War has been declared, and the masked man has made it official. The Five Great Shinobi Villages have joined forces to defeat him and his nefarious plot. However, Naruto, the Jinchuuriki, Sage, and a force to be reckoned with will not be on the battlefield. He will be hidden away because the masked man has declared his intention to capture the only two remaining Jinchuuriki. Naruto was not happy about this and expressed his disagreement, but he eventually relented when Tsunade and Jiraiya argued that it was the best decision for the alliance.
As a concession, Jiraiya offered to take Naruto to a place that would have a connection to his past; Uzushio. They left at night, and Naruto couldn't bear to look his friends in the face as they prepared to go to war, partially for him. He felt enough shame already and left notes for Sakura and Hinata, wishing them a safe return.
Naruto had a strong desire to punch the Raikage in the mouth for his decision. The trip was silent, and Jiraiya gave Naruto some space, knowing his apprentice was already struggling to accept that he couldn't be there for his friends. As they traveled, Naruto thought he felt something following them, and signaled Jiraiya to stop. He stretched his senses to their max, but the brief sensation he felt was nowhere to be found. Jiraiya concluded that Naruto was just looking for some action, to which Naruto rolled his eyes.
As the two travelers continued their journey, Naruto began to notice that his companion, Jiraiya, was acting strangely. Jiraiya wore a knowing smile that made Naruto uncomfortable. When Jiraiya suggested they stop at an Inn, Naruto didn't think much of it. However, the next morning, when Naruto came out of the shower, Jiraiya gifted him a new set of clothes, including black pants, a black V-neck long sleeve shirt that was a little snug, and a freshly pressed Sage Cloak. They then chartered a boat to the former island nation, but Naruto was on edge due to Jiraiya's giddiness. However, Naruto tried not to think too much about it. Jiraiya had been down since the loss of his arm, even if he tried to hide it. So if he were excited about something, Naruto would indulge him.
As they arrived at his ancestral home, he couldn't help feeling wistful that he would never truly know his clan. Jiraiya had told him that they were lively people, but he only had second-hand accounts to go by. As he looked around, he sensed something familiar, and despite his initial dismissal, he decided to trust his instincts. He demanded an explanation from Jiraiya, but he just smiled and shrugged. Naruto quickly took off, his body moving instinctively towards the chakra signature he had sensed. Soon, he saw her sitting beside a lake, her back turned to him. He cautiously approached her, hoping that his childhood clumsiness wouldn't resurface and make him look uncool. Despite being a Sage, he was still just a sixteen-year-old.
He sat beside her while she gazed at the serene view of the water. She didn't take her eyes off the sight, and he found himself unable to speak. He had too much to say, yet nothing to say at the same time. He had always wanted to be honest with her and wanted the same from her. He didn't want any masks or false backstories between them; he just wanted to be himself with her. However, Naruto didn't realize the security that those things provided until he was without them. Now that they were just two honest people sitting beside each other, he felt vulnerable and exposed. He couldn't be anyone else in that moment; he was just Naruto Uzumaki, sitting next to Itachi Uchiha, the woman he had feelings for his entire life, and he couldn't even talk to her. It was frustrating for him, and he wondered why it was so hard.
As if sensing the crisis her companion was experiencing, Itachi turned toward Naruto and offered him a smile. It wasn't overly large, and if one didn't know her, they might even call it a smirk, but it wasn't. What it was, something that fit her perfectly sent a rush of heat throughout Naruto's chest. It also helped calm him down. They never relied on a great deal of verbal communication when she was his guard, and no reason needed to change right now. He could just enjoy her presence and hope she'd do the same.
The two enjoyed the companionable silence for what felt like an eternity to the blond, but he knew he had to say something, loath as he was to make himself the first topic during their time together. But he'd failed to live up to his promise. "I'm sorry. I said I'd protect Sasuke from himself, and I didn't."
He said it just above a whisper but Itachi could tell the utter sincerity of his words, not out of any real concern for her brother but because of the promise he made her. She shook her head at her fellow ninja, thinking that chivalry would get him hurt one day but was touched he truly meant to keep his word to her. "I don't blame you. Jiraiya told me what happened, it was an impossible situation."
"So, it was."
"Besides, do you want to talk about my foolish little brother?"
"I never want to talk about him, dattebayo." 'shit'
"You still do that? Be careful or they'll put adorable under your Bingo Book entry."
"Shut up, it rarely happens," Naruto said, fighting back a blush.
