My Saving Grace

 

Disclaimer – We don’t own Naruto nor any character or setting there from and we’re not making any profit off these writings, it’s all just for fun







Warning – In this chapter…Sick Itachi, worried Neji.







My Saving Grace.



Part 9





A few scant hours later found Itachi thrashing around briefly in his sleep before his eyes suddenly shot open and he dashed for the bathroom door to empty his stomach in the toilet in long hard heaves. His hands clutched the porcelain sides hard, as if they were all that was keeping him anchored as he shuddered and heaved and sobbed into the toilet. The sobbing was just as involuntary as the vomiting itself and happened every time he ended up tossing his cookies. The force of him vomiting soon had another, even less welcome effect. During one particularly strong heave he felt his anus suddenly release a watery, foul-smelling flood of fecal matter. He tried to scream out a denial but it was interrupted by another heave as his stomach tried to expel everything that was in it.





Neji awoke to the sound of heaving and horrible, heartbreaking sobs. The sounds alone were enough to make Neji's own stomach roll. He was squeamish, he was well aware of that but he wouldn't let Itachi go through this alone. He swung his leg over the edge of the bed and sat there for a moment, trying to swallow down the bile that rose up his throat along with a mind numbing, all consuming fear. Itachi was not well. He was tired, he had lost weight and now he was throwing up. These were familiar signs; his mother had been the same just before she died.





Almost shaking Neji made his way into the bathroom, his heart clenched when he saw the figure slumped over the toilet bowl. Suddenly it was easy to block out the smells and sounds, all that mattered was Itachi and the fact that the man Neji loved was hurting.





Neji sat down on the tiled floor next to Itachi and stroked him over his clammy, sweaty back. He wanted to ask Itachi if he was alright but it would be a stupid question, it was clear that he wasn't. For now he would just be there, showing Itachi that he was right there if he needed him and that he wouldn't leave.





Itachi felt more tears gather and escape as he registered Neji's hand on his back as he heaved. He knew how squeamish the other man was, that he was here now, when Itachi was in such a state meant more to the Uchiha than all the gold in the world. After what felt like an eternity of his stomach revolting and several instances of dry heaves, his stomach finally settled and he was able to just lean his head on the seat of the toilet and allow himself to sob.





The choked cries broke from his already raw throat with more force than he'd have preferred but he couldn't help himself. In addition to the misery of his current circumstance, he was gut clenching, blood-freezing, soul chilling scared. The last time he'd vomited this badly was just after he'd been diagnosed with the cancer. He'd been running at both ends then too. Fevers and headaches had come and gone as well and of course he'd lost too much weight and gotten tired so very, very easily.





He was supposed to be in remission, had been in remission for at least a year but sweet gods above, what if it had come back? What if the cancer had returned? He swallowed hard as that thought nearly triggered another round of dry heaves.





Moving only to flush the toilet, get Itachi a big glass of cold water and to wet a wash cloth Neji came back to Itachi's side. He ran the wash cloth over Itachi's temples and neck and gave him the water glass so that Itachi could wash away some of the foul taste in his mouth. Neji continued to caress the other and he leaned in to place a light kiss on Itachi's cheek. "Does it feel like you're done for the moment?" At his lover's weak nod Neji got the shower started and helped Itachi out of his boxer briefs. He got in with the other in the shower and wrapped his arms around him as the water washed over them. "I love you." Neji hadn't said the words before even though he did feel them, this certainly wasn't the ideal time for a love declaration but Neji just wanted...No needed Itachi to know.





Itachi leaned back into Neji's arms, another bolt of fear rushing through him. He felt he should try to push Neji away in case the cancer had returned. It wouldn't be fair to tie Neji down to a dying man but...he couldn't, he just could push the other man away, not when he needed him so much. "Neji...I love you too. So much it almost scares me." His voice was rough from his throat being scraped raw but the words were deeply sincere.





Neji held on tightly, running his hands over Itachi's body, washing him gently. He was so scared, so scared he would lose love when he'd finally found it but he swore to himself that he would fight to the last breath to keep Itachi there with him. He didn't have the words to convey what he felt so instead Neji just kept holding on to Itachi, trying to push his strength into the other.





The Uchiha let his lover tend to him and escort him back to the bed, helping him into it. From the way he felt so cold Itachi knew he had a fever and his eyes closed. "Call Sasuke. Tell him to set up an appointment with Hiruzen Sarutobi." He wasn't about to take chances and linger over finding out if he was screwed or not.





