Heart's Treasure
Chapter 4: Called Upon
I hope you enjoy this chapter please leave a review. Thanks for reading.
Perspective: Snow and Kakuzu
Snow's Perspective
I sat down in the office I shared with Eiji. My eyes were locked on the window. It was a beautiful day out, yet I'm still hurting. My hands rested on my stomach. A gentle hand on my shoulder woke me from my trance.
"What's on your mind?" asked Eiji.
"Nothing", I said.
"Snow, I've known you long enough to know that's never true", said Eiji.
"My mind is on him", I said.
Eiji didn't ask why.
"He seems to be more on your mind today. What makes today special?" asked Eiji.
"I saw him last night", I said.
"Snow he's-
"I know what he is Eiji. Don't ever doubt I don't know. The painful ache I feel every time I wake up is a constant reminder", I said.
"It was a dream", said Eiji.
"Dreams are the only place I can see him, touch him, listen to his hearts beat. But whatever I saw last night didn't feel like a dream", I said.
"What did he do which made it feel so real?" asked Eiji.
"He kissed me", I said.
"A simple kiss can easily be replicated in a dream", said Eiji.
"A simple kiss can mean so much", I said.
"What made this so different?" asked Eiji.
"It was loving and left a small warmth on my lips. The warmth of the kiss that couldn't be replicated even by one of the most realistic dreams", I said.
"You'd be surprised about how real a touch can feel in a dream especially when the love was so strong", said Eiji.
There was a knock on the door. Eiji opened it. The woman had long orange and gray eyes. It was Leader's animal path under a simple transformation jutsu. That hid away her piercings and true eyes.
"Who sent you?" asked Eiji.
"I was sent by Lady Konan of the Hidden Rain Village", said the woman.
Eiji instantly shut the doors.
"Who is she?" asked Eiji.
"Family", I said.
She placed the basket carefully on the desk. The expression of sadness and pain was apparent on her face.
"Snow please take care of my daughter", said Leader.
"Daughter?"
"Konan wanted to tell you, but we couldn't risk anyone knowing", said Leader.
How could I not have noticed? And how did she hide it so easily?
"Why are you entrusting her to me? I know how much Konan wanted a child. She wouldn't just give her daughter away. Even if it were to a trusted friend. What's going on Leader", I said.
"I know this is asking a lot, but my wife and I want our daughter to be safe. I can't grantee her safety if she stays with us, but you can. That's if you will allow her stay within your village", said Leader.
I can't make choice without Eiji's support. I looked over at him.
"I'm no a monster Snow. I won't refuse shelter to an innocent child", said Eiji.
I took the little girl from her basket. She had her father's dark red hair and her mother's orange eyes. She couldn't be more than two months old.
"She's beautiful", I said.
"You're her godmother Snow", said Leader.
I gently kissed her on the forehead.
"You are the only one both Konan and I trust to have that role", said Leader.
"I'll treat her like she's my own", I said.
"I know you will", said Leader.
The animal path came closer Rose. She gently touched the infant's cheek.
"My child your mother and I love you. Hopefully when you're older you'll understand. I love you Rose never forget that", said Leader before she kissed her on the forehead.
Tears streamed from Leader's eyes. After taking a few more moments with his daughter she vanished in a puff of smoke.
"You are now a mother to four", said Eiji.
"I'm not her mother. That title will always belong to Konan", I said.
"I'm not so sure", said Eiji.
I didn't know what he meant by that.
"Are you sure you can handle this?" asked Eiji.
"They are my family I have to", I said.
"Konan must be a strong woman being able to give away her child for what's best for Rose", said Eiji.
There was a knock at the door.
"Come in", said Eiji.
It was Kameko.
"Whose baby is that?" asked Kameko.
"She's my niece", I said.
Kameko pulled two letters. One was addressed to me the other to Rose.
"I think you should read this", said Kameko.
I put Rose back in the basket. I opened the letter addressed to me and started reading:
Snow I should have told you I was with child, but Nagato wanted me to keep it a secret. It was for Rose's safety. We had a beautiful baby girl that I love more than anything in the world. As mothers we want what's best for our child even if it means hurting ourselves. My Rose is safer far away from violence. I don't want my baby to be raised to be a criminal. I don't want her to suffer the loss of her parents.
I have a feeling I won't make it through this. I want Rose to be safe and be raised in a loving home. When I thought of love you came to mind you are one of the most carrying people I know and my sister. I trust you with my life and more importantly my child.
I want you to be her mother. It's role I wish more than anything to be in her life, but doing that puts her innocent life in constant danger. Please raise her to be a strong and wonderful girl.
From: Nagato and Konan
To: Snow
The ink of the letter was splotchy from Konan and Nagato's tears. Sapphires and pink pearls fell from my eyes.
