What Can I Do For You?

I don’t own Naruto nor do I make money from it.



Summary: Itachi Uchiha is diagnosed with cancer. As he begins to lose hope for his recovery, he meets a mysterious stranger who reignites his will to live.



AN: I've just been in a bittersweet mood lately. This has been sitting on my computer for weeks and I just didn't know what to do with it. It was going to be a M/C but I just didn't feel up to another tearjerker M/c story so I made it into a oneshot. I hope you guys enjoy.



Warnings: angst, mention of death, drama, cursing, tear jerker bittersweet ending.



Unexpected Places





Itachi Uchiha stumbled on the sidewalk. The dizziness and tremors working through his body were destroying his equilibrium. Damn his pride. Damn his luck. Damn this cursed illness eating away at his body. They’d asked if he needed help but pride kept him from accepting the invitation of assistance. He was now regretting his rash decision. If only Sasuke hadn’t called to say he would be late. If only he’d accepted assistance. If only…if only he hadn’t gone to the doctor that day. Ignorance is bliss in some cases. Why did it always seem as if every time one went to the doctor, it was always bad news?



Three Weeks Earlier.



“You said you’ve had this cough for a few weeks?”



Itachi resisted the urge to rub his brow. What he’d thought of as a mild cold had persisted for several weeks. Finally his brother had enough of Itachi’s procrastination and made an appointment for him with their family physician. The argument following was one for the record books. In the end, he’d relented if for no other reason than to shut up Sasuke.



Now, here he sat. The doctor listened to his lungs while asking more questions about him than he cared to answer. When they’d asked about a history of cancer, he’d blown off the question. To the best of his knowledge, no one in his family had ever been sick with more than the common cold or flu.



“I want you to have a chest x-ray.”



Itachi’s frown increased ten fold. “What for?”



“Just to rule out pneumonia. I can have you sent down right now. It will be quick. We’ll have the results by tomorrow.”



“Fine.”



Worry wasn’t something that even crossed his mind. Pneumonia could be serious but it was treatable. They would most likely pump him full of antibiotics as they sent him on his merry way like good little health professionals before turning back to their assembly line of health care. Worry, him? Not a chance. He would look back and wonder what a fool he’d been.



~*~



“Dr. Umino, can you tell me why we couldn’t do this over the telephone. I’ve an important meeting in a couple of hours and I need to finish preparing.” Itachi put forth his most somber face, hoping the look would hurry along his prescription writing so he could return to work. All this for a cough?



“I think you should sit down.”



“Dr. Umino…”



“Mr. Uchiha, you really need to sit down.”



“Fine.”



“Well, your chest x-ray came back. I noticed something peculiar with it so I called in a couple of my colleagues. We all agree. You have a tumor on your lungs.”



Itachi sat very still. Not even the leather of the chair creaked. Later, if asked what he remembered about that day, he would say it was the small figurine of a dolphin on the desk, probably a play on the doctor’s name. That dolphin seemed to be the only thing he could wrap his mind around. His entire being seemed focused on that dolphin. It seemed to hold him grounded as the rest of the world spun uncontrollably.



He could hear the doctor speaking to him but for the first time in his life, he was speechless. He opened his mouth several times to try and question the diagnosis. His breath seemed to be unable to escape his mouth in sound. Breathe. In and out. It was all he could do to keep in the moment.



“Oncology isn’t my specialty but I can refer you to one of the best Oncologists in this state. He’s a good friend of mine. It might not be anything but a benign growth.” Dr. Umino kept talking, probably in an effort to make Itachi more aware of his surroundings, to pull him out of the shock.



“Lung cancer…I don’t smoke.” Those words kept echoing through his mind. Lung cancer. Lung cancer. Lung cancer.



“Not smoking doesn’t assure you won’t develop cancer. You would be surprised at how common it is for non smokers to develop lung cancer. Some times genetics makes someone predisposed to it. If you live with a smoker…”



“I live alone.”



“Well, it could be environmental. Or, sometimes there is no explanation. Sometimes, it just happens. Here, I’ve made you an appointment with Dr. Hatake for tomorrow. He’s the best in his field. Remember what I said, it might not be cancer. There are tests…”



“How long?”



“Excuse me?”



“How long do I have?”



“Mr. Uchiha…don’t think like that. With surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation, you could vary well out live me. Go see Dr. Hatake. Here’s his card. The sooner you get on treatment, the sooner you can recover.” Dr. Umino offered the card with the appointment listed on the back.



For several seconds, Itachi just stared at the tan fingers holding the card. He swallowed before reaching out with a shaky hand. Why was his hand shaking? God, his entire body seemed to be shaking. Why couldn’t he control himself?



“Mr. Uchiha, do you need me to call someone to come get you? You don’t need to drive in this condition.” Dr. Umino seemed genuinely concerned.



“I have a driver.”



“Don’t worry. You are young and healthy. You’ll pull through.” I pay you to say that, he thought. What could this man know? He was just preaching dribble about don’t give up hope. It was useless.



