Twin1: Warning: This first chapter gets very dark very abruptly. Yes, it contains copious amounts of OC's, but that's just because Kishimoto hasn't brought these characters – which have to exist, btw, like Obito's parents – into the cannon. So I created them. Also, watch out for the T-rating to jump up and kick you in the shins. This prologue does contain Swearing, Severe Screwing With Main Characters, Attempted Rape, Domestic Abuse, and (of course) Mass Culling of OC's. This will clear up by chapter one, I promise, once most damage has been done and/or most OC's are successfully six feet under.

This story is about Obito and Kakashi!!!

The whole story is based around the two chibis, okay? The prologue centres around their parents and gets the whole thing up to the starting point. For you OC-haters out there, don't worry, by the end of chapter two AT THE LATEST all OCs will be nicely dealt with (read: culled mercilessly). For those who just 'don't do' romance, there actually is none in this story, though the prologue contains two marriages. (Wince) I must be screwed up, ne?

Twin2 would also like to put in a request that anyone who spots any spelling, grammar or punctuation errors reports them to her immediately, as she's gone over this twice with a fine-toothed beta comb and, as she has also betaed two chapters for Dogtags and a oneshot today, her head hurts, and she's worried she's missed something.

Very well. Carry on.

----

Prologue:

April third, in the forty-seventh year after the founding of Konohagakure, the Uchiha compound was abuzz with a kind of excitement that infested populations and spread. Today was the day Uchiha Masa, daughter of the line of Uchiha Gen, was to be wed with Uchiha Tamasine, a direct descendant from Uchiha Madara's second son.

The Clan was busy, everyone working to prepare for the ceremony, setting up the courtyard, stringing decorations, adding the finishing touches to the home the newlyweds would inhabit. Everyone rushed from one thing to the next, the palatable anticipation in the air making the dullest task exhilarating.

Masa herself was settled in the converted sewing-to-dressing room in her grandmother's house, tucked safely away from the chaos like a china doll stored in its box until the little children had been shooed outside.

She certainly looked the part: dressed in a traditional wedding kimono that had taken four women and three hours to correctly put on. It was tailored, beautiful, silken, with red and gold details to accent the off-white, and small dragons chasing themselves around the hem – a personal touch Masa had begged for. The Uchiha fan was displayed prominently on each sleeve.

Quiet echoed in the room, and Masa stared at her powder-white face in the mirror contemplatively, her fingers twisting in her lap as she resisted the urge to tug at her perfectly arranged hair as the pins holding it up off her neck pricked at her scalp.

If she was honest with herself, she was a little excited, a little frightened, and a lot nervous. She just hoped that she could get through this without offending anyone.

A world away, a young man leant casually against the outside of the stone wall that encircled the Uchiha compound, gazing down the street with bored grey eyes. After a moment, he pushed off from the brick structure and ambled down the street, unhurried.

Then, quite suddenly, he changed direction – so fast, one blink and an observer would miss it, he dodged around a corner and slid under a bush growing close to the boundary there, pushing his body underneath it to drag himself through the hole in the wall there, cursing fluently all the way as he found his shoulders were far broader than the last time he had tried this (damn growth spurts) and he was now no longer child-sized and as such could not easily fit through such a small space.

His struggle was worth it, however, as he soon found himself on the inside of the Uchiha compound, perfectly hidden in the alley between two houses, totally out of sight of any passing Uchiha.

Following a well-rehearsed path that kept him out of sight expertly, the man wound his way through the compound, avoiding the inhabitants with the ease of a cat burglar. Skipping over two rooftops and sliding down a drainpipe, he was there, slipping in an open widow and landing gracefully on plush green carpet with a thump.

Masa jumped at the noise and jerked around, dark eyes widening as she saw the intruder who had appeared so abruptly in her dressing room.

"Sakumo!" she gasped. He straightened and grinned at her.

"Heya, Masa," he said, flicking his hand in a wave. There was a shocked pause, before Masa exhaled, leaning back in her chair.

"Heaven, Hatake, you startled me," she breathed, watching as he came closer to lean against the wall near her.

"I was just coming to say hi," he said, reaching a gloved hand to examine the bowl of fruit on Masa's dresser.

"Hi," Masa replied dryly, slapping the hand away before folding under puppy-eye influence and handing him an orange. "You do know I'm due to be married in half an hour, right? If anyone finds you here, you'll be in so much trouble."

Sakumo 'hm'ed, expertly peeling the orange in such a way that it wouldn't squirt juice on anyone. Masa frowned at him.

"What do you mean, 'hm'?" she asked playfully. Sakumo glanced at her, before looking away.

"Just, you know, 'hm'." He shrugged and placed a segment of orange in his mouth. Masa stood and moved closer to him, jabbing him in the chest with her finger.

"Uh-uh. That might have worked when we were eleven, but it won't work now. What do you mean 'hm'?"

Sakumo grinned at the young woman standing a head shorter than him. "You had such a big crush on me," he said reminiscently. "And look at you now, about to be married."

"And you still think you can get away with changing the subject like that," she said pityingly. "Pathetic. Admittedly, it does work on every-other-but-two of Konoha's population, but you should know that ten years on a team with you has taught me to converse with you rather well. Some genius you are. And don't give me that look: I taught it to you."

Sakumo abandoned his award winning I'm-hurt-how-could-you-even-suggest-that-I-am-anything-less-than-a-perfect-angel look, breaking into a grin again as he conceded defeat to his friend.

"Who are the other two?" he asked. Masa surveyed him critically.

"The Hokage and Kita, of course," she said, naming Sakumo's wife of thirteen months. Then her tone changed and she tilted her head, looking up at her friend questioningly. "Seriously, 'Kumo. Why are you here?"

Sakumo shrugged uncomfortably, moving to pace to the other end of the room, putting distance between them.

"I just… I don't think you should be getting married," he blurted, reaching to rub at his neck absently, glancing at Masa's face before his gaze was averted. Masa sighed, her concern vanishing in an instant.

"Is that what this is about?" she asked, sinking back down on the padded stool before her dresser. "Sakumo, we've been through this. I have known Tamasine-san for years. He is a strong shinobi, and a good man. He will make a fine husband."

"You don't love him, Masa," Sakumo said simply. Masa sighed, her hand reaching up to touch the beautiful ruby necklace Tamasine had given her as a wedding present.

"It's an arranged marriage, 'Kumo," she said, looking at Sakumo's reflection in the mirror as he came to stand behind her. "I don't have to."

"But that's-" Sakumo began to protest, but Masa cut him off.

"We can't all be you and Kita, Hatake," she said, and she saw by the resigned acceptance on Sakumo's face that he had given up trying to convince her otherwise. With a sad smile, she stood and turned, standing on tiptoes to peck his cheek. "You're a good friend, 'Kumo," she said. "Always looking out for me. But you don't have to protect me from this – this is just the way things are in my clan."

