DISCLAIMER- I own nothing. Unfortunately.
…...
The Slow Road to Recovery...could fuck right off. I had zero patience (it was the reason half the batter never even saw the oven)
…..
The first thing Shisui was aware of was the noise.
Obnoxious 'beep'-ing in one ear (oh, great, that was definitely the hospital then-) and the fuzziness of his head. He felt like that time his sensei had slammed him into the wall during training, ears ringing and brain completely scattered. He'd walked away with a concussion and badly bruised back, sensei's strict command not to fall asleep reverberating in his ears.
Absently, Shisui wondered if this level of pain and confusion was what his sensei had been warning him about.
Probably. It sucked.
His body was alarmingly (or, rather, he would be alarmed if his brain wasn't floating in the clouds - meds, then) disassociated, numb, with his fingers tingling and everything below the waist just not there. Like it didn't even exist.
Shisui wiggled his fingers once, twice, and felt his lips quirk in a tiny grin. They felt so weird, like they weren't even his!
"-family only, I cannot allow-"
Urgh, the overhead screaming match was pretty hard to ignore too.
"-I'd like to see you try! You couldn't drag my dead body-"
Shisui's eyes popped open.
His eyes were burry, the world briefly washed in a milky film, and a spear of panic for his eyes, his Sharingan and Mangekyou, lanced the Jonin's heart.
His life - no, the previous night! - flashed before his eyes.
Danzo- I-Itachi-
His quiet gasp caught the attention of the two females above him and, suddenly, Shisui found himself being prodded by an extremely relieved-looking medic.
Well, he would've seen that, had he not been blinded by a cloud of thick, brown hair.
Arms carefully wrapped around his shoulders, like he was made of spun glass and liable to break, and his head was tucked under a soft chin. Skin was pressed up against his nose, soft and so civilian. She smelled of cookie-dough and the hydrangeas she'd started planting in March. Her hair was a thick curtain around them, loose and dark, falling in tangled waves and curls to block out the rest of the world.
His arms were weak and fingers still numb, but Shisui forced his limbs to come up and clumsily wrap around her back. Bandaged fingers desperately sought purchase in a worn white t-shirt and held on for dear life. Her embrace was both gentle and weary, like coming home from a long journey. And, even as the stream of beraitions in his ear continued to question his sanity, even as the nurse continued to try and evict his visitor, even has his head was aching in confusion and the first flashes of pain started to spark in his legs, Shisui held on tight.
Because the last thing he remembered was the mind-blowing agony as his legs splintered like toothpicks and the fire raged around them, Danzo staring down at him with a glowing red eye, and his teammates caught in the flames.
And Itachi...stupid, stupid Itachi crouched in front of him.
…
"Hokage-sama," the Uchiha Heir bowed low, back straight and arms by his sides.
His father's gaze drilled into his back like a kunai pressed to the spine.
"Itachi-kun," Sarutobi returned genially, small black eyes flicking between the Uchiha Heir and the older Nara boy who was still kneeling in front of the desk. "I understand you must be weary after your...excursions...but, your report."
Eyes cast down, lashes brushing his cheeks, the onyx-haired boy aquiested.
"Just before the fire broke out, my younger brother, Sasuke, suggested we surprise our mother with dinner. On our way out of the Compound, an explosion sounded a few minutes away in the South-East of the Village. We were closer to the Station than the Compound, so we continued to there instead. Upon arriving, my father had already left, as had most of the force."
The Sandaime's eyes flickered over Itachi's head and, no doubt receiving confirmation from Fugaku, focused back on the young boy infront of him.
"However, Detective Osamu was still present, so I entrusted my brother to him whilst I located mother and Ensui-san. Unfortunately, Ensui-san had already been dispatched alongside the other Chuunins to extinguish the flames. By the time I had left the Station, I am told my mother returned and assumed command of the police force in my father's place."
Ensui's shoulders straightened minutely - Pride, Itachi thought - but the younger boy barely gave the slip a second thought. It was here that his tale became...tricky.
"Sergeant Kagen-san informed me that my cousin, Shisui, had been seen at the heart of the fire, in one of the wealthier neighbourhoods, so I...I went to find him."
The heavy silence that pervaded the office had Itachi internally twitching.
"That was...a foolish venture, Itachi-kun," the Sandaime noted, sounding slightly surprised. As if he had not thought itachi capable of such action. But… it was Shisui, his closest friend. If Shisui was in the fire, how could he not go?
"I soon arrived at the burning property but it was obvious that some sort of commotion had taken place and that a number of persons had fled the scene. Judging by the trail of destruction, they were moving towards the Village wall and were easy to follow. As I moved,sounds of a battle became louder. There was a team engaged with the unknown assailants."
Itachi immediately lowered himself to the floor, kneeling in submission in front of his Kage. "Hokage-sama." He did not apologise. He… he didn't want to...
"Itachi-kun," Sarutobi sighed. He needed to know everything.
"I kept going. And everything was aflame, ANBU and non, and Shisui was on the floor with Danzo-sa-Danzo above him." Itachi slowly looked up to meet the Sandaime's eyes. "Shisui was badly wounded, his legs bent the wrong way, so I armed myself and moved between them. The fire was extremely close so I used the Grand Fireball to generate a fire wall between us to gather some distance against our stronger opponent. It was then that Ensui-san arrived and was able to distract Danzo long enough for me to move Shisui to relative safety in the trees above. ANBU backup arrived at that moment and Danzo was forced to flee."
Fingers steepled, the old shinobi closed his eyes for a long moment. Whether it was in deep contemplation or from the bone-deep exhaustion that carved lines in his wrinkled visage, Itachi couldn't tell.
"And this is your report, Itachi-kun?"
The preteen merely nodded. Those black eyes, like two shiny beetles, were too knowing for comfort. Itachi wondered if his father's burning stare would leave a physical brand on the back of his skull.
"You have displayed extraordinary skills and tenacity as a shinobi this evening, Itachi-kun." His father's smugness was almost tangible. "However-" Fugaku's pride was snuffed out like a candle. "We are all leaves on this great tree. You are only Genin and, without a squad, you should never have been near the fire in the first place. That you sought out a potentially-troubled comrade was admirable, but you then proceeded to follow the path of a high-level battle instead if alert your superiors. You saved your friend tonight, but you could have placed him in even more danger had luck failed to be on your side."
The silence was stifling, a physical weight pressing down on his shoulders.
"Well, If that is all Itachi-kun, you may go. You as well, Ensui-kun."
Slowly, slowly, Itachi rose beside his mother's apprentice, feeling like the slave pulling his head from the jaws of the lion.
He didn't look at his father. He already knew what he'd see.
They were almost at the door, the taller boy a solid presence at Itachi's shoulder, when Sandiame-sama spoke again.
"You were a good friend and a loyal comrade this evening Itachi-kun, Ensui-kun. But do not forget that, if none of us depended on or trusted our teammates and fellow shinobi, there would be no Konohagakure. Dismissed."
The door snapped shut behind them with a finite 'click' and they stood in silence on the other side for a long moment, as if to take in all that had happened.
The bandana for a Sergeant, a Junsa-buchou, was clearly wrapped around his left bicep, his right baring the konoha hitai-ate. Whilst new recruits normally started at the bottom, a simple Junsa (officer), Ensui's veteran rank of Chuunin allowed him to enter at a higher level. Itachi had expected nothing less, even if Ensui was the first ever non-Uchiha to join the force. His mother had ways, not to even mention how skilled the older Nara had proven to be over the past week.
When the secretary pointedly coughed, the two boys forced themselves to move. Slowly making their way, side by side and in silence, down flight upon flight of stairs, Itachi just focused on putting one foot in front of the other.
The Tower was almost empty by now, only the 'skeleton crew' still at work, as the duo left the atrium. The street was dark, the street lamps flickering orange and yellow above them, and the wind was still heavy with smoke.