If the doctor spoke more, Itachi didn’t hear. In fact, he didn’t hear much of anything else. He resembled a zombie walking through the sterile halls of the largest teaching hospital on the east coast. He didn’t recall getting in his car, telling his driver to take him home, or when his driver announced they had arrived at his spacious condo. He didn’t recall sitting on the couch for hours staring at the pale walls. The phone rang a few times but he didn’t bother to answer. He didn’t want to talk to anyone.



The banging on his door was the first true thing to rouse him from his shock induced stupor. Well, that wasn’t exactly true. It wasn’t the banging on the door so much as the yelling voice of his brother that brought him back into himself.



The door opened to reveal a very annoyed Uchiha, his hair frayed and tie slightly askew. “Where the fuck have you been? Do you realize you blew off two meetings and three appointments without telling a single person where you were? I have been scowering the city for you. You weren’t answering your cell. Did you know how I knew you were here? As a last resort, I call your driver and what does he tell me? You told him to take you home…what the fuck Itachi? I mean, I know you’ve been under the weather but Jesus Christ…I didn’t think it had affected your brain…”



“I have cancer.”



“Wh-What?”



Itachi ignored him, moving to the kitchen. He opened the refrigerator, staring at the contents. It was fairly healthy for a person who could easily be described as a workaholic. He didn’t pig out on fast food. He didn’t live off instant meals. The fridge was full of fresh vegetables and meats. He did enjoy cooking as a way to unwind. It couldn’t be his diet.



“Are you joking with me?”



Itachi glanced up from his perusal. “No.”



“Alright. Breathe. I’ll get my secretary on some research. We’ll find the best oncologist in the country. I’ll set up an appointment.”



“I have an appointment.” He reached into his pants to remove the card, still there from where he’d shoved it after receiving the news. He tossed the bit of paper to his brother before strolling through his condo, looking for any sort of ‘environmental hazard’ to explain why he had a tumor growing in his lungs.



“Dr. Hatake…have you researched him? How good is he?”



“I don’t know Sasuke. Dr. Umino seemed to think highly of him.”



“Well, I’ll have him checked out…what are you doing?” Sasuke frowned as Itachi removed the a/c cover to stare into the slightly dusty air conditioner. A little mold but nothing so terrible he would think it caused cancer. Yet another dead end.



“Looking for what caused me to get lung cancer.”



“What the fuck? Do you think you will suddenly see some big sign that says ‘Hey look at this label‘? I gave a nonsmoker lung cancer.’ Jesus, Itachi. Shouldn’t you be doing something?”



“Like what?”



“I don’t know…crying…pleading…praying…”



“Why? Would it do any good? Would it make the cancer not be there tomorrow when I wake up? If it will do that then I will gladly do all three.”



Sasuke closed his eyes, pressing the heels of his hands to them. Itachi saw the small trickle of wetness roll down his brother’s cheeks. He put aside the various chemicals he was examining to wrap his arms around his brother. The action must have opened a floodgate in Sasuke. His younger brother began to bawl like an injured child.



Itachi, still numb, held his brother. It was all he could do. He’d always been the one to comfort Sasuke. He’d been the one to put band aids on his scratches. He’d been the one to tuck him in while their parents were off on some trip to God only knew where. He had always been the strong one.



“I don’t want to lose you.”



“Sasuke, I’m not dying. Let’s just wait and see what Dr. Hatake says.” Itachi continued to stroke Sasuke’s hair until his sobs finally eased.



“I’m going with you to see him.”



“Alright.” It was easier to just give into Sasuke. His brother was known for digging his heels in. It was one thing that made him such a powerful ally in the boardroom. It might be annoying at times, but tonight it was familiar and familiar was good. Familiar gave him something to grasp a hold of. It kept him grounded. He didn’t want to think about the unknown tomorrow. Looking towards the unknown terrified him in ways that only someone facing an illness such as this could comprehend.



Death lay over that horizon. Everyone had a finite set of years but one always assumed they would be old and grey before they slept the final sleep. Itachi wasn’t even thirty. He was healthy. He ate well, exercised; and yet, in the end it didn’t matter. He still was left wondering what he could have done differently. Should he have lived in a different part of the city? Should he have not eaten so much sushi or gone to less of those bars when he was in college? Why him, who had never smoked a cigarette in his life?



~*~



“Itachi Uchiha?” The nurse, a pretty little thing smiled cheerfully to Itachi as he stood. He was grateful to be out of the waiting room. The bald child playing a few feet from him sent shivers of dread. He’d always like his hair. It was long, falling just below his shoulder blades. Was seeing this girl a sign that he’d soon lose his hair? He liked his hair. He took care of his hair.



The nurse chirped brightly beside him. How could she be so cheerful in a practice such as this? Didn’t people still die of cancer? How could she keep a smile on her face after watching a parade of dying men, women, and children parade through this office? Was Dr. Hatake some sort of miracle worker?



“Ah, glad you could come, Mr. Uchiha. And this is?”



“My brother, Sasuke. He’s my family and wanted to be here.”



