Chichi (父) “Father”
The moment was filled with a profound sense of belonging. Shizuka clung to Itachi the weight of their embrace driving away the loneliness that had lingered during their absence.
Itachi's Sharingan eyes remained gentle as he looked at the young girl in his arms. Her joy was palpable, and it warmed his heart more than any jutsu ever could. Kisame, too, felt a warmth in his chest, one that had nothing to do with the chilly waters he was so accustomed to.
However, as the minutes passed and the two of them remained locked in their embrace, something extraordinary happened. Shizuka, her voice a whisper, uttered her first words in their presence, words that sent shockwaves of emotion through both Itachi and Kisame.
"Papa..."
Itachi froze, his heart skipping a beat at the sound of that word. Kisame, ever the observant one, couldn't help but break into a wide grin.
"Well, well," he teased, nudging Itachi with his elbow. "Looks like someone's been practising her vocabulary."
Itachi, his usual composure momentarily shaken, couldn't suppress a small smile. Shizuka had grown so dear to him during their journey, and hearing her call him "papa" was a gift he had never expected but cherished beyond words.
Shizuka, seemingly unaware of the impact of her words, looked up at Itachi with those big, expressive eyes. She repeated the word as if to emphasize her newfound skill, "Papa."
Itachi's heart swelled with affection as he held her close. "Yes, Shizuka," he replied softly. "I'm here."
Kisame, still wearing a playful grin, chimed in, "Well, since you're 'papa' now, Itachi, how about treating your daughter to some dango?" Itachi nodded.
With Shizuka's small hand firmly held in Itachi's, the three of them made their way through the lantern-lit streets of Ame Gakure. The village had always held an air of darkness, but on this night, as they walked together as a family, it felt different, almost like home.
They arrived at a traditional Japanese tea house, its wooden façade adorned with elegant paper lanterns that cast a warm, inviting glow. The aroma of freshly brewed tea wafted through the air, and the sound of laughter and conversation emanated from within.
Inside, they were greeted by the sight of low, lacquered tables and cushions placed on tatami mat floors. The tea house exuded an atmosphere of tranquillity and nostalgia, a place where time seemed to slow down.
Itachi guided Shizuka to one of the tables, and they all settled down. A waitress dressed in a kimono approached with a welcoming smile.
"What would you like, sir?" she asked Itachi.
He looked at Shizuka and then back at the waitress. "Three servings of dango, please."
The waitress nodded and retreated, leaving them to enjoy the serene ambience of the tea house. As they waited, Shizuka, her eyes wide with curiosity, gazed around the tea house, taking in every detail. The intricate calligraphy adorning the walls, and the traditional tea ceremony being performed nearby all held her in rapt attention.
Itachi leaned in closer to Shizuka, his Sharingan eyes soft with warmth. "Shizuka, do you like this place?" Shizuka nodded enthusiastically, her eyes shining with delight. "Yes, papa."
Itachi's heart swelled with a mixture of joy and pride.
The waitress returned with a tray of freshly prepared dango, each skewer topped with sweet, sticky glaze. The aroma was tantalizing, and Shizuka's eyes sparkled with anticipation. Itachi carefully served each of them a skewer. Shizuka took a bite of the dango, savouring the combination of flavours and textures. It was a simple pleasure, but in that moment, it held the magic of togetherness. She looked up at Itachi and Kisame, her eyes filled with gratitude, and she spoke the word that had brought them all here.
"Papa..."
Itachi's heart swelled even more at the word. "Yes, Shizuka," he replied, his voice soft.
Kisame chuckled, the sound a deep rumble of amusement. "Well, Itachi, it looks like you're officially a parent now. Congratulations."
Itachi shot Kisame a playful glare, though his eyes still held warmth. He was a man of few words, but at that moment, he didn't need them. His actions and the love he felt for Shizuka spoke volumes.
With their dango enjoyed, they left the tea house, the lanterns outside illuminating their path through the village. Shizuka held Itachi's hand, her fingers wrapped securely around his, as they walked through the night.
After their heartwarming visit to the tea house and the endearing exchange with Shizuka, Itachi and Kisame knew they had to return to their grim reality. They had faced a setback in their mission to capture the jinchuuriki of the Nine-Tails, and the ever-watchful Pain awaited their report.
Their steps led them to the imposing tower where Pain, the leader of their organization, resided. The dimly lit corridors, echoed with their footfalls as they approached the room where Pain awaited them.
Pain regarded them with his usual inscrutable demeanour as they entered, his violet eyes betraying nothing. Itachi, the more eloquent of the two, spoke first. "Pain-sama, we regret to inform you that we were unable to capture the jinchuuriki of the Nine-Tails in Konoha."
Pain's gaze remained steady, and he nodded in acknowledgement. "I see. Tell me what happened."
Kisame stepped forward to give an account of their mission. He recounted the encounter with Jiraiya, one of the legendary Sannin of Konoha, whose intervention had thwarted their plans.
"Our apologies, Pain-sama," Kisame concluded. "We were not successful in completing the mission."
Pain remained stoic, his gaze unwavering. "Jiraiya," he mused. "Your efforts were not in vain, Itachi, Kisame. Failure is a part of our path. Learn from it and be prepared for the next opportunity. Return to your quarters for now."
Without further words, they took their leave from Pain's presence. The weight of their mission's failure hung heavy in the air as they walked the corridors of the tower.
Once outside, the night air felt colder, and the world seemed darker.
When they arrived at the okiya, the geisha house, they were greeted by the familiar warmth of the Okaa-san and the geishas. Shizuka, who had been playing in the garden, rushed over to them with a smile.
"Welcome back," the okaa-san said warmly. "Shizuka has been eagerly awaiting your return."
As they prepared to leave the okiya with Shizuka, they took a moment to express their gratitude to the geishas who had cared for her in their absence. The geishas gathered around, their elegant kimonos creating a sea of colours and patterns.
The Okaa-san, who viewed Kisame as something of a friend, took him aside with a knowing look. "Kisame," she began, her voice gentle yet firm, "you and Itachi-san are practically raising a child together now. You should consider telling him about your … affection."
Kisame blinked in surprise but listened anyway.
The Okaa-san continued, "Itachi-san is still young, but life in our world can be harsh and uncertain. Affection and love are rare, and when they come, they should not be ignored."
Kisame felt a pang in his heart. He knew that the Okaa-san was right. "I...I don't know, Yuri. Itachi's only 17, it doesn't seem like the right thing to do."
The Okaa-san placed a gentle hand on Kisame's shoulder. "Age is not always a measure of one's readiness for love and companionship. You've both been through much in your lives, and it's clear that you care deeply for both Itachi-san and Shizuka. Consider it, Kisame. Life is fleeting, and sometimes, we must seize the opportunities that come our way."
Kisame sighed, his doubt apparent. "I'll think about it, Yuri." He had come to care for Shizuka and Itachi deeply, and he couldn't deny the growing feelings in his own heart.
With their conversation concluded, Kisame rejoined Itachi and Shizuka, who had been saying her goodbyes to the geishas. The Okaa-san's words lingered in his mind as they prepared to leave.
With their farewell and gratitude expressed to the geishas, Itachi, Kisame, and Shizuka left the okiya, walking through the lantern-lit streets of Ame Gakure.