Turning to the Chuunin to acknowledge going their separate ways, Itachi flicked a kunai out of his sleeve when a hand came down on his shoulder. His blade curled threateningly into his would-be attacker's ribs.
"Itachi-san," Ensui drawled, deceptively casual. "How about we grab some food from my flat before heading back to the hospital, hmm?"
A dagger rested innocently on his inner thigh, just on top of his femoral.
It wasn't a question but Itachi nodded anyway.
It was only a few minutes walk to the Chuunin's flat - "The roofs? Why? Shisui...well, he isn't going anywhere for awhile," - but it felt much longer. Ensui, hands in pockets, was content to stroll along in silence, neck tilted back to watch the slowly emerging stars, but Itachi was exhausted. He'd almost collapsed in the hospital, only drawing strength from Sasuke's upset face peering up at him for comfort and his mother's presence. And then, he'd been summoned before Hokage-sama and his father for his account of events. He just wanted to sleep.
But things, evidently, weren't over yet.
He wished Shisui were here. His best friend had always been the more outgoing one, with plenty of friends before they'd all been pulled away by their parents and, then, a strong bond with an older Nara and a civilian Baker. He understood people, emotions, far better than Itachi could fully grasp, and he was as easy going as he was talkative. But, most of all, he'd always been a solid friend Itachi had found himself able to rely on. An ally through it all.
But, if he couldn't ask for Shisui, then Kiharu was a good second choice. They weren't as close but Kiharu was shameless and bright. There was something soothing about the older girl. Maybe it was because, despite their vastly different lifestyles, they had always been 'lumped' together as 'too clever for their own good'. Maybe it was because, even when all the adults seemed uncertain, Kiharu never really lost her sense of direction.
She was also extremely close to Ensui-san. That would've helped, perhaps. At the very least, she wouldn't abide violence.
"Here we are," The Nara slowed to a halt, turning off the street to jump the handful of steps in front of a tall building. The main door was huge and red with a row of mailboxes that Ensui was comfortable enough to check, pulling out some take-out menus from his pigeon-hole and punching in his access code for the door. "Just a few flights, Itachi-san." He reassured over his shoulder, as if the younger boy hadn't been here a hundred times in the past week, running errands for and visiting his mother in her impromptu 'office'.
When the Chuunin unlocked his front door, moving to allow Itachi to enter first with polite (or was it mocking? Itachi wasn't sure. He'd never really spoken to his cousin's friend) dip of his chin, Itachi wondered whether he was walking into a trap.
Maybe.
Probably.
The shadow that paralysed him as soon as the door snapped shut seemed to support that theory.
In the pitch-black flat, the Uchiha's Sharingan glowed crimson as it flared to life.
"Now, now, Itachi-san, there's no need for that," Ensui drawled, still sounding impossibly bored. "I just need to ask you a few questions; some clarification, if you will."
Itachi scarcely dared breathe.
"So," the Nara's voice moved closer, threatening and dark as the shadows that bound him. "Why did you have me lie to Hokage-sama?"
…...
I wasn't crying, I wasn't.
Shisui's head was tucked under my chin and his arms were shaking where they rested against my ribs. The medic, whose name I didn't give a shit about, finally threw her hands up and left, prattling on about getting the Head of the ward. Heh. As if I cared.
"-you idiot! I can't believe I'm gone for one week and you get yourself landed in surgery! Do you have any idea-"
"Dazai-san!" A tall woman swept into the room, stethoscope swinging around her neck and wielding a clipboard like she was prepared to bat me from the room. "Uchiha-san is in an incredibly delicate position and only family members are allowed access this far into the ward. I must insist you leave immediately."
Limbs entangled with my best friend's, the medical staff were rewarded with my most vicious glare. Considering the fact I had picked it up from a bloodthirsty panther, it was rather effective.
"Dazai-san-"
"K-Ki...stays," a quiet voice rasped.
My head snapped round so fast, it almost cricked.
"Oh, Shi, er-" I floundered at the dark eyes blearily cracked and staring up at me. "Water! A drink!" I shuffled free of the bed, careful with Shisui's broken legs (I'd been perched beside his waist) and leaning over to pour him a cup from the jug on the bedside table.
"Here," I mumbled, guiding the straw between the injured boy's split lips and holding it steady whilst he took a few long drags. His throat, bruised black with clear fingerprints, bobbed painfully.
When I set the empty cup aside, the angry medic silently checking over the machines, Shisui spoke up again. He tried for an easy grin but it was more like grimace, his busted lip protesting to the abuse.
"So, I'm not dead, then?"
I burst into tears.
Great heaving sobs, building up and up in my chest like stormy waves rising over seaside walls and I buried my face in my hands. Shisui was quietly panicking beside me, hands fluttering weakly, and half-formed apologies falling from his mouth.
The medic left and Shisui floundered.
It honestly only made it harder to stop.
Because Shisui was here and he was alive and Danzo had run and oh my god-
"I-I'm so happy you're here, Shi!"
Between my fingers, I could make out how Shisui's face screwed up at my words, throat bobbing and cheeks moving like he wanted to cry but wasn't sure how. I'd never seen him cry. He'd never been allowed to.
"I'm sorry I wasn't here, Shisui, but someone came after 'T-Toshi and I had to get us out of there-"
Hands, still weak and so unlike their usual steadiness, wrapped around my wrists and yanked me down until I was huddled up against the Jounin's side. "...you were safe, you weren't kidnapped?"
"No, we were safe."
"And, and Itachi? The team?" His hands were sweaty and hot as they squeezed mine between them.
"Safe, all of them safe," I babbled. "Some burns and broken bones but they're gonna live and it's okay-"
And then, the dam broke.
Great, heaving sobs were ripped from my best friend's chest. At first, it was almost like he tried to contain it, keep quiet, but I was stroking his forehead and pulled his head to hide in my neck again, and he finally relaxed a bit. The tears were earnest and lasted an age, wetting my shoulder with salt water and snot and spit as the curly-haired boy gasped against my shoulder. I leaned back against the pillows, Shisui twisted up against me, and just...held on.
The corridor outside was silent, not much of an indicator of privacy in a shinobi village, but I hoped so anyway. Shisui deserved some privacy.
Mikoto had left for a bit, to take an exhausted Sasuke home, promising to return once one of the Clan was watching over her youngest. Akane and Yuri-oba would be informed in the morning and undoubtedly come around then. So, in the lull between visits, we had some time.
"Shhhh…shhhh," I hummed softly under my breath, carding fingers through matted curls and picking apart the knots when my fingers were caught. My own tears had eased, forgotten as the strongest kid I'd ever known fractured next to me. Shisui had always been bubbly and bright, even when he'd died in Canon he'd been smiling. There was something...almost venerable, quieting, about seeing that final wall crumble.
And slowly, slowly, Shisui quietened down, shuddering softly as my hand, trapped under his torso, rubbed a circuit between his shoulder blades. When I dipped my chin and caught his expression - embarrassment emerging as he gradually calmed -, I pinched his spine and Shisui jumped slightly in surprise.
"None of that now," I reproved. "Crying is good and you'll always have my shoulder."
Huffling, Shisui slumped even further into my arms. A fond smile tugged at my lips when his feathery lashes tickled my neck every time he blinked."You should sleep, Shi-kun…"
"Wanna hear what 'append…" the older boy protested in a sleep-thickened voice. Despite his words, I could already feel how his body grew heavier, the tension (no doubt from the pain) draining from his limbs. Scarcely five minutes later, I was rewarded with a soft, nasally snore.
The noise was familiar though, hypnotic and soft and my eyelids were so heavy, I hadn't slept properly in a week-
I was roasting hot when I woke up.
There was an arm awkwardly wrapped around my shoulders and my right arm was worryingly dead and there was drool all over my neck (that boy was so fucking dead) and it was annoyingly bright.
