Author's Note

Thank you very much for all of your kind words and fantastic questions! I'll be posting a collection of all the questions and answers in an update after the Appendix is posted. Please continue sending them in!

I'll also be shortly posting a link to a Photobucket account in my profile, with scans of concept art, storyboards, and notebook pages involved in the development of ITB, as well as fanart I've received.

At last, we've reached the end of the fic. The epilogue will be three chapters long.
I can't wait to cross the finish line with all of you.

Love and cheers,
- Rii

My gentle dianthus,

The days seem so long to me, now. I wake early and I sleep long after everyone else does, and my only consolation is that you are ever in my thoughts. No matter how hard things get for me, wherever I am, all I have to do is close my eyes, and I can see you smiling there, as I know you are.

I shouldn't be complaining. My work is wonderful, and I meet the most fantastic people every day. Every word of praise they send to me is sweet, but I cherish even more any word you speak to me, or write to me. You are truly food for my soul, warmth for my heart.

Our next meeting cannot come soon enough. Being with you is what gives me life, my gentle love, and comfort, and meaning. When I am away from you I am nothing but a beast in beautiful clothes, keeping my true self from view. When I am with you, I can truly believe in the beauty you tell me you see, in the love you say you feel.

When things get less busy, I will call you, if only to hear your voice for a few minutes more. But I hope very much that I can surrender myself to your arms soon.

I love you.

Yours, always,
- Daffodil

- Anonymous love letter; April, 37 AU

EPILOGUE

MAY-BELLS

Chapter 160 - First Movement: Canary

Almost all of the trouble and pain could have been avoided had it not been for two things.

The first was Ninako.

The second was Han.

To be fair to Ninako, most of this wasn't her fault. It was merely the way that she framed things that set them up for Han to, wonderfully and disastrously, knock them down.

It had been seventeen years since they started dating, ten years since Kumori had been born, and three years since she'd finally been able to marry Hajime. And Ninako was beginning to long for things again.

They weren't even rational things, not things she could discuss with Hajime with her usual candid cheerfulness. They were stupid things, even dangerous things. But her heart had never wanted anything so badly.

...well, except for wanting Hajime. And then wanting to see her son. And then wanting to marry Hajime for real.

Which was why Ninako just sat and wanted and wanted and wanted until her body decided to give it to her, whether she liked it or not.

After years of careful planning, and every precaution, and the taste of fear with every coupling, Ninako missed her period.

Of course, it came, later. But that was enough. She had to talk to Hajime about it.

"Hajime, honey?" She had him relaxed in bed, on a day off, so the circumstances were as good as she could make them. "How would you feel about us having another kid?"

He spent a few moments blinking at the ceiling, before turning over to look at her. "Just out of curiosity, this isn't because you're pregnant now, is it?"

"Well… no, but I had a scare recently, and it got me thinking, and…" Ninako flopped on her side and gave him a desperate pout. "I want another child, Hajime."

"Well, um…" Hajime sat up against his pillows, to look at least a little more serious. "Any idea why you feel this way?"

"I don't know, I just…" Ninako sighed, and joined him in sitting up. "I've been thinking about it, lately, and the scare just had me thinking even more. I mean, I love Kumori, but I just…"

"You just…?"

"...it's not like I want a second chance, but I… I almost want a baby that was wanted, honestly wanted, from the start," Ninako said. "You know, one that we planned for, and prepared for, and were ready for. I mean, I would never replace Kumori for the world, but… we didn't have the best start, with him. I didn't even… get to meet him right away."

"I know, Ninako."

"So I just… ugh, see, it's stupid girl stuff," Ninako said.

"I don't think it's stupid," Hajime said.

She sighed, looking at him. "Even wanting to… y'know, count the toes and stuff? Stupid stuff like that?"

"Hey, I counted Kumori's toes," he said. "You never got that, and… yeah, I understand."

