The Lost Uzumaki (Kakashi x OC)

Chapter Twelve- In Another Life (🌶️)

Nine Years Before.....

Meilani had been walking around Konoha for nearly 4 hours. Her arms ached from soreness but she couldn't rest. Not with a teething Naruto in her arms, who had just managed to fall asleep. The two year old had three teeth that were all coming in at once, and he made sure to let Meilani know. The only time he was calm today was in her arms, his throbbing jaw pressed against her shoulder.
Meilani approached a bench that was far enough to avoid most of the bright street lights guiding her path. Carefully, she sat down and leaned back. As her brother's weight shifted completely against her, Mei's arms felt a much needed relief. She exhaled through her nose quietly, afraid to wake up Naruto. She was unsure what time is was, but she hadn't seen another person for at least 2 hours.
Naruto whined in his sleep, pressing and rubbing his jaw against her shoulder. She whispered gentle shushes as she rubbed his scalp with her fingers.
"Is he alright?"
Mei turned to the young boy she hadn't realized was passing through. She squinted her eyes to try and distinguish the figure in the dark.

"He's teething, I haven't been able to put him down all day."
The figure approached and kneeled beside them. Mei eyed the black-haired boy cautiously, her right hand sliding to the loose pocket on her right thigh.
"I'm not going to hurt you." He chuckled, feeling Naruto's forehead with the back of his hand. "Luckily he doesn't have a fever. My brother got them often while his teeth were coming in."
"How long does it last?" She frowned. The boy sat beside her.
"Depends. Sasuke had just turned 3 when they all came in."
She recognized the name. "Are you Itachi Uchiha?"
He gave her a soft smile. "Meilani, right?"
"Mhm." She leaned her head on her brother's gently. "Any idea on how to get a teething baby to eat?"
"You could try sliced melon. Be sure to leave it in the fridge for a little, the cold helps."
She nodded as he stood. "Thanks, for your advice and your time."
Their eyes lingered on each other for what seemed to be a long stretch of time. Meilani felt heat creeping up her cheekbones, and laid her head over Naruto's. She didn't notice the slight flush of his cheeks. Itachi cleared his throat and lowered his gaze to Naruto.
"How did you know my name?"
Mei peaked over the toddler's yellow hair. "Everyone in my class talks about you. How great of a Shinobi you are at such a young age... And, I followed you and Kakashi to the gates once. Just to see if you guys realized."
"We did," he mused. "We saw you jump behind the trees almost immediately."
"Shit," she muttered. "I thought I was well hidden."
"You were," he leaned over with a smile. He hadn't heard many his age use that word. "But we're Anbu captains."
"You're a Captain, too?" She stared incredulously. "How are you so strong?"
Itachi shrugged. "I train a lot. As much as my father expects, maybe more."
Mei chewed on the inside of her mouth, specifically the corner of her lip. Itachi tilted his head and leaned to read her expression.

"If you have time," she blurted, tensing when Naruto flinched. Her hand covered his exposed ear as she continued in a whisper. "Could you maybe, train with me a little? I mean, when I get a chance I try to practice my swordsmanship. But I'm rough."
She watched him with a tense throat. Itachi looked off as he thinks thought about it, listening to the deep breathing of the little boy.
"It sounds like he's finally able to rest," he whispered, extending a hand. "You should go home and do the same."
Mei chewed her lip again to hide her frown. "Okay. Thank you for your time."
"Itachi,"
Both Mei and Itachi tensed at the deep, authoritive voice calling him. Mei relaxed when Naruto only snored. By the time she looked at where Itachi stood, he was already beside the man who called him.
Fugaku didn't falter his gaze when Mei eyed him with a vacant stare. He continued even as she turned to walk home, and Itachi stood before him.
"Is that Lord Fourth's protege?" His eye flickered to Itachi's nod. "What did she want?"
Mei glanced at Itachi one last time before turning the corner.
"Nothing," his eyes darted to the ground. "I only gave advice for her brother's teething."
A brief exhale escaped Fukagu's nostrils. "That child is not her brother, Itachi. That child is the Jinchuriki for the nine-tailed demon."
Itachi resisted the urge to look over once more when he stood straighter. He had already known who Naruto was. Both he and Sasuke were with his mother the day she went to the hospital, to see what had become of Kushina's newborn and the child that she raised but not birthed. Meilani wasn't there, she was summoned to the Elders for a meeting of some sort.
"But didn't Lord Fourth and his wife take her in? As their own?"
Fukagu eventually looked at his son. As brief as it was, Itachi felt exasperated from both his mission and his father's lack of answering.
They both walked home in silence for many minutes.