Chapter Twenty-Eight: One Year Later
~Itachi's POV~
Standing in front of the huge green and red gates that opened up to the one place I called home was a dream. Something I had thought I would never get to experience after I died… and died for the second time. But this time my life wouldn't be cut short after an Edo Tenshi ended or because I was sick.
My hand wrapped around similarly warm fingers assured me that this wasn't a dream and that I was really in Konoha. Even for just a visit it was amazing to see everyone walking around, chatting, and being friendly. The best thing about it all, was that no one gave Amaya and I a second glance. (Though the hat Amaya had forced on me helped.) I didn't want to use a Genjutsu for this visit, it would just cause the war-hardened ninja to react. Old habits truly died hard.
"Name and visa?" A male voice barely cut through my feelings of 'Home'.
"Amaya and Itachi." Amaya stated loud and clear handing over the visa's Kakashi had sent with his last letter.
"Hmm, civilians?" I resisted the urge to sigh at the Eternal Chuunin as they sensed his chakra. Kotestu and Izumo had been doing this job a long time, should've known they wouldn't play dumb enough to let a fully functioning shinobi in. I briefly recalled the Chuunin Exams when it had been easier to walk in. No, couldn't do that again.
"One civilian and one paranoid retired ninja. I'm sure you boys can relate to him not wanting to be recognized." I smirked at Amaya's tone. She may have been impatient and sometimes crazy, but she knew how to talk. Sometimes.
"Hm, sorry but we'll have to ask him to remove his hat." Amaya sighed. I could feel her eyes join the Chuunin's.
"'Tachi, would you like to flare your chakra to announce to Kakashi-kun that we are here? Maybe he would like to escape from his paperwork."
"That won't be necessary." The bottom of the hat lifted as my eyes peeked out from under the shade to see Sasuke and Naruto walking towards us.
"Amaya-neechan! Itachi-san." Naruto greeted.
"Naruto. Sasuke, you know these two?" I had to stifle the urge to roll my eyes at Sasuke's reply.
"No we just want to continue talking until they tell us their names. Of course we know their names."
"Yeah they're cool Izumo, Kotetsu. Besides Kakashi-sensei sent us to come get them."
"Told you Kakashi-kun knew us." Amaya rubbed it inn.
"Maya, be nice." I said before nodding my head at Sasuke. "Sasuke, Naruto."
"Come on, we don't have all day." Sasuke motioned. I fell into step beside him making sure Amaya never let go of my hand.
"See you guys later." Naruto called before he appeared walking beside Amaya. "Whew, I thought we'd actually have to get Kakashi or Sakura to come in."
"Hm, Sakura could've done more damage."
"What's up with Kotestu and Izumo?" Amaya asked letting me remain silent. Observation before action had been a good motto as it saved time on running in head first into situations.
"They don't get a lot of action so they're bored." Naruto sighed. "I think we got enough action when the war ended."
"Oh, so you haven't gone travelling or anything Sasuke?" Amaya asked.
"Hn." Sasuke grunted. 'Too troublesome'.
"Hn." I replied unable to help myself. 'You're becoming a Nara'.
"Hn." 'Shut up aniki.'
"Keep grunting and I'll make sure you're both toads." Amaya warned squeezing my hand meaningfully.
"I hate it when the teme does that." Naruto whined.
"Tell me about it, Itachi is just as bad."
"Hn." 'I love you'.
"You better." Amaya replied. A smile tugged at my lips.
We arrived at the Hokage's Tower without any further delays. With the one exception of a woman asking Naruto for directions to Ichiraku Ramen.
"Why did you two decide to come now?" Sasuke asked as they walked through the hallways of the Tower.
"Couldn't wait to see Konoha's number one ninja?" Naruto asked gleefully.
"Easy dobe, your heads getting big."
"We wanted to talk with you three." Amaya broke in before the two could argue any further.
"I see you two still fight like cats and dogs." I murmured.
"Don't you mean toads and snakes?" Naruto chuckled.
"Just because we spent a couple weeks together doesn't mean we won't stop fighting. We're not that far into our age."
"Don't you mean maturity?" Amaya asked as Naruto knocked on the door before walking in.
"I like that better." I chuckled.
"Shove it." Sasuke hissed.
"Hey Kakashi! What's up?" My gaze drifted around the room looking for exits and entrances, taking note of the ANBU at the edges of the office and making sure to put Amaya in easy reach if any danger should befall us. Like I said, old habits died hard.
"About time." Kakashi eye smiled promptly putting some documents to the side. I raised an eyebrow at his reluctance to touch or even look at it any further. "Cat, Turtle, you can go on break." The two ANBU left with a flicker of chakra. When Kakashi put up the sound barrier my hand reached up to take the hat off.
"Hokage-sama." I bowed my head.
"Nice to see you again Itachi." Kakashi smiled again before motioning for them to sit. Particularly Amaya who sighed and took a seat when I nudged her forward.
"Men and your pushiness. When I'm done with this I'm gonna kick both of your asses." She muttered.
