A/N: New chapter is here! Sorry for posting it later than expected, but my mind went through a few surprised blocks while writing it, and things are better written when not rushed.
Shout out to pianonerd and Brindani for being my betas for this chapter.
Happy reading! ('o')
To Change Fate
Chapter 5: Calm Before the Storm
One word that Humiya described herself as during the coming months was determined.
Nothing like a good cry to lift the spirits!
Days turned to weeks, and weeks turned months, but the likes of time didn't deter her from her goal. Just like that, more than a year had passed.
Most of her days were met by her helplessly doing sloppy arm and leg exercises in her crib or assessing the flames she sees when she closes her eyes. On rare occasions, Mikoto would take her out to the hospital. She hated the hospital days, having to be poked and prodded to check something that she knew little about. But that didn't make her lose confidence either, for the first step she strove for was a simple one.
Today's the day!
Humiya cheered in her head as she stood triumphantly in her crib, hands on her hips.
I'll finally walk out of this stupid room! Getting Naka's eyes will be a hop, skip, and a jump away.
She felt her legs tremble under her before she lost her footing, making her hold onto the wooden rail to catch herself.
Or maybe just crawl. I can hop to my goals later.
She nervously chuckled before closing her eyes, sensing if anyone was around. She felt a sense of pride that she could now sense the people around her more accurately through all of her practice.
Itachi is not home and Mikoto is nowhere near my room. Perfect!
Humiya opened her eyes and gleefully looked over the edge of her crib and at the tatami mat floor, rubbing her itchy gums together as she did it.
Okay, Diana, it is not that far down. The crib only seems high.
She thought before taking a deep breath.
"1...2...3," Humiya whispered to herself in English before lifting her leg over the ledge with her body, drool sliding out of her mouth.
She held the railing as she reached for the floor with her toes, her hands slipping off from it after she dangled for a few seconds.
Humiya let out a gasp the moment her butt hit the floor. She quickly wiped her mouth and looked toward the partially opened bedroom door and sighed when she didn't hear any footsteps. She turned herself over and slowly crept out of her room and down the vacant hallway. She stopped at the stairs and grit her gums.
Dang it! How could I forget the stairs?!
"Humiya, you escaped your crib!" Mikoto gasped from behind her, sounding unexpectedly jubilant.
And now I've been caught. Curses! Why is it that I can only sense people when I close my eyes?
She turned to her guardian and squealed with delight, knowing that Mikoto loved to hear it.
Face the wrath of my cuteness! How can my thoughtless baby self get into trouble?
Humiya let out the happiest laugh that she could muster as her guardian picked her up into her caring arms.
"Oh, Little Humiya. Stairs can be very dangerous, but Mama will protect you. Can you say Mama?" Mikoto asked as she walked down the stairs.
Everyone knows that babies walk before they talk. I will not be some prodigy. That just screams early death! It is hard enough to understand Japanese when I only hear it in your sparse conversations. And you all speak so fast!
Humiya's mouth opened slightly as she stared into Mikoto's expectant eyes, a feeling of guilt flashing through her.
I must appease her at least.
Humiya gave Mikoto a slobbery kiss on the cheek before letting out loud giggles that permeated throughout the house. Mikoto just gave a small smile in return.
"You will get it eventually," she chuckled as she reached the bottom of the stairs and walked past the entryway of the house.
The moment that Mikoto stepped into the living room, the front door behind them opened.
"I'm home," Itachi called as he came in.
"Welcome home," Mikoto replied with a smile, quickly turning around to look at her son. "How was training?"
Humiya waved happily at Itachi, making him smile a little. Her smile faltered when she noticed the purple bruises on his body and sweat dripping down his brow.
You always look like you've just got the crap beaten out of you. You're already training to be a killer... but don't worry. I will be the perfect little sister! I will love that killing intent out of you!
"Well," Itachi voiced as he entered the living room. " I finally hit the center of three targets at the same time with my kunai."
"Great job, Itachi." Mikoto cooed before looking as if she remembered something. "I have some errands to run. Will you be a good big brother and watch Humiya for a bit? Give her some mashed tomatoes while you are at it. It is just about lunchtime,"
"Okay," Itachi replied lightly, his expression neutral.
He reached his hands out to take Humiya, and Mikoto happily obliged.
