When music melts the heart

Hi Minna,

First of all I want to thank everyone who reviewed.

I'm happy to say that my beta has finished this chapter.
Thank you so much Angelic memories.
I hope you'll enjoy reading this chapter as much as
I enjoyed writing it.

I'm still working on chapter 10, but at the moment real life is
very busy so don't expect it any time soon.

Oh and I wanted to tell you that I decided to started giving Hiroki dialogue,
wich will be the underlined text. So when you read that keep in mind that
it is not spoken, but written in the palm of the hand or expressed in sign language.

Please keep reviewing.

Now on with the story.


Chapter 9

They arrived about twenty minutes later at the estate. Both Naruto and Hiroki looked like their
eyes could pop out of their sockets any second.

Itachi led them up to the front door, which was opened immediately by one of the maids. The
raven allowed his two guests go in first and led them to the parlor. They were just about to sit
down when Sasuke came in.

“Ah Sasuke, I’d like you to meet my boyfriend Naruto. Naruto this is my younger brother
Sasuke.” Naruto put out his hand, the stoic man took it, looked him over and Hned.

“And this shy little fellow is Hiroki.” Hiroki put out his hand too and Sasuke shook it.The raven
saw a boy with spiky, auburn hair. He let his eyes wonder lower and was really shocked by the
scarring on the boy’s face.

He made sure no emotion was reflected on his face and said; “Hello Hiroki it’s a pleasure to
meet you,” but his mind was in real turmoil. ‘What sick bastard would do this to a child, no one
in their right mind would.’ His blood started to boil with the thought of someone intentionally
harming this innocent boy. He really had trouble controlling himself upon seeing the seven year
old. Even after what Itachi told him about the boy, he wasn’t expecting this. His face looked like
something straight out of a horror movie.

“I’ll inform the cook that we are ready for dinner,” Sasuke said leaving the room.

“Is he always this talkative?” Naruto asked out pure curiosity.

“Actually no, normally he speaks less,” Itachi answered. Naruto just gawked at him.

Sasuke walked to the kitchen to announce they were ready for dinner. He really needed the
walk to cool down. He was still very shaken by the appearance of the little boy. He had also
noticed the whisker like scars on Naruto, but those somehow made him look sexy and
somewhat fox like and didn’t bother him as much.

He couldn’t help but feel sorry for the seven year old and was glad Itachi had brought him up to
date on the boy’s background. He took a few deep breaths and walked back in to the parlor,
where the three others still were.

He looked over to the sofa where they were seated. He was amazed by what he saw. Itachi was
sitting in the middle of the sofa, on his right side sat Naruto snuggled close to him and on his lap
sat the boy, who held one of Itachi’s hands in his little one and was writing something his the palm.

Somehow it looked like a perfect little family. His breath caught at seeing the soft look in Itachi’s
eyes. A look caused by this blonde man and the small child.

“I don’t know, you should ask Sasuke,” Itachi said, looking up at said man.

“Should ask me what Aniki?” he asked walking further in the room.

Hiroki looked first to Itachi then Naruto, feeling uneasy to approach Sasuke. Naruto gave him a
reassuring smile and Itachi nudged him towards his otouto.

Hiroki slowly walked over to Sasuke and held out his little hand. Being the genius he is, he
understood that the boy wanted his hand so he could write down his question. So he gave him
his hand and concentrated on the letters and putting them together to form words and finally, a
sentence.

“Yeah sure, I’ll watch a movie with you guys.” Somehow he found it very hard to tell the boy no.
He looked over the 7 year old`s head to his brother and Naruto. Itachi gave him a small smile
and Naruto mouthed ‘Thank you’.

Just then the maid came to inform them that dinner was being served. They walked to the
dining room where Naruto took a seat next to Itachi. Hiroki shuffled about, not really sure were
he was supposed to sit.

“Hiroki, why don’t sit next to me? ” Sasuke asked the shy little boy. He bent down to his ear and
whispered not so softly; “That way, if you don’t like dinner I can help you get rid of it.” Hiroki
nodded grinning at the normally stoic man and took his seat next to him.

