Bump Buddies: Take Two

|Part Twenty Two|

|YOU|
~31 weeks pregnant~

My back leaned against the cold stone of a cave. It wasn't far from the cottage I had been staying in, and provided shelter from the autumn winds while giving me a reason outside. My journal laid in my lap, and as I stared at my newest entry, I noticed that there wasn't many pages left before I'd need a new one.

I gazed outside. Maybe I could convince Itachi or Kisame to get my a knew one the next time I saw them. I didn't feel motivated to walk my swollen body to the nearest village for nothing more than a journal. Then, in the distance I could see two figures approaching.

Forcing myself to my feet, I walked to the entrance of the cave. It was obviously Kisame and Itachi approaching. Their black and red cloaks and distinct height difference made them easy to spot, but that wasn't all I could see. As they came closer, more figures wearing identical cloaks and straw hats appeared at their side.

My instincts told me to run. I could feel the adrenaline pumping through me, begging me to start moving, but I refused. Running almost guaranteed my death if the group approaching were who I thought they were. If I stayed put, I could maybe barter for a chance at survival. Besides, with my round belly and swollen feet I wouldn't move very fast.

The group stopped about twenty feet ahead of me. None of them spoke, but as I looked at Kisame and Itachi, their expressionless eyes made me question if they'd betrayed me. Itachi had done it once before. What would stop him from doing it again?

I placed a protective hand over my belly.

A man stepped forward. He was the only one not wearing a hat, and his orange hair waves slightly in the wind. Metal bars line his nose and pierced his ear and lips, but what was truly off putting was his purple, unblinking eyes. He circled me, those same eyes scanning my body.

"The Akatsuki has no need for another member," he spoke before stopping in front of him. "Although, we can offer protection to those who do our bidding. Especially when someone may have useful information."

I had yet to speak, because I wasn't sure what exactly would be safe to say in this situation. So I stayed quiet, waiting for him to say something I'd be forced to answer to.

"You're Itachi Uchiha's family, correct?"

His purple eyes were impossible to look away from. "Yes."

"And you hold the same feelings toward our cause as he does?"

In all honesty, I didn't really know what the Akatsuki's cause was. I never bothered to ask. You could call it blissful ignorance, or fear of the unknown, but before I could answer I saw a flash of red from behind the man.

I glanced in that direction and saw Itachi looking at me. His eyes wide as they watched me. We grew up under the same parents long enough for me to understand what that meant.

"Yes," I spoke without hesitation.

The man seemed satisfied with my answer, and held his hand out slightly behind him. Another figure stepped forward, and from what I could see below their hat, it was a woman. She handed the man in front of me another matching black and red cloak.

"Take this," he said, and handed it over to me.

It took every bit of strength I had to not let my hands shake as I took the coat. It's fabric was smooth, but the red cloud were embroidered with red thread, giving it a bit of texture.

"My name is Pain," he finally introduced. "You'll listen and do whatever is asked of you from here on out. If you cross us, it's not just your own life you'll be risking."

I assumed he was talking about my unborn child, but his gaze travelled over his shoulder to where Itachi stood.

Without another word he began to walk away, the majority of the other following behind him. All except for Itachi and Kisame.

"Congratulations," Kisame said, clapping me firmly on the shoulder. "You're one of us now."

Itachi didn't say anything, just held my gaze until I couldn't take it anymore and looked away. There was so much he wasn't saying, I could see it in his eyes. For a man who commuted so many crimes and is wanted by so many people, he didn't seem to like the idea of me joining his merry band of misfits.

I threw the cloak around my shoulders and zipped up the front. It was barley big enough to shut over my belly, but that wasn't what bothered me. The cloak itself didn't weight much, but it felt like a ton of bricks resting on my shoulders, pulling me down.

I had no idea what I'd just done or gotten myself into, but one thing was certain. There was no chance I was going home now.

•     •     •

Journal Entry Fifteen

I made a mistake. One that I couldn't avoid without risking my life and the babies, but it feels wrong all the same. I'll be walking on eggshells and constantly looking over my shoulder for the foreseeable future.

It's not what I wanted. If you ever read this, know that I genuinely wanted to come home to you. To share the news of our baby with you. Even if it meant you'd be mad at me, distrust me, make me earn back any relationship we might have had, I wanted to anyway. I just didn't realize it until it was too late.

I hope one day things can be normal again. I can feel safe. Not fear for our baby day and night. Have you to rely on to help me protect him or her. But that's wishful thinking at this point.

I hope to see you again some day, Kakashi.

Love,

(Y/N)
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I'm trying to power out as many chapters as I can before I lose motivation again. Plus I've made the most changes from the original story from this point forward so I'd like to get to that part

Hope everyone is enjoying their summer!