Chapter 5
Throwing himself down onto the couch, Iruka groaned and put his feet up on the coffee table. It was barely four in the morning and the sun still had not yet risen. Rubbing his forehead with the base of his palm, he sunk back into the couch. His hand shook slightly, but he ignored it. He felt absolutely horrible. Everything ached, even his feet. A headache pounded in his forehead. His stomach, however, was the worst due to the fit of retching that he'd experienced nearly ten minutes earlier.
Sighing, he dropped his hand to his side and lay there, staring at the ceiling. He'd felt bad on and off for the past three days. Sometimes the pain was there, sometimes it wasn't like it was trying to make up its mind about what to do. He really wished it just would. The pain he could handle, but the current uncertainty of it he couldn't.
He was glad that he'd decided to take a two week break from teaching. If his students had seem him this way -vomiting everywhere- there would be no end to the teasing. What would have been worse though would have come from the other teachers. Iruka was the youngest of them, the least experienced. He was perfect for a good thrashing now and again and, while he loved all of the other teachers dearly, sometimes he found their antics more embarrassing than anything.
Hearing faint footsteps, he sat up, his stomach rolling. As Iruka fought down another wave of nausea, Neji stepped into the living room. Sayuri was sleeping on his shoulder, her hands clenched into fists against the former Hyuuga's chest. A light cotton blanket was wrapped loosely around her to fight down some of the humidity of the Konoha summer.
"Are you okay, cousin?" Neji asked as he stopped in front of the coffee table.
At the sudden lack of movement, the baby in Neji's arms shifted, her arms moving in closer to her body. Slowly, Neji started to rock back and forth, sending her back to sleep.
"I think I'm sick with something," Iruka sighed. "What are you doing up?"
"Didn't you hear her crying?" Neji asked, motioning to his daughter with his head.
Iruka vaguely remembered hearing something coming from the other side of the house when he'd been busy puking his guts into the toilet.
"That was crying?" he asked, astonished. "No way. It was far too quiet. Shinobu's sounded like a warning siren."
"Gaara says its because she's part Hyuuga," Neji replied, shrugging. "What do you mean you feel sick?"
Settling back into the couch, Iruka groaned. He lay his arm over his stomach, the ache only now starting to recede. Neji came and set next to him, moving Sayuri from her position at his shoulder into the crook of his arm. He continued to rock her carefully as he studied his cousin.
"Is it possible that you're pregnant again?" Neji asked.
"That's what Pakkun thinks, but I'm still not sure," Iruka said.
"You're not sure?"
"It feels different from when I had Shinobu. With him, I started feeling sick after the first month and only threw up after the first month and a half. This time it would be way too early. I spent the whole of last month with you guys."
"True, but I've heard that it can be different each time."
"I've scheduled an appointment with Tsunade in a few days. She'll tell me for sure," Iruka groaned, rubbing his stomach.
"Would you like some tea to calm your stomach?" Neji asked.
Iruka nodded and took Sayuri from Neji. As the former Hyuuga went to the kitchen, the teacher glanced down at his niece. The moment that her father was out of the room, the white eyes opened, staring back at Iruka. He smiled. She was going to be a sneaky little thing when she got older.
When Neji returned with the cup of tea, Iruka handed Sayuri back to her father. Neji shook his head when he noticed that she was awake.
"She sleeps only when she wants to," he sighed, sitting down on the couch again.
"It's only been three weeks, Neji. She'll settle," Iruka laughed as he sipped the hot liquid. "Besides, her other father is practically an insomniac. Speaking of which, why didn't he take care of Sayuri when she woke up? You need the sleep."
"When Gaara does sleep, he sleeps hard," Neji replied.
"How did you manage that?" Iruka asked.
"I like to wear the fuck out of him and, no matter what his objections are, I always get what I want."
The former Hyuuga smiled somewhat wickedly. Iruka noticed how his cream-colored yukata was slightly askew, the collar wide open. At first glance, he had assumed that it was from Neji turning over in his sleep, but now, he saw the fresh bruises on the exposed collarbones.