During dinner the conversations varied from music to life stories of each of them. Itachi was
amazed by his otouto. On any other occasion it would take a miracle to get him this opened up
and relaxed, with other people. Well that miracle happened to arrive in the form of these two
angels.

After dinner Itachi suggested to have coffee in the garden, seeing it was such a warm and
inviting evening, so the company of four set out to the garden.

In the middle of the insanely big garden was a huge gazebo. It was almost like a living room,
except for the open walls. They sat down on the couches, Naruto next to Itachi and Hiroki next
to Sasuke. Coffee was served a few moments later and they resumed conversations again.

Hiroki walked over to Naruto and said in their own little sign language that he wished Naruto
had brought along his violin.

“Yes, it would have been nice playing something for you here,” he agreed.

Sasuke looked over to Itachi and smirking he said; “If you’ll excuse me, I’ll be right back,” and
walked back to the house.

Fifteen minutes later he was back with a case in his hands. Itachi started smirking at seeing the
case, remembering how his mother had tried to get Sasuke to play the instrument. “My mother
bought me this violin in hopes of getting me to play it. I tried for a couple of months, but let’s
just say it isn’t my thing.” He shuddered thinking of the woman his parents had hired to teach
him how to play.

Naruto took the case from him and opened it. Inside was a good as new violin with a little dust
on it. In the lid he found some sheet music. He took it out and started to check how badly it
needed tuning, he sighed. He started tuning the instrument and after finishing he grabbed the
bow and stood up.

Sasuke and Hiroki took a seat next to Itachi on the couch and Naruto walked to a spot opposite
his audience. He put the violin to rest on his shoulder and thought for a few moments, then
started playing. He had decided to play Debussy’s ‘Beau soir’ which means Beautiful evening.

The music surrounded the three listeners and they each felt like being softly caressed by its
soothing sound. The brothers watched in aw how Hiroki closed his eyes, lifted his head towards
the sky and started swaying gently to the music, looking like a little angel.

After Naruto finished he received a modest applause from his audience and he bowed to thank them.

Hiroki asked Itachi if he had a piece of paper and a pencil. Itachi opened a drawer of the coffee
table and gave him a notepad and a pen. Hiroki started scribbling something down and after
finishing it gave it to Itachi to read.

He read out loud; ”When Naruto has taught me how to play the violin I will play for you
and Sasuke- oniisan .” Both Uchiha’s smiled fondly at the boy.

“We would love to hear you play, Hiroki.” It was Sasuke who answered.

“Well, I think it is time we went inside. On the way in we can grab some snacks and then pick
out a movie to watch,” Itachi said.

“Sounds like a great idea,” Naruto said putting the violin back in its case and handing it back to Sasuke.

They walked back to the house, Hiroki walking hand in hand with Naruto and Itachi. Sasuke
walked behind them, watching the two men swinging a grinning Hiroki in the air between them.

‘They really look like a happy family. Somehow Naruto and Hiroki bring out the best in aniki and I
can feel them doing the same with me.’ He was startled out of his thinking when he felt a hand
grab his and tugging on it gently. He looked down to see Hiroki smiling at him. He closed his
hand around the little boy’s and together the walked into the house.

Inside they decided that Naruto and Itachi we’re going to make the popcorn and some finger
sandwiches, while Sasuke and Hiroki would gather snacks and drinks. With their arms full they
walked over to the living room with the big TV screen.

Itachi took the little boy to a cabinet containing all kinds of movies. After looking over many
titles Hiroki picked out Transformers, because that was a really cool movie. Itachi put the disc in
the player. He settled on the couch with Naruto cuddled up on his right side, Hiroki on his left
and Sasuke on the boy’s other side.

Halfway through the movie they decided to take a little break. Itachi was sitting with his back
against the right armrest and Sasuke to the left. Naruto had settled between Itachi’s legs resting
his back against his strong chest. After Hiroki came back he wanted to take a seat in the armchair.

“Hiroki, you can sit with me if you want.” Sasuke said to the boy. Naruto watched with amusement
how the boy settled on his lap. He was amazed how this insecure little boy and these seemingly
cold men felt so at ease with each other. And he felt right at home with them all,
like they we’re a real family.