Humiya wrapped her pudgy baby arms around Itachi as she was situated on his hip, knowing whatever request Mikoto made Itachi extremely determined with the way his dark eyes sparkled.
"When will you be back?" Itachi asked as he watched Mikoto put on her sandals.
"Just in time for dinner. Your lunch is in the fridge,"
Wow. If only Mikoto was a more attentive parent. Leaving your 4-year-old son to take care of his baby sister is a whole other level of wrong.
Humiya sighed as Mikoto closed the door behind her and looked up at Itachi.
What am I going to do with you?
Itachi clutched Humiya in his arms while he stared longingly at the front door before a distinct growl came from both of their stomachs, making him blink out of his thoughts.
"Rawr!" Humiya yelled cheerfully, patting Itachi's tummy.
Itachi couldn't help but let out a tiny laugh
"It's time for lunch. Say, lunch. L-un-ch," he said as slow and articulate as he could.
Humiya blinked her teardrop eyes at her brother as he patiently waited for a reply.
I am not going to talk to you either until I successfully take my first steps. I'll give you a distraction kiss as well.
She then let out a coo before kissing his nose, making Itachi back his head away with surprise. Itachi then walked into the kitchen with his bubbly little sister, looking disappointed. He then placed Humiya on one of the seat cushions on the low table before walking over to the fridge to get his plate of food and her tomato.
Uck! I hate mashed tomatoes.
She crossed her arms as Itachi retrieved a small bowl from the cabinet and began mashing the red fruit into a bloody mesh. Humiya kicked her legs up and down on the cushion and watched her brother take a spoonful of tomato and put it toward her mouth. She frowned at the mesh.
"Say aah," Itachi instructed as he brought the spoon to her mouth, smiling cutely at her sour expression.
Why do the Uchiha love tomatoes so much? I am so done with them and nursing.
She shuddered at the thought.
Nursing… I have lost my love for food.
Humiya would always be thankful for Amaterasu leaving her memories, but having her old life and this life be in so much clarity was as much of a blessing as a curse.
"Come on, Humiya. You have to eat. It's not so bad. See?"
Itachi took a bite and exaggeratedly rubbed his tummy as he swallowed the mush.
"Yum! Now it is your turn.
He stirred the mashed tomatoes and scooped up a hearty helping of it to her.
"Aah?"
Humiya turned her head away from the spoon and toward Itachi's salad dish.
Do you think you can manipulate me like that? I am not some stupid baby. I am an adult within a baby! Well, if you like that slop so much, I can just take some of your food.
Humiya got up from her cushion as quickly as she could and snatched a slice of pork from Itachi's plate and put it in her mouth.
"No, my food!" he cried, hastily putting down the bowl and jump on Humiya and to make her spit the food out. "Come on, spit it out! You are going to choke!"
"Mm! Mm!" Humiya cried as she tried her best to chew on the sliver of meat with her toothless mouth.
Get off me! This is the best thing I have ever had since I was born into this world!
The tangy flavor of the sauce on the tender piece of pork kept Humiya's mouth glued shut while Itachi tried his best to pry her mouth open. It wasn't until Itachi used his strength to pinch Humiya's cheeks that she spit the food out.
"Aah!" she cried as held her reddened cheeks.
"Bad Humiya! Stealing is wrong. Never do that again!" Itachi scowled with a shaking finger after he cleaned up the chewed-up pork.
Worth it! But my cheeks are throbbing, you big meanie! Don't cry, me. Come on, it wasn't that hard!
Humiya felt tears fill her eyes that didn't leave no matter how many times she tried to blink them away. Itachi's expression softened when tears started to fall from her big eyes.
"I-I didn't mean to pinch you that hard, Humiya. Please don't cry. You are too small to eat solid food. Y-you really could have choked and died. I'll make you something else! Something better than tomato puree. Hold on and don't touch my food!" Itachi stammered, quickly getting up into the kitchen.
Humiya watched Itachi leave, wiping the tears from her eyes, feeling bewildered.
Where is that boy going? First, you pinch me silly and now you run away? I know that I took some of your food but still.
"I was going to save this sweet potato for later, but I think you will like it better," Itachi told Humiya as he walked back into the room, mixing the warm bowl of mashed potatoes in his hand.
