Shikaku woke with a quiet groan.
For a few blissful seconds he didn't move, only drew in a deep breath against the soft, messy head of black hair tucked under his chin. Harry had somehow ended up nearly folded into him in the night, one arm across his stomach, one leg thrown over his hip, his whole body warm and pliant and so, so very attached.
A chuckle rumbled low in his chest when Harry, still dead asleep, snuggled deeper into the hollow of his neck with a happy little sigh.
His amusement faded into a silent curse when his sleep-fogged mind caught up with his body and he realised just how plastered his little sweetheart was against him. If it weren't for the thin cotton sleep pants Harry had shuffled on before falling asleep, his morning wood could have easily caught and pressed into his probably still slick hole.
Shikaku shut his eyes tightly and inhaled once more through his nose, asking the kami for strength.
It didn't help.
Not when memory of last night came flooding back as vividly as if it were happening all over again.
He could still feel him under him, hear those soft, ruined sounds.
He huffed and let his head sink back into the pillow as he remembered just how sweet their lovemaking had been.
Not that they hadn't made love before. They had, plenty of times. But they were passionate when it came to each other, and "passionate" was a very polite way of saying ravenous. They devoured one another more often than not, desperate hands and rough mouths and all that hot, greedy need between them. It was rare for them to take it slow the way they had last night.
They were still drunk on the joy of Teddy's birthday, still buzzing with the warmth of having their family together, basking in the way the day had gone so perfectly.
Shikaku especially had spent most of it strangely upbeat and energised every time he remembered the sound of Teddy's little voice calling him dada.
And Hari—
Kami.
The way he had accepted it.
Encouraged it even.
Like it was the most natural thing in the world.
His chest went warm all over again at the memory.
When the boys had finally been put to bed and the house had gone quiet, he hadn't been able to help himself. He had taken his little sweetheart apart gently, carefully.
He had worshipped him.
With his fingers first.
Harry melting beneath him, breathless and flushed, pleading in those soft little broken sounds he made when he wanted more and was too far gone. Shikaku had watched him come apart on his fingers, then again on his mouth, and by the time he had finally pressed inside him, he'd done it so slowly. Their bodies fitting together like puzzle pieces, while Harry clutched him close, hands and legs wrapped around him, not even leaving a centimetre of space between them.
Their breaths had mingled.
Their mouths had met over and over.
There had been whispered love confessions between kisses and slow, deep thrusts, and Harry had gone soft and wrecked beneath him with tears in the corners of his eyes as he chanted Shikaku's name, sobbing as he let go for the third time.
They had made love last night.
In a way they had never before.
And it had only proven, with almost painful clarity, just how deeply and hopelessly in love he was with this man, this man his sons called mother.
Shikaku silently cursed again when Harry shifted and tightened his leg over his hip, unknowingly dragging over him just enough to make the problem worse.
He let out the barest breath of a laugh and gripped Harry's hips tightly.
"Troublesome minx," he said fondly as he reluctantly shifted away.
It was rare that he woke before him on one of his days off, but he supposed he had thoroughly worn him out last night.
My poor, exhausted sweetheart…
Shikaku pressed a kiss to the unruly bedhead and carefully slipped out from beneath him, chuckling when he followed.
Even half-asleep, his minx made a dissatisfied little noise and reached after him, fumbling blindly until his hands found empty sheets with a frown. Shikaku watched with amusement as he instead seized his pillow, dragged it to his stomach, and curled around it, burying his face into it to inhale his scent before settling with a sleepy sigh.
"I'll sort out the boys. You sleep in," he murmured, bending down and pressing a kiss to the top of his head.
All he got in return was a sleepy grumble and a possessive tightening of arms around his pillow.
Shaking his head, Shikaku picked up his sleep pants from the floor and tugged them on before stepping out into the hall.
He checked Shikamaru's room first.
Snorting when he saw his son starfished across the bed, hair going in every direction, mouth wide open around his tiny snores.
Deciding to give him a little longer to sleep in, he closed the door gently and made his way to Teddy's room.
He almost cooed at the sight of him already wide awake.
Teddy was sat up in his crib staring entranced at the dancing animals projected from the magical orb on his ceiling, chewing enthusiastically on one ragged wing of his dragon plush.
The baby spat the ear out at once with a delighted squeal the moment he spotted Shikaku, then immediately tried to climb the bars of his crib, only to huff in frustration when he couldn't reach him.
"Dada! Dada!"
Shikaku's grin widened as he reached down and scooped him up.
"What are you doing up so early, puppy?" he asked, settling the baby against his chest.
Teddy only cooed and gripped his goatee with sticky, chubby fingers before tilting his face up and asking, "Mama?"
"Mama's still sleeping troublemaker," Shikaku said, shifting him and nudging his baby's nose with his own. "Its Dads turn today."
Teddy made a huffy little sound and shoved his face into Shikaku's chest, inhaling dramatically a few times before relenting with a little growl. Then he lifted his head, opened his mouth wide, and stared demandingly.
Shikaku snorted and tapped the little jaw closed.
"Where did you learn that from? Should I start calling you birdy instead?" he asked dryly.
Teddy only cooed, utterly unbothered. "Be-faaas, Dada!"
"Yeah, yeah," Shikaku said, kissing his forehead. "I got you, puppy. Let's change you first, your stink will wake up the whole house."
That, at least, was routine by now.
Nothing he would find in the baby's nappy would surprise him, he had seen a lot worse things on the battlefield, though his enemies never kicked and wiggled for freedom so enthusiastically.
