DADDY LEFT US part 9

Reading guide

Italic - thoughts

'Normal speech'

"Quoted speech, words etc. emphasis etc."

I am really sorry everyone for taking so long and then ending up doing a lousy job. I had to organize a charity event which more than 250 people attended (a lot of grownups, including the high commissioner) so i was under a lot of pressure to sit down and write something. So I have decided to update what I have written so far. But I promise I will try to make the next chapter which is also the finale a lot better.

Naruto froze for a moment, and then as is splashed with cold water, he snapped out of his daze and run into the living room. There on one of the three sitter sofas sat Tsunade with a napping Natsu on her lap, and a napping Fuyu leaning on her side. They clung to her as if they had known her forever. Next to her sat shizune who was having a conversation with, Iruka who was sitting on a one sitter sofa across from her.

'Gra…granny Tsunade! Since when? How? Who? What is going on here?' Naruto finally asked a constructive question.

What a good question. "What is going on here?" to put it simply Tsunade and Shizune were out of jail and they were going to be living in the mansion; Itachi's doings.

'You brat, quiet, you're going to wake up the kids.' Tsunade smiled. Though her eyebrow was twitching in annoyance; the first thing Naruto had to call her was granny? How nice of him.

'Oh, they fell asleep so early. What time did they wake up? Oh never mind I will take them to bed.' Naruto responded, referring to the twins.

The twins were tired. They had their very first lesson that morning. Iruka's introductory lesson had gone well. However the same couldn't be said about Kakashi's introductory lesson, that's for one reason only; the book.

Kakashi had walked into the room with his nose in the book. He made his way to the teacher's desk without looking up. He lifted his eyes from the book for just a moment and tha was just to greet the twins. He was glad they seemed so attentive for five year olds who would rather be bouncing about than sitting through lessons in which they had no clue of what the word "lesson" really meant.

The twins really were attentive. However unknown to him, their attention was more on what he had his face buried in; the book; the book that Itachi had specifically warned him to never read it in front of the twins.

Curiosity killed a cat. But since when did that ever stop anyone from following through their curiosity? And some don't even know the saying of "curiosity killed a cat" and that applied to the twins perfectly.

Their eyes were glued onto the not for their eyes book. Maybe it was the orange cover of the book that took their attention or was it because Kakashi never seemed to put the book down and give them attention like any other child would want it when ever among people?

Call it twins telepathy or something, Natsu and Fuyu got up from their seats simultaneously with one purpose: "get the book"

Then what? Oh well, that never occurred to their little minds. All that was running in their minds was "get the book" that seemed to get all of their teachers interest.

So just like that, Natsu snatched the book out of Kakashi's hands. Kakashi snapped up startled; he was just getting onto the good part. He frowned. Then he realised that the kids had his book; which if Itachi finds the kids holding would cost him his job. Well more like be killed first then lose his job. Which ever came first was not his cup of tea thank you very much.

'Hey now, give back the book.' Called Kakashi to Natsu, who was giggling as if waiting for something from his teacher; a chase. Kakashi began walking towards him. Scared of what would happen if his teacher were to come any closer Natsu passed the book to his brother.

Before any of them realised, Fuyu was out of the room in a flash.

'Hey!! Fuyu-chan! That's not nice!! Hey come back here you litt…' Kakashi didn't even get to finish his yelling when Iruka was standing in front of him with a very disapproving and dangerous expression.

'What did you do?'

'What? Why has it have to be me?'

'Because it's always you.' Replied Iruka as if the answer was obvious for both of them to know whose fault it was.

'oh well, you know while we are standing here trying to find out whose fault it is, the kid is running about with my "book" which Itachi-san might find him with if he comes back now.' Explained Kakashi.

'You did what!? How can you be so irresponsible? Do you even know what to do when there are kids around you!? You... I can believe you-' Iruka's tirade was shut down by Kakashi. Literally; that was by a kiss. At which point, Deidara was making his way to his office and he passed by them.

Okay.... I think I need a break from work. He dismissed what he had just witnessed.

