Warmth of a Cold Touch

Caution: This is the writer's first draft

Rating: Adult (applies for this and future chapters)

Pairings: Naruto/Haku; Naruto/Kimimaro; Threesome

Warnings (applies to this and future chapters): m/m; slash, homoerotic, language, OOC, male pregnancy, cross-dressing, graphic sexual situations.

Disclaimer: This story is based on characters owned by Masashi Kishimoto.

---

Chapter Eighteen

The Evening of the First Phase of the Chunin Exams

Yohji lightly dropped from the trees to land on the upturned ground. The moist dirt sunk beneath his feet and hands, seeming through his spread out fingers. He lifted his hand and stood. He glanced sourly at his dirt-streaked hand and shook the appendage to remove the residue. He hated giving Danzo oral reports in his garden. Though to be honest he was underestimating the plot of land when he called it a garden. Whenever Danzo felt the need to relax or just clear his mind he liked to work a quarter acre of land he fondly called his garden. He grew everything from flowers to fruits trees. His master was currently pruning a rose brush.

He remembered that particular bush. Years and years ago when he was little more than a genin he had to pick up the young plant from northern Fire Country. Yohji discovered during the trip that he was very allergic to one particular type of rose. Awesome! He did not think fondly on the relatively simple mission.

"Yohji, you really should learn to let that go. The flower was not to blame." Danzo called out the words without turning his back. He voice was the small, reprimanding stoicism but somehow Yohji knew the older man was silently laughing at him. And how was it that he knew Yohji was glaring at the rose bush.

"How was your meeting?" He pressed his cane into the ground, leaned against it and slowly stood to his full height. He gingerly turned around to face Yohji. The blond pulled out the scroll he had Sai write up. Yohji had impeccable handwriting but it took him longer than most to complete his reports. Plus, there was a definite to being the senior ninja on a mission.

Danzo got the scroll and slipped it into his yukata. "Two?"

His master wanted to know the two most important pieces of information he learned from interrogating the Sound students. "First, you were right about Orochimaru and Sound being here to destroy Leaf, but it seems Sand is also participating in the attack."

"Hmm," Danzo murmured lightly. "And?"

"Orochimaru still seeks the Sharingan. The team is not aware of it but he asked his genin to attack Sasuke Uchiha during the chunin exams and assess his prowess." Once Yohji was tasked with the mission to get close Naruto Uzumaki, assess the blond and if he shows promise, train him, Danzo gave him a short dossier on his teammates and the issues the blond and those around him where likely to come against. Itachi Uchiha had factored heavily in the dossier and not just because of his little brother.

The man turned to return back to his garden, this time moving toward one of the fruit trees. "Master, I know you only asked for two pieces of information -"

"Tell me, Yohji. I am happy to hear anything you believe is of note."

"I was able to gain a new recruit to Leaf from among the Sound genin."

The corner of Danzo' s mouth tilted up the smallest bit. "Is that so? That is good to hear, Yohji. Very good. Leaf can always use more ninja. Handle it."

---

The Chunin Exams had gone off without a hitch. The children who survived Ibiki Morino's portion were enjoying the hospitality of Leaf in the Forest of Death for next few days, five at the most.

Homura glanced down at the list of genin who passed the first round and those that didn't and what their test givers thought of the genin.

The door to his office swung open with such force it hit the wall and swung back, almost hitting the man standing in Homura's doorway. The Elder didn't move nearly as fast as he did in his youth, but his speed was still something to be admired. He held a kunai in hand and his eyes were already searching for the target when he registered that his son in law stood before him. He kept looking but he only found Ozuru. He focused on the young man. One look at his face and he knew something grave happened. "What's wrong?"

"Toru. They took him. I…Little Toru… Blood." He whispered the last four words in a moan, but Homura heard him all too well. His grandson was gone and maybe harmed.

He placed his blades back in their hidden pockets and walked swiftly to Ozuru. He took the young man's elbow in a firm grip and gently guided him into one of the lush chairs before his desk. Ozuru walked with leaden steps but he managed to make it to the chair in relatively little time and dropped into the seat as though the walk drained him off all energy. He started to cry, releasing great heaving sobs. The sight was terrifying, but the worst part was the lack of sound. Ozuru was desperately trying to hold himself together and failing spectacularly. He tried and mostly succeeded in keeping his cries to a minimum level.

