Chapter 41
Izumi watched as Sasuke and Sakura sparred. Sakura's chakra control was far superior to Sasuke's, but Sasuke's taijutsu and weaponry were far better than Sakura's. Her weaponry was dire, but her taijutsu was getting better.
Overall, she was a much better sparring partner for him than when she first became a genin. That had just been pitiful, and Kakashi had no idea what to do with her. He hadn't been given much time to plan too, especially when his focus was mainly on Naruto and Sasuke. Especially Sasuke. He needed stability, and a team could really help give him that. But now that Itachi was back that team work Kakashi had been teaching them had been shoved to the side, and Kakashi wasn't here to work on it again. Sasuke's anger had returned with a vengeance, and it pained Izumi to see it. It also pained Izumi to see Sasuke's hand lingering more on the curse mark each day, as if he was tempted to use it. She wasn't going to let him of course. Izumi would do everything she could to stop him, even if it meant breaking his trust.
The fight didn't last much longer. Sakura was overpowered and brought down, and Sasuke dismissed her, quickly leaving to find a new target. Sakura panted heavily, but Izumi walked over and reached out a hand.
"You did well," Izumi said, hoisting the pup up. "Sasuke will be impressed."
Sakura slumped. "No he won't. Not when he doesn't think he's good enough. How can I ever hope to help him? If he thinks so little of himself then what he must think of me..." She deflated further, and Izumi winced at the stench of despair. "I'm useless... The worst Alpha ever..."
Izumi winced, and patted the pup's head. "There, there, it's alright?" Izumi knew Sasuke would feel like shit for a while, but hopefully not too long. They'd work together through it, just like they had before.
Itachi wouldn't ruin their lives. Not if Izumi had anything to say about it.
"Sasuke just needs time. What Itachi did to us has life long consequences. He killed everyone we loved, Sakura. To heal from something like that takes a long time, and sometimes anger is easier to deal with than the pain. But that's when a responsible adult is supposed to come in and help, and I'm the responsible adult in this situation."
"So you'll help Sasuke?" Sakura asked, with a small bit of doubt in her voice.
Little brat-
"Yes," Izumi said firmly. "As I have all these years. We're a pack, and packs help each other, even when it's rough."
"Like with Kakashi sensei?" Sakura perked up. "You're still looking for him, right?"
"His hounds are trying to track down his scent. It might take a bit of time, but they're good, stubborn dogs. They'll find him." Izumi smiled. "And when they do our team is gonna go get Kakashi back."
"Our team?" Sakura stiffened up.
"Not you genin," Izumi said firmly. "Jonin and ANBU. Kakashi's bonded is too strong, and even with us assembled we're going to struggle. Kakashi would be devastated if his students were hurt trying to save him."
"But can't we do something?" Sakura asked, her brow furrowed.
"Be there for him." Izumi turned towards the graveyard where Kakashi spent most of his days, or had, now no longer could. "He's going to need your support, especially once the baby arrives."
Sakura bit her lip. "What will happen then?"
"Who knows?" Izumi grinned. "It's all apart of that little adventure called life."
"I'm worried though. What's going to happen to Sasuke?"
"I'll keep him safe." Izumi settled her hand on Sakura's shoulder. "But this was a bad blow to his mental health. It's going to take some time before he's good again."
It would take time for either of them to feel alright again. It had felt so good seeing Itachi again and that terrified her. It disgusted her, like dirty hands crawling over her skin. It was an itch she needed to get rid of, but first Sasuke needed tended to.
"I'm glad he's got you." Sakura smiled. "I'll bring you both dinner later, okay? I'll make him something nice!"
Izumi barely managed to hold back a wince. "Your mother helping you?"
"Maybe." Sakura shrugged. "I'll see."
Hopefully. Otherwise there would be no saving Sakura's cooking.
.::.
Sakura rushed to the Uchiha house a couple of hours later, dinner cradled in the tub in her hands. She had made sure Sasuke's dinner got extra tomatoes since it was his favourite, and would hopefully help cheer him up, even if it was just a little bit. Except when she got there the lights weren't on and nobody answered her when she knocked.
They couldn't still be out right?
Sakura frowned down at her food. "I hope it doesn't get too cold..."
"Eh, you're the kid from the exams."
Sakura yelped, whirled round to where Anko stood before her, brow arched. Anko looked above her to the Uchiha fan and grimaced. "They won't be in for a while, kid."
"Really?" Sakura couldn't help but deflate. "I was hoping to deliver them some dinner..."
Anko smiled, but it was a weak one. "Good. They need someone to support them, just like that sensei of yours. But they're going to need a bit of time for now, yeah? They just saw the man who murdered their entire family, someone they trusted more than anyone."
Anko's balled into tight fists, almost turning white. "It never gets better when someone hurts you that much. Just, keep trying, maybe tomorrow with your dinner. Give them a little space, but not too much."
Sakura bit her lip, but nodded. Maybe if she was lucky she'd run into them on the way home, even if it was just Sasuke. He could use something to eat.
.::.
