A/N: And this would be the direct continuation of the previous chapter... It's been a while since we'd seen much at all of the dudes from the IY verse, and I just couldn't get enough of them. Haha. Well, this chapter marks the last of InuYasha for a while... but I certainly hope you all aren't disappointed. This chapter has some more insight into Itachi's relationship and feelings for Kagome... which I know confused a lot of people. Hopefully, this will explain it all.

Without further ado...

Piano Man

XIV: The Way Home

By ancient-relic

-::-

Naruto groaned, pulling himself into an upright position. Light filtered in through the cracks in the reed door, creating warm patterns across his face.

"Where am I?" he rubbed the side of his face, swallowing several times to wet his mouth.

"Already forgotten, have ya?" a voice responded gruffly from the shadows. "It ain't even nightfall yet."

"Ah," Naruto remembered the fight with InuYasha and his brother. "What happened?"

"Your ninja friend, the bastard, just blinked at Sesshomaru and sent him packing." InuYasha scoffed, pushing to his feet and stepping into the light.

"Tsukiyomi," Naruto said in understanding, glancing down at his torso to check for damage.

"You're all patched up," InuYasha said, pausing at the door, sending the warm glow of the setting sun flooding through the room. "Dinner's ready, an' we're waiting for you. Hurry it up."

"I'm healed?" Naruto glanced down at his shoulder curiously, and then flexed his wrist experimentally.

"Demon, remember." InuYasha said. "You're not in ninja-land. Your demon, even if you're a wannabe, is still at the front. So you healed real quick."

Naruto scrambled up to follow InuYasha, and realized that he was only wearing his pants; which were both singed and torn. "Umm," he paused, looking around for something to wear.

"Baa-chan left you hakama over there. There should be some other stuff, too." InuYasha nodded his head towards Kagome's bag, and Naruto saw there was indeed a pile of clothes, some vaguely reminiscent of Kagome's clothes, and some rather feudal-looking.

Naruto searched through the pile quickly, selecting a white tank to wear underneath the formal garb Kaede had left. Shuffling into them, Naruto admired the simple fern print on the sleeves of the top he was struggling to tie closed. Giving up and tucking the ends into the waist of his pants and the pants into his sandals, Naruto scrambled out of the hut and after InuYasha.

"This way," InuYasha called, and Naruto was surprised to find InuYasha perched on the roof of Kaede's hut.

"Seriously?" Naruto glanced up at the thatched roof. "I don't want to break anything."

"Keh," InuYasha scoffed, turning his nose up at him. "Then keep up, kid,"

InuYasha went bounding away, leaving Naruto to follow at a dead sprint. Navigating the turns of the paths was more challenging than he had suspected while trying to keep InuYasha in sight, but less than a few moment later, InuYasha slowed to a stop in front of a hut on the edge of the village. A large fire was burning merrily some ways away, and Naruto could just make out the silhouettes of the rest of Kagome's travelling companions.

As Naruto approached, he found an open seat beside Kaede and Miroku, and gladly accepted the cup noodles that were handed to him.

"Ramen?" Naruto was surprised.

"You eat Kagome's noodles too?" Shippo popped his head around Miroku's shoulder curiously.

"We have them in my world," Naruto managed around a mouthful of the salty noodles. "De-lisch-us." He emphasized, nearly choking.

"All right," Kaede said, glancing at InuYasha, who was wolfing the food down just as eagerly. "I believe we decided on this communal meal for a reason."

"That is correct." Itachi spoke up, placing an empty bowl before him. "I believe I have figured out what has happened, and what must take place for both us and Kagome to return home."

"What?" Naruto slurped the last of his noodles, glancing across the fire to the Uchiha.

"Just listen." Itachi said coldly. "I will fill the gaps in your story. Kagome fell down the well on the Uchiha compound, and appeared in a well outside of Takigakure. Her power was sending out random, uncontrolled bursts in an attempt to heal the damage she had sustained when she fell. Yet because she had remained unconscious for an extended period of time, her body grew much weaker, and her power only succeeded in draining her faster.

A nearby village had reported the strange power, which attracted the attention of the Akatsuki. She was recovered by fellow members Deidara and Hidan. When I discovered it was Kagome, I immediately took care of her injuries. They were extensive."

"So she DID get hurt!" InuYasha pointed accusingly at Itachi, but turned to point at Naruto when the Uchiha leveled a cold glare in his direction.

"It wasn't anyone's fault, dumbass," Naruto snapped. "Shut up and let him finish!"

"Because several of her ribs were damaged, her healing period was tedious. Her power counteracted my chakra, so I was not able to use jutsu to help expedite the process. She managed to escape, unnoticed from the place I had sequestered her while her ribs were on the mend; I suspect she was assisted. She successfully managed to avoid detection- and I tracked her across Fire Country all the way to Wind Country."