Back with Iruka and Kakashi. Kakashi run after Natsu who he hoped had an idea of where his brother was headed. Iruka stood there stunned; it wasnt their first ti to kiss since they were lovers, but Kakashi always managed to surprise him. and of course all the annoyance he felt before for Kakashi disappeared just like that.

After a couple of chases here and there around the mansion, the twins run back to the class and they looked exhausted. Kakashi decided to end their lesson which did not even take place, short. And Kakashi had realised that the kids had just wanted to play; Everyone had been busy to play with them the past few days. He wondered if Naruto used to take them to a park or something to run about.

'I wanna go sleep.' Complained Natsu.

'I wanna go sleep too.' It was Fuyu's turn to complain.

'Fine, we will start again tomorrow. And don't be tired. And definitely no taking my book.'

'Then don't bring it with you.' Cut in Iruka.

'Fine'

So with that settled, they all headed for the living room where they found Tsunade and Shizune.

Fuyu and Natsu run to Tsunade as if just a minute ago they weren't complaining about being tired. However, their energy run out completely and as soon as they sat down with their gran'ma, they fell asleep, and that is when their Papa and Daddy came in.

'I will take them.' Itachi said from behind Naruto. He knew Naruto had to catch up with his family, and he wanted to avoid any confrontations from Tsunade. However, the only confrontation he was sure as hell not going to manage avoiding was going to be with Deidara. Who was thankfully in his office at that moment.

So Itachi took the kids out of the room. Iruka left the room as well leaving Tsunade, Shizune and a standing up Naruto.

'Are you just going to stand there you brat?' asked Tsunade while standing up together with Shizune. They gave Naruto a group hug.

'Hello, Naruto-kun.' Shizune greeted him.

'Is it really you Shizune-san and granny Tsunade? You are real right? I am not dreaming right? Tell me I'm not dreaming. And if it's a dream, let it be this way forever.' Sobbed Naruto while clutching onto Tsunade and Shizune desperately.

'We are real Naruto. Come on you are supposed to be happy about it. Not cry. Come on now stop crying. We are not going anywhere this time. I promise.' Tsunade reassured him.

'I'm not crying. I'm not.' Defended Naruto.

'So I can take it as something went in your eyes?' smiled Tsunade; that smile masked the nearly breaking down to tears with happiness expression on her.

Naruto nodded his answer.

They sat down and the maids came in to serve them drinks. Naruto couldn't control the smile that kept sneaking onto his face; he was so overwhelmed.

'You have done a very good job Naruto with the kids.' Tsunade said sincerely.

'A good job? I think I have done an excellent job.' Grinned Naruto.

'Just take a compliment you.' Tsunade sighed. He hadn't grown at all, all these years.

'I am, taking the compliment, you just didn't let me finish. I was going to say that, I have done an excellent job because of you two. I couldn't have done it if it weren't for you two at the beginning teaching me everything. Imagine what would have become of me, if I hadn't met you that day in the hospital. Besides, the more difficult stage of taking care of the kids was when you were with me. So I didn't have any because you were there. I owe you a life time.'

I take that back. He has grown. Thought Tsunade.

'Naruto-kun. You owe us nothing. We are family, and that's what family is about, looking out for each other, without owing each other.' Responded Shizune.

'You guys…'

'No no no, come on now not the water works again.'

'But I am happy. I missed you guys. I thought I would never see you again'

Naruto had brought his hand up to his face to rub at his teary eyes when Tsunade and Shizune's eyes widened in shock.

'Naruto, is there any particular reason why you have a diamond on your finger? An expensive diamond if I might add.' Asked Tsunade even though she had a very clear idea of why. Naruto was practically glowing.

'Oh this, I found it on me in the morning. It's a ring.' He grinned.

'I can see that. You brat. But what does it mean?'

'Well, let's see, how do I say this, uh, I am engage-'

'You can't do it Naruto. I object. That Uchiha is no good. He doesn't deserve you! I am so going to kill him-' ranted Tsunade.

