Chapter nine

Beta Version

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Outburst of feelings

Naruto had passed his day telling discreetly the truth to his friends. It had been the most difficult with Sakura and Sai. Sai had accepted the truth rather easily because he had been part of the ROOT but with Sakura, it hadn't been so easy. He had taken him most of the afternoon before he had finally let it to Sai and had left.

He had gone back to the hidden Uchiha district and Natachi had welcomed him. Naruto took him in his arms and hugged him tenderly. But Natachi could tell easily that something was bothering his mother. Naruto was smiling but in his eyes, there was something that wasn't. Natachi kissed his mother and went to fetch his father. Naruto sat at a table, crossed his arms on it and put his head on them.

Itachi arrived silently and looked at him. He could tell what was wrong with him. He sat by his side and lovingly caressed Naruto's hair. Silent stayed on for fifteen minutes before Itachi broke it.

"- What's wrong, Naruto?" he asked.

"- You know very well what's wrong." Naruto said turning his head to face him.

"- You're thinking about Sasuke, aren't you?" Itachi said.

"- Yes. I want to meet him and try to talk to him. I know it's dangerous but I don't want you two to kill each other. He has the right to know the truth about your family." Naruto explained.

"- I understand … but Sasuke … I made him what he is now. It's me who told him to hate me, to despise me." Itachi said.

"- You only did that to help him become stronger. You wanted to protect him but even if you're a genius, you chose the wrong way to help him. You hurt him and yourself instead." Naruto said.

"- I hurt you too. And it's strange but I'm more upset that I hurt you than my brother." Itachi said.

"- It's not strange. It's different king of love." Naruto answered.

"- No, that's not it. I know I love you more than I love Sasuke. Even when we were young, since the day I saw you, I loved you more than him." Itachi said guiltily.

"- I … used to love Sasuke more than my own life. At first, he was my best friend but it changed. At the time, my love was unrequited. Sasuke didn't love me the same way. I never told him and he decided to go to Orochimaru. I thought it was my fault. Maybe if I had told him about my feelings he would have stayed. That day, I followed him to the Valley of the end. We fought and when he pierced my heart with his chidori, I told him I was in love with him. What did he do? … He laughed at me and told me that I was just trying to make him change his mind. It hurt so much I let Kyuubi took over my body. When I finally gained back consciousness … he wasn't there anymore and I was at the hospital. I searched for him for two years before I was kidnapped." Said Naruto with empty eyes. "It's funny, nee? I fell in love with a man who will never love me for what I really am. I fell in love with the wrong Uchiha."

"- Sasuke loves you, he told you when … just before piercing you…" Itachi tried.

"- He doesn't love me. He said I was his but it was just to hurt you. He knew that you would come for me not because you love me but because of Kyuubi. He just wanted to have me to lure you out and kill you. I'm nothing to him, not even a friend anymore. I understand that. But I still want to help him and you. I'm a fool." Naruto stated.

Itachi took him in his arms and kissed him. Why was he a fool? He just wanted to help them. Naruto didn't fight him. He wanted to be loved and perhaps Itachi was someone who was worthy of a chance. The kiss deepened and when they finally stopped, they simply looked at each other without saying anything.

"- I can't let you go alone. I'll go with you." said Itachi suddenly.

"- Thank you but you can't. If you come with me, he won't listen. I'll go alone, I can protect myself and Kyuubi is with me." Naruto said with a little smile.

"- Minato-sama will never let you go alone." Itachi said.

"- I'll just have to persuade him." Naruto stated.

When the evening came, all of them sat at the table. Naruto was a little surprised but happy to see Gaara and Neji there. After all, Gaara had told him, he had a lot of things to ask him. They sat and began to eat even if the atmosphere was a little heavy. Naruto didn't tell anything to his father. He wanted to talk to him alone and Gaara was there to ask him a lot of things so he was a priority for Naruto.

The dinner ended just like it had begun. Naruto and Gaara went to a quieter place to talk. They ended in Naruto's room where they sat on the bed. The twins were with Natachi who was with his father and grandfather. Naruto smiled.

"- So what do you want to talk about?" Naruto asked, always smiling.

"- I want to know what you're going to do about Sasuke." Gaara asked.

"- I want to see him. I want to convince him to stop his foolish revenge on his brother. I'm afraid of Danzo. I fear that he may try to enrol Sasuke in his stupid plan and that Sasuke will end up as Orochimaru's vessel without knowing it and I don't want Itachi and him or for Sasuke to kill Itachi." Naruto answered.

"- Do you still like Sasuke?"