Carrying the baby, Shikaku went back to Shikamaru's room and stood just inside the doorway.
"Hey, puppy," he whispered conspiratorially, shifting the bottle from the baby's mouth. "Can you wake your brother for dada? I think he needs some kisses, don't you?"
Teddy's head snapped up to his at the sound of his nickname, before it snapped around to Shikamaru still snoring away and he brightened.
"Shikaa!" He cooed, wriggling a little to be let go.
Mission accepted, he thought with a smirk.
Shikaku let him down onto the bed and stood back just enough to catch him if he fell.
Teddy crawled all over Shikamaru's chest, planted both little hands on his brother's face, and delivered a slobbery attack of kisses with wild giggles while chanting, "Shika-Shika-Shikaaaaa. Be-fasss Shika!"
"Teddyyyyyy stop it!" Shikamaru groaned, voice muffled under the assault.
Shikamaru, despite his protests, wrapped Teddy into a hug and rolled over, dragging him with him under the blanket.
"Go back to sleep," Shikamaru muttered into Teddy's hair, trying to convince him with a pat to his back.
Shikaku watched for a full second at the sweet scene, then swept in and yanked the blankets off, smirking at the squeals both his sons gave.
"C'mon, kiddo," Shikaku drawled. "Thought you wanted to call your little red-haired friend this morning?"
Shikamaru made a sound that was half a sigh and half a protest, then rolled back over, hugging the squirming Teddy to his chest like he was a doll.
"'m up," he muttered.
Shikaku chuckled and smoothed down his son's wild hair, Shikamaru leaning into it like a kitten.
"C'mon, puppy," he told him. "Let's leave your brother to get ready, give him one last kiss."
Teddy obeyed by licking Shikamaru's cheek making the older boy groan in disgust.
Shikaku laughed and caught Teddy by the back of his baby overalls and hoisted him into his arms making him squeal in delight.
When they stepped back into the kitchen, he was surprised to see Sirius there, not having heard him leave his room.
Must have used magic, he thought annoyed. Not liking being surprised in his own home, well second home.
The man was slumped over a mug of coffee, head drooping into one palm, mouth wide open into a yawn.
But his eyes brightened at once when he saw them come in.
Though Shikaku was entirely certain it was because of the baby in his arms.
Seeing the small, childish frown the man tried and failed to hide that was directed at him, Shikaku thought wryly that he was never going to like any man who clearly spent the night with his precious godson.
Thankfully, that petty hate didn't stop Sirius from helping him when he asked.
The man was torn between excitement and horror when Shikaku had asked him for a favour all those days ago, switching between squealing and clearly wanting to punch him in the face.
Now, though, Sirius only made immediate grabby hands toward Teddy and cooed. "There's my little grandpuppy."
Teddy squirmed in Shikaku's arms, clearly torn.
Shikaku decided to be the bigger man.
And if it made Sirius like him just a fraction more? Well, what was the harm in a little… tactical goodwill?
He pressed a kiss to Teddy's hair, now black and curly, the little traitor, and passed him over.
Teddy immediately chanted, "Gan-addy!"
Sirius practically melted.
"Oh," he crooned, eyes going soft. "That's right, I'm your Gan-paddy. Yes I am."
Sirius was only distracted for a moment before he shot Shikaku a suspicious look.
"Where's Harry?"
Shikaku couldn't help it.
His mouth curved into a slow smirk. "Still sleeping. Last night really wore him out," he drawled.
The innuendo dripped.
He genuinely meant Teddy's party, he really did.
Did not…
The man deserved a bit of a wake-up call when it came to his relationship with his godson. The man had played the accepting godfather in front of Harry, but as soon as his back was turned? Well, Shikaku had become very familiar with Sirius' glares and pouts.
Sirius went both pale and green somehow, in a way that made him look like an embarrassed teen hearing about his parents having sex.
"Oh, for—" Sirius groaned, burying his face briefly against Teddy's curls before tickling the baby's stomach. "Never grow up. Do you hear me, grandpuppy? Never. Your poor grand-paddy won't survive it. That goes for your brother too."
Teddy just laughed around a fistful of Sirius's hair.
Shikaku turned away before Sirius saw his shit-eating grin and focused on the breakfast tray he was making up.
When he was done, he reached for his weapons pouch hanging off the wall hook, cut off a piece of ninja wire, and carefully wrapped it around the stems of the flowers he had picked yesterday and hidden in the small storage seal tucked behind his ear.
His sweetheart was hardly one for expensive gifts thankfully.
He had noticed that early on.
He liked thoughtful things. Handpicked flowers, intimate dates, small acts of devotion. Private gestures, when they could just be themselves and not have every nosy villager or meddling clan elder watching.
Shikaku was deeply grateful for it.
Because as much as he wanted the whole village to know Harry was his, he much preferred spoiling him in ways that made that pretty flush rise up over his cheeks in private.
Besides, if he got his way, he would have far more time to spoil him yet.
Decades, even, if he was lucky.
He delighted in the thought, something warm and possessive settling under his ribs.
Picking up the tray, Shikaku called out. "Can you make sure Shikamaru comes to eat his breakfast and hasn't gone back to sleep?"
Sirius waved him off with his free hand, still bouncing Teddy lightly on his knee.
"I've got it," he said, then muttered under his breath with a face that looked annoyed. "My innocent pup being wooed so well…"
Balancing the tray carefully, he nudged their bedroom door open with his foot, smirk softening seeing Harry exactly as he had left him.