My eyes cracked open, eyelids crusty and bleh, and I winced at the unforgiving streams of sunlight that illuminated the small hospital room. A glance at the wall clock and I pulled myself free, swinging my feet off the bed and tottering to the door. It was frickin' 6am and I hated myself.
The nurse who walked past me on my way to the toilet gave me a judgy look. Jeez, I must've looked rough. Not to mention...the staff in this part of the hospital? Yeah, they hated me!
By the time I made it back to the room, I'd re-tied my pony in the mirror, poked my head into everyone's rooms to find them all still sleeping and grabbed Shisui's hospital breakfast from the passing trolley.
If he wasn't awake to enjoy it, I'd take that burden upon myself.
And, praise kami - considering his condition, he needed to sleep for...ages - the fourteen year old was still completely out of it when I came back. The nurse had been in, no doubt noticing when I'd popped out, as the IV was new and the water jug refilled.
As I helped myself to Shisui's breakfast (it was grim, I was doing him a favour), I wondered where the ANBU guard was hiding in here.
The ceiling? Did all the ceilings have, like, pigeon holes in them for guards? Or did that make them too predictable and regular…?
I counted the ringlets on Shisui's head, found a pen and scrawled flowers up my arms until I had a full 'tattoo' sleeve, visited my loved ones, and even left to buy pork buns from that vendor outside.
But nothing worked.
My brain...was buzzing.
...Where is Itachi and Ensui? Surely Sarutobi wouldn't keep them for this long?...And what was that meeting about anyway?...When did Mikoto say she'd be back? What time will Yuri-oba and Akane get the news and come over? Straight away? How have the kids been, did they cry?...What happened with Danzo? How the hell is Itachi involved?...
And so it went on, my eyes blankly staring into space as I paced and fiddled and wondered where my peaceful life had gone. Or, rather, the illusion of it. I wasn't so naive and stupid to think I'd ever been safe or would have lived in peace for the rest if my days The End.
It was at half nine when, just as Shisui started to stir, an ANBU appeared in the doorway. A second later - I barely had time to blink - the main door to the ward swung open with a 'swish'. Oh. I could guess who's coming to pay us a visit.
Shisui's face scrunched up, his glazed eyes telling me that the drugs were probably the only thing stopping him from snapping awake in the face of his superior, and clumsily got his elbows underneath himself. He pulled himself upright and I forced myself to stay put in the bedside chair. He looked crap enough without my embarrassing him in front of his Kage. Nee-chan and dad were certainly defensive about it, "maintain their independence" or some bullshit.
He was frickin' wounded! They all were. Stupid idiots!
"Good morning, Shisui-kun, Kiharu-chan," the old man greeted us pleasantly as he stepped through the door. I plastered a polite smile on my face whilst Shisui attempted some weird, seated bow.
"Morning, Sandaime-sama," I dipped my head before, with an extremely reluctant second thought, I slipped from my seat to bow low to the floor. "I apologise for the disrespectful manner with which I treated you last night. I beg your forgiveness." my voice was steady, ringing with sincerity, but inside I was choking.
Yes, I was still smarting over last night. No, I doubt I'd ever forgive the old man. I had a lot of shit to pin on him, from before and about his general policies. 'Strongest Ninja in the Village' meant shit when you didn't have any fucking qualifications to run said village! At least Dictators were politicians! What the hell was a Kage doing signing off supply requests for school books or whatever! Even Stalin had people doing that shit for him, no wonder the Hokages were always swamped in paperwork! God, Tobirama may have been the sexiest Kage Ever™, but I swear he was a genius too-
"Kiharu-chan," Sarutobi's voice cut through my mental tirade, "I understand the pressure recent events have forced upon you. Please rise and think no more on the matter...however, I believe your father is awake once more and asking for you." The request to kindly fuck off whilst Shisui was interrogated-er-reporting couldn't have been clearer.
Gathering my dignity around me, I aquested with a regal nod, sliding from my chair and sweeping from the room with a final, Terminator parting line, "I'll be back."
Arnold Schwarzenegger was right. It was satisfying.
But even quoting movies that no one but myself even knew existed couldn't raise my spirits.
This whole 'being kicked out the room as soon as anything important was going down' was really grating on me. I thought it had been frustrating last night, not knowing who had died or was hurt or what the fuck was going on. But, this morning? In the cold light of day? I needed, badly, to know where I stood. Plot-wise at the very least.
But...no dice.
The annoying nurse, the one from last night, glanced at me suspiciously as she walked passed and I resisted the urge to trip her. Her heeled sandals made an annoying click-clack on the polished floors (I really had been spoiled by silent shinobi) and it would have been so, so easy to just nick her heel. But I resisted. I was supposed to be a nice person, apparently, and I'd already been through enough bullshit in the past month without adding 'assault' to my list of offences. I think I was probably The most hated civilian in the hospital by now, second only to 'demon' Naruto. Kakashi and Gai were probably the top contenders for the ninja league.
But, Sarutobi hadn't been lying, Tou-san was up and whining when I rocked up to his room, trying to convince the nurses that porridge wasn't an acceptable breakfast food and maybe they should try pancakes instead. Well, apparently the ninjas had been spoiled, too.
"Causing trouble before 10am?" I asked dryly and valiantly ignored the nurse's muttered "like father, like daughter," from beside the IV.
"Like father, like daughter!" Dad echoed and I wondered if rolling my eyes too much would cause me permanent damage. Probably.
"Regardless, porridge is breakfast and you need to eat," I unapologetically dumped the tray back in front of him from where he'd pushed it away. "Shisui is okay," I tagged on. "Woke up for a bit last night, didn't say much-" the knowing look Seiichi sent me (my eyes were only slightly red, okay) was gracefully ignored, "-but he fell back asleep real quick. Hokage-sama is with him now."
Mouth twisted unhappily as he gulped down the porridge, so fast I wasn't sure he even let it touch his tongue, Dad asked how badly he'd been hurt. Apparently, Mikoto had popped her head in on her way out to express her relief at my safe return and let him know where I was.
"Two broken legs, extensive burns, damaged throat from attempted strangling, a nasty scar near his eyes, and extensive internal bruising. Docs say he'll be in a wheelchair for a while." I reeled off mechanically, the list memorised from this morning's time wasting.
The spoon was dropped into the empty bowl with a clatter and Seiichi leaned back like he expected a congratulations. He didn't get one, unsurprisingly. "The surgery?"
I tapped a finger on his outstretched legs. "Every bone shattered. Some pieces were unsalvageable so he's had some work done to fill in the gaps. He probably won't have the same maneuverability when he heals up and will wind up with a cane before he's forty, but...he'll, he'll walk. And that's what matters."
It's more than I ever thought he'd have.
And, suddenly, it hit me like a tonne of bricks. This...this could change everything. No Danzo means no coup, right? No massacre, no suicide, no avenger...was this the solution all along?
A grin tugged at my lips but my dad was watching so I smothered the expression before it could fully take form. We'd just been speaking of Shisui's fucking legs, I'd be a cold Bitch to smile at that.
"Ki," my dad spoke up after the nurse had left, glancing around like we were in a spoofy spy movie. Then, again. Shinobi. "Raidou-san told me something very interesting last night."
Why that little snitch!
"Nii-san was out of his mind with worry for Genma," I deflected, baring my teeth in a smile that screamed 'just try me'.
I don't think dad got the message.
"What's this about you disrespecting Hokage-sama, hmm? And you refused to go to the hospital?" Dad pulled the 'concerned parent' card, frowning in that way he knew made me squirm with guilt.
Leaning back in my chair and folding my arms, I tried to play it casual. "Firstly, I would just like to say that I've already apologised and Hokage-sama has forgiven me." Well, at least something came from that conversation earlier. "It was nothing, I was really upset, for good reason, that no-one would say where you were." My concern for his safety evidently won me some brownie points as chocolate eyes softened. My dad always had been a sucker for my 'Daddy's girl' tendencies. I went in for the kill. "I thought...something had happened whilst we were gone and Toshi couldn't get to you."