'Hey! Hey!! Now! There will not be any killings because, well, even though we have a past, I still love him and I know he loves me. I somehow trust him, I don't know why but I do. And it will make me very happy if you accept this for me. Please, granny Tsunade. You accept this Shizune-san. Right?

'Of course. I am happy for you! By the way, Naruto-kun. Isn't that diamond heavy? Wow, when did he propose?' Shizune asked with excitement.

'Thank you! Actually it's not heavy at all. And he proposed yesterday on our first date.' Naruto responded with sparkling eyes.

'Wow, on the first date? Could it be he had already planned before the date to propose, that's why he had the ring with him?'

'Ahh! That's possible; we were on the ship, so he did have it with him before then-'

'Focus people!' yelled a forgotten Tsunade. Naruto and Shizune halted their excitement.

'We need to focus. Naruto is getting married, oh my god, I feel so old and I feel so nervous, I don't know if I am ready for this…' panicked Tsunade.

'Tsunade-san, there is nothing to be nervous about, Naruto-kun will be fine.' Shizune reassured her.

'Yeah, you are right.' She said. But I am more concerned with the Uchiha; can he be trusted?

Itachi laid the twins on Fuyu's bed. He stood by the bed just staring at them; he still couldn't believe they were his, his own blood.

'Do you want me to knock you out for you to believe that they are yours?' Naruto said from behind him.

'Naruto?' responded Itachi with a startle.

'Look, they are your replicas. So you better start believing.'

'I know. It's just that I feel like I have been in a dream since you came back to me.'

'So you are afraid that you'll wake up and we won't be here. Well as long as you want us, we are not going anywhere. Well at least as long as I work for you.' He grinned.

They walked out of the room. And just outside the room Itachi said:

'On that note, Naruto you don't work for me anymore.' He smirked.

'What now!?'

'I said you are fired-'

'I heard what you said! But why!?'

'Because I don't want you to work for me. I don't want you to think it as a job to be here and take care of the kids. I just want to give you a break from the kids. You have done your part on your own, now let me. You just stay by my side.'

'Of course. I can still do parenting stuff right?'

'From now on we will do it together. Okay?'

'I…I…' stammered Naruto.

'Hey, come on now, don't cry.'

Itachi's emergency only phone rang. He looked at the caller ID, and recognized it as Sai's. He answered the phone with a "let me call you back." and disconnected the call before Sai could say anything else on the other side of the phone.

'Naruto I need to return that phone call. Can I find you in the living room with everyone else?'

'Yeah, sure.' Naruto answered dejectedly. Itachi noticed it right away.

'You wanted to tell me something.' It was a statement.

'No, its okay, really.' Naruto had come to thank Itachi for bringing his family back to him; he had been told by Tsunade and Shizune that it was Itachi who brought them out. How he did it? They had no idea. And Naruto had felt happy to just talk to Itachi, like they had been; he wanted to spend more time with him.

'It's not okay. Tell you what, how about you come find me in my office in a few minutes? And can I have a drink when you come?' Itachi said and walked away.

'Hey! I didn't say I was coming!' Naruto yelled after Itachi who had already taken a corner. Despite that, he heard Naruto's yell clearly and it made him want to smile.

Itachi walked into his office and dialled Sai's number. After a "hello" from Sai, Itachi went straight to the point.

'How did it go?'

'Mission accomplished.' Sai responded monotonously.

'Good. I am not even going to ask you why you didn't report in yesterday.'

Sai knew that Itachi's statement meant "I was worried that something went wrong with you when you didn't report in"

'I do what I can. By the way, I am in my room, in case you are wondering.' Informed Sai.

'I see.' Was all that Itachi said. Nevertheless, his eyebrow was twitching in annoyance. Why call when he is in the house? Couldn't he just come to me and tell me himself? I had to stop talking to Naruto because of him. Bastard. He fumed as he sat in his desk chair carelessly. He was glad everything had gone smoothly.

The day before the party, when Naruto and Ino had gone shopping and he Itachi and Deidara had gone on his fortnight visits to the Uchiha businesses, Itachi had also made a little trip to the Hyuuga house hold; Neil's family.