Homura opened the top draw on the left side of his desk and pulled out a handkerchief. He held it out to Ozuru. "Tell me what happened. Let nothing out no matter how small."

Some time and a thousand tear drops later, Homura got most of the story. "The kidnapper left a message. They want money. They promise –

"Give me the letter," he cut of not wanting to hear whatever useless and baseless promise the kidnapper made in the letter. They all lied. He did.

Ozuro handed over the envelope. It was white. Homura barely managed to stop himself from snatching it out of the young man's hands. He was livid. "Why am I just finding out about this now?" he asked, voice low and terse. His grandson was missing for hours and yet he was just hearing about it.

One of the ANBU answered. "The incident occurred this morning. We did not find out about the incident until Mr. Mitokado notified us when he returned home after he returned from a post exam get together. We have just returned from investigating the scene."

Homura pursed his lips. The boy was out partying with the others who won and lost money betting on the first round of the chunin exams when his grandson was getting kidnapped. He couldn't blame the man.

Shouldn't.

It wasn't like he knew his child was in danger and left. Still, Homura didn't think Ozuro was the best parent and this wasn't helping his view.

"We'll find him, Ozuro and soon."

The blunette knew a dismissal when he heard one. "Thank you," he choked out and bowed low at the waist. He walked to the door and stopped at it. "I know we haven't always gotten along, but please bring my son home." He opened the door and walked out of the room before Homura could get his stunned body to reply.

"Tell me what you know about the scene and assailant so we can get my boy back as soon as possible."

---

Sasuke knocked on the main door before his courage left him and waited. He wasn't standing outside the orphanage for long. The same elderly woman from before opened the door for him. She blinked at him and tilted her head to the side. "Uchiha?" she questioned, her voice raspy with age.

He nodded his head. Sasuke didn't like it when the general populous called him by his last name alone. He knew he was the only Uchiha in the village and so just calling him by his surname made sense, but it left him feeling he has a thing rather than a person. Especially since he started really thinking about his family's history and learned for their planned betrayal.

He wanted to be more than just another Uchiha.

She grinned broadly. "Welcome, welcome. We loved having you. Come in, child." She stepped back and gestured wildly for him to enter. Her excitement was palpable.

Sasuke bowed to her, bending deeply at the waist to show her the respect he felt. After thinking about what he had and didn't have and speaking with Naruto, he gained a new level of appreciation for the orphanage and the kind woman who worked there. Eyes a little wet, she smiled broadly at him. "You honor me, Sasuke Uchiha."

There was nothing remotely appropriate he could think of saying in response, so Sasuke just kept his mouth shut.

The width of the matron's smile shrunk a little but the light in her gaze didn't dim. She waved a hand at Sasuke. The brunet remembered he was standing on the doorstep like an idiot. He stepped inside and took off his open toed shoes, leaving them by the door as was standard. Hands folded over one another and pressed against her belly, the elderly matron waited for him. When it was clear he was going to follow her, she turned and led the way through the building.

"I truly am grateful for your presence. The children have asked after you." Her steps slowed and she looked over her shoulders. "Little Hashirama asked more than once if you would visit again."

Sasuke swallowed thickly, picturing the dark eyed and haired boy. He was such a sweet child who looked up to Sasuke as though he could best the Third with a kunai and nothing more. He reminded Sasuke of someone, but he couldn't name the individual. "This won't be my last visit."

She stopped as they reached the largest playroom. "Good."

Sasuke walked into the room and spotted Hashirama at once. The little boy was playing with Yoko, the genin redhead Sasuke spoke to last time. Perfect.

Sasuke wanted to get her input on his and Naruto's assistance program.

Maybe she would be willing to spread the word.

---

Kimimaro dropped into his chair and heaved a sigh of relief. He was exhausted. If he asked him before this missions if civilians lived hard lives he would tell you no. He was wrong. Standing on your feet all day and tending to shoppers was damned hard work. Shinobi missions were more or less sprinter jobs. The missions themselves rarely lasted more than three days, and even then most of that time was spent waiting for the right time to complete the actual mission.

