~Chapter Fourteen~

Is This Real?

I had to find him. I could tell Sasuke thought I was going insane but I had to find Naru and I (sadly) couldn't do it alone. I knew it was him that I had seen and I had to find out what was going on.

"Where are we going Itachi?" my brothers' tired voice broke into my thoughts. He'd had to get up early with Nara and I since Anko had an appointment and I needed to return to the park. Sasuke was to watch Nara if I saw Naruto again.

"The park Sasuke, Nara wants to play and I need to look for him." He gave me a look that proved he knew who I was talking about.

"Who daddy?" her bright blue eyes were excited even at eight a.m.

"An old friend honey, someone very important to me. If I find him maybe you can meet him okay?"

"Okay daddy. Are we there yet?"

"Naruto?" I looked up into Kakashis' eyes, he looked so worried.

"Yeah?"

"I know this separation thing has been really hard on you and that's understandable, I just want to help you. Will you please tell me about whatever it is that's going on?"

I looked into his uncovered eyes. "Like what Kakashi?" I tried to pretend not to know what he was talking about, but not even my masks are that good.

"Don't play dumb Naruto, I hear you screaming at night and Iruka told me you believe you saw him the other day." He was practically begging for me to let him help.

"I didn't see him Kakashi – I heard him. I thought I saw him but I wasn't sure since I was late getting home and I couldn't go find out. I swear it was him though Ka –"

"KAKASHI!" a voice behind us cut off my word. We both turned to see what looked just like Itachi running toward us.

"Kakashi," I poked him in the side, "this is just like how it was when I heard him only it was my name he was screaming."

The look on Kakashis' face was pure astonishment. "It really did happen." He whispered softly.

"NARUTO!"

"He has the same voice," Kakashi was still whispering.

"You see him too then?" I couldn't believe I was actually watching Itachi running toward us.

"Yeah...Yeah I see him." Kakashi was stunned.

That was all I needed, "ITACHI!" I couldn't stand still any longer; I was so sure it was him. I started running toward him in an instant I could see his face clearly. "ITACHI!"

As soon as his name crossed my lips he started running faster. It really is him! I pushed myself to run faster – I had to reach him.

"Naruto!" my name burst from his lips as I fell into his embrace, exasperated, his arms wrapped around me.

"Itachi." I couldn't believe it was really him, the same scent and warmth I hadn't forgotten. I wasn't dreaming, I couldn't be; the tears fell from my eyes like sheets of rain. I was so overjoyed I started shaking – I couldn't believe this was really happening.

"Shh Naru I'm here, it's okay I'm here." He squeezed his arms around me and laid his cheek into my hair.

"Itachi, I can't...I can't believe you're really here. I've missed you so much!" I thought I'd never see him again and here I was in his arms like I had never left, "I'm so sorry, so so sorry."

"No, Naru, don't be sorry. Baby don't cry, it's really okay, I have you now." He's so warm.

"I never wanted to leave – I'm sorry." I realized then that someone was standing behind me."

"Hello Itachi." Kakashis voice sounded so relieved.

"Hey Kakashi, how've you been?" thankfully his grip on me didn't lessen.

"Well I've been fine, though other's on the other hand..." I could feel them both looking at me as I burrowed my face deeper into Itachis chest. "Anyway, why don't you come to the house and Iruka can fill you in on the details."

"Sure, I'll just call Sasuke and let him know I found you. Hold on just a minute." I shuddered as one of his arms released me to get his phone.

"Hey Sasuke, yeah – yeah it was. I'm going over to find out what happened. Take her home – yeah – I don't want her to get worried – yeah –okay, bye." He returned his phone to his pocket and placed his arm back around me. I finally had the courage to look up into his face; he was just as gorgeous as I remembered.

"Don't let me go." I whispered so Kakashi wouldn't hear me.

He leaned down so his lips were next to my ear, "not even if someone paid me." His words were warm against my face.

