Redemption In Your Eyes

Trapped and Alive

Waving slowly, Aster watched Itachi and Sasuke start down the path to the training grounds. A pit formed in her stomach as she realized she couldn't accompany them. I'm trapped in this house. She shut the door silently.

Deliberating, she surveyed the empty living room and dining room. What am I supposed to do now anyway? The double doors across from the couch called her. Using both arms, she flung the doors open. The garden sat waiting, as if smugly expecting her to tend to it. Then a better idea struck her. I'll show Itachi! She grinned to herself and slipped into her shoes. Almost running, she headed out and towards the bustling town center.

The brothers walked in silence at a leisurely pace. There was no sense worrying about the next mission until the council and Tsunade had come to an agreement on the importance of what Naruto had found. Itachi noticed the tense way Sasuke held himself. However, experience had taught him not to ask after his brother. He would come to him when he was ready and no sooner.

Grinding his teeth, Sasuke replayed the conversation with Sakura about Aster. It troubled him greatly, and no one seemed to have noticed or cared that she had put her unborn child at risk. The image of Deidara's hand around of her throat as she stabbed him stayed with Sasuke. It was too close a call. Wasn't she worried or frightened in the least?

"Itachi," The name popped out of his mouth. He couldn't seem to stay quiet about his concerns. "I have a question for you."

Surprised that he was actually opening up, Itachi gave him a sidelong glance. "Sure. Of course."

"Did Aster know she pregnant on the last mission she went on?" His worried gaze fell to the ground, ashamed that he was probing into his brother's business.

Itachi chuckled. "No, there's no way she would have gone. And she didn't know until almost two weeks after we returned."

Sasuke shook his head. "I talked to Sakura. Aster knew the day we came back and did debriefings."

"That doesn't make sense," he said quickly. "She told me immediately and it was about two weeks after that mission." Dread filled him as he remembered her tears and yelling when she shared the news.

"But if she only found out then, how did they already know to take her off the roster for the next mission?" Now he made eye contact. Both of them stopped.

His mouth dry, Itachi watched Sasuke for signs that he was lying. But why would he lie about this? "How do you know she knew the day we got back?"

"Sakura told me. Sakura administered the test." Sorrow covered his face. He knew what he was doing to his brother and Aster, but he couldn't stop himself. He should have let her keep her secrets, but he was outraged and ashamed of her actions. "Is it... Is it possible she suspected and went into the field anyway?"

"That's crazy," Itachi sounded angry but his face looked hurt. "Why would she do that?"

Frowning and turning away, "I don't know. Maybe you ought to ask her."

Impatient, Naruto wandered the bustling streets. He had waited at Ichiraku nearly an hour before giving up. Hinata was nowhere to be found. She promised to meet me. Frowning, he peered into another shop. Instead he was greeted by a woman with the Uchiha crest on her back. He froze.

Finished at the register, Aster turned around to see Naruto gaping at her. Surprised, but pleased for company, she smiled.

"What are you here for?" she asked playfully.

Crossing his arms, "I could ask you the same thing."

"I'll tell you what I'm here for if you can keep a secret." Her grin was conspiratorial. "You can probably guess what I bought, based on the shop." She laughed.