"Oh, Hime," Tou-san 'tut'-ed softly, swinging an arm around my shoulder and pulling me and, by extension, the chair closer.
Small fingers pinched his ear and twisted. Hard.
"Ow-!?"
"And. I. Was." another pinch. "Right!"
Letting go of his lobe and hopping from the chair, I snatched up the clipboard at the foot of the bed. "And don't think I failed to notice how we spoke of everything but your injuries!"
Seiichi slumped back on his mountain of cushions with a huff of defeat, folding his arms just like I had earlier. There wasn't a scrap of guilt on his face, just sheepish resignation.
Flicking through the doctor's notes, I muttered under my breath at the stupidity of those around me. "...6 weeks, apply prescribed cream twice daily...risk of infection… 'bite wound under surveillance'? Bite wound?" Stony navy glanced up to pierce the older Chuunin. "A bite wound?"
"Downed bastard tried to play extra dirty," Seiichi grunted back, flicking a hand to gesture to his wrapped ankle. "I had a foot on his shoulder to hold him down whilst I-well, you don't need to hear the details, Ki."
"No, no," I disagreed, shifting to rest the file on my hip. "Some details would be nice, for once."
This time, it was dad who shot me the unimpressed glance. "Ki. You're twelve. It's not gonna happen, Hime."
Setting the clipboard back on it's hook, I wandered towards the window and started fiddling with opening the blinds, needing to do something with my hands. "So, what? You'll tell me when I'm older, is that it?"
"Hey," I could here the frown in my dad's voice and felt my own expression sour, too. Why did it feel like all I'd done recently was fight and cry? I hated this. "Don't be disrespectful, I'm the parent here."
Cracking the window, I shrugged like it didn't matter. Who's feeling stifled? Hey, not me!
"Okay, Tou-san…"
…..
When lunchtime came around, the combined puppy eyes of Nee-chan and dad had me leaving, heading out to the market place to grab them all some take out. Apparently, the hospital food was 'killing them'. Jeez, didn't they eat crappy junk on missions?
If they thought they'd be getting this treatment every single day until they were released, they were definitely in for a shock.
I didn't have a wallet on me and Tou-san, his uniform ruined and with only his hospital gown in his room, wasn't exactly forthcoming, but I wasn't worried. The shop and stall owners all knew me as 'one of their own'. It wouldn't be hard to toss around a few IOUs.
It was the response I hadn't thought ahead about.
Now, I knew I'd been missed. But...I'd seen most of my most precious people already and was still mentally counting down when I could find the rest. The general public, the people whose faces I recognised or my regulars or my fellow business owners? I hadn't really thought much of it. Which was...an oversight.
Hey, they say hindsight is 20/20 for a reason, you know.
"Dazai-san, praise the Sage, you're back!" the old grandpa I bought teas from clasped one of my hands between his own. The old, gnarled knuckles, swollen from arthritis, scratched my fingers as he squinted down at me, beaming. I felt myself soften, feeling strangely bashful. I always did have a soft spot for adorable elderly folks.
"Yes, thank you, jiji-san," I smiled, eyes cast to the side. And, no, I wasn't going to elaborate. "I'm just off to grab lunch for Tou-san and Nee-san, but thank you for your concern. Good day to you, jiji-san!"
With a quick, bobbing bow, I scarpered.
Dodging well-wishes from various familiar faces, I sweatdropped every time someone called out to me. Even people I barely knew! The novelty of a missing child actually returning must've been contagious. What….on Earth…
Wait. Were we on Earth? I'd never really thought about it...was this like multiverse or an alternate or...somewhere different entirely?
Extremely perturbed, I really didn't see the hug coming.
"Oh, Kiharu!" Warm arms flew around my shoulders and yanked me into a solid hug, squashed to my grandmother's chest and with Akane at my shoulder. She smelled of lilacs and tea whilst the ex-medic, as always, wore a deeper, slightly dusky yet addictive, perfume. "I-we were so worried!"
"Yes, we were." Akane agreed dryly over my shoulder and I hid a wince in Yuri-oba's yukata. Damn, I was dead meat when the Uchiha Elder got her hand on me. She'd skin me alive in such a way I'd probably end up thanking her for it.
A sharp cry to our huddle's left and I mentally resigned myself to making a spectacle. Not that the gossipers hadn't already been watching. Gah.
Pulling back from the strawberry-blonde's embrace, I turned in time to welcome my little sister as she came ploughing into my legs. "Gah! Imouto, careful-" I almost staggered back a step but Akane gracefully halted the impending trainwreck by slipping an arm around my shoulders, her amputated forearm near my elbow.
Ino, naturally, was unphased.
"Where were you?! The tiny blonde demanded, fists clenched in my leggings and an adorable scowl on her face. Honestly, if she pulled any harder and mooned me in the middle of the market place, I would kill her. "Papa said you were busy but you always are! You never came and I'll never, ever forgive you!"
In a direct contradiction to her debunking, Ino then impetuously held up her arms in an unmistakable 'up' gesture. Figuring I could use the brownie points, I obliged, tucking her head under my chin as baby-chubby arms half-strangled me.
I would later regret this.
Half a moment later, a deeply unhappy pineapple and a buoyant red panda appeared at the top of the street. Or, rather, Shika and Chouji came over in the trail of their much more energetic future-teammate.
Thankfully, neither was running. I think the Universe would break if Shikamaru willingly ran anywhere. I know my mind certainly would.
Chouji's jubilant cry as he barrelled into my knees - I knew he was my favourite,so precious - was drowned out when Shikamaru raised his voice at me. I'm pretty sure...this was a first.
"You," he bit out, hands fisted (I could see his knuckles straining in his pockets) and a glower darkening his face.
"Er- Shika-chan-" I started, wondering how much he'd sussed out.
"-are not allowed to go anywhere."
Ah?
"Ah?" I bleated, completely stupefied. The actual fuck…
"At least, not without Ensui-nii or me…" the rest devolved into incomprehensible mumbles but, when I caught the end of a bit-off 'troublesome', I snapped out of my daze. Oh, fuck no. I leave for a week and this boy is back at it. Fuck off, Kishi!
Wait. Nope. I did not, repeat not, want to start imagining Kishi as the creator god here. No. It just wasn't happening. I fucking refuse to be part of that clusterfuck-
"Shika-chan, that better not have been a 'troublesome' I heard there…" I raised an eyebrow in warning, trying to look intimidating with Ino on my hip and carding my fingers through Chouji's ginger fur-er-hair. "We're gonna talk about this later some more, but don't you go thinking I can't protect myself. Girls aren't troublesome things to be protected, like your favourite pillow. Don't be small minded, otouto."
I knew the final word, that I thought he'd been silly, would hopefully get him thinking, but god if it wasn't hard trying to stamp out prejudice, even as it took root.
I'd adored the Nara as characters before but, by god, if the sexism wasn't pissing me off.
Shikaku was an extremely intelligent individual but he was 'cowed' by his 'shrew' of a wife, even though her 'demands' were for nothing more that small courtesies. Yoshino may have retired once married, a pairing that had very obviously been an arranged one, but she was in no way intimidated by the Clan she'd married into. But...I'd been blinkered as a kid, starstruck by my love of the characters to see things as they truly were.
But, that was different now.
I knew these people, had spent a lot of time at the Nara's over the years. And Yoshino and Shikaku did not have a healthy marriage. Couples could fight, yes. They could argue and disagree, but Shikaku did not listen, firm in the traditional mindset that a woman's mind was a foreign and incomprehensible place. Sure, guys didn't have to understand us before we spoke, but girls struggled with guys just as much. Yoshino just wanted some help around the house, for Shikamaru to try and not sit on his laurels just because he was Heir of a 'super smart' Clan. And she wasn't wrong! But she'd gone about it wrong and Shika was suffering for it.
It technically wasn't their fault, there were very few other cultures from which these deeply ingrained mindsets could be transformed, but that didn't mean it was okay.