"We're back." Kakashi called out once we had entered the house. "Iruka come into the living room please."

"Just a minute," was the reply from the kitchen.

"No, hurry."

"What's the ru –" as soon as Iruka entered the room he stopped dead in his tracks. "Itachi..."

"Nice to see you again Iruka; it's been awhile." I heard the sadness in his voice, "how've you been?"

"Yeah, it has been quite awhile hasn't it?" he'd finally composed himself to act normally. "Well, come sit down. We have allot to catch up on." He'd found himself a seat in the recliner leaving the couch for Itachi and I.

Iruka looked Itachi in the eyes after we'd all been seated, "I'm sure you're wondering what happened and how Naruto is still alive after his funeral."

Itachi nodded, "Hn." I could tell his body has stiffened, he was in business mode.

"Well, after we knew Naruto was going to recover we had to leave. No one could know where we were going or that we had faked his death. You see, we were trying to get away from Ibiki," I was watching Itachis' face while my father spoke since I already knew what had happened. I saw a brief flicker of hate cross Itachis face at the sound of Ibikis name. "Yes he's still living the last we heard. Anyway, we paid the doctor and got a private plane to get us out without anyone knowing. If we had known how to inform you then we would have, but at the time Narutos safety was my only concern." Iruka smiled faintly, "We are glad you found us when you did though, things have been getting pretty bad lately." Kakashi wrapped an arm around Irukas shoulder as Itachi shot them a questioning look then looked at me, worry in his eyes.

"I understand why you were so set on getting away when you did," Itachis voice was reserved; I could tell he was upset. "I just wish you had told me so we could have found a better way together. We all went through allot when you left, but I can see it wasn't easy on any of you either. What's been going on?"

I knew Iruka had been talking about my emotional down-hill slide and I couldn't stand to hear the pain in his voice I knew would be coming. "I'll go get some water, does anyone else need anything? No? Okay," I practically ran from the room. Thankfully there is a stairway in the kitchen that leads up to my room. I flew up the stairs and buried myself in my bed.

"And it's only been getting worse. He has literally been falling apart at the seams. He screams for you in his sleep, cries whenever he thinks we aren't watching – thankfully he hasn't become suicidal yet though we were worried that was close." Iruka spoke softly, the fear he'd had for his son apparent.

"We know there is nothing you can do to help what's already happened, but I know that if you love him now as much as you did just being near him will help." Kakashi spoke directly to Itachi, not beating around the bush in his usual style.

"I will do my best. You both may get sick of me, but I don't plan on letting him out of my sight. I actually just bought a house really close to here so it will be a quick return if I'm ever needed."

HEY SASUKE IS CALLING! ANSWER YOU'RE PHONE NIISAN!

"Sorry Iruka, I'll make it quick." He flipped open the phone, "Hello? – Sorry, tell her I'm coming – alright, put her on. I'll be there soon little one – I promise – yes I'll be there in time to eat." He closed the phone and returned it to his pocket. "Well, I'm under strict orders to be home by dinner. Join us?" though he wanted nothing more than to spend time with his long lost Naru, Itachi was worried about his reaction to the newest family member.

"I'm sure Naruto would love that, thank you. Kakashi go get him and we'll head out."

Itachi stood and outstretched his hand, "Iruka, thank you for allowing me back into his life." All signs of his resentment gone. Iruka nodded and Kakashi left the room.

"Naruto?" Kakashi opened the door quietly.

"Yeah?" Naruto pushed off the blanket and looked up at his step father.

"We're going to Itachis for dinner; would you like to come along?"

Naruto rolled his eyes dramatically. "No Kakashi, I'd rather sit here alone." He rose quickly and followed down the stairs. Itachi was waiting for them with open arms, which Naruto went into immediately. The older Uchiha then leaned down to the blondes' ear and whispered for the first time in their relationship.

"I love you my Naru."

3 more to post then this story is done! how are we feeling so far?