With a heavy sigh, Sakumo put his fear away and smiled, successfully lifting the atmosphere to try and match the excited air outside. "Hey, you sure I can't come?" he asked, his voice now lighter and more jovial. Masa grinned up at him, her own spirits lifting as she responded to his change. "See you turned off?"

"I'm sorry, Sakumo," she said sincerely, "I did try, but Tamasine-san and the elders were adamant that this be a family-only affair."

Sakumo pouted like a four year old. "But you saw my wedding," he whined. Masa put her hands on her hips and tried to look severe.

"No. We Uchiha are very traditional. You are not attending my wedding ceremony. You and Kita are both welcome to come to the public reception in a week's time, but for now you need to honour my elders' decision."

Sakumo huffed. "Ah, fine. Stuffy old…" he muttered.

"Sakumo!" Masa hit his chest, and he caught her hands, laughing. She joined in, and then squeaked as Sakumo suddenly caught her and hugged her close.

"Good luck, 'Asa," he whispered to her, and she was squeezed once more before he let her go. She smiled at him, a little of her former panic returning to her, making Sakumo draw her back into his arms. "You'll be okay," he murmured, rubbing her back. "If you ever get into trouble, just call. And today at the shrine, you think about the wrinkles I've left in your clothes by hugging you, and remember that I'm outside the compound, rooting for you."

Masa giggled, and Sakumo let her go, stepping away from her. She saw his encouraging smile, and then he was gone, out the window and vanished.

She had a moment of quiet, before the door opened and a gaggle of women spilled in, her aunts and grandmothers and mother and elder, female cousins.

"Masa? We're ready for you now," one said, reaching for her.

Masa glanced once at the empty window, before she turned back and smiled.

"Okay," she said. "I'm ready."

-?-

It was January, and the air was cool as it blew through the Uchiha compound, blowing the leaves and spreading the smell of flowers.

Masa was in the kitchen of the house she had tried for ten months to make a home with her new husband. At this exact moment, she was baking, busily cutting gingerbread men out of dough and opening the oven carefully, cautious of her protruding belly.

Tamasine would kill her if he found she had burnt herself – or, more accurately, if she had burnt her stomach. She had already managed it several months ago ironing, and he had been furious for days.

As if picking up on her agitation, the little one inside her kicked and Masa winced, her hand reaching to rub at her swollen abdomen.

"You sure are an active one," she said to the empty kitchen. "Go easy on mama, little one, okay?"

She placed her tray of cookies in the oven and closed the door securely, giving a little gasp as her baby got a good one in on her kidneys.

"Hey!" she frowned reproachfully at The Bump, hands on her hips. "I thought we had a deal. You behave, mister!"

A voice spoke up behind her. "You know, talking to yourself is the first sign of madness."

Masa started violently, spinning around with wide eyes to stare up at the man who had obviously broken into her house, her arms flying to encircle her belly instinctively.

"Sakumo," she gasped, unable to relax her protective stance. "What are you doing here?"

His sun-kissed face broke into a broad grin and he suddenly grabbed her, spinning her around as he announced, "I'm going to be a father!"

Masa gasped again, this time in delight at the news. "Really?! Sakumo, that's wonderful! I didn't even know you were trying!"

Sakumo rolled his eyes. "Believe it or not, not all pregnancies are planned," he said dryly. "But I am so psyched, anyway."

Masa smiled. "I bet," she said. "And Kita is delighted too, I take it?"

"You know, I haven't seen her so excited since the weapon shop started selling blue powder bombs," he replied. Masa laughed and turned to wipe her hands on a dish cloth.

"So?" she prompted. "Tell me everything. Boy or girl?"

"Don't know yet," Sakumo said.

"Potential names?"

"Hadn't thought about it."

"Due date?"

"Dunno."

"Well, how far along is she?"

"Not a clue – we only just found out about it this morning," Sakumo admitted. "Probably about a month, but I could be wrong. Kita noticed she missed… y'know… that time of the month… and so did one of those bathroom test thingies this morning, and it said we're expecting a baby!"

"So, naturally, the first thing you did was break into the Uchiha compound to boast," Masa completed with amused sarcasm. Sakumo looked offended.

"No, the first thing I did was hug Kita, then arrange a doctor's appointment with her for this afternoon, then tell Kai, Jiraiya and Daisuke, and then broke into the Uchiha compound to boast."

Masa scoffed. "Typical," she said, turning to the sink to start washing the used dishes. "You are such a boy." Sakumo drifted towards the oven, smelling the air curiously.

"Whatcha cooking?" he asked.

"Gingerbread, for the children," Masa replied, not looking around. Sakumo made a delighted noise.

"My favourite!" he half-shouted, bouncing on his toes.

Masa shook her head at his childishness. "They won't be cooked for another twenty minutes, but I did a batch of chocolate chip cookies a moment ago. They're over there, cooling. Should still be warm."

Sakumo abandoned his post at the oven instantly. "My real favourite! Masa, I love you."

Masa smirked. "And don't you forget it," she said smugly as Sakumo ate two of her cookies in three bites and scooped up another half-dozen. "You are such a boy. Ooh."

"You okay?" Sakumo asked, his mouth full. Masa nodded, rubbing her belly with a petulant expression.

"He won't stop kicking me," she whined. "I'll be black and blue by the time he's born. I don't know if I can handle two more months of his constant squirming. Tamasine has already threatened to move to the spare bedroom if I don't stop tossing and turning at night, but I can't help it – Obito keeps me awake!"

"Obito?" Sakumo echoed, glancing at her midriff. Masa nodded, a touch of colour highlighting her cheeks.

"I'm alone for a lot of the day, and I talk to him, so I felt like I should choose a name… and I think it's a good one." She looked embarrassed.

"It's perfect," Sakumo grinned, before sobering. "What does Tamasine-san think of it?" he asked. Masa flushed darker and looked away abruptly.

"I – I haven't asked him," she admitted. "He doesn't know. I'm meaning to tell him," she added quickly, "but he's just so busy, he's hardly around, and with the political problems, war brewing with Suna, he's having to work longer hours. I… I wish I could help, but he wants me… safe."

Her pretty black eyes turned back to the dishes, and Sakumo watched her contemplatively. He'd been worried about her for a while, ever since she'd announced her impending marriage eleven months ago. When she'd told him she was pregnant, his worry had only increased. It felt off to him that she would be expecting already, would have conceived barely three months after her wedding day. It seemed bizarre that two people could go from complete strangers to married and sharing child in less than a year.

Besides, he had always been overprotective, and Masa had always been one of his girls. He didn't like that he was so out of the loop when he was used to being in every aspect of her life, her trusted friend.