"- No. I don't love him anymore. My love for him is just a memory."

"- Then, do you love Itachi?"

"- I … I really don't know. It's true that the most time I spend alone with him make me feel at ease but I don't know if it's love."

"- I want to come with you to see Sasuke."

"- I was sure you were going to say something like that but I don't want to involve Neji. So once I convince my father to let me go, it will be just the two of us."

"- I understand. Anyway, I didn't want him to come."

"- When do you want to start your training?" It won't take you long and I am sure Neji will be shocked to see you in female version. How many babies do you want?" Naruto asked to change subject.

"- I don't know. One to begin with and we want you to be his godfather." Gaara answered with a little smile and a hint of red on the cheek.

"- I'll be happy to be his godfather."

"- Naruto, I have one more question. If you don't want to answer, you don't have to. I won't force you to."

"- You want to know what I will do once I find Danzo, don't you?"

"- Yes, I want to know."

"- I won't do anything? Once my father and Itachi will be done with him, there won't be anything left for me to mutilate and it's better that way. There is Orochimaru to deal with as well. We have to stop him. He's after my kittens now and if he joins Danzo, I fear the worst."

"- Don't worry, they won't hurt you. I promise you that."

"- Gaara. You have to think of yourself too. You will be a mother … if I can say it like that; you have to think of yourself first. I want to see my nephews." Naruto said with a smile.

"- Naruto…how can you accept others' help? All you life, you have sacrificed everything to protect your friends and now that it's time for your friends to be there for you, you simply reject them. Perhaps you're not aware of that yourself but do you know what it feels like to not being trust by his best friend?"

"- Gaara, I …"

"- I like you Naruto! You're my best friend, my first friend. The first one that looked at me and saw me and not the monster that was in me. You're like my brother, you understand me better than anyone … Do you know how much I suffered when you weren't there? I'm the Kazekage and even if I have Neji, Temari and Kankuro, it's not the same when I'm with you. During six long years, you weren't there, when Neji declared to me, I was lost, I wanted you to be there, I wanted to see you! But you weren't there and I couldn't find you, it was so frustrating that it was driving me crazy every day! You don't know how precious you are to all of us. It's true that we never told you either but … Naruto … You're so important to so many people and all you think about is saving your friends. You never think about what you want. You have three children, a man that loves you more than life, you have found that your father is alive, you have Jiraiya and Tsunade who see you as their grandson, you have so many friends and all you do it's think about them. For once in your life, do what you want to! Be egoist! Be selfish! Be the little boy that you have never been! I know very well that you can't turn back time but you have the chance to learn to know your father and you have a family who need you, for once, just be you, Naruto."

Naruto was surprised. Gaara was talking a lot and each sentence that he had said was like a kunai threw directly in Naruto's heart. It was true all of what he had said but Naruto couldn't bring himself to be egoist or selfish even if he wanted to. He was afraid. He was afraid that if only once put himself first, he'd loose everything he had. If Gaara knew how happy he had been when he had meet his father. At first, he was angry because he believed that this man was lying to him but when he had discovered it was the truth, he was happy, so happy that he had jumped and hugged the man but he hadn't done it again, too afraid that all was a dream.

"- I'm scared Gaara! You don't know how scared I am! I'm afraid of waking up and still be in this glass prison! If all of that was a dream … If Natachi, Kira and Ryou weren't real! If my father was dead, if Itachi was just after Kyuubi, if all of that was just a genjutsu! If I was still their prisoner! You don't know how much I want to be selfish! Be a little kid even if all of my friends were to laugh at my attitude, I …" Naruto said while standing near panic state.

"- This is not a dream nor a genjutsu! Naruto! It's the reality! You're safe now and with us, with all of us and nobody will never again lay a hand on you or your children! Nobody will never laugh at you but with you! You're free now! You're safe with us! Be selfish! You have the right, more than anyone else!"

"- I can't Gaara! Not now! I still have to bring back Sasuke before he tries again to kill his brother. I have to make him understand that, he was in the wrong all this time. I have to stop Danzo and Orochimaru! Until then, I can't relax and be happy! Please, understand me, Gaara … I still have things to do before allowing myself to be selfish and happy with everyone. I don't want my children to grow up in this world. It's true that there will always be people to disturb our peace but even if it's one or two years … I want to live happily with my family and my friends. I … I want to learn to love again."

"- Naruto, listen to me. You're not the only one who wants that; you're not the only one who fights for that. You're not alone. We are all here and we'll help you! Believe in me, believe in us!" Gaara took in him in his arms and hold him tightly.