Dr. Hatake’s one visible eye crinkled in mirth at some private inner joke only he was privy to. If Itachi had been less nervous, he might have taken offence to the man. As was, he just wanted some answers and maybe a promise that he would get better. That he wouldn’t die with twenty tubes shoved in every orifice of his body.



“Good, good. You’ll need support. Let’s get to the meat of today. You have a tumor in your lungs.” Dr. Hatake pressed the x-ray to the light mounted in his office. “Here. First we need to biopsy the tissue. Now, the biopsy will determine if it is malignant or benign. If it’s benign, we can cut it out and no harm, no foul.”



“You don’t think it’s benign, do you?” Itachi could read people. It made him deadly at his job.



Dr. Hatake sighed, taking a seat at his desk. “No, I don’t. Now, obviously, I can’t say with certainty until the biopsy, but the location, the size, all point to Adenocarcinoma. Especially with your history of non smoking. This type of cancer is the most commonly found in non smokers.”



“Let’s say you do the biopsy and it is malignant. What then?” asked Sasuke.



“Well, first we would surgically remove the tumor and a portion of surrounding tissue in his lung. Then, he would need to under go radiation and possibly chemotherapy to kill any remaining cancer cells.”



“Cutting out part of my lung…is that safe?”



“You can live with one lung, you just won‘t be competing in any marathons. We would only be taking a piece of yours to make sure we got it all. Your prognosis is very good. Judging by the size and shape of the tumor, we probably caught it early before it has had a chance to metastasize.”



“That’s good news?” Sasuke was nervously thrumming his fingers on the desk.



“Let’s get that biopsy done. I’ll have the nurse take you into the back. I’ll have to ask your brother to go to the waiting room. Don’t worry. We’ll only be taking a small piece of your lung for diagnosis. The pain will be minimal.”



Dr. Hatake led the two out, sending Itachi with a nurse while escorting Sasuke to the waiting room. The nurse continued to smile, showing him to a small room filled with various contraptions he had no way of ever knowing their uses. The small examination room was cold. Chill bumps rushed across his skin as he stripped his clothes before pulling on the hospital gown.



He felt numb inside, like his insides were shutting down. These feelings had nothing to do with any medication they might use. The injection the nurse gave him relaxed his body but didn’t ease his mind of its worries. He knew what Dr. Hatake would find. It almost seemed pointless to go through these motions when he could just start shaving his head.



“How are you feeling, Itachi?” Numb.



He closed his eyes, wanting to ignore the cold touch of sterile gloves on his skin. What would he know? Should he bother answering? Did he care or was he just making pre biopsy talk?



“I’m cold.” he answered, the thick smell of iodine reaching his nose.



“Don’t worry. We’ll be done with this in a minute and then have it off to the lab in a jiffy.”



He felt a pinch, not really painful as much as uncomfortable. He knew the probe had been inserted into his back, through the spaces between his ribs. He halfway wondered what would happen after the surgery. Would it feel different to breath? How much would they take out? Would Sasuke be able to manage the company while he was away? Was it worth the trouble? Should he just enjoy what life he had left? Did he want to preplan his funeral or let Sasuke handle it after the fact? Who would come? Did he want closed or open casket?



“All done. I’ll just mosey this on down to the lab.”



The nurse stayed; patched up the small incision, and made sure he was able to walk with no discomfort before sending him to his brother. She was nice. Another time he might have shone some interest in her. Now, all he wanted to do was sleep. To forget everything. Instead, he was sitting in an uncomfortable waiting room, watching patient after patient.



It appeared one of the things Dr. Hatake was good at was making you wait. After a three hour wait in the waiting room before the biopsy, they had a four hour wait afterwards for the results.



It was Itachi’s belief that doctors derived some malicious pleasure from watching patients fidget while waiting to be seen. Itachi simply sat. His eyes scanned the room, watching the people come and go. He didn’t feel much like talking. Sasuke seemed to be respecting his wishing, keeping to himself. He tried to ignore the fidgets of his brother.



Sasuke didn’t take well to the waiting. In fact, there was a point when Itachi wondered if his brother would start threatening the staff if they didn’t hear something. He never was good with patience. They complemented each other that way. Itachi was the thinker, Sasuke was the doer. It worked well for them.



When Dr. Hatake called them back, he wasn’t all smiles. That didn’t bode well. Sasuke sensed it too. Both brothers were on edge. They’d known it wouldn’t be good.



“It’s malignant. I’m going to schedule you for surgery tomorrow.”



“So soon?” Sasuke jerked from his daze.



“It’s better to start treatment as soon as possible. One day can mean the difference between catching it early and being too late.”



“It’s fine. Sasuke can handle the company while I’m out. What about the radiation?”



“We’ll set that up after the surgery. I’d like you healed before we start any treatment. Radiation can lower the immune system. We’ll start treatment after about two weeks, just to make sure no infection gets in before. I need you to go to reception tomorrow morning at six a.m.”



“Fine.”



“Itachi, I know this seems like a lot but you have a very good prognosis.”



Itachi turned, leaving Sasuke and Dr. Hatake. He just wanted away. Away from the smell. Away from the looks of sympathy. Away from everything. He didn’t want to face his future, staring back at him in the eyes of the patients lining the wall.



