I'm going to put this here in bold: TRIGGER WARNING - This chapter contains depictions of violence and mentions of SA. Reader discretion is advised. If you or anyone you know is a victim of abuse or domestic violence please reach out for help. Text HOME to 741741 to speak with a Crisis Counselor.
A lie by omission is still a lie.
and arrows of gold
When Haru had curled up next to him as he worked, the thought of moving him never crossed Itachi's mind. Instead his fingers ran lazy strokes through the boy's hair as he read the documents before him.
The clock read midnight, which meant Itachi had maybe 2 more hours before he had to make himself scarce. It didn't sit well with him when Haru had told him that he normally waited for his mother alone at night, after the babysitter would drop him off at home. The first night he told himself that he would leave before she arrived, but had instead fallen asleep, he only made that mistake one other night, exhausted from the day's work he did not wake in time to leave before she arrived. He heard the bathroom door shut and the shower start running, he gently gathered Haru into his arms and took him to his bed, gently sweeping his unruly bangs away from his face. He cleaned the small table, packed his papers, and stopping by the whiteboard he had purchased a few weeks back, left a single note and left. Six months had passed since the last time he had fallen asleep in the apartment. Nowadays he always made sure that Haru was bathed, brushed and tucked in by 11pm at the latest. Today was a rare occasion, as it was Friday, and Haru had insisted he could keep him company as he worked. Itachi was gracious, and bemusedly watched as the boy tried and failed to fight sleep. Once overtaken, Itachi worked with the dead weight of his nephew on his thigh for an additional two hours by the look of the clock, and though he was loath to do so, he knew he should move him to his futon.
He placed the papers back on the table and stood quietly. Picking Haru up gently, he rocked his body so as to not wake the boy as he walked him to his room. Thankfully he had only agreed to Haru's company after he had brushed his teeth and changed into his pajamas. He placed him on his futon gently, and smiled tenderly at the sleeping face. His retreat back to the living room was slow, he did not want to make a noise. Once in the safety of the kitchen he stretched, reading over today's message in the whiteboard to make sure he had said everything he wanted to say and to make sure that he had answered the question she had left behind. He served himself a glass of water and returned to the living room to continue his work, if he were to be honest, taking care of Haru had allowed him the necessary down time to catch up on all his paperwork, which was an added bonus to spending time with his nephew.
He did not remember when he fell asleep, head resting on the table atop his documents, but he remembered when he woke, the sound of something or someone slamming onto the front door was the unmistakable reason, he moved towards Haru's room, walking backwards as to not to turn his back towards the front door. Blindly he reached for the knob of the door behind him. Just to have physical reassurance that the door to his room was closed. The second bang pushed the door open, and Hinata stumbled inside. His brow furrowed, confused, she had a key why would she throw her body through the door in order to open it?
He took a tentative step towards her, but faster than he could process what was happening a man entered the room, grabbing Hinata by the hair and lifting her face towards him. His heart was in his throat, unsure if he should make a noise, he was painfully aware that Haru was probably now awake in the room behind him. From where he was standing, the corner of the hallway made it difficult for them to spot him, though he did have an obscured view he didn't need it to be clear to really see what was happening.
"You thought you could bring some random man into the apartment and I wouldn't find out?!" He growled, his face so close to hers Itachi couldn't help but flinch, his fists clenching by his side.
"You thought you could whore around under my roof?!" He shook her, Hinata's hands were wrapped around his much bigger fist that held her hair and Itachi moved towards them. "You stupid fucking slut, thinking you can bring your tricks into my building."
The sound of a fist meeting flesh turned his stomach but he tried to remain calm, he did not want to lose the element of surprise. He wasn't a violent person despite what Shisui would like others to believe, and though he was well versed in martial arts he didn't know how big or adept his opponent was. From what he could see he was not much bigger than himself with shaggy light blonde hair that fell haphazardly over his face, slender but toned arms were encased by his black shirt. Itachi filed away as much information as he could, cataloging how the man looked, how he spoke, and what he was wearing.
"Guess low-life shitty whores don't care if they have a kid at home to hear 'em fuck. If you want dick so bad, I've got one right here for you whore," Itachi heard the sound of clothes ripping, and before he could process what the man really meant he had moved to tackle him away from Hinata.
They stumbled, and he was sure that Hinata had gasped. The man yelled a curse at Itachi, though he could not be sure as to what he had actually said. They both stumbled on the floor, crashing against the wall. The man staggered to his feet but Itachi was just a step faster, standing a little more steady. He adjusted his tie and stared calmly at the man.