Humiya looked down at the bowl with a sniff, feeling her stomach grumble at the smell.
Looks good enough. But don't think I forgive you for pinching me like Hī obāsan.
She opened her mouth and Itachi gently placed it into her mouth. Her eyes began to sparkle.
"Mmm!" Humiya cheered as she ate it, thinking that it tasted better than she thought.
Itachi ruffled her dark brown hair that touched her shoulders and ate his food while he continued to feed her.
After they finished their meal, he then cleaned up after them both and carried her to the living room, putting her down at one end of the room and situating himself on the other side. He then clapped his hands and ushered her to him.
"Come here, Humiya! Come here!" he beckoned as he continued his movements.
Humiya just stared at Itachi as he called her over, debating on listening or turned to the partially opened door behind Itachi.
I want to go outside! I might suck at escaping, but at least it is better than doing nothing. Screw this baby body and screw tomatoes more!
Itachi's eyes glistened as he watched Humiya crawl towards him, his gestures becoming more animated. His expression shifted into one of confusion. He watched his little sister crawl around him and towards the door that leads outside and into the courtyard. Of course, he couldn't let Humiya have her way, so he swiftly grabbed her in his small but tough arms, his sister struggling desperately in his grip.
Let me go! Let me go!
She wiggled her pudgy legs and pointed at the door while letting out childish whines, her shame for how readily she gave into her baby emotions and desires long lost.
"Take me outside!" she cried in English.
Itachi held her close until she tired herself out, English words disregarded as gibberish. When Humiya was reduced to small whimpers and sniffs from newly formed tears, he turned his sister to face him.
"Humiya, whining like that will get you nowhere in life," Itachi fretted as he wiped Humiya's tears with his sleeve as she sniffed. He glanced at the now slightly ajar door, rocking his little sister.
"Let's take a walk. I'll take you to my favorite place. That will make you happy,"
Humiya couldn't stop herself from squealing as loud as she could the moment Itachi wrapped her up in a sling and stepped outside. She clapped her hands and flung them around in celebration while he walked her through the compound, summer heat kissing her face. Itachi ignored the glances of passersby and their reactions to Huniya's antics and wore a blank expression on his face.
Humiya stared owlishly at familiar sights and enjoying the fresh air. No matter how many times she was taken outside, it felt as exciting as the first. The trees, the pulses, everything. She waved at the people who looked their way, overjoyed to see people other than her new family. A small part of her was worried about the tense atmosphere, but it was overpowered by the simple fact that she was outside.
She closed her eyes to the wind that caressed her face and took a deep breath as it passed them by.
They eventually left the village part of the district and walked down a wooded path. Humiya trembled at the unpredictable depths of the looming trees.
Why are we going deeper into the woods?! We could get killed or worse...kidnapped! Itachi, we need to go back!
She thought with a whimper, tugging at his shirt.
Itachi looked down at his sister, confused by the shift in mood. He rocked her a little, assessing the situation.
"Hm, she doesn't smell like anything, and she just ate. Is she thirsty?" Itachi muttered as he took out a scroll, popping out a warm bottle of milk from it.
Humiya gasped at the sudden smoke that emitted from the scroll, momentarily forgetting her sudden worries. She saw the bottle in her brother's hand which made her feel very thirsty and motioned to the bottle with her mouth open.
Itachi happily put the bottle into her mouth before continuing down the forest path. A few moments later, he strayed from the path and went into the depths of the forest, dodging stray branches and roots with ease.
Humiya couldn't voice her concerns due to the bottle in her mouth and resigned to her fate.
The sound of rushing water echoed in Humiya's ears before Itachi entered the clearing.
The water sounds came from a rampant river that flowed like no tomorrow at the bottom of a cliff where they resided, granite rocks glistening in its clear water. Waterfalls surrounded them and ran down towards its depths in front of them, trickles spraying in their faces, making Humiya shiver. The trees and mountain views along the river looked greener, leaves glistening as birds chirp.
Did you bring me here just to cheer me up?
She looked up at Itachi and felt an intense pang. The look on her brother's face was the complete opposite of what it would be in a few years if nothing changed. Itachi's eyes closed as he listened to the sounds of nature all around them, the sense of complete serenity encompassing his very being.
