Old Friends

~~~~~~~~~Chap. 10

Sasuke's and Sakura's jaws dropped. Then Sasuke narrowed his eyes, activating the
Sharingan. Pulling a kunai from his holster, he lunged at the man before him.

Instantly, Naruto was standing in front of him, arms stretched wide. At the same
time, Kakashi grabbed the back of his shirt, halting his forward motion. Sasuke
snarled, "Out of the way, Uzumaki. Kakashi, let me go." Neither moved.

Itachi walked up behind the blond and gave him a peck on the cheek. "Welcome home,
Naruto-koi. I see you brought some guests."

Naruto turned to face the long haired raven and kiss his daughter. "I kinda ran into
them while shopping." He gave a rueful laugh. "They insisted on following me home."
He looked over his shoulder at the four from Konoha. Miko excused herself and went
home. Naruto pointed to the living room. "Have a seat. I'll fix us something to
eat. Itachi, can you help me?" Not giving the man a chance to reply, he headed into
the kitchen.

Itachi followed after a last glance at his brother. "Why did you bring them here?" he
whispered.

Naruto didn't look happy, either. "I ran into them, literally. We came out of this
shop and, BAM!, I was on the ground staring up at Sasuke. He's seen my Sexy no Jutsu
before, but I didn't think he'd remember what it looked like. Anyway, they told me
either they take me back, unwilling, or we all come back here for my family, and go
back willingly. What was I supposed to do? Besides, there was no way I was going to
miss Fushigi's first birthday!" He was quiet for a while as he began to prepare a
light meal for everyone. "I did warn Kakashi about you, though."

Itachi set the baby on the floor so he could help with the food. He watched as she
crawled out of the kitchen and headed for the living room.

Both men winced slightly at the squeal from Sakura. "Kyaaa! Look! She's so cute!
Hey, Naruto! Is she walking yet?"

Glancing at Itachi and receiving a nod, the blond walked away to talk with his former
teammates and keep an eye on the baby. He smiled at the scene before him. Fushigi
had crawled over to Sasuke and was pulling herself upright by holding onto his
pantleg. Sasuke looked torn between getting far away from the child, and picking her
up. Unable to contain himself, Naruto began to chuckle. "Oi, Teme. She doesn't
bite. Go ahead; say hello to your niece."

"Hn." Sasuke glared at the blond. Then he reached down and picked her up, setting
her in his lap. "So. You have a dobe for a father; I feel sorry for you. At least,
you have a great ninja for an uncle. That's something you can be proud of." He
glanced at Naruto to see how the baka reacted to his words.

It was predictable; just like old times.

"Teme, don't call me that!" Naruto marched over to the chair where the Uchiha was
holding his daughter. He glared at the younger Uchiha.

Sasuke smirked. "What are you going to do about it, Usuratonkachi?" His face
suddenly became blank, as he stared over Naruto's shoulder at something.

Naruto turned to see what Sasuke was looking at with such coldness. Itachi had just
entered the room with a tray of food for their 'guests'. Turning back to the younger
raven, he was just in time to stop him as Sasuke shoved the baby into Sakura's arms
and drew a kunai. Killing intent emanated throughout the room. Grabbing his former
teammate's arm, he flung him back onto the couch. Kakashi was instantly next to the
boy, holding him in place. Sakura had backed into a wall to keep the baby safe. Sai
sat in a chair just observing the interactions.

"Well, Otouto. It looks like you are still weak. What are you going to do now?"
Itachi was smirking now. He knew his brother wouldn't be allowed to touch him here.
Maybe it was time to tell the real reason behind the killing of the clan. If Sasuke
wanted to kill him afterwards, he would let the boy try.

Snarling, Sasuke fought unsuccessfully to rise. He gave up after a while, giving his
patented Uchiha Death Glare to his brother. "Why?" he asked. "Why did you kill
everyone? Mother? Father? Why let me live? You put me through HELL!" he screeched.

Giving the younger Uchiha a pitying look, Itachi set the tray on the table, and sat
down in front of his brother. "You were innocent. Father and the rest wanted to kill
Naruto. Mother went along with his decision. I couldn't let them do it. He was my
friend." He paused, waiting on Sasuke's reaction to this. Sasuke remained silent, so
he continued. "What they planned also would have killed you."

"Would have...killed...me? I don't understand." Sasuke now wore a stunned look of horror on his face, an expression mirrored on the faces of Kakashi, Sakura, and Naruto. Sai was expressionless, as usual.

"It is for Naruto to decide if he wants his secret known." Itachi looked askance at