Their marriage was stable, divorce was extremely rare here due to inheritance, village loyalty and bloodlines. That didn't mean it was the healthiest of households to grow up in. My cousin before had lived between two homes for most of his life and he always said that, sometimes, just because a home was 'stable' didn't mean it was happy or good. I wasn't sure where I could help Shika, though. If it was mainly from home, then there wasn't much I could really do except try to be a positive influence. As much as I wanted to grab some mysterious, shady offender and groin-stomp them. But, if Shika was actually smart enough to pick up on the undercurrents of misogyny that passively occurred in this society...well. That was a scary thought.
...I'd rather groin-stomp someone, in all honesty.
Lowering Ino to the floor ("You're all grown up, Ino, gimme a break!"), I smoothed a hand over Shika's ponytail as I dropped a kiss to his forehead. Just because I was disappointed didn't mean I wasn't going to greet the kid. He was misguided but well-meaning. I was gonna have to brainstorm with Hana (if there was anyone who shared my perspective, it was that little spitfire) after drilling equality lessons into his skull, but it didn't mean the kid deserved to be cold-shouldered. It was a very different experience for kids than it was for adults.
Turning to Yuri and Akane, I ignored the way Shika leaned into my side and got straight back to business. "Oba-san, I was just out to pick up lunch for the boys at the hospital, would you both care to join me?" Embarrassed, I looked away when Akane's eyes warmed at my half-calling her 'oba'. It was a slip of the tongue, I tell 'ya. Peering down at the trio huddled at my feet, I shot them a suspicious glance. "And where did you three come from, hmm? You can't come to the hospital without your parents…!"
"Papa's there so I can, too!" Ino replied, arching her brow in a frighteningly familiar manner. Kami, it was like with Hana all over again. I was...a terrible...influence..
Her reasoning was valid, I'd give her that.
Turning the gimlet eye on the boys, my dignity returned somewhat when Shika sent me a baleful glare (ha! No alibi, sucker!) and Chouji blushed sheepishly. Just for that level of adorableness, I was tempted to make him the exception. Awww~
But, no, I was strong, and Akane thankfully offered to escort the two boys back to Yoshino whilst Yuri, Ino and I bought the food.
Which, as luck would have it (and my absent wallet), was Ichiraku.
"Ohayo, Partner-san!" I announced like the little shit I was, ducking under the signs and beaming at the ramen chef behind the counter.
Ayame bounced up and wrung one of my hands between hers, still a little too shy to go for a hug, as her dark eyes sparkled happily. Jeez, why were all the kids so frickin' cute?
"Welcome back, partner-san!" Teuchi boomed in return. "Looking well, praise the Sage, what'll it be?" his eyes shone knowingly but, and this was one of the best things about the older man, he didn't push. What a reprieve. Bless this man.
"Ah, I'll have half a dozen ramen to go, Teuchi-san," I stepped closer and drummed my fingers on the counter as Yuri patiently listened to Ino prattle on behind me. "I'm the food mule for lunch today, I'm afraid. Stick to miso, pork and shrimp, please!" I tried for a smile but it felt forced. Because it was. I was just...hyper aware of all the pesky customers side-eyeing me.
It was rare for missing children to return, let alone after to long (most...trails...went dead after a few short hours). I knew where they all thought I'd been and had to stiffen my spine, teeth clenched. The very thought of sex slavers had me recoiling in fury and disgust. I hate it.
Dammit, I mentally sighed, now I wanted a shower.
…..
It was almost evening - this day had lasted 8 years, I was convinced - when a tall, greatly missed, figure stepped into Nee-san's room, where Ino was trying to teach Genma how to braid my thick waves into something reasonably presentable.
A knuckle rapped on the doorframe, courtesy for Ino and myself no doubt.
I twisted my neck to peer at the visitor and, at the sight of Ensui leaning against the wall, the only thing that kept me from flying at him was Ino's hands tangled in my hair.
"Ensui!" I cried, yelping slightly when Ino yanked too hard.
A lazy grin stretched the twenty year old's lips. "You're in a whole lot of trouble, Ki." He obligingly stepped closer, nodding genially at Genma and sitting in front of me when I held out my arms and made grabby motions. Once the older brunette was close enough, I slipped my arms around his ribs, neck comically tilted when Ino made no move to release me.
Ensui didn't say anything but his returning hug was fierce and, even as he pulled back, he didn't remove his arms from around my shoulder.
"Raidou-san told me what happened...i can't believe we didn't look again at one of the signatures being yours…" The older Nara grumbled into my hair.
"It's not like we knew I could do it, after all...I was appalling at Summoning so…" I shrugged uncomfortably. Even though it was the absolute truth, I almost felt like everyone was judging dad for not realising. Or reevaluating allowing me to opt out of 'ninja-hood'.
The droll look Ensui shot me let me know he wasn't pleased.
Scrambling to move on, I reached my hands behind my head and gently started untangling Ino's fingers from my hair. "Have you seen Shisui yet?"
"Sleeping," Ensui rolled his eyes fondly, the casual humor undermined by the worry and stress lining his eyes prematurely.
Nodding, I admitted that he'd been sleeping for most of the time, only waking up for a few minutes with me and then for the Hokage. And, speaking of..
"What happened last night, Ensui? And where's Itachi, have you seen him?"
Pulling myself out of Ino's reach (dropping her into a drowsy Genma's lap so she wouldn't have a hissy fit), I found myself tucked under the older boy's chin, the arm still wrapped around me reeling me in.
"No, not since he spoke to Hokage-sama. Sorry, Ki."
Perturbed, I found myself frowning into Ensui's neck.
….
It wasn't until another two days had passed that Shisui was able to stay awake for any considerable amount of time.
By then, I had seen Hitoshi again (wrangled into a check up and then prescribed some salve for the fresh scars, ordered to rest plenty and eat well. Which he was more than happy to do in Tou-san's room) and, after greeting him, proceeded to treat him to my Most Severe Cold Shoulder™. Disappointingly, he was more aggravated and amused than hurt, rolling his eyes and huffing when I ignored him.
No-one saw a problem, figured he'd pissed me off whilst we were gone, but, holy shit, I was holding a grudge. That two-timing, backstabbing pussycat! He'd snaked me! To Sarutobi, no less!
But, I was taking this as far as I could. Meaning, I consorted with his 'natural rivals' right in his neglected face. Loyalty, indeed. Cat could learn a thing or million about it from a good doggo.
Hana had come bounding in before dinner, just after Ino was taken home (after napping with her Papa and basically giving Genma cornrows - I cry) and I had all-but thrown myself at her.
Hana was an angel, a fellow creature of snarky barbs and common sense, and I was desperate to talk to my female best friend.
"Baka!" a hand, deceptively tiny, slapped me between my shoulder blades before I was hunched over in a headlock. A fist noogied my scalp, ruining my already-crap hair, and a few nurses tittered behind me. Oh, how I hate them. Hana wasn't done though, and I was soon being dragged down the corridor to the nearest bathroom.
"Wash your face, you look like an egg!" She whined, shoving me towards the sinks and fastidiously turning up her nose. Her tsundere act was spoiled, somewhat, by the three dogs who whined excitedly and coiled around my legs. But, nevertheless, I rolled my eyes and did as she said, scrubbing my face with the freezing cold water and gasping across at my reflection. I looked rough, I'd give her that. But, it wasn't my fault I could barely sleep.
It wasn't the hospital chairs or sleeping in Tou-san's crib next to him.
It was the dark rooms, the ANBU lingering in the corners and doorways (Raven still haunted my steps but I liked to pretend it wasn't happening). Their white masks were...unsettling. To say the very least.
It was worse than those weeks after Hitoshi's attack. Now, a those fears were founded. They'd happened.
When one of the boys jumped up to plant his paws on my tummy and snuffle for treats, my back slid down the wall and I sat cross-legged on the floor.