"Who the fuck are you?" The man snarled, taking a step towards Itachi, striking blue eyes narrowing.
"I believe you should present your name first, prior to asking for someone else's" Itachi retorted, uninterested. He subtly moved to stand between the man and Hinata, who sat silent and pale on the floor, she was trembling. Her hands trying to hold her tattered clothes together, a bruise was blooming on her face and there was blood drying on her lip. Itachi's jaw clenched.
"OH!" The man exclaimed. "This your John?" He tried to meet Hinata's eyes behind Itachi, but she was staring at the floor. "What? You upset cuz I roughed her up or because I was going to get a freebie?" He asked, the grin on his face was feral. "Listen, the little bitch lives in my complex, if I want her to suck my dick as part of her rent, then she best fucking swallow."
"Ah, is that so?" Itachi asked, his voice cold as he picked lint from one of his sleeves. "You are… her landlord?" He asked after a short pause.
"The building belongs to me," the man looked at him, brows furrowed, obviously thinking that Itachi was not as smart as he appeared. "Did you not hear what I said?"
"No, I heard you clearly," Itachi drawled as he reached into his pocket, the man tensed, but Itachi simply waved his wallet as he took it out. He opened it, taking out a card from within it and extended it to the man. "I just wanted to make sure that you were telling me, a lawyer, that you make your tenants exchange sexual favors in lieu of rent. Solicitation is a crime, 30 days to a year in jail, up to 5 years in prison if I play my cards right and throw intimidation, harassment, coercion, assault… after all, soliciting sex in lieu of rent is considered human trafficking, didn't you know?"
The man blanched, the blood draining from his already pale face as he looked between Itachi and Hinata. His face slowly began to regain color, but it did not stop when it reached its normal shade, instead continued to redden until Itachi worried he might give himself an aneurysm and just as he wondered if he should call an ambulance for the man, he spluttered and pointed at Hinata.
"I want this bitch gone from here, get your shitty kid and get the fuck out of this apartment." He roared. Itachi cocked his head and lifting a brow he sighed.
"I would highly recommend you do exactly that, vacate the premises. Or I really will be forced to call the authorities, and I don't think you would want me to do that. My cousin is the Police Chief's son." There was no point in telling him that Shisui was not only the son of the chief of police, but also their top special victim's detective.
Itachi would have broken into a fit of giggles if that was a sound that he was capable of making when the man, with no hesitation, tried to swing at him. Itachi was for once grateful for all the martial arts he studied growing up and that he continued to practice as a way to let off steam even to this day, when he was able to easily dodge the incoming punch by gently using his left palm to move it out of the way, and using the momentum that the man had wasted he planting his heel firmly right behind their knee, he easily dropped him onto his back.
"Leave now, while I am being generous, take any longer and I will ensure you never live to see life outside the comfort of your future cell." Itachi smiled, leaning over the sputtering man who dazedly looked up at him.
Itachi moved back and straightened his clothes, which had most certainly looked better prior to this altercation. The man finally found his wits and scampered towards the door, Itachi smirked and with a tilt of his head he pinned him with a stare.
"I suggest you retain an attorney, I will be seeing you again." The smile that bloomed across his face was chilling, the man's face blanched and in a final act of indignation he slammed the door behind him.
The door bounced off the frame pathetically, coming to a rest in an open position. The strength with which the man had thrown Hinata through it earlier had definitely damaged it, leaving it useless at this time. Itachi bit the inside of his cheek until he tasted blood, Hinata had not moved from her position on the floor and he had not moved from where he stood, partially shielding her from the open door. Stuffing his hands in his pockets he was about to say something when he heard the click of the door down the hall opening. His eyes zeroed in on the sound, panic rising like vile up his throat. Hinata did not even flinch from her position, lilac eyes vacantly staring at the floor in front of her, her hands holding the shreds of her clothes close to her as though they were the tether holding her in place.
Itachi traversed the length of the small living room in a few quick strides, he grabbed the suit jacket that he had previously abandoned by the cushion and managed to cover her shoulders with it just as Haru rounded the corner. His eyes were big and solemn as he surveyed the damage in the living room. Itachi's heart constricted as the boy's eyes came to rest upon Hinata's back, he braced himself for the tears that were sure to come from the toddler. Haru surprised him as he fiddled with the hem of his pajama top and furrowed his little brow at the obviously broken door.