"Gaara?" Naruto was surprised. "She made it all that way with injured ribs?"

"It is unknown if she ran into the Kazekage." Itachi replied. "But by the time I had discovered she had made it to Wind Country, I picked up her trail heading back towards Fire Country. I encountered her at the border of Konoha."

"So is she okay?" Naruto asked, glaring at the Uchiha across the flames. "Why didn't you mention this before? Like when you were attacking me, demanding to know where Kagome was?"

"At that time, you were speaking with a clone," Itachi said slowly, closing his eyes as he continued. "I had sent several clones across Fire Country in search of clues. Because Kagome had still been injured, I did not bother to conceal my tracks as well as I should have… when I found her tracks leading towards Fire Country again almost two weeks later, I followed her."

"So what happened?" InuYasha was not demanding, but rather listening carefully. "How were you with Kagome and then here, if you fell through the well?"

"I confronted Kagome and she attacked me. I had realized that the strange power source Naruto held was an important key to returning Kagome, but Kagome was adamant on solving the riddle herself. When she passed the protective barrier surrounding Konoha, I could not follow her further without risking revealing my involvement to the wrong people."

"Like Sasuke," Naruto said slowly, putting the pieces together. "He was frantic, trying to find Kagome."

"Correct. I gathered he felt guilty for her disappearance. When I sensed his approach to Kagome's location, I needed provide Kagome an answer to my appearance without directly telling her. So I attacked her."

"If you hurt her, I'll kill you." InuYasha snarled, jumping to his feet.

"It was necessary." Itachi replied. "I did not trust Kagome to be able to successfully lie to Sasuke. And it was nothing Tsunade-sama herself would not be able to heal. A minor wound to the abdomen."

"Keh." InuYasha huffed, sitting again, but his hand now rested on the hilt of his sword.

"I was forced to return to Naruto when I learnt of Kagome's power source, and then I imagine, all my clones were forced to disappear when I traveled through the portal."

"Wow." Was all Naruto managed, "How appropriately careless of you."

Naruto stood up, glaring balefully at Itachi.

"If you cared about Kagome at all, you wouldn't let your issues with Sasuke interfere with that. You put Kagome's health at risk, as well as possibly stranding us here at the mercy of some kind of magic, all because you didn't want Sasuke to catch you there?"

"Your anger is pointless and misdirected." Itachi responded bitingly, rising to his feet to match Naruto. Dangerous power seemed to stretch lazily from Itachi's form, but Naruto wasn't intimidated; the Kyuubi's chakra began to seep, slowly, from his pores, turning his eyes red and whipping his hair and clothes.

"Maybe if you'd stop keeping these important things to yourself and let someone else help for once you'd be able to put all your abilities to good use!" Naruto snapped back, pointing.

"When I meet someone who can keep up with me, perhaps that will become a viable option," Itachi responded. "I don't need a team to slow me down."

"Maybe you should stop underestimating everyone around you!" Naruto shouted. "Did you ever stop to think how great Sasuke could become under your tutelage? Kakashi can't compare- he's not an Uchiha by blood. But you are!"

"And that's exactly why it can't be me." Itachi's voice rose dangerously, but he finished more subdued than he started. "You know nothing, Naruto. Nothing but what has been fed to you. Sasuke's anger was misplaced. I directed it. If I hadn't, he would have followed down the same corrupted path that the rest of my clan did. And it leads only to pain, suffering, and regret."

"And I suppose you're so special? That the same thing didn't happen to you?" Naruto spat. "The precious prodigy child of the Uchiha Clan?"

"No, Naruto." Itachi was unruffled by Naruto's jab. "I was. And it was because my eyes were opened that I was forced to make a choice. I made my choice. And I'm going to stop Sasuke from making the same mistake."

With that, Itachi swept away from the fireside, his Akatsuki cloak swirling around him as he disappeared into the darkening night.

"You guys aren't friends, are you?" Shippo spoke up quietly, turning to look at Naruto, who's eyes were glaring at the spot where Itachi had disappeared. Chest heaving, he glanced down at the young fox.

"No. We're not."

-::-

Itachi was sitting high in the branches of the Goshinboku, staring up at the moonlight that filtered through the leafy boughs. The moonlight was gentle, illuminating the forest with a gentle glow, as opposed to the harsh beams of light that often accompanied him on missions.

Perhaps it was because his Sharingan wasn't activated, giving his eyes time to relax and enjoy the quiet darkness of the night. Perhaps it was because for once, he wasn't living with the past and its mistakes breathing over his shoulder. Perhaps it was because for once, he didn't have to keep a watchful eye on his back.

Either way, Itachi mused, the moonlight is different here. It is… relaxing.