Kimimaro was an assassin. Usually he was given a day, time, and identity to terminate. He was done within an hour of making contact. This was the longest and most taxing mission he'd ever worked. Even killing a platoon didn't take as much work. A few slashes of his bone blade as he evaded enemy blades and he was done.

This was torture. He'd spent the last eight hours standing on his feet, picking up swords and kunai, and shiruken and senbon, and then putting them down when the buyer didn't want them. His arms hurt, his back ached, and his feet were killing him. To make it worse he had to do it all over again tomorrow. He couldn't wait for the weekend, expect that wasn't much of a respite. He worked four hours Saturday and Sunday.

To make matters worse, he conducted an assignment this morning. The Honorable Elder's grandson laid atop his bed now, hidden by a light genjutsu. He wouldn't be staying there long. No doubt all of Leaf was looking for the child now.

Kimimaro was eternally grateful for the opportunity to leave the base and conduct a mission for the benefit of Sound, especially after he fell ill, but he really wished another ninja was given this particular mission. The shop was his cover and so he needed to work there, as would any other assistant. It didn't mean he liked it or enjoyed it.

He took off his shoes and lifted one leg to cross it over the other at the knee. He rubbed his foot, easing some of the discomfort there. As he pressed the balls of his thumbs against the thicker skin, standing from the heel and moved north until he reached the fleshy balls of his feet, he noticed someone was walking up to his doorstep. Someone with large, managed chakra. He wasn't surprised when Kabuto unlocked the front door and enter the apartment with his personal key. Kabuto sub-leted the place for him under an alias and the man had no respect for another's personal space.

He pocketed his key and walked over to Kimimaro. Kabuto stopped just before the fair ninja and looked down at him. Kimimaro kept his silence knowing that Kabuto was looking for something and wouldn't speak until he found it. His mouth turned down. "You're dying."

"I am well aware of that fact," Kimimaro replied dryly. It wasn't a surprise to him. Kabuto was pretty vocal about his diminished health.

"You're declining faster than I anticipated."

"Is that so? Poor little hypothesis shot to hell. What have you come here for?"

The silver haired ninja pursed his lips, a retort clearly ready to be released. His glance become poisonous for a moment and then cleared. He dug into his pocket and pulled out a small scroll. "Master Orochimaru sent you the next part of your mission and I've come to acquire some blood for testing."

"I will take the scroll off your hands but I will not allow you to draw my blood.

"Why not?"

"Honestly because Orochimaru has not ordered me to do so. I would have to be a fool to allow you near me with a sharp object."

"I am working on a cure for your disease."

"You don't even know what I have, only that it is killing me. You've been working on it for years now. I am tired. You have given me the message. Leave now."

Kabuto glared at him. The looks was so venomous Kimimaro was surprised he wasn't actually poisoned.

Kimimaro waited several minutes before opening the message scroll. He stood and walked out of the living room and into his bedroom. The bedside table held a hidden compartment. He bit his thumb and smeared the blood on the privacy seal and pulled out a small clear vile. It held a white thick liquid. Kimimaro poured one drop on the scroll and pressed his still bleeding thumb against the scroll. It opened a moment later.

He read through the scroll three times to make sure he received the message before lighting it on fire with a jutsu. He gathered the ashes and dumped them into the sink, making sure to run water from the faucet so not a single speck of the scroll remained. After he finished he sat down to contemplate the next part of his mission. He was charged with getting the ransom from the toddler's father. In person.

Orochimaru never sent Kimimaro on cash pickup missions. He was a tool used to kill the opposition; nothing more. The few times his master sent him on a mission where killing wasn't his objective, he was only given the task because there was likely chance that any other would not be strong enough to get the job done. Kimimaro was sent on missions where new recruits were defecting their former villages and towns and Orochimaru expected strong opposition. Kimimaro wasn't sent necessarily to kill, but to make sure the new recruit reached Sound.

This mission was not like any Kimimaro was tasking with completing. An unaware grunt or even a shadow clone could be sent to acquire the money. Normally that was exactly what happened as there was a high chance the pickup was a trap. He wondered what Orochimaru was playing at for a moment but pushed the thought out of his mind. He was a loyal servant to his master and would do as his savior asked of him, no questions asked. Toru chose that moment to let out a cry. Kimimaro sighed and went to the kitchen.

The child had woken and he was hungry.

Again.