"W-will we be able to fix it before the bad man comes back?" His whisper was barely audible, Itachi had to strain to hear it. The sob that left Hinata was much more easily discernible and palatable than the implication of the words that Haru had just whispered.
Itachi's eyes narrowed, burning with anger as he stared at the back of her head. He knew that this was not her fault, that she had done her best to help them both survive. He knew that there were wounds that had no explanation, that there were things she kept from him. He rationalized it, he willed his mind to find logical answers to the situation he found himself in right now. Coming up short with forgiveness for the monster that had done this to her, but also struggling to forgive her for putting Haru at risk. Rage bloomed in his chest, a flower so fragrant that it threatened to choke him with its scent. Itachi knew that Hinata was a victim, that Haru was a victim, but no amount of rationalizing could squelch the burning in his chest.
He had been coming over for months, he had been leaving her notes for months. Asking if she needed anything, asking how she was doing. She had held entire conversations with him through that whiteboard and not once did she ever tell him… she never even hinted at this. Part of him knew that it was not her that he was angry with, that this feeling burning in his chest was directed at the monster that had done this. But his wrath blooming unbidden hinted at the impotence he felt for having done nothing to protect them.
"Tachi…" Haru pulled at his shirt, bringing reality crashing down around him. "A-are you mad?" His soft question hit Itachi like a whip across the face, a striking reminder that he needed to control his murderous expression. "Will you…. Will you leave?" The question was asked with a resignation that made Itachi want to burn the entire building to the ground so that Haru would never have to relive the moments he spent in here.
"Of course not Haru, I'm not going anywhere." The words were murmured softly, sighing as he glanced at Hinata. She still had not moved from where she sat defeated on the floor, the only indication that she was even breathing was the salty smell of her tears that permeated the room. Closing his eyes and rubbing the bridge of his nose, Itachi quickly came to a decision. He untied his signature low ponytail, tendrils of hair had come loose during the altercation and quickly he tied his hair high on the crown of his head for once. He glanced around him and then kneeled so that he could look at Haru in the eyes. "Could you go find your mom a change of clothes? I'll take her to the bathroom so she can get cleaned up."
Haru nodded earnestly and his quick steps disappeared towards the end of the hall. Itachi straightened, his lips were grim as he turned again towards the woman. Unceremoniously he grabbed her by one of the arms and pulled her into a semi standing position, lifting her body enough to get the leverage he needed to carry her to the bathroom. She was limp in his arms, a doll without a soul. He tried and failed to hide the distaste from his face. But it was etched onto his brow, and it was painted across the downturn of his lips. He pushed the door to the bathroom open and set Hinata down on top of the toilet. He then carefully rolled his sleeves up to his forearms and began to run the bath. The silence was stifling, but he wasn't sure that he would be able to talk right now without completely blowing up. He could feel her watching him, her eyes trailing his movements. Before he could snap at her Haru peeked through the door, hands full of clothes for his mother. Itachi murmured a thanks and after telling Haru that he would be out in just one second he handed the clothes to Hinata.
"Shower. Change. We will talk after." He did not make eye contact with her, and quietly slipped out of the bathroom.
Haru was waiting, apprehensively fiddling with the hem of his shirt and startled when Itachi came out. There was fear in his eyes, and Itachi did not have the wherewithal to try and discern if the fear was caused by his presence in the house. Extending his hand so that Haru would grab it he walked the boy back to their bedroom. Once the door was closed behind him he leaned against it and slid down to the floor. Haru looked concerned, his brows closely knitted and he was taking deep breaths as though to soothe himself from a panic attack. Itachi brought his left knee up and leaned his arm over it looking at Haru over his fringe, the ponytail sitting atop his head changed the way his bangs fell over his eyes and he needed to tilt his head to clear them away from his face. The boy stared, looking pale and worried.
"The bad man…?" Itachi began, nothing had really prepared him to have this conversation with a child. Let alone with his nephew.
"H-he comes sometimes." Haru swallowed and looked at the floor. "M-mama never let me out of the room…"
Itachi closed his eyes tightly, willing the scene he witnessed earlier to vanish from his mind. A cold clammy hand made contact with his forearm, bringing him out of his reverie. He looked at Haru and sighed. The boy looked like tears were threatening to spill at any second and Itachi hated himself for bringing them to his eyes. Ruffling Haru's hair he took his phone out of his pocket and sent a few quick texts, then steeling himself he stood and looked around him.