“Itachi! Wait up!”



Sasuke was panting as he caught up to his brother. Itachi didn’t acknowledge him. He was too lost in his own thoughts to be much company to his brother. “You didn’t stay to finish listening to the doctor’s pre op instructions.”



“I assumed you would handle that for me.”



“Hmph…you are a bad invalid.”



“I’ve…just got a lot on my mind.”



“Yeah…hey, let’s go to the beach.”



“It’s February.”



“So, come on. It will help us get our mind off tomorrow.”



“Fine.”



The wind was cold. The bite of northern winters wasn’t a pleasant thing at all. The two brothers stood silently as the sun began dipping below the horizon, spilling colors of purple, orange, and red. It was a beautiful sight, one worth remembering.



“I just wanted to tell you I love you.”



“Sasuke…”



“Just hear me out. I’m not good at this and neither are you. We don’t deal well with unknowns. I just want you to know I’ll be there for you.”



Itachi nodded, his eyes never leaving the sunset. This moment would become one of his most precious. Not so much the sight as the feeling of contentment he got from standing with his brother as the sun dipped from sight. Sasuke was right. They sucked at emotional connections.



“It’s pretty, the sunset.”



“Itachi…”



“I think we should come back in the spring, when it’s not so cold.”



Sasuke chuckled, shoving his hands into his pockets. “Yeah. We should.”



~*~



The beeping of machines was the first thing his mind processed. He wished they would put those blasted machines on silent. It was annoying. He would have reached for them but his body seemed to be unwilling to obey him. It was like being trapped within himself.



“He’s coming out of it, doctor.”



“Itachi? Can you hear me?”



Itachi groaned. God, that man’s voice was grating on his nerves. Maybe if he ignored him he’d just go away. Why did they have to keep talking right beside him? He was trying to sleep here.



“Itachi, don’t drift off now. I need you to wake up.”



Again with the talking. Fine. He would wake up enough to fire that man before going back to sleep. Whatever they gave him, it kept pulling him back to oblivion.



“Yeah…”



“Good. Pupil reaction is good. How are you feeling?”



“You’re…fired.”



Dr. Hatake chuckled, adjusting the oxygen. The gas seemed to flush away more of the fog surrounding his mind. He was able to focus on his doctor. The man didn’t look as happy as he would have thought.



“What’s…wrong?” Christ, his throat felt as if they’d scrubbed it down with sandpaper. Not to mention, it hurt like hell to breathe, talk, or even think.



“I’m going to bring your brother in here. He’s been worried.”



Sasuke was at his bedside in moments. His fingers felt almost painful as they ran through his hair. Every inch of him hurt. Who knew surgery could be so painful afterwards? “Dr. Hatake…”



“Well, we removed the tumor and part of your lower lung. But…”



“But? What but?” Sasuke’s hands clenched even tighter on Itachi’s causing him to visibly wince.



“Sasuke…calm…down.”



Dr. Hatake stared directly into Itachi‘s eyes. “The cancer was more advanced than I’d first thought.”



“Does that mean he’ll need more surgery? How much are you going to remove?”



“No, no more surgery. We are going to have to go the route of radiation and chemotherapy. I was hoping to just use those as a mild caution, a mild dose to make sure we got everything. Now, though, it appears we will need to take a more aggressive route.” Dr. Hatake began scribbling notes on the chart.



“Itachi…”



Itachi licked his over dry lips. This news should have shocked and dismayed him. He should be weeping. He should be doing something else. Instead, he looked the doctor calmly in the eye. “When?”



“I’m going to allow you two weeks to recover. This is going to be an aggressive treatment. You are going to need your strength. I’ll set up the consent forms and we’ll get a PICC line inserted.” Dr. Hatake began scribbling on the chart.



“PICC?” Sasuke frowned at the unfamiliar term.



“Well…” He pulled up a chair, facing both brothers. “Chemotherapy is, for lack of a better word, poison. We are going to be injecting poison into your veins. The smaller veins in the arms or legs are too delicate and the medication would eat away at them. The PICC line is inserted in one of the larger veins in your upper arm. It will stay in until treatment is finished and then be removed.”



“Am I going…to lose my hair?”



“Is that all you can ask? Am I going to lose my hair? Shouldn’t you be more concerned about your life not your goddamned hair?” Sasuke jumped to his feet, his hands ruffling his spiky locks.



Itachi wasn’t sure why he found the sight funny? His usually perfectly groomed brother was a complete mess, his hair sticking out at odd angles. He looked like a mad scientist. All he needed was to borrow Dr. Hatake’s lab coat and he would be set. It started as a small snicker, soon erupting into a laugh that soon had him coughing violently.



“Itachi!”



“I’m…fine…”



“Well, I’ll leave you two alone.” Dr. Hatake smiled.



“Itachi…remember what I said. I’m not deserting you. You are my brother.”



“Sasuke…I’m not…dead yet.”



“Idiot.”



“Hn.”