"How's life in the civilian world suiting you?" he asked eventually, referring to the way that Masa had retired as a ninja more or less as soon as she married. Sakumo got the feeling that it wasn't really her choice.

The Uchiha smiled at him. "Fine. I've been helping with the children, mostly – their lessons, and the like. 'Course, Tamasine wants me to stop doing so much now, says I need to rest more, but I'm not used to just doing nothing, you know?"

Sakumo nodded – he understood the sentiment. He could also understand why Tamasine-san would want her out of the shinobi world with a war on the horizon, especially with a little one on the way.

"Well, maybe you could do something that took a little less actual physical effort," he suggested. "I'll talk to Kita: maybe she'll have some ideas."

Masa smiled gratefully. "Thanks, 'Kumo, that'd be really helpful. Truthfully, some days I'm so tired I can't even think, but I get bored so easily – ow!"

Her hands flew to her belly, and she pursed her lips ruefully, her expression making Sakumo laugh. "Little one," she grumbled, "Mama's getting sick of you. Stop it."

"Here," the Hatake offered suddenly, stepping up closer. "I have an idea. May I…?"

He gestured to her stomach, and Masa nodded, drawing her shirt up to expose her stomach area.

Sakumo placed his hand flat on her skin and couldn't help but grin as he felt – actually felt – Masa's son move underneath it. Focusing, he found he could even sense the baby's unique chakra signature, overlapping with his mother's. Sparing a moment to wonder how long it would be before he could sense and feel his own son – or daughter – Sakumo pushed a gentle stream of chakra through his hand, brushing the baby with it. Almost at once, Obito seemed to settle, lulled by the caress.

Masa stared, mouth open, as she felt the infant calm his ceaseless motion and seem to doze off. Her eyes were fixed on her friend's serious expression, the way he watched her belly as he gently urged her baby to calm itself.

Inexplicably touched by the sight, she chalked it up to hormones when she suddenly had to resist the urge to burst into tears and demand a hug.

"That… is amazing, Sakumo," she said the moment she felt she could safely talk again. "Where did you learn that?"

"Four little brothers," he replied promptly. "When I was a kid I found out that running my chakra through them like this calmed them down when they were upset, and I figured it would work the same with an unborn baby."

There was a bang, and Masa jumped violently under his hand, staring over Sakumo's shoulder to find the source of the noise.

Tamasine had returned, and had thrown open the door to the kitchen to make the resounding crash.

There was a moment in which they all stared at each other, before Masa sagged back against the counter, one hand on her chest, the other tugging her shirt back down over her belly as Sakumo backed away from her.

"Hellfire, you made me start," she said to the silent man in the doorway. "It seems everyone is intent on scaring me today. You men should be careful, you know – my bladder is under constant pressure these days: it wouldn't take much to scare the pee right out of me."

Sakumo chuckled, sending her an apologetic look. Tamasine seemed less amused.

"Do not speak like that, it is unbecoming," he said flatly, dangerous eyes moving from his wife to Sakumo and back again. Sakumo met his gaze squarely, refusing to cave in to the urge to act ashamed. He'd done nothing wrong.

His sharp nose caught the scent of sake, and he deduced that Tamasine had been drinking – probably not a lot, due to the fact that he was obviously not drunk, but enough that the smell hung around him.

"Tamasine. You've met Sakumo, I think?" Masa recovered to say. "He was on my genin team, remember you've seen photos? He came by to tell me that his wife is expecting."

"How nice," Tamasine said coolly. "How did he get in here?"

"Right through the front door, Tamasine-san," Sakumo said promptly, disliking the way the Uchiha spoke as if he wasn't even in the room but sensing that his presence was making things worse. "It was nice to catch up, Masa, but I have to get to that doctor's appointment. I'll let you know what Kita says about activities to keep you off your feet but occupied. Thanks for the chat, and the cookies."

So saying he left, nodding at Tamasine on the way out. Masa smiled at her husband.

"Would you like a gingerbread man?" she asked. "They're just about ready to come out of the oven."

"I don't want you baking anymore, until the baby arrives," Tamasine said flatly, brushing aside the offer. "It's not safe."

Masa scoffed, gently drawing him near her by tugging on his vest. "You worry too much about me. We're fine, both of us. This little one's not due for another two months yet: I'll be fine to keep baking."

Tamasine watched her for a long moment.

"Only when I or someone else is here," he said finally. "Not when you're alone. And I don't want you leaving the compound until the child arrives."

Masa was dismayed – she had wanted to go visit Kita and exchange girly talk about their impending motherhood, but she supposed she could always just invite the woman over to her place.

"Okay," she agreed. There was a moment in which she hesitated, before she said, "I've been thinking about what to name him. What do you think of-?"

"Call him whatever you want," Tamasine interrupted, turning away and shrugging off her hands. "I'm going to shower. If you are so adamant you can still cook, set about making dinner now; I want you in bed early."

As she watched her husband walk away from her, Masa couldn't help but feel thoroughly disappointed.

-?-

A woman screamed. Kai jerked to his feet and made as if to run into the room from where the noise came, but Jiraiya grabbed his jacket and hauled him back.

"Whoa. Cool your jets there, bubs. Kita will not thank you if you barge in now."

"Sorry." Kai looked embarrassed. "I'm just not used to standing by and doing nothing as a friend suffers."

"Trust me, it's not as bad as it sounds," Jiraiya assured the man, guiding him to sit back down in the waiting chairs outside the delivery room. Masa looked up from where she was discreetly nursing her seven month old son, Obito, and grinned at her former genin teammate.

"He's right," she agreed. "It's not as bad as it sounds." She allowed a pause just long enough to give Kai time to look relieved before adding, "It's much, much worse. You can't scream nearly as loud as you want, because you're not really in control of your body – instinct totally takes over. Really, it's like being under a genjutsu. Every noise indicates pain beyond measure if it is forced out despite the mind control."

Right on cue, Kita gave a spine-tingling scream, and Kai turned a delicate shade of green as Jiraya held him in his seat.

"Gee, thanks," the Sannin grumbled. Masa's grin morphed into a satisfied smirk and she leaned towards Sakumo's friend slightly.

"Look at my breast one more time, and I will set the entire male population of my clan on you," she promised seriously, though admittedly with a tinge of humour. "It's a baby eating – there's nothing arousing there. I'm sure my male relatives would be happy to teach you that fact… thoroughly."

Jiraiya swallowed and made a point of wrenching his gaze up to her face. "I understand completely," he said.

"Excellent." Masa smiled properly and looked down at her baby, brushing his cheek affectionately as Kita screamed again in the next room. "You know, nine months of hell, thirty-odd hours of labour, midnight feeds, dirty diapers, and I still can't say I regret a second. No, the prize is worth every moment of suffering – and more."

