New Beginnings

 

I am back.. yay!!!!

​Ok, just getting everything caught up here...

​Ja Ne

 

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Grumbling about arrogant bastards, Naruto handed Sasuke the keys to his house. Yukiko giggled behind her hand, then nodded to Naruto and Itachi. “We will be back in a bit,” she said, “How bad is your house, Naruto?”

“Eh, heheheheh.’

“Never mind.”

Itachi sighed as they left. “You did not have to stay here all the time,” he said, “Neglecting your home like that.”

Naruto shrugged. “Not much in there anyway,” he said, “I was rarely there in the first place.”

“Oh, so we need to get furniture?”

“Nah, just a larger bed, and a dining room table.”

Itachi smirked. “Bigger bed, hmm?” he asked, “What would we need that for?”

“Uh, because you need a place to sleep,” Naruto said, dumbly.

Shaking his head, Itachi grinned. “I thought you were going to sleep on the couch.”

Naruto looked at him, a dumb look on his face. “But, Itachi….,”

Itachi held up a hand. “I was joking, Naruto,” he said, “A larger bed is good, only if I can help pick it out.”

“You are more of a brat than I am,” the blond sulked, “Not fair.”

“Ah, but, you put up with it.”

“bah!”

Sakura walked in and smiled. “All right, instructions,” she said, “Itachi will be in therapy twice a week, an hour apiece, but, he must do some sort of exercise every day, some will require help, some will not.”

Itachi looked thoughtful. “How long?” he asked.

“Probably until we can get you strong enough to attempt a prosthetic,” Sakura answered, “That way, Naruto doesn’t worry about you when he goes on missions.”

“Cool, anything else?” Naruto asked.

“Yes, Itachi will still need medication, and he needs to eat,” Sakura said, “Full meals, three times a day… healthy, not just Ramen!”

“But, uh, Sakura, Ramen is healthy!”

“Like hell it is!” Sakura snapped, “I have already given Yukiko an appropriate list for Itachi and she is going to help you learn to make it!”

“But, Sakura,” Naruto whined, “I can’t cook!”

“Yup, but you are going to learn, if you want Itachi to stay with you!”

Naruto sat back, pouting. Itachi shook his head. “I can cook, Naruto,” he said, “I can guide you, all right.”

Blue eyes brightened and he sat back up. “OK!” he yelled, “So when can he leave?”

Sakura sighed. “When the meds are filled, his therapy is scheduled, paper work is signed, and Sasuke gets back,” she said, “Do you need any alterations to your house to accommodate him?”

Naruto shook his head. “Nah,” he said, “One story house, a ramp that leads up, and very open plan, we should be good, though, I do have to go and get a bed.”

Itachi smiled. “I will be fine here,” he said, “Go and get the bed.”

“I thought you wanted to help?”

“We will need it tonight, right?”

Naruto shook his head. “My bed right now, is fairly large, but, I stretch out a lot.”

Itachi cast a quick glance at Sakura, the smile on his face turning into a smirk. “Well, I can sleep on top of you,” he said.

Sakura blushed and glared at him. “Why you!”

“That is a great idea!” Naruto said, “It is going to be cold tonight anyway.”

Sakura groaned and rushed from the room “I will be back.”

“HAHAHAHAHA!” Naruto rolled on the floor, holding his sides.

“Naruto, get up here,” Itachi said.

The younger man got up and looked at him. “What?”

Itachi held out his hand. “Hold me.”

Smiling, Naruto sat down and pulled the Raven into his lap. Itachi curled in close and closed his eyes. “What’s wrong?” Naruto asked.

“Tomorrow.”

“Oh, don’t worry, Sasuke and I will be there.”

Itachi shook his head. “They will know I am here and where I will be staying,” he said, “If I had been brought back earlier, when I was healthy enough for Tsunade to save my leg and my health, I wouldn’t be as worried, but, now, I am angry that I cannot even defend myself.”

Naruto sighed. “Well, I understand that,” he said, “But, Itachi..”

“Don’t!” the raven snapped, “I was supposed to die, Sasuke was not supposed to have to worry about me, I didn’t want to become a burden!”

“Damnit Itachi!” Naruto yelled, “Do you really think that Sasuke has felt relief from your ‘death’ that he has lived happily, after learning the truth?”

“He should have!”

Naruto shook his head. “He didn’t,” he said, “After Madara told him what had happened and that rat bastard Danzo confirmed it, he wanted to destroy this village… we are lucky that Yukiko came into his life that she convinced him that the best revenge would to be to return and bring the Uchiha clan back.”

Itachi frowned. “I really wish I had prevented Madara from saying anything to him,” he muttered, “He would have been happy that he had rid the world of me.”