"Here's the things you wanted." I ignored Amaya's rants to hand Kakashi a storage scroll. His eyes gleamed in appreciation as he took the scroll carefully.
"Don't tell me there's more smutty books in there." Naruto groaned.
"We haven't gotten him off that last shipment you sent." Sasuke sighed.
"I knew you were feeding his addiction." Amaya glared at me. I smiled innocently at her only for her to shake her head. "Whatever, we're here on business."
"Business?" Naruto asked as Amaya reached into her bag. "What kind of business?"
"We're here to invite you to a wedding." I sighed handing Sasuke an invitation as Amaya handed one to Kakashi and Naruto respectively.
"Why would I want to go… Ariel's wedding?" Sasuke asked. "I barely spoke to her."
"Because according to Itachi- and Uchiha family rules- you're supposed to attend this as well as having some witnesses that are actually ninja from said ninja's home village. Or something along those lines." Amaya sighed. "And trust me; I believe we've all done something to stop this day from coming."
"Who's she marrying?" Naruto asked opening the envelope. It took all of three seconds for the three to go completely still. I spoke before they reacted.
"He's not the same as he was when he was revived by the Edo Tenshi. In fact I believe because of Ariel's memory charm he didn't realize he knew about the mission from six months ago."
"When did he arrive in your dimension?" Kakashi snapped looking at Amaya. I tensed at hearing his tone of voice.
"About four months ago." She sighed. "And trust me don't even take any attitude with me about why we didn't say anything sooner. The Akatsuki and the Council have been evaluating him over the past few weeks. Once he was released into Ariel's care it wasn't until two weeks later that he asked her to marry him. And since she's a part of my team he had to go through me and Analia."
"They were very thorough." I smirked remembering the way HE had looked when they'd gotten through with him. "He withstood every potion and spell short of poisoning him."
"And you allowed this marriage?" Sasuke asked looking at me. I gave him a dry glare.
"What do you think?"
"What happened?" Kakashi asked looking at Amaya.
"Akatsuki is very thorough when they take out their anger on someone. He couldn't walk for a whole two weeks after they were done. Analia and I just about turned him into a vegetable. But…" She looked at me.
"He passed every test thrown at him. He hasn't stepped out of line or even left Ariel's ancestral home. He seems happy to be on 'house arrest'."
"But-but-but…" Naruto trailed off looking angry, sad, and uncomfortable.
"We have tried everything but unfortunately, he's very stubborn when it comes to marrying Ariel."
"She made an impact on him." Amaya said taking my hand. I squeezed it knowing she was thinking about our situation.
"And you're inviting us to this union?" Kakashi asked sounding thoughtful.
"Ariel asked us to deliver the invitations while we were here." I said.
"You're presence matters to her. You can also bring the girls as they're invited to." Amaya said.
"Wait, you didn't come just to deliver this?" Sasuke asked holding the invitation like it had offended him. Otouto actually wasn't far off since I considered it an offense that he managed to live in another life. But others would think the same about Akatsuki too so the point was moot.
"Nope." Amaya said smiling up at me. "In fact, Itachi wanted to tell you himself Sasuke." I gave her a look that she ignored choosing to instead hold her hand against her side. A bubble of happiness welled inside me.
"Aniki?" I met Sasuke's eyes trying to stop the smile that graced my face.
"Otouto, how would you feel about being an uncle?" I asked. Amaya snorted as Kakashi snickered.
"What?" Sasuke asked dumbfounded. His eyes darted to Amaya. I guessed she was still holding her stomach as Sasuke's eyes gleamed with understanding. "B-But… how- when?"
"I would assume you know how." I sighed looking at Kakashi who was still snickering. "Didn't you give him the Talk?"
"Me? No, But I assume Orochimaru did at some point. Unless it was Sakura."
"And as for when, I'm going to assume you want a due date." Amaya chuckled. "June 6th. Three days before Itachi's birthday."
"That was a coincidence." I replied seeing Kakashi's look.
"Wait, what's going on?" Naruto asked scratching his head.
"I'm having a baby." Amaya announced with a huge smile on her face.
"WHAT?!" Naruto yelled already smiling. "CONGRATULATIONS!"
"Now that's how you react." Amaya teased as Naruto picked her up and swung her around. I rolled my eyes but Naruto's outburst reminded me of my own when Amaya told me.
"Congratulations aniki." I nodded seeing my brothers smile. "Seems the clan hasn't died out completely."
"When are you going to marry Sakura and have Sarada?" I asked innocently. Sasuke's red face was enough for me as I chuckled. Sasuke looked at me seriously.
"But are you sure about… him?"
"Honestly?" I murmured looking at Naruto who was talking with Amaya and Kakashi about a baby shower and birthdays. "I'm going to be keeping an eye on him. I don't fully trust him and it wouldn't be good for him if he decided to go back to his ways and threaten the witches."
"Or your family." I nodded agreeing with Sasuke. "Kami, I thought Madara would have stayed dead."
"Our enemies seem to enjoy coming back from the dead."
"We'll be at the wedding. You can't have too much back-up when it concerns Madara." I nodded.
