Recovery: Chapter 12

Summary: Kakashi became heartbroken and wallowed in his pasts, letting himself go. But on the return of a certain unpredictable Kunoichi, everybody believes that she will be the one to save him. Will she help? How can one girl bring about the aloof man and save him from himself? Just when she wanted was some peace in her life. FemNaruto Good-Sasuke

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AN: Some have asked about my other stories and my plan is to focus solely on a story at a time. I'll be working on Recovery till it is completed before moving onto Musical Hands (as Cp20 has no solid plot as of yet) and lastly onto Konoha's little Princess as I see this piece being a quite long. Not sure as of yet if I'll be writing more Naruto fanfic, but I am taking into account of the (still open 'o_0) poll with "Taming the Beast" being in the lead. This is namely because I've discovered the beautiful world of One Piece but it doesn't have the love it deserves in this area. Though I am open to ideas for more Naruto if you have any!

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"What was that?!" Naruto hollered in disbelief as she watched Kakashi land on his back in a heap. She was growing agitated by the minute resuming his training. Looking to the pug next to her, Naruto asked. "Care to explain?"

They had been tree climbing for the past three hours and with every attempt Kakashi couldn't stick to the tree any longer than 15 seconds top. That meant the man couldn't reach halfway up the mature tree. Lunch was nearing and with each minute Naruto's aura grew darker by the second; scaring the woodland creatures well away from the land.

Pakkun replied. "I honestly don't know." Observing his Master as he never gave up and looked as if he was in a trance. "Perhaps he's distracted, Naruto…"

"But…" Naruto pushed the dog.

"But, even with his ordeal his chakra control shouldn't be like this at all." He sighed in return before adding on. "I'm going to head back home and see if I can find something. Maybe it has to do with his clan." Pakkun the released himself in a plume of smoke; leaving the two alone.

Naruto rubbed the side of her temple and took a few deep breathes before approaching Kakashi. Catching his collar as he fell and placed him sitting down before her. "That's enough for today." She said sternly when she caught his defiant look at wanting to try again. Crouching before the older man, she said. "Kakashi, I can't help you if you don't tell me what's going on up here." Poking his head with two fingers and watched as the man looked away in shame. She knew she wasn't going to get anything right now and rose to her full height. "Training is finished for today. Go eat lunch and then tend to the gardens." She ordered the recovering man.

Kakashi stood up, towering over the blonde. "I'm sorry, Naruto. I'll try harder next time."

Naruto could only smile lightly before dismissing her. Waiting till she was alone before she signed heavily. Rubbing her temple once more. "Maybe I should consult Dad's books…"

"I didn't know you knew of your heritage, Uzumaki."

A small smile tingled on Naruto's lips as she turned to the voice of the newcomer. Hands behind her back as she balanced on her toes to reach their eye level. "There's a lot I know and there's a lot I keep secret." Her crystals watching as her companions eyes turned from blood red to pitch black. "I may be a bit daft at times but I am observant, Itachi."

The oldest Uchiha reached for her cheek and pushed a strand of gold behind the girl's ear. "How I've missed you, Kit."

Naruto giggled before jumping into his arms. "I've missed you so much, Weasel." Taking in his scent and could pick up rain in his cloak. Pulling back but not letting go, she asked. "Are you here to capture me, again?"

Itachi picked up the worry in her voice and pulled her back into his embrace. "Never, Kit. Never again." He swore to himself. Looking over to the cabin with a frown when he could feel the chakra of his old Capitan and whispered in the blonde's ear. "Are you in danger, Kit?" This time he was the one to pull away and looked down into her eyes. The warm blues that saved him all those years ago.

Naruto scrunched her brows. "Danger?" following her protector's gaze to the cabin and shook her head with a sign. "No danger, Weasel. That's my mission actually. Get Kakashi back to field worthy before I have to do something before I can leave the walls again…" she faced her favourite Uchiha with a sly smile. Ignoring that she couldn't leave the walls without a husband. "And maybe…" Pouting when Itachi held his hand up to cut her off.

Itachi smirked at her little pink lip jutting out. "You know you can't come with me, Kit. It's not safe for you."

"Is there a 'but' in there somewhere?" Naruto hoped.

"No buts. It's not safe but I did come to see you for a reason." Itachi took a serious turn and caught the blonde's full attention. "The Kazekage was attacked a few days ago though you needn't have to leave for him. I've managed to return the Kage back home but my cover was almost blown."

Naruto gripped Itachi and pulled him deeper into the forest far from Kakashi. Turning around she glowered at the Uchiha.

"I know you're mad but it had to be done and I did say almost." Smirking more as he saw her calm a bit. Though now the bad news had to come. "This will be the last time we will see each other."

"W-what…?" The blonde whispered. Feeling a sharp pain to her chest as her throat constricted. Looking to her protector and saw the answer in his eyes. "You plan to die by Sasuke's hand!" She tried yelling at him but it came out in a harsh choke. The tears were already stinging her eyes.

"Sooner I will be found out and we both know with my eyes I don't have long left. Konoha won't welcome me back with open arms and Sasuke…"

"Who cares what the idiot wants!" Naruto spat at the Uchiha. Clenching her fists tightly. "You…have sacrificed so much for this village. So much. All for what?! So your weak little shit of a brother can kill you! A handicap! He could never kill you if you were at full strength…"

Itachi reached for her hands and opened her closed palms for him to hold. He knew she wouldn't accept his death but she had to for his sake. "Naruto this is what I want. I know deep down inside you understand that my sin needs to be cleansed. Sasuke can give me that. Yes, he is weak and cannot defeat me if I was healthy, but I am not, Naruto and you know that. We both know that I have been dying for some time now and I need you, Naruto…" lifting her chin to look into his pleading blacks. "I need you to understand, Kit."