“Itachi!” Naruto yelled, “You are here now, with us, and we want you here!”

“WHY?” he screamed, “Why the hell would you want me here?”

He sagged against Naruto and sighed. “I just don’t understand,” he said softly.

Naruto held him close and sighed. “You don’t have to,” he said, “Just, go with it, Sasuke still loves you, Yukiko wants to get to know her new brother, and I love you, that should be all that matters.”

Naruto heard a soft whimper. “I can’t live with myself,” Itachi whispered, “I see their faces, I see Sasuke’s face, and it haunts me, they are always there.”

“Then let us help you,” Naruto said, “Itachi, no matter what you think, you do deserve a good life.”

Sakura knocked on the door and poked her head in. “One of the nurses heard yelling,” she said, “Is something wrong?”

“We have got it worked out,” Naruto said, “Do you have the paper work?”

“Yup, along with a diet made for him,” she said, “Itachi, please, follow it, no matter what Naruto tempts you with.”

Itachi nodded, glaring silently at his lover. Sakura sighed and handed the paper work to Naruto. “Naruto, you need to sign the last two pages, Itachi reads and signs the rest.”

“Great!”

Sakura grinned. “Sasuke is on his way back now,” she said, “They just finished your house and the shopping.”

“I have no way to pay them or you, for helping me,” Itachi said, quietly.

“Eh, don’t worry about it,” Sakura said, “The hospital stay has been paid for, Sasuke still has control of the Uchiha money, so, I am sure that you get some of that, and Naruto is good with the higher ranking missions, so, his savings should be built up again in no time.”

“What do you mean, paid for?” Itachi asked warily.

“Naruto paid for it all,” Sakura said, “He paid us monthly, to ensure you got the best care.”

“Why would you do that?”

Naruto shrugged. “To help you,” he said, “Sasuke needed you, and you needed and still need, help.”

Itachi closed his eyes. Sakura looked at Naruto worriedly. “Do you think you should take him home today?” she asked.

“Yes, he will get better faster, if he is comfortable,” Naruto said, “Luckily, Sasuke lives outside of the old district, so, no need for unnecessary trauma.”

Sakura looked at Itachi. “Itachi, do you want to leave?”

“I want to go home,” he answered in a small voice.

“Good,” she said, “Then, sign these and you can go home.”

Itachi took the paper work, still sitting in Naruto’s lap, and signed them. The blond did the same and handed it back to Sakura. “Ok, just wait here a few more minutes and you can leave,” Sakura said, “Just want to make sure that Naruto has his house key back.”

After she left, Itachi looked up at Naruto. “How are we going to get home, without anyone seeing me?” he asked.

“Well, where I live, it is easy to get there and avoid the main streets,” Naruto said, “If you want, we can go out the back door and walk from there.”

A small nod was all he got before the door opened again. Sasuke and Yukiko walked in. The younger Uchiha glared at his best friend. “Dobe, how long has it been since you have even unlocked that door?”

“Ummmm, a year.” Naruto laughed, rubbing the back of his head.

“It shows,” Yukiko said, shaking her head, “It was so stale in there and there was plenty of rotten food, but, it is all cleaned out, brand new sheets for your bed, new stuff for the bathroom, food, etc.”

“Awww, you didn’t have to go through all that trouble,” Naruto said, “Let me pay you back for all of it.”

Sasuke held up his hand. “It is the least I could do,” he said, “You gave me my brother back and while I am not completely free of guilt, it is lessened.”

Itachi looked up at his brother. “Guilt?” he asked, “For what?”

“We will talk later,” Sasuke said, “After you get settled into your house and feeling better.”

Sakura came back in and smiled. “All right, let’s get him out of here,” she said, “Naruto, please, take care of him, so he does not relapse.”

“I will!” Naruto said, “I will not even buy ramen, only the healthy food you told me to buy!”

Sasuke rolled his eyes, while Yukiko and Sakura laughed. “You do not have to go that far, Naruto,” Sakura said, “Just, ensure that you have the food for Itachi.”

Naruto nodded. “Ok, shall we go then?” he asked.

Itachi nodded and put his arms around Naruto’s neck. “If you want, we have the escape tunnel open, it pops up near the edge of town, you would just have to backtrack a bit, but, you shouldn’t come into contact with anyone,” Sakura said, “Oh, Naruto, do you have clothes for him?”

Naruto stopped and frowned. “No, just what he came in wearing and the few things that were brought in.”

Yukiko smiled. “Don’t worry,” she said, “Let’s get him home and comfortable and I will go shopping after.”

Itachi and Naruto looked at her, then at Sasuke, who sighed. “What can I say, she never stops,” he said, “But, we should get back, it is nearly dinner time.”

