A question was asked if the medicine that Orochimaru used on Naruto was real...ah, as far as I know, no. I just made it up.
"You sure about this Gaki?" Kakashi asked, looking down at the blond in the wheelchair. "I mean there are-"
"Jiji," Naruto cut his godfather off, his tone reflecting his annoyance at the constant questioning of his motive and the fact he was being pushed around in a wheelchair. He didn't need the damn thing, he could walk just fine without it, but hospital regulations stated that he had to have it. "I'm sure… Unless you decided to change your mind that is?"
"Hell no," the man snapped back, looking away from the aquatic blue eyes that stared through him; causing him to miss the grin that he had only seen on one person whenever she got her way. Kushina was always like that. "I just wanted to make sure you were positive about this."
"I am Jiji, I am," the blond answered, his tone a bit heavier than before but just as strong. "Don't worry about it."
"Okay then," the Hatake said, his voice the same tone as his godson's for only a moment before perking up. "I guess it's to the Uchiha household then. We just have to wait for-." The screeching of tires interrupted Kakashi as a burnt red car came skidding to a halt only inches away from the curb. A man wearing a black shirt with a yellow smile face on the front and blue jeans steeped out the sports car. His eyes were covered by a pair of dark sun glasses and his hair in a mess after driving through town with the top to the convertible was down.
Naruto immediately perked up when he caught sight of the driver. "Obito!" Turning around in his the chair, the blond glared up at his godfather. "Jiji, you didn't tell me Obito gonna stop by."
"It must have slipped my mind," the Hatake muttered under his breath, but his present company could hear the grin in his voice. Even though his partner and godson had known each other for a little less than two weeks, they had acted as if they had known each other for years. The two were so similar in personality, that it was unbelievable; and what was even worse, both of them teamed up together to make Kakashi's life twice as difficult. But he couldn't really complain, not when Naruto was smiling, even more now since Dr. Tsunade had finally discharged him from the hospital after his long stay.
The blond's injuries were almost finished healing—or already healed—and there was no need for the hospital to keep him for observational reasons because the drug Orochimaru gave him wasn't demonstrating any adverse effects. The only caution was that Tsunade had for Naruto was to ease back into everyday life slowly and if there were any problems, mentally or physically, he was to be taken to see a doctor immediately. Preferably her.
"Oi, Ru! You ready to go?" Obito asked, pulling his sunglass up to rest on top of his head. His answer was a nod of his head and an enthusiastic grin, which was returned with just as much enthusiasm. Walking over to the blond, the Uchiha helped his blood-brother get Naruto settled into his car and made sure he was comfortable. That was right before he peeled out of the hospital parking lot, Kakashi in the back cursing at his insane driving habits. Laughter was the all response he got.
With Obito's driving, the trio arrived at the Uchiha household in less than fifteen minutes. A new record for the Uchiha and one he was quite pleased with himself for. Moreover, he only got one speeding violation too. Well, only one speeding violation that he had been caught on, which wasn't really a violation seeing as he didn't receive a ticket. After bullshitting with the arresting officer and explaining that they were on the way to home after Naruto had a long stay at the hospital, the policeman gave him a simple warning.
Pulling up the driveway, the little group was greeted by Mikoto who had a wheelchair ready for use, much to Naruto's displeasure. Again, he had insisted he didn't need the chair; however, the woman was persistent and he ended up being wheeled into the house by his godfather's godmother. The last part, the Uzumaki found very ironic. His brother was dating Itachi Uchiha and his godfather's godparents were the raven's parents. Just went to show him that it wasn't such a big world after all. Everyone was connected in some way or another.
"Mrs. Uchiha, I'm fine," Naruto assured Mikoto again. The woman's motherly nature and hospitality was really appreciated, but he wasn't used to being doted on. He was the one usually the one looking after his brother's well being and taking care of Minato when he was passed out on the couch, so the whole situation felt strange to him. He wanted to do something to help out, but the raven haired woman had taken care of everything. Kakashi and Obito were instructed to make the den into a makeshift room for him because of Dr. Tsunade's orders to not strain himself and climbing stairs could cause strain on his body.