~*~



Those were the events leading up to his presence on the sidewalk, puking his guts out. Another wave of nausea hit before he began gagging all over again. There was nothing left in his stomach. The acid burned his throat as he spit out another mouthful of the foul stuff. He almost wished he had something on his stomach so he at least had something to expel.



Fuck Sasuke. At least if he was here he could have someone to hold him up. As it was, his legs seemed ready to give out. He didn’t think he’d ever felt so weak in his life. Only one week of the chemo had him wishing he was dead, he wondered what the full treatment would do to him.



Another wave hit him. He knew he wouldn’t be able to stay standing. He was going to fall face first in his own vomit. Sasuke would get an earful after he felt well enough to do it.



“Hey, take it easy. Don’t fight the heaves.” A dry cloth was pressed to his brow, mopping up the sweat present despite the chills that were beginning to wrack his body.



“Thank…” Itachi bent over again, gagging as spasms rocked his body.



“Just take your time. What are you doing walking around being so sick? Is there anyone I can call?”



Finally in control of the gagging, Itachi stood to properly thank the man. His firm hand on his arm kept him from dropping to the ground. He didn’t realize how exhausted he was until now. The heat radiating from the other was a balm against the shaking.



“Thank you…my brother is coming to take me home. I didn’t think he would be this long.” Itachi lifted his eyes.



The blond man smiled. He wasn’t much taller than himself, his skin a healthy tan despite the time of year. He wasn’t buff but his shoulders were broad enough to state him as being all man. Physically, Itachi would guess him to be in the mid twenties. His eyes--a startling sky blue--showed older somehow.



“I’ll sit with you until he gets here.” The blond assisted Itachi towards a bench.



“Thanks.”



“So, did you get a prescription for that virus you have there?”



Itachi cracked a little bit of a smile. “It’s a result of my chemo.”



“Chemo?”



“Yeah.”



“That sucks.”



Though he felt like shit, the comment amused him greatly. “Yes, indeed.”



“Big hairy monkey balls.”



“Excuse me?”



“Just letting you know how much it sucks. It sucks big hairy monkey balls.”



The flood broke. Itachi doubled over. His body quaking under the deluge.



“Hey? Do you need me to go get a doctor?”



Itachi shook his head, unable to voice himself. His body kept shaking. The stranger stood up, probably to go find help. He somehow found the strength to stop the man. “Wait.”



“Eh?”



“I’m…ha…It’s…too…ha…funny.”



“You’re laughing…”



“Yes…” A sound of mirth finally burst through. He couldn’t contain it. It was refreshing. After all the pain and sickness of these last three weeks, this was the first time he’d felt a small sparkle of life in himself.



When Dr. Hatake had said it was worse than he’d thought, he given up. He didn’t tell Sasuke that. He agreed to the chemotherapy for Sasuke. He’d agreed to lose his hair for Sasuke. He’d agreed to vomiting and dry heaves for Sasuke. Everything for Sasuke.



One phrase from this stranger and he was nearly collapsing in the humor of the moment. The indignant frown left the man’s face to be replaced with one of happiness. A grin lit his face.



“Well, at least you are feeling better.”



“I feel like shit. I can barely move. I just want to collapse…but, yeah. I feel better.”



“So…chemo, huh?”



“Yeah.”



“You wearing a wig?”



Itachi snickered. “Not yet.”



“You should shave your hair and have it turned into a wig.”



“I refuse to wear a wig. If my hair falls out, I’ll just be bald.”



“You say that now…”



“Itachi!” The shout came from across the parking lot. Sasuke jogged across the divider to reach the bench where both men rested.



“Ah, Sasuke…”



“You look like shit.”



“I feel like shit.”



“Let’s go.”



Itachi turned to the blond, the cool wind ruffling his thick hair. “Thank you.”



“The name’s Naruto Uzumaki.” A huge grin spread across his face.



“Itachi Uchiha.”



“We’ll meet again, Itachi.”



“Perhaps.”



Itachi stood, leaning heavily on Sasuke. He sent Naruto a parting glance before allowing himself to be lead away. The wave from the blond warmed his heart. He hoped he would meet him again. It was a nice break from his inner turmoil, if only for a minute.



“Who was that guy?”



“No one. Just a stranger I sat with to pass the time.”



“Hn. Well, be careful. You are too weak to fight off muggers.”



“Indeed.”



~*~





They had barely gone five miles down the street before Sasuke had to pull over for Itachi to vomit. His body was shaking from the strain of each heave. He knew he had a prescription for Fenergan but he highly doubted he would be able to keep the pill down long enough for it to begin working and it definitely wasn’t bad enough yet for him to result to suppositories. God forbid anything be shoved up his rectum that wasn’t sex orientated and he definitely was not in the sex mood.



“You okay, Tachi?” Sasuke was standing beside him, holding back the locks of hair from his face.



Itachi just shook his head. He was beginning to wonder about his sanity in allowing Dr. Hatake to play mad scientist with his body. When he wasn’t having hot flashes, he was having chills. When he didn’t have diarrhea, he had constipation. When he wasn’t vomiting, he felt like vomiting. This was surely Hell. He often wondered if it was worth it.



