully to the old Uchiha before taking his leave.
Now that his secret was out in the open, he opened his coat enough to let in some cool mid-morning air. In doing so, other Uchiha's could see the little girl in his arms. Some snickered, thinking snide thoughts. Others smiled behind their hands, not wanting to offend the Heir.
Itachi didn't like the attention, but he understood it. People were curious in nature, it was a fact of life.
Itachi sighed, feeling uncomfortable.
Under his coat, his charge shifted, as though sensing his discomfort. He could hear her getting fussy, starting to awake.
His girl was a crier and she could be very loud an insistent. He'd already experienced a few of her tantrums on the way back to Konoha. By this point, he knew when to expect an outburst and how to solve it – sort of.
Itachi shifted the child to his hip, cradling her against his side. It pulled his coat fully open, revealing her to all the curious black eyes of his clan members. She blinked, rubbing a hand over her sparkling blue eyes sleepily. She came fully awake when her young mind realized she was being observed, but she didn't cry because she was just as curious as her observers.
Itachi smirked, feeling proud.
They made it to the main house without a peep from his charge. She was so stimulated by her surroundings that her mind couldn't process crying along with everything else.
It was a technique he'd picked up on his way back from Frost country.
Relief swept through Itachi as he looked upon his home. He could feel his mother and baby brother inside, but not his father.
He stepped up the stairs of the large wraparound porch, careful to leave behind his dirty boots. His mother would throw an epic fit if he came in with them on. She was stickler for cleanliness.
Through the door, down the hall, Itachi followed the sounds of life to the kitchen at the back of the house.
This only slightly surprised Itachi.
Mikoto, Itachi's mother, was not a cook even though she tried. Mostly, she left such tasks to the servants, but every once and awhile she'd find her way to the back of the house and try her hand at making something.
"Mother," Itachi called.
He came around a corner into the wide-open kitchen space. His mother was at the stove, hair up in a tight bun and a flowery pink apron over her stylish clothing. On her hip sat Itachi's baby brother, Sasuke.
Mikoto turned at hearing his voice, her eyes wide with delight. "Itachi!" She greeted. "When did you get home?"
It was at this point, she noticed his extra cargo.
"What in the world are you doing with a child?" She said, coming around the butcher's island to stand in front of him.
Itachi looked over her shoulder to the stove.
Mikoto followed her son's gaze.
"Oh, that," she waved away his curiosity. "My friend Sadako was raving about a recipe she found in Shinobi Women. I figured if someone as clumsily incompetent as her can make it, then so could I."
Itachi highly doubted that. From what he knew of his mother's friend, she was a diligent housewife. His mother, on the other hand, was formerly of the ANBU corps and more recently a businesswoman. Mikoto didn't have time for the frivolities of domesticity, because she spent more time outside of the home than in it.
Behind his mother, two servants appeared from the shadows. One took up the task of fixing his mother's mess. The other reached for Sasuke so that Mikoto could speak to her eldest without an arm full of child. This second servant shifted out of the way and two steps behind his mother, head bowed submissively while ignoring Sasuke's attempts to pull her shirt lapels into his mouth.
"Don't distract me, Itachi," his mother quipped, now free to focus all of her attention on him. "Now explain."
Itachi shift his charge to his other hip and squared his shoulders. "I found her."
Mikoto was incredulous. "You found her?"
Itachi nodded. He wasn't authorized to say more. It was the truth though, he had found her.
Mikoto placed her hands on her slim hips, and pursed her lips. "Do tell, where did you find her."
He couldn't say, so he said nothing.
Mikoto sighed irritably. She turned to the servant behind her and placed a kiss atop her youngest's bulbous head. "Please take him to the nursery." The servant curtsied, then departed.
"And you," Mikoto directed at the cook. "Leave it and go."
She turned back to her eldest, eyes demanding an answer. Itachi knew the look well. It sent a shiver down his spine, but still he remained silent.
His mother sighed. "Fine, I can tell when you can't say anything. So, it's a mission?"
Itachi remained silent.
Mikoto still gleaned an answer. "It is."
His mother circled him, tapping her lip thoughtfully and observing him closely. "Babysitting?"
He blinked.
"No," she answered for him, and then narrowed her eyes speculatively. "Something more important?"
Still no answer from him. "At least C-rank then. Honestly Itachi, what are you doing with her?"
He shifted uncomfortably. "The mission…" what could he say that wouldn't give too much away, "has changed."
His mother's eyes glinted. "I see, and you are to watch over her then?"
Oh shit! Itachi's mind lamented. Mikoto caught onto his awkwardness far too quickly for his liking. "You're not supposed to be watching her." She figured out.