---

Haku stepped into their home. The first floor was renovated so it had a large entry way, two living rooms, one private and one public for when they entertained guests, and two dining areas, with similar functions to the living rooms. Sasuke was the first person outside their little family to see the completed foyer. Haku was very satisfied with his look of surprise and admiration as he looked around. Naruto and Haku designed the room together.

His learned ears caught a sound of movement.

Naruto was home when he shouldn't be. Haku could hear music playing from where he stood. He couldn't pinpoint exactly where it was coming from, but he knew it wasn't the ground floor. He sighed and dropped his pack on the high table a few feet from the door. It was a beautiful piece of hand-crafted art he bought in a shinobi owned shop a few days ago.

It was one of the few items he acquired since coming to the Leaf that he actually paid for.

He yawned, covered his mouth, and then headed over to the elevators. Today was an exhausting day. With the Chunin Exams going on, a number of shinobi felt the need to let go. Drinks were poured and fights broke out. Haku was tasked with incapacitating quite a few jounin and healing a slightly smaller number. It didn't help that quite a few people lost money on the bets they made on the participating genin team. He was too tired to make it up the stairs so the elevator would have to do. He dreaded the moment it broke down. They didn't know a company who maintained it and the previous company wasn't an option. Apparently, they'd gone out of business after a damaging lawsuit a few years ago. The damned thing was only running by the grace of the gods.

They already had so much to do. He didn't need that headache added to the list.

He shouldn't chance it but Haku was too tired to deal with the windows. He entered the elevator and pressed the button for the top floor. Their sleeping quarters were located there and he guessed Naruto was there.

The moment the elevator opened he knew he chose right. The music was clearer, sharper and left Haku gaping. Naruto was playing romantic music. You are my heart and soul and no one can tear us apart romantic music.

Unnerved Haku grabbed his senbon and gingerly stepped onto the floor. There was no telling what he would find there. He cautiously made his way to the door to their newly renovated deluxe apartment, undid the locks and traps and entered. He crept around until he found Naruto. He was dancing and singing to the music in the kitchen. He also appeared to be cooking.

"Naruto, what are you doing?"

The blonde jumped nearly three feet in the air and spun around. Hand on his chest, he yelled," Oy! Don't scare me like that. I think my heart also gave out."

Haku gave him a small smile. He couldn't help it. The blond looked so flustered. "Evening, Naruto."

"Good evening," the blond stammered. Haku found the discomfort intriguing, especially since the blond was blushing.

"What are you doing?"

"You're back early."

"Pardon?"

"You're back early," Naruto repeated. Unlike his previous statement, this was rife with irritation. "You weren't supposed to get back until around 6:30 or 7:00."

"Yes, I finished more than an hour earlier. Seems my reputation has proceeded me so we have a full list of business in Leaf we will not continue to do business with." After his shift at the hospital, he normally visited one or two shops, Naruto might have had an issue with before he became head of the Uzumaki clan. Haku walked through the shops, asking seemingly innocuous questions, about the village, their merchandise and some of their customers. It seemed nowadays most of the shop owners who didn't like Naruto knew all too well what he looked liked and as the saying goes, actions speak louder than words.

Naruto huffed. "Well, since you're early my surprise was ruined. I wanted to make you a special dinner to say thanks for, well, joining me and Leaf."

Haku froze. He wasn't used to be thanked for his aid. He just worked hard for the betterment of his Master day and night without a word of thanks. That was the way it happened with Master Zabuza. He knew Naruto was different, but he still wasn't expecting it. "You know sometimes I forget how different you are from Master Zabuza and then you do something like this is and forcefully remind me of just how different you two really are." He leaned forward and lightly placed both hands on the blond's cheeks. He ran his thumb across the soft, smooth skin. Naruto's whisker marks weren't actual scars as there was no raised skin. They were more akin to tattoos although the skin there was more sensitive. He caressed Naruto again and felt the blond shiver at the touch.

"Haku?" Naruto whispered uncertainly. The brunet shook his head lightly. He looked into the blond's mesmerizing cerulean gaze, held it, and leaned forward. Naruto's breath hitched but he didn't pull away. Neither did he lean forward.