"Alright Haru, it's time to make some changes." Setting his hands on his hips he tried to sound cheerful. "Pack your things, we are going to a new house."
Haru's eyes widened, and though he looked unsure there was definitely a glimmer of excitement in his eyes. Taking a few tentative steps towards his small closet he looked around the room and in a move that broke Itachi's heart, Haru began packing his school supplies into his randoseru. Itachi began to look through the closet and pulled a duffel bag from the depths of it, which he began to slowly fill with clothes that he folded with care. They worked silently. Haru quietly gathered his things, while Itachi quietly folded what little clothes they had into the duffle bag. A few minutes of their silent working had gone by, when they finally heard the shower turn on. Hinata had finally dragged herself from her sitting position it seemed.
"Will mama come too?" The question was such a soft whisper that if Itachi had not been quietly staring at the door he would not have heard it.
"Of course she will." Itachi smiled, though it did not reach his eyes. Haru stared at him searching the depths of his obsidian eyes, whatever he had found seemed to satisfy him as he moved towards the door to head into the living room. Randoseru was packed full with his school supplies and learning materials. Not a single personal belonging had made the cut, Itachi noted as he listened for the shower that was still running.
Once in the living room Itachi began gathering his papers, and picking up the things that had been knocked around during the scuffle that had taken place earlier. Haru helped with trembling fingers to carefully fit the paperwork back into Itachi's messenger bag, eyes darting between the things that lay broken and the door that was clearly not able to close all the way. Haru's eyes widened with trepidation as he watched a shadow appear on the doorframe, and he hurried over to Itachi.
"What the actual fuck Itachi?" The voice that came from the shadow was booming, and Haru moved to hide behind Itachi's leg as the large man made his way in. His sharp balck eyes looked around the small living space critically. "What the fuck happened here?"
"Kisame, you would do well to lower your voice. You'll wake the neighbors." Itachi murmured, giving Kisame a meaningful glare. The tall man rolled his eyes as he moved away from the door frame, allowing a much shorter person to peek from behind his tall frame.
Kind brown eyes surveyed the damaged living area and fell on the child that was currently using Itachi as a shield. They narrowed as Itachi's hand went to rest atop the child's head and pursing his lips he shot Itachi a questioning look.
"Haku, Kisame," he began, his tired voice leaving no room for questions. "This is Haru."
Haku's eyes widened a fraction before moving a few steps closer, his warm and friendly smile was sincere as he lowered to a crouching position in front of Itachi trying to make eye contact with Haru.
"Hello Haru, I'm Haku," the soft voice he used was obviously an attempt to sound unthreatening and he extended his hand to no avail. Haru just gripped Itachi's pant leg tighter, his eyes bellied the fear that he felt though his face did not change from the quiet calm it had settled on as soon as Itachi had made it known he knew the intruders.
"Zabuza's in the car, we're ready to go whenever boss." Kisame stated as he leaned against the broken door frame. His eyes boring into Itachi's letting his friend know that there would be questions to be answered, and soon.
"Haru, go with them." The boy whimpered at Itachi's words. "I will be down shortly with your mom." He added as a promise.
Haru tentatively looked between Haku's outstretched hand and Kisame's imposing figure before looking for reassurance from Itachi's obsidian stare. With trepidation he took Haku's hand, holding his randoseru close to his body with his free hand. Haku did not try to take it from him as he walked towards the door, giving Kisame as wide a berth as it was possible given the size of the area they were working with. Itachi unceremoniously handed Kisame the duffel bag he had brought from the bedroom, and sighed.
"I'll explain it all later… just don't traumatize him." Itachi sighed.
"Me? Never! I'd never traumatize your kid," Kisame's grin was almost feral.
"Nephew," Itachi corrected. Kisame's eyes widened in recognition and his face grew somber. A mutual and silent understanding passed between them and clicking his tongue Kisame grabbed the messenger bag resting on the table and hitched it on his arm.
"Well, holler if you need me." He supplied quietly as he walked out of the apartment. The absence of his massive build made the small apartment feel bigger and emptier.