Curled around his pillow, one knee bent up, black hair a wreck over the sheets, bare shoulders exposed where the blankets had slid down. He looked so content and so thoroughly worn out that Shikaku felt guilty about waking him.
Setting the tray down on the bedside table, he sat carefully on the edge of the bed and ran one roughened palm up and down his bare back, tracing the lightning scars that wound around his body.
"Come on, sweetheart," he murmured. "You need to wake up and eat."
Harry grumbled immediately and buried his face deeper into Shikaku's pillow, inhaling the scent before relaxing all over again and ignoring him.
Shikaku chuckled and reached for the pillow.
Tugging it from his grasp proved much more difficult than expected, he had surprising grip strength for someone still asleep.
"Wouldn't you prefer the real thing?" Shikaku joked.
One green eye peeked open, narrowing toward the offending hands stealing his pillow. He followed the arm up, then landed on Shikaku's annoyingly smug face.
"'m tired, 'Kaku," Harry muttered. "Lemme sleep."
Shikaku grinned and tugged the pillow fully free at last before rolling Harry onto his back and caging him in with both arms.
"My, my," he drawled. "With that attitude, I'd think you were a Nara already…"
Harry whined softly at the loss of sleep but opened both eyes fully with a glare that softened almost immediately when he saw Shikaku's smitten grin.
Shikaku couldn't help but bend down and kiss him.
He let his body lower on top of him as he swallowed those sleepy little sighs with his own mouth, enjoying the way Harry melted beneath him despite his complaints.
When he finally lifted his head, Shikaku asked softly. "You ready to wake up and eat for me now, sweetheart?"
Harry leaned up and stole another kiss.
"Only because I love you."
The words made something in Shikaku go warm all over again.
"I love you too, sweetheart." He whispered, pressing a soft kiss against his mouth again.
Then he shifted off him and reached for the tray, grabbing the small bouquet and presenting it with a flourish.
Harry's whole face changed.
The tiredness vanished, replaced by that beautiful pink flush Shikaku loved so much. Delight crinkled at the corners of his eyes, mouth smiling softly as he took the flowers with both hands, touching the petals gently as if they were something fragile and precious.
"They're beautiful, 'Kaku," he said softly. "I've never seen these ones before. What are they called?"
"I don't know, I'll have to ask Inoichi," Shikaku admitted. "But I think it's some kind of wild rose? I found it in our forest." He rubbed the back of his neck, suddenly feeling a bit stupid. "I know you like to replant all the flowers I give you, so I thought you could magic these ones into your garden too."
Harry inhaled their scent and looked at him with such open sweetness that Shikaku almost regretted not cutting the whole lot.
Harry leaned in, stole another kiss, and murmured softly against his lips. "Thank you. You always bring me the most beautiful gifts."
Shikaku felt his ears heat under the praise, spreading further when he saw Harry's amused smile.
He gently shoved him back into the pillows and placed the tray in his lap.
"Eat," he ordered, ignoring the soft burst of laughter he got in return.
"Only if you eat with me," Harry teased.
Shikaku smirked and sat beside him, stealing one of the bowls and chopsticks.
"I did make it a tray for two," he said dryly. "We have an hour or so to ourselves. Your godfather has Teddy, and Shika should be finishing his call with Gaara soon."
Harry was already chewing ravenously, hunger winning over everything else, but he leaned into Shikaku's side and spoke around a mouthful with a frown.
"How did Gaara sound?"
Shikaku wanted to sigh.
Harry's heart was too soft when it came to children, though it's one of the things he loved most about him.
"You know you can't interfere without causing a war. You can't kidnap the boy from his village," he reminded gently. "The Kazekage won't do anything to harm his son." Though Shikaku was sure the tailed beast inside the boy wouldn't let anything harm him anyway, father or not.
Harry scowled and angrily shovelled another mouthful into his mouth before retorting. "The Kazekage has no right to call himself a father with how he treats his children!"
"I agree," he said quietly. "But as long as his uncle is there, you know nothing will happen to him."
Harry relaxed slightly at that, shoulders easing in agreement, before adding. "Did I mention that Yashamaru might be coming to Fire Country for a diplomatic mission soon?"
That made Shikaku's eyes narrow in thought, the ninja in him already thinking of a hundred scenarios that would bring a Sand ninja to here or the Fire capital. But if he was being honest, there was a faint edge of jealousy too. He was only a man after all.
Very grumpily he asked. "When did you speak to Yashamaru again?"
Harry laughed at once and nuzzled his nose into Shikaku's neck.
"Is my big, strong mate jealous?"
Shikaku pinched his thigh in warning.
"Troublesome."
He was very much jealous.
Especially remembering just how close Harry and Yashamaru had been in Shikamaru's memories. Not that he could mention that without opening an entirely different conversation, and he wasn't going to start confessing things he shouldn't know.
Harry only kissed his shoulder, lips warm against tan skin, and said lightly. "Did you already forget about me apparating there to drop off Gaara's birthday presents and mirror?"
Shikaku scowled immediately at the reminder. "You mean the completely dangerous trip you took without telling anyone? Where you could have been recognised and hurt? That trip?"
Harry near sighed in exasperation. "Which is exactly why I apparated into Yashamaru's house when Gaara was there and didn't go into the village."
He refrained from adding that he had very nearly gone into the village anyway when Yashamaru told him his favourite food stall was open, but Harry had no desire to give his poor mate a heart attack so early in the morning.