Ninako fussed a little where she sat, turning to look at her knees. "So, I mean, we know how to handle ourselves now. With babies and stuff. Especially since… well, it'll probably turn out like Kumori. So… we're ready, we can handle it, I just… it just feels stupid and I don't know whether or not it's just… hormones or whatever."

"Well…" Hajime thought for a while longer. "Kumori's already ten years old. The only thing I can think of being a problem is having a newborn and a ten year old at the same time. That's a bit of an age difference. But… well, I was ten when my sister was born, so…"

Ninako gasped, smiling, the undercurrent in his words snagging on her. "So you'd be okay with it?"

"Well…" He gave in, and he smiled back. "Hey, why not? We've got things settled, we know what we're doing, and we know what to expect, now. And if it's what you want… well, how can I say no? Ninako, hey, get off, get-!" Hajime was smothered with kisses, after that, but he barely put up any resistance.

And the business of planning began.

And, six months later, Ninako greeted Hajime home with a bubbly, overflowing smile, and immediately, he knew.

"Is it happening?" he said.

"It's happening!" she said, and she hugged him tightly around the shoulders.

Kumori, despite his suspicions, waited until his parents came to him before asking, since, like his aunt before him, he sensed that something was growing inside of his mother. "Is this like what was up with Aunt Nadeshiko?" he said, remembering vaguely the trouble that had come about last time, before he knew better. "When Han was born."

"Exactly, sweetheart. You're getting a little brother or sister this fall," Ninako replied.

"Whoa, okay," Kumori said. "That makes sense."

"We're going to need all your help, Kumori," Hajime said. "The baby is going to be a lot like you, and you'll have to teach them how things go."

"You mean, they'll be blind?"

"We… don't know for sure, but probably," Ninako said.

"Okay, I'll do my best," Kumori replied, nodding solemnly.

(Inside, he was smiling. If he was going to get a little sibling, that would be fine enough. But one that shared his world, with the echoes of chakra all around him, and the sound of the world breathing?)

(Kumori was by no means a lonely child, but the prospect of another just like him, a brother, or a sister, was a wish he never knew he had.)

They expected nothing but joy from their families, when they made the announcement after Ninako made it into the second trimester. Andou in particular was thrilled, since he wanted to know what, exactly, half-Hyuuga had in common, so he might complete the family tree.

What they didn't expect, in announcing it to Hajime's side of the family, was Han's reaction.

"Big deal, I'm getting a little brother too, you know."

The silence in the air felt like it was sealed in plastic, smiles and all.

"Now, what do you mean by that, Han?" Ninako said, though everyone was beginning to look to Nadeshiko.

"Well, uh…" Han suddenly seemed to notice the effect he'd had on the conversation. "Oops."

"Nadeshiko?" Ino, beside her husband, put forth her words gently. "Are you expecting?"

"...I was going to announce it when the baby's father came by to introduce himself to you," she replied, her gaze lowered.

"You little sneak!" Inou said, a gasp turning into a smile. "It's Mr. Daffodil, isn't it!"

"Inou, don't be nosy," his mother said. She cleared her throat, slightly. "But… is it him?"

"Yes," Nadeshiko replied.

Of course, the family had suspected for a while, by this time, that Nadeshiko had finally found Someone. The name Daffodil came from a particularly memorable birthday of Nadeshiko's, where she had woken up to find her front yard completely blanketed in the flowers, commissioned from Hashiki. The only sign Hashiki passed on about the admirer's identity was the name of the flower, and a card wishing her a happy birthday.

"Yes, I am… seeing someone," Nadeshiko had admitted, at the time - and she had to, after all that. "But he prefers his privacy and I'd ask that you… respect his wishes and leave us be."

That had been fine enough - how Nadeshiko lived her life was her own business, after all, and everyone was mostly relieved that she was in a relationship, period - but now a baby was involved, so more had to be known.

"So, we're finally going to meet him!" Karai said. "When was he coming over?"

"He… requested some time off in June, for my birthday," Nadeshiko said. "And he'll be here again in August, when I'm due."