Naruto nodded. “Sakura, where is that tunnel exit?”

“Come on,” she said, “First floor, all the way near our OR.”

Itachi shuddered and tightened his grip on Naruto. The demon vessel smiled. “Let’s go home,” he whispered to his lover.

“Yes, please.”

Naruto hugged him close and smiled. He kissed the top of Itachi’s head. “Lead the way, Sakura,” he said.

The Kunoichi walked from the room, followed by the others. She led them through winding back hall ways, down to the first floor. She pulled out a key and opened a hidden door. “Here you go,” she said, “You will come out about 30 feet from your house, Sasuke, from there, not too far to Naruto’s eh?”

“You are the best, Sakura,” Sasuke said, “Thank you.”

Itachi looked at them. “You have done so much for me,” he said softly, “I don’t know how I am going to repay you.”

“Eh, don’t worry about it,” Sakura said, waving her hand at him, “You get better and live happily with Naruto and consider debt repaid.”

Yukiko smiled and looked at Sasuke. “Don’t worry about it, brother,” he said, “Just relax, we are here for you.”

Itachi nodded. “All right,” Naruto said, “Let’s go home!”

Sasuke led the way through the tunnel, followed by Naruto, then Yukiko. Itachi kept his face hidden in Naruto’s chest. The younger Uchiha looked back and smiled. “Hey, Naruto,” he said.

“Yeah?”

“Can I talk to you after we get him settled in?”

“Sure, is something wrong?”

Sasuke shook his head. “Just need to talk.”

Itachi looked up and frowned. “What is going on?” he asked.

“Nothing, Itachi,” Sasuke assured, “I promise, I just need to ask him a few things.”

Itachi nodded. He closed his eyes, falling asleep against Naruto’s chest.

 

The group made it to Naruto’s home quickly. The blond gasped when the door was opened. “You did this all?” he asked.

The house was spotless. New blinds hung in the rooms, the kitchen was stocked. He couldn’t believe his eyes.

“Of course,” Sasuke said, “You took care of Itachi and you continue to do so, so, the least I could do was help to get your home ready for him.”

Yukiko nodded. “Family take care of one another,” she said, “You are our family, you and Itachi.”

Naruto blinked his eyes, willing the tears to dry up. “I … I really don’t know how to thank you,” he whispered, “I have never belonged to a real family before.”

“Dobe, you have always been a part of my family,” Sasuke said, smiling, “Even if I wanted to deny it, you have always been my best friend.”

Naruto shifted Itachi and walked to the couch. He laid him down, smiling as the older man sighed in his sleep. Yukiko went to the bedroom and grabbed a blanket. After covering Itachi, the blond turned to his friend. “Well, he is asleep, what did you need to talk to me about?”

Sasuke looked straight at him, his face serious. “Naruto, you have given me back my family and, in essence, added to it, created a new one,” he said, “I will never be able to repay you, for taking care of him, for taking care of me.”

He took a breath and blinked quickly. “I have no idea what I would do without you and Yukiko,” he continued, “I..”

Naruto silenced him with a hug, holding him tightly. “Don’t worry Sasuke,” he said, “You not killing me for molesting your brother is good enough.”

Sasuke laughed. “You make him happy,” he said, “See that it stays that way.”

“Of course.”

Yukiko smiled. “Come on Sasuke,” she said, “I need to get Itachi some clothes, and then come back here and make dinner.”

“What size does he wear, Naruto?”

“I am not sure,” he answered, “For right now, though, just get him some loose pants and house shirts… medium probably, he is so thin now.”

She nodded and looked at Sasuke. “You stay here,” she said, “I will be back shortly, just choose what you want me to make for dinner.”

Both men nodded and she kissed Sasuke before heading out. Naruto looked at the couch and grinned. “Maybe I should move him to the bedroom,” he said, “It is actually started to get cool right now and my room is going to be the warmest place.”

Sasuke shook his head. “He has already warmed the couch.”

“Ah, you have a point.”

“Of course.”

Naruto shook his head and walked into the kitchen, mumbling something about arrogant Uchihas. Sasuke followed, after taking one last glance at his brother. The blond pulled out two sake bowls and set the drink to warm. “Do you want a snack?” he asked.

“Nah, Yukiko would be mad if we ate before she could cook us the big dinner she is planning.”

Naruto’s eyes lit up. “Ohhhh, I can’t wait!”

Sasuke sat at the table and nodded. “You should have plenty of food, at least until next week.”

“Naruto?”

Both men looked up when they heard Itachi’s voice. The blond walked to the couch and looked at the older man. Itachi was still asleep, but looked to be having a nightmare. “Itachi,” Naruto said softly, “Itachi, wake up, your fine.”