“Everyone ready?” Itachi asked. After receiving a nod from the others he resumed the movie.

At the end of the movie Hiroki had fallen asleep against Sasuke. Itachi took him from his brother.
“We’ll be going to bed now otouto. We’ll clean up in the morning,” Itachi said walking towards
the steps leading up to his wing.

“Okay, I’ll see you in the morning then, goodnight aniki, Naruto,” the younger raven said and
walked of to his own wing.

After putting the sleeping boy in his pj’s, they tucked him in to bed. Both men we’re surprised
when the boy opened his eyes and asked them in his own way for a goodnight kiss.

They both leaned down and kissed him on his cheeks. Surprising them even more he turned his
head first to Itachi to kiss him on his cheek, then he turned to Naruto and did the same
with him.

After saying goodnight and turning on a nightlight for the boy, they left the guestroom that was
adjacent to Itachi’s own bedroom.

The two men undressed themselves, put on some sleeping clothes then got in the queen-sized
bed. Itachi laid down and Naruto scooted closer to him, putting his head on his shoulder. The
raven put his arm around the blonde and pulled him even closer.

“It’s amazing how Sasuke just opened up to Hiroki. I’ve never seen him this affectionate with
anyone since he was little,” Itachi said looking at Naruto.

“It seems Uchiha’s have a week spot for orphans,” Naruto said jokingly.

“Well I guess he just has this aura of innocence around him. He can’t hide his feelings even if he
wanted to. In that way you two are very much alike,” Itachi replied, smiling softly to his blonde.

“I guess so,” Naruto agreed. “Sleep well Chi-kun,” he yawned his wish.

“Oyasumi koishii.” Itachi gave him a gentle kiss on his forehead.

Itachi had just drifted off to sleep when he was woken up, like Naruto, by a blood-curdling scream.
It took a few seconds to realize it came from the room Hiroki was sleeping in. They both jumped
out of bed and ran to Hiroki, who was screaming in his sleep. They climbed in bed with him. Itachi
pulled him gently on to his lap and started rocking back and forth. Naruto sat beside them rubbing
his back soothingly.

The boy opened his eyes and looked around him. Upon seeing where he was and who were with him, he
started sobbing in Itachi’s chest. After he calmed down, the men wanted to put him back in his bed.The
boy looked up at them with so much fear and panic in his eyes that they decided to let the
boy sleep with them.

Itachi lifted him up, carrying him to his room. They settled in the big bed with Hiroki tugged between
them and that is how they all fell asleep.

Itachi woke up the next morning looking at his two sleepovers. He smiled fondly at the sight they made.
Hiroki was lying with his face towards him, while Naruto was spooning him and almost clinging to him for
dear life. And as he watched them he realized he would do anything he could do to protect them.

‘I can’t believe this myself. I can understand about Naruto, I already knew I was in love with him
before we even spoke with each other, but how did this boy get into my heart so fast. Maybe because
of all the stories Naruto told me about him, but still. Yet I wouldn’t want it any other way.
And even Sasuke opened up to both of them, but mostly to Hiroki. I guess angels do come in
disguise.’ Itachi mused.

He stayed there watching his angels sleep. It was Sunday so they had all day to themselves,
no need to get out of bed early.

After a while Naruto opened his eyes looking at Itachi. A soft smile spread across his lips and
Itachi gave into the urge to kiss him. He leaned over, Naruto meeting him half way so their lips
met over the head of the sleeping boy.

Hiroki opened his eyes and looked up seeing them kiss. The blonde took notice of his stare and
broke away quickly, blushing furiously. Itachi smirked, giving him a wink and kissed Hiroki on his
forehead. “Good morning,” he said still smirking.

All three of them sat up when they heard a knock on the door. “Come in,” Itachi answered
the knock. Sasuke poked his head around the door. “Good morning, I just wanted to let you know
that breakfast is being served in thirty minutes.” At seeing Hiroki between the two men he raised
his eyebrow in question. Itachi answered; ”Hiroki had a nightmare and we decided to let him
sleep with us.”