“I’m fine.” Itachi groaned, slumping against Sasuke.



Any other time he would have held his own, refusing help and laughing at Sasuke for offering it. Today, he just wanted to crawl in bed and die. If he survived the treatment, he would make a point of kicking Sasuke’s ass for babying followed by kicking Kakashi Hatake’s ass. The only bright spot in his mind was of a certain man with bright blue eyes and a happy smile.



It had been two weeks since he’d met the blond outside the hospital. He received a dose three days a week, every other week. Dr. Hatake told him that wasn’t as bad as it could be. He spoke of patients who had it every other day for weeks. Itachi would have punched him if he wasn’t so damned tired. Even on the weeks when he wasn’t getting his regime, he was tired. At first he’d planned to work on his off weeks but now he realized he needed those weeks to recover enough to survive the next week of hell.



Every day he visited the hospital, he looked for Naruto. He wasn’t sure why he remembered that name. Maybe it was because he was like a breath of fresh air in the medical stench surrounding him.



“Naruto.” he murmured.



Sasuke grunted, turning to him. “Hmm?”



“Just thinking out loud.” Itachi answered, turning his eyes to the road. The beach shown in the window, long expanses of white sand before dark blue water. The weather was still much to cold to go in the water or do much more than stand and smell the breeze but god he wanted anything to clear the smell of hospitals and vomit from his nostrils.



“Sasuke stop.”



Sasuke slammed on the breaks, thinking his brother was going to be sick again. He was out of the car and around to the passenger side within moments, opening the door. Itachi grabbed his brother’s hand and pulled himself to his feet.



“Tachi? Are you sick?” If he’d had the strength, he would have laughed at the statement. Was he sick? God, the irony in the question did not fail to strike a humorous musing. Perhaps when he had a little more energy, he would laugh at the question.



“I just want to go to the beach.” Itachi groaned, leaning heavily on his brother.



“But it’s too cold to be out. You are going to get sick if you stay out in this cold.” Sasuke argued, about to push his brother back into the warm car.



“Just for a few minutes. I need to wash the smell from my nose.” Itachi stumbled a few feet, nearly falling to the ground in his weakness.



“For God’s sake, Itachi! You can barely stand up. You won’t even make it five feet in the sand. Come on…I don’t want sand all over you and in my car.” Sasuke whined. It was actually cute; it reminded him of when they were younger. Whenever Sasuke wanted anything whether it was a cookie or a hug, he always used to use that whining puppy voice.



“Just for a minute, Sasuke. I feel so sick…I need something...” Itachi closed his eyes, breathing in the salty air.



“Fine, but if you fall, you’re walking home.” Sasuke pouted, allowing Itachi to use him as a brace.



“Hn. Yes, mother.” Itachi joked, allowing Sasuke to lead him across the sand.



They had to stop every few feet for Itachi to rest but soon reached the edge of the water. The tide was coming in and they wouldn’t be able to stay long. Itachi closed his eyes. He wasn’t sure why, but the ocean reminded him of Naruto. He wondered if Naruto smelled salty or sweet. He found himself once more wanting to see the blond.



“Sasuke, if things don’t go well…”



“Stop right there. I deal with your vomit, nightmares, and fucking bitchy attitude. I am not dealing with you talking about dying. I’m not doing it. If you want to talk about it, go talk to Kakashi.” Sasuke spat out, sniffing a little.



“Kakashi? Since when are we on first name basis with my doctor?” Itachi joked, chuckling a little though it hurt to do so.



Red spread across Sasuke’s cheeks. “I don’t know what you are talking about.”



Itachi sighed, staring out into the seeming infinity of the ocean. “Have it your way. You know Sasuke, I think it’s good.”



He arched a brow, apparently surprised his brother was giving up having the ‘talk‘ so easily. “What is?”



“You and Kakashi. Even though he’s a little old for you. You do realize he has gray hair?” Itachi joked, coughing a little in the chill.



“Yeah, yeah, joke all you want. I see you looking for that blond you met in the hospital.” Sasuke poked his brother’s ribs, wincing when he felt the boney ridges poking through the sweater. “You need to eat more.”



Itachi snorted, allowing Sasuke to lead him towards the car. “What for? So I can have more to vomit up.”



“Well, maybe you would keep more in you…I mean if you are going to puke anyway…” Sasuke dodged the swinging fist, nearly taking them both to the ground.



“How about you take my chemo and I’ll drive you while you puke your guts out.” Itachi was panting as they reached the car, even having made multiple stops along the way. “Sasuke, I don’t think I’m going to make it.”



“God damn it! Stop talking like that. You are going to be alright. We have more money than God. You will get better.” Sasuke’s fist slammed on the roof with a resounding thud. Itachi raised a hand, silently agreeing not to speak on it again though in his heart he had given up.



~*~



Sasuke was late again. His thoughts turned to the last time he’d been late. It had been almost a month since he’d seen the blond young man. He’d begun to believe it was a singularity. He would never see him again. It was sad that he should die without being warmed by the other’s presence. It wasn’t a sexual need, though he did find him visually attractive. This need was for the warmth the other’s presence seemed to bestow upon him. Being in Naruto’s company gave him hope.



