Disclaimer: I'm so sorry I haven't been able to update in a while. My computer crashed, and it's only just now fixed. But now, I'm updating again, so I just hope you'll like this new chapter!

Rehabilitation

Chapter 11

"Ah, who cares about that whore? We're back, and we're going home; that's all that matters!" Itachi grinned, dropping an arm around Naruto's shoulder. He seemed to miss the way Gaara stiffened and drew a few steps away from him.

Suddenly, Naruto stopped right where he was, clenching his fists tight. "Crap!" He burst out, stamping his foot.

"What is it, Naruto?" Kakashi asked, stepping foreword.

"I forgot all about Kyuubi! He was supposed to be there, with Sasuke, but he wasn't there! So where could he be?!" Naruto ground his teeth, annoyed at himself that he'd forgotten all about his foster brother.

Gaara, after a tense moment, elbowed Itachi out of the way to stand right next to Naruto. He could stand being around him, at least, as long as no one else was standing this close to him. "Naruto, did you ever stop to think that maybe it was all a trap?" He asked quietly, stiffening when Itachi leaned close.

"Yeah. It would be just like that bastard brother of mine to do something so low, Naru-sama."

Naruto shook his head. "But he called me using Kyuubi's phone! It couldn't have been a trap!"

Kakashi sighed. "Let's just go home. When we get there, we can figure out what to do then. Okay?"

Naruto didn't want to agree, but Itachi, Kakashi, and Gaara were looking at him, telling him without words that he'd better agree. So he sighed before he turned, leading the way to their house. Gaara walked next to him, a few inches away, while Itachi and Kakashi walked behind them. It was quiet before Naruto suddenly snapped his fingers. Everyone looked at him quizzically.

"I almost forgot that Kiba wanted me to call him when this was over. Let's stop for a moment, before we go home. There's a Ramen shop right there that we can eat at while we're resting."

Itachi rolled his eyes, although it seemed an odd thing to see on him, as if he didn't normally do it. "You still love Ramen, don't you, Naru-sama? I remember you used to make me buy you Ramen nearly every day." He chuckled, turning.

"Hey, it's good food. Gaara, will you find us a table to sit at while I call Kiba?" Naruto asked softly, bowing his head a little.

Gaara turned without a word and chose a table that was farthest from everyone else in the large Ramen shop, a table with no one else around them. It also had only two chairs.

Kakashi, seeing that, shrugged and chose the table to the left of that one. Itachi went up to buy the Ramen for everyone.

Naruto pulled out his Nokia phone, pressing and holding the number 1 until it began dialing. He waited as it rang once, twice. Then Kiba picked up.

"Yo, Naruto! What happened; are you okay?!" Kiba yelled into the phone, wincing as his sister, Hana, smacked him upside the head.

Naruto smiled, though, happy for this little bit of normalcy. "Yeah, I'm good. And I've got so much to tell you the day after tomorrow. But first, have you heard from Kyuubi? He wasn't with Sasuke."

There was a pause on the other end. "Uh, right, that's why you went. Hate to break it to you, but we passed him on the street. Apparently he was out buying you a birthday present. And wait, why aren't we going to be talking until the day after tomorrow?"

Naruto laughed nervously. "Well, I've got some things I need to take care of tomorrow. So, I won't be able to see you until after that. You don't mind, do you?"

There was a sigh. "Of course not, Naruto, you should know that. Do whatever you need to do, and then come see me. Oh, and don't forget to bring your Gaara. Sis says she's got something for him. And do you want Kyuubi to go home tonight, or wait until you're done with your business?"

"No, I want him home. Thanks; I'll talk to you later."

Naruto closed his eyes, breathing deeply as he closed his phone. Although, he wasn't quite sure if it was in relief, or anger. Gaara, sitting across from him, kept his emotionless mask up, but he was curious as to what Kiba had said. Spending so much time with Naruto's family had made him wonder what had happened to him. Naruto opened his eyes, found the redhead staring, and smiled slighty. "Kiba said he's okay. He was out shopping while we were at that place."

Gaara didn't give any indication that he'd heard; instead, he inched away from Itachi, who decided to stand rather close as he deposited the Ramen bowls on the table.