"Who is she to you?" asked Eiji.
"She's my daughter", I said.
I took a deep breath and trying to regain control. Toshi came in. He didn't know what to think of the situation.
"Toshi can you do me a favor?" I asked.
"Of course sensei", said Toshi.
"Can you pick up Saizo and Hazel from school?" I asked.
He nodded his head.
"I'll help you get things ready for her. I have some handy downs that will fit her", said Kameko.
We got everything we needed for Rose's arrival at her new home. Ren and Ryuu helped us lug the supplies back to the house.
"Thanks for the help you two", I said.
"No problem sensei we were happy to help", said Ren.
I made Rose a bottle. She hungrily ate. I burped her. She gave a small smile and nuzzled closely to my chest.
"I have to go my own children need me", said Kameko.
"Go a head Kameko thank you for the help", I said.
She returned to her house, which was right next to mine. Saizo and Hazel barged into the house. Rose started crying at the disruption to her peaceful sleep. I started rocking and her. She settled down.
"Who's that?" asked Saizo.
"This is your little sister Rose", I said.
"Yes! I knew mommy would have a girl", said Hazel.
"Then why are you still so big even though the baby out of you?" asked Saizo.
"She's adopted, but that doesn't mean she's any less your sister", I said.
"She's so tiny", said Saizo.
"Were we that small?" asked Hazel.
"Yes", I said.
I put Rose in the nursery that was supposed to be for my unborn child. After a few days the fuss over Rose settled after a few days. My fingers played with Kakuzu wedding ring on my locket.
"How are you feeling?" asked Kameko.
"Fine", I said.
"I doubt that. You seem gloomy and I'm not the only one who's taken notice. You should go visit him it's been a while. I'll watch the kids", said Kameko.
"That leaves you alone with four kids and an infant. I can't ask you to do that", I said.
"You'll owe me one and besides they will tire each other out", said Kameko.
I walked to graveyard. My feet were aching by the time I got there.
Kakuzu's Perspective
I saw someone walk into a graveyard. I recognized that white hair anywhere. She stopped by my grave. I edged closer to her, but not enough to be noticed. Her long hair was down. She was dress. The only time she wears one is when she's pregnant. Her hand rested protectively on her stomach.
"I don't know why I even come here. The only thing buried here is a forehead protector and a ring, but I'm drawn to this place", said Snow.
The sadness in her voice was apparent. She slowly sat down on the grass.
"I thought you would want to know I'm having a boy. I'm going to name him Kotaro. At first I want to name him after you, but I couldn't risk it", said Snow.
I'm having another son, but I will never be able to know him. At least he has a loving mother and siblings.
"We also have a new addition to our family her name is Rose. She's Leader's and Konan but now she's ours. They ask me to watch over her", said Snow.
She sat there for a while before I realized she couldn't get up. I started walking toward her. Snow's body tensed. Even in this seemingly defenseless position Snow is deadly. It would be a foolish mistake.
Snow's Perspective
I couldn't get up. Why did I sit down? I heard someone walking toward me. My body tensed. A diamond kunai appeared in my hand.
"I'm no threat to you", said a man.
His hand were up showing he had no weapon. I nodded my head and his body relaxed. I looked over the man. He was tall and had olive skin. My best guess was he was in his late fifties. His salt and pepper black hair that went to his shoulders. The man's eyes were a neon green color. He had a short beard.
"Who are you?" I asked.
"I'm the grounds keeper", he said.
"Why haven't I see you here before?" I asked.
"I've only been working here a short while", he said.
"Do you have a name? I know practically know all the villagers. I don't know your face", I said.
"Goemon Fuma. And you are Lady Minori", he said.
"Please call me Minori. I don't like the title", I said.
His smile put me at ease.
"How much of my conversation did you hear?" I asked.
"What you say to your husband is between you and him. Not me or anyone else. Do you need a hand?" asked Goemon.
"Yes, that would be nice", I said.
He offered me his hand. I took it. I fell forward. He caught me. I nearly started crying. It reminded me so much of when Kakuzu caught me so long ago.
"Thank you for catching me", I said.
"Can I offer you a piece of advice?" asked Goemon.
I nodded my head.
"You won't be sad forever", said Goemon.
"I hope that's true I'm so tired of being strong", I said.
"You will manage. People always manage to stay strong for their children", said Goemon.
"I better be getting home soon I left my sister with four kids and baby. Thank you", I said.
"For what?" he asked.
"I don't know, but for some reason I felt like thanking you", I said.
Kakuzu's Perspective
I couldn't help smiling. Holding her made the unnatural coolness of my body warm. I moved a small bench from the storage next to the grave. Snow shouldn't be sitting on the ground while she's pregnant. It's not good for her or our child. I mowed the giant lawn and pulled the weeds. I went into the tomb and washed the dust off diamond encasements. I stopped at one of the bodies. The woman looked just like Snow. This must be her mother. I heard someone come into the tomb.