They passed the time like that, eating and teasing one another until every bowl on the tray was empty.
By then the house was louder outside their bedroom and they decided to save time by showering together.
Which stayed respectable for no longer than it took to wash each other's hair.
Harry looked up at him through his lashes in that coy way of his, all soft mouth and tempting eyes, and sank to his knees against the tiled floor and Shikaku barely had any time to brace himself against the wall as a hot mouth surrounded him.
"Fuck," he breathed, head dropping back against the tiles as Harry swallowed him down eagerly and moaned around his cock.
His breathing went ragged fast as his sweetheart's throat worked around him tightly.
He fought not to grip the wet dark hair too tight but then remembered that Harry liked when he did that, so he let his fist tighten in the long, dark tresses and pulled.
Harry moaned again, taking more of him down and swallowing harshly. The bruising he could feel forming on his knees worth every minute of it as he thanked Shikaku for such a lovely morning.
The flowers really were very beautiful after all…
~
It wasn't long after breakfast that everyone started arriving.
First Inoichi, with Ino bouncing beside him in a blur of blonde pigtails.
Then Chouza with Chouji, the little boy already clutching a packet of something to snack on and looking shyly delighted to be there.
And then Mikoto and Fugaku with Sasuke, while Itachi followed a step behind them all looking as stoic as ever, but Harry could see that he had no idea what he was doing there.
Well, Harry had no idea what he was doing here either, but he wasn't going to send him away.
He adored every single one of the little terrors that came tearing into his compound, but he was so grateful that Saeko and Mikoto took over supervising the onslaught of children as they all ran shrieking toward the back garden.
Harry thanked the stars for them because he was exhausted still.
Only Teddy remained with him, stubbornly clinging to his shirt and refusing to be passed off.
Not that Harry minded.
Teddy's small body was warm and cuddly, and it was soothing something in his exhausted mind to just have him close. Harry shifted him up on his hip and kissed his curls before leading the men further into the compound.
"Your compound is more vibrant than I remember it being when the Senju owned it," Fugaku said, gaze drifting over the flowering paths and the impossible bloom of colour.
Harry beamed instantly, feeling absurdly proud.
"Thank you," he said warmly. "I've spent a lot of time making sure everything stays in bloom despite the season. The mokuton definitely makes it easier."
"You have to come work in our greenhouses soon, Hari." Inoichi said, leaning in close and speaking animatedly with his hands. "We could experiment a little! I'd love to see how your wood release interacts with medicinal plants, especially anything with a chakra-dense root—"
Harry felt himself smile when the blonde went on as if he had already said yes. "Sorry to disappoint, but I'm far too busy to take up a job Inoichi."
Teddy let out an annoyed little whine at the man who hovering too close, little hands reaching out to push him away.
Harry rubbed the baby's back gently and looked down to find his one-year-old…glaring?
Teddy's little brows had pulled together into a scowl, thumb abandoned in favour of a little pout as he stared Inoichi down. And was his hair turning red? Oh, his sweet pup was angry for some reason.
Harry bit back a laugh.
Beside him, Shikaku sent his friend a look of pure smugness, then gave Teddy a proud little nod and tickled under his chin.
"Good puppy, protecting your mama from flirty blondes." Shikaku teased, getting a giggle in return.
Inoichi looked devastated.
"No, no," he cooed, stepping closer again despite Teddy's newfound hatred. "Teddy, that's no way to look at your favourite uncle."
Teddy, clearly not fooled, turned his face away from him entirely and held out both arms towards Shikaku instead.
"Dada!"
Harry, who had been braced for the inevitable betrayal of his pup, only huffed in exasperated affection when Shikaku chuckled and took the baby from his arms.
But Chouza, Inoichi, and Fugaku all looked equally dumbfounded and surprised.
Though with Fugaku it came out more as confusion than open shock, his brows drawing together as if he were trying to determine what he had missed. Stepping away a bit, Harry drew Fugaku into conversation to give Shikaku a moment to explain his new title to his friends quietly.
Inoichi's face softened into something painfully happy as he dodged the tiny fist Teddy immediately swung at him when he leaned too close and asked. "When did that happen?"
Shikaku grinned lazily. "Yesterday morning."
He looked down as he said it, eyes warming at the sight of Teddy, his son, now contentedly distracted with the zipper on his jacket.
Inoichi looked from the baby back to Harry, who sent him a small smile before returning to his conversation with Fugaku.
"I'm glad for you my friend," he said quietly, looking back at Shikaku. "You deserve this second chance."
That wiped some of the easy humour off Shikaku's face.
His mouth tightened just a fraction at the reminder of how badly he had failed as a father once before.
Still, he glanced toward Harry instinctively and said, just as quietly. "Becoming a father again wouldn't have been possible without Hari coming into our lives."
Chouza gave a low hum of agreement and clapped him on the back hard enough to startle Teddy, the baby turning immediately to stare up at the larger man in complete fascination.
"From what you've told me, Hari would cut off your balls the moment you mess up. Best be careful or you'll be stuck on desk duty for the rest of your life once he's through with you." He said, grinning broadly.
That made Shikaku smirk properly again.
Because his sweetheart would do much, much worse than magic off his balls if he ever hurt their sons.
Shikaku thought he'd deserve it too.
Finally, they arrived at the library, and Harry opened the door with a flourish and stepped aside proudly.