Again, Kita screamed, a prolonged sound of suffering that made the heart stop to hear. Masa felt a stab of sympathy, but could tell from the screams that Kita's contractions were now almost constant with very few pauses – it wouldn't take much longer.

Sure enough, with one more bloodcurdling shriek, a baby's crying could be heard from the delivery room and the sound of the midwife's congratulation overlapped a pained yelp from Sakumo.

"Well, that sounded like Kita broke her husband's hand – or at least a finger or two," Masa commented, checking her own child. "Won't be long now until we can meet the world's newest Hatake."

It seemed that Obito had fallen asleep, and Masa carefully lay him in her lap and rightened her clothing before shifting him to his bassinette carrier.

"What about you, Masa?" Jiraiya asked, grinning broadly as he listened to his friend's baby wailing its way through its first few breaths. "Did you injure your husband?"

Masa shrugged. "Tamasine wasn't present for Obito's birth," she said evenly. "It is a war, you know. There are missions and things to do. He didn't even meet Obito until Obito was two weeks old."

Even Kai looked surprised by that. "Whoa. But, Sakumo was granted consideration in his mission assignments around Kita's due date," he said. "You know, no missions longer than a day, and all that."

Masa shrugged. "Tamasine doesn't believe in that," she replied simply. "And Obito was a month premature, anyway."

Before either of her companions could respond, the door opened and Sakumo appeared, holding a blue bundle in his arms gingerly. Instantly, the three waiting adults jumped to their feet, and Sakumo beamed round at them, satisfaction radiating off him, and said, "Guys, I would like for you all to meet my son."

"Oh, awesome!" Kai exclaimed, peering at the baby as the child blinked sleepy grey eyes at them. "Look, he's just like you, Sakumo!"

"He's destined for greatness, just like you, eh?" Jiraiya added, reaching to trail a finger down the baby's body.

"How's Kita?" Kai asked.

"Sleeping. Exhausted," Sakumo replied.

"Don't blame her," muttered Jiraiya. "Oh, look! He's already sucking his thumb!"

"He's perfect!" Kai exclaimed. "I'm jealous."

"Isn't he?" Sakumo watched his child falling asleep with adoring eyes, practically bursting his buttons with pride.

Masa pushed through Jiraiya and Kai to confront Sakumo, saying, "Okay, all this macho-guy 'lookie what I got' stuff is very entertaining, but on another note, hand him over."

She held out her arms expectantly. Sakumo agreeably handed him to her, cautioning, "Careful – mind the head."

Masa gave him a pointed look. "Okay, you did not just tell me that. I taught you how to hold a newborn, remember? When Obito was born? Seven months ago? But I understand your concern. Oh, hello, baby. You're gorgeous, aren't you? Name?" she barked at his father.

"Hatake Kakashi," Sakumo replied proudly, eyes dancing with unadulterated joy. A titter went around.

"Very fitting," Jiraiya commented, holding out his arms for a turn. The man's hands were so big he could easily cradle the baby in them alone, and Masa carefully offloaded the infant to him.

They stayed like that for a while, passing the baby around and cooing over him constantly, before Jiraiya glanced up and paused.

"Hey, Masa, isn't that your husband?" he asked. Masa blinked, then froze as she saw Tamasine coming towards them, face like a thundercloud.

"Where is my son?" was the first thing he said. Masa gestured at where Obito was sleeping peacefully, and Tamasine raked his eyes over his offspring before reaching out to grab Masa's arm.

"House empty, no note, no warning, and then Aki tells me that he saw you rushing to the hospital with my son," he hissed. "Explain, now."

Masa was tongue-tied, stuttering, tugging at her arm to try and relieve the death-grip he had on her. Kai stepped in quickly.

"She just came because Kita was in labour," he said. "She's fine – they're both fine, Uchiha-san, I promise. Um, Kita just asked that Masa be here, hence the hurry. Sorry if you were worried."

Tamasine sneered at the chuunin, and Sakumo piped up with, "Kita's just given birth, see? My son, Kakashi."

"Fascinating," Tamasine said, not even glancing at the fragile bundle that was somehow a human being. "Masa, come home with me, please." Masa hesitated, looking around at her friends. The three of them were glaring at Tamasine, who hadn't seemed to notice as he pulled on her arm insistently. "Come home," he insisted.

Suddenly, an alarm went off, and all at once a rush of medics raced for the room Kita was sleeping in.

"What-?" Sakumo exclaimed, instantly turning to the room and disappearing inside it. More medics and nurses poured into the room as the alarm continued to blare, and Masa felt her blood run cold.

Something was wrong. Terribly, terribly wrong with Kita.

Tamasine seemed unmoved.

"Come, now," he repeated blithely.

"But…" Masa glanced helplessly after her friend. "Kita…"

"What, exactly, do you think you can do for her?" Tamasine asked, refusing to release her arm. "You are better to just get out of the medics' way."

"But I…"

Tamasine took advantage of his wife's indecision and yanked on her arm, dragging her after him, away from the delivery room. Masa just had the presence of mind to grab Obito's bassinette with her free hand and bring him along, her eyes riveted on the sight of medics rushing into the delivery room while Sakumo was forced out, his face pale and shocked.

-?-

The sun was shining far too brightly, indifferent to the quiet suffering of the people down below.

Assembled in the cemetery around an open grave were two dozen people dressed in black, armed with shinobi-taught stone faces to hide their pain. There were several civilians who cried freely, clinging to one another, but the vast majority of the mourners simply stood at attention as the casket was lowered into the ground and dirt was poured over it with a simple jutsu.

Masa was among the people gathered, her heart aching as she looked at the picture of the young woman in the casket, sitting on the headstone. Kita had been so beautiful, so full of life.

How could this have happened?

She shifted her son, who was asleep propped up on her shoulder, turning ice cold as she thought how easily it could have been her, how easy it would have been for her to die while bringing Obito into the world, leaving him all alone.

She could see Sakumo standing in the front row, head bowed, arms cradling his two week old baby. The preacher finished speaking, but Masa hadn't heard a word. She moved forwards numbly and lifted two white roses – one for her and one for Obito – and lay them carefully on the pile growing steadily on the freshly dug grave.

For just a moment, she let her hand trail over the soft soil, tears stinging her eyes as she imagined Kita lying cold and in the dark, six feet below them. She moved back, returning to her original spot, allowing the other mourners room to place their own flowers.

She didn't know how long she stood there, but when she next became aware, she and Sakumo were alone by the grave. She moved silently up to stand next to him and gently slipped her hand into his.

Sakumo didn't move, staring at the grave with blank eyes.

"How am I going to live now?" he asked expressionlessly. "What am I supposed to do without her?"

