Chapter Text
You knocked on the familiar door rapidly, hoping to get the attention of the occupant of the small apartment but also not alert the attention of his neighbours. The last thing you wanted right now were scandalous rumours to fly around about you making visits late at night.
The door opened to reveal a sleepy Kakashi. Judging from the state of his unruly silver hair, you had woken him from his sleep.
“What’s up?” he asked groggily, though you could see the concern and alertness growing in his one visible eye.
“I need to talk to you, it’s important.” you replied, quickly walking past a curious Kakashi and into the small living room area.
You sat down on the old battered couch with your head in your hands.
How were you going to tell him? You hadn’t even told anyone else yet.
The couch shifted as Kakashi sat.
He didn't prod you to speak but you knew he was waiting.
Digging the heels of your hands into her forehead, you finally blurted it out.
“I’m pregnant,”
You waited for a moment, half expecting a gasp, or yelling or something . But when you turned to look at your friend all you could see in his lone black eye was sorrow.
“It’s his isn’t it?”
It wasn’t even really a question.
Kakashi had been there for you after the initial heartbreak. He was your rock, your confident, and the one person you could trust with your life.
You nodded, feeling the hot tears fall down your face unbidden.
Kakashi sighed, but it wasn’t one out of annoyance, it was something mixed with pity and disappointment, but in you or Itachi you didn’t know.
“Does he know?” he asked.
You shook your head.
“I couldn’t- I can’t, I won’t tell him. He doesn’t want me in his life, and I’m sure he wouldn’t want this child either.”
Kakashi nodded at this, though from his expression you could tell that the wheels in his head were whirling a mile a minute.
“He might find out, they might find out. He’s the clan head after all.” Kakashi said, his lone eye wandering from you to the window as he thought.
“So what?” You snapped. “It’s my child, I’m the one that's going to give birth and raise them, they can’t take them away from me!”
Kakashi turned his attention back to you and heaved another sigh.
“But they could,” he said solemnly.
You felt the blood in your veins run cold. No, they couldn’t, could they?
“A clan as prominent as the Uchiha holds sway over the council, even the Hokage to an extent,” Kakashi began. “It’s especially worrying since Itachi is the heir. If they find out that your child is also his, and that they have the Sharingan, they could use the excuse of keeping clan secrets safe to take them from you. You won’t have any protection from them on your own, if it’s considered a clan matter by the Hokage and the council, there’s little anyone could do.”
You felt more tears begin to fall, blurring your vision.
They weren’t even born yet and already you had to think of the possibility of your child being ripped away from you.
“No,” you sobbed. “I won’t let them, I won’t!”
“Hey,” Kakashi soothed, wrapping his arms around you. “We’ll think of something, I’m not going to let you go through this alone.”
The next day you gave your resignation letter to the Hokage. Tsunade seemed a bit surprised but didn’t press you on the matter. The shinobi life was a hard one and you had a successful enough career to retire at a high point.
“Though I am reluctant to let such a fine shinobi go, I understand,” the older woman said.
“Thank you Hokage-sama,” you bowed politely.
You did your best to avoid the gaze of any of the other Jonin or Chunin that were around the Hokage tower as you made your way back home. You knew people were wondering why you were resigning, but you hoped that Kakashi’s plan would go smoothly and quell the rumours and questions.
You turned when you heard your name being called.
Yamato jogged towards you.
“Yamato-san, long time no see,” You said with a smile. You and the former ANBU member had been on a handful of missions together and would even consider him a friend as you were both close to Kakashi.
“Yes, it has been a while, I hope you’re doing alright,” he said politely.
You tried to make sure the smile on your face didn’t falter. Things couldn’t be more far from alright, but he didn’t need to know that.
“Was there something you needed?” you asked, steering the conversation away from yourself. If Yamato noticed he didn’t make any comment.
“I was wondering if you’d seen Itachi-san recently,” he said.
You felt your jaw clench at the mention of the Uchiha.
“Nope. Can’t say that I have,” you said, trying to keep your tone light.