"Okay," Mikoto finally gave in, her tone a little bit skeptical. Finally, she sat down in the loveseat across from the couch Naruto was currently resting upon. "If you're sure."
"Hai," the blond nodded affirmatively, finding it easier to answer the woman in Japanese as he had learned she tended to favor the language when she was highly emotional.
With all the times Kyuubi visited, bring along at least two Uchihas at a time, Naruto got to get to know Mikoto and Fugaku instead of only relying on hearsay and he found he like both of them quite well. Mikoto was the one taking Kyuubi to the hospital the majority of time and Naruto had found her real easy to talk to. She was a very complex woman and had learned that there were two sides to her. The business side, were her emotions were well in check and there was a regal feel to her, which he had seen only once when Minato's lawyer had come to talk to him and she sent him cowering away. Then there was the material side to her, which the Uzumaki had found himself being drawn in by her compassion and caring nature.
Then there was Fugaku. He seemed frightening and cold at first, his posture and gestures that of a man with high status; yet, when the man was around his family and not so guard, he was the stereotypical father. He was constantly teased his children, telling humiliating stories about their childhood that had Itachi and Sasuke blush and glare daggers at him. He showed great affection and love towards his wife, and he cared more about his family than his reputation. Naruto enjoyed himself when he could talk with the man, the man was highly intelligent and he was always learning new things during their conversations.
"Now I would like to talk to you about your decision," the raven brought up the new subject with all seriousness. Her dark orbs locking onto the aquatic blue sphere. "Are you sure you want to do this?"
Hearing the question for the second time that day, Naruto couldn't help but smile. "Jiji asked me that before we left and I haven't changed my mind since; yes, I'm sure. For the longest of time, I've been taking care of Kyuubi—not that I've mind, I love my brother and I'd do anything for him—but I've never taken care of myself. I need to do this, for myself."
Satisfied with his reply, the lawyer nodded her head before playing devil's advocate. "What about Kyuubi-kun? Are you sure you're doing what's best for him?"
"I'm sure." The answer was quick with no hesitation and there was a defiant gleam in his eyes. "He's better off here than with me. He's happy staying with you and your family Mrs. Uchiha, I saw it every time he visited me in the hospital and told me about his day. His face would always light up when he talked about the new things he's tried and done that he's never been able to do before. Things that I could never give him no matter how much I wished I could. I know Kyuubi will be upset with my decision, but he'll get over it. Eventually."
The sadness had laden the Uzumaki's voice, displaying his already forming regret. Mikoto, even though she was questioning Naruto's reasons, supported the blond's decision and only wanted to make sure that he understood the effects of that decision. He did, the woman was sure of that, and he was already regretting them. However, more than anything, he needed to get away.
"Don't worry; we'll take care of him." Hearing the supportive voice of the head of the household, Naruto turned in his seat to see Fugaku walk in a very formal business suit with a manila folder in his hands. A folder which soon found its way into the blond's hands before Fugaku sat down next to his wife; a folder which the teen didn't have time to open as he was distracted by his godfather and Obito walking into the room having a friendly argument. "Ah, you two are just in time to hear what I have to say."
"What's up Fugaku-jisan?" Obito asked, taking a seat in the armchair while Kakashi opt to leaning against the couch his godson was resting on.
"I just received confirmation on the down payment on the lease for the house. It's fully furnished with everything you should need and it a good neighborhood. All the details are in there," the man explained, nodding towards the folder in Naruto's hands.
As the raven haired man continued to talk, Naruto's curiosity got the best of him and he opened the file folder to take a look at details that Fugaku had skimmed over. He would have actually read the file, if it wasn't for the fact that the folder was tugged out of his hands—which was easy seeing as that he didn't have a firm grip on the papers; if he did, he probably would end up with a paper cut—and mysteriously ended up in Kakashi's hands.
"Hey!" the blond yelped, glaring up at the white haired man. "I was looking at that Jiji. You should have waited."