It was already mid May. "You're that far along?" Ino said. "I didn't even notice you were showing!"

Nadeshiko just kept her head down.

"Why were you going to wait so long to introduce us?" Ino continued. "I mean, this is the father of your child, Nadeshiko!"

"...would you mind if I spoke to you and Father in private, please," Nadeshiko said. "Just for a moment."

"Sis, hey, what is it you have to say to them that you can't say to us?"

"Inou, I'm sorry. This is for the privacy of… my partner," Nadeshiko said. "I can trust Mother and Father. I won't take long."

"Of course, Nadeshiko. We can take this to the living room," Sasuke said. He'd been smiling, slightly, hearing all this news of new grandchildren, and his voice was gentle and permissive.

(And this only made Nadeshiko feel worse.)

"Han, please stay outside with everyone else," Nadeshiko said, as she left to join her parents.

"...'kay, Mom…" Han replied. He shrank with guilt, since it was now very much apparent that this was supposed to be a secret.

"Don't know why she can't trust us with that sort of thing," Inou said, once the door was closed behind them.

"Maybe her boyfriend's, like, a high-ranking politician or something," Karai said.

"Let's not get ahead of ourselves," Ninako said. "Wow, ha, I didn't expect to be upstaged like that…"

"You're no less important, Ninako," Hajime assured her.

Behind the closed doors of the living room, Nadeshiko sat, silent, across from her parents, her hands in her lap.

"So, what is it you need to tell us?" Sasuke said. "If your partner needs discretion because of his job then we'll honor that, absolutely."

"Of course, honey," Ino added.

"...it's partly that," Nadeshiko said. "And I knew you'd respect that from the start. This is another thing entirely. Why I waited so long to tell you."

"What is it, Nadeshiko?" Ino said.

"I wanted there to be… no question about the family accepting the… child we're having together," Nadeshiko said. "Because there may be issues."

"Nadeshiko, we would accept any child of yours," Sasuke said.

"That's right, Nadeshiko, no matter what," Ino added. "I mean, we already have Hajime's and Takeru's kids, I think we'll be able to handle anything at this point."

"...you don't know the father, though," Nadeshiko said. Her head lowered further, like a shamed child.

"Well, we're going to meet him soon, aren't we?" Ino said. She paused. "He's not a Hyuuga, is he?"

"No, no, he's not," Nadeshiko replied. She closed her eyes tightly.

"Nadeshiko, what is the issue at hand, here?" Sasuke said. "If this is causing you trouble and there's something I can do about it, then-"

"His name is Takada," Nadeshiko blurted. "Takada Ooda."

Ino gasped. "You mean the actor!"

(Of course, that wasn't the first connection that came to her mind.)

(And it not the first in Sasuke's, more importantly.)

"Yes," Nadeshiko said. "We… met shortly after Han was born. And, Mother, Father, he's been so good to our family, you have to understand."

"Of course, I don't doubt that! I saw those daffodils!" Ino said. "Well, if he's someone that famous, then I can understand wanting to be discrete otherwise…"

"Mm. So I… wanted to wait until I introduced you all to tell you we were having a child together," Nadeshiko continued. "Because… we're keeping it, and raising it."

"Why would you think we'd try to make you do otherwise?" Ino said. "And beyond that, I think we'd have started to notice something by next month…"

"...I didn't think that you'd approve of him," Nadeshiko said.

"Why wouldn't we approve of him?" Ino said. "He seems like a perfectly wonderful man."

(Ino was painfully aware of the fact that Sasuke wasn't saying a thing.)

"A-At any rate!" Ino continued. "He's coming over in June, is he?"

"That's the plan," Nadeshiko said, her voice quiet, almost whispering.

"Then I'll be sure to make a feast for him," Ino said. "I insist."

"That would be nice," Nadeshiko said.

"You plan on telling the rest of the family who he is, then?" Ino said. "Or are you waiting until he gets here?"