With a soft sigh, Itachi closed his eyes. Of course, even if he didn't react outwardly to anything that would otherwise throw him off balance, Naruto's callous words still managed to worm their ways past his cleverly crafted defense.

No one knew the truth behind the events of the Uchiha Massacre save the Sandaime, himself, and that other Uchiha. Now, the Sandaime had taken the secret to his grave, leaving Itachi the only true bearer of the secret.

And it was a heavy burden to bear. Itachi didn't believe for one moment that Sasuke was ready to hear the truth- it would shatter his world, and everything he thought true and right. And of course, he would never ever understand the reason behind his older brother's actions either, because of the constant pressure that had been forced upon him.

"Mew."

Surprised, Itachi's eyes flew open in time to meet with another pair of bright red eyes in the night, staring at him contemplatively.

"Kirara," Itachi spoke softly.

Kirara began to purr in response, and nimbly walked along the branch overhead until she was directly above him, before hopping down into his lap and settling herself comfortably in his arms. Systematically, he curled his fingers in her fur, scratching gently at her skin and behind her ears and at the base of her tails. The rhythmic motion, combined with the slow, soft rumble of her purring slowly relaxed Itachi's frenzied mind.

I didn't expect Kagome to forge such relationships. His mind rebutted against Naruto's accusation. Perhaps it was selfish of me to think that Kagome's mystery would be mine to solve. That I would be that person in her heart, and not my little brother…

Itachi felt the stirrings of anger and jealous at the back of his head, and reveled in the emotions for several moments before squashing them down and forcing them away again.

For all that Sasuke hates me, I doubt he realizes what he has. Foolish little brother…

Itachi's hand slowed as a wave of drowsiness seemed to wash over him. His eyes were almost closed now, his eyelashes brushing across his cheeks. He was so tired. Kirara's purring seemed to increase in volume as he stilled, as if to remind him of his task. With a faint smile, he resumed his petting, letting his eyes slip closed.

Tonight, he would rest.

Perhaps I should invest in a feline companion of my own.

-::-

Naruto awoke to sunlight streaming across his face for the second time in less than 24 hours. His back was cramped from where he had fallen asleep sitting up against a trunk of a tree, and his legs were asleep and were now locked in their crossed position.

His sleep had been troubled- his words with Itachi running over and over in his mind, building his irritation with the foolish Uchiha. I swear they all have ego complexes, he complained, stretching irritably until his back cracked with relish.

But I think that Kagome has thrown him more out-of-sorts than he would care to admit. And I think that Itachi might even have a crush on little Kagome, Naruto mused to himself as he headed towards the sound of running water, further through the trees.

Jeez, another thing for those bone-headed brothers to fight over. Someone should just sit them down in a room until they talk it all out.

Naruto couldn't suppress a chuckle at the thought of the Uchiha siblings struggling to have a conversation, between all the cold emotionless glares, the 'hn's' and the death threats. His chuckle quickly turned to full blown laughter, and his voice echoed through the forest for a minute when he stopped to catch his breath.

But I wonder what Itachi meant when he said that I didn't know the real truth. I should talk to Baa-chan about that when we get back. A chilling thought occurred to him. If we get back.

Naruto found himself walking along the river he had picked out with his sensitive hearing, and bent to kneel beside it, washing his face with the cool water vigorously. After staring at his reflection for a moment longer, he sat back with a loud sigh.

"I should apologize to Itachi," he said to no one in particular. "This whole thing is a little out of hand. We need to work together if we're going to figure something out."

Naruto fiddled with a pouch as he stared up at the wispy clouds that dotted the bright morning sky. Pulling out the scroll where he hid Kagome's things, he fiddled with it pensively.

"Ahhh, teamwork." He scratched his head. "Kakashi-sensei probably had no idea that situations like this would ever arise when we were doing that bell test."

I think I'll stay out here a little longer… Naruto thought to himself. That'll give me enough time to come up with some kind of plan, hopefully. And I'm not quite ready to face Itachi just yet.

-::-

"Oi! Kid!"

"What?" Naruto looked up curiously, tucking the last of his things away into his pouch.

"We've got a plan to get you back." InuYasha said, bounding through the trees and coming to a stop beside him atop a large boulder. "Spent the better part of the morning looking for ya. Thought you might've gotten eaten by a bear, or something."

"I could fight off a bear, you know," Naruto scowled, tucking his hands into the sleeves of his haori like he had seen InuYasha do. The half demon hopped down from his perch and walked alongside him as they headed back towards the town.

"Hah, we don't have regular bears here, you know." InuYasha laughed.

Naruto thought back to some of the giant animals he'd been warned about; specifically the giant tigers of the Forest of Death. "Neither do we."

"Well, I guess we'll never get to test it. That ninja friend of yours, the bastard, he's got a plan." InuYasha changed their direction mid step, instead leading away from the village.

