Silk

XIII

Umi bounded up the pathway toward Haku-sensei’s house, managing to not transport herself into the abode unannounced. After all, there were two new babies in the house that would be sensitive to her sudden appearance. So she managed to control herself and knock on the door, grinning at Haku when he opened the door. The man could only give her half of one back, letting the twelve-year-old girl into the house, following her back to the nursery. Umi leaned carefully over the large cradle that held two sleeping baby boys. The little one of the pair was Meizu and Gozu’s son, Akio, and the other was Aoi, Zabuza and Haku’s son; Umi thought both were adorable as hell. She let her fingers glide through the baby fuzz on their heads and looked up at Haku, grinning. Haku smiled back at the little girl who he’d trained along with Sasuke for the past two years. The young genin tilted her head and gave a soft sigh.

“They’re adorable, Haku-sensei.” Umi whispered. “I can’t wait until they’re big enough to play with.”

“You’ll probably be a chuunin by the time they’re old enough to play with, Umi,” Haku replied. “Where are you going today?”

“Sasuke-sensei is going to take us out on a mission. I didn’t want to leave without saying good-bye to you and Zabuza-sensei and Meizu-san and Gozu-san and Aoi-kun and Akio-kun.” Umi said, bouncing a little on her toes, her charm jingling against her ankle as she followed Haku back to the foyer. “I’ll bring you back something.”

Haku couldn’t help but laugh at the little girl’s enthusiasm. “You should concentrate on Deidara, Umi-chan. You’re going to get a little brother or sister of your own.”

Umi made a face as Haku led her out onto the porch of their home, patting the little girl on her head. Haku could only smile.

“I know,” Umi said in a complaining voice, “But babies that aren’t in the family are so much cuter.”

Haku could only shake his head and watch his former student run off to join her other two teammates, the two boys being tackled in a fierce hug, the three nearly going down and all letting out a chorus of laughter. Haku could only watch Team Nine disappear to meet their sensei to go on their mission, returning inside at the sound of movement, smiling at Gozu as the older man made an appearance, hiding a yawn behind his hand, making a gesture toward the bedrooms to indicate the mothers of their sons were still fast asleep. Haku smiled, turning back to look out the window toward the path the three genin had vanished down. He felt confident that the future of Silk was going to be well cared for with this generation of genin.
---
Out of all the dango he’d tasted, he had to admit that this was the best so far. Itachi savored the sticky treat, sipping on the green tea that was warming the ceramic cup before him. Kisame sat across from him, enjoying his own meal and tea. Itachi couldn’t think of a more peaceful scenario, sitting here in a brightly lit restaurant with his partner, enjoying the best dango he’d ever tasted. Of course, they were supposed to be looking for the biju, but then, why couldn’t they enjoy a few moments of peace on their hunt? The village they were in didn’t boast having a vessel of a tailed beast so really they were only there for the food. Whispers and voices floated around them but no one bothered them, even though they openly wore their affiliation. The ninja that passed by them barely spared a glance at them, continuing on their way in such a relaxed manner that neither Kisame nor Itachi felt threatened.

And then both were on their feet at a screamed name, Itachi’s eyes going wide in a real display of surprise when three young ninja bounded up to a young man with startling crimson eyes and long dark hair, reminiscent of the style Itachi wore his hair in. Itachi found himself staring then into the eyes of his little brother, Sasuke staring back without a hint of malice within the red orbs. The three children turned to follow their sensei’s gaze, the girl staring open mouthed at Itachi and Kisame, the boys looking almost confused for a moment until understanding dawned in their eyes at Sasuke’s whispered words. He stepped between them then and moved toward Itachi, who stepped away from Kisame’s protection to stand on his own against his brother. If there was to be a brawl, the two Uchihas would fight it alone.

“You have the Mangekyo,” Itachi whispered, more making a statement than question. Sasuke could only smile. Itachi tilted his head and blinked when Sasuke held out his hand. Itachi slowly took his younger brother’s hand, feeling the strong grip more acutely than he would have felt a punch or the stab of a kunai.

“Welcome to Kinugakure, Nii-san.” Sasuke said and Itachi’s eyes traveled over his brother’s face to the hitai-ate the younger man wore, blinking in honest surprise.

“You don’t want to kill him?” Kisame called out, moving to flank Itachi’s side, Sasuke’s genin quickly imitating the shark-like man and flanked Sasuke, the girl attempting a glare. Her appearance was not lost on the two Akatsuki members, both glancing at each other when Sasuke released his brother’s hand.

“I don’t want to kill him,” Sasuke replied. “It seems trivial, doesn’t it, Nii-san?”

Itachi hummed a little. “You’ve grown up.”

Sasuke shrugged and stepped back a little bit, his arms spreading to introduce the three genin who now stood in front him. The children crowded together and stared up at the older men, their eyes curious.

“Nii-san, these are my genin. Umi-chan, Sei-kun, and Kyo-kun.” Sasuke said. Itachi picked up the inflections in his little brother’s words, watching the younger man with a sense of respect. Sasuke certainly was proud of the three children. The fact that Sasuke had grown into his power and had put the idea of revenge behind him in order to raise up three young genin that would carry his teachings on to their own genin and for the rest of their lives made Itachi very proud of his little brother. Itachi inclined his head to the three children while Kisame only raised his hand in a greeting, the children giving slight bows in return.

“Umi-chan,” Sasuke began, “mind going back to my house and getting it cleaned up?”

“But Sasuke-sensei!” Umi complained, her glare to her sensei lessening when the boy Sei took hold of her shoulder. Itachi studied the kids then, blinking at the sight of Kyo’s eyes, the boy flicking his gaze from the ground up at his face. As if he knew Itachi was staring at his snake-like eyes, the boy dropped his gaze again and took hold of Sei’s hand. The girl pouted before she led her teammates away from Sasuke and the two Akatsuki members.

Sasuke moved to follow then, Itachi and Kisame falling into step behind him. The younger Uchiha led them toward the back of the village, calmly and softly explaining Silk to them. The two Akatsuki members were also told that two of their former teammates also lived in this village and were expecting an addition to the little family the two men and Umi made up. Kisame had asked how that was possible and Sasuke only gave him a sidelong look before glancing at his brother. He led them into his home, one of the larger homes in the village, and left the Akatsuki pair for a moment, returning with a wrapped object, handing it over to Kisame.

“It’s a scroll. Haku found it months ago. They just had their babies a few weeks ago, and Deidara’s a month away from giving birth to his and Sasori’s baby.” Sasuke said as Kisame unwrapped the scroll to examine it, passing it unbound to Itachi before Sasuke could stop him. Itachi dropped the scroll as an electric shock drove up his arm, Sasuke making a grimace as he took the cloth from Kisame’s hands and grabbed at the scroll, wrapping it tightly again. Itachi rubbed his arm and glared at his partner; Kisame could only shrug helplessly. Sasuke shook his head and moved to hide the scroll yet again. When he returned, he tilted his head at the Akatsuki pair, arms crossing over his chest.

“You can stay here for now,” Sasuke offered, “There are a few spare rooms, and I’m sure the kids have cleaned up one.”

“Where are you going?” Kisame asked as the younger man walked by them, leaving them in the hallway.

“I promised my genin we’d do a mission today.”

Sasuke left the pair alone then and Itachi had the sneaking suspicion he wasn’t going to like the next events.