“Ah I see, well I’ll see you at breakfast.” The younger Uchiha closed the door and walked back to
his room.

“Okay, let’s go get washed and dressed for the day, shall we,” Itachi announced more
than asked. Itachi showed Hiroki to the bathroom adjacent to his guestroom. He turned on the water
and set it to the right temperature. After Hiroki was settled in the bathroom he went to his own
room hearing Naruto was already taking a shower.

He picked out his clothes for the day and then shed his sleeping clothes to put on a black silk
robe. He sat down on the bed waiting for Naruto.

After ten minutes Naruto came out of the bathroom, he had a towel wrapped around his waist
and dried his hair with a smaller towel. “Nothing like a shower to start the day,” he said walking
towards the bed where his clothes laid.

“Hhmm, I personally think kissing you is the best way to start the day,” he said smirking.

Naruto hit him with his hair towel, running away when Itachi came after him. He ran through
the big room holding his towel to keep it from falling, but when he jumped on the bed he let
loose and it slipped to the bed. Itachi watched with lust filled eyes at the blonde standing
in front of him, naked.

Naruto blushed all shades of red and made a dive for his towel. Itachi snatched it away from him.
“Come and get it, koishii,” he said dangling the towel in front of him. Never one to pass up on a
challenge, the blonde got off the bed. He walked over to Itachi and instead of trying to pry the
towel from him, he pressed his lips on his. He started kissing Itachi and the latter was so swept
up he dropped his guard. Naruto took advantage of his slip and yanked the towel from his hand,
then ran to the other side of the bed. He grinned in triumph waving the towel over his head.

“That was a low blow Naruto and you know it,” the raven said in a stern voice.

“I read somewhere that all is fair in love and war,” the blonde said smirking.

“I’ll get my revenge, you wait and see,” Itachi said in an overly dramatic voice.

“Just go and take a shower already. Hiroki should be ready soon too,” Naruto said shooing the
raven into the bathroom.

Twenty minutes later the three of them walked in to the dining room. Sasuke was already there
waiting. After everyone was seated breakfast was served. Sasuke had told the cook to make all
kinds of things so everyone could pick their likings.

There were pancakes, waffles, toast, scrambled eggs, and different things to put on the toast.
Hiroki looked longingly at the pancakes which Sasuke saw. “What would you like to eat Hiroki?”
the younger raven asked, Hiroki pointed to the pancakes. Sasuke asked if he would like syrup on
them and the boy just nodded with a grin plastered on his little face.

While eating their breakfast they talked about all kind of random things. Naruto told them
a story about how he had pulled one of his pranks on Tsunade-baachan and what she made him
do as punishment when she caught him. “She was livid when she found out I had put itching
powder in her clothes. As punishment I had to wash, dry, iron and fold all her clothes for a
month. You wouldn’t believe the horrors I saw,” Naruto said shuddering at the thought of
folding the woman’s underwear.

After breakfast Naruto took Hiroki upstairs to the bathroom to clean his face, cause the boy had
managed to get syrup all over it, leaving the brothers alone at the table.

“Well, otouto. It seems you have taken a liking to the orphans,” Itachi said.

“Hn,” was the only reply Itachi got.

“Did I tell you how I met Naruto?” he asked, knowing he hadn’t told him. Sasuke shook his head.

“It was about nine months ago. I was heading back from lunch and had decided to walk through
the park. While walking I heard this beautiful music coming from a little field a bit offside
from the main path. I stopped to listen and before I knew it I was sitting on a bench watching and
listening. I was so content in listening I completely lost track of time.”

“When it was around five p.m. he stopped and left. I realized that after he had left I felt an
emptiness that was unexplainable. Somehow I had to hear his music again. Then I heard one of
the by standers say he played there every Wednesday afternoon so I decided that I would go
and listen to him the next Wednesday.”

“That’s what I did for six months, every Wednesday I went to park and listened to his beautiful
music and with every passing week I felt this strange feeling develop, like I couldn’t live without
his presence, even if it was only this one afternoon in the week.”