Itachi smirked, seeing the reaction, and leaned extra close to Naruto, giving him a one-armed hug as he whispered, "You know, your jumpy friend's a little skinny thing, but he's okay. I'm glad for you." Thinking, his smirk widened and he gave a little laugh, giving his little brother-like friend a quick lick on the cheek, just to see what type of reaction he'd get from the redhead.

Naruto huffed. "Knock if off, Itachi! God, you're so weird. Go play with Kakashi-dad, and leave me be! I'll play with you later." He pushed at Itachi, who chuckled but left, but not before laying a hand on Gaara's shoulder, snickering slightly.

Gaara stiffened completely, brushing him off with a snarl of rage. He was really starting to dislike this black-haired, red-eyed fellow. He needed to keep his hands to himself.

Naruto smiled, digging into his steaming bowl of Ramen. It tasted so delicious, he could keel over right now, and would still be happy! Around a mouthful of noodles, he said, "Don't mind Itachi; he's just being playful. He can sense you're different, and don't like to be touched; he'd do the same thing to Sasori, from Sharigan, all the time, just to get a rise out of him. And it won't matter what you do to make him stop; he'll keep doing it."

Gaara scowled, although it was just a mere downward twisting of his lips. "It doesn't matter." Was all he said, staring down at his own bowl of Ramen. It didn't look too appetizing, but the smell of the beef taste made his stomach growl. With barely a sniff, he lifted is own chopsticks and began to eat.

Meanwhile, over with Itachi and Kakashi, the perverted, silver-haired man was having a very hard time keeping his thoughts clean. It wasn't as easy as other's made it seem, and Itachi, speaking in that husky voice of his, was making it even harder.

"So, tell me, Kakashi-dad, what has Naru-sama been up to since we were seperated?" Itachi questioned, sipping some oolong tea. (a/n: Thank you, AngelFoxtail for correcting me on that spelling.)

Kakashi shrugged a little. "Not much. When he first moved in with me, he and Kyuubi, that is, he was very antisocial. Much like that Gaara kid over there. But then he met Kiba Inuzuka, who befriended him, and basically helped him out. Now Naruto's done the same with Gaara, who's been living with us lately."

Itachi nodded. "That's good. I'd always hoped he'd get back on his feet after that bastard Orochimaru destroyed our little family. Oh, that reminds me, I hope you won't mind, but I'd like to join you at your house, to spend a little time with Naruto."

Kakashi wanted to jump with joy, but restrained himself, with effort. "Ah, sure, I don't mind at all! I'll make up the guest room when we return, and you can spend time with Naruto."

"If I'm going to be in the guest room, where will Gaara be?" Itachi asked, although he had a sneaking suspicion as to that answer.

Kakashi blinked his one visible eye. "Why, in Naruto's room, of course. That's where he's been before."

Itachi opened his mouth, then abruptly closed it. This was good, actually. "I see. And, has anything gone on between those two?" He asked, leaning foreword as if he was speaking a dark secret.

Kakashi laughed, but it sounded forced. "No, of course not! At least, not yet. Although, with the way Naruto's been looking at Gaara when the other isn't looking, I know he wants something to happen. But, Gaara's been badly abused. It could be a while before he really lets Naruto get close."

Itachi tapped his chin with a long, pale finger, thinking. Suddenly, his lips twisted upward, and Kakashi got the image of a mischievous weasal. It was kind of creepy, actually, but it still made him hot. "Hey, Kakashi, how would you like to help me getting those two together quicker? I'm so happy that my little Naru-sama has a new love, that I just can't wait for it to happen naturally."

Kakashi was intrigued. "What did you have in mind, and how would you like me to help you?" As he listened, he began to smile, then grin, then laugh softly. Oh, this was going to be so fun.

Okay, it's short, but give me some credit. I can't do anything yet without going past where I wan to go. Oh, this story has...four more chapters, I'm thinking. And the last two will be rated M, for obvious reasons that I'm guessing you can guess. And there's officially a new pairing, ItaKaka. Sorry if you don't like that, but it just turned otu that way. Actually, maybe there'll be five more, but I'm only thinking four, so prepare yourself for the end! Oh, and please review for me.

Ayame