Shadow of the Night

Chapter 19

I was kicked and pushed down the haphazard stairs and out to the patio. The area outside the house was set up perfectly to kill me in the most gruesome way. Think Braveheart-style evisceration. The table that stood in a shaft of moonlight looked like the ideal place to scoop someone's organs out. My hands clasped over my flat stomach.

A child... a child...

Me being in shock would be an understatement. 

I was pregnant. This explained a lot. Since I was experiencing morning sickness, but wasn't 'showing', I could guess I was about six weeks along. The fact that I never kept track of my menstrual cycle didn't help. I thought back to events that happened six weeks ago and blushed. Well, at least something made sense in this fucked up situation.

"Well, my dear, this is it." Raiden hissed in my ear. "At last I will be powerful. And you will be dead." With that obvious statement, the man yanked me down the last step and pushed me so that I laid on the table. Three more clansmen came and strapped down my limbs. My head was turned, and my eyes locked on Katsumi. Her face remained in its usual apathetic state, but I thought I could see a bit of sadness in her eyes. 

I struggled against my bindings, but it did no good; without my chakra, I couldn't do anything about the leather straps. My hateful eyes met Raiden's. 

I'll see you in Hell, fucker. Remember that. 

The moon was full, directly overhead: the time was now. Raiden took special care to place his ceremonial knife over my stomach, where my child was growing. A feral growl ripped from my throat as I tried to shield my abdomen, but the straps were too tight. I couldn't do anything except writhe powerlessly, my eyes locked on the glinting blade as it was drawn back, ready to plunge into me...

A kunai flew through the air, hitting the dagger in Raiden's hand. It clattered to the ground at his feet. There was a stunned silence.

"Hey kiddo, it seems as if you'r in a bit of trouble." Ah fuck, it just had to be them.

"Hello, Kisame. Itachi. What a pleasant surprise, you're just in time for my execution."

The two Akatsuki members stepped from the trees. They were nearly the same as I remembered them, though I last saw them five years ago. "Itachi, you've grown. Kisame, still as sharky as ever. Come here to help me out or what? 'Cuz I'm a bit tied up at the moment..."

Kisame laughed, walking up to the table I was secured to and slicing off my restraints. That seemed to unfreeze Raiden. "Now you two wait, this doesn't concern you-"

"Yes it does." Itachi spoke quietly, but firmly. "We are taking her." Raiden started forward, then was caught in Itachi's genjutsu. No one else moved. Except me of course. I jumped off the table, shedding the heavy cloak, revealing my own worn traveling coat. 

"Let's leave. I can't stand to be in his presence anymore." We turned and left, but not before I glanced over my shoulder at Katsumi. I sent her a small wink.

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"So, Hikari, how are you? It's been ages." Kisame, Itachi and I were walking through the forest, and the fish decided now would be a good time to catch up.

"Oh ya know, I'm doing great, pregnant and all." I said airily.

Itachi and Kisame both stopped in their tracks.

"Pregnant?" I nodded at Itachi's shocked expression. He was usually so apathetic, this was a very strong reaction.

"Yeah, I just found out about an hour ago, so I haven't really come to terms with it yet..." I laughed lightly at their faces and resumed walking. "Oh, and Katsumi, you can come out now. We don't bite."

The teenager jumped from trees above us, landing noiselessly next to me. She surveyed me with her cold, dead eyes. Kisame looked a bit surprised, but Itachi had definitely known the girl was there. "Why are you here? Shouldn't you be back at the compound, planning out my next capture?" 

Katsumi's eyes slowly roved over the two shinobi accompanying me. "I don't like it there. Raiden is in far over his head. You have many powerful connections, and I don't want to be caught on the losing side." She then quirked her mouth into a large grin. It looked awkward, and one hundred percent fake. "Also, you are my sister. I'd like to get to know you."

I chuckled at the girl. "No need for that, I know its a load of shit. Let me guess, emotional conditioning similar to ANBU Root's Foundation?" Silence. "Ah well, I'll need a babysitter in a few months, and I'm not letting Deidera or Hiden near my kid. What do you think guys?"

After quick nods, The four of us set out again. 

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"Pain-sama, I understand why you wouldn't want me in your base. I will be practically useless while pregnant, and I was the deserter Orochimaru's subordinate. However if I do not have a safe refuge for the duration of my pregnancy, I will be caught and killed."

Pain watched me with his sharp rinnegan eyes. "Why do you not just go back to Konoha? The child's father is there, is he not?"

I sighed, leaning back against my chair. I'd thought of that too. Oh how I wished to go back. "I can't. The Shizuka clan knows where I would go, and the people I love would be in danger. If I cannot protect them, I cannot put them in danger."

I could almost see the cogs working in his mind. "How about this: If I stay, I'll cook for the members."

Pain nearly smiled at that. When I was a member, I always fought with Kisame and Deidera about cooking. I had refused, saying that them making me cook would be sexist. Also, I'm very lazy.

"Fine, You can stay. Your sister will have to be questioned, and then if she'd like to stay, you can train her. I've always enjoyed your kekkei genkai, so another Shizuka would be fine. You two can share your old room..." He paused for a second, looking weary "About that... where is Asaki?" 

I swallowed down the lump rising in my throat. "She- she was killed by Orrochimaru's shinobi."

Pain blinked. "I'm sorry to hear that. You better tell Itachi."

I nodded.

*AN

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