"You really are a sadist, aren't you?"
"Only when I really want something."
"Which is usually sex?"
"Of course. I may be able to give birth, but I'm still a man."
"You'll be the one changing the sheets. My own I have no problem with, but I have to draw the line somewhere."
"Fine by me.
Both Neji and Iruka glanced down when they heard a soft growl emanate from the former Hyuuga's arms. Sayuri nuzzled against Neji's chest, her hands clenching into fists again. As they watched, the white eyes once again closed and the steady breathing of sleep quickly followed.
"Finally," Neji murmured, brushing a thin lock of dark hair out of Sayuri's face.
"She's all Hyuuga, isn't she?" Iruka whispered.
Neji shook his head.
"When this baby hair falls out, I think its going to come back bright red."
Even though he was inside the walls of Konoha, Kakashi still itched to get home. Six days of almost nonstop travel had worn his energy levels down and, to add to his problem, he was growing more frustrated. Since Iruka's return two years earlier, the white-haired Jounin found it hard to go more than five days without his lover. This trip in particular had left the Jounin with no time to himself. Getting caught by Daiki or any of the others was one of the last things he wanted.
Rounding the corner, Kakashi almost broke into a sprint when he spotted Shinobu's white hair from down the street. The seven-year-old was kneeling in the grass just beyond the front steps of the porch, studying something in the dirt. Sending a signal to the five people behind him, Kakashi hid his chakra signature and snuck around to their neighbor's back yard. Cutting across the gardens, he silently made his way between the houses, coming around behind Shinobu.
Suddenly, his arms snapped forward and he grabbed the small boy. Shinobu squeaked and struggled as he was pulled backwards. Their eyes met. A wide grin broke out on the small boy's face and he leapt on top of Kakashi, pushing the Jounin onto his back.
"Welcome home, Chichi!"
"Have you been good?" Kakashi asked.
Shinobu raised his head.
"Of course not."
"Good boy."
Laughing, Shinobu leapt up and dashed in the house, shouting for his other father. As Kakashi sat up, his five traveling companions all approached the house. One of them rolled her eyes at him.
Neji was the first one out of the Hatake compound. He practically glided over the steps as he quickly jogged down them. The former Hyuuga embraced his nearest relative, Daiki, the two Ookami clapping each other on the back. Kakashi watched as Shinobu darted out the front door, running over to Ketai. Gaara was not far behind, Sayuri sitting in his arms.
"Welcome home Kashi," Iruka whispered from behind the Jounin.
Kakashi smiled as he turned to his lover, who pulled down the Jounin's mask to peck the familiar lips. They hugged, Iruka's head tucked under his chin. When they pulled away from each other, Kakashi studied the teacher's face. He frowned slightly. Something –although he couldn't tell what- was off.
"We'll talk about it later," Iruka murmured, yanking Kakashi's mask back over his face.
The couple intertwined their fingers and walked over to where the rest of the family stood. Iruka just managed to get in a handshake or a hug from the other Ookami before everyone's attention turned back to Sayuri. The youngest Ookami met each of their stares in true Hyuuga fashion: with all the cold confidence in the world.
"Her powers haven't shown themselves yet, have they?" Daiki asked.
Both Neji and Gaara shook their heads.
"Not yet, but its probably a good thing. Her Ookami name may give us a better idea of what to look out for," Neji said, brushing his daughter's hair back with his fingers.
Glancing up, Iruka noticed that there was another addition to their group, someone that he didn't recognize. The man was no older than twenty-five and his skin was darker than even Iruka's. He was handsome, though not overly so. His chin was strong, his cheekbones rough. A Kumogakure hitai-ate was tied to his forehead. Emi was latched onto his arm.
"Who are you?" Shinobu asked, noticing the man at the same time as his father.
