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myaekingheart · 4 years

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The Hazards of Love

Part 2: The Consequence

@naruto-fantasy-week Day 2: Mythical / Monstrous [Kakashi Hatake x Rei Natsuki (OC)] Sometimes fate has a funny way of bringing people together. And sometimes Mother Nature has a funny way of ripping them apart. [Inspired by the Hazards of Love by The Decemberists] read on AO3 CW for some violence, esp. involving a pregnant woman.

PS: F*ck Danzo lmfao

That fateful night in the woods prompted a devout rendezvous between Rei and Kakashi. Every night, they sprawled across the ground to speak of books and study the stars. When she was cold, he would wrap her in that cloak she gave him and held her close. When she dozed off, he would braid flowers into her tangled hair and caress her cheek and surveil whatever dangers might threaten her peace. He refused to consider the forest’s disapproval, spying eyes on them always. No, when he was with her, everything was peaceful and right.

The first winds of autumn had swept through the village when Rei was finally confronted. Rumors swirled like falling leaves about where she went every night, of what felonies she was committing. Her housemates would poke her with their chopsticks at breakfast, desperate for answers. That was the trouble with living in a commune such as this: everyone knew everyone else’s business. And whatever they did not know, they were liable to drag out by any means necessary.

At first, their questions were easy to dodge. Rei would brush them off and just say she had gone out hunting. She was sure an excuse like that would please Danzo. Then the sickness came.

Rei was beginning to run out of excuses for why she was oversleeping or grew dizzy during sparring matches. Her comrades scrutinized her as she shuffled down hallways, concealing her waistline with large books. She no longer made eye contact or argued. That fiery spirit of hers had been extinguished by the consequences of her actions. Their suspicions reached a fever pitch until one night at dinner, clasping her hand over her mouth as she silently excused herself. Danzo watched her bolt into the hallway with a furious gaze. He could no longer avoid it. Something had to be done.

Rei could feel his sinister presence as she caught her breath, swallowing back whatever was prepared to come up. Danzo stepped out of the shadows, lips taut and face stony. “You and I need to have a talk” he said and in his voice, she detected the grit of a growing threat.

“If you don’t mind, I’m kind of busy right now” Rei croaked. She smoothed her hair back and attempted to push past him. She may have avoided vomiting now but she knew it was only a matter of time before her digestive system sought revenge.

Danzo, however, could not have cared less what was convenient for her. He watched her over his shoulder, smirking as he asked, “Running late for another sexual escapade?”

Rei froze in her spot, her heart leaping into her throat. It took all of ten seconds for her shock to transform into offense. “Excuse me…?” she asked, voice sharp and cold as steel.

A smug smile touched Danzo’s face as he turned to face her. “Don’t act so dumb” he replied. “I know what you do when you sneak out every night. It’s as clear to me as your expanding waistline.”

Rei’s hand automatically flew to her stomach in defense. “You’ve been spying on me” she accused.

“It doesn’t take a prophet to understand a woman’s sins” Danzo replied. “I can only hope you’re prepared for the consequences of your whoring around.” Rei’s entire body grew clammy as she watched him hobble nearer. She willed herself to move but it was no use. Danzo reached forward and gripped her forearm, sneering in her face. “You think you’re so clever but your disobedience will be the death of you. I aim to run a respectable establishment here and refuse to let you dirty the water with your promiscuity. To think, a pregnant assassin. Disgusting. I just wonder what irascible blackguard is the father?”

The insinuation of Kakashi’s villainy was the last straw. How dare he? Newfound fury bubbled up deep inside Rei as she growled, “The only blackguard here is you.” She broke free of Danzo’s grip and turned to return to her room but her actions, of course, did not come without punishment.

Seething, Danzo reached for her again and tugged her back hard, causing Rei to stumble to the ground. She screamed and flailed in an effort to break free but her only success was attracting the attention of her comrades. They peered through doorways and down stairwells, none daring to interfere as Danzo dragged Rei into the foyer. “You have disrespected me for the last time” he snarled, unlocking the front door. A cold gust of wind burst down the hall, the sky overhead dark and dreary. “I hope the wolves provide ample punishment!” he shouted as he then shoved Rei out into the wilderness.