Masa had no answer.

They stood in silence until she gathered the courage to ask, "What are you going to do now?"

Sakumo made a noise that sounded startlingly like a sniff. "I'm going to stay at my otouto's house for a while, until I readjust. Daisuke said he'n Ryuu'd be happy to have me bunk with them. Once… once he an' the others get back from their mission, he's going to take some time off. Oh, god, how can I do this? Kita…"

Masa looked up at him to see him crying, tears dripping down his face and spotting on the well-wrapped baby in the crook of his arm. She couldn't do anything except hold his left hand tighter and try not to look at the strapping on his right hand, where Kita had indeed broken his fingers.

A familiar flicker of chakra made her look around, and her eyes widened to see Kai appear, battered and bleeding from several places.

"Kai?" she said. "Aren't you supposed to be on a mission? Or, failing that, in the hospital? You look like you could use it… where are the others?"

Kai stared at her as if he didn't understand for a long moment, before looking away and muttering, "Dead."

A jolt ran through Masa, and she sucked in a shocked breath. "Dead…?" she repeated. Then she remembered.

Kai had been on a squad with Sakumo's brothers.

What had happened?

"We were ambushed… Suna, they knew we were coming, and they… they just…" Kai's voice broke, but he pushed on. "'Kumo. I have to tell 'Kumo…"

"Tell him what, Kai?" Masa demanded, pulling away from Sakumo and approaching the injured man. He watched her for a moment, before responding in a dead voice.

"His brothers, they're dead."

"All of them?" Masa gasped, thinking of the four cute, energetic and often annoying boys she had known since her team had first been invited to eat at the Hatake household more than ten years ago. She turned wide eyes to watch Sakumo, wincing as he shuddered, his face twisting as if he was in great physical pain.

Clutching his new son to his chest tightly, he dropped to his knees and doubled over, clinging to his baby and making a strained moaning sound, like a wounded wild animal. He began to rock back and forth, shaking violently as he continued to moan and press his child to him, obviously being almost literally torn apart by grief.

Masa gestured Kai over to her and handed him the sleeping Obito carefully, before turning and crouching next to Sakumo.

"Sakumo," she said to him, placing a hand on his back and another on his arms. The Hatake didn't even seem to notice her there. Slowly, his moans became words, whimpered out as if each breath hurt him.

"What have I done?" he gasped. "Why did this happen? Why do I deserve this? No, no… please, no… my wife… my brothers…"

"Sakumo, you need to give me your son," Masa said firmly, despite the way her heart was breaking. He was holding the newborn far too tightly, smothering him against his chest. She had to get him away – if for no other reason than it would quite literally kill Sakumo to lose Kakashi too. "Give me Kakashi now."

Sakumo was whimpering, shaking his head, tightening his hold on his baby, but Masa pried his arms apart with ruthless gentleness and extricated the gasping baby, handing him straight to Kai, who had placed Obito on the ground to receive him. The moment his oxygen was returned to him, the infant began to scream – at least he was still alive.

Deprived of his son, Sakumo latched onto the next thing he could, and Masa held the man as he broke down and began to sob on her shoulder, murmuring nonsense into his ear as he shook and moaned and cried in her arms.

-?-

"I do not want you seeing Hatake Sakumo socially without an escort."

Masa froze at the words her husband spoke and lowered the blanket she had been folding.

"What? Why?" she demanded.

"It is inappropriate," Tamasine said blithely. "You are a married woman, and he is a single man. For you to be alone together is totally improper."

Masa saw red. "We buried his wife an hour ago and you're already talking like that?!" she screeched. Tamasine levelled his severe gaze at her.

"I do not like your tone," he said, a note of icy warning in his words.

"I don't care!" Masa shouted, her grief making her act out. "Sakumo is a childhood friend who has just lost all his family bar his son in two weeks, and you want me to break ties with him?! No, I won't!"

"Do not raise your voice at me, girl!" Tamasine shouted, standing so that he towered over her. Masa shrank back: he was suddenly truly frightening. He grabbed her arm painfully and began to drag her along with him towards their bedroom, where he tossed her roughly inside.

Masa overbalanced at her husband's shove and fell, ending up sprawled on the floor. She cried out as her wrist twinged painfully.

"You will not see him again," Tamasine promised ominously as he shut the door. "Do not dare to leave this room." Masa heard him slide the lock into place and storm away, punching the wall as he went, and curled into a ball, shocked and hurt beyond measure, clutching her injured wrist.

She heard the front door slam and knew her husband had gone out. The noise woke Obito where he was sleeping in his cot in the kitchen, and the baby began to scream.

Masa broke down upon hearing her child's calls, realising that she was too frightened to even leave the room to fetch and tend to her own baby, and as she sobbed she wondered how long it would be before Tamasine returned to release her, and how drunk he would be when he did.

-?-

"Obito! Come here, sweetheart!" Masa called. "That's enough for now."

The nearly-three year old looked up and swept his chubby hand over his eyes, trying to pretend he hadn't been crying.

"But Otou-san said I hafta get this right b'fore I eat ag'n," he whimpered, sounding panicked as he pointed at the stump set up in the back yard and the kunai scattered around it.

Masa felt a stab of anger. How dare Tamasine give her toddler real (if blunted) weapons? Damn that man, putting so much pressure on his son.

"I will talk to Otou-san," she promised. "Come inside."

Obito obeyed instantly, dropping the kunai and toddling up to his mother. Masa swung him onto her hip and carried him inside, taking him to the kitchen counter and rummaging for the first aid kit. Obito's hands were scratched and blistered from being forced to practice all day. Masa cursed herself for leaving the child in his father's care while she went to the doctor, and then to a lunch date with a group of her girl friends.

She should have known better.

She paused for a moment, her fingers tracing her own jaw, where Tamasine had struck her when she had returned home bearing the news that she wasn't pregnant. Her husband had gotten it into his head that, as his first son was obviously not a genius, he needed a new heir. Tears pricked Masa's eyes at the thought that her son wasn't good enough for his own father, and she had to blink hard to rid herself of them.

"Mama?" Obito said from behind her. "You kay?"

Masa hoisted a smile up and turned back to her toddler, saying, "Yeah, honey, I'm fine. Here, give me your hands."

"You no stingy stuff on, kay?" Obito said, looking worried. Masa smiled.

"No stingy stuff," she agreed. "Just a bandage."

"Kay," Obito repeated, offering his hands. Masa quickly doctored them and then packed up the first aid kit, lifting Obito off the bench.

"I don't want you using those weapons anymore," she told him firmly. "I'll be speaking to Otou-san. You are not ready for them."

The relief on Obito's baby face was blindingly obvious. "Kay," he said happily. Masa let him go and he wandered into the front hallway, mumbling something about looking for Tora, his plushie toy.