"Isn't it beautiful, Humiya? I found this place while wandering," he told his sister whimsically before looking down at her. "I can stay here for- Humiya, what's wrong?"
Humiya's dark eyes had fresh tears prickling at the edge of her eyes as she stared up at her brother.
"Ita...Ita-Itachi!" she wailed, hoping that she won't regret it.
Itachi's eyes widened in shock at his name being called before revealing a childish grin.
"Yes! My name is Itachi. Say it again! Say Itachi! I-ta-chi." he cheered as he wiped the tears off her face.
I swear to help you make more happy memories. So much so that you never snap!
"I-Itachi, I! Hap-p-py you I," Humiya stammered, hoping that she didn't botch what she wanted to tell him.
Itachi jumped high in the air with glee.
"Yes! You said your first word and sentence on the same day! You're a genius, Humiya. A genius! I knew that talking to you would work. I can't wait to tell Mom. She will be ecstatic. I really hope Dad is home as well. He was so worried that you might be mute because you never called him 'papa' and he didn't believe me when I told him that you were just waiting for the right time to speak," he rambled while rubbing his head against hers. "I promise to take you here as much as I can and talk to you until you can talk even better than me!"
By the time Itachi and Humiya reached the front door of their home, Humiya's head was swirling with how much Itachi talked to her on the way there.
She sighed as she looked up at the sky, the sun falling bringing forth the night, golden hour.
Itachi burst into the house and ran toward the light of the kitchen until shouts erupting from the kitchen made him stop.
Humiya flinched at the loud voices and felt two pulses blazing from there. Itachi slowly walked closer toward the kitchen, arms trembling as he held Humiya close.
He then kneeled and peeked through the small opening in the open door.
"You are not taking our child into the battlefield with you. You can't! He is too young! Our baby is barely even four years old! "Mikoto cried as she slammed her hand on the counter, the liquid in the pot boiling next to her.
"The was is not looking good on our end and Itachi needs to learn the truth about life as a ninja. He can't run around believing that they are all heroes whose sole purpose is to protect the innocent," Fugaku replied, his voice evenly relentless.
"But that is exactly why Itachi needs to be protected within these walls! How are going to protect him out there with your hand full? Itachi has not even trained in the Academy. I cannot stand by you on this. I cannot! What do the Clan Elders think of this, this lunacy?!"
"There was an attack within the village walls hours ago. Nowhere is safe. The Elders have already agreed upon this decision and there is no changing it. The sooner Itachi gains the desperation to become the best he can be, the better,"
"Even—"
There was a moment of silence as Mikoto turned around, lowering the heat of the soup and stirring it.
"Itachi, it is not appropriate to eavesdrop on our conversations. Enter," Fugaku ordered, turning his head toward the door and glaring into Itachi's eyes.
"I'm sorry," Itachi said immediately, entering the kitchen, his cheery demeanor replaced with one that was apprehensive.
"Give Humiya to me," Fugaku beckoned, uncrossing his arms to take Humiya out of Itachi's warm embrace and into his cold.
Fugaku's eyes were deprived of any light mixed with his grave expression as if he wasn't completely present mentally. Even though her guardian was wearing his yukata with no blood and ash in sight, a hint of those smells perturbed into Humiya's nose, defiling the aroma of whatever Mikoto was cooking.
Tears formed in her eyes as pieces of the puzzle came together
What is going on here? Whatever it is, it has to stop!
Humiya couldn't stop the tears that flowed from her eyes as she cried out, for that was all that she could do about the situation
Mikoto didn't turn her head from the stove and continued to stir the contents in the pot as Humiya screamed to the high heavens.
"Itachi, clean yourself up and get ready for dinner, it is almost ready," she told him with an artificial calm, clutching the large spoon in her hand.
"And pack your things. We leave at dawn," Fugaku instructed, voice hoarse as he rocked Humiya.
"Fugaku, please. This—"
Fugaku sent a wrathful glare at his wife and they stared into each other's eyes for a second, as if there were having a conversation that no one but them would understand. Mikoto looked down at her pot and stirred its contents solemnly in defeat.
Mikoto wiped her face with her hand and kept her face toward the pot.
Itachi lifted his hand and looked like he was about to say something but stopped himself.
"Yes," Itachi whispered before following his Fugaku's instruction.