Deeply dark brown eyes were lost underneath eyelids that appeared to be curved in a happy gesture. "Gaki, you should have been faster then. Furthermore, you should learn to respect your superiors." The Uzumaki just mumbled a few choice words under his breath in English, Japanese, and was that German? Yep, it was German; where'd he learn that? Putting that thought to the back of his mind, Kakashi flipped to the file himself. The house was nice, that was for sure, but he wouldn't expect anything less from his godfather. The man always had fine tastes, yet there was just one question he had. "Why such a big house? Four bedrooms, three baths, full kitchen, dinning room, den and living room. A house half the size of this would have done for just two people."
"I agree, a house half the size would be substantial for two people," Fugaku replied, leaning back into the comfortable couch. One of his arms thrown casually over the back of the loveseat and therefore around Mikoto's shoulders while his other arms was resting upon the armrest. The whole look made a scene of pleasantry and homeliness; nonetheless, there was one thing off. The Uchiha's facial expression that demeaned he knew something that wasn't known to the Hatake. "But three people are going to be living there."
"Three?" Kakashi asked bewildered. The manila folder in his hands momentarily forgotten; which the Uzumaki took advantage of and snatched out of the older man's hands to look through the contents with his own aquatic blue eyes. An action that went unnoticed by the off duty police officer, but not by his partner who found himself snickering at the action.
"Yes, three," Mikoto confirmed; happily cuddling with her husband. "You, Naruto-kun, and Obito."
"Obito?" Two voices all but shouted. One voice in shock and the second in pure delight.
While the Hatake was doing a pretty good impression of a mime, Naruto eagerly asked the hyperactive Uchiha. "You're going?"
"Hell, I can't leave you on your own with him," Obito jabbed his finger at his blood brother, "that's just a cruel and unusual punishment-" the harsh objection coming from Kakashi being disregarded "-besides, there's no way I'm letting my partner ditch me. We've been together practically all our lives and I'm not about to let him abandon me now. I'm definitely coming with. I've already applied for the transferred, along with the request to continue being Kakashi's partner, and happy days, both were approved."
Kakashi's eyes were trained on Obito's all throughout their conversation. His eyes reading the cheer and comfort that rested on the surface of the onyx orbs and the empathy—not pity— hidden within deep down. In return, his own dark eyes asked the many questions running through his mind for him. The unheard conversation went on ending swiftly, the end results had gratitude and relief shinning in the brown eyes. Throughout the two's silent exchange, the other occupants of the room keep quiet, letting them sort things out themselves. They could all follow the wordless chat, the Uchiha couple from years of learning to read people in and out of court and Naruto from being forced to learn body language to save himself and his brother from Minato's abuse.
"Thank you," the Hatake mouthed, which had his blood brother nodding his head.
Four o' clock rolled around with the Uchiha family, the Uzumaki brothers, Kakashi and Obito sitting around the full dinner table. Every seat occupied—for once—and the table loaded with food that one could mistaken it for a Thanksgiving feast. Chitchat filled the room, livening up the atmosphere with a cheerful aura, and laughter rang out at the occasional joke. There were at least two or three different conversations going on at the same time. Most of the conversations being told at the expense of the younger generation of Uchihas, Kakashi, and Obito's humiliation; but Kyuubi and Naruto just loved the stories being told. Everything was great.
Even before dinner started, things were good, Kyuubi had come rushing into the Uchiha household around three-ten (only taking enough time to pull off his shoes) searching for his older brother while Sasuke and Itachi took just a little more time (taking their shoes off and neatly arrange them, unlike the redhead who just kicked them off in the corner) to calmly walk through the house. However, the two ravens were in a slight hurry to see the blond finally out of the hospital as well.
Fugaku had to admit it was a tad humorous to see Kyuubi calling out for his brother, skidding across the wooden floor hallway with only his socks on searching for the older teen. The redhead had almost crashed into him as he was walking out of the living room where Naruto was sleeping on the couch and instead fell to the floor to avoid running into the head of the household. Giving the teen a helping hand up, Fugaku had directed the boy into the room he just previously occupied for the blond he was frantically searching for while giving him a heads-up that Naruto was asleep.
The fatherly man did not miss the way that the happiness slightly faded from Kyuubi's eyes at hearing that his older brother was not awake for him to talk to and insignificant amount of disappointment. Fugaku could only assume that the disappointment was from not getting to speak to his brother but the look soon disappeared from his eyes. Determination and resolution taking its place as delight overflowing from the violet colored orbs. The redhead had then thanked the older raven and darted into the room, his two boys trailing notably slower after the young Uzumaki; both boys giving their pleasantries as they passed by their father.