"A lot of the texts have been copied and translated from my mother language," he explained as they entered. "Though there are quite a few I kept as is. They'll take a little longer to be translated."
Something that had been more annoying than he'd expected.
Some of the older books in other languages simply didn't translate as smoothly into Japanese as they had from English. Which meant he or the elves had to copy the book, cast the translation charm to English first, then copy it again and translate that into Japanese. And considering how vast the Keep's libraries were—
Well.
It was going to take a while.
Still, what they had managed to bring over already was impressive enough that even Fugaku's careful mask slipped a little as his gaze moved over the shelves.
He took Inoichi straight toward the area that held his herbal remedies and herbology texts, plus several volumes on greenhouse cultivation and medicinal plants that he thought the man might enjoy.
"I've been meaning to show you these for a while now. You can browse while we wait for Tsunade if you want," Harry offered.
Inoichi looked as if Christmas had come early as his eyes scanned the spines and completely ignored everyone else.
Chouza, he showed to the recipe books. The man smiling widely and thanking him softly, telling him his wife is always looking for new recipes.
Seeing the two men occupied, Harry took Shikaku and Fugaku further in toward the meeting room.
It wasn't as cosy as he would have liked it.
Still, it was ideal for what Shikaku wanted today.
A large round table sat at the centre with comfortable but elegant chairs.
He'd also brought in a couple of blackboards with chalk, just in case they needed to brainstorm or map anything out.
As his eyes swept the room, he made a mental note to make it a bit homier when he got the chance.
Maybe some paintings.
He had been shown a lovely set of silk scroll paintings by one of the older Nara ladies the other day that he had rather liked the look of. He felt too awkward to just accept them as a gift, but maybe he could commission some?
"It's not much but once that door is closed no one will be able to hear a word of what's spoken inside."
He hid a smile when he felt Shikaku's grateful squeeze at his hip.
Fugaku frowned slightly as he looked around.
Then he turned that narrowed, suspicious stare directly onto Shikaku.
"I am aware that there was an ulterior motive behind Hari-sama inviting me today."
His eyes narrowed further.
"Which begs the question. Why am I here, Commander Nara?"
Harry quietly took Teddy from Shikaku's arms before the baby could begin fussing over the growing tension in the room. He bounced him gently while Shikaku's expression sharpened into something more thoughtful.
"I believe we have a common enemy. One that needs to be dealt with as soon as possible." Shikaku said at last, voice steady.
Fugaku's gaze didn't soften. "Someone who requires all this secrecy?"
"We're ninja," Shikaku replied with a smirk. "Secrecy is always required."
That finally made Fugaku's lips twitch, reluctant amusement flickering there before his attention shifted to Harry instead.
"And you, Hari-sama?" he asked, tone quieter now. "You have not even been in the village three months yet, and you've made the same enemy?"
"I'm sure I've made a few by now," he admitted. "But I won't be joining you in this meeting today. As much as I would love to be involved, I'm not a ninja, and I don't know anything more than what Tsunade will surely share with you. I'm trusting Shikaku to deal with them. As much as I hate to stay out of it, my children come first."
That made Fugaku nod in acceptance, gaze drifting toward Teddy.
Even so, he looked more curious than before.
"Perhaps you would be willing to keep Itachi company today then? He and Shisui have been debating non-stop about your sealess control over fire these past weeks. I will admit to being curious myself, but I think my son would enjoy the discussion. It's rare that he's in the village so long these days that Mikoto all but dragged him here."
Harry smiled warmly at the suddenly awkward man, because really, Fugaku sounded very much like a father trying to arrange a playdate.
"I would be happy to show him a few things," Harry said easily. "He's much calmer than Shisui, and he's such a wonderful big brother to Sasuke. I'm sure he won't mind staying with me and Teddy."
The pride that lit Fugaku's eyes at that was immediate.
"My thanks, Hari-sama," he said. "Perhaps next time Shisui will be able to join you."
Harry laughed lightly at that.
Though, if he was honest, it was more Shikaku's quiet little growl of annoyance that amused him more and he would have played into it had Tsunade's voice not echoed through the library.
He turned to Shikaku with a small smile. "I think that's my cue to leave."
He was already walking away when Shikaku grasped his face suddenly and pulled him into a deep kiss.
It was immediate and claiming, tongue prying his mouth open for one hot moment and Harry could only let out a blissful sigh, feeling slightly dazed as they parted.
Teddy shoved both tiny hands against Shikaku's face and pushed, giggling as he scolded. "Dada, no!"
Harry grinned.
Then looked up and saw Fugaku's face and his cheeks flamed instantly, completely forgetting that the man was even there for a moment.
The poor man looked genuinely shocked.
Though judging by the smirk now lurking at the corner of Shikaku's mouth, he had done that on purpose. Clearly, Fugaku mentioning Shisui again was one time too many.
"You and Nara?" Fugaku muttered, like he truly could not believe his own eyes.
Harry flushed harder and shifted Teddy in his arms.
"Shikaku and I have been courting for over a month now," he said, voice going a touch shy. "Shikamaru became a son to me in our time on the road, and Shikaku and I…well, we grew very close."
Fugaku's eyes narrowed.
Then he drooped with realisation and disappointment.
Though to his credit, he recovered quickly and sent a deeply judgemental look toward Shikaku, before he inclined his head toward Harry.
"I… wish you a happy courtship," he said stiffly.
Fugaku's mouth quirked up.
