Chapter Five

A new start

"Sasuke," I whined from my spot on the bathroom floor "please, could you bring me some water" After throwing up the nice meal that Sasuke had made the night before, I leaned back against the wall, my forehead resting against my knees. I thanking who ever I could think of, except Jashin, that I heard no well tap being turned but the soft turn of a faucet and the splash of water in the sink as it got colder.

"Here you go dobe" Was the first thing Sasuke said as he handed me down the glass of clear water. "You feeling okay? My offer still stands about frying the kid" I spit my mouthful of water out and glare up at him. How many times must he bug me about getting rid of it?

"NO SASUKE!! I WILL NOT LET YOU FRY THE KID!!" I quickly sipped the water, my throat still soar "It's an innocent life that hasn't done anything wrong. You kill it and you might as well kill me along with it because it is half mine." I grabbed hold of his shirt sleeve and pulled myself up, still leaning against the wall for support "And yes, I'm fine now. I just can't eat such rich foods yet. Bread, crackers, cheese, things like that until I gain a little more weight back ok?" oh it felt so good to be in charge of my body again! Eating when and what I wanted!

"I'll make sure not to let you eat anything but small things" he returned my smile with one of his own. I had a feeling that his smiles were even rarer than Itachi's. "Come on, the couch is more comfortable then the bathroom floor" I couldn't argue with him there so I let myself be walked out of the bathroom and onto the living room couch. I snuggled into the blanket he placed over me and blushed when he kissed my forehead. "I'll bring a trash can over here so you don't have to keep getting up, just relax"

And with his blessing I sank back into the softness of the couch and the warmth of the blanket "Thank you so much Sasuke. You take such good care of me…you wouldn't have to work so hard if I would just suck it up and go to a hospital." I brought my legs up, sitting crossed legged. "I love you, thank you" I whimpered as he set the small trash can at me feet. "You can watch what you want to. I don't know …" I sighed, how could I tell him that I didn't know what was on TV anymore? It used to be the one thing we would agree on; TV shows. Which were good and which were bad, we had them all down.

"I love you too, so much I do." Sasuke said softly, putting his strong arm around my shoulders. He picked the remote up off the small table "Remember this one?!" He asked excitedly pausing the TV on one of my old favorites, Mighty Morphing Power Rangers. I smiled and nodded. How could I ever forget this show? The outfits were new but it still had the same fake explosions and bad acting. Hard to believe that I used to eat this up like…well anything!

"I loved this show…mostly because you would come over to my house and watch it with me." I snuggled up close to him "how we would fight over who was better, and if the bad guys would ever really win." Thankfully I didn't feel like I would have to use the trash can so I was free to relax as much as I wanted against him. In the month that I've been living with him this is the closest I've ever felt to him it's not exactly easy to let someone in again after all that's happened.

"Hey Naruto, how bout after this is over, if you're up for it, let's take a bath together?!" I turned from the Red ranger, who was doing an epic job of losing, to Sasuke. His hand tightly on my hip made me wonder what was going through that mind of his.

"Sure, as long as all we do is bathe." I hated turning him down for the sex that he so clearly wanted. "…though I guess it wouldn't kill me if we cuddled a little bit more like we are now." I let my eyes slip closed "and Sasuke, you're hurting my hip, can you not grip so tight?"

"Oh shit!! I'm sorry, you okay, and I didn't hurt you to bad did I?" Sasuke panicked, letting go of me at once. He ran his delicate fingers through my hair and kissed my forehead "I'm so sorry, I just was thinking of the past. Come on," He turned off the TV and helped me up from the couch, "A bath will make you feel better."

"O-Ok Sasuke." How long could I keep this up? This battle in my heart between the two men I loved the most. I wished Itachi could have been there, this feeling would never have come if I could have seen his perfect face just once more. "Why don't you go get things ready? I think I need a moment to myself." I smiled and gave him a peace sign "Nothing to worry about, I just got dizzy again standing up."

"Come back when you're ready." I could hear the hurt in his voice, the tears. As soon as the bathroom door was shut I allowed the tears to fall. How could I do this to him? The one who had saved me from hell? And I STILL wanted to see Itachi! I wanted, no NEEDED, to talk to him about the thing inside me. I hid my face in my hands and whispered "Oh Itachi Sama where are you!? Why haven't you come?"

"Because I've been kept busy." I froze, my hands pressed tight over my eyes but they were open. That was Itachi's voice. Something was different but there was no mistaking it. "Naruto, Look at me."

As instructed I lifted my gaze. Standing before me was a shadowy figure of Itachi. I had seen Sir Leader use this jutsu before but never any other member "Itachi…" My heart started to swell with happiness "am I glad to see you! Or kind of see you." I added the last in a silent whisper "why are you here? You shouldn't be here, Sasuke's right in the other room!" I looked over to the bathroom door, and I smiled even more. I was so lucky to have such two strong loves.

"I know he is," Itachi said quietly "I'm here to warn you of something." This had my attention at once! "Uzumaki Naruto, they are planning to come for you. To come for the child. They are afraid that if you have it here their secrets will be discovered." He moved as if to put his hand on my shoulder but pulled back, thinking better of it "Watch your back…stay close to Sasuke. He'll take care of you."

"I know he will Itachi." I smiled and stood up "If you could see what he does for me…if you would just…" I looked down at my feet. I couldn't express my feelings for Sasuke to the man who had killed his whole family. I couldn't say anything more to him. As much as I wanted to nothing seemed of any importance "I refuse to let them take the kid." My anger and hate clear in my voice "Sorry, I just need to relax. Goodbye." I turned from the shadow figure and headed for the bathroom. I needed to be held.