When music melts the heart

Hey Minna, I want to thank you all for reviewing.
It always makes me feel appreciated to read how much people enjoy reading my fic.

Normally I don’t really do review response, but I want to make an exception here. chelzi wrote this monster of a review and in al honesty she did have some points, so I’ll respond to her and hopefully clear up some things for her and maybe other reviewers/readers who had the same questions.

@ chelzi: First off all thank you very much for reading and reviewing.
To address the issue of the detailing in this story: you’re absolutely right, but if you read closely you’ll find little tad bits of info through out the chapters. At the beginning of chapter 6 I wrote about how the two off them would go for coffee every Wednesday after Naruto played in the park, I also wrote what they would discuss on those “dates”. I do have to admit it wasn’t detailed, but it was there none the less.

The reason why I didn’t go into detail is fairly simple, they are in love and people in love don’t care about those details. They share their stories and take note off them, but they don’t think about the consequences or influence it could have. Those things become important when the colored glasses come off and the ‘puppy love’ is over and becomes real and mature love ( I know, I’ve been there). Now they are moving in together, their love is maturing, so they will find out things are a lot more complicated then they seemed and will have to learn to deal with that. In that process I’ll be more elaborate in explaining what happened.

Then there was the question about Sasuke immediately taking a liking to Naruto, well what’s not to like. Naruto is honest and has his emotions on display for all to see, if they care to that is, so after the first dinner/sleepover Sasuke saw the difference between Naruto and Kyuubi. Remember when I wrote in chapter 7 ( Sasuke’s flashback) that “Even though on the outside she seemed perfect, there was something about her that gave Sasuke an eerie feeling.” He never had that feeling with Naruto.
And for your remark about the environmental descriptions: I. REALLY. SUCK. at those. And because I find other things more important I usually neglect those descriptions in favor off the rest, sorry.

I hope I’ve explained my reasoning clearly enough and hope it will keep you and others motivated to keep reading this story.
Now without anymore hold ups I present to you all Chapter 13


Chapter 13

The weekend after Itachi came back, all of Naruto’s stuff was moved to the Uchiha mansion.
The things he didn’t need anymore, like his refrigerator, his futon and other stuff like that he
donated to the orphanage, so they could either use it themselves or sell it and use the money.

Friday the movers came to pack and transport everything to the mansion. The rest of the
weekend was used to unpack and furnish Hiroki’s room.

Itachi had a large glass door cabinet placed in the music room to display all off Naruto’s awards
and other memorabilias. Also a second cabinet was placed for the blonde’s sheet music and music books.

Hiroki’s room, the one adjacent to Itachi’s room, his former guest room, had the walls already
painted. They had chosen to use pastel colors to give the room a soft and calming appearance.
The walls were painted on the lower half a soft green and on the upper half a soft baby blue,
divided by a soft yellow band. The floor had crème coloured carpeting with matching curtains.

Naruto and Itachi went furniture shopping for the boy’s room that Thursday. They chose a
complete set in light wood. It consisted of: a queen-sized bed with a bedside-table, a desk, a
wardrobe, a dresser and a computer cabinet. After paying for it they arranged that everything
would be delivered on Saturday. The sales woman only forgot to mention it was all self build.

That’s how it came to be that two young men were currently arguing about how to put the
bookcase together and one raven was leaning against the door frame watching the argument
in amusement.

“I’m telling you teme, this one goes on top,” a huffing and sweaty blonde snarled.

“Last time I listened to you dobe, we ended up putting the bed up side down,“ an equally
sweaty raven said irritated.

“Well it wasn’t my fault you kept reading the damn drawing upside down teme.”

“Should I call the store to send someone to put things together?“ Itachi asked with the best
of intentions.

“NO, we can do this,” the two snarled in unison.

“May I remind you both, this needs to be finished by Monday morning, because if it isn’t, you
both will be sleeping in here until it is. In the meanwhile Hiroki and I will be enjoying ourselves
on a vacation you two will have to miss out on,” the eldest Uchiha said with a smug expression.
Two death glares were his reply.