Masa was putting the kitchen to rights when she heard male shouting from the front of the house, and a chill ran through her. Tamasine was home and from the sounds of it, drunk.

Again.

It was a cry of pain from her son that caused her to move, jolting her into action as she raced for the front hallway.

She arrived to find her husband, clothing ruffled and pockets empty, holding her son up by the arm, shaking him, screaming.

"I told you to stay out in the yard and practise until you got it right!" he shouted, shaking the boy violently. "You do as you – are – fucking – told!!"

"M-mama s-said," sobbed Obito, writhing in his father's grip.

"I don't fucking care what mama said! You do what I say! Me. I am the head of this house. Do you understand me?!"

Masa moved, attacking her husband without thought or form, just bowling into him and tugging on his arm, forcing him to release her son, catching Obito before he hit the ground.

Tamasine wobbled, squinting at her, trying to focus despite the drink. "Masa?" he said dumbly, before his face clouded in anger. "You fucking bitch. You pushed me!"

Masa hugged a sobbing Obito close, her arms around him protectively, and stepped backwards.

"We're leaving." The words were out of her mouth before she'd even thought them, and for a moment she had trouble believing it was her who spoke them.

It was insanity. Leaving Tamasine meant leaving the clan, which meant leaving the village, because there was no way she would be allowed to keep her son whilst living unmarried outside the clan's protection. Where would she go? What could she do? A chuunin-level single mother who had been out of training for nearly four years? Could she really leave Konoha behind?

But Tamasine had attacked Obito. Shaking him like that could have killed him. Tamasine hitting her she could handle, but she'd burn in hell before she let him lay a hand on his son – no, on her son.

"We're leaving," she repeated with more strength, taking another step backwards, towards the front door.

Tamasine laughed. "You don't know a damn thing," he slurred, approaching slowly, pinning Masa with his gaze and threatening stance. Fear pounded in her heart, thudding through her system.

He was faster than her. Stronger, better trained. Dangerous.

Drunk.

"You and your fucking brat are exactly the same!" he suddenly shouted, reaching for her, tearing Obito out of her arms and tossing him aside, grabbing Masa and yanking her close as Obito hit the ground with a sickening thud. "He's useless as a leaking cup, and you can't even provide me with another, better child!"

Masa squirmed, terrified, trying desperately to free herself. She was dragged closer, pinned against Tamasine's hard chest, and he wound a hand through her hair to yank her head back and up, forcing a kiss on her.

Masa cried out fearfully as he slammed his lips against hers. He smelt like alcohol and tasted like vomit, and Masa had to fight to keep from gagging. Her heart thundered against her ribcage.

She knew what he was going to do. She knew it. Her eyes slid to where Obito was curled on the floor, thumb in mouth, other arm around his toy tiger and clapped over one ear, tears streaming down his face.

Tamasine shoved her against a wall and started running his hands over her, trying to find the fastenings to her clothing. He seemed unable to handle a button, so there was a tearing sound as part of Masa's dress gave way under his furious tugging, and Masa gasped in horror.

"Stupid fucking whore," Tamasine was rambling. "Only good for one thing anyway. I'll show you, dirty slut…"

Suddenly, the panic in Masa's mind vanished, leaving everything crystal clear. Tamasine wasn't going to stop on his own, so she had to stop him. For Obito, for herself.

This in mind, she reached around him as if to hug him, her hands scrabbling for his kunai pouch. He grunted, no doubt mistaking her search for a grope, and bent to bite at her exposed shoulder.

Her hand closed around a kunai, and she took a breath, trying to steady herself as much as she was able with the assault on her body that was occurring, and then she moved, swinging her arm up to stab Tamasine in the side, expertly missing any fatal spots, and with her other hand unhooked his kunai pouch so that he was unarmed.

Tamasine howled and reeled backwards, crashing to the floor as he overbalanced, his drunkenness removing any and all hand-eye coordination he possessed.

"Fuck," he snarled, glaring up at his wife.

Masa hurried to her son and scooped him up, toy and all, before turning to her husband.

"We're leaving," she repeated firmly, and turned to the door, fumbling with the knob for a moment before she flung it open and ran, dropping his pouch a few paces from the doorway.

Tamasine watched her go with a drunken laugh.

"She'll be back," he mumbled, before rolling over and beginning to retch.

-?-

To say Sakumo was surprised when his ex-teammate turned up at his doorstep just as he was putting his twenty-two month old child to sleep was a vast understatement, especially as he hadn't seen her at all except for at the odd social gathering or birthday party they had both attended for months. They had exchanged letters back and forth for a few months, and Masa had fully explained to Sakumo Tamasine's reasoning for cutting off their contact, but it didn't sit right with the Hatake.

Sakumo had just pulled the blanket up over his sleeping son and tugged the toddler's thumb out of his mouth, replacing it with a pacifier before Kakashi could begin to fuss, when there was a knock on the front door.

He had answered it to find Masa standing there, barefooted, dress torn, cheek bruised, lips trembling and a wailing, soiled child in her arms, and instantly knew that Tamasine had done something terrible. He ushered her inside, taking Obito and checking the boy over for injuries, calming him with a bottle of milk and pulling off his dirty clothing, thanking Jiraiya soundlessly for making that mistake in sizes when he'd mailed that baby outfit for Kakashi last month, so Sakumo had something to dress the older child in.

He used a gentle jutsu to lull the Uchiha to sleep, something he usually would never do to a child, but he could sense that Masa needed him. Once Obito was asleep, he placed him, the toy and the bottle of milk next to Kakashi in the spacious crib.

The child taken care of, he turned to the mother, guiding her to his bathroom and drawing a bath, handing her a large, fluffy towel and a set of his clothes to change into (he couldn't quite bear to give her anything of Kita's, even after so long), telling her to take as long as she needed, and leaving her quietly, leaving the bathroom door ajar just in case he needed to get to her.

He returned to the kitchen and set about making a pot of tea, reasoning that it looked like they were both going to need it.

It took Masa a very long time to venture out of the bathroom, dressed in his shirt and boxers, her damp hair plaited down her back. Her eyes were bloodshot: she had obviously been crying, but Sakumo tactfully didn't mention it.

"Here," he said softly, offering her a cup. Masa managed a wobbly little smile that broke his heart and sank down onto the couch next to him, taking the cup and holding it on her knee, looking into the green tea as if seeking the answers to the universe in its depths. After a long silence, Sakumo finally just asked, "'Asa? What's happened?"

He watched Masa teeter, before her face crumpled, her mouth opened and everything came spilling out, everything that had happened since Kita's funeral: the verbal abuse, the way Tamasine had systematically cut her off from her friends and isolated her to the point where she only ever saw members of her own family, the way he had started hitting her, had started pressuring Obito, had started leaning more and more heavily on the drink… By the time she got to the events of that evening, Sakumo was shaking with barely restrained anger and aching to turn Tamasine into a kunai porcupine.