"I just hope we won't need it. He does seem sincere in his feelings for Ariel."
"Hn. We'll see."
"Oi, if you two continue to plot against Madara you're going to miss Naruto planning the whole Baby Shower!" Amaya called. "I have half a mind to make him our child's godfather!"
"R-really?" Sasuke snorted.
"As if. I have an advantage being the child's uncle."
"A sourpuss uncle."
"Shut up dobe."
"Teme!"
"Dobe!"
"You sure you want both of them?" Amaya asked as I joined them. I nodded to Kakashi who was ignoring everyone for his books.
"It'll be better than Kakashi." Amaya sighed.
"Sadly, you have a point." So began the next chapter in my life. A new family that hopefully wouldn't end with dead and destruction. Although knowing Amaya, she would beat some sense into our child before he/she went down that road. After all, that's what it meant to be a Guardian.
GM NASAI: I finally finished it. To Be A Guardian is finally finished. I'm not sure whether to cry or thank Kami that I actually finished the longest story I have ever done. I just have a few things to say so bear with me and then you'll probably never have to read any other author rants for this story (maybe).
1) THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO REVIEWED WHILE THIS STORY WAS GOING ON. YOU GUYS HAVE BEEN THE BEST BY REVIEWING AND GIVING ME INSPIRATION TO WRITE.
2) I'm still unsure about doing a sequel, but once I'm sure about it I'll post a chapter.
3) I am kind of disappointed about the ending. I left it at a cliff-hanger. :)
4) Just because I am done with this story doesn't mean I'll stop writing. After all, plots come everyday when your doing something totally random.
5) This will be the last omake!
"Hey b*tch! Get the f*ck out of the restroom already!" Hidan yelled banging on the bathroom door. With everyone in Akatsuki living here you'd have thought that we'd include a perfectly numbered amount of bathrooms. But no. Unfortunately the budget (which Kakuzu took charge over) was only enough for three bathrooms. And since there were twelve people living in a five bedroom house, yeah bathrooms filled up quick. Especially in the morning.
"I'll be out soon!" I yelled through the door.
"You've been in there for ten minutes. It doesn't take that long to do hair!" Sasori growled.
"And why are you in line?" I yelled back. "I thought you were a puppet again?"
"You f*cking turned him into a real boy last week!"
"I did?" I questioned myself not remembering that. My eyes went back to the small glass bowl filled with liquid on the sink. It should be changing colors soon according to the Book. The anxiety was killing me.
"Oi, Uchiha! Get your b*tch out of the bathroom before I kill her myself!"
"Blue is negative, purple is positive. The liquid should change soon. Hopefully by then Hidan won't kill me." I muttered praying for time to go faster.
I checked the time. Fifteen minutes had passed. I got off the tub going to the sink fearfully. I was both scared and anxious for the results of the homemade pregnancy test. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath as the potion sizzled. I waited until the sizzling died down before opening my eyes to see purple liquid.
"HOLY F*CKING SH*T!" I accidentally yelled staring at the bowl. The book fell out of my hands and to the floor with a dull thud. My gaze never left the purple bowl, even as the door swung open.
"Brat! I do not enjoy waiting." Sasori growled. He stopped seeing me frozen. "Amaya, are you hurt?"
"No." I gasped out looking at the liquid. "That liquid is purple, right Sasori?"
"Yes... Have you been drinking?" I felt my eyes water and overflow. "Amaya?" I turned to look at the red haired real boy.
"I-I-I'm"
"You're what?" He hissed narrowing his eyes at me. I just smiled like an idiot before glomping him. "What the f*ck is wrong with you?"
"I'm pregnant." I whispered in his ear as joy filled me. He stiffened.
"What?"
"I'm pregnant." I repeated pulling away from him. "I'm sorry about that and the hogging of the bathroom but I had to check just really quickly. I've been noticing little things about this since a month ago and I couldn't take it anymore so I had to just-"
"Are you sure?" Sasori asked looking me dead in the eyes. I nodded. "Then I suggest you go tell Itachi before I smack you over the head for waiting until the idiot loudmouth came back to tell me he was in line before me."
"Of course." I sweat-dropped. "You guys always say women are worse but you men are divas when it comes to the bathroom time." I huffed waving my hand to clean up the bowl and liquid before grabbing the book and exiting the bathroom in a huff. He could've been a little more heartfelt. He wasn't a freaking puppet anym-
"Amaya." I stopped turning to him.
"What?" A small smile was on his face making him look like an actual sixteen year old boy.
"Congratulations." I smiled.
"Thanks Sori-danna." I continued on my way only to stop as he spoke again.
"I call dibs on being that child's Godfather." The door slammed shut before I could see Sasori again. I blinked in shock registering what he'd said before rerunning it through my head a few times. Eventually a smile was on my face.
"Sure thing danna." I continued down the stairs intent on pulling Itachi away from the meeting Yahiko and Nagato always had every other week. I really hoped he fainted, but the possibilities were low on that front. Still, my evil grin was on, it couldn't hurt to hope right?
Thank you all! GM NASAI out~