Haku brushed his lips tentatively across Naruto's. It was the lightest of touches, barely a whisper of lips, and yet he felt the plump planes of Naruto's full mouth across his deeply. He shuddered. the soft touch made him hunger. Haku needed more, wanted to feel the other teen more deeply. Heat pooled in his gut and need churned in his chest.

His skin felt like it was itching with a fire that needed to be put out.

He'd never felt this way before but he knew instinctively knew what he needed to ease the ache that flashed across his skin and deep within his core.

Naruto breathe heavily against his mouth and Haku tilted his head to the side. He pressed another kiss against the blond's mouth but his lips were parted. Haku tentatively licked the full flesh. Naruto gasped and pulled back slightly. Haku's stomach plummeted. Fear chilled his heated blood. He swallowed thickly and took a step back. "I-" He didn't get to finish apologizing. Naruto reached out and grabbed him around the shoulders. He pulled Haku to him until he could feel the flat planes of the blond's chest against his. Until his body heat swamped Haku's, warming every inch of his body.

His hands palms open, and fingers teasing moved from his shoulders and up his throat until they reached the back of his head. Lips parted, Haku stared at the blond in surprise as he reached up and pulled out the sticks that held his bun together. Naruto dropped them to the floor. The clank of the ceramic hitting the polished cement floor sounded loud in the otherwise silent room. His dark hair fell heavily around his shoulders and down his back. The intimate air between them seemed to deepen. His hair worked like a midnight cloud to close them off to the rest of the world.

"Gods, you're so gorgeous," Naruto whispered heatedly.

Haku flushed in pleasure and embarrassment. Many people told him he was beautiful. Most thought he was a woman when they spoke, but no one had ever uttered the words with such reverence or desire. It was intoxicating. And more than a little disarming.

Naruto cradled the back of his head like it was the most precious jew and most fragile egg. He tilted his head slightly down and lifted his own head. Haku couldn't blink, he couldn't even think anything but about how beautiful Naruto's eyes were this close and how handsome the blond was and would be when he got older. Then Naruto's lips were on his. He mouth was open and his tongue flicked against the seam of Haku's lips. Eyes closed, Haku parted for Naruto.

The blond's tongue slipped in uncertainly. Haku moaned at the sensation of the muscle moving against his. The sound seemed to spark something within Naruto. His movements became firmer, his touch more aggressive.

Haku wasn't sure how long they spent kissing. He only pulled away from his boyfriend because the need for air became too much.

Naruto's breathing matched his. Heavy and shallow. He lifted his head from the blond's rapidly rising and falling chest to his face. Naruto's eyes were so dark with desire they were almost a luminous purple in color.

Haku knew the exact moment Naruto caught his breath. The blond sent him a heated look that was a fiery promise and gripped the back of his neck. Haku gasped at the strong touch and then moaned. Once again, Naruto's lips were on his. He smiled into the kiss.

This was his first make out session and he couldn't have wished for a better partner. Then Naruto's hands were on his hips pulling him down to the couch. He hoped he could eat whatever dinner Naruto prepared cold later.

Much later.

---

Kimimaro walked up the serpentine path that led to the sprawling single story house. The path's snakelike characteristic was one of the things that attracted him to the place when he purchased the house several years ago. It was one of several houses Kimimaro owned across the Elemental Nations. He had little need for the funds he received from his many, high rated and completed missions. Over the years he acquired a love of property, places that could one day be a home if he lived long enough to enter retirement.

He knew that he would never live long enough to see his eighteenth birthday, let alone be too old to be on Sound's forces, but the dream was an old one from long before his illness took away his strength and conviction.

Unlike the other houses, this building was starting to become a home. Kimimaro moved the children there approximately a week before he left Sound for Leaf. It was poetic really. He didn't know he was going to be sent to Fire Country for a mission. The children were sent there because this was the largest home he owned. It was also the most secure, hidden in the regions, mostly unoccupied mountain range.

Kimimaro was very pleased about their location. Their closeness made it easier for him to reach them should something go wrong. He did not care that they were far away from Sound or that their nearness meant he could visit the children relatively regularly. He came to visit them every weekend because it was to be expected as their caretaker. Responsibilities could not be shirked no matter how much he desired to do so.

He had just reached the steps that led up to the high door when the door was opened. "Master Kimimaro. I did not realize you were coming. Pardon me for being unprepared," the old woman said as she held herself low at the waist.