"I'm sure," Itachi said with a small giggle. And just like that the awkwardness and uneasiness were gone. The two would spend the rest of the day exploring Naruto's ancestral homeland. Eventually, Itachi led Naruto to where she had been staying, not all of the structures had been utterly destroyed and Itachi found herself a small home in still decent condition, certainly better than sleeping in a tent. Looking around her dwellings he didn't pay attention to her closing the distance between them, not until her hands were on his cheek and before he knew it, he was pulled into a kiss. Not one of fiery passion, a gentle one but it still made his heart beat faster.
"Hey," she whispered, yet to release him from her grasp.
"Hi" replied before encircling his arm behind her back and pulling her closer to him. The kiss was a little deeper this time, a little longer. Things quickly escalated from there, kisses gave way to touching, clothes started to be removed and soon enough the two began to make love. It was different this time, a sedate pace not born of nervousness but a desire to enjoy the brief respite the pair have. For Naruto, it was vindication, proof they could make things work. He could be with the woman he truly loves and the very thought of it, his love for Itachi at times felt overwhelming as it rarely had an outlet. Even if he couldn't bring himself to speak the words, some part of him was afraid she'd reject the declaration, he could at least show it through action, through the merging of their bodies. Itachi, however, was too enjoying the moment but avoided all thoughts of the future.
This could be a sweet memory along with the others Naruto had provided her in the past but it couldn't be more than that. She stared into the eyes of the blond above her, his eyes conveying everything he was feeling at the moment; desire being the most readily apparent but also love. He loved her and if she felt so selfish for it it could never go anywhere. She'd never acknowledge it nor return it, that'd only leave a larger scar on his heart when she eventually left. Briefly, visions of a small blonde girl with too much energy pervade her thoughts but she stamps it down. There is no future, there is just now and she'll enjoy the now all she can. Itachi allowed herself to be distracted by the breathing of Naruto and the warmth she felt from it on her collarbone. Soon enough all thoughts and concerns melted away as she felt their mutual climax approaching until all was just a haze. The pair would couple twice more before allowing sleep to take them.
It was the next morning and the couple lay in bed, each savoring being in the proximity of the other. Itachi was the first to breach the silence, giving voice to something she had noticed before.
"What's that seal on your pelvis do?" she asked directly.
"Oh, it's a contraceptive seal for men. After the first time you visited me, I had hoped there'd be a second and figured the world didn't need any Sharingan-wielding Uzumaki running around just yet. So I wrote to Sakura-chan about the medical aspects and swore her to secrecy. I didn't need Baa-chan to think I was just out perving every chance I got, dattebayo."
She was impressed he'd managed to create a seal that could achieve what he claimed but something else stuck out to her. "Yet?" she asked while quirking her eyebrow causing him instantly to blush and stammer.
"I mean, not that I was planning on when we would have kids, not that I wouldn't I was just… I was trying to be safe and stop looking at me like that." Naruto was instantly rewarded with a giggle and a kiss on his cheek. He turned to see the smile on her face, her eyes shining with amusement.
"I know what you meant, Naruto-kun," she said, her smile never leaving her face.
"Oh, think you can prank the former king of pranks?" Naruto said while getting atop Itachi. "I guess I'll just have to show you why you shouldn't," he said and instantly started tickling her, much to her protest. There were many, many threats of inescapable genjutsu or kato jutsu hotter than the sun but it only made Naruto laugh at her predicament.
Naruto did have responsibilities on Uzu outside of spending time with Itachi, Killer B had given Jiraiya instructions on how to tap into one's bijuu chakra with a measure of control far surpassing anything Jiraiya had seen Naruto manage, granted getting Naruto to use the fox's chakra was a maddeningly frustrating endeavor. But for the sake of the war effort, in case he was needed, Naruto agreed to figure something out, fighting off a smirk at what Jiraiya didn't know.
"No!" Kurama boomed.
"C'mon, handsome we had a deal." And in truth they did. Naruto met Kurama when he was eight, Inoichi's belief he was well aware of his status before he ever blackmailed Sandaime was spot on. At first, Kurama was just an angry, insulting teme of a fox but slowly the two came to peace with each other realizing neither was responsible for what the other had to endure. Their relationship had improved to the point Kurama promised when it was time he'd freely work with Naruto. The reason he'd waited until now was that he didn't want his partner and first friend in many lifetimes to be weaponized. If they knew Naruto had free access to his chakra, Kurama was concerned that all other development would end and Naruto would be forced to do something drastic, something he wouldn't forgive himself for so the two could escape. With the pressure of having to become a perfect jinchuuriki, or at least weather the hate of a prisoner, Naruto continued to develop his abilities while also having someone to talk to when he got lonely. It was a good deal, given the situation.