At least it was clean. Ninja hospitals were OCD hygiene freaks, thank Kami.
Hana moved across to slump down beside me, curling her arms around her knees and twisting to stare at me.
"You've been going insane here, haven't you?"
I stroked a finger down the silky fur between a nin-ken's eyes. "I can't go home to that house without him, Hana."
"You did before.." the Heiress pointed out, head tilted just like her companions.
"It's not the same anymore," I sighed. I felt so much older, like before, than ever. "He could just...come through the wall and I'd never know it."
A sharp canine peeked out as she bit her lip. "You've never really been safe, Kiharu. No-one ever is. And we'll be careful, I bet your aunts or Mikoto-hime would insist you stay with them when you decide to go back. You won't be undefended."
The bathroom was silent, except for the panting of the puppies and a drip from one of the toilet cisterns. I wet my lips and stared down at my lapful of dogs.
"I'm scared…" the hushed whisper seemed loud in the silent room, echoing against the tiles.
A hot hand slipped into mine and I gripped it tightly as Hana shifted to press our sides together.
"That's okay. But, you can't let it stop you." Black eyes flicked down to our entwined fingers and perked up slightly. "I know! Tonight, we'll have a sleepover...we'll ask your aunt if we can have it over there with Ino-chan."
"Yeah," I huffed thickly. "She'd pitch a fit if she thought she was being left out...'again'."
Hauling herself up, Hana dragged me up after her by our hands, pouring the puppies out of my lap. When they whined and grumbled pitifully, I could do nothing more than send them apologetic glances, feeling like a felon for cutting short our cuddles. But Hana was apparently wasting no time and marched us back out of the bathroom, headed straight to my dad's room.
"Seiichi-san," Hana started, popping her head around the door and holding up our joined hands, like evidence to the judge in one of these crime dramas before. "Can Kiharu and I have a sleepover tonight, please?"
Hitoshi, spilling out of the too-small bedside chair, immediately rose (and not a moment too soon, in my opinion. The plastic had been creaking dangerously all afternoon). Oh? Obviously, Judas wanted in, hmm.
My dad was more than slightly reluctant but, whether we ended up at the Inuzuka Compound or Yamanaka, he couldn't deny I'd be well looked after. After all, we'd been attacked at the Hospital, not in the suburbs.
So, after about 50 cautions and five hugs goodnight, I was allowed to go. Hitoshi, obviously somewhat miffed at having to invite himself (hey, you reap what you sow, kitty), vowed to meet us to the Yamanaka's. Hana was inordinately smug and the puppies were ecstatic. I mean, I couldn't not smile.
Genma, eyes half lidded as Kotetsu and Izumo argued as they rearranged his pillows (the patient in question being sent this way and that as a tug-of-war ensued behind his head), only sent me a long suffering look when I bade him goodnight.
I didn't miss the fond smile lingering in the corners of his mouth, though.
Mother hen, indeed.
"Ensui's in with Shisui," I hinted, heading towards the older boy's room. Hana aquiested, nodding with wide eyes, and we hurried down the sickly-pale corridor. When a nurse, one of the women who had me pegged as a nuisance (the feeling was completely requited, bish), pierced me with a suspicious glare, Hana huffed under her breath.
"They do hate you…!" she marvelled, sounding a touch too pleased.
Shooting her a sharp glance from the corner of my eye, I asked, "And who snitched?"
"Ino," Hana replied promptly.
"Huh?!" I whirled around, my ponytail swatting the wall when we cut the corner. "Ino? She's four!"
"She's observant," the younger brunette shrugged.
"...She's savage," I corrected under my breath. When something dark flickered in my perceptual vision, I shot a quelling glare over my shoulder (piss off).
But Hana didn't have time to do anything more than grin as we arrived outside of Shisui's room. Ensui (and Shisui if he was awake) had no doubt heard us coming but I knocked regardless. Manners and all that.
So, yes, I rapped on the closed door, waiting for Ensui's low call before pressing down on the handle and swinging the door open.
"Hey, boys," I smiled faintly, Hana nodding behind me, as we stepped inside and closed the door behind us. Claws skittered as the triplets explored the new territory, one snuffling hopefully at Ensui's knees and the other two sticking their heads under the bed.
Shisui was propped up in the bed, eyes half lidded and complexion pale. He looked exhausted but he tried for a smile anyway and I felt a flush of affection. Even bruised and hurt as he was, Shi was still trying to make things better. The final third of our little trio was sat closest the door, legs crossed at the ankle and one arm lazily slung over the back of the chair.
And, on the other side of the bed, sat Itachi.
Mouth forming a small 'o', I blinked stupidly at the Uchiha Heir for a long moment.
"Ki-chan," Shisui croaked, throat still badly bruised. "How are Seiichi-san and Genma-san? Ensui says Inoichi-sama was released earlier?"
Dark eyes, bruised purple with tiredness, bore into mine. There was a wall there, one I'd only seen a handful of times, but a plea as well. Shisui's gaze was almost too steady and I wasn't an idiot.
I wanted to push, question the boys on what had happened, last night and with Danzo, but I knew it had to wait.
I'd put a lot of trust in Shisui already, and him in me. I had to now, too.
"Yes," I confirmed after an almost-too-long pause, stepping even further into the room and perching next to Shisui's ankles. Hana lingered by the wall and I tried to forget, for the sake of my composure, just how much the two youngest here did not get on. "The burns were quick to settle with some healing chakra so there wasn't any point forcing him to stay...the only reason Tou-san is still stuck here for a bit is because, not only were his burns worse, but he fell unconscious with a concussion and had a bite on his leg!" my voice twisted with disbelief, intentional to dispel the tense atmosphere, and I was rewarded with a grin from Ensui and Shisui laughing, albeit a bit breathlessly. Still, a laugh was a laugh, and I'd take what I could get here.
"And how are you feeling?" I flipped the conversation around, making sure to turn to Shisui in such a way that Itachi was clearly visible as well. And his face was as smooth as marble….shit. "Y-your legs okay?" I stuttered, uneasy, and cursed myself for the embarrassing tell.
"Ha," Shisui rasped. "I'm on so much right now they could be missing and I wouldn't even know!"
I winced. Shisui really needed to stop trying to make light of the situation by laughing at even worse possibilities. Huh, idiot…
Obviously Itachi didn't appreciate the joke either, rising from his chair and pale as a ghost. "It's getting late and mother will have prepared dinner.-"
"True," Ensui agreed with a slow drawl, timing his interruption so perfectly it didn't even sound like one. "Yoshino-sama wants a family meal tonight, so I'm afraid I'll have to call it a night soon, too."
Shisui, although obviously disappointed, conceded, lying back on his pillows.
"Itachi-kun," The twenty year old was seemingly struck by a thought, "we should walk together, the Compounds are in the same direction after all."
Quiet for a moment, Itachi slowly walked around the bed. "Very well…"
With a brief goodbye, the two disappeared out the door.
….since when did those two spend time together? Did something happen in Sarutobi's office and now they're, what? Friends?
Well, I supposed. Itachi could always use more friends...and Ensui did get on with Mikoto very well.
(And hadn't that been a surprise, coming back to find Nekki's closed and Mikoto asserting herself at the Station, her 'apprentice' beside her. And then Ensui makes into actually into the Force?! Boy was smashing Canon without me!)
"How have you been, Hana-chan?" Shisui's question pulled me from my thoughts and punctured the silence after the other boys' departure.
And Hana finally melted, pushing off the wall and falling into Ensui's vacated seat. "Good, I'm Top Kunoichi in class and Kiba is gonna get his partner soon," almost unconsciously, a small grin quirked her lips. "And you?"
A calloused hand gestured vaguely to his blanket-covered legs. "Been better but alright, I guess." Suddenly, a bright grin flashed across the Jounin's face. "Day three and I can't wait to get out of here!"