The Hyuugas were a very powerful family. Politically that is, Where as the Uchihas were very powerful money-wise.

Itachi had gone to ask the Hyuugas for a favour. He wanted Tsunade and Shizune out of jail. He had done it for Naruto. He would take responsibility for anything that could happen while they were free; it was the least he could do for them for taking care of Naruto and he just wanted to make Naruto happy to have his family again. Besides, Naruto didn't seem happy to have the car he got him. So maybe having his family back would make him happy.

The Hyuugas had also informed him of Orochimaru's premature release from prison. Apparently he had been good. Yeah right as if he would be the same on the outside world.

Itachi felt furious at that; what that man had done to Naruto was unforgivable and not forgetting that he was responsible for his parents' death. If the law wasn't going to do anything about that, he might as well take things into his own hands. And that is where Sai came in.

Itachi was sure that Orochimaru would try to find Tsunade and in doing so, Naruto. That was something Itachi wasn't going to let happen.

The door to his office opened suddenly, and in walked a happy looking Deidara. That frightened Itachi a little; Deidara was way too happy. It was either that his lover was back in town or that he was plotting his death. The latter didn't settle well with Itachi. If it had been the day before yesterday, he would have probably gladly accepted his death. But today? No. a definite no. he got something to look forward to the next day for, now, thank you very much.

'There you are! I have been looking all over for you!'

'So you have been. How can I help you now that you have found me in "my office" which you entered "without knocking".' greeted back Itachi with his voice clearly laced with sarcasm. Deidara ignored it. Nothing could dampen his mood at that moment.

'Well you look like your date went well. And speaking of dates, I was looking for you to tell you that I will be out today until tomorrow. And don't say anything about work, you made me work so much during the weekend. So I am giving myself a day off.'

Itachi couldn't argue either, he was too happy to be torturing others.

'Of course you can go, well have a good time.' He said to Deidara who was already at the door clearly giving the message that he wasn't going to take no for answer.

Deidara walked out of the room but before he closed the door, Itachi shared his happy news:

'I'm getting married.'

'What!?'

'I said I am-'

'I, Itachi-kun you are getting married? Does that mean that Naruto-kun has forgiven you? What about… never mind.'

'If you are talking about the kids and Naruto, I already know that they are mine.'

'That's great! I don't know how long I could have pretended that I didn't know anything. Anyway, Congratulations! We need to celebrate. We will have dinner when I get back.' Deidara beamed with such multiplied happiness for Itachi.

'Thank you.'

'Anyway, I have to go Sasori-kun hates waiting and I don't really wanna blow our time together.' He grinned.

'Okay. Out you go.' Itachi shooed him out of his office. Itachi didn't want to know what Deidara and his former teacher were going to be doing. Really now. It was bad enough that one time while in high school he had walked in on them when he had been looking for Deidara, who had suddenly disappeared at the strike of the bell signalling lunch time. And that had now completely confirmed Itachi's suspicions about the young art teacher and his new friend Deidara. They were lovers.

It had been a little awkward for all of them when in class. However the awkwardness was soon forgotten since Deidara's sudden disappearances became a tradition.

It's amazing that years later they are still together; people usually think that a teacher student relationship doesn't lead anywhere. Should it matter what status one has for a relationship to last?

That idiot has forgotten that tomorrow we are going on a business trip. Thought Itachi defeated.

The door opened suddenly again.

'Don't you know a thing known as knocking Kakashi-san!?' Itachi greeted him coldly.

'Naruto is unconscious.' Informed Kakashi. He was immune to Itachi's coldness at times.

'Where?' asked a very worried Itachi.

'His room.' Responded Kakashi.

Before Kakashi realised it, Itachi was out of the room and headed for Naruto's room.

Even though he had on a stoic exterior, Itachi was panicking inside.

'What happened? What's wrong with him? Is he going to be okay? Did he fall? Is it because of exhaustion?' Itachi threw his chain of questions at Tsunade who was on the bedside of Naruto's bed.

TBC