She coughed violently as she connected with the ground, the door slamming hard behind her. From the windows, she could feel her comrades’ watchful eyes, the way they judged her. The thought of their pity made her nauseous. She nearly shouted for them to fuck themselves as she rose to her feet, but thought better of it. There was nothing more to be done of the situation now. She did not look back as she steadied herself and began her descent into the unforgiving woods. She only had one goal and one goal only: to find Kakashi.

Rei moved slowly as she squinted into the darkness. The moonlight contorted the trees so much so that if she didn’t know any better, she’d say the forest itself was transforming around her. Every crack of a twig and hoot of an owl left her uncharacteristically on edge. The only thing with any potential to soothe her was the stirring inside her belly, though even that was a loaded feeling. She rested her hand upon that small bump as she traversed the wilds, wondering what kind of world she was bringing this child into. A world where men exercised no sympathy and nature itself was cruel and intimidating. Perhaps she deserved it, though. The further she trekked, the guiltier she felt about the way she had handled this whole situation. Everything had begun so beautifully and yet when she discovered what had become of her, she hid within her shame. She kept her distance, she erected impenetrable walls. She knew Kakashi felt her restraint. She could see it in his eyes, the way she’d flinch whenever his fingers brushed against her thigh. She hadn’t had the strength yet to tell him about the baby. Now, however, he would have to know.

The snapping of jaws in the distance stirred Rei from her thoughts, her hand flying to the dagger at her thigh. In times such as this, she was grateful to at least be armed with that much. If only she had thought to grab a pair of shoes while she was at it. The rocks and bugs were cruel to her bare feet, already swelling from the extra weight. And when her scattered brain convinced her that she had passed the same tree four times already, her hope truly began to wear thin. It was no use.

Sighing, Rei settled down at the base of a large tree and wrapped her arms around her belly, squeezing her eyes shut tight in an effort to prevent herself from crying. “Please…” she whispered into the ether, “Please just bring him to me. Tell Kakashi that I’m here. Someone. I beg of you…”

She knew it was pointless but she was at wit’s end. There was nothing to lose. A soft breeze brushed against her cheek, a flurry of dying leaves cascading down the dirt pathways. The unborn child shifted inside of her and Rei finally allowed herself to break down.

The mere mention of Rei’s name sent Kakashi hurtling. He dropped everything to follow her scent, darting through the forest with his heart pounding in his ears. He transformed as he went, claws shortening into dirty fingernails and fangs shrinking into a human mouth. Her cape fluttered behind him, untying it from his neck as his paws became hands so as to transfer it to his waist. With every steadfast step, a silent prayer. Don’t touch her. The canopy of the trees overhead was suffocating. The forest was watching.

And then he found her, knees drawn up and head buried in her hands. His heart broke for her. “Rei…”

The moment she heard his voice, her head snapped up and a yelp escaped her lips. He ran to her, wrapping his arms around her, letting her cry into the crook of his neck. He petted her hair and whispered encouragements to calm her. He had forgotten how incredible it felt to hold her, and yet he could tell that something wasn’t quite right.

Kakashi waited for her to catch her breath before he began asking questions. The most pressing was the simple, “What is going on?”

Rei fought the urge to break down again as she mustered the strength to explain. “I felt so sick and ashamed of myself, I-I couldn’t bring myself to look at you but then everyone found out and—and I got kicked out and…” she stammered, until finally she couldn’t take it anymore. With shaky breaths, she reached for his hand and pressed it to her belly. The baby replied with a light kick straight to his palm. Rei sobbed and turned her head away from him, bracing herself for the aftermath.

Kakashi blinked, his eyes widening, as he comprehended what, exactly, was going on. He wasn’t sure if he truly believed it. And even if it was real, how could she be so sure that this was his doing? Of course, if he was not responsible, then that would mean she was unfaithful which he also could not stand. But kneeling there, his hand pressed to her stomach, deep down he knew this was unmistakably his. He laughed an airy, incredulous little laugh as he forced the words out of his mouth. He almost felt as if saying it would confirm that it was real. “Rei…” he whispered. “You’re…you’re pregnant…”

Sniffling back tears, Rei nodded and Kakashi could feel her grip tighten around his hand. Her fear was almost palpable but he did not want her to be afraid. Cupping her cheek, he gently turned her head to face him and pressed his lips to hers in a sweet, passionate kiss. She restrained herself at first but once she was certain the act was genuine, she fell into it naturally and the stress melted away all at once. When they broke the kiss, he pressed his forehead to hers and ran his fingers through her fiery hair. She wiped her eyes and asked, “So you’re not upset with me?”