"He's… on a film shoot, right now, and his free time is… limited, for the time being," Nadeshiko said. "If word got out he was coming here, then…"

"I understand, I understand," Ino said. "You want some time where he won't be bothered. I'll keep my mouth shut."

"Thank you," Nadeshiko said. "I'll go back out, then."

"You do that, honey," Ino said. "I'll be… here with your father until then."

Nadeshiko's glance backward was knowing and dark as she went for the door, and closed it behind her.

Ino held absolutely nothing back in clearing things away with Sasuke, once she was gone. "You had better be okay with this."

Sasuke didn't say anything, his face stern.

"Sasuke, for heaven's sake!"

"Ino, I'm just… thinking," he said, but his face suggested more anger than thought.

"Well, I don't care what you think," Ino said. "You are going to support Nadeshiko because it's what she deserves."

"I know it's what she deserves!" Sasuke said. The volume startled Ino; he hadn't raised his voice that way in years. "I just… I just don't know if he's… right for her!"

"Sasuke! Nadeshiko is a grown woman, and I think she knows who is and isn't right to be her partner!" Ino's skin grew red, on her face and on her neck. "You should be ashamed of yourself."

"I am ashamed, Ino, you don't think I am?" Sasuke said. "But… but this is our daughter, and he's…"

"An award-winning actor that literally bought her a field of daffodils for her birthday," Ino said, pointedly.

Sasuke mumbled something.

"Excuse me?"

"...you can't deny where he's… from, though," Sasuke said.

"Oh, for the love of - is this about Orochimaru?" Ino said.

"...you don't have to say his name," Sasuke said.

"You wouldn't be saying this about Yakata," Ino said.

"No! No, of course not, I would never."

"Then, obviously, why is Ooda any different?"

"Because…!" Sasuke winced, his whole body shivering slightly. "Because I don't know him! I don't know who he is! All I know is - is what I know! And I just...!" He exhaled. "I don't want him to hurt her."

Ino softened her voice. "Sasuke, I don't think that he's hurting her…"

"I know, I know, but…" Sasuke groaned. "I don't know if I'm going to be okay with this. I'm sorry."

Ino breathed in, sharply. "Well, you're going to have to be okay with this," she said. "And I think that Nadeshiko knew you were going to react like this, if she waited this long to tell us about him."

"She probably did…" Sasuke said. He leaned over and rested his forehead on the palms of his hands.

"Sasuke, when he comes over, please, can you at least be nice to him?" Ino said. "It's the least Nadeshiko deserves."

"I know, I know, I'll... I'll try." He sighed. "I'm just..." Sasuke shook his head. "What if he's… doing things to her?"

"Things?"

Sasuke mumbled something that sounded like "manipulating" or "molesting."

"I highly doubt he's doing things like that to her, Sasuke," Ino said.

"I hope so, I really hope so," Sasuke said.

Ino sighed again. "Give him a little credit, Sasuke. You hardly know him. And… honestly, if he makes Nadeshiko happy, then... we should be thankful to him, more than anything."

Sasuke didn't say anything, just breathing in through his nose, deeply, and trying not to imagine Nadeshiko surrounded by white snake-ropes, or a long tongue gliding over her face, around her neck.

(Things he, himself, had only ever experienced in mind-spaces and invasions of consciousness.)

They re-entered the living room together, and Sasuke managed to look untroubled as Ino nipped Inou's curiosity and reported that all Nadeshiko said was when, exactly, her partner was coming to visit. Sasuke excused himself to take a walk, and was outwardly fine by the time he got back.

Nadeshiko hid it well, when he saw her again, but he could tell that she felt completely ashamed, and she avoided looking at him, keeping her hands on her stomach, as if hiding what was growing there.

After dinner, Sasuke took his longest pair of knitting needles and filled them with plain, white yarn, and knit without thinking, letting patterns emerge on their own, mathematical and unfeeling. It was the best he could do to escape, and let his anxiety out, stitch by stitch.

He had to be okay with this.

But as much as he wanted to think otherwise, he wasn't.