When Masa began to recount the way Tamasine had shoved her against the wall and torn her dress, Sakumo couldn't help but gather her up in his arms and hold her carefully, murmuring to her soothingly and letting her cry.

"What am I going to do?" Masa managed to choke out after a spell of quiet sobs. Sakumo didn't hesitate.

"Divorce him," he said simply. Masa stared at him: the thought hadn't even crossed her mind.

"B-But…" she stuttered, looking away, her feelings warring with her clan's perception of marriage and duty. Sakumo caught her chin and turned her back to look at him, his fingers trailing over her bruised face.

"Masa," he said with gentle seriousness, "divorce him."

"But if I do that, I'll lose Obito!" Masa burst out. "I'm unemployed, unskilled, and I-"

Sakumo placed his hand over her mouth to still her, looking out the window at the sun – it was barely six in the evening: plenty of time.

"Come with me," he said, standing and pulling Masa to her feet along with him. "We're going to see the Hokage."

-?-

The silence was killing her. Masa sat in the chair before the Hokage's desk, wringing her hands in her lap anxiously, feeling her face burning with shame, her eyes burning with unshed tears.

Sakumo had tersely explained the reason for their visit, and after asking the Hatake a few clarifying questions, Sarutobi had lit his pipe and settled back into his chair to watch Masa.

"Sir?" Sakumo prompted. "Masa has come here seeking divorce."

Sarutobi nodded once. "Yes, I gathered that, Sakumo," he said simply. "But I need to hear it from her before I can even entertain the idea of acting. Masa-san? Why are you here?"

Masa flinched, and took a deep breath. "I-I don't know, sir," she stuttered, hating her lack of control. "I… if I were to be honest, I… I do wish to… terminate my marriage… I can't go back there – I can't! But…" she faltered, looking away.

"But?" the Hokage prompted gently. Masa took a deep breath, trying to steady herself.

"But… sir, I'm a civilian now, remember? I need to take this to the Council, and then the Daimyo…" Masa trailed off: she knew it was hopeless. She'd never get both a divorce and custody of Obito through those channels.

Sakumo cleared his throat, raising a silver eyebrow at the Sandaime, and Sarutobi 'hm'ed, reaching into his desk and pulling out a file, flicking it open. Masa recognised the picture as hers, and wondered fleetingly what the Hokage was doing with her file in his desk.

"Hm, well look at that," he said, sounding incredibly unsurprised. "It would seem that you are, in fact, still classed as a kunoichi," the Hokage said, examining her file. Masa blinked.

"But… how is that possible?" she asked. "Tamasine – I mean, I filed my resignation… three years ago, now. It only takes three days to officiate… why then would…?"

The Sandaime and Sakumo exchanged glances, and Masa was sure she caught a pointed look pass between them, before Sarutobi took his pipe from between his teeth and blew out a long puff of smoke, flicking through the papers before him.

"It is possible that, rather than filing your resignation, the clerks – accidentally, I'm sure – instead filed for your maternity leave, then long-service leave, and then accumulated sick, personal and professional absence leave," he said casually, lifting another leaf of paper, "of which, it seems you have… four more days. How convenient." He looked up to smile. "Of course, once it runs out you will receive a notice, telling you it is time to return to work, unless you wish to resign, but until you officially turn in the request to resign, you are still one of my shinobi, and as such my responsibility in these cases. How peculiar."

Masa felt a smile spreading across her face to match the fatherly one Sarutobi was sporting, and she turned to point at Sakumo. "You," she accused. "It was you, wasn't it?"

"Eh, I thought you might need some extra time to consider," Sakumo shrugged, hands in his pockets belying how pleased he was. Masa shook her head, fighting the bizarre urge to laugh out loud.

"That's very illegal," she said. Her eyes turned back to the Hokage. "You should know that, sir, as they are your laws."

Sarutobi took another draw of his pipe. "I have no idea what you're talking about. Clearly, this was a clerical error. It happens," he shrugged, eyes twinkling. "Now, about your problem, Masa-san."

The mood instantly sobered. Masa looked down at her knees, playing with the folded-back sleeves of Sakumo's shirt that pooled around her.

"Sandaime-sama," she said slowly, "Honestly, I can see that it is time to get out of there, but… the Clan will demand that I turn over Obito to them. They'll claim I'm an unfit mother, that he deserves to grow up with his family… I can't do that, sir. I need to stay married, stay with Tamasine, if only for Obito. I can't leave him. I – we can live apart, Tamasine and I… I just need… accommodation, and work, sir."

Sarutobi nodded contemplatively. "You are aware, I am sure, that Clan Law dictates that Tamasine-san has every right to drag both you and your son home and even punish you corporally, as he sees fit, are you not?" he asked. Masa nodded, tears burning her eyes, but she refused to let them be shed.

"Yessir," she said, "but I don't really have another choice, do I?" she asked sardonically, her heart aching as she thought of her precious son, sleeping peacefully under the watchful eye of Sakumo's canine familiar, Hime.

The Hokage nodded slowly, his expression pitying. "I am sorry, Masa-san," he said quietly. "The only way you could possibly hope to hold onto your child in the event of a divorce is if you are able to prove that you have a stable, viable home situation in which to raise him. That is, if you were to remarry, preferably to someone with political sway and a powerful family name."

Masa shuddered at the very idea of putting herself at the mercy of another man, and her shoulders slumped dejectedly.

Then Sakumo shifted and said suddenly, in the same tone one would suggest getting takeout for dinner in, "Marry me."

Masa felt as if an electric jolt had run through her, and she wheeled in her seat, staring at him.

"Wh-what?!" she gasped. Sakumo shrugged, watching the Hokage.

"That would do it, right?" he pressed. "I mean, I'm the White Fang – that should be enough power to contend with the Uchiha clan. I marry Masa, officially adopt her child, and Masa is free to live happily ever after."

Sarutobi nodded contemplatively. "Yes, that would be an ideal situation," he agreed. "Especially as you have your own boy: that definitely adds to the idea that you are a capable parent, and having come into your entire family's inheritance, you are wealthy enough also."

Sakumo's eyes darked just a little at the reminder of his family's deaths, but he just nodded. Masa felt rather as if a hurricane had swept her up and was jostling her around – too many changes, too soon.

"Wait," she said. "Just wait." The men turned to look at her, and she shook her head. "Sakumo," she said, first turning to her friend. "You… you can't want to marry me. You don't love me."