Nodding Neji kissed Itachi and grabbed the cordless phone. "I'll call him now; try to get some rest love." Neji walked into the living room and sunk down on the couch. He felt like crying. He was scared and angry at the same time. With shaky fingers he hit the speed dial button for Sasuke's cell phone and waited for the younger Uchiha to pick up.





"Itachi this had better be good, I was in the middle of kissing my idiot." The younger Uchiha's voice was highly irritated.





"Sasuke it's me, I'm sorry to call so late." Neji leaned his head back against the back of the couch as he spoke, he really didn't want to have to have this conversation. "Itachi is not well, he's been throwing up a lot and he has a fever, he needs you to contact Hiruzen Sarutobi and set up an appointment as soon as possible." Neji's voice wavered.





A clatter was heard on the other end of the line, like someone had just tripped over a phone table and Sasuke choked out, "What?!"





"He's been tired a lot lately and he's lost some weight. Tonight we went to bed early and I woke up to him being sick in the bathroom." Neji curled in on himself on the couch, he felt cold to his very bones, like he was entirely made of ice.





Sasuke very nearly whimpered before he tightened his Uchiha resolve and nodded. He'd hit his knees as soon as Neji had told him Itachi wanted an appointment with his cancer specialist and he'd yet to move from them. "I'll make the appointment but I'm sure it's nothing to be concerned about. Could be any one of a hundred bugs that are going through the city right now."





"Yes, yes I'm sure you're right." Neji agreed while a hot tear slipped down his too cold cheek. He wanted Sasuke to be right, he wanted it so badly.





On the other side of the line Naruto came rushing out of the bedroom, half dressed to sink down onto his knees next to his husband. He placed his hands on Sasuke's shoulders and hovered worriedly. "What's wrong Sas? What's happened?"



Sasuke reached out and grabbed the back of Naruto's neck, pulling him down to press their brows together, anchoring himself in the touch of his idiot. "I'll make the appointment Neji and call you back with the time."





Neji thanked Sasuke and hung up, sitting in the dark living room, not able to get up.





Naruto wrapped his arms tightly around Sasuke. "What's happened love?"





The brunette leaned into his husband, seeking comfort. "Itachi's sick. He's been losing weight and getting tired too easily and now," a helpless whimper escaped his best efforts to cage it, "He's throwing up again and has a fever."





Holding on tighter Naruto comforted Sasuke. "It'll be okay, hopefully it's just a bug...and if it isn't...well then we'll deal with it. Itachi is strong."





"I know but...Naruto last time it nearly broke him. I don't know if he can take another round of chemotherapy." He sat there with his husband for a few more moments then pulled away a bit. "I have to call Sarutobi and make an appointment." He picked up the cordless phone again and dialed the number for the cancer specialist.



 

oo—oOo—oo

~next day, squeezed in appointment~





Itachi sat on the exam table after Sarutobi had taken a blood sample off to the labs and he studied the pattern of the floor tiles. Something he'd done often whenever he'd been here. This was all too familiar and frightening for him and he felt like he was about to vomit...again.





Neji stood next to the table, holding one of Itachi's hands tightly in his own; he wouldn't let Itachi go through this alone. "How are you doing?"





The Uchiha turned to bury his face in Neji's shoulder. He'd refused to allow Sasuke or Naruto into the room, they'd both seen him when he'd gone through the chemo and everything before that and he didn't want them to see him weak again. "Awful. My head is killing me and I'm so thirsty but I'm terrified to drink anything in case my stomach doesn't like it."





Neji ran his fingers through Itachi's hair and placed a kiss on his temple. "Do you want me to get you some ice? It could help against your thirst and it's easier on your stomach."





Itachi nodded into the Hyuga's shoulder. "Please." He gnawed on his lip as Neji went out. Though he knew his lover was coming back he was still uneasy being in this room alone. It held too many bad memories despite the kindness of the staff. It didn't take long for Neji to return though, with a Styrofoam cup filled to the brim with ice. He took the cup gratefully and popped a chunk of ice in his mouth, almost moaning at how blissful it felt to have the cold sliver wetting his mouth. He leaned his head back on Neji’s shoulder as he munched slowly on the ice and waited for Sarutobi to return.





Wrapping his arm around Itachi Neji leaned his cheek on top of his head as they waited together. "Did the ice help?" Neji wanted to be strong and calm on front of Itachi, his lover had enough on his mind without having to deal with Neji having a panic attack. He couldn't stop his heart from beating a mile a minute though.





"Mmm yes. Thank you." Itachi sank into the comfort of Neji's embrace, closing his eyes and relaxing. He'd nearly fallen asleep when the door to the office opened and in strode the old, kind faced man who was Dr. Hiruzen Sarutobi. "Well Itachi I've got good news and I've got bad news. Which do you want first?"