“Come on teme, let’s show him we can do this,” the blonde said, grabbing the instructions and
started to read them.

“Okay dobe, but I’m reading the damn drawing this time,” Naruto huffed, but handed him
the drawing any way.

Itachi left the room in order to finish unpacking the blondes clothes and maybe some things in
the music room.

At about two that afternoon, Suigetsu, Juugo and Karin decided to drop by and see how things
were going. As soon as Sasuke got sight of them, he ordered…….eehh asked them politely to
help put the furniture together and being the scared….eehh good friends they were, they went
to the room that was currently looking like a carpenter shop.

“What, did you decided to get all creative and take carpentry classes?” Suigetsu asked the
blonde, who was trying to put the dresser together.

“No, we bought this stuff last Thursday and had it delivered this morning, but the nice sales lady
forgot to tell us it was all self build,” Naruto said a bit more agitated then intended.

“And you didn’t call for professionals, because?” Karin asked sarcastically.

“Because the teme and I said we could do it,” the blonde muttered under his breath.

“Kami, you men are so pigheaded. Juugo you help blondie over here with putting the dresser
together, then Suigetsu and Sasuke can start putting the wardrobe together. I’ll start making
the bed, when you finish those two items, I’ll start putting Hiroki’s clothes away and you can
start on the other furniture that still needs to be put together.” Even though you wouldn’t say
when you first meet her, Karin proved herself to be an excellent organizer.

“By the way, why isn’t Itachi helping you guys?” Karin asked curiously.

“Itachi has busied himself with unpacking the rest of the dobe’s stuff,” Sasuke answered.

“Hey, don’t call me that, teme,” Naruto shouted pointing a finger at the raven.

“Tch, whatever. Let’s just finish this up," the raven said and they all got to work.

It was about eight o’clock when four very tired and sweaty young men and a seemingly fine
Karin, came down to the living room and dropped themselves on the couches and arm chairs,
Naruto next to Itachi, Sasuke went to sit on the other couch with Karin, Suigetsu plopped in the
armchair next to them and Juugo opted to sit on the floor.

“Can I assume you finished putting everything together?” Itachi asked, pulling his blonde closer
to him. Naruto snuggled up to Itachi and pulled his legs under him on the couch.

“Everything is put together and all the stuff is put away,” Karin announced proudly.

“I hope Hiroki will be happy with his room, cause no way in hell that I will do this ever again,”
Sasuke stated.

Itachi just smirked at his little brother. The raven looked down when he felt movement beside
him, he saw that the blonde had laid his head down on his thigh and had fallen asleep.

“I want to thank you for helping us today,” Itachi said, addressing Sasuke’s three friends.

“Well how could we resist when Sasuke ordered us so nicely,” Suigetsu said smirking, earning
himself a bonk on the head from Karin.

“It was our pleasure, Hiroki deserves a nice room,” Juugo said. All others made sounds of
agreement, well all except for a currently sleeping blonde.

Sasuke and Itachi decided to treat there handy helpers to pizza. Itachi tried to wake Naruto up
for dinner, but the blonde was vast asleep, so he decided to let him sleep and the rest of them
ate and talked about the moving in and what not’s. After dinner the three friends left.

When they were once again alone in the living room with the still sleeping blonde, Sasuke said;
“Aniki can I ask you something?”

“What do you want to ask?” Itachi replied.

“Why did you never asked Kyuubi to come and live with you?”

Itachi was silent for a moment and Sasuke saw pain and anger flash through his brothers eyes,
before he answered; “I did asked her on several occasions, but she always answered she wasn’t
ready for that yet, and the same went for sex.”

“You mean you never had sex with her?” Sasuke asked incredulously.

“No I didn’t. She said she preferred to wait until our wedding night. As you know, she was a
con-artist who was out to get as much money out of the divorce-settlement as she could. Her
accomplish was also her lover and they had agreed that she would only have sex if it was
absolutely unavoidable,” Itachi told him with a voice devoid of emotion and a look as cold as ice.