He met her gaze steadily. "Arranged marriage, Masa," he replied. "I don't have to." Masa winced at having her own words thrown back in her face like that. "Besides," he continued, "I don't love you romantically, no – I love you like a sister, 'Asa, and I don't mind doing this for you. After Kita… look, I'm never going to remarry. I can't even look at a woman like that anymore. If you fall in love with someone, we can terminate the marriage and you can marry him. Until then, I have no problem helping you – and your son – like this. Who knows, eh? Maybe we'll end up a real married couple, but for now… As far as I'm concerned, you and Obito are family anyway, so why not share my name?"

Masa was touched. She reached up to trace his cheek, a wobbly smile ticking her lips up and down. "Thank you," she whispered. Sakumo grinned boyishly at her.

"Well, may as well make this official," he said, "Uchiha Masa, will you ditch the slimeball and marry me instead?"

Masa couldn't help it. She began to giggle. "Yes," she agreed. "Yes, I will." She glanced at where the Hokage sat, looking fondly amused as he watched the interaction between his best ninja and Sakumo's new fiancée.

"Well, we have a bit of paperwork to do, then," he sighed, pushing aside a waiting pile and summoning a chuunin to bring the correct forms to get the process started. "First we will liquefy your marriage, Masa-san, and then – as soon as possible, that same day, if it can be managed – you will wed Sakumo, and then we will arrange – again quickly – for Obito-kun to become Sakumo's son, through a marriage-adoption. Keep in mind that because of Clan Law on the subject, Obito-kun will never be able to take your name, and will remain 'Uchiha Obito', but his birth father will have no right to him at all.

"This whole thing should be cleared up in, oh, a week. Until then, Sakumo, I'd advise you take Masa-san back to your home and keep an eye on her, keep her safe until she is legally under your protection."

Sakumo nodded seriously, standing to bow at the obvious dismissal.

"Yes, sir. Thank you, Hokage-sama."

"Thank you, sir," echoed Masa weakly, standing and bowing also. Sarutobi chuckled, waving his hand at them.

"Go, go. Drink some wine, celebrate your engagement. I'll just stay here and do paperwork for you. Shoo, now."

"You're a wonderful man, Sarutobi-sama," grinned Sakumo. Sarutobi 'hm'ed.

"You just be glad that you've been friends with Jiraiya for so long you're as good as my student, too," he grumbled. "I'll be here all night with this. But it's worth it, I suppose. I have children, too. Now, shoo. Let me work in peace."

Sakumo smiled and guided a shocked Masa away.

-?-

Seventeen days later, Sakumo looked up from sharpening kunai at the kitchen table when he heard his son – Kakashi, he clarified mentally: they were both his sons – shout.

"Scaredy-cat!"

Sakumo sighed, gesturing for Masa, who was preparing a meal, to stay. "I'll sort it out," he promised.

His toddler was, it was clear to anyone who spoke to him or watched him for even a moment, a prodigy. Unfortunately, his one-nearly-two year old thus far lacked people skills, and was forever insulting others. 'Scaredy-cat' was a slur taught to him by one of Sakumo's summons, the ultimate insult for a dog, he supposed. Anyway, Kakashi seemed to be overly fond of it.

Sakumo was trying to wean him off the insults, with limited success.

"What's going on here?" he asked, coming out into the front room to see Kakashi straining on tiptoes, his chubby baby-chin just able to see over the sill of the low window while Obito huddled at his feet, curled in a ball and hugging Tora.

"'Bito scaredy-cat!" Kakashi said firmly, turning to look up at his father. Sakumo chuckled, kneeling next to the pair.

"No, 'Kashi, you don't call people that," he said, just as firmly. Kakashi's little face scrunched up into a scowl, and he jabbed a finger at the huddled figure.

"Look!" he insisted. "He scared!"

"Of what?" Sakumo asked – it really did seem as if Obito was frightened. Kakashi grinned.

"Hime bite man!" he declared proudly. Sakumo blinked, then closed his eyes and re-played that sentence in his head, just to make sure he had heard correctly.

"Hime bit a man?" he repeated carefully. Kakashi nodded.

"Uh-huh, uh-huh," he said, waving his chubby hand at the window. "Man come, shout, Hime go 'grr', man shout more, 'Bito see him an' hide, Hime go 'grr, grr, bite'!"

He clapped his hands, delighted.

Sakumo raised his gaze and looked out the window, his heart freezing as he recognised the man outside facing off against a bristling Hime.

"Boys, go find Mama," he ordered quietly: they had decided that they would raise the boys to address them as parents. Obito looked up.

"Mama?" he repeated. Sakumo nodded.

"Off you go, tell her what happened here, and to take you two upstairs and stay there until I come get you, okay?" he said, ruffling Kakashi's hair and giving him a little push. "It's gonna be okay, boys, but you have to do it now."

Kakashi frowned at him for a moment, before holding his hand out to Obito and saying, "Come, come. Kay? Mama."

The moment the boys were out of the way, Sakumo moved to the front door and tossed it open, striding to face the man who was being fended off by his familiar.

"Tamasine-san," he said coolly. "What are you doing here? This is private property."

"I'm on the street, Hatake," the Uchiha sneered. "Where is she?"

"Who?" Sakumo asked, sounding bored. Tamasine made a violent motion with his hand.

"Don't play fucking dumb!" he shouted. "I know you have her here! Bring her out here, let her tell me to my face that this is true!"

He brandished a piece of paper in Sakumo's face. Sakumo's bored expression didn't waver.

"If I assume 'she' is Masa, as Masa is the only female link between myself and you, am I to deduce that you need her to read you a letter?" he asked. Tamasine growled, sounding remarkably like a bear.

"Today in my mail," he began, deadly and furious. "An official letter from the Hokage's office, declaring that my wife had officially divorced me, and that my son – my son – was no longer mine, as she had suitably proven her ability to care for him herself. What do you make of that, Hatake?!"

Sakumo considered. "I think I should tell you," he said calmly, "that as of this time yesterday, Masa and I have been married. You have had that notice for twelve days, though whether you chose to read it or not was your choice. If you wished to contest the divorce and remarriage, the time has come and gone."

There was an ugly expression on Tamasine's face as he stepped closer, coming very close to stepping onto the property. Hime snarled, her snout pushed through the closed iron gate that marked the end of the walkway through the front garden.

"I always took her to be a whore," he spat. "Figures she'd pull something like this. Where is the bitch? I deserve a chance to talk to her."

Sakumo raised an eyebrow. "You were married for more than three years, Uchiha-san," he said simply. "That is more than enough of a chance. You step one foot on this property and Hime will tear you to pieces. If the wards don't, that is."

With that, Sakumo turned and made his unhurried way back into his house. He was almost there when Tamasine shouted after him, "I want my son, Hatake!"

Sakumo didn't even pause.

"He's my son now, Uchiha-san."

---

A/N: Reviews make me happy.