Standing in the doorway, Fugaku watched as the redhead walked over to the blond and kneeled before the couch, running his hand through the long locks of hair that had fallen into the tan scarred face. A peaceful smile on both their faces, not to be disturbed even when Sasuke and Itachi walked behind Kyuubi. Itachi was the first to break the silence, whispering comment to his boyfriend who just snorted in amusement. The youngest Uzumaki's laying his head against his brother's chest, listening to the steady rhythm of the blond's heart beat before whispering a retort back at Fugaku's oldest son. At this, Sasuke seemed to chuckle and add in his own two-cent worth, which only earned him a whack upside the head. It was at this point that Fugaku had left them alone, giving them their space.
Not soon after, Mikoto had gone in and retrieved the boys for dinner, having them wash up as she woke the still sleeping blond, which brought everything to a full circle. The only problem was that the older generation had yet to break the news to the youngest three about Naruto moving away. Mikoto had insisted they all have a wonderful—enjoyable—meal, meaning that the bad news wouldn't come until the end of dinner, preferably after. It would be the only dinner for them to remember and have for awhile, seeing as Fugaku and Kakashi had discussed things over and thought it best for Naruto to get out of town as soon as possible. They scheduled the flight to leave the next day just after midday.
"-her hair was pink and when I say pink, I'm not talking about a light shade barely there pink. I mean bright neon pink, I couldn't believe it! And Mr. Huang says I'm bad at chemistry," Kyuubi finished with a snort and s lopsided smirk on his face.
Chuckling at the story, Naruto shook his head in disbelief. "I don't believe I've ever seen anyone with pink hair before, it must look very strange. I wonder how she's going to get rid of the pink color; cut it all off or try to dye it a different color?"
"Well, we'll just have to wait and see. If you're not back in school before Sakura gets rid of the color, I'll tell ya," the younger boy commented, a thoughtful look appearing on his face. "Say, when are you're you going back to school, Anii?"
The question was innocent, but it caused the blond to tense up and throw a sideways glance across the table where Kakashi was sitting, not sure how to answer that question. There was no help there though, his godfather didn't know how to answer that question either judging by the ways his eyes were being evasive. By this time, the other conversations seemed to have ended on their own—Obito desperately trying to keep Itachi and Sasuke's attention with a conversation, but they were more or less ignoring him—and were waiting for an answer.
"Kyuubi, I'm not going back to that school," Naruto finally answered with a sigh of resignation. The redhead opened his mouth, about to ask him what school he was going to be going to then, unclear on why he was changing schools anyways, but he wasn't given the chance. "Nor any school here. Kyuubi… I'm leaving for Hi no Kuni, Japan tomorrow."
It didn't take but a second for Kyuubi to react, in an instant the chair he was sitting in was pushed back and him standing up so that he could get a better look at the brother sitting in the chair next to him. The scrapping of the chair's legs against the hardwood floor defeated the clattering of the fork hitting the plate before Sasuke, the utensil having fallen from the youngest Uchiha's slacked hand. For a moment, the young teen felt like he couldn't breathe, that his heart decided that it couldn't beat anymore and he couldn't focus.
"What? What do you mean you're leaving for Hi no Kuni tomorrow?" the redhead desperately questioned Naruto, panic evident in his voice.
With all the composure he could muster up, Naruto fought to make sure his eyes were not flickering with his own doubt as he looked up at his brother. "Just what I said Kyuu, tomorrow, there's a flight scheduled to leave at twelve-forty and there is a ticket with my name on it."
"What about me?" the same thought was running through Sasuke's mind, even though it was Kyuubi who asked.
"You'll be staying here with us," Mikoto finally intervened, having two pair of onyx and a set of violet eyes flicker over to look at the only woman in the house.
It was then, that they all realized that they knew that they were the ones left in the dark about things. Kyuubi had thought everything was going to be fine now that Naruto was out of the hospital and they were away from Minato Namikaze. He thought that they were going to be together, after Fugaku had ensured that the Social Services couldn't separate them but they were still being separated. He wanted to know why. Why his brother was leaving him? Why was he being left alone? Why he was being abandoned? Why?