Anko watched Sakura leave, then gathered up the shattered bottles of alcohol littering the street beneath the Uchiha House. "Dammit, Izumi..." she muttered, and looked up.
Izumi didn't spare her a glance. She sat on the roof, facing the direction of the Uchiha compound. Another bottle sat on her lap, probably her sixth one. A murderous scent escaped Izumi, and Anko automatically stepped back.
"Don't lecture me right now," Izumi spat. "Otherwise I might actually kill you. I might snap like my mate and kill everyone in Konoha. Maybe start right here. Every man, woman and child."
Anko softened. "You aren't Itachi Uchiha. We trust you-"
"I trusted him. I trusted him with everything." Her scent flared and Izumi slammed the bottle into the wall of a neighbour's house. "And he took everything from me! And even worse, he took everything away from Sasuke! And even after all this time my fucking bitch of an Omega still loves him. We still love Itachi-" Izumi reached up and Anko gasped when Izumi's claws dug into her own scent mark. "This damn bitch-"
Anko didn't even manage a step up, no, before she could Sasuke Uchiha was at Izumi's side, grabbing her hand in his own and sitting down next to her.
"Don't," he said softly.
"It's so frustrating, Sasuke." Izumi shook her head, then curled up against him, wrapping her arms around him, a protective embrace. "And he hurt you of all people-"
"And you too," Sasuke said.
"No, you don't understand. You were everything to him," Izumi choked. "So why? Why did he hurt you of all people? I hate him for it. I hate him and love him and it hurts-"
Anko heard a sob, but she wasn't sure who made it. No, she turned around and walked away, because just as she told the pink haired kid the Uchihas needed space right now. Not forever, but right now. And Izumi would never forgive Anko for barging in on such a private moment.
She took the broken glass with her.
.::.
Kakashi had figured out the guards rotation at the main door, and the servants that delivered Kakashi food. By the time Mr. Kidnapper next returned Kakashi knew the guards names, their likes and dislikes, and all because Kakashi had cut a hole into the wood of the door right at the bottom of it to listen in on their conversations.
Yes, he wasn't behaving the way Mr. Kidnapper wanted, but why would he?
It was now a week after the baby starting kicking. The baby made Kakashi rather disorientated at times, and a little short of breath. And Kakashi knew that if he didn't escape soon it wouldn't be possible at all, not in his condition. Which, Kakashi had to admit, was a frustrating thought. He was in every Bingo book and thanks to this baby he had a belly, sore back and no chakra.
Okay, the no chakra was also thanks to the suppressor, but still.
He was startled when Mr. Kidnapper swirled into the room with a woman, an Omega nurse, who quite frankly looked frantic herself. The woman, or more like girl, because she didn't look older than twenty, collapsed to her knees and searched the entire room.
Mr. Kidnapper sighed. "Calm down, you're fine."
Kakashi paused, placing his book down. "Did you just kidnap someone else?"
"Shut up," Mr. Kidnapper groaned, helping the girl up. "Kakashi, this young lady is going to check on you and the baby."
The girl still looked shaken, but she nodded meekly.
"You're being compensated, so calm down," Mr. Kidnapper insisted, and Kakashi could feel him rolling his eyes.
"Y-Yes!" The girl nodded shakily, taking a deep breath. "I'm here to check on Kakashi Hatake and his baby..." The girl paled. "I'm checking Kakashi Hatake and his baby-"
Kakashi strangled down his laughter when Mr. Kidnapper groaned.
"Um, you're not going to zap me or bite me?" The girl asked, shyly coming over to his side. "I mean you're good looking so maybe a bite would be amazing, but you're also one of the best ninjas ever and I really don't want to be zapped for doing something you don't like-"
Mr. Kidnapper sighed heavily. Kakashi loved this girl. She was making Mr. Kidnapper's life a misery and it was glorious. Kakashi cheerfully waved his wrist.
"No, he put a chakra suppressor on me," Kakashi said.
"He kidnapped you too?" She blinked, then flushed.
"Why did the Courtesan recommend you?" Mr. Kidnapper huffed.
The girl, who Kakashi didn't think could freak out any further, had a meltdown at that. She collapsed to her knees again and squealed. "Lady Courtesan recommended me? Of all people! By the Sage!" She sounded gleeful.
Mr. Kidnapper growled. "Just get on with it already."
She sat down by his side and Kakashi leaned back from the table enough to let her glowing hands touch his stomach. Her chakra was jittery from excitement, blanketing him and the baby, and it made Kakashi feel kind of ticklish.
"I won't be able to tell you the baby's gender, since I, well," she laughed awkwardly. "Left all my equipment behind?"
"During your kidnapping," Kakashi added in helpfully.
Mr. Kidnapper growled.
"He doesn't seem to appreciate the term," she said nervously.
"It's because I named him Mr. Kidnapper."
"Oh."
"Well?" Mr. Kidnapper asked impatiently.
"He and the baby are healthy. They are well fed and rested and that is very good news," she said happily. "You've done a great job so far, Kakashi."
