The Past No Longer Applies

Keep Moving Forward

Naruto sighed as he walked around the house. He had been set free. Everyone had their memories and Naruto actually had a hard time adjusting living back in the village. The Uchiha's had mixed feelings of him due to the fact he had murdered some of their people but because of the reason it was hard to accept it. That they were wrong. But Uchiha's and their pride. But now no one gave him shit about living on the compound. The Akatsuki had been given living quarters outside the village since they also hadn't been part of a village in a very long time. Plus because of the treaty they could be more useful outside the walls encase of any dangers. They had free range and were able to come inside the village whenever they wanted. So it was a pretty good deal.

It had been at least three weeks since his trail and in that period he had various visitors. The ones who had been struggling with their memories and now being able to hug Naruto. Only a few knew about the first life. They had a harder time coping because of how different everything was and what it meant for Naruto. Sai was still struggled, Shikamaru had only known about the first life thanks to his mistake; Pervy Sage was riddled with guilt about how he treated him. Ino's dad had accepted it and he was a grateful. He didn't question anything he just accepted it.

Itachi and Sasuke was another thing. Sasuke didn't know about his first life but Itachi knew. Due to all the secrets and lies it was hard for Naruto to cope with this. Then on top of that...his relationship with Itachi. He was still scared to face him. He had even sought out advice on how to handle all of this from his grandmother figure but all she did was laugh! So rude!

Then he went to Haku who actually had a conversation with him.

"So you love him right?" That question caused Naruto's cheeks to flare up as his hands coming up to hide his face. "I'm going to take that as a yes." Haku giggled as he patted his shoulder. "So why can't you tell him?" Naruto dropped his head on the table groaning. "None of this happened the first time Haku. In fact I and he never once had these feelings. He only in trusted me to protect and keep protecting Sasuke." Haku knew it was hard for Naruto so the Akatsuki members knew the details of Naruto's time travel. "But you said it yourself. You were sent back to change the course of history. Re-write it. So what if the moment you stopped Itachi from killing his own people you're lives intertwined. Meaning that you're second chance also came with a stroke of love?" Naruto tilted his head slightly thinking about it. "I mean you kept him from hurting Sasuke. In both lives his love for him was so strong. Why is it hard to believe that because of your actions he fell in love with the Naruto who gave him a second chance?" Haku was too kind. It made sense. "Now the question becomes now Naruto, when did you start loving him?" Good question. Naruto wasn't even sure when. Perhaps when he came from getting Gaara. When Itachi began to time with them and the touches sent shivers to him. But he didn't register it was love until he hit his teens. "Oh god...I've been in love with him for over a decade..." Haku smiled softly. "I'm so stupid...so so stupid..." Naruto groaned as he dropped his head again on the table.

"Haku how come you're so smart?" Naruto questioned with a deep sigh. "Well between me and Zabuza I have to be the one who thinks with emotions more often. Thanks to you I'm not ashamed. You're smart too Naru. But you're incredibly slow when it comes to an intimate relationship in your life." His face grew red and Haku laughed at him. Soon enough Hiden walked in and cussing soon escalated to a fight between the demon lover trying to keep his Haku pure from such language.

It was a good conversation that left him even more scared. He sighed yet again. "I swear if you sigh once more time I will stab you're arm." It was Sasuke. Naruto rolled his eyes and sighed loud and dramatically and dodged the kunai that the other had thrown at him. "Bastard." Naruto plopped down on the chair scratching his head slightly. "So I hear you've been avoiding you're boyfriend. Again." Naruto groaned loudly. "Shut up. I've never agreed for him to be my boyfriend." "You're talking about Itachi. You don't have a choice, dumbass." "Ugh..." "It's not like you aren't stopping him. Why don't you just make up already?" "Sasuke it really is complicated. I'm scared." Sasuke's face softens at the truth Naruto gave him. Moving over to him he gave a light squeeze on his shoulder. "It's okay to be scared. But he's scared too. You're his first lover and probably the last. Imagine how he feels with you being so close now after being gone for so long? He probably is more scared of you just disappearing one day and really never coming back." Sasuke had a point. Itachi was acting strong for him when really he was scared too.

He was so selfish. "I get it. I assume you're going back home. Can you tell Itachi to come over? I don't want to leave since everyone is still trying to cope." Sasuke nodded before giving one more squeeze and as soon as he left Itachi walked in. "Of course you would be hear already." Naruto muttered softly. Itachi gave a small smile. "I wanted to make sure you weren't going to run away again." Naruto felt bad that Itachi had made a plan to keep him there or at least make sure he didn't run off. Like he had done several times. He knew it hurt Itachi each time he tried to run off and avoid talking to him.

"I know...I'm sorry 'Tachi." He murmured softly. Itachi moved pulling Naruto up and moving to the living room sitting down on the couch. "Why have you been avoiding me?" Naruto knew Itachi was sad now that he looked at his face. "I was scared. I've been gone for so long. I...I even threatened you're life. Said horrible things and you suffered through it all." Itachi sighed softly as he stroked Naruto's face gently. "But you did it to save us. You stopped the destruction. You saved you're friend's lives and you saved Sasuke. You saved Gaara. You saved me. You saved us from hurt, loneliness, and desperation. You saved us from the fate that led to everything wrong the first time." He was gentle as he spoke to Naruto knowing everything was still new to him. Everything a new experience and emotions. "When I first saw you, Naruto, I couldn't believe my eyes. A boy, a young boy, who should have hated us, should have killed us, fought for our lives. You're body was little but you're eyes showed just how much pain and love you had for us." Naruto felt tears threatening to escape his eyes. "You were chosen. I know I was selfish in wanting another to go and save the world. I wanted you to stay with me. I love you. Then and now. But I know now that you are the light. You were always our light." Naruto couldn't stop them from falling the tears strolled down as he leaned in and kissed Itachi with everything he had. Itachi doing the same.