"How long?" she whispered.

"Eight months to ten months max. I'll give it all I can when the time comes and when it does, Sasuke shall have my eyes so he doesn't go blind." He replied in a hurt whisper. Placing his forehead onto hers. "I promise by then that I'll have the Akatsuki dead. My last gift to you, Kit."

Naruto shook her head. "No! No, I can't accept that."

"You have to." Kissing her forehead before taking several steps away from her. Seeing her trying her best to hold back her tears as she bit her lip and fingers curled around the end of her shirt. She even had a running nose but all Itachi saw was the young and beautiful woman she had grown into. He'll regret leaving her in this village but he knew from Jiraiya he couldn't take her because of her heat. Taking her and then dying would hurt her more if he asked her to claim him and carry his heir. All Itachi could do now was smile at her. A smile only reserved for her. "You're strong,

Naruto, just like your mother." Closing his eyes, Itachi could imagine their first born. A daughter with hair as dark as his and bright blue eyes like Naruto. She'd be smart just like him and cunning just like an Uzumaki.

Naruto didn't know what he was thinking of but by the look of his face, he was at peace and all she could do was accept what was going to happen. "Promise me," she said. Gaining Itachi's sharingan eyes in return. "Promise me that you won't go easy on him."

"Of course, Kit." Itachi gave his word before he disappeared in the flock of crows.

Naruto swallowed her tears as she faced a tree. Gathering a rasengan in her hand, she screamed out as she delivered the dangerous jutsu into the tree.

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Kakashi gasped as an uncomfortable feeling settled in his stomach and his hand throbbed a bit. "Naruto…" he went running out of the house and tried his best to locate the blonde but couldn't find her. "Where is she?" he growled. She was in pain and needed help and he would definitely help her. Taking a deep breath he sprung to the left and followed his instincts and in his wake found a path of ruined trees. Confusing hit him and wondered what triggered his little fox to go on a rampage. The forest was a mess.

Kakashi kept pushing thorough till he saw what he was looking for. He paused and saw his love on the ground covered in dust and dirt crying into the ground. Her palms digging into the dirt as her clothes were torn from her rampage and blonde hair caked in dirt and foliage.

He approached her slowly before kneeling beside her shaking frame as sobs escaped her lips. Kakashi didn't dare to speak and opted to pick her up instead. She instantly moved herself into his body and smeared the dirt into his shirt as she clung to the material instead. The Hatake wondered what had happened in the short amount of time he left her side.

Kakashi took her back to the cabin but didn't dare go into her room. It was off limits. Instead he entered his room and into the bathroom. Gently placing her on the floor before switching the bath on. It was his turn to take care of his mate. Kneeling in front of her, Kakashi gently said. "I'll leave some clean clothes on the bed. Get yourself clean, Naruto." Seeing her nod faintly in recognition before he left and closed the bathroom door behind him. Grabbing out the smallest shirt he could find along with the smallest pair of boxers he could find for her and placed them on his bed before exiting his own room.

"I better do the gardens like she asked." He murmured to himself and did as he said. His little mate still on his mind as he pulled the weeds and watered the plants. Even gathering a few matured vegetables that'd last them a week. It wasn't long before he finished and worked up more sweat. Heading inside with his basket, Kakashi washed the vegetables before placing them away in their respective places. "Naruto!" he called out and went to his room. Finding the blonde sitting on his bed in the clothes he provided for her. "Naruto." He called out to her again gently as he sat beside her.

Naruto sniffled. "He's not coming back."

Kakashi frowned. "Who's not coming back, Naruto? Jiraiya-sama?"

"He's not coming back, Kakashi." She replied before looking up at him. Her eyes red and puffy from the tears. "Weasel's not coming back." Falling into the man's chest in comfort as the sobs started back up harder.

Kakashi didn't hesitate to wrap his arms around her and pulled the blonde into his lap. His brows rising in surprise at the whom. The Clansmen murder and traitor. He frowned in thought as he consoled the younger shinobi. "Itachi? I heard her talk about him before but not as a traitor but as a friend. How did he show up here and I didn't sense anything? I have so many questions but right now she needs me. I'll have to make sure to ask later." Kakashi returned his attention to his little fox and laid them down on his bed. Making sure to keep her in his arms. "Just one step at a time, little fox." He grumbled into her hair.

Naruto didn't feel comfortable in his arms but at the moment she really needed someone with her. She didn't care that she exposed Itachi in that moment. He was gone and she was hurt and needed to tell somebody. Having Kakashi with her was better than being alone.

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The next day:

Naruto stood next to Kakashi as they faced the tree again. A comfortable distance away from him after waking up in his arms and then moving to her room for the rest of the day. She had a mission to complete and would accept Itachi's wishes later. "I know your chakra control is fine. What I don't know is why you can't walk up the damn tree, Kakashi." She voiced strongly in her teacher mode.

Kakashi rubbed the back of his neck. Seeing that the blonde needed space right now. "I was thinking of how I…" Kakashi stopped in his tracks as his sight zoned in on a specific spot on Naruto's neck with his eyes growing wide.

Naruto frowned and looked to her neck and saw nothing of significant. "Kakashi!" she snapped, regaining his attention.

"She can't see it." He thought and inwardly sighed in relief. Thanking whatever God was watching his back. "My mark has gotten bigger but why can't she see it?" "Uh it was nothing, Naruto. Just nerves getting to me. I'll get it down today and focus hard." Kakashi had never bullshitted so hard and calmed down slightly when he saw that she accepted his big fat lie.

Kakashi faced the tree and inwardly groaned and knew if he wanted answers he'd have to face his other inner half.