"You've done a good job. Even the old grounds keeper refused to come in here", said Eiji.
"Death doesn't scare me", I said.
"Why not? It's in the human base instinct to fear death", said Eiji.
"It's a part of the cycle of life. The old will fade into history and the new generation will come through. You are an exception to the rule though", I said.
"Some days I wish I weren't. Immortality is a curse. I can't help feeling bad for Minori. She will stay forever young and out live her children. No, parent should out live their child", said Eiji.
I nodded my head in agreement. He left. The night came. I just lay on cot staring at the ceiling of my shack. This was a simple life far from any kind of life I've ever lived before. I felt something calling me outside. There was a coffin standing up right. I had a strong urge to enter it. I walked into it. When the coffin door open again I was somewhere else. I saw a man in a hood.
"Who are you?" I asked.
"You don't recognize me do you, Kakuzu", said the man.
How does he know my name? When I looked at my hands I saw my transformation jutsu released. He pulled down his hood it was Kabuto.
"Kabuto!" I growled.
As much as I want to kill him I couldn't. My body refused to make the actions. His appearance changed since I last saw him. Half his face was the same sickly pale as Orochimaru. One of his eyes was snake like.
"I'm guessing you're confused about how you came back to life", said Kabuto.
I nodded my head.
"It's simple you are part of my impure world reincarnation. You came back well. You're almost at full power", said Kabuto.
"Why bring me back? I've been thinking of ways to kill ever since you hurt my wife", I said.
He cringed when I called Snow my wife.
"I would never hurt her. You are no longer her husband. She's a widow now", said Kabuto.
He's right.
"We both know you won't do that. You are under my control. As to why I brought you back is you're the key to me getting what I want", said Kabuto.
"I will never help you in your pursuit of my Snow", I said.
"You don't have to worry about Orochimaru any more he was killed by Sasuke Uchiha", said Kabuto.
Orochimaru is dead. Snow has one less enemy to look out for.
"Snow will never give into you", I said.
"You're doubting how strong her feelings are for you. Her feelings for you are only seconded by her feelings for her children", said Kabuto.
My eyes went wide.
"Leave them out of this", I said.
"I couldn't go near them even if I wanted to. They're far too well protected. Getting you under my control was much easier", said Kabuto.
Kabuto started laughing.
"It's cute you've got job to be near her. I couldn't even make a better torture than that. To be near you family without truly being they're for them. You'll never be husband to your wife again or a father to your children again. You shall never be intimate with her or reveal yourself to her that is an order", said Kabuto.
"What makes you think I'll follow your orders", I said.
"Oh you will. You may leave now", said Kabuto
I returned to my shack. That bastard was right. I can never be truly close to family again.
Snow's Perspective
The day had gone by smoothly the twins fell asleep quickly. Playing with their cousins tired them out. I couldn't sleep though. I made myself a snack and took out a note pad. After two hours and many attempt I finally finished my letter to Konan. I gave it one more read over to me sure it was fitting.
To: My dearest sister
I've written this letter many times over to properly word it in a way to ease your pain. I realized there were no words I could use to possibly end pain you are feeling. No child should be taken away from as loving a mother as you. I promise I will protect and love Rose like she's my own.
Konan you will forever be her true mother. You gave Rose her first knowledge of love not me. You and Nagato will always be welcome to see her. Please be careful Konan. I wish both you and your husband peacefulness. I hope my watch over you beautiful daughter will only be temporary. I beg of you sister please be careful.
I put the letter in an envelope. I place a sealing jutsu on it. I don't want to risk anyone, but Konan reading this. Dart slithered my arm.
"How may I be of service to you my lady?" asked Dart.
"I want you to deliver this to Konan", I said.
"Yes my lady", said Dart before he took the letter in his mouth.
I heard crying from the nursery. I got a bottle from the fridge. I took Rose from her crib and gave her a bottle. Her golden orange eyes stared at me.
"I hope your mother will come for you. Until then I will love like you're my own", I said.
She didn't seem to notice the change in her caretaker. Rose probably thought her real mommy would be coming back any day now.
"You know your mommy loves more than life itself. She wouldn't have put you in my care if she didn't. I would do the same thing if I were in her position", I said.
I wrapped her in blanket and placed her back in her back in the crib.
"Goodnight", I said.
Spike followed me into my room. He easily jumped onto the bed. I joined him in bed. I ran my finger through his wiry fur. I started crying. He whined loudly. Spike licked my face trying to comfort me.
"You're a good dog", I said.
He cuddled closely to my side. I placed one of my hand on my stomach.
"Kotaro, your father would love you. He would be surprised, but happy. I wish you could have met him", I said