Itachi's shoulders slumped. He was caught.
On his hip, his charge became fussy. Noticing the child's growing irritability, Mikoto motioned for Itachi to hand her over.
Itachi hesitated only a moment, but trusting his mother, eventually handed the baby over.
Mikoto bounced his charge gently, cooing at the girl while observing every inch of her body. "Itachi, why is she in rags?" She observed, pulling away the crusty gown. "She has a lot of scars. Itachi, what happened?"
Itachi shrugged.
"Right, mission. Where is she supposed to be?"
This was something Itachi could answer. "I will need to take her to the hospital." He said, realizing a little too late that he'd made a mistake.
His mother became tense and her voice was terse when she spoke next. "And, why haven't you?"
Itachi stubbornly cross his arms. "She needs new clothes."
"Uchiha Itachi!" His mother was not happy. "What are you thinking?"
Honestly? He was thinking of the baby's safety. In his mind, the safest place was the Uchiha compound, so that's where he went. In his home, with him not far away, the child was the safest she would ever be.
He wasn't going to explain that to his mother though. What he did do was shrug.
His mother grumbled. "Foolish. I am very disappointed. Where is your head?"
In hindsight, Mikoto was right. He bowed his head, thoroughly chastised. "Forgive me, mother."
She was still not pleased with him. "Did you at least report to the Hokage?" Seeing him shift his weight nervously was all she needed. "I would have you kneel and receive a punishment, but my hands are full." She growled. "You will go rectify your mistakes now, and when you return home we will speak about your punishment."
Itachi did not hang his head in embarrassment. Instead, he looked his mother dead in the eye and nodded.
"Go, the Hokage's is no doubt expecting your report."
Itachi accepted her ire willfully. He had messed up. It was an oversight he would rectify. First, by taking his charge to the hospital.
His mother pulled back, denying him. "No," she said, much to his surprise. "You will go to the Hokage. I will take her to the hospital. You are late enough as it is. Poorly done Itachi, you shame your clan."
The words caused Itachi's heart to constrict, but he kept his face firmly composed. He let his hands fall to his side.
He ached to take his charge back into his arms, and sooth his growing discomfort.
On his mother's hip, the baby's fussing turned into discontented whimpers. Mikoto attempted to shush her, to no avail. With a sigh, she turned a sharp eye to Itachi. "Go, I will take care of her."
Itachi fought the urge to growl. He wasn't pleased with leaving his girl in his mother's care even though he trusted her to do what was right. It just didn't sit right with him. He felt it was his responsibility, but at the same time, Itachi knew that his mother would not give in. It would be useless to fight against her wishes. So, he yielded.
With a nodded, he vanished, heading to toward the Hokage's office.
Mikoto sighed. God, grant her patience, she mused. Dealing with a prodigy that was still a 10-years-old was challenging.
She turned her dark eyes onto the baby in her arms who whimpers had turned into full on tears.
The little girl was beautiful, Mikoto thought, while attempting unsuccessfully to call the baby. It struck Mikoto particularly how pale the girl's skin was, almost glowing with vitality. She might have a lot of scars, but they were barely noticeable. More astounding were the child's expressive blue eyes. They were brilliant, sharp and aware – more aware then any baby Mikoto ever saw. It was magnetic.
Mikoto blinked. It almost made her feel regretful that she didn't have a daughter.
Shaking herself mentally, Mikoto brushed the feeling off. There was nothing for it. She had two lovely boys, she was thankful for that.
What was important now was getting the little one to the hospital. Her son might have neglected to go but Mikoto wouldn't.
"Come sweetling," she cooed to the discomposed child. "Let's see what we can do for you."
.
.
.
Itachi sat in an uncomfortable waiting room chair outside of the Hokage's office. The old leader was busy, perhaps speaking to another team or maybe even an immigrating citizen from a different land. Whatever it might be, he was occupied and was making Itachi wait.
Itachi hated waiting. He was not as patient as he usually appeared.
He sighed tiredly, bored. In his hands was his report. He wrote it while waiting. That was over 10 minutes ago. He'd been waiting for a lot longer.
His active mind sought something to do. First, he counted the ceiling tiles, then the number of pencils in the assistant to the Hokage's mug.
His fidgeting did not go unnoticed. The Sandaime's secretary leaned over her, hands propped under her boobs and lifting them up through her shirt inappropriately. "Are you alright? Might I get you something, water or maybe tea…?"
She trailed off at the look he gave her. He was in no mood to deal with anybody, let alone her. All he wanted to do was go home, see how his charge was doing and have a nice long nap.