Sasuke cringed at the tone of voice and the look in his brothers eyes and felt guilty for bringing
up his ex-fiancé. It had been five years since then and they hardly talked about it, but Sasuke
couldn’t help but wonder about a few things.

“Does Naruto know about what happened?”

“Yes, I told him most of it. I was actually surprised by his reaction, instead of telling me how
sorry he felt for me, or us, he was angry. He could not understand how anyone could do
something like that to another person.” Itachi looked fondly at the sleeping man while carding
his fingers through his blond hair.

“Yeah, I can imagine him reacting like that. I wonder how someone like him could not be
corrupted in this crazy world we live in,” Sasuke said with a contemplating look on his face.

“I guess it has a lot to do with his personality and the way he was brought up in the
orphanage,” Itachi answered.

They sat in a comfortable silence for a while, Itachi’s fingers still drifting through the blonde’s
hair and Sasuke just thinking about the past.

“I think I’ll head off to bed. I’m almost dead on my feet here besides, there still has to be some
unpacking to be done tomorrow and I promised the dobe I would help him with that,” Sasuke
said getting up from the couch.

“Sounds like a good idea, I’ll take Naru up to bed too. Thank you for helping us, and sleep well
otouto,” Itachi said gathering the blonde in his arms.

“Good night aniki.”

They both left the living room and went their separate ways.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Finally it was Monday afternoon, Naruto and Itachi were sitting in the office with Tsunade and
the social worker who was assigned to Hiroki’s case, named Sarutobi Asuma, to put their
signature on some papers concerning the foster care. They would also be signing the official
application-forms for the adoption, after that they could take Hiroki home with them.

Tsunade and Asuma had already explained all the procedures to them. Now that Hiroki was in
their foster care, a social worker, Sarutobi-san, would be visiting them once every two weeks to
check up on the family. That would continue for six months, after which Sarutobi-san will
decide if they would be fit to adopt the boy.

Because Hiroki still has living family, his uncle, the law required of them that he would be
notified of the adoption. The man was now serving a prison sentence of ten years for abuse,
but it would be possible that when he was released out of prison, he could file for visitation rights.

Naruto and Itachi both had growled at the prospect of letting the man responsible for the boy’s
scars and nightmare’s, come near him.

“I still can’t believe Hiroki is actually starting to talk again. Even though he only really talks with
the people he trusts. It still is a big step in the right direction,” Tsunade said, looking at the two
young man in front of her.

“Yeah, isn’t it wonderful. Maybe the nightmare’s will become less frequent too,” Naruto said,
his eyes reflecting his sorrow for the boy.

“Yes, I hope so too. It is a shame the boy only sleeps two or three hours a night, but you can’t
blame him for not wanting to go to sleep after having one of those,” Tsunade said, contemplatively.

“You mean to say, that Hiroki never goes back to sleep after having a nightmare when he is
here?” Naruto asked incredulously.

“No, from the first night he came here, he would wake up after only a few short hours of sleep
and then would stay awake for the rest of the night. He never let anyone comfort him. Iruka
tried a couple of times, but the boy would always shy away from him, after a while we let him
be,” Tsunade explained to them.

“You seem surprised at this information,” Asuma said.

“When he is with us, he wakes up from his nightmare and we will comfort him and then let him
sleep in bed with us. In the beginning he would wake up several times a night, but since a few
weeks ago he has begun to only wake up two or three times a night,” Itachi clarified.

“It seems you know how to handle a traumatized child,” Asuma remarked.

“Let’s just say I have experience and Naruto has the gift of knowing how to interact with people
in any situation,” Itachi said, refraining from getting into the details.

“Well what ever you two do, it seems to work wonders for this boy. I think there would be no
better couple to become his parents then the two of you,” Asuma said smiling. “And that trick
with the concealing make-up was a real stroke of genius, what gave you the idea?”

“I used to conceal my own scars that way, but since Itachi and I are together, I stopped using it,
but I figured that if it worked for me, than it can work for Hiroki, so we tried and voila,” the
blonde said smiling.