"Oh really?"

"Yeah, and from what we can tell, it's pretty sound. Don't know why the well let you through, but we figure that combined with the jewel shards and something of Kagome's, it should take you back to her."

"Itachi figured that out?" Naruto was disinclined to trust the Uchiha, but at this point, there wasn't much else to lose.

"He was talkin' with the monk, and that's what they came up with." InuYasha shrugged. "We figure that the more time you're stuck here, the weaker the rift between here and there will get, an' so it'll be harder for you to get back."

"I suppose that makes sense," Naruto wrinkled his nose in concentration.

"Anyways, so they're all waitin' for us. I volunteered to come an' get ya." InuYasha said. "After that girly fight the two of you had, I figured the two of ya would want ta get as far apart as ya could."

"Something like that," Naruto grumbled, slightly embarrassed to have such a relationship-retarded hanyou analyze him. However, Naruto had to grudgingly admit that the hanyou had more than one good quality, and he could understand how Kagome could find them attractive. "But I decided to be the bigger person and apologize."

"Ah, you're sounding like Kagome, now." InuYasha snorted in a semi-wistful manner.

"Say, listen." He continued seriously. "Could you pass this on to her for me?"

From within his sleeves he pulled out a piece of reed paper, folded over several times and sealed with wax. Naruto glanced at it once, and at the hanyou, who was looking away, perhaps in embarrassment.

"Yeah," Naruto said slowly, taking it and tucking it into his pouch. "Sure."

"Thanks," InuYasha clapped him heartily on the back.

As they walked into the clearing, InuYasha cleared his throat. "So make sure to tell her that we're all waiting for her to get back, yeah?"

"Yeah," Naruto smiled wanly, glancing at Itachi, who was standing conversing quietly with Miroku.

"All right, Naruto." The monk strode over to him, and handed him a small book. "This is Lady Kagome's scrapbook. It's a very personal item, so we're entrusting it to you to make sure that you see it safely to her. It's purpose is also two-fold, to help forge a connection between here and there."

"Okay…" Naruto accepted the book, glancing at it curiously.

"You have the jewel shards, correct?"

"Yeah," Naruto patted one of his pouches with his free hand.

"All right. Now, we believe contact is necessary, so Naruto, please put your hand here…" Miroku began, arranging Itachi and Naruto atop the lip of the well. Naruto's right hand was gripping Itachi's forearm, as his left mimicked the position on Naruto's arm. Both of them gripped Kagome's scrapbook.

"Okay. So, you both should jump into the well at the same time, and think of both your world and Kagome. Hopefully, the magic of the well should respond to the thoughts and return you to your rightful location."

"Will you come back to visit, Naruto?" Shippo popped up from seemingly nowhere, perched on Miroku's shoulder.

Unsure, Naruto glanced at Miroku, who simply shook his head. "I don't think so, Shippo. I think it was a misunderstanding… I think the well had intended to bring Kagome home, based on the presence of the shards. But it made a mistake. Now, we need only to correct it."

"Come on, runt," InuYasha grabbed Shippo by the tail, and whisked him away mid-protest. "Later, kid, bastard," he saluted at the two of them with his free hand. Out of the corner of his eye, Naruto thought he might have seen Itachi smirk.

"All right, gentlemen. The count of three." Miroku said.

"One,

Two,

Three."

On three, Itachi and Naruto simply stepped into the well, letting themselves fall. Naruto braced himself for impact, forcing himself to loosen his muscles so the force wouldn't rattle his bones. A warm blue light seemed to wrap around them, slowing their descent, and Naruto understood immediately that whatever they had attempted had worked.

Moments later, the same rocky well they had fallen into made itself present around them, and they settled gently on the rocks. Naruto immediately released Itachi, and felt the other ninja do the same.

"This is the end of our truce, Naruto." Itachi said slowly, releasing Kagome's book almost hesitatingly. "The next time we meet, it may be in battle." He turned to leave and return to headquarters, his mind already weaving an excuse for his disappearance.

"Itachi-" Naruto paused, speaking only to stop Itachi from jumping out of the well. "I'm sorry,"

Itachi scrutinized Naruto carefully for a moment, and Naruto was hard-pressed to remember a time where he had felt more nervous to pass such an inspection. After a long moment, Itachi just gave the barest of nods, his eyebrows lifting imperceptibly and his facial expression softening. Then, he gathered chakra beneath his feet and quickly scaled the wall of the well, disappearing over the top with a swish of his cloak.

Naruto stood still for a moment before following Itachi's path up and out of the well, and was wholly unsurprised to find that the other ninja hadn't lingered. With a sigh, Naruto did an about-face and took off at a dead run towards Konoha. It was time he got back to Kagome.

tbc.