They stayed like that a long time. Gaara couldn't understand what Naruto was feeling at that time because, he hadn't suffer what he had been through during those six years. But he was sure of one thing, he will do anything to realise his friend's wish. And he was sure he wasn't the only one. When they finally broke their hug, they didn't say anything. They simply stayed quiet. Naruto finally broke the silence.

"- Gaara, go back to Neji, I have to talk with my father." Naruto said as he stood up standing.

"- I understand but don't do anything stupid. See you later."

With that, Gaara left the room and Naruto stayed alone. After a while, he left the room and went to his father's room. He wasn't inside so Naruto went to search for him. When he finally found him, he was with Itachi, Natachi, Ryou, Kira and the some others. Naruto smiled and with a little hand sign he asked him to follow. Minato left Ryou to Jiraiya and left with his son. They entered Minato's room quietly.

"- I have to talk to you. I already know Itachi's opinion and I think I already know yours but I still want to ask your permission. I want to meet with Sasuke alone." Naruto stated.

"- It's too dangerous. I could never allow it." Minato said.

"- Gaara wants to come and Kyuubi is with me, I won't be in danger." Naruto said.

"- They are four and what if Danzo or Orochimaru arrive? It's too dangerous. Do you realise that you have a family to take care of?"

"- I'm well aware of that, but my family will never be able to live happily if we leave things as they are. Sasuke is a part of this family. He's Itachi's brother and I don't want them to kill each other."

"- Sasuke won't listen to you. He only wants to kill his brother, he's obsessed with his revenge."

"- Even if you are right, I have to try. I have to prevent him from joining Danzo and Orochimaru. Danzo will surely go to him and I'm sure he'll hide his alliance with Orochimaru. I have to save him."

"- Why can't you understand? He won't listen to you, Naruto. I just want you to be safe. Why do you care so much for someone who betrayed you?" Minato asked.

"- Why do I care? He has the right to know the truth about his family! I understand what he feels! We lived all our life until now knowing nothing. It's true that our lives were different. I was badly treated while he was treated like a living god but it was the same. We were always all alone, not knowing the truth. We always lived in lies. Just like me, he has the right to know that his brother is not the one who murdered his clan."

"- I understand what you're saying. I wasn't there for you, I left you all alone but I don't want to lose you now. We have so much things to talk about, we have still to know each other and …"

"- We will have all the time in the world for that after peace has returned to Konoha. I promise you, I will come back to you. I won't give up my kittens and you. I still have so much to do! I have to become a better Hokage than you were. But if I don't go help Sasuke, I will never be able to devote myself to all of you entirely." Naruto smiled and hugged his father.

"- How can I fight with you when I already know that it's a lost battle? It was the same with your mother; she always had the last word. You're just like her, when you have an idea you will never let it go until you reach your goal. I will take care of my grandchildren while you're gone but promise me you will come back quickly and unarmed." Minato said while hugged him back.

"- I promise you, I will return to those who love me, I will come back to the place where I belong. Take care of yourself, after all, you aren't so young anymore …" Naruto said while leaving the room, laughing.

"- You little punk! Who's not young anymore? I'll show you!" yelled Minato while running after his son.

After have escaping his father's false rage, Naruto stopped and hid behind a wall. He looked discretely at what had surprise him. It was Itachi who was … smiling. He was holding the twins in his arms and was smiling. There was nobody else. Natachi wasn't there either Kisame, Deidara, Sasori or the others. Naruto blushed deeply when he saw Itachi's smile. He had never seen him smile before so it was really shocking in a way, but what beautiful smile it was. That was what Naruto thought. He looked again and smiled himself. This smile, Sasuke must have seen it when he was a child. Perhaps, he was missing his older brother's smile? And then, it hit him. Naruto had to talk with Itachi; he had to make things clear. He stopped hiding and walked toward him. Itachi turned his head and as it was to protect him, he hid his smile.

"- Do you smile only at the twins? Natachi has never seen you smile, me neither until now. Do you think we aren't worth it? Or do you think it will make you seem weak if people see you smile?" Naruto asked.

"- The last person who had seen me smile was Sasuke. It's difficult for me to show emotions when I hid them for so long. I don't want you to think that Natachi and you aren't worth my smile, it's just that … I don't really control them." Itachi tried to explain.

"- I love your smile. I saw it just now and you were beautiful. Perhaps it's embarrassing to be told that by an other man but it's true. I'm jealous of the twins. It was only for them." Naruto said childishly with a pout on his face.