Feeling arms warp securely around his shaking form, Kyuubi leaned into Naruto's embrace, not wanting to lose the comfort. "Listen Kyuu, I'm not abandoning you, never even consider that. I would never abandoned you, I didn't when Minato went on his rampages and I'm not going to now," the relaxing tone of Naruto's voice allowed the redhead to calm himself down and make him realize that he had voiced the doubts out loud. "I'll always be there for you, but I need to get away, Kyuu. Can you understand that? I need to do this, for myself." Naruto felt more than saw his brother nod into his shirt, yet his grip never letting going and increased instead. "If you don't want me to go, I'll stay."
Sasuke heard the softly whispered offer; though he didn't think that any of them were supposed to, he heard it anyways. With all his being he wished that his brother's boyfriend would say yes, that he wanted the blond to stay. That he wasn't going to the Land of Fire and he would stay here with them. Sasuke wanted to be selfish and keep the blond here, but he knew, even before Kyuubi declined the offer, that having Naruto stay would be greedy. That the Uzumaki needed to get away and do something selfish for himself, but that didn't stop his heart from throbbing in heartache.
"I'll be alright," Kyuubi murmured. He still clung to the older teen, although his hands finally returning to their normal tan color instead of white from lack of blood circulation. "But what about you?"
A soft chuckle, not one out of happiness but out of liberation, vibrated in Naruto's throat. "Remember my birthday was last week; I'm eighteen now Kyuu, a legal adult, and I practically raised you. I'm going to be fine."
"And if he's not, we'll be there with him," Kakashi spoke up with a soft smile on his face
"Exactly, we'll make sure nothing happens to him," Obito concluded. "Besides, no one will mess with an Uchiha in Hi no Kuni, not when the police chief is a former yakuza member and an Uchiha. Better yet Madara is Fugaku's father and my grandfather. He'll probably feel grateful towards Naruto here because he saved two of his grandchildren."
"Hey, you never told you that Grandfather Madara was a former Yakuza," Itachi suddenly stated which earned Obito a glare form Mikoto for saying such things.
The rest of the time before Naruto and his guardians' departure went by rather quickly. Too quickly for some of their taste, but there wasn't anything any of them could do concerning time. Instead, they made the most of what little time left they had together and made the best of it. The whole Uchiha family and Kyuubi had come to see the three off at the airport and say their goodbyes, making Naruto realized that—for once in his life after his mother's death—there were people that cared about him other than his brother.
The hundred dollar bill that Fugaku pressed into his hands as he was leaving and the small homemade obento presented to him by Mikoto were their way of showing their concern for him. He was happy that they were worried about him, but it wasn't necessary, or at least that is what he had told them. Kyuubi, with Itachi's help, had gotten him a fox and weasel decorated picture frame with two pictures parallel to one another. Both of the pictures having the reoccurring theme of Naruto pulling the two boys apart from each other, the difference being that one was of them fighting when they were younger and the other of them making out. When asked where they got the pictures—because he definitely didn't remember them every being taken—Kyuubi pointed at Itachi, who just shrugged his shoulders and said it was a secret. Sasuke had even given him a going away present, but he was told he couldn't open it until after the plane had taken off.
Before boarding the aircraft, Naruto had made sure that he hugged his brother and Mikoto, shook hands with Fugaku, threatening Itachi to keep his brother safe and happy, and gave Sasuke a hug of his own as well. Promising he would write, or e-mailed, them all as soon as he could, the blond left with one last look back. Kakashi and Obito, who also had their own going away gifts, also parted ways with a last farewell and they too were gone. The last sight they had of the three men was of them following the stewardess to their seats.
Sasuke could only pray that the blond would like his present, which was the original drawing for the first part of a manga he had been working on. Hopefully the blond won't mind, after all, he had based the main character off of Naruto.
Ahh, don't kill me. This was how it was supposed to end. Sasuke loves and doesn't say a word, only to watch Naruto leave him.
Question: Overall, what was your favorite part?
Shi no Tenshi 902