“Hello again.” A sun warmed body sat beside him on the bench. “Your brother late again?”



“Hn. I was just thinking about you and the last time we met with me nearly vomiting on your shoe.” Itachi really tried to find humor in his joke. He was at his physical end. He was barely able to remain sitting without keeling over. Only being in Naruto’s presence was giving him the strength to keep from passing out.



“Is it bad, Itachi?” Naruto’s face became somber, his hand reaching up to lay on the slumped shoulders.



“Very. I don’t think I have much longer on this earth,” he smiled sadly.



“Don’t say that. I see you getting well. I remember when I was sick. All the drugs and needles. My blood was practically turned to poison.” Naruto frowned for a moment before his face broke out into a grin. “But you can bet your ass I was still able to prank Kakashi. Hospital gown or no, I was the king of pranks in the hospital that year.”



“If you felt as bad as I do and was still able to pull pranks, you must be the king.” Itachi released a weak chuckle.



“See, you’re laughing. They say it’s the best medicine.” Naruto chuckled as he stroked his hands along Itachi’s back in a soothing manner. “Promise me you won’t give up. You’ll get better if you don’t give up. My dad always told me that giving up was a sign of weakness and I don’t see you weak at all.”



A spark nearly dead under the oppression of his illness leapt to life under the soul stirring words. He felt the truth Naruto spoke, even if his body was unable to comply. The younger man believed the words and transferred that warmth and hope into Itachi. “Are you some sort of motivational speaker?”



“You could say that,” Naruto beamed.



“Itachi!” He turned to see Sasuke striding towards him.



“Looks like your ride is here. Take care of yourself. I have places to be.” Naruto patted Itachi once more on the back before standing and disappearing into the crowd entering the hospital.



He felt a wave of disappointment roll through him. He’d hoped that the other would at least leave a contact number. He knew he’d want to speak with him again. The energy and caring the other practically poured into him continued to heat his soul. It was a warm balm to the tattered edges of his sick and weary body.



“I’m so sorry I’m late. I got held up at the meeting. The board seems to think you’re dying. I wonder who gave them that idea.” Sasuke growled the statement, poking Itachi particularly hard in the shoulder.



“Well, I might be. But not today. Today I want to just go home. I’m tired of the hospital.” Itachi accepted Sasuke’s hand, using the other as a brace.



“You seem in a surprisingly chipper mood. Usually you are all doom and gloom after a chemo session.” Sasuke arched a brow at the tiny smile curving along Itachi’s lips.



“I talked with Naruto again. I think he knocked some sense into me.” Itachi rested his eyes as Sasuke slid into the driver’s seat.



“Really? I really need to meet this guy. I think you two should marry. If he puts you in a good mood just from sitting with him for five minutes, just imagine the wonders he would do if he lived with you.” Sasuke shook his head in amusement.



Itachi arched a brow. “Keep talking, little brother. I can make your life with Kakashi living hell.”



“You wouldn’t!” Sasuke growled low in his throat at the threat.



Itachi merely smiled in his enigmatic way, feeling for the first time relaxed. The ride home was still filled with many stops for him to vomit but at least the situation didn’t seem all that hopeless any longer. He had hope. For the first time in weeks of tests, treatments, and pity filled glances from nurses; he had that spark returned to his eyes.



~*~



“You’re in remission. This is a better outcome that I could have hoped for.” Kakashi clasped Itachi on the back with a familiar grip. “I was a little afraid I might have to add you to my wall of memories.”



“Wall of memories?” Itachi had passed the wall of pictures many times. He’d never stopped to pay them any mind--his own mind usually too filled with worry. Now he was curious about this wall he almost made it to.



“I maybe hailed as a great doctor but I can’t save everyone. It’s impossible. If you try, you only end up burnt out and disappointed. I made the wall to remind me and anyone who comes through this office that life is precious. He showed me that.” Kakashi’s one visible eye took on a whimsical look as he led Itachi from the exam room.



“Naruto.” His finger lifted to point at a young man, bald as many of the patients. His grin--so familiar. It couldn’t’ be the same man he’d met outside the hospital. There must be a mistake for him to be on a wall to remember the dead.



“He was a light. I was so sure he would beat it. It didn’t seem right for someone so full of life to die. He had leukemia. He was sick off and one for nearly his entire childhood. I thought the last time he went into remission, he would beat it for good. He’d gotten accepted to Harvard. He said he wanted to be a doctor and help people like me. He got sick again in the winter of his sophomore year. He’s the only person I’ve ever seen smile through the ordeal of chemotherapy, bone marrow transplants, and just the general hell cancer patients go through. He fought so hard. The day I told him it was terminal; I thought he would break down. I thought he would finally show he was just like every other person. He didn’t. He smiled the same smile. Do you know what he said? He said, ‘well, at least I won’t have to worry about treatments anymore.’ His dad is on the board of directors of the hospital. He’s never been the same since Naru died.” Kakashi shoved his hands into his pockets.