Itachi walked over to the door and tried unsuccessfully to close it. There was a migraine threatening to explode from behind his eyes and he rubbed his temples absentmindedly in hopes to prevent it from blooming. Now that he was not so focused on getting Haru out of the place and no longer needed to direct all his attention to his planning, he was able to again dwell on the events that had transpired. Leaning against the door he crossed his arms and stared at the floor in front of him, listening in the quiet night to the sounds coming from the bathroom. Sure that she had heard what had happened in the living room he doubted that he would need to wait much longer for her to emerge. Bitterly he stared at the whiteboard still hanging innocently on the face of the refrigerator. He wondered, as anger roiled again in his stomach, why she had not bothered to ask him for help.
He was well aware that victims of abuse seldom asked for help, in fear of retribution from their abusers. But Hinata had him. She would have had all the backing she needed, all the security she needed provided to her, and nothing to fear. A small voice in his head reminded him that if she had wanted to be sheltered and protected she never would have left home, but he silenced it. The anger that had abated while making sure things were in order began its thunderous roar inside his chest anew. The logical part of him tried to calm him down, but the rage he felt was primal, and though he found himself taken aback by it and surprised by its intensity for once he embraced it.
The door to the bathroom opened slowly, creaking as Hinata slowly made her way out. Her hair was still damp from her bath, thrown haphazardly into a bun over her head. She was clutching his jacket as though fearful that she would drop it. Painfully aware that he was blocking the only way out of the small apartment he moved to stand closer to the wall towards his right, adjacent to the kitchen. Her eyes were red and swollen, speaking of the tears she had shed. He regarded her coldly as she slowly made her way towards the living room, a bruise blooming on the left side of her face. Her eyes were downcast but as her eyes took in the absence of items around her, they finally snapped to him. There was fear in her eyes and indignation.
"What do you think you are doing?" She demanded, though her voice was soft, there was venom in the question.
"Haru and I packed the apartment," he responded evenly. "Get whatever we missed, you're coming with me."
"I'm not going anywhere," she lifted her chin indignantly and glared at him. He would have found it cute, if he had not been as incandescent with rage.
"I do not believe I gave you a choice." Itachi's voice was cold, even to his own ears.
"Y-you cannot come in here, pack my things, and demand that I come with you." Her voice was rising with every word but he remained unperturbed.
"Fine," he shrugged. "Stay." He made to move towards the door after regarding her coldly for a second.
"Wait! Where is Haru?!" Hinata's panic stricken voice grated on his ears, and for once he did not find it in himself to be civil.
"Haru will be coming with me." The finality in his statement left no room for arguments, but it did nothing to abate Hinata's panic.
She marched towards him, throwing the jacket she had been holding at him. Itachi grabbed it easily and straightened his back. His eyes roamed her face, taking in the split lip, the bruising on her forehead and the tell-tale signs of a black eye. He scoffed. The sound so foreign coming from him that she even stopped to gape at him. Towering over her, but keeping his stance relaxed, he leaned forward so that his lips would be next to her ear.
"You cannot stop me." The words, cold and unfriendly, left his mouth in but a whisper. Hinata flinched.
"You can't take him with you!" Her scream was shrill. "You can't just come into my home and take my son."
"Oh? Is that what you think Hinata?" He leaned back, looking down at her through his nose. Disgust was almost palpable in his obsidian stare. "How, pray tell, will you stop me from doing so?" He took a step closer to her, to her benefit she did not step back. "One phone call is all it would take. To the police, heaven only knows how delighted Shisui would be to take the case. Or perhaps to the Child Agency, I'm sure they would be thrilled to know that Haru spends so many hours alone at home. Not to mention that their mother brings abusive men in to not only trade sexual favors with, but to be beaten by in his presence." Part of him wondered if it would be better if he was yelling. The words were biting in their cold delivery and they tasted bitter as they left his mouth, but he was no longer being fueled by good intentions. Wrath dictated his actions now.
Hinata gasped, her breaths coming in short bursts and though her eyes filled with tears not a single one spilled. Itachi took a few steps away from her, giving her space. Acutely aware that he was a man, alone with her and crowding her space. He might be furious but he was not so insensitive to not be aware that she might be feeling particularly threatened after what had transpired earlier on the night.
"You…you…" she tried and failed to form a sentence, her breaths coming in hitched staccato over the silence that befell them.
"You what? Hinata." He closed his eyes momentarily. "Now you remember that I am here? Now you find your words lacking? Now you look for me?" He laughed bitterly.
"Haru… He…" She began desperately, her eyes searching Itachi's but finding them shuttered from emotion.
"Haru is safe," he assured her. "Not thanks to you."
The words were like a slap to her face and she staggered backwards, clutching her hand to her chest and she glared at him.