“How could I be?” Kakashi asked. “I’m going to be a father. Our own little family. I couldn’t ask for more.” Rei fought back another round of tears, this time of relief and happiness. He wiped them away with his thumb and held her close and in those moments, he had never felt more protective of her. She was the embodiment of his future, the harbinger for the rest of his life. His lips brushed against the tip of her nose as he whispered, “No more crying now. Everything is going to be alright. I promise. So long as you’re with me, I’ll never let anything happen to you. Or our child. I’ll keep you safe and take care of you. Both of you.”

Rei laughed tearfully, drawing him closer so as to press her lips hard against his. He held her close, hand always pressed to her belly, as he cuddled her to sleep. Just watching her filled him with an insane, unadulterated gratitude. His love for her was so vast, so uncontainable, he could hardly handle it. He brushed the hair out of her face and rubbed tiny circles across that small bump, envisioning a secluded cottage in the woods where they could spend their days gardening and reading and raising their little family. It was all so idyllic, so pure. If he hadn’t known any better, he would’ve even argued it unattainable. But not with her. With Rei, anything was possible. He had never imagined he could ever love and be loved in this way and yet here he was. All because of her. Her love for him gave him strength and purpose. He had never known such love, the volume of which was undeniably reflected in the little life stirring inside of her. They were going to be a family and for once in his life, Kakashi was at peace.

#naruto fantasy week #kakashi hatake #rei natsuki #the scarecrow and the bell #the hazards of love #naruto #naruto oc #fanfiction

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oldhusbandstales · 4 years

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I lived in the Metro-Detroit area for about 2½ decades before moving to rural Michigan.

Immediately I noticed things are behind the times here (besides the obvious out-of-date fashion and homely men, that is)

~The suicide rate here is very high

~gun-ownership rate among here is very high . I've been shot at 2 times in my own backyard. This is from ignorant gun owners who are playing around with guns in their own yard. Possibly skeet shooting or target practicing. Not caring a bullet travels far. I've never even seen a gun IRL when I was back in the Metropolitan area. And I never heard gunshots there eather. I hear gunshots at least once per week here in the sticks. I'm scared to walk out in my own backyard.

~The drug use rate is extremely high

~POC are in much danger here. The 'n' word is used frequently and I hear jokes about lynching and to'send them back to to where they came from' (all coming from the whites)

~Domestic abuse (child abuse, spousal abuse) is common

~Surprisingly, there is so much incest here. I thought this was just a stereotype, but I've heard case after case of it (this is father-to-daughter relationships. I haven't heard of any mother-to-son cases yet)

~Women are slut-shamed and body-shamed more here. They are also assumed to not be working outside the home, if they're in a co-habitational relationship.

~People of the LGBTQIA+ community are also in danger here. People are very backwards about sex and gender. I've also heard many demeaning things about people of this community (esp. if it's men who don't subscribe to the 'traditional' hetero cis-male stereotype). I've heard life threats from those who oppose people of the community.

~Nonchristians are demeaned too. SO are pro-choicers. Obama supporters. Demeaned to the point of fear. I would know. I'm a pro-choice, ultra-liberal, socialist atheist. Constantly proselytized to in public, laughing at my answers of 'I don't know' to questions of how life began and what happens when we die.

~Negative epithets are used for those who descend of nonwhite or non-U.S.A. heritage. Also epithets used for those of the LGBTQIA+ community.

~Addiction is rampant here. Especially now with internet access. People here are truly addicted to their screens. Gaming and online gambling. Another big addiction is meth and pain medicines.

~Let me say . . . the men here are very lazy when it comes to household chores. It's still presumed that women will be the main contributers to the care of the children and the daily routine chores of the house. And at gatherings, hardly any of the men contribute to getting the meal out on the table (and the women are condemned for not joining in the kitchen work and table-setting. This is true also when it comes to clean-up after the party. The men sit around talking like they did when the women were in the kitchen getting the meal made while the women are washing the dishes and wiping down the tables and making sure all the Tupperware gets to the right owner.)