the blond. A nod in permission, and he went on with his tale. "Naruto is the
container for Kyuubi no Kitsune." A loud gasp, quickly stifled, from Sakura met this
statement. Sasuke gave the blond an appraising glance before turning back to Itachi.

"It was sealed within him when he was new-born, because only a newborn would be able
to handle the demon's chakra and survive. The elders of our clan wanted power; they
proposed removing the kyuubi from Naruto and sealing it inside you. Father agreed in
order to make our clan the strongest. It would have killed you; you were too old."
He lapsed into silence to let his words sink in. Nobody made a sound. After several
minutes, he finished with, "Removing the demon would have killed Naruto."

The blond's tan face had lost all color; he ran from the room, and all could hear him
retching loudly in the bathroom. When he didn't return, Itachi went to check on him.
He found the teen lying on the floor unconscious. Scooping him into his arms, Itachi
carried him to their room, laying him gently on their bed. The rest of the group
crowded in after him.

In a hushed whisper, Sakura asked, "What's wrong with Naruto?"

Worry clouded the elder Uchiha's face, something that puzzled Sasuke. So his brother
really did have emotions, and he cared for Naruto. Jealousy flared. Naruto was his
friend; his! He pushed to the bedside, to get a good look at the dobe. Something was
definitely wrong with the blond: his face was pale and his breathing shallow. Sasuke
didn't remember Naruto ever being sick before. Indeed, even wounds had always healed
at a miraculous rate, never becoming infected. The young Uchiha now guessed it was
the kyuubi's influence. But why wasn't kyuubi healing him now?

Sakura walked up beside the Uchihas and handed the baby to Itachi. Concentrating her
chakra, she scanned Naruto for a possible cause for his sudden illness. She started
back. No, it was impossible! Naruto couldn't... She scanned him again to make sure.
Backing away from the bed, she stared wide-eyed around the room, eyes finally coming
to rest on Itachi. Shaking her head, she fled the room. She couldn't tell him.
There was no way! She had to think. She headed outside for some fresh air.

Those in the room stared after the kunoichi, perplexed by her attitude. Then Kakashi
ushered Sai and Sasuke back to the living room, leaving Itachi to care for the blond.

Itachi put Fushigi to bed, then undressed Naruto, leaving him in his boxers. He
pulled the blankets over his lover, placed a kiss on his forehead and went to join his
guests.

Kakashi looked up as the elder Uchiha entered the room. "Itachi, has this ever
happened before, that you know of? Miko-san told me he was sick yesterday and this
morning as well. Why isn't the kyuubi doing anything to help him?"

Itachi was at a loss. He hated feeling this way, not being in control, not knowing
what was going on. That pink-haired girl knew what was wrong; he was positive. He
left the house without a word to find answers.

Sakura hadn't gone far. She sat leaning against a tree in the front yard, almost as
if she had been waiting for him. When he took a seat next to her, she spoke.
"Itachi-san, how did you get Fushigi?"

The question surprised him. He turned to stare at the young woman's profile. "It was
during a storm late last fall. Her mother passed out on our doorstep and Naruto took
her in. After giving birth, the woman died. No one knew who she was, so we have
raised her as our own. Why is this important?"

Sakura glanced at him, then at the ground at her feet. "So, she isn't really yours.
If you were to have one of your own, would you still love her? Treat her any
differently?"

What strange questions. Itachi closed his eyes and leaned his head against the tree
trunk. Would his feelings change? He didn't think so, but it was a moot point. He
and Naruto were both men; they could never have a child of their own. Opening his
eyes, he stared at the woman, who stared right back. "What is wrong with Naruto?" he
asked in a monotone.

Sakura figgeted. "I'm only an apprentice medic-nin, but Naruto seems to have a growth
in his belly. My shishou is one of the Legendary Sannin, and is the best medic-nin
around. I think he should be taken back to Konoha for her to look at him. She would
be able to tell exactly what the growth is, and how to treat him. But it's up to you.
You're still an S-ranked missing-nin, wanted for murdering your clan." She sat
quietly, letting her words sink in. If the older Uchiha really cared for Naruto, he
would agree to sending the blond home. Whether Itachi accompanied them, only he could
decide. Standing, she gave the Uchiha a last look before returning to the warmth of
the house.

