Naru: Misty Eyes (A Naruto Fanfic) [Complete]

Chapter Twenty-Eight: Family

Naru led Itachi to her house, feet following the familiar path and a familiar trio of siblings following them. When they got to her house, Naru opened the door. "I'm back!!!"

"Naru!" Immediately, Naru was engulfed in a large hug. Her mom. A second set of arms wrapped around both of them. Her dad.

"We missed you, kiddo," Ryuu said, and Naru smiled at him happily.

"I missed you guys too. Oh, I have a question," Naru spoke as innocently as she could, still smiling at her parents.

Kohaku loosened her hold on Naru slightly, stepping back. "I know that tone of voice, young lady. What are you up to?"

"Well... I was wondering if Itachi-nii could live with us! He's from Konoha, like me, but he took really good care of me when I was little," Naru rushed out. "Remember, Mom, I told you about that ANBU?"

"You called him Weasel-nii," Kohaku said. "I take it Itachi is his real name."

"Wait a second," Ryuu cut in. "Karasu and Tsuki keep me up to date on the bingo book. He's listed as a missing nin."

"Yeah, well, that's just a technicality at this point," Naru said with a huff. "I'll take good care of him; I promise!"

"I'm not a pet, Naru," Itachi said, and she felt his hand settle on her head. "If your parents don't want me here, I'll find somewhere else to stay. It's fine."

Naru reached up and grabbed his wrist before he could pull a disappearing act. "No! You promised! You promised you'd stay!" She took a deep breath. "You're my family too, Itachi-nii, and I want my family to stay together..." Naru trailed off before asking quietly, "Is that selfish of me?"

It was an honest question, and the effect was instant. Kohaku was hugging her again, Itachi was saying he'd still stay in the village, Ryuu was reluctantly relenting on the missing nin subject, and the Sand Siblings suddenly had everyone in a group hug.

"That's not selfish at all, Naru," Kohaku said. "It's completely natural to feel that way." Naru felt her shift to slap Ryuu, most likely in the arm or head.

"Right," Ryuu added immediately. "That settles it. Itachi, you are more than welcome to stay with us as long as you like, whether that be permanently or until you find another place in the Village."

Naru was so happy and smiling so broadly that her cheeks hurt. "I love you guys."

~*~

It didn't take long, surprisingly, for the Kazekage to clear Itachi's request to join the Village. In exchange for becoming a Suna citizen, all he had to do was agree to teach at their Academy. He didn't even have to take out-of-the-village missions. Naru suspected it had something to do with all three of the Kazekage's children being there and demanding that he comply with the request immediately. Either way, Naru was just glad it worked out.

She was walking back home, one hand in Itachi's and the other in Kohaku's, when she stopped in her tracks. The others stopped as well when they noticed. How could she have forgotten?! "Mom, Dad, where's Eito?!"

"Eito?" Itachi asked, tone just barely hinting at confusion and curiosity.

"He's with Karasu today," Ryuu replied.

"Don't worry," Kohaku added. "Tsuki is with both of them."

"Let's go then!" Naru said, excitement renewed. "I want Itachi-nii to meet my baby brother."

Itachi's grip tightened on her hand momentarily. Naru turned her head in his direction, but he didn't say anything. Why would he... Sasuke. She squeezed his hand lightly. "Don't worry, Itachi-nii. I'm sure the Hokage will let Sasuke know what really happened."

"Thanks, Naru," Itachi said, but he didn't sound entirely convinced. Naru just started walking again, gently pulling him along.

They headed to Karasu's house to get Eito and introduce Itachi to everyone. Naru was glad her family was all together, but she knew it wasn't. Not completely. A part of her family would always be in Konoha now. So would a part of Itachi's.