Suddenly, the door to the Hokage's office opened. A man and woman stepped out form the shadowed doorway, appearing solemn and resigned.
They wore traditional apparel. The man was in a long dark robe and the woman wore a pale green kimono. Outwardly, both appeared normal, but Itachi knew a warrior when he saw one. These two were both warriors.
As they passed, Itachi took the time to observe the pair more closely. The man carried a staff atop which a flat four-armed man held onto four swaying rings. The woman was blind in one eye, it appeared. She wore a patch, but she seemed no less lethal. In fact, of the two, she exuded more danger. They were quite strange, but not unusual. He paid them little mind after they passed him, heading for the elevators at the end of the hall.
"Itachi," said the Hokage's assistant. "Sarutobi-sama will see you now."
He nodded as he stood calmly and walked into the old leader's office. Once inside, he closed the door silently behind him and turned to face the Third Hokage.
Inside, the lights were dim, casting the room in shadow and disguising the man behind the desk. It was an odd sight. "I brought my report, Sandaime-sama." Itachi said respectfully.
Setting the large file on the man's ornate desk, Itachi stepped back and waited. The Hokage leaned forward and took up his report. The man scanned the document briefly before casting it aside onto a large stack of similar files.
"It's sufficient," the man said and turned back to his other work.
"Is that all, sir?"
The Hokage continued to write, paying the young Uchiha little attention.
Itachi's eye twitched, but otherwise he remained impassive.
"I would have expected you much earlier, Itachi." The Hokage said. "Would you mind telling me why you are late?"
Itachi was quiet for a moment, contemplative. "Forgive me Sandaime-sama. There is no excuse for my tardiness." The man hummed at his answer; if he was satisfied with the response or not, Itachi didn't know.
"Your teammates have already informed me of what happened. I am greatly saddened." He said, finally shifting his eyes away from his work. Wizened gaze connected with Itachi's, commiserating.
"It was tragic." Itachi affirmed.
"Indeed," Sarutobi replied. "They also informed me that you found a child."
Itachi blinked but did not counter the man's statement.
The Hokage observed the Uchiha with no small amount of interest. He'd come to know the boy very well over the years. Itachi was singularly unique, unfailingly loyal and deeply dedicated. His devotion to Konoha was impressive, and his abilities were nothing to gawk at either. But from what Sarutobi observed, Itachi was not emotional. Calculative? Certainly. Stoic? Most definitely. Sensitive to the needs of others? Not at all.
"Were your comrades' correct Itachi? Did you find a child?"
The young Uchiha prodigy nodded. "I did."
The old leader hummed thoughtfully. "I see. tell me what she looks like. Do not leave out any details, however minor they might be."
Itachi stood still. His dull grey eyes gazed down at the floor as he contemplated. "She's small," he began, "twenty pounds at the most. Her eyes are blue and her hair his black."
Sarutobi nodded. He returned his brown eyes to his work and proceeded to write something. "Continue."
Itachi frowned, wondering why he had to describe an infant in such detail. What was the man looking for? "She's pale. There are several scars. Two on her left hand, one on her ankle, and a large one on her hip. Her temperament is still developing, but most days it varies."
The Hokage grinned and a small chuckle escaped his lips. "Sounds like my son when he was young." He said, smiling. "But what I need to know is if she has any peculiar birth marks. It's very important. I must know if she has any such thing at all."
Itachi was silent for a moment, his eyes diligently focused on the ground as he thought. "The only mark of particular note is the mark on her pelvis. I noted it in my report."
Sarutobi's eyes shot up to Itachi's. "What did it look like?" He commanded forcefully.
Itachi tensed. "It appeared to be a crescent, sir," he said.
The elder's gaze widened. He stood from his seat and grunted as he came around his desk. "You are certain of this, Itachi?" He said, eyes stern.
Itachi remained impassive despite his apprehension. "Yes, Sir," he said, "I am sure."
Without another word, Sarutobi walked away from Itachi and stood in front of his window which overlooked the entirety of Konoha. "You will bring her to me immediately, Itachi. Do you understand?"
Itachi bowed, giving nothing of his inner turmoil away.
"You are dismissed."
He was gone in an instant.
Order met, Sarutobi moved to his desk and pressed a button on his intercom.
"What can I do for you, Hokage-sama?" the feminine voice of his assistant queried.
He took a deep breath. "Chio," He answered, "please send a Jounin to retrieve the two Higure clansmen who just left. I believe they will be quite pleased to hear what I have found."
"Very well, Hokage-sama, I will get on that right away."
"Thank you, Chio." He said, disconnecting the line.
AN: Please review. Thank you for your support!