A matching grin stretched the academy student's lips and I found myself smirking in amusement, the three of us sharing a small chuckle. Jeez, I wonder if Shisui had twigged yet that he wouldn't be getting crutches...ha!
"Well, you look tired, Shisui," I leaned back on my hands, blue eyes critically assessing the deep bags under Shisui's. "We just came to say goodnight, Hana and I are thinking of having a sleepover with Sora-oba and imouto."
Dark eyes blinked sleepily. "Oh, nice... I hope you have fun, both of you. You'll be back in the morning?" smiling softly as the older boy's eyes slid shut again, I leaned forward and brushed his curls from his forehead. Hana averted her eyes.
"Of course," I lightly rebuked, tucking a longer ringlet behind his ear. I eyed the finger scratches that littered the skin around his temples and brows. Where Danzo had gone to tear at his eyes and Shisui struggled free… "I'll bring breakfast this time, okay?"
White teeth, striking against his half-healed lip, flashed in a final smile. "I'd say 'you spoil me' but I'd hate to discourage you…"
Snorting, I pushed up from the bed, and gestured to Hana for us to head out. "Hardly. Goodnight, Shi-kun."
"Night, Shisui-san!"
Eyes closed and with a faint smile, Shisui raised one hand in a tiny wave. "Night…"
….
"Ino-!" I gasped, suds in my hair, as the small blonde splashed water over the side of the bath. Hana, on the other side of the Yamanaka in the round tub, cackled madly. "Hold still, don't you want pretty hair?"
The magic words did their work and, suddenly, the tiny blonde was a shining example of patience. Oh hmm.
The bathroom was steamy, curls rising from the water, as the three of us finished washing up. We'd all stripped down to our panties ("Like our own onsen!" Hana had smirked, running the water as Ino picked out a bath bomb) and relaxed in the deliciously warm water. It wasn't too high, we didn't want Ino to struggle, but the four year old had been remarkably well-behaved. Honestly, I just figured that mentioning words like 'grown-up', 'ladies' and 'spa' had triggered something. Whatever it was, I was grateful. I'd not done this since Noko and I were very small.
"There…" I sighed, fingers combing through Ino's wet strands as I rinsed out the last of the conditioner. "Everyone nearly done? Only, oba-san said she would get started on dinner whilst we washed up…"
When Ino pouted, disappointed that her 'grown-up spa treatment' was over, but nodded and Hana dipped her head, I stood from the bath. Water cascading down my limbs, my soaked hair a heavy weight on my back, I stepped out and wrapped a towel around me.
Hana and I had swung by our homes, respectively, to nab some clothes (and, in Hana's case, get her mum's permission). Now, I shucked off my panties and dropped them into the washing basket with a wet 'plop' before grabbing a fresh set. Then went on a camisole and a T-shirt and shorts pyjama set.
Once I'd wrapped a towel around my hair, I turned and lifted Ino from the bath. Holding her hands as she stepped onto the bath mat, I slung a massive, fluffy towel around her shoulders.
As Hana got herself sorted behind me, pulling the plug in the bath as she went, I pretended to lose Ino in the folds of the towel, patting down the excess fabric and just missing her every time.
"Hana, Hana!" I cried, eyes blown and voice high. "Ino's disappeared!"
Ino gave a little, delighted giggle under the towel.
"What-?" The Inuzuka gasped, wrenching open the towel cupboard and peeking inside. "I can't find her!"
"What'll we do, we can't have dinner without Ino!"
Tiny hands appeared as Ino ripped the towel from over her head, the fabric pooling around her little shoulders and rumpling wet strands. Her face, pink from the bath, was beaming, blue eyes bright. "Here! I'm here!"
Gasping in delight, I wrapped my arms around her, scooping her into my lap and joining in with her delighted squeal. "Hana, look what I caught!"
The smaller brunette, grin truly wicked, dug wiggling fingers into Ino's ribs and we both cackled as the four year old begged for mercy.
"Girls!" a sharp rap on the door interrupted us. "Dinner!"
We scrambled to finish up, grinning and eager as a certain trio of pups (who had made a bee-line for Inoichi and now lay, heaped in his lap, on the sofa).
That night, sharing 'my' bed with Hana - despite the numerous other guest rooms available - I lay awake. Our fingers and toes had been painted like rainbows and, in the kitchen, three flower crowns waited for us for tomorrow. Hana was sound asleep, snuffling just like the puppies cuddled around us. Hitoshi was on the cushioned window seat, an ink-black throw in the darkness of the room. His gentle breaths, coupled with Hana and the triplets, made for a soothing symphony that should have had me fast asleep.
As it was, my eyes did not waver, flickering constantly between the curtained window and the four corners of the room. Straining to see in the darkness, my body stiff and my stomach in knots. As if someone would step out of the shadows. Any moment now...
Light creeped over the top of the curtain rail.
Birdsong filtered through the early morning, the faintest music drifting in.
Morning came and still, I did not sleep.
…...
"Get in."
"Nope."
"Shisui." I grit out, jiggling the handles as if to illustrate what I wanted. "Get in the wheelchair."
Mouth stubborn and arms crossed, the patient in question didn't so much as blink. Or look apologetic!
"Why can't I have crutches?" The dark-haired boy whined, eyeing the wheelchair as if it was something I'd pulled from a dumpster.
"Because," I started hotly, repeating what the nurses had said for the millionth time. "You're still weak and both your legs need the fullest support. This is just to give you some maneuverability and freedom!"
Bloody hell, it had been a week and Shisui was on track to overthrowing me as 'most hated' in this ward. I'd still be Number One Civilian, though…
Lifting up and slamming the back wheels into the linoleum, I bared my teeth, completely fed up. I'd been just as cooped up as the rest of them, just minus the meds, food and bed! Sarutobi had me postponing work until the situation with Danzo was more settled (don't look at me, the old man was chatting shit for some reason...again) so, here I was.
"Get. In."
Shisui got in.
"Was that so hard?" I asked, pushing him down the corridor and towards the wheelchair friendly ramps.
"Don't tell me you wouldn't kick up a fuss, too, Ki-chan," Shisui huffed. His left arm was resting on the armrest, cheek smooshed against his propped up fist, as
I directed us towards the cafeteria. It was mainly coffee and vending machines but there was a sushi fridge at the back and some free tables.
"It's different," I bluffed. Dammit, boy was right. I'd go mental. Well, as soon as the novelty of zooming around had worn off. "You were in surgery and, with those implants, there's only so much medical jutsu can do."
Shisui just pouted.
"Hey," I started, once I'd come back with coffee and a sushi pack for us to share. "I saw Itachi on the roofs this morning, everything okay?"
Chopsticks pausing as the older boy lifted a spicy tuna onigiri, black eyes flickered up to meet mine. "Yeah, yeah, just chatting is all. Why?"
Suspicion niggled in the back of my mind. Absently, I wondered if ninja paranoia was finally catching. Then again...it's not paranoia if they are out to get you...
"Oh," I hummed into the rim of my disposable coffee cup. "I just felt...like something was up, was all.."
"Don't worry, Kiharu," Shisui dipped his head to catch my gaze and smiled encouragingly. "It's all gonna be okay."
Somehow, no matter how much I wanted to believe my best friend, I suddenly wasn't so sure.
…..
Ensui had been working in the force for two weeks and he was on the cusp of...cracking.
It wasn't just that, whenever he went for a coffee from the jug, all the free mugs went mysteriously missing. Or that the archives were limited and seemingly desolate when Osamu-senpai sent him down for a case file. Or that-
Tell you what? It was.
The Uchiha weren't happy with the 'outsider', despite the fact Ensui blended in remarkably well, and made this abundantly clear. With all due bitterness and drama, of course.
But, Ensui had been warned by Mikoto and his uncle. He'd known Shisui for years now. Even Kiharu had proved a fountain of insight (surprising, but maybe it shouldn't have been).
