Love In A Mug

Chapter 19

Naruto sat in the passenger's seat. Itachi wasn't thrilled that he insisted on coming along not wanting him to stress but he was going to stress whether he was home or with him. Kiyoshi was his child too and someone needed to make sure that Itachi didn't lose his cool.

It was Casandra's scheduled weekend and Kiiyoshi was beyond excitement to see her. It's been over a month since she's seen him and she promised him a fun filled day at the beach.

Naruto packed the overnight bag making sure the little raven had plenty of clothes to wear along with his favorite blanket and fox stuffie that Themba had given him the day he and Itachi got married. It was wrapped in a box with a bow tied around it. Many of the guests gave the little boy gifts that day wanting him to feel part of the special occasion and the stuffed animal quickly became a favorite. It was near the end of the summer and by knew that the weather cooled quickly in the evenings, so he wanted to be sure Kiyoshi had warm enough clothes to wear during his visit. He packed the bag carefully just like any other caring parent would. He didn't want to say it one way or another the mixed emotions he had with Kiyoshi spending time with his mother. He couldn't help the attachment to the little one, but he also understood the biological connection between a child and mother, putting himself in Koshi's shoes, knowing the longing he would have wanting to be with his own mother.

Wringing his hands nervously he watched the front door of Cassandra's house through the glass. Kiyoshi hadn't been gone half the day before they got a phone call, the child crying through the phone, begging his father to come pick him up. Itachi was more upset with hearing his son's sobs than the inconvenience of having to stop working on the nursery to pick him up.

Albeit not yet five years old, Naruto had strongly suggested that Kiyoshi have his own cell phone for emergency purposes even though he's rarely away from them, Sasuke or his grandparents there are still occasions when he's having a play date with his friends or needs to stay after class for judoka, so the Uchiha agreed and got him a smartphone. Itachi was relieved that he had when Kiyoshi called him.

As much as he wanted to follow the raven into the house he knew he wasn't in any condition to 'throw hands' nor was it in his place to do so. The best he could do was keep the fuming raven grounded, holding his hand the entire drive across town.

Naruto wished he had X-ray vision to see what was going on inside because as the time passed he grew more anxious but knew he had to stay put. He couldn't interfere in this situation. It was between Itachi and his ex, the mother of his child. He often felt that their family dynamic would be more peaceful without the involvement from Cassandra but technically they couldn't do anything about it and he just wanted to make the best for Kiyoshi growing up in a blended family.

Soon the front door opened and Kiyoshi came barreling out the door running towards the vehicle. Naruto was aghast, barely having time to open the car door when the small raven crawled up into his lap hugging him with tears flowing down his small chubby cheeks.

Naruto hugged Kiyoshi tightly, lightly patting him on his back. He wanted to tell him that everything would be okay but he didn't know the truth to the statement so he just decided to reassure the child. "There, there, I'm here."

"I...I don't...want to...to come...here anymore." He cried between hiccups from crying so much that it broke the blonde's heart. Naruto wanted to tell him that he didn't have to see her again but again it wasn't his decision. They sat there holding each other for another five minutes Naruto stroking the child's hair calmly.

Itachi finally emerged from the house in quick strides, his aura clearly agitated with Kiyoshi's overnight bag fisted in his hand.

As soon as he crawled into the driver's seat Kiyoshi started crying saying that he didn't want to come back.