"If it doesn't work out with Nara, then my nephew is still very single at the moment." He added smoothly, blatantly goading Shikaku. "Shisui is nearly sixteen after all. He will be looking to settle down eventually."
Harry laughed outright.
"Oh?" he said, all teasing innocence. "I'll keep that in mind."
He was rewarded with a warning pinch in his side as Shikaku muttered, "that kid better watch out."
Harry grinned and leaned up to press a soft kiss to his cheek.
"Have a good meeting, love."
Then he lifted Teddy so the baby could give his own messy kiss. Shikaku chuckled and pressed one to Teddy's hair in return. "Be good for your mama, puppy."
Teddy cooed and Harry turned him around. "Teddy, can you wave goodbye to Fugaku-sama?"
The man's eyes softened when Teddy beamed and clumsily waved both hands at once, raising his own in return.
"Is that my sweet baby nephew I hear giggling!"
Harry twisted neatly out of Tsunade's outstretched hands before she could steal Teddy and sent her a pointed look.
"Ah ah ah! You have a meeting to start," he reminded her. "One that you are late for."
Tsunade huffed. "I had to pick up a stray along the way."
That explained the extra presence Harry had felt pass through the wards, he really should limit Tsunade's access one day, merlin forbid she bring in her old teammate.
That was one pervert he didn't want to meet yet.
He looked past her and smiled when he caught sight of Kakashi's spiky grey hair.
"It's good to see you again, Kakashi. I'm sure it was terrifying to have Tsunade on your heels all morning," he teased.
"Not as scary as the lack of Icha Icha on your shelves, Hari-sama," he said lightly.
His tone was teasing, but Harry could still see how tightly coiled he was, already eyeing the large window in the meeting room as if he was about to jump out any second.
Harry sent him a reassuring smile and teased. "I like to keep my smut out of the public library."
Kakashi snorted, and his shoulders relaxed just a little.
Then his visible eye dropped to Teddy, who had begun sniffing in his direction.
"'oggy," Teddy said with little coo.
It was a word he had recently learned while being around Sirius, well Padfoot. Harry wondered if his smart baby was smelling the pack on him, and he inhaled himself letting his wolf take note of the canine scents that clung to the man.
Kakashi's eye smile turned unexpectedly genuine.
He even reached out and patted Teddy's head gently, the movement hesitant at first and then more certain when the baby didn't object. In fact, Teddy immediately latched onto one of Kakashi's fingers and began babbling.
Kakashi looked adorably awkward about the whole thing and quickly took his finger back from the baby as Inoichi and Chouza joined them, stepping to the side and away from the group.
"I'll leave you to start your meeting," Harry said, sending one last sweet smile to Shikaku.
It was going to be a tense day for all of them.
But Shikaku was doing this for the right reasons.
For their son. For Tenzo and all those other children that had been tortured into joining Danzo's little cult.
Harry let the door shut behind him, the silencing charm activating instantly.
Looking down at Teddy, who had resumed sucking his thumb now that the excitement had passed, Harry narrowed his eyes thoughtfully.
"Did daddy teach you to hit Inoichi if he gets too close?" he asked.
Teddy only stared back at him with a face full of innocence.
~
Harry and Teddy came back to the main house just in time to see Sasuke and Ino run behind a tree, the two of them shrieking with laughter as they tried to outmanoeuvre one another. Teddy cooed excitedly at the sight and waved his little hands, kicking his feet in Harry's arms as if he wanted to launch himself straight into the chaos.
"You'll get your turn to play, don't worry." Harry laughed softly.
Harry made his way up the porch steps and bent to press a kiss to Saeko's cheek, earning a pleased hum and a fond pat to his arm. "Welcome back, darling," she said, eyes soft as they drifted over him and Teddy both.
Harry smiled and then turned to Mikoto. "Mikoto, they haven't been too much trouble I hope?"
Mikoto's lips curved into one of her quiet, elegant smiles. "Not yet," she said dryly.
His gaze slid toward Itachi.
The boy was sitting a little awkwardly beside his mother, all straight-backed and folded hands, like he wasn't quite sure what to do with himself.
"Hello Itachi," he said gently, smiling. "It's good to see you again."
The small smile he sent Harry was faint, but it grew just a fraction as Teddy leaned out of his arms and immediately grabbed a strand of his hair with delighted curiosity.
"Oh, love—sorry," Harry said, moving to untangle Teddy's little fist.
Itachi shook his head at once, waving off the apology. "It's okay," he said quietly, and then softly, he added. "Hello again Teddy."
"Your father said you were interested in learning more about how I use fire," he said. "Do you want me to show you a few things? I'm not sure if you can learn it exactly, but I don't see the harm in trying."
Itachi's eyes lit so quickly it was almost startling to see his face look a little younger with it.
"I would like that very much, Hari-sama." Itachi said.
Before Harry could reply, something crashed into his legs.
He looked down to see Shikamaru wrapped around him, grinning and breathless from whatever game he'd been in the middle of.
Laughing, he brushed the loose hair from his son's face. "Hello, sweet boy. Are you having fun?"
"Mom!" he complained at once. "Have you seen Chouji? I can't find him anywhere!"
Harry bit the inside of his cheek.
Because over Shikamaru's head, very visible if one happened to glance that way, was a bright tuft of red hair poking out from behind a bush.
He widened his eyes in mock scandal. "That would be cheating if I told you, Shika!"
Shikamaru pouted immediately, but then Teddy began squirming insistently.
"Do you want to get down?" Harry asked.