"- It's not embarrassing at all but you're the beautiful one. I don't want you to feel jealous of the twins. I love you just as much as I love them but it's different kind of love. They're our children and even if they were created artificially, they're our beloved children. I want to protect them because I don't want to make the same mistake that I made with Sasuke. You were right, it was my duty as his older brother to protect him. Instead of that, I made him what he is now, a person who only thinks of revenge and death." Itachi said with a sorrowful expression.

"- I will get Sasuke back. I promise you that. I will convince him and you will have the opportunity to make up with him. Brothers shouldn't be separate. Believe in me." Naruto smiled at Itachi.

"- I want to believe you but I can help but be scared. What if he doesn't want to know the truth? What if he doesn't believe you or me? He's a stubborn man. But I'm more worried about you." Itachi said.

"- Don't worry, Gaara will come with me and I have Kyuubi. We'll be fine. But while I'm away, you have to promise me you will take care of our kits. You will have to keep your eyes on Natachi. If he learns that I'm going to see his uncle, he will want to come and I don't want him to. Even if he's strong, he's only a five years old kit and I worry about him. I want him to have a childhood … the childhood I never had. Will you give it to him while I'm not here?" Naruto asked.

"- Even if you tell me not to worry, I will because I don't want to lose you. I'll take care of them, I promise you I will. But don't make it sound like you will not return. Please, Naruto. I know you don't love me maybe because I look so much like Sasuke and because I nearly killed Gaara but I don't want to lose you. I really love you."

"- I will return, I promise my father so I promise you too. I will definitely come back to you. After all, you were the one who told me I have to learn again to live with people. And Gaara give me the talk about a lot of things and there are some I want to try."

Naruto made his way to him and looked at the twins who were moving their little arms toward them. He smiled and took Ryou in his arms. He kissed him gently on the cheek and smiled.

"- What do you want to try?" asked Itachi.

"- It's a secret; I'll tell you when I get back. But I'll tell you one thing. I don't hate you. Not anymore. I already told Natachi and Gaara seems to have forgiven you even if he will never tell you directly. It's true that you look just like Sasuke but you're not him. Itachi, if one day I fall in love with you, I will love you for who you are and not because you look like my first love. I will never mistake you with Sasuke. You're so alike and different at the same time. I knew Sasuke pretty well. Now I have to know you." Naruto smiled and kisses Kira, who was in Itachi's arms, on the cheek.

"- Can I have one too?" Itachi asked. He was jealous.

Naruto blushed deeply. Itachi was really direct but it was better like that. Naruto turned his head and was about to kiss him on the cheek when Itachi turned his head too and their lips met instead. Naruto pulled away even redder. Itachi was smirking and the twins were laughing.

Natachi arrived. Tsunade and Jiraiya were following him. Natachi stopped near his mum and hugged her by the waist. Naruto stroked her hair while smiling, trying to gain back his original colour.

"- We have to go back to Konoha but we'll come back tomorrow. We'll keep you informed if we heard anything about your enemies." said Tsunade.

"- Thank you, baa-chan. But don't over do it. You have to take some rest. If a war comes, you will need to be at your best." Naruto said with a caring smile.

"- And who are you to tell me that? Who is the one who run away from hospital to look for his lost child?" Tsunade said with a hint of anger in her voice.

"- Maa maa, 'Nade. Don't act like that, you look even more like a grandmother." said Jiraiya with a smile.

"- Who looks like a grandmother?!! Jiraiya! Come back here!" Tsunade said while taking off to run after Jiraiya.

Naruto laughed at the scene without knowing that some of his friends were watching him. The truth was that Gaara hadn't held his tongue. He had told Neji, Shikamaru, Kiba and Hinata that they were going to meet with Sasuke. They were going to come with them and seeing Naruto smiled and laugh like that, hardened their determination. They would do anything to make sure Naruto kept on smiling like he was doing now.

When the morning came, Naruto awoke and made his way to the hidden camp entrance and found Gaara, Neji, Hinata, Kiba and Shikamaru. He had a bag on his back and had just finished taking his breakfast with his father and Itachi. Naruto sighted when he saw them and looked at Gaara.

"- I won't bother to ask who told you." Naruto said with a smile.

"- Gomen Naruto, but it's better like this." Gaara said.

"- Don't say anything, it's all right. So, we're going. Dad, Itachi, take good care of my kittens. If I come back and find out that something has happened to them, you'll regret it." Naruto said seriously.

He hugged his father a moment and then Itachi pulled him in a hug to Naruto surprise. He hid a smile and when Itachi finally let him go, Naruto and the others took off to search for Sasuke.