"This is my husband, Hiro," Emi said as she leaned her head in to rest it on the man's shoulder.
"You're married? Congratulations," Gaara replied.
"I have to keep the Taiyoono line alive somehow," the kind Ookami joked.
"Shall we go inside?" Iruka asked.
He led the way, Kakashi right at his heels. Their hands reconnected as the couple walked into their shared home, Shinobu bouncing along behind them. The group took up residence in the living room while Iruka and Kakashi went to the kitchen.
"Are you alright?" Kakashi asked as he wrapped his arms around Iruka's waist, pulling the Chuunin's back against his chest.
"I set up an appointment with Tsunade for tomorrow," Iruka whispered, pouring tea into clay mugs.
"Are you sick?" Kakashi asked, worried.
"Not in the way of a cold."
"What the hell does that-"
Iruka spun around to face him, holding his finger up to the Jounin's lips. He used his free hand to grab Kakashi's wrist and bring the large palm to his lower abdomen.
"Are you sure?" Kakashi asked, understanding instantly.
Shaking his head, Iruka whispered, "Not quite, but it's all the right signs. I've been throwing up for the past few days, especially after I first wake up in the mornings. I can't handle the smell of certain things like coffee. Early this morning, Neji practically forced me to let him look and he noticed that there's a definite change in my chakra flow, but even he cannot be sure."
"When is the appointment?"
"6 o'clock tomorrow morning. I don't want too many people to be around when I go. It could seem suspicious."
"Alright, I'll be there."
"Of course you will be! If this is what I think it is, you're going to be a father for the second time."
Kakashi smiled and slowly pulled down his mask again. Their tongues met in midair, pulling their mouths together.
"I like the sound of that," the Jounin purred.
By the time the couple returned to the living room with the tea, the atmosphere in the room had greatly changed. Neji, Gaara, and Daiki sat on the couch, Sayuri in the former Hyuuga's arms. Shifting nervously in his seat, Neji kept his gaze locked on his infant daughter. The Kazekage had one arm protectively wrapped around Neji's waist while the rest of the Ookami stood around them, waiting. The Sei no Hon had been laid on the table.
Setting the tray of tea down next to the book, Iruka cautiously backed away to where Kakashi stood near the door. The Jounin pulled his lover against him, holding the nervous teacher with one arm. His other hand was extended out, resting on his son's head. Iruka's tail reached out and intertwined itself with Shinobu's.
"So, shall we?" Daiki asked, glancing over at the new parents.
Gaara nodded silently for himself and his terrified lover. Slowly, Daiki leaned forward and took the ancient book in his hands. Lifting it into his lap, he untied the leather cord that was wrapped around it, letting the ends of the string fall away. He cautiously flipped the pages as he searched for the Ookami family tree.
"Sayuri no Subaku, born the 15th of May: Gurasu."
"Glass?" Neji murmured, finally glancing over at Daiki.
The older Ookami nodded. "It makes sense really. Glass can create reflections and it is made from sand (1)."
Both Neji and Gaara looked down at their daughter, who stared up at them in return.
"Glass," Neji repeated softly, smiling a little.
"You sound happy, Sugata," Daiki said.
"I wasn't sure what to expect," the former Hyuuga replied as he snuggled closer to Gaara.
Standing, Daiki walked over to stand in front of Neji. He leaned down and, unsheathing a claw, ran the back of it over Sayuri's forehead. The baby watched him closely, curious.
"Welcome to the Ookami, Gurasu," the elder Ookami said, kissing the baby's forehead.
Neji rested his cheek on Gaara's shoulder. He raised one of his hands a little so his daughter could latch onto his finger. When she did, Gaara reached around and covered his lover and daughter's hands with his.
Across the room, Kakashi's own hand unconsciously slipped down to cover Iruka's lower pelvis, slipping under the black shirt to rub the tanned skin. Iruka leaned back into his lover, almost purring with happiness as the curved scar was gently stroked.
(1) This is true. The main component in glass is sand.