“I also heard you started giving the boy violin lessons, how is that working for him?” Asuma asked.

“Really well, Hiroki is a real musical prodigy and if he keeps enjoying playing, he could become a
great violinist one day,” Naruto said, sounding like a proud father.

“I’m glad things seem to work out just fine for Hiroki. Now that all the paperwork is done, well
for now at least, I think you two would like to take Hiroki home,” Asuma said with a knowing smile.

“Yes, we can’t wait to show him his completely redecorated room,” Naruto said grinning.

“I’ll bet he is going to like it very much. There is one thing though. Normally the social worker
would come and bring the foster-child to your home, but as this is not a normal case and you’re
here to pick him up, I would like to request if I could accompany you and Hiroki to your house.
It is just a formality, but required nonetheless.” Asuma looked at the couple to see their
reaction to his request.

Itachi looked at Naruto, who shrugged and said; ”That is fine with us, you can even join us for
dinner if you like,” the raven offered.

“Even though I would love too, I still have another home to visit. Perhaps another time,” Asuma
declined politely.

“Well, shall we get young Hiroki so you two can take him home?” Tsunade said smirking.

“Hurry up Baa-chan, I want to get my son out of here and take him home,” Naruto huffed impatiently.

They all got up and left her office and went to the dormitory. Upon arrival they could hear the
other children say their goodbye’s to the boy. Tsunade opened the door and as soon as Hiroki
saw his two new foster parents he ran up to them. Naruto and Itachi crouched down so they
could catch him in their arms.

“Naru-chichi, Itachi-tousan, I missed you,” Hiroki said, then kissed them both on the cheek.

“We missed you too Hiroki, but from now on you’re stuck with us the whole week through, so
we wont have to miss you anymore,” Naruto said grinning while ruffling the boy’s hair.

“Are you coming with us Asuma-san?” Hiroki asked, looking up at the bearded man.

“Yes Hiroki, I want to see for myself if this house you talked about is really as big as you claim it
to be and if there really is a indoor swimming pool,” Asuma said smirking.

“Then I think we should get going, because it will take some time to show Asuma-san around
the mansion,” Itachi said smirking.

Hiroki ran back to his suitcase and said his final goodbye’s to his friends, with the promise to
come and visit them sometime. The little group of five, joined by Iruka walked out of the
orphanage and to the awaiting car.

Hiroki hugged Tsunade and Iruka one last time, before climbing in the car. As they drove off he
waved to them until he couldn’t see them anymore.

After parking the car in the garage and waiting for Asuma to join them, they all went into the
mansion. The first thing they did was bring the boy’s suitcase to his new room.

Hiroki was let into the room so he could put the suitcase on the bed. He looked around his
room in awe, then practically danced around, looking at all the things they had gotten for him.
He stopped in front of a bookcase, on the upper shelves were many pictures of them all,
including the one Naruto had taken of him and Sasuke sleeping in the back seat of the car on
Sasuke’s birthday.

“Wow Hiroki, that’s one awesome room you got, you even have your own computer.” Asuma
looked around the room and nodded in appreciation.

“Yeah, it’s beautiful. Thank you so much Naru-chichi and Itachi-tousan,” Hiroki said while
hugging both men.

“You’re welcome Hiroki. I’m glad you like it,” Itachi said, smiling fondly and ruffling the boy’s hair.

After that they gave Asuma the grand tour off the mansion, which took about an hour and a
half, he left for his next appointment and they waved him off at the door.

Later that evening, when time came for dinner, Hiroki and Naruto practically skipped into the
dining room holding hands, while Itachi walked leisurely behind them. They were talking and
laughing, when Naruto came to a halt.

There in the dining room on the table was a huge box, with the boy’s name on it. Hiroki walked
over to the table and almost screamed, when Sasuke came from behind the box. Naruto and
Itachi just snickered and received an almost perfect Uchiha glare in return from the boy.

“I see he really does take after you,” the blonde said with mirth in his voice.