“It took me a few months to understand that I somehow had fallen in love with this young man.
I saw how he interacted with the people around him and wanted him to be the same with me.
After six months I decided to go and talk with him, get to know him even better, but he had
beaten me to a meeting. He came up to talk to me and strangely enough I felt honored that he
came to me. He asked me to have coffee with him, unfortunately I had other things to do, so I
proposed to have coffee the next evening and that was our first date.” Itachi looked at his
otouto, who noticed the gentle look in his eyes.

“He seems kind and honest. His music is really something special, when I saw and heard him
play last night it was like he bared his soul to us. After his performance I can understand what
you told me just now. Naruto and Hiroki are alike; they both have this aura of honesty around
them. They can’t hide their feelings even if their lives depended on it,” Sasuke said with warmth
in his voice. In just one night he had gotten attached to the blonde and the little boy. That was
what amazed him the most.

There was a comfortable silence between the brothers. And then Naruto came back with Hiroki.
They talked for a little longer and then Sasuke excused himself explaining he had plans, but
assured he would like for them to have dinner again sometime, then left the three in the dining
room.

They went into the living room, noticing it was already completely cleaned up. Naruto and
Hiroki plopped down on the couch, while Itachi sat down gracefully.

“So, what would you two like to do now?” Itachi asked his `guests`.

“Weeeell,” Naruto drawled, looking over at Hiroki.

“How about a game of…..Tickle the Uchiha,” and while saying the last part the blonde and his
little accomplice jumped on Itachi, tickling him on every spot they could reach. All participants
were surprised that the raven was actually very ticklish and his attackers used that fact against
him every way they could.

Itachi however, was not one to give in without a fight. When he saw an opportunity he started a
counter attack on Naruto and soon the blonde was the victim of a vicious tickle attack from a
vindictive raven and a little traitor. Naruto was laughing so hard the others thought they would
go deaf.

“Please…haha…stop…haha…I…hihi…I…haha…sur…hihi…surrenderrrrr.” Naruto huffed out.

Itachi had a smug smile on his face. “Seems we ended up playing Tickle Naruto instead.” Naruto
mock pouted over his loss, Hiroki, feeling a little guilty for betraying him, walked over to him
and gave him a kiss on his cheek and a bear hug.

The rest of the day was spent watching cartoons and playing games. When it was late in the
afternoon, it was time to take Hiroki back to the orphanage. When they got out of the car Iruka
and Tsunade were waiting for them at the entrance.

“So did you have fun?” the busty woman inquired. Hiroki nodded his head with a huge grin on
his face.

“We had a wonderful time Tsunade-baachan. We watched a movie and we played games,”
Naruto explained, sounding like a happy child himself.

“Well I am glad to hear that, boys,” Tsunade smiled fondly to her gaki’s.

“I’ll take Hiroki to put away his bag and then have dinner. I will see you tomorrow Naruto,” Iruka
said. Hiroki walked towards Naruto and Itachi. He grabbed the raven’s hand and started writing.

“Thank you for everything. I really liked sleeping over. It would like for you to visit me sometime.
Please say thanks to Sasuke from me.”

The raven picked the boy up and hugged him. “You are welcome, I liked it too. Maybe we can do
it again sometime. I’ll come if Naruto lets me and I will tell Sasuke.” He put the boy down again
and Hiroki gave Naruto a hug too. “I’ll see you tomorrow,” then he gave the boy a kiss to his
forehead.

Hiroki walked off with Iruka, turning back one last time waving to the men, before entering the
building.

“Well it’s time for dinner so if you gentlemen will excuse me,” Tsunade said.

“Okay Baa-chan, but before you go, would it be possible to talk with you tomorrow before I see
Hiroki?” Naruto wanted to discus adopting Hiroki with her and the sooner the better.

“Sure gaki, come and see me at six,” she said, curious what he wanted to talk to her about.

“Okay Baa-chan, see you tomorrow.”

“Naruto, Itachi, Thanks again for spending time with Hiroki. I have never seen him this happy.”
She smiled gently at the two men.

“He is a wonderful child so we are happy to spend time with him,” Itachi said taking Naruto’s
hand and intertwining their fingers.

They said goodbye and walked off to the car.

TBC