"'own, Mama! Shika!" Teddy babbled as he reached for Shikamaru.
Shikamaru beamed, all earlier grievances forgotten as Teddy quickly waddled over to him.
"Can I take Teddy to play too?" Shikamaru asked eagerly.
Harry smiled and nodded. "You can. But stay where we can see you, alright?"
"I will!" Shikamaru promised.
Harry very nearly cooed aloud at the sight of Shikamaru immediately slowing down to match Teddy's wobbling little steps, guiding him carefully down the stairs.
He nervously watched Shikamaru lead Teddy into a game of cat and mouse as they searched for his friends. Not really wanting to let them out of his sight. Saeko though, didn't waste a moment before shooing him and Itachi away.
"Go on now," she said. "Mikoto and I are more than enough to keep an eye on the children."
Harry huffed a laugh, but he knew better than to argue with her.
So, he sighed and tipped his head for Itachi to follow. "Come on then. We'll use one of the smaller training grounds near the dragons' caves. I'm not about to start playing with fire near the children."
Itachi rose quickly and fell into step beside him, quiet as shadow.
The smaller training ground near the caves was one of his favourite little corners of the compound. It's where he usually practiced his own meditation and chakra training in the mornings. Shikaku having recently joined him and teaching him how to use chakra properly to run through the trees like a ninja, among other things.
He settled cross-legged on a patch of grass, leaning his back against a broad tree, and motioned for Itachi to sit opposite him.
Harry tilted his head, studying him for a moment before asking, "What do you already know about fire?"
When Itachi only blinked at him a little amused, Harry went on more thoughtfully, "I know ninja have their own way of controlling the elements, but I haven't really seen much of it outside a few skirmishes and the odd demonstration. But I want to know what you know."
Itachi's brows furrowed as he gathered his thoughts.
"Fire is one of the five basic chakra natures," he said after a moment. "My clan has an affinity for it and most Uchiha begin learning fire release. We learn at least one fire jutsu before graduating the academy."
Harry nodded, listening intently.
Itachi continued, voice quiet. "The fireball jutsu, for example, begins from the belly. The chakra is kneaded there first, then pushed upward through the throat and released through the mouth."
Harry nodded slowly. "That's actually very similar to how I learned to blow fire from my mouth. Though," he added dryly, "I did burn my lips more than a few times."
That got the faintest twitch of amusement from Itachi.
Harry smiled at the small victory and said, "I've only seen ninja blow fire from their mouths. Are they able to release it from their hands?"
Itachi nodded at once. "It's not uncommon. But most need seals before the jutsu can be released. Some can also coat their weapons with fire instead."
Harry tilted his head at that.
He had never thought about coating one of his daggers in fire before. It seemed a bit inefficient, really. If one was trying to kill someone, there was hardly any point cauterising the wound if you were going for the kill.
Not that he said that aloud. Despite Itachi being a ninja, he still thought of the boy as too young to be involved with such violence.
Instead, he hummed thoughtfully.
"Is there anything specific you want to know about from me?" Harry asked.
Itachi looked down, fingers curling slightly over his knees.
"Shisui and I like watching the dragons dance," he admitted. "But we especially like watching when you make the rings of fire to fly through. We're always too far away to see how you do it."
Harry wanted to coo.
Merlin, the boy was so socially awkward and yet so terribly sincere that it was almost painful.
He knew people watched his flights above Konoha. But to know he had such a quiet, avid little admirer perched on a rooftop somewhere?
It made him want to pinch the poor child's cheeks.
Instead he smiled gently and reached over to tap Itachi's chin upward.
Wide black eyes met his.
"Have you ever conjured fire without seals before?" Harry asked.
Itachi shrugged one shoulder. "I've cut out all the seals of the fireball jutsu," he admitted. "I still spend a long time building up the chakra. And I've managed to coat a kunai or two." He hesitated. "But I spend most of my training on other things."
Harry lifted a single finger between them and let a small flame erupt from the tip as easily as breathing.
Itachi's eyes widened at once.
Harry's grin widened in response. "Aside from earth and air, fire has always been the easiest element for me to control. I didn't really know what I was doing at first, but I managed to teach myself anyway."
He spread all the fingers of that hand and lit each one in turn, tiny flames blooming across his fingertips. Then, with a flicker of concentration, he made them jump from one finger to the next in a lazy dance.
Itachi's eyes were utterly transfixed.
"Hover your hand close to the flames," Harry instructed. "What do you feel?"
Itachi moved slowly, cautiously, and held his hand just near enough to feel the heat.
He frowned in concentration.
"It feels like normal fire," he said after a moment. "But how do you not burn yourself?"
Harry laughed softly.
"Oh, I used to burn myself all the time," he admitted. "But over time, my control over fire adapted, and my body became immune in a way. To the heat, at least." He let his fingers curl, still keeping the flames alive. "My… chakra… can protect me from dragon fire if I need it to."
His voice faltered, just for a heartbeat.
Because suddenly he remembered the scent of burning flesh. Holding Dumbledore while Nox set them both aflame, magic roaring in his veins as he willed himself not to burn.
Harry shoved the memory away as he felt bile rise up.
He let the small flames die out and instead conjured a large ball of fire in his palm, the sphere swelling bigger and brighter.
Then he thrust his hand upward and sent it into the air as a sharp jet of flame.
Itachi inhaled softly in awe at the ease and control he showed.
"I can also conjure whips of fire," Harry said. "I find them easier to fight with sometimes, especially if there's more than one enemy."