After a few moments they broke apart. "I know we weren't like this the first time. But that aspect doesn't matter. What matters now is the present. Moving forward. Do you remember what I asked you the night I figured out you were leaving?" Naruto nodded silently before answering. "You asked me when my life was going to start." "What did you say?" "I said...when everyone was safe." "Everyone is safe Naruto. It's time to live your life." Naruto buried his face into Itachi's shoulder. No wonder he loved the man. "I'm still picking up the pieces of my life 'Tachi. To see everyone alive makes me so happy. Seeing you and Sasuke being a family makes me so happy. When I left and I took you're memories...I still thought about you. Every day, every second I was away from you. It was enough to keep me going because I couldn't see the people I love die in front of me again. I love you Itachi. I have been in love with you for so long I don't even know when it started." Naruto needed Itachi to know how he felt. He needed to comfort Itachi too.

"I want to start living my life...with you." He was honest. There wasn't any need for him to lie anymore. He could finally stop fighting.

"Naruto! We have a mission!" Haku yelled from outside still wearing his uniform from the organization. He had grown a few more inches and his hair grew much longer passing his mid back. His features were still girly as ever. "Zabuza is going to get angry if we are late!" "Kid get the fuck up so we can get fucking going!" "What did I say about the language around Haku!?" "Shut up ya old demon fucker!"

"Both of you shut the hell up!" Naruto poked his head out shouting at them glaring. His eyes were tinting red signaling he was getting pissed. His hair now falling over his shoulder since he had grown it out. He was shirtless and water was dripping of off him showing the three below he had been taking a bath. "I'll right down Haku." He calmed down enough to answer the pretty male who only smiled sweetly and glared at the other two who looked away from the glaring eyes. "You made him angry! It was Itachi's birthday yesterday you two!" It dawned on them what that meant and they shuddered. "I kinda like that picture in my head..." Hiden admitted after a bit.

Naruto tied his hair up into a low pony tail and put on a shirt and his vest making sure all his weapons on his belt were in order. He checked the scrolls and grabbed his mask. Itachi came up wrapping his arms around the blonde haired male giving him a few kisses on the neck. "Thank you for last night..." He nipped at his ear and Naruto shudder enjoying the feeling. "It was a special night. I had to go all out." He purred before detaching himself from the older male. "I'll see you later today 'Tachi and don't forget Gaara is coming." Everything with Gaara had been fixed sort of. He had been hurt that he left but nonetheless he understood. Everything was for a reason and Gaara had faith in Naruto. After he had finally come back it took him a week to finally get to the Leaf after the trail. Seeing him had overwhelmed the red-headed male. But after the two had reconciled Gaara had stayed the night in his house on the same bed afraid that Naruto was going to vanish. There had been a lot of soul searching and tears for a few hours for the two brothers.

Itachi had walked in on that scene and Gaara had been annoyed he had tossed Itachi out with his sand. Through his window. He had wanted time alone with his brother and Itachi just happened to be the poor soul who got tossed out. Later the red male apologized and Itachi forgave him but glared the whole time. Naruto couldn't help but that situation funny.

That was almost three years ago. A lot of things changed. Naruto still remained a ninja and he was still the white fox mask. Only certain ninjas were allowed missions with the Akatsuki due to their skill level. Naruto was most favored among the group since he was the sole reason for their alliance. 'Tobi' had been invited to be part of the new council along with other influential people from the leaf. They had agreed and the old council had been banished from the leaf.

The village was thriving and so was the rest of world.

"I have his room set up already. Don't worry." Itachi kissed Naruto one more time before his blonde had to go for another mission. "I love you. Come home safe." "Always do." Naruto smiled before heading out and meeting up with the other three. After they left Itachi decided to take a quick shower and then began his day. He met up with Sasuke who was still single but he had an off and on relationship going with Gaara. It was surprising really. He never thought the two would get together like that but Sasuke did lot things that pissed Gaara off to cause them to be off and on. According to Sasuke he didn't want anyone else but Gaara. According to Gaara he was going to stab Sasuke. So it was a love-hate relationship. "Sasuke, Gaara is coming today." Itachi announced as he entered Sasuke's apartment. Their mother still came and saw them from time to time since they had left the compound three years ago. "I know. I already got him a gift. I'm trying to get him to stay here." Itachi chuckled shaking his head. "Don't get him angry this time and maybe he will. Either way I have already made his room at our place. Naruto wanted it down just encase." "You two have no faith in me." "No. We don't." Sasuke rolled his eyes before smiling and asking him questions.

"Still happy?"

"Yes."

"Still crazy for him?"

"Yes."

"Going to protect him?"

"With my life."

Both brothers smiled. "He isn't going anywhere. Not anymore."

"'Taichi I love you so much."

"Sasuke you bastard! You kissed my brother!

" 'Tachi I'm going to kill Sasuke."

"Sasuke! You took his virginity! I'm going to kill you!"

"Itachi. I swear I'm going to shop his balls off!"

"You guys...are my family. You will always be my family."

I've finally decided to complete this story. This is the last chapter!