"That was before I knew you'd willingly mate with a Uchiha. And if that weren't bad enough, you love the vile product of that cursed clan."
"Ita-chan isn't like that. Also, she killed most of her clan, shouldn't that please you?"
"Nope, she left the job undone. Besides, and this is a very important brat, you'd willing to sire kits with her. Even now you want to get this over with so you can return to her bed."
"Because she's so gooooood! Like, oh my god good. I'd consider giving up Ichiraku ramen, good. I wouldn't give it up but I'd have to pause and think about it. Kurama, she does this thing with her hips and she gets just enough leverage and-"
"Silence! Just… why a Uchiha? That Hyuuga girl seems nice and has good hips. She will give you strong children."
"Well, I don't love Hinata."
"Couldn't tell from that one time you had her on your couch and was taking off her pants-"
"Ok, I get it. That was a mistake on my part. Anyway, can we just do this? It's possible I won't be able to defeat all of these guys without your help."
"Fine. You know you're going to have to accept your darkness and stuff, right?"
"Yes, yes. Can we do this so I can go get laid?
"Pervert."
"You don't get it."
"Hips and leverage, yes I heard you the first time."
"Ok, so how do I do this?"
"Remove the seal, confront your darkness and then we fist bump and go kick some ass."
"After I spend some more time with Ita-chan."
"It's a sickness, it has to be."
"Don't judge me, I'm a man with needs, dattebayo." Naruto said, approaching the cage and beginning to remove the seal, only to have his hand stopped by a tall blond, one Naruto immediately punched in the jaw.
"Hi, tou-san!" he shouted, to the confusion of Minato.
"Naruto, what are you doing?"
"He's doing what you claimed you wanted him to do, dumbass."
"Quiet, fox!"
"Hey, don't talk to Kurama like that or, dad or no dad, I'll deck you again."
"Wait, what?" Minato said in confusion.
"Yea, we're partners, he was going to give me access to his chakra before you interrupted so I can I cook or nah?"
"What?" The Yondaime imprint wasn't having a good brain day.
Naruto just rolled his eyes. For a guy that stuck the two together, he sure as shit didn't seem aware of how this was supposed to go. "Just sick back, pops, I got this." and with that Naruto finished moving the seal only to see nothing happen. The kyuubi, 'Kurama' he reminded himself wasn't trying to actively escape but the duration of the seal being undone triggered something else.
"For thousands of years I've laid dormant. Who has disturbed the great and powerful Kushina-sama, dattebane!"
"Oh, god. It's the flying tomato."
"Flying tomato?" both blonds asked.
"I told you never to call me that, dattebane!" Kushina shouted before approaching her son and giving him a tight hug. "Hi, sochi-kun!"
"Hi, kaa-chan." he replied back, a few unshed tears in his eyes.
"Why does she get tears and I get punched?"
"I'm not going to cry over some dude. It's called the bro code."
"That doesn't apply to fathers and sons."
"It so totally does. Even my old man knew that and he created ninshu." Kurama offered, helpfully.
"We don't have time for this. So, sochi-kun, you're ready to work with Usagi-chan, I see."
"I'm not a rabbit you bruised tomato head!"
"And I'm not a tomato, flying or otherwise, jerk."
"Why did he call you the flying tomato, kaa-chan."
"Because when she was a kid she had a round, plump face with blood red hair so she looked like a tomato. She also had the temper of a spree killer, always flying off the handle."
"You're working on a chain enema, fox!"
"I'll step on you if you try."
"Guys, no more. We can't have that much time, right so let's enjoy the time we do have."
"You just want to go back to banging Itachi."
"Bro code, dumb fox!"
"Doesn't apply to bijuu." Kurama said with a laugh.
"You can't be sexually active, you're too young, mister."
"Pfft, I ain't stopping so you're just going to have to deal with it." Naruto said only to receive a similar punch to the one he hit Minato with.
"You've let Jiraiya corrupt you despite my words." Kushina started, eyes white and her hair floating mimicking nine tails. "Don't worry, sochi-kun. I'll beat the pervert right out of you. It's what's kaa-chans are for, dattebane."
"Dad, a little help."
"Ha, no."
"Bastard," Naruto said which made Kurama laugh even more.