~Chapter Twelve~

The Park

Life with a four-year-old is not an easy one. We'd decided to buy a large house outside of a town in California called Los Angeles. I'd been here many times before and thought it would be a place that, though busy, would help Sasuke and I move on from our grief and accept our new lives.

The busy city bustled around us as we unpacked our boxes. Kisame and my other "friends" had come here a week ago and set up our furniture and things. Now we were arranging the rooms to our preferences. Sasuke was in his room down the hall from the kitchen, Anko was in the kitchen. She'd told me on the plane that she would teach Sasuke how to cook if it was the last thing she did. Nara had just run past me, already up the stairs before I could stop her. "Daddy! Which one is my room?" I couldn't help but smile at her young voice.

"This one here Nara," I pointed to the door across from the bathroom near the stairway. "Your room is in here."

She grinned up at me widely and pushed open her door. "Oh, Papa! It's beautiful!" She ran into the medium-sized room, spinning wildly trying to take it all in. Anko and Sasuke had decorated the room together. They'd put a twin bed covered in pink comforters and huge pillows against the wall opposite the door. To the left of her bed was an oak vanity-dresser set and a walk-in closet. To the right of her bed (and taking up the remainder of her room) was a play area full of her stuffed animals, dolls and play clothes. I smiled down at her as she ran about the room.

"Too bad you'll have to redecorate in a few years." I turned to see Anko behind us; her eyes filled with sorrow.

"You mean we will, right?"

"No, I mean you will. I won't be here, you know that." She spoke quietly so Nara wouldn't hear over her playing.

"Don't be so negative Anko – you'll be fine." We all know I'm terrible and comforting.

"I'm sure you're right," her weak smile creased her lips. "Come on doll, dinner's ready." She motioned for Nara to follow her.

"Ahh, mom do I have to?"

"After dinner Nara we will come back up to play. How does that sound?" I picked her up and she grinned and started talking about her games of make-believe.

"Sasuke, come on! She won't wait forever!" Nara was bouncing excitedly next to me wrapped up in her coat and boots. Anko wasn't feeling well so we'd decided to get out to Nara's favorite park.

"Uncle! Hurry I'm ready to go!" she tugged anxiously on my hand, attempting to pull me form the house.

"Okay, okay I'm here, let's go." He walked out of the house toward the car.

"Come on!" her frustrated voice pulled at me as her hands drug me from the house.

I'd been carrying her for about twenty minutes, her head nestled in my shoulder when I saw him; I swear it was him. I pointed at the wildly blonde-haired man across the park. "Sasuke, do you see him? Could it be?" I handed Nara over to him and started running – I couldn't help it. I heard him groan and follow me but I couldn't stop. The blonde man stood from his seat on the bench and looked at toward me, though not at me. I saw a pair of startling blue eyes and that same golden hair that I still had pictures of in my wallet. They looked identical – I ran faster – I had to catch him, look into that face, hear his voice. Please let it be him ... please...

He turned away and started walking; I knew I couldn't lose him. "Naruto?" his head turned toward me sharply for just a split second – his face filled with fear. It had to be him. "Naruto! NARUTO!" I'd completely lost all sensation in my body, the only thing I could see was the back of his head getting farther from me.

"ITACHI!" the firm voice of my brother stopped me in my tracks. I felt his hand touch my shoulder and I collapsed to my knees, no longer able to stand. I looked up into his face as Nara folded herself into my arms.

"It was him..." the words whispered, falling from my lips. "I saw Naruto." I could see the doubt flickering behind Sasukes' eyes. "Don't give me that look! I know it was him," my voice was harsh with pain, "he turned when I called his name."

Sasuke stared at me, his eyes widening as I turned back to where I had last seen my Narus' face. I had to find him – I wouldn't lose him again. Could he really still be alive? I held Nara close to me as I whispered his name again.

"Naru..."

I told you guys I was catching up! plot twists are coming, I hope you enjoy!