"It is fine. I was not expected and could not send a notice. I have another child for you to care for. This one is younger than most."

The woman straightened and peered at the child in his hand. Blue haired and violet eyed, Toru stared around at the house around in surprise. "Papa?" he questioned. "Where?"

The boy was so mild mannered, Kimimaro was a little frightened by his disposition. He only cried when he was hungry. He was toilet trained and so would call out when he needed to go to the bathroom, but other than that the child was okay as long as he was occupied. He even slept through most of the night. The one time he did holler like the hounds of the seventh pits of Hell were after him was when Kimimaro first took his mask off. The white haired ninja was now sure that the mask was the same one worn by one of the ANBU who watched over the child.

In the last few hours Toru had gotten used to his face.

"No, but you will have friends here. You can play, little one." The toddler reached up and clasped his little pudgy hands against Kimimaro's face. Then he giggled and gave Kimimaro a gaped tooth smile.

"Yes, play."

It hadn't taken much question but he finally found out why the child of a stay at home father was watched by some of Leaf' strongest ninja. He was the grandchild of the elder Homura Mitokado. No doubt the elder was tearing through Leaf trying to find his descendent. Kimimaro grimaced. The information changed the parameters of the cash pickup. It was definitely going to be a trap and a very skilled one at that. Still, he would evade getting caught. Orochimaru depended on him and he would not let his master down for anything.

"One more child, even one so young, will not make much of a difference."

If he ignored the fact that he would have to pay the woman more to feed and care for the additional child, then yes, it wouldn't be any different. He had enough funds, more than enough funds to last him his very short lifetime.

"Come in, child. Let's go and meet your new friends."

The woman glanced at Kimimaro, a small smile on her lips, before turning around and leading the way up the stairs and into the house. They walked to the living room. It was an absolute mess, but the kind of beautiful mess that came from children living and playing in the space. There were toys, civilian and shinobi alike, strewn across the floor. The television was on and an animated show was on. Judging from the way Torus squirmed in Kimimaro's arms and the two toddlers watching it reverently, it was geared toward little kids.

A quick count and Kimimaro confirmed that all the children were in the little room from the oldest to the youngest baby. They were clustered in groups based on age. There were five distinct groups: babies, those too young to even walk, were in a playpen, toddlers were in front of the television. The older children were grouped into three: the smaller kids around four to six were playing with toys in one corner, seven to ten were playing either ninja or hide and seek, and the almost teen group were sitting amongst one another reading, but not talking to one another. Toru's squirming became too much. Kimimaro placed the little one's feet on the ground and waited until the child was steady before releasing him. He watched with a small smile as Toru took off, staggering through the groups and toys to reach the television. He glanced at the other kids, smiled and laughed, and then plopped himself down on the floor beside the closest child.

He was surprised to see the youngest children were still up. It wasn't exactly midnight but it was past dusk.

He glanced at the woman. A small smile was on her face as she looked around at the children. "You have done well, Master Kimimaro."

He grimaced at the title. He tried getting Kotone-san to just call him Kimimaro but the old woman refused, claiming he deserved the title of master and soon he would come to see what she saw in him. The only one he considered a master was Orochimaru. Everyone else was just scum.

Liar, a little voice supplied. He thought one other person had earned the title Master: Naruto Uzumaki. He pushed the thought aside almost immediately. The blond confused him. He bested Haku in battle but treated the brunet like a friend and even went so far as to make the older teen his lover. Naruto hadn't told Kimimaro the nature of their relationship but only a blind man couldn't see what was between them.

He compared the two masters and felt uncomfortable.

Very much so.

"When will be leaving, Father Kimimaro?"

Kimimaro glanced down at the little girl, wondering when she got there and how she managed to get so close to him without him noticing. He was deeper in his thoughts than even he realized. Though he knew the girl was not a threat to him, he was angry with himself. He was a ninja, one of Sound's best, and he allowed a little girl to sneak up to him. If he weren't careful an enemy ninja would catch him just as unaware. Then her words registered. "Leaving? Child, what makes you think you will be going anywhere?" Have you seen something, he silently asked Only a fool would ignore her words and he was no one's fool.

