Silver Lining

3

Meanwhile with Jariya…

"Who was that kid?" Tsunade asked as she took a large gulp of sake.

Jariaya sighed and sat down in the chair opposite of Tsunade. "It's a long story. In the files here-" he tossed a stack of files at her. "Is the report of everything that happened. I'll give you the short version because I know you aren't going to actually look at them." The old man cleared his throat. "For the first year of training we trained right outside of fire country, about two days from here on foot. I had to make money somehow so I went to do research…" He coughed and smiled sheepishly at the scowling lady. "I left Naruto alone for about two weeks. Shortly after I came back, I found he went missing during the night. Then for about three months, Naruto's health went down the drain. He tossed his breakfast every morning and sometimes even his lunch. I was worried but he refused to go see a doctor. We stopped training for about six months upon his request. Long story short, about nine months into our training he tells me he is going into labor. Naturally I panicked. Luckily the father came to help and even stuck around to help Naruto train afterward and take care of the baby."

Tsunade stared wide-eyed at the old man before her. "What?"

"Okay so let's start from the beginning. For the first year of training-"

"I know that! I heard your story! That kid with Naruto is his son?" Tsunade was gaping at her former teammate. She wasn't sure if she heard that right or she had drunk too much sake.

"Yup." Was the old mans answer.

"Who is the father?" she asked as she leaned across the desk, intrigued by this news.

"I can't tell you. It would have to be Naruto's decision to tell you who it is. Although I wouldn't have known myself if I hadn't been around for the birth. The father wouldn't have hung around me if he didn't trust me to guard his secret."

"Who could it be?" Tsunade muttered under her breath wishing she knew the answer.

//////////

Naruto placed Kaoru on the counter pulling his hood down to reveal the boys face. His eyes were like Naruto's-as blue as the ocean-but his hair was jet-black, pulled back into a ponytail like his fathers in a red ribbon. Suddenly, his eyes flashed to red and his Sharingan spun wildly. Even though he had no training with his Sharingan, he had part of Kyuubi in him so he learned things without really trying. Sadly, the boy couldn't control when his Sharingan popped out.

"I can't leave you home and I can't leave you with that old pervert…" Naruto thought out loud. "I'll have to take you with me I guess." Naruto was scared that his Sharingan would suddenly pop out during dinner but it wouldn't be the worst thing to happen.

"Mommy?" the boy asked sweetly. "When do we get to see daddy? I want to see Uncle Dara and Uncle Sasori," his pout was so cute.

"Why not right now?" a voice called from behind the two. Naruto whirled around smacking right into Itachi.

He backed up, rubbing his nose. "Don't sneak up on people!" Naruto yelled. "That is just so rude!"

"Uncle Dara! Uncle Sasori!" Kaoru yelled as he ran to the two men by the door. When at Akatsuki Headquarters, Naruto spent a great deal of time hanging out with just Sasori and Deidara while Itachi was away on missions. Kaoru had adopted them both as uncles because of this.

"Kaoru!" They both bent down to ruffle his hair, messing up the perfect ponytail he had. He giggled and smiled hugely at them. He may look like his father but he had the personality of his mother.

"I missed you." Itachi said as he pulled himself up to sit on the counter in front of Naruto.

"Three weeks and you couldn't stand it, huh?" Naruto asked sarcastically as he folded the hooded cloak he had just taken off of Kaoru. "Am I that good? Or do you worry about me that much?" Itachi smirked at him as he followed the blonde to the back room where he placed the cloak in a drawer.

"Perhaps I have grown attached," Itachi said with wonder in his voice.

"I see. I guess there is nothing I can do to rid myself of you then?"

"Shave your head, get fat, wear bright colors, and chop off your manhood. Perhaps then I will leave you alone." Itachi let his breath slide over Naruto's neck as the blonde pushed the drawer shut.

"I have to go to dinner with a few friends tonight, Tachi-kun. If I can't walk, then you can't touch me for a year."

Itachi took a step back. "But it's like your body sings to me. You know you want me." Itachi licked his lips for emphasis.

"Unlike you, I can fight off temptation." Naruto walked passed his lover and husband and into the kitchen where Deidara and Sasori were now listening to Kaoru talk. Mostly they were just fascinated by his eyes. The Sharingan popped up so randomly. Besides, it wasn't everyday a four year old child had a fully developed Sharingan. "When are you leaving?" Naruto asked as he leaned against the wall, watching his child talk to his Uncles. You could tell when the Sharingan showed by Deidara and Sasori's faces. It would suddenly light up. They were proud to be called uncle by this prodigy.

"In a few days. I wanted to watch over you and spend a little time with you. I had heard a few rumors that my brother had come back to this village. Isn't that who you are going out to dinner with tonight?"

"You snoop too much," Naruto said with a sigh. "It was Iruka who invited me to dinner with Kakashi. But he also said some friends. That probably meant Team 7 was going to meet up at the dinner. I don't want to go because Kaoru is tired and if his Sharingan pops out during dinner…it would disastrous."

Itachi nodded. "Perhaps if you performed a Henge to his eyes no one would be able to tell."

"That doesn't work on him." Naruto stated. "I tried that once while we were out with the old man one day. Needless to say that's why I've got several ninja on my tail who want Kaoru for his power." It was true. One day, Kaoru's Sharingan showed and now several powerful organizations wanted Kaoru.

If you are asking yourselves right now if the Akatsuki had the same intentions…well it wasn't like that. Everyone in the Akatsuki loved Kaoru. They loved Naruto too. They were all like one big family since everyone there had either killed most of their family or had been banished from their families. They were all like Uncles to Kaoru. Even Pein (Sp?) seemed to enjoy the company of the boy. If anything ever happened to Kaoru or Naruto, they would kill that one person who ever dared to think about hurting either one.

"Ah yes, I remember now." Itachi scratched his chin. "I suppose I could take him off your hands for a while."

"Oh no you don't. The last time I left him with you guys, you were training him in the forest with a bunch of guys you captured from Orochimaru's lair." Naruto glared at him. "He's coming with me. I do not trust you alone with him and the rest of the Akatsuki. Perhaps when he is older, like seven or eight-old enough to enter the academy-but he's only four!"

Itachi nodded. "That would be best. Of course that is the time he will decide where he wants to be."

"That's right." Naruto mumbled as he looked at his son.

The plan was, Naruto didn't want Kaoru growing up without a village he could turn to or live in. He wanted his son to be able to choose whether or not he wanted to stay in the village that shunned both his parents, or live a life with the Akatsuki. He didn't want to force Kaoru into a life he didn't want.

"I suppose I'll have to get ready for dinner." He looked at his watch. It was two hours until seven. "Come take a shower with me," he said as he pulled Itachi towards the bathroom.

"I thought you said-"

"There are still many things we could do, my dear." Naruto chuckled as he pulled Itachi into the bathroom and shut the door, leaving Deidara and Sasori with Kaoru.