"-remember, they are prideful. They will not take kindly to a perceived invasion and you'll have to work with that. Work hard, don't let their tricks and jibes phase you. If you prove your worth, keep your composure, they cannot touch you."-
So, Ensui sucked in a breath, forcibly maintaining his lazy expression. With his hair coiled in a bun and his dark colouring, he could pass as a rare tanned Uchiha. Kind of. From a distance.
"Senpai," Ensui stepped up to Detective Osamu's desk. "Ohiro-san has filed her witness statement. The burglar was, by her description, a male of average height with dark hair and a green shirt." the folder made a light 'thump' as the Nara dropped it onto the other man's desk.
Running a hand over his tiny ponytail - a sign of stress or nerves or. Actually, he just did it all the time - the detective sighed tiredly as he leaned back in his chair.
"We're gonna need much more than that, if we're gonna catch this guy."
Ensui tried to control his frustration but his eyebrows twitched anyway. "That's all we've got so far-"
Pinching his nose, Osamu gave the new recruit the stink-eye. "Then find something."
Smugness and amusement were almost palpable behind the Nara. He ignored them as best as he could.
"Prove your worth...then they cannot touch you."
With a deep breath, Ensui swung by his dinky little desk in the corner to grab his flak jacket and interview pad. He had a thief to catch.
….
A week and a half after Danzo…A.D….I finally settled down in the kitchen. Sora-oba had, as she usually did, filled the fridge with groceries. And, on the shelf directly at my eye level, she'd placed a wad of bills and a simple note. A quick read had me snorting quietly to myself, rolling my eyes and tucking the note into my pocket.
The money I'd tried to slip her the last time she bought us food. Hah…
But I was stressed AF and needed an outlet.
Cue baking rampage.
Prinsesstårta had been a favourite of my sister, from a Swedish cafe she'd worked at when she was at Uni, and I had a hankering for a cake with a fuck tonne of cream...and marzipan...and jam...
As I got to work, prepping my piping bags so I wouldn't have to fuss half way through the process, I unapologetically brooded over the situation.
Slicing open a vanilla pod and popping it into the saucepan of warming milk, I reached out for my bowl of strawberries and emptied them into another pot. The jam wouldn't take too long...
The village had been...bewildered...by Danzo's disgrace. Shaken, he'd been Tobirama's student and a pillar of Konoha for decades. (I rolled the marzipan, a lump I'd made a short while ago for Shisui to taste and kept in the fridge, out over a dusting of icing sugar.) Betrayed and hurt and...the confusion and gossip had the village buzzing. Some people eyed me strangely, perhaps making the connection between my return and Danzo's departure or, maybe, that was just my frayed nerves overreacting.
The cake batter, a simple mixture with an extra of cornflour, was poured into the greased tin and popped into the oven. Shit, I'd rolled the marzipan out too early...dammit.
Sighing and wiping a hand across my forehead (I wasn't sweaty but my head was pounding), I checked the jam and gave the bubbling, crimson compot a stir with a raspberry-stained wooden spoon.
Out of the corner of my eye, as I folded custard and whipped cream together, I glowered at Raven, who was stood like a ghost in the kitchen corner.
The Hyuuga ANBU had, apparently, yet to be relieved of their guard duty and to say I was done was an understatement.
Whilst the Sandaime may have had excellent and completely valid reasons to assign me a...a guard...whilst my father was healing and the situation with Danzo settled somewhat (no-one, no-one, had forgotten Tobi but, as it was, there were no leads. Not that I thought there would be)...a shadow was the last thing I needed.
Let alone one who stared at me with a pale mask from the corner of the room.
When the cake was fully formed, complete with green-tinted marzipan and pink icing roses, I cut myself a large slice, resigned to dishing the rest out to the boys at the hospital.
The kitchen was silent except for the scrape of my fork on porcelain as I worked my way through inch layers of custard-cream, jam, cake and icing.
Raven never moved.
….
When dad was finally released, a week and a half after Inoichi's own freedom, we all celebrated with a family dinner.
My uncle was laughing with Chouza, Shikaku and Tou-san, the scar on his face slicing deep into his ponytail and carving mercilessly down his cheek and neck. My chest was warm, however, seeing that he'd chosen to style his hair as usual and seeing them all, laughing and happy.
Kaiya was opposite me, Chouji to her left and Sora to her right, and she spent a good few minutes eyeing me with a disgruntled expression. The Akimichi Matriarch had always been scary. With that expression? I was wide eyed and looking everywhere but at her.
"I hear you were the one to get yourself and that panther of yours out…" I waited for the rebuke. "Well done."
Oh. I blinked. Oh.
A grin threatened to split my lips. "Thanks Kaiya-hime."
Fiery orange eyeshadow glimmered in the low lights as the Akimichi treated me to a long, slow blink. A sly smile quirked rouged lips and Kaiya and I shared a dry look across the table. My impromptu shift in honorific passed, in that case. Excellent.
The meal was truly excellent, dessert (another large Swedish Princess cake that had stars in Ino's eyes at the name) provided by yours truly and, as the adults settled back with tea and sake, the kids asleep in the next room with Hitoshi, I leaned back on Tou-san's chest from where I'd perched myself in his lap.
"We have an announcement," Chouza eventually spoke up, smiling at his wife with rosy cheeks from the food, laughter and alcohol. "The Clan is already aware, as is custom," A bright smile grew on Sora and Yoshino's faces. "But we wanted you all to be the 'first' to hear. Kaiya and I...are having another child."
The table exploded with chatter, Chouza pounded on the back and Kaiya warmly congratulated. I reach across and squeezed the black-haired woman's hand, smiling happily. But, inside, I was incredulous.
Well...that sure as hell wasn't canon.
….
Blooper I
A music lesson gone awry
Twang, dwang, twanggggg-
Cringing every time Shisui plucked a string, I curled my hands into fists and forced them to stay put in my knees. I wasn't going to rip the guitar from his hands. I wasn't.
"Oh, give it here!" small hands were stretched out and made grabby motions.
Hugging his birthday present to his chest, Shisui refused. "Kiharu! I only just started!"
But at the rate he was going at, there wouldn't be a guitar by the end of today. "Oh, yes!" I rolled my eyes, hands still stubbornly outstretched. "You said the same thing about the Ukulele I had Ensui make for your promotion!"
"T-that's completely different!" Shisui spluttered. "It took a sword for me!"
"Give. It. Here."
With an explosive sigh, my best friend shoved his present into my lap. "Fine! If you're so clever, you do it!"
"I will!"
"Fine!"
"Fine."
Arm raised to strum, I froze, having just remembered one small detail.
...I'd never actually learnt the guitar. Oops.
….
Blooper II
Behind the mask
"-stupid civilian who can't know anything-"
"-you idiot!-"
"-no strenuous activities when Nee-san's so injured, Raidou-nii-"
"-you couldn't drag my corpse out of here-"
"-you're a terrible example and Tou-san prays I don't turn out like you, Tetsu-"
"-I see you, come on out! Creepers in the shadows are not my favourite people right now. Or ever-"
Raven would...really appreciate a Mission refund.
...
A/N- Happy birthday to meeeeeee~! Okay, but this chapter took a while. I'm back home from Uni, ergo no free time and I had to write out the birthday AUs anyway! Go check them out s/12972038/1/Tulip-Feilds
I hope you like the chapter and the micro-series, let me know how you feel in the comments (any particularly requested chapters will get sequels and continuations etc etc). Also! I wrote a Hanabi fic! Go check it out, the amazing katlou303 is my Beta for that (just as I am hers for her new TenTen fic, 'I Knew A Girl With Copper Veins' which you can read s/12960918/1/I-Knew-a-Girl-With-Copper-Veins) and that fic is called 'You Have Shed A Thousand Skins' and you can find it s/12963943/1/You-Have-Shed-A-Thousand-Skins
Anyway, I hope you enjoy and thanks for all the love and support~ 3
And yes...I have been wearing a crappy plastic tiara all day (the weird looks have been hilarious haha!)