~People here are just plain mentally and physically lazy. The obesity rate is through the roof. And people seem to have no ambition to utilize the resources around them to make themselves better. I started a FB page dedicated to the Home-Based businesses in my area and only ONE person regularly posts on there. I share posts that other business owners post on their business page and they thank me for it, but they don't use the page I started to promote their business. I even have people who will message me with links to their page or other's pages so I can share them on the page I run!!! I repeatedly tell them to share the posts directly ON the page themselves. I don't have time to run my own business AND theirs!!! This doesn't help any . . . no matter how many times I tell them.

Today I decided to quit running the page. It'll stay up for the ONE person who shares their business on the page.

And people decide to close their indie stores at 5 P.M. even though most people are still at work! They'd rather be open 9 -5 with little traffic than open later and stay later to catch those after-work consumers. And they don't open on Sunday! And they close early (most close around 1 P.M.) on Saturday!

~ For those with mental health issues, this place is the pits for treatment. The poverty level here is great, the public transport is nonexistent in the rural area and even most 'cities'. This means that few people have the resources to receive the so-needed treatment. Not having a way to get to the health center is the biggest barrier to receiving treatment here.

Medical resources are limited too. The hospitals don't have the finances or population to justify alot of the modern technology.

~ Non-patriotic people need to keep their mouth shut otherwise . . . . .

~ This place actually has one of those 'Nosy People of [enter backwards city here]' pages. And the word 'nosy' is misspelled on the title page! Get this: That page has 70X more members (this means that most participants aren't even from the area, considering the population is <3,000). For those of you who don't know, these 'Nosy' pages are pages that encourage nonsense-starting. The only thing prohibited is threats of violence (and only because it's against FB TOU and the page will get shut down if this isn't expressly stated).

I'm not a member of this page or any other 'Nosy' page. But from what I've heard from others who are members, the people on the page start rumors, use derogatory epithets for those non-conforming to traditional white christian hierarchy. And the mods won't ban anyone unless they specifically threaten violence on another member OR if a member complains about truthiness of a claim or verbiage used in a post or comment (the member who complains is banned, not the one who used the racial slur or started the lie).

In other words, more people are ready to talk smack about people than help each other. I've talked to many people who admit they are members of this 'Nosy' page and every single one claims they don't join in on the drama. They claim they're only there to keep up with local news [UGH

Now I'm from the Metropolitan area. I moved around through various places there. I've tried looking up 'Nosy' pages in every city I lived in or heard of in the Metro area. I haven't found a single one.

Most of the 'cities' in this rural area (the term 'city' is used loosely) have a 'Nosy' page. These pages aren't run by city officials. They're run by the a few of the citizens.

~ My first sexual assault happened here. And it was by someone who, at one time, decades ago, was elected mayor! And this skank told me he did it because he thought that's what I wanted! And when I complained to other men about the assault, the just laughed and said "hee hee. That DOES sound like something old Willard would do. hee hee" !!!!!!!!!!!! THAT'S the reaction a woman gets here when she tells someone that she's been assaulted ?!

Again, a couple decades of the Metro area and never assaulted, raped, carjacked, mugged, robbed, or murdered (not even once). Yet now I'm having to walk around with pepper spray in my own driveway (yep, that's where the assault happened . . . in my own driveway. )

~ And don't get me started about how people don't fix their cats here. The dogs run wild (got many of my chickens killed by someone's dog they just let out their unfenced-in yard), and my neighbour's dog almost attacked ME while I was coming back to the house after retrieving the mail. The other neighbour's dog had me pinned in my ditch once.

~ Rabies is an issue here too. Not many people get their animals the rabies shot. And their's more exposure to wild animals that might have rabies (bats, raccoons, coyotes, etc.)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I constantly hear from people here how dangerous it is the the Detroit area.

For the above reasons ~and more, but my rant went on long enough~ I would greatly disagree. And I'm so irked by constantly hearing how safe it is here compared to the urban areas that, had I had the money to do so, I'd move BACK to Eastpointe or other Metro area just to picket with my pocketbook.

#metropolitan areas are better #i hate rural living

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