He got to his feet and held out a hand toward Itachi. "Up you get, stand behind me."
Itachi obeyed at once.
Harry stepped forward, shifted his weight, and with a flex of his wrist, summoned a long whip of fire into being. It cracked through the air with a hiss, bright and vicious and beautiful. He slashed it in front of him once, then again, before snapping it around the trunk of a half-dead tree near the edge of the training ground and pulling his hand back.
The bark caught instantly and the strength of it severed the trunk.
Flames climbed up it in a hungry rush.
Before Itachi could even properly process that, Harry lifted his other hand and sent a clean jet of water into the blaze.
That made Itachi perk up even more.
"You use all the elements without seals?" he asked, open amazement creeping into his voice now.
Harry sent him a grin over his shoulder. "I've never used a seal in my life. I'm fairly sure that's because of my bloodline." He added more gently, "I'm not sure if I can teach you how to do it exactly like me, but I'm willing to try."
Itachi nodded immediately.
Then, after a beat, he asked, "Can I use my Sharingan to watch you do it again?"
Harry, who had heard a little about how it worked, agreed a little curious.
He watched, fascinated, as Itachi's eyes shifted, as black bled into red.
Then little black pinwheels spun gently into place.
Harry nearly leaned closer in interest but didn't want to make Itachi uncomfortable. "What would you like to see first?"
Itachi looked at his hand and said, "can you create another ball of fire in your palm?"
Harry did so at once, not even needing to think about it as the small ball burned brightly in his palm.
Itachi stared at it with such intense concentration, a furrow in his brow showing his confusion.
Harry went through a few more demonstrations.
The longer Itachi watched, the more confused he looked.
Harry, beginning to feel the faint tug of fatigue around the edges of his magic, finally let the last spell flicker out and tilted his head.
"Well?" he asked. "What's the verdict?"
Itachi blinked.
Then, very slowly, he said. "Where is it coming from?"
Harry tilted his head.
Itachi kept staring at his hands. "You—I couldn't see the flow of chakra at all. I don't understand how it can just appear within your hands without the chakra nature being prepared in your body first."
Harry's Ravenclaw curiosity lit up all at once. There had been research papers about how magic powered spells, hadn't there? Theories about magic surging through palms and into wands was a popular one if he remembered right. But to hear that his own simply manifested outside of his body? Was it the same for all Wixen? Or was it because it was wandless magic? He had always imagined his magic following a path through his veins, but it just appearing? Unless Itachi couldn't see the flow of magic like he did chakra.
"Oh, that's interesting." He leaned forward, eyes bright. "What do you normally see when someone uses a jutsu? Shikaku told me the Uchiha don't see the chakra network like the Hyuuga do."
Itachi nodded a little serious. "We don't see the pathways themselves, but we can track the flow of chakra. And the different types of chakra. Our eyes can memorise that flow and mimic any jutsu as long as we have the power and nature for it." He paused. "But, Hari-sama…" His brows drew together. "You didn't use any chakra. I don't understand how that's possible."
Harry went very still for a moment.
Then he smiled gently and asked, "can you keep a secret?"
Itachi's expression narrowed into something sharper. More ninja than child. His eyes, still red, sharpened with focus as he nodded once.
Harry lowered his voice.
"I don't have a chakra network like everyone else," he said quietly. "I have a secondary type of energy that flows through me. A bloodline, if you like. Though I can draw chakra into myself to strengthen my body and make myself faster." He lifted one shoulder. "It's likely you won't ever be able to use fire the exact way I do. But there's nothing wrong with learning and finding your own way." His smile softened. "I can give you a copy of one of my clan's books to read through, if you'd like. It might give you a better grasp of the element."
Itachi's brows furrowed even more deeply.
"But…how are you alive?" he asked worriedly.
Harry only smiled, small and secretive. "I come from a very far-away land beyond the seas. It's not impossible for humans to have evolved differently than they have in the elemental nations. I mean, how do you see chakra? How do the Nara control shadows? The Inuzuka bond with dogs? Some things just don't have an answer."
Itachi nodded once, more determined than ever, and bowed. "Please teach me all you can."
Harry smiled, and conjured another flame in his hand, explaining the process as best he could without ever once using the word magic.
He talked about intent.
About feeling the element rather than forcing it.
About imagining its shape and behaviour first, then letting it go.
About how fire, unlike water or earth, demanded confidence, stronger emotions, unlike the grounded ones he uses for the earth.
Itachi was an avid student. Harry had suspected as much, but even so, he was impressed when the boy managed to create sparks from his fingertips.
Only tiny ones.
But still.
Harry was absurdly proud of him for it.
"That's it," he praised warmly. "Try again. Don't overthink it. Let it come naturally, imgine the heat running through your body and through your hands."
Itachi's ears pinked slightly at the praise, though he kept his face carefully composed.
What Harry didn't realise was that the boy's eyes kept drifting toward his abdomen.
Itachi had missed it before having been so focused on watching the fire, but a small ball of chakra flickered there, bright and pure and untouched by any of the usual elemental taints.
It felt familiar.
Looked familiar.
His confusion deepened the longer he watched.
Then, abruptly, his eyes widened.
He sent a bewildered look toward Harry, who was still smiling at him and praising his progress.
Itachi felt himself flush once more, embarrassed by the genuine kind praise.
But even as he did, one thought chased itself through his mind.
His eyes flicked once more to Harry's stomach.
Then up to his face.
Hari-sama was a man…
…right?