"My feet are swelling, the baby is kicking me constantly and I have to pee all the time," Kakashi said dryly.
"And that sounds about right." She nodded.
Kakashi groaned.
"Don't worry, you only have about twenty more weeks to go!" She added in.
He groaned louder.
"You'll be fine," Mr. Kidnapper said, holding out his hand for the girl once the glow to her hands faded. She took his hand and he pulled her up. "Yes?"
"As long as Kakashi keeps going the way he has been, then yes. You've been doing well." The girl smiled warmly.
"Good, thank you. As promised you will be compensated."
She and Mr. Kidnapper disappeared into a swirl. It took some time for him to return alone, and Kakashi leaned back in his seat.
"Busy day then, huh?" Kakashi asked.
Mr. Kidnapper crossed his arms. "Perhaps."
"Busy day of letting me go?" Kakashi asked playfully.
"No." Mr. Kidnapper sat down, just as Kakashi poured him a tea.
"You're a happy fellow today I see," Kakashi said, deliberately oozing his voice with cheeriness.
He could feel the glower.
"A shame, I really miss Konoha-" Kakashi began, sighing mournfully.
"Bah, Konoha is hardly worth the effort you put into it," Mr, Kidnapper sneered, a mocking edge to his voice. Ah, he really was in a bad mood. "After all, they were the ones who vilified your father when he protected his teammates instead of putting the mission first, then vilified you and called you friend-killer when you put your mission first instead of your teammate-"
Kakashi recoiled. "How-"
"But of course that actually wasn't your true intent." Mr. Kidnapper softened. "No, your teammate put her mission first, all the while your dear old sensei was surrounded by fellow Konoha ninjas, safe and protected. A grown adult, and all of them left two children on their own."
"His mission was more dangerous." Kakashi scowled. "And how did you know about Rin?"
"Unlike most people I actually pay attention."
"I really should change your name to Mr. Stalker," Kakashi growled.
"My point is," Mr. Kidnapper began. "Konoha is not worth your loyalty. If you are merely loyal to it because of the dead, then don't be. It is pretty much Konoha's fault most of your loved ones are dead and gone in the first place."
"You're full of charm today," Kakashi grunted, sipping at his tea.
"And you're ignoring me."
"Not exactly."
"As if listening to me but not acknowledging anything I say is you actively not ignoring me."
"Maybe," Kakashi allowed.
A silence grew between them, but Mr. Kidnapper did end up speaking up again, a low growl in his voice.
"When you had your little escape attempt your very limited time outside drew some attention." Mr. Kidnapper glared at him. "One of your dogs caught your scent."
Kakashi fought off the urge to smile.
"And now Biscuit has brought with him two Sannin and Naruto Uzumaki." A brief moment of hope struck him, baffling him, but it snuffed out when Mr. Kidnapper stood up, his scent turning aggressive and sharp. "Now I'm going to have to kill them."
"You against two Sannin?" Kakashi grimaced. "You really think you can win?"
He could feel Mr. Kidnapper's smugness oozing. It was actually a little bit annoying, quite frankly, and made Kakashi want to punch him.
"There are more ways than one to win a battle, Kakashi. I don't need to fight them, I will, but what they are about to do, picking a fight with the Daimyo's head advisor, will throw the Lands of Water and Fire into war."
Kakashi bristled. "Then just give me back to them already."
"No. Konoha is still far too unstable."
"Then give them time to fix it."
"I was planning to until they came here." Mr. Kidnapper stood up. "No, now they have made a grave error, an error I plan to take advantage of."
"Or you could let me talk to them?" Kakashi offered.
He could feel Mr. Kidnapper's smirk. "Ah, yes, and you do something sneaky and clever, right?"
"When you say you want to kill two Sannin and my student?" Kakashi frowned. "Yes, I'll be as sneaky and clever as I have to be. But if you let them go? I'll stop trying to escape-" Mr. Kidnapper paused. "Until Konoha is stable."
Mr. Kidnapper chuckled. "You've already tried to escape. You've been unsuccessful. I'm not worried about that."
"But you are worried about me getting hurt," Kakashi insisted.
"True, but I only need a couple more weeks." Mr. Kidnapper's voice turned dark, dark and deep. "Then you won't be able to do much at all. You're already having a difficult time with the baby moving, and they will only keep growing."
Kakashi grimaced.
"So no." Mr. Kidnapper sounded amused. "I'm not worried at all."
The smug bastard chuckled, patted his head and disappeared in a swirl. Kakashi stared at the spot he'd been seated, drank his tea, then went to the bathroom. Mr. Kidnapper seriously underestimated him if he thought Kakashi would give up that easily, but first he really needed to pee because a certain midget decided to kick his bladder right as he thought that.
Afterwards Kakashi brought out the make up he had asked for from the servants attending him. They thought he wanted to look like a pretty Omega for his Alpha, heh, shows what they know. Kakashi might not be able to henge anymore, but he rarely bothered to anyway. It always drained his chakra too quickly. No, make up was an old friend of his by this point.