"This has nothing to do with you." She finally managed.
"HARU IS MY NEPHEW!" Itachi roared. Raising his voice for the first time in recent memory. "You would do well to remember that this has everything to do with me." Hinata was stunned into silence as Itachi tried to regain whatever composure he had left and failed to do so. "How dare you put him at risk? What would have happened had I not been here?!"
"It was me he wanted, not him," she challenged, lifting her trembling chin despite the scorch of his glare.
"I never took you for stupid Hinata." Itachi bit back. "What? You thought he would beat you, then take you against your will and would leave Haru alone?" A cynical smile bloomed across his lips. "Why, yes, I'm sure Haru would have sat still as he listened to his mother get raped and beaten in the living room."
Hinata gasped, the tears that had been clouding her vision finally spilling down her cheeks. She glared at Itachi, though he could not tell if it was shame or anger that fueled her opalescent eyes.
"What then Hinata?" He drawled. "When your son comes to your rescue unable to sit there and listen while you do whatever it is you do to keep him safe? What happens then?" Methodically he placed his jacket on the table in the living room and began to roll his sleeves down his forearms, adjusting his cuffs and smoothing out the creases that had formed.
She was breathing hard but watched him as he moved, as though she was weighing her chances in a physical fight. Itachi glared at her through his fringe, stopping whatever thoughts she had of fighting him on their tracks.
"You have no right," she began, her chest rising and falling as she tried to calm her breathing. "You have no right to interfere in my life."
"You could have asked me for help!" The booming sound of his yell did not seem to cow her as she continued to hold his glare. "I have been coming here for months! Months Hinata!" His exasperation was making way for a hint of desperation in his voice. "At any time you could have told me, come to me for help."
"It was not your place to interfere." Her eyes had turned to ice as she continued to gaze evenly into his own.
"Who are you trying to fool? Yourself? Me? Spare me your platitudes and your self sufficiency. This was not something you had under control." He watched as her eyes narrowed and braced for what he knew would come.
The slap echoed in the empty apartment and slowly he brought his hand up to his lip to wipe the corner of his mouth for potential blood, he scoffed. The second slap was cut short as he grabbed her wrist with more force than he intended.
"I allowed you to have the first one, do not insult me by attempting a second one." He let go of her wrist as though it had burned him. Grabbing his jacket he moved to put it on. "You can come or you can stay, but Haru is not coming back in here." The finality in his tone left no room for arguments.
"You're not his father Itachi." Her voice was steady as she straightened her back. "You may wish all you want to, but you will never be his father."
"No shit, princess." The condescending tone that dripped from his usually honeyed tongue was new to her, and for once she saw the man that everyone had cowed before in her younger years. He walked up to her, crowding her space. They were both breathing hard and Hinata had to strain her neck to continue making eye contact with him. "I may not be his father, but do not for a second think that I would let any harm come to him."
Itachi took a step back and closed his eyes, sighing as he turned away from her. Putting on his jacket he leaned against the door frame, his knuckles turning white as he gripped the wood. He turned his head slightly towards her but did not look at her.
"Come Hinata, don't dawdle." His voice was no more than a soft rumble from deep in his throat. He opened the door for her to walk through and though she refused to look at him, Hinata followed him out into the early hours of the night.
Remember how I said the short chapter would come down to haunt us? How it was a needed break for what was to happen? Things start moving pretty fast after the next few chapters to be completely honest with you. These snippets of the past were meant to set the stage for the present and how things got to be where they are now. I know I have heavily focused on Hinata/Haru/Itachi as far as the past is concerned, but Sasuke's turn is coming soon. From here there are only 3-4 more chapters that include snippets of the past, so we'll be dealing primarily in present day, I hope that gives you something to look forward to after this one.
This chapter was hard to write if I am honest, I took much longer to finish it than I thought it would take me to do so. Itachi said many things in the heat of the moment, but can someone tell me why there was sexual tension in the "No shit, princess" line? Because once I realized it was there it took me days to stop thinking about it... Was it because he cursed? Or because the feelings were already heated at that point? I always enjoy writing Itachi, but angry Itachi has a special spot in my heart hahaha.
I hope this chapter wasn't too much, but I wanted to be true to the reality that some single mothers face. Some of them will do whatever it takes and I didn't want to shy away from that for the comfort of myself and others. I really hope you can all appreciate it even if only a little.
Once again thank you for reading and leaving reviews.
Much Love, Emi