“Yes, he has learned the family glare quite well, I’ve never been more proud,” the raven
replied chuckling.

“Hiroki, I wanted to give you a present to welcome you to our family,” Sasuke said smiling
fondly at the boy.

“Well, open up your gift. I want to know what he got you,” Naruto said looking impatiently at
the box.

Hiroki opened the box and squealed in joy as he looked at it’s contents. Inside was a four feet
plush white tiger laying down, with it’s front paws stretched out. Hiroki tried to get it out of the
box, but it was to big for him.

“Just leave it in the box for now. After dinner we will take it up to your room and we’ll get it out
there,” Itachi said, chuckling at the attempts of his son to get it out.

After dinner the four of them set off to Hiroki’s room to give Isana, the name Hiroki gave to the
huge plushie, a nice place in his room.

Itachi and Sasuke took Isana from her box and with instructions from Naruto and Hiroki placed
her under one of the windows. First thing the little boy did was plop down against the side of
the giant plushie and lay his head on the back.

Naruto plopped down beside the boy and both cuddled together. Sasuke made a picture off the
two of them like that.

“Naru-chichi would read me a story?” Hiroki asked, wanting to enjoy the cuddle moment a bit longer.

“Sure Hiroki, but after that you are going to wash up and dress for bed,” Naruto said.

“Okay chichi. Will you come and say goodnight Tousan, Sasu-nii?” the boy asked shyly.

Itachi looked over to Sasuke, who nodded his head; “We will, but you have to be ready for bed
when we come up, okay?”

Hiroki nodded and cuddled up against Naruto, who had sat down against the tiger again with
the children’s book he had picked out, to read to the boy. Itachi and Sasuke left the room and
went down stairs to sit in the parlour.

“Sasuke, there is something I would like to discuss with you.”

“What is it aniki?”

“You know that Naruto’s birthday will be in a couple of weeks and I want to organize a surprise
dinner for him. I want to invite some close friends of him and have a casual dinner here at the
mansion,” the elder Uchiha explained.

“And now you want me to arrange that dinner,” Sasuke more or less state with a quirked eyebrow.

“No, I’ll need your help with the other surprise I have in store for him,” Itachi said.

“Oh, this has to be something big, if you need my help,” the younger raven said smirking.

Itachi proceeded to explain what he had planned, save for one small detail. Just as he finished
explaining, they heard Naruto coming down the stairs.

“Hey guy’s, Hiroki is showered and dressed, ready to be tucked in bed,” the blonde announced grinning.

“Okay, let’s go put the little imp to bed then, shall we?” Sasuke said smirking again.

They all walked back up to the boy’s room, where the found him talking to Isana.

“I’ve got two daddies now. Itachi-tousan and Naru-chichi and they are the best daddies ever.
Oh and I have the greatest uncle ever, but I can still call him Onii-san. They are the best family I
could ever wish for.” All three adults were having a hard time swallowing with the lump that
formed in their throats.

Itachi collected himself first and said; “Okay Hiroki, time to go to bed.”

“Tousan, even if I have my own room now, can I still come and sleep with you and Chichi when
I’m scared?” Hiroki asked, shuffling his feet on the carpet and looking down.

Itachi lifted up the boy’s head with his finger and looked him in the eye; “Of course you can,
when you are scared or lonely you can always come to us.”

The boy nodded his head, a little awkwardly with the finger still holding his head up, then
hugged the raven fiercely.

Itachi picked him up and put the boy on his hip, carrying him to his bed. With his free hand he
pulled back the covers and laid the boy down. Naruto walked up to them and put the covers
over the boy and kissed him on the forehead saying; “Sweet dreams chibi.”

Then Itachi kissed him on the forehead too saying; “Sleep well Hiroki.”

And last Sasuke gave him a kiss on the forehead too saying; ”Goodnight little imp.”

“Goodnight, Tousan, chichi and Sasu-nii,” said Hiroki smiling sleepily up at them, then drifting of
to sleep.


TBC