She tilted her head to the side and looked up at him from the corner of her eyes. A slow smile spread over her pouty mouth. "Yes. We will be leaving soon. This place will no longer be home, not like that place will be. We will come back and visit, but it will not be the same."

"Is that so?" He kept his voice even though his heart was racing. The children were going somewhere. There would a move. He did not anticipate this. He wanted the children to grow up here as long as possible. He wanted them to live the live he wasn't granted. A foolish thought really considering their bloodlines and skills. He already knew some of them would be prized ninja and yet he wanted them to live the coddled lives of civilians.

"Yes, we will join others. We will be great and grow strong. We will have more than you ever hoped for. And you, Kimimaro will become part of the root of the strongest tree."

He stared at her in horror. Root. He knew that word and when accompanied by tree, especially strongest tree, he couldn't help but think she was predicting that he would become part of Leaf's most secret military force, Root, operated by Danzo Shimura. It was not possible. He voiced his thoughts. She looked at him and smiled. "Of course it is, but human will is strange like that. It may come to pass and yet it might not." With those words she turned and walked away from Kimimaro, having said what she wanted.

Mouth dry, Kimimaru reached up and scratched the skin just beneath his clavicle. It itched uncomfortable. As though her statements got caught there and irritated the skin with their very presence. He turned, ready to leave this place. He dropped off the child, as he wanted. Toru was brought to the house for his safety. Kimimaro couldn't take care of a child with the hours he worked in order to maintain his civilian cover. Nor did he want to keep the child in the area. His family would be looking for him and recent outsiders would be high on the list to check. The child could not be harmed or found by his relatives. Giving him to Grandmother Kotone was the best option.

"Mama!"

The cry wasn't directed toward him but Kimimaro was so surprised to hear one of the children say such a thing he turned around. Eyes wide and lips parted he looked around the large room. Hisagi, the gardener, was staring at Kimimaro with un-shed tears in his eyes. He looked at the white haired ninja imploringly and held him arms up. He was only a few feet away and walking closer. It was clear what he wanted. Every few steps he called out, "mama," and as he kept his gaze on Kimimaro, the teen knew exactly whom he was calling. Him. Mama? What happened during the week?

Hisagi reached him and leaned against his legs. "Mama, up! Mama, up, now," the yelled boy called as he lifted his arms high. Knowing he couldn't avoid it, Kimimaro picked the child up with a sigh. "Someone want to explain to me why he is calling me that?" He didn't need to explain what that was. Almost every eye in the room was on him. All of the older children were looking at him in question and more than a little bit of horror. Kimimaro noticed this but more importantly he saw the knowledge in their gazes. They knew why Hisagi thought it best to call him by a maternal title. He wondered if that said something about his gender identity. He considered himself a very masculine man. Unlike Haku, he could not be confused for a female. A few pointed out his attractiveness, but none called him beautiful.

"It's probably just because you are caring for us. He might think that makes you his mother," one of the older children answered nervously. Kimimaro didn't believe him for a moment.

"Someone want to tell me the truth?"

They shook their heads. No doubt they were afraid of getting a bone blade in the gut. He had a notorious temper and hatred for rubbish but he wouldn't be so cruel as to harm a child and certainly not for this.

The child got the title from somewhere. He thought about where. Grandmother wouldn't be so foolish. She scolded the children for calling him Father Kimimaro. She would never voice such a title in combination with his name, let alone in front of Hisagi. The only other person or being to visit the children beside himself was Reza.

Reza.

Damn his summons.

He called for Shuuhei and handed Hisagi over to him. "I will be in the yard," he said in reply to the question in his searching gaze. He walked to the land behind the house. It was a large plot, big enough to hold a swimming pool and outside eating and resting areas. The pool was in poor condition and empty of water and the sitting sections weren't fit for their purpose. Kimimaro was slowly renovating the place but hadn't gotten to the back yet. He walked past that and into the woods that surrounded the home. He knew he didn't want the children witnessing the conversation and he wasn't so foolish as to think they didn't have their faces pressed to the windows trying to see.

Kimimaro called forth his summon and waited until the cloud disappeared before asking the scorpion, "You wouldn't happen to know why Hisagi thinks its proper to call me mama, would you?"

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You know the deal. Review!

CRV (who might have to change her name since she's on a diet and yes, I'm a woman :-D).