~~~~~~

The day dawned bright and cold. The sound of retching filled the house, rousing
everyone from sleep. Itachi rushed to the bathroom and helplessly watched his love
empty his stomach over and over again. He made his decision: tomorrow, they would all
head north for Konoha. He couldn't lose Naruto, not when he was finally happy. Not
when he had a family he loved. Yes, loved. After all the years of knowing only hate,
Naruto had taught him to love. He couldn't lose that! Wouldn't! They would
celebrate their daughter's birthday, and he would ask Miko to look after the house.
If they didn't return, she could sell it and keep the money. As the last of the
heaving stopped, Itachi wet a towel and wiped off Naruto's face.

Naruto took the towel thankfully. He glanced up at the Uchiha sheepishly. "Gomen. I
don't know what's wrong. I must have caught a cold on our trip."

Itachi hid his worry and stared at the blond dispassionately. "We leave tomorrow
morning. We're going back to Konoha. No arguments. There is a doctor there that can
help you." There was steel in his voice. 'I hope.' he thought. "Now, if you're
done, we have a party to get ready for, and guests to tend to." He left Naruto gaping
at his no-nonsense tone, as he walked out.

Naruto perked up as the day progressed and they began to make preparations for the
upcoming party. Naruto chattered on happily about how his daughter's birthday party
was going to be the best ever, to anyone who would listen. Fushigi actually took her
first steps that day, delighting everybody. Naruto was thrilled.

Itachi watched the two with an uncharacteristic smile on his face. He was enjoying
himself. Naruto seemed to be back to his old self, talking non-stop and happy to be
with friends. Fushigi was learning to walk. Life was good. Then a slight frown
marred his brow. Naruto appeared to be well now, but Itachi hadn't forgotten what
he'd heard the night before. Naruto had a growth in his belly and the kyuubi wasn't
able to cure it. He really didn't like the idea of returning to his old home. No
doubt, he would be tried and convicted of murder. Then what would happen to his loved
ones? He was sure Sasuke and Kakashi would look after them, but it did little to ease
his mind. He shrugged; he'd worry about that when the time came. For now, there were
things to do of a happier nature.

The party went off without a hitch. Children ran around screaming with laughter until
they were shooed outdoors by harried parents. The refreshments were delicious, and
the sake flowed like water. Every guest had brought a present for the one-year-old.
Miko had made her a dress to match her eyes and Naruto had immediately put it on the
little toddler. To the astonishment of the blond, Fushigi hugged him, saying loudly,
"Da-da." Naruto had tears in his eyes as he stared first at her, then at Itachi, who
smiled proudly. His hard work had paid off. The look on Naruto's face was priceless.
The night ended after the cake was cut and everyone had eaten their fill.

Itachi had pulled Miko aside earlier and told her of their plans. As she and her
family left, she gave Naruto an extra large hug, telling him it would be all right.

Itachi closed the door after the last of the neighbors left and turned to see the
blond looking pale again. He sent him to bed, stating that he would clean up. With a
last look at the other nins, the blond meekly agreed.

They left early the next morning for the long trip home. Thankfully, Naruto showed no
signs of illness this morning. He was actually hyper, and bounced around saying how
he couldn't wait to see Iruka-sensei again. He asked all sorts of questions about
people Itachi didn't know, but assumed had been classmates. They made very good time
that day.

~~~~~~

The gates of Konoha finally appeared before them. It had been a long journey, made
longer by Naruto's problem. There had been a few days when they didn't move at all
due to the blond being incapacitated. Those days had been the most stressful on the
group. Sasuke fumed, and Itachi glowered when he wasn't casting worried looks at the
blond.

They were met by an entire squad of ANBU, there to take Uchiha Itachi into custody.
Naruto had to be restrained from attacking them. Kakashi spoke with the leader of the
team, and they agreed to escort them to see the Hokage. Whispers followed their path
to the tower as the villagers realized who the two strangers were. Knocking on the
Hokage's door, the ANBU leader opened it and stood back for the others to enter.

"What's the meaning of this?!" Naruto saw a buxom blond sitting behind the Hokage's
desk, glaring at the intrusion. Her eyebrows shot up to her hairline as she saw the
three strangers. The blond she would know anywhere; he looked so much like the late
Yondaime. The tall dark-haired man looked alot like Sasuke; this must be Uchiha
Itachi. So...Kakashi and his team had finally found them. But why wasn't the Uchiha
bound? He was a missing-nin, for Kami's sake. Dangerous. "This had better be good,
Kakashi," she growled.

For the next several hours, Tsunade questioned both Itachi and Naruto, occasionally
asking for clarification on some point, and verification from the others. She called
a halt when Fushigi started to get fussy. "Shizune, take this child and deal with it.
Feed it, clean it, whatever. You two," she said, glaring at the missing-nins. "Where
on earth did you get a baby? Why?! It's not what I'd expect of either of you."

Naruto started to speak, but before he got more than a few words out, his face drained
of color, his eyes rolled back, and he slid to the floor. Instantly, he was
surrounded by worried nins.

"Tsunade-shishou, this is why they returned. Naruto is ill, and we need your
expertise," Sakura explained in a rush.

Medical training coming to the fore, Tsunade had them carry the unconscious teen to
her examination room. After he was laid out on the bed, she shoved the other males
out, shutting the door, keeping Sakura with her. "Tell me," was all she said.

Sakura took a deep breath and told her sensei what had been going on, and what she had
found when she examined Naruto. Tsunade ran her own scan and came to the same
conclusion, as impossible as it was. She placed her hands over the boy's body and
sent healing chakra through his system. Once he awoke, she called Itachi into the
room.

After quickly checking to make sure the young blond was okay, Itachi turned an
expectant gaze on the Godaime.

She quirked an eyebrow at him as she smiled almost nastily. She was going to relish
their reactions. "Congratulations. Naruto's pregnant."

Stunned looks passed between the two young men before they both promptly fainted.


~~~~~~~~~~
A/N: So, what did you think? Personally never had morning sickness, but knew people who got sick all the time from pregnancy. What did you think of Sasuke's reaction?
Read and review ppl!