“When?” Itachi whispered hoarsely, his mind swimming in a haze of disbelief. Naruto was dead? There must be some mistake. There was no denying the smiling face looking up at him from the picture. The photographer seemed to have captured the mischievous gleam in his eye. This was the man he’d sat with.



“When did he pass? Hmm, well I guess it’s been five or six years. His dad erected a statue in the gardens. You should go see it. I go sit there some times. Every cancer patient who dies has their name engraved on the stone.” Kakashi smiled, “Oh, and tell Sasuke I’ll pick him up at eight.”



Itachi blinked a few times, the haze lifting from his mind. He nodded, making his way from the office. He wanted…no, he needed to see the statue. It couldn’t be right. Kakashi was wrong. He’d seen him.



The flowers in the garden were barely budding. The last cold of the season had passed, giving the little buds a chance to push through the soil. In the center of the circular garden was a statue. A grinning young man sat on a boulder. His arms were wrapped around a dog as he grinned out to all who walked around. A plaque was placed below the iron sculpture.



Naruto Uzumaki Namikaze

May his smiles give hope to the hopeless and courage to the scared.



“Naruto.” Itachi whispered, unable to believe his own eyes.



“Did you know my son?” Itachi jerked his gaze towards the voice to stare at a near twin of Naruto. Though it was a lie, he nodded his head affirmative.



“It’s been six years. Time seems to fly. I started a nonprofit organization to raise funds to help pay for treatment for indigent cancer victims. He would skin me if I sent it for research. He would say there were a million organizations for research but where the money was needed was with those stricken and unable to pay for care. Oh, forgive me, my name is Minato Namikaze.” The older man extended his hand for a shake.



“He would have given you an intelligent answer.” Itachi acknowledged, turning his eyes to the monument. “Might I ask you where he is buried? I’ve been buried in my work for a while and haven’t had a chance to visit him.”



“In Leboe Memorial Gardens, under the large maple tree.” Minato sighed heavily, lifting a hand to caress the metal cheek. “I miss him so much. He was my light after his mother died.”



Itachi couldn’t answer. He couldn’t offer comfort to this man who mourned the loss of his son. He couldn’t offer to bear the burden when he was still very much in shock and mourning as well. His heart felt heavy as he walked to where Sasuke was waiting.



“They didn’t get it.” Sasuke’s mournful expression broke the dark cloud encircling him. “We’ll try another hospital; another doctor. We’ll get you better.”



“I’m in remission, Sasuke.” Itachi watched as relief practically melted his brother before his eyes.



“Then, why the hell are you so depressed? Were you hoping to be terminal?” Sasuke practically yelled the questions, his hands flailing wildly.



“Can you drive me somewhere?” he asked quietly, his eyes staring off into nothing.



“What’s wrong, Itachi?” Sasuke shook his shoulder gently, worry glazing his eyes.



Itachi tapped Sasuke‘s forehead as he had done so often to him as children. “I just want to go see a friend. Leboe Memorial Gardens.”



“That’s a cemetery,” Sasuke stated as he turned over the ignition.



“I know.”



The drive was made in silence, stopping only long enough for Itachi to purchase a single rose from a shop. Sasuke didn’t question him. He didn’t try to tell him he was crazy and that they didn’t know anyone buried here. Their parents were buried in a private cemetery on the other side of town.



Itachi slid from the car. His eyes locked on the simple marker beneath the branches of the large maple. The words were there, though he wished they weren’t. He closed his eyes, Sasuke several feet behind him. Placing the rose upon the marker, he bowed his head as if in prayer.



“Naruto, thank you for bringing light back to my life. You gave me hope where there was none. I supposed I should thank you for saving my life. I’m sure Sasuke is grateful. I won’t cry for you because I know you aren’t the type to want tears. But, I think I’d like to come talk with you again, when we can be alone.” He slowly opened his eyes before turning to his brother.



“Are you ready to go home?” Itachi asked, gesturing towards the car.



“Are you going to tell me what this was about?” Sasuke shoved his hands into his pockets as he strolled along beside his brother.



“Perhaps one day. You wouldn’t believe me anyway. I don’t even believe me but I think I met an angel.” Itachi chuckled at how crazy he must sound.



“Well, there are many things I don’t understand. I might surprise you.” Sasuke chuckled, opening the door to the car.



Itachi joined in the laugh. “I see why Kakashi likes you. You feed his craziness. Oh, by the way, he said he’d pick you up at eight. I guess that answers my question about who tops.”



“Asshole! I’ll have you know that I’m the top! Just because he’s picking me up doesn’t make me submissive. What are you laughing at? Bastard!” Sasuke pealed out of the cemetery, fuming at the fun being made of his sex life.



A golden haired man stepped from behind the maple. His smile was brilliant as he watched the car disappear. He wasn’t sure if he could be called an angel, but he was happy he’d saved one person from drowning in despair. Itachi deserved to live. Maybe in the next life he would actually get to know the man. He seemed like a worthy friend.



As the sun shone through the leaves of the maple tree, he faded from sight. His work was done. Itachi would be alright. Even if he became ill again, he would keep a smile in his heart and that was all that matter.



The end