Ashes (A Naruto Fanfic Book 6)

Chapter 2

The Leaf nin led us into the village, while everyone else closed ranks around us.  I poked Itachi on the side. "I feel this would make fighting anticlimatic."

Pein gave me a steely look, and I was silent all the way to the Hokage's office.  She looked up surprised.  "You're early..."

I rolled my eyes.  "If this is early, then that's sad..."

She glared at me.  "Just back in the village and already causing trouble."

I shrugged.  "That much hasn't changed, at least."

She stood and rounded her desk, and I met her halfway.  Everyone held their breath as we broke out in smiles.  "Good to have you back, kid."

I sighed.  "Took you long enough, but what of the elders?"

She shrugged.  "I got tired of listening to old people."

I raised a brow.  "So..."

She met my gaze.  "Let's call it a short-term treaty.  You can stay for two weeks, hopefully I can get more, but it's better than nothing."

I smiled.  "So, he's finally coming home."

She smiled.  "Hopefully, later today."

I looked out the window and saw a blonde with a silver haired companion.  She nodded when I glanced at her, and I vaulted from the window.  I slung myself around their necks.  "You'd be dead if I was your enemy..."

They both froze, and Minato looked at me smiling over his shoulder.  "Kunoichi..."

I was suddenly whirling around, laughing.  "Help me!"  I was set on the ground, and I looked at Kakashi.  "Long time..."

He nodded with his closed eye smile.  "Too long..."

They looked behind me and nodded.  "Welcome home, Itachi."

He nodded in response and wrapped an arm around my waist.  I understood and waved to them as he guided me to the apartments.  He politely knocked against my protests, and we were wrapped in arms when the door opened.  "You've come home."

I embraced Mikoto.  "Well, they couldn't keep us away forever."

She giggled and ushered us in.  She got one good look at me and headed to the kitchen.  "Itachi, I told you to make sure she eats.  Look at how small she is..."

He chuckled and followed her.  "She eats... just won't grow.  I don't know how to fix it."

She smiled over her shoulder as she started to cook.  "Well, I have new recipes we can try out."

I giggled.  "Give up, Mikoto... I'm stuck this way for good."

She smirked.  "No harm in trying."  I rested my arms on the counter and put my head in them as I watched the duo whip up something.  I felt warm seeing Itachi and his mother interact. How he listened attentively as she instructed or how she scolded him when he did what he thought was better only to agree after she tasted it.  I want this... for him...

When they finished, I was in awe at all the food they cooked.  "Who's going to eat all of this?"

They smiled at me, and I shook my head.  "Give me a minute."

I rushed out the door and backtracked until I found Pein and Konan.  "Hey... I'd like you to meet someone."

They exchanged a glance before following me back to the apartment.  I knocked on the door more because they were there than anything else, and Itachi answered with a question in his eyes.  He smiled slightly when he saw who was with me and stepped aside.

I led them to his mom.  "Mikoto, these are Pein and Konan... guys, this is Itachi's mom, Mikoto."

She smiled and bowed slightly.  "I remember when you were in the village a few times... it's a pleasure to finally meet officially."

Konan returned the bow and nudged Pein, who reluctantly followed.  "We're happy to meet you as well.  Kunoichi speaks highly of you."

She blushed.  "That's sweet of her."

I smirked.  "You're like my second mom, what could you expect?"

She giggled.  "Well, I think this is so you could avoid eating... please join us."  We ate, and the food was amazing.  They exchanged stories of the past, mostly laughing at my expense, but I didn't mind.  I felt eyes on me and looked at Itachi. He had a gleam in his eye that made my heart skip a beat, and I smiled. 

Once we finished, we said our farewells and set back off into the village.  I looked up at Itachi.  "Where will we all be staying while we're here?"

He shrugged, and Konan giggled.  "You don't know?"

I pursed my lips.  "I kinda moved from place to place during my stays.  Aya and the others set up their own thing..."

Pein looked at me thoughtfully.  "They never had a place for you.

I shook my head.  "It's not that, I technically live with Minato, but I kinda split my time between them, the Uchihas, and my group.  So, really, I could be anywhere for the night."  Itachi gave me a questioning look.  "Just cause you were there doesn't make it any less true."

Again, they glanced at each other, and Konan cleared her throat.  "How long have you two slept together?"  I shrugged, and Itachi had a secret smile about his lips.  "3 years?"

I tilted my head.  "No longer, Itachi?"

He smiled down at me.  "This is... inappropriate." I gave him a questioning look.   "Trust me."

I nodded and looked ahead of us.  "Where do you think Ibiki is?"

Konan touched my arm.  "You really don't know?"

I shrugged.  "I don't keep track of such things very well."

She sighed.  "You don't even know when you two started dating... how do you celebrate?"

I looked at Itachi, who smirked.  "Well... I know that was around the Chunin exams that year... so the first year I didn't know what an anni... versary even was.  Then, the next, I just got a gift ahead of time and gave it to him when he said it."

Pein blinked.  "It's the same day... every year."

I smiled.  "I've been told."

They both looked at him, and he shrugged.  "I find it amusing."

I was going to scowl but whipped around when I heard a commotion.  I saw a flash of orange hit a nearby fence and some kids yelling at Sakura.  I grabbed Itachi's sleeve.  It can't be...

He chuckled.  Looks like it...

Konan looked on with mild interest.  "I can see you got your violent ways from this village."

I couldn't shoot back a retort as I waited for the dust to settle, and I was ecstatic when it finally did.  "Naruto...  he's grown..."