The Uchiha swallowed. "The bad."





"I'm afraid you're going to have to pay for the test out of pocket as your insurance is run by a tight-assed bunch of bastards."





Neji was almost trembling, his whole body was set on vibrate and he found Itachi's hand again, tangling his fingers with his lover's. "That's the bad news?"





"Mmmhmm. Now for the good news, you're still cancer free Itachi."





The Uchiha frowned. "But the fatigue and weight loss, the nausea, diarrhea, and fever..."





Sarutobi smiled kindly. "You have a bit of a nasty stomach bug, plus you're one of the unlucky ones to still be feeling the after effects of the chemotherapy. That makes for serious fatigue. I'm going to give you a list of foods that are high enough in calories that they should get you back up to your proper, healthy weight soon."





A sob escaped Neji and he tried to stifle it but another one escaped and another one after that. Soon he was crying, deep, heartbreaking sobs that wracked his entire body and made his shoulder shake. He was so ashamed but he couldn't stop.





Sarutobi just smiled and left the room so the two could calm themselves.





Itachi turned and wrapped his arms tight around his lover, waves of relief making tears gather in his own eyes. "I'm okay. It's just a normal flu...thank the gods. Neji baby please, calm down. It's okay now, it's okay." He rocked the Hyuga both to comfort his lover and because he needed to soothing rhythm himself.





Neji clutched at Itachi's shirt, wetting the material with his flood of tears. "I'm so sorry; I'm making an ass of myself. It's just...you're okay, you're fine." He kissed Itachi deeply and messily, mixing their tears. "I'm so happy, so relieved...I love you so much Itachi."





Itachi returned the kiss fiercely before scattering kisses over Neji's face. "I know. I do too. Neji. I love you. Love you, love you, love you." each word was punctuated with a kiss.





Neji continued to cling, kissing Itachi back and just reveling in the fact that Itachi was there and that he was well. A stomach flu he could live with gladly. "What do you say we get out of here?" Neji looked around the room that still gave him chills.





"Gladly." Itachi practically bounded off the table and rushed out, pausing only to get the list of foods and pay the bill. He got into Neji's car and closed his eyes. "Take me home snowflake."





"Absolutely Phoenix, hold on to your seat." Neji swerved out of the parking lot, speeding towards home. Keeping one eye on the speed limits Neji made his way home as quickly as possible. He sighed happily when they turned into their own drive way. "Home sweet home."





Itachi murmured sleepily. "Hallelujah." He slid out of the car and caught Neji's hand as they went inside. "I'm going to lie on the couch and call my brother, let him know everything's alright."





"Kay, do that." Neji gave Itachi's hand a squeeze and walked with him to the couch and wrapped a blanket around him. "I'm just going to the kitchen to make some tea." He kissed Itachi and handed him the phone.





The Uchiha smiled a bit tiredly and began dialing his brother's number. It took possibly half a ring before it was answered by Sasuke impatient and worried tone.





"Well?"





"Just a bug little brother, flu mixed in with the lingering after effects of chemotherapy."





On the other end of the line Sasuke slumped against the wall, relief making his knees weak. "Thank goodness."





Naruto poked his head out from another room, carrying Shinji on his hip. He heard Sasuke's words and saw his husband's relieved expression. "Yay, Shinji, your uncle is alright." The two of them danced around the room in joy. Shinji making squealing sounds of joy into the phone receiver when Naruto bounced them close to Sasuke.





Itachi chuckled a bit weakly as he heard his nephew and Naruto clear as a bell. "I'm going to let you dance with your idiot and your son Sasuke. It's been a busy day and I need some rest."





Sasuke smiled a bit. "Alright. Make the Hyuga take care of you Itachi and we'll see you soon."





"Hn." Itachi hung up and closed his eyes. By the time Neji came back into the room he was fast asleep, the day's events and worry having exhausted him.





Neji straightened the blanket woven in dark blues and greens around Itachi, making sure he was covered and warm and he ran his fingertips over a pale cheek. He hoped Itachi would sleep for a while and gain some of his strength back. Neji placed his steaming cup of tea on the sofa table and went to get his laptop. He sat down in the large chair next to the couch, balancing his laptop on his knees and tried to do some work as he watched his lover sleep.



To be continued…

 

AN – Preview for next chapter; we’re closing in on the end of this story, the next chapter will be the last. Will it be happy ever after for our boys or will some new trouble find them and turn everything on its head. Also, the birth of a baby. Thank you so much for reading and please do comment if you have the time to do so. See you all next chapter.