This story is me playing around with a different concept. I haven't written a story in a long time, but I believe my writing has improved since my last attempts (at least I hope so).
The concept of this story is that Naruto is adopted by the Fugaku and Mikoto Uchiha after the death of his parents by the Nine-Tailed Fox. I am playing with the concept and seeing whether or not it changes the story dramatically. I'm going to try to keep all the characters "in character" best I can, but I welcome reviews that will help me get there.
Overall, I couldn't get this out of my head, so I decided to spit it out. Just one little disclaimer… there is no guarantee that I will finish this story. I'm not particularly good at that.
But I hope you enjoy what I have!
Disclaimer—I don't own Naruto.
Hiruzen sighed as he looked down at the child in his arms.
The night had been draining and everything felt like a bad dream. Minato and Kushina's death weighed heavily on his heart. But above all, Biwako, his beautiful Biwako, she was gone as well.
But he was forced to remain level headed. He had no time to grieve, no time to feel. Decisions must be made. He looked again at the small child in his arms and sighed again. His life will be a struggle, he thought to himself, all I can do it make the best of it.
He straightened his newly donned hat. It's time he took it upon himself and returned to the position of Hokage. He had no choice. With Minato gone, his duty had become clear.
He looked at the house in front of him. Yes, this is the best decision. And he knocked.
Mikoto answered the door. "Lord Third!" She said in a breathless surprised voice, "What are you doing here? I thought with all that has happened you would be busy…" Her voice trailed off as she noticed the child, a small smile graced her lips, "And who do we have here?" She said gently.
"The unfortunate reason for my visit," the Hokage said quietly, "may I come in?"
"Of course!" Mikoto smiled graciously, "Come right in! I was just cleaning up from dinner, but if you're hungry…"
"No, no, my dear. However I must speak with you and Fugaku-san immediately. It is a matter of great importance."
"Of course" Mikoto said again. "I will go get him. But please Lord Third, make yourself comfortable."
The Third smiled as he watched the kind women walk through the door and sat down on a small plush chair in the living room. Yes, this is the best choice. He thought to himself.
The child squirmed in his arms and the Third smiled down at him, stoking his blond locks. Just like Minato. He thought to himself.
Fugaku followed Mikoto back in the room and sat on a couch opposite the Third. The Third looked at the two quietly and took a deep breath before stating his proposition.
Fugaku looked at him evenly, not reacting.
Mikoto looked at the child again, this time with different eyes, "So that's Kushina's child." She said quietly.
The Third nodded, "Yes, I believe you two were good friends. Am I right?"
Mikoto nodded quietly, her eyes wet with unshed tears, "she was like a sister to me." She whispered.
"Then you know why I've chosen you." The Third replied. He turned to Fugaku, "What do you have to say Uchiha-san?"
Fugaku let out a stream of air through his nose as he breathed out, "you suspect the Uchiha of the attack." It was not a question.
The Third closed his eyes painfully. The elders were suspicious of the Uchiha, but Hiruzen insisted that they were innocent. It pained him to see his village crumbling under anger from the past; one that should have been long forgotten.
He opened his eyes, "I have no suspicions," he said confidently, "I know you are loyal citizens of the Village Hidden in the Leaves."
"You have no suspicions, but others do," Fugaku argued, "They will not be happy about this. Why are you asking us when you know it will bring nothing but anger and criticism to you as Hokage? Especially during this tumultuous time?"
Hiruzen looked at Fugaku evenly, "Because I believe that you can keep this child safe. And I believe you and your family will make him happy. To me the politics are unimportant. I made a promise to Minato and Kushina and I will do whatever is in the best interest of the child, regardless of consequences. So tell me your decision now, or I shall try to make other arrangements."
The two were silent for a few moments and then Mikoto spoke up, "I have made my decision." Hiruzen and Fugaku turned to her and she had tears streaking her cheeks. Tears shed for her dear lost friend, "Just the other day I told Kushina that I wanted our sons to be friends. Now they can be brothers."
Hiruzen smiled at the kind woman and turned to Fugaku, "What say you?" He asked firmly, making it clear that he expected an answer.
Fugaku turned to look at his wife but she had eyes for none other than the child, "He may look like Lord Fourth, but I see so much of Kushina in him," She said quietly.
Fugaku turned back to the Third Hokage and nodded, "Very well. We shall take him under our wing. But he shall not take on the name Uchiha. We will care for him as a son, but the clan will not accept an outsider as a member of the clan. He can take his father's name, Namikaze."
The Third nodded, "I understand." He said. To be honest he did not want the boy to take on the name Uchiha. The Uchiha had a history of darkness, fear, and vengeance. While Hiruzen, unlike his predecessor the Second Hokage, truly believed that the clan had moved past their history, he did not want his successor's son to take on that legacy. "However, I do think it would be best for his lineage to remain unknown, for his safety. The Fourth was very powerful and had a lot of powerful enemies and this child already carries a heavy burden. I think he should go by Uzumaki."
Fugaku nodded, "That is acceptable."
Mikoto smiled, "Yes, I believe Kushina would like that."
The Third left the small child in Mikoto's arms. She looked at the boy lovingly and thought of her dear lost friend, "Oh Kushina," She whispered, "You would have been an amazing mother."
Mikoto carried the boy with her in the other room and smiled at the sight in front of her. Sasuke sat in his baby chair and her eldest, Itachi, reached forward and poked Sasuke in the nose and Sasuke responded by giggling profusely.
"Itachi." She said quietly, pulling his attention from his cute baby brother.
He turned and looked at her and his observant eyes immediately landed on the child in her arms. "Who's that?" He asked his mother quietly.
"This is your new brother," Mikoto said with a smile, "His mother was a dear friend of mine and both his parents died in the recent attack. Your father and I decided to take him in."
Itachi walked over and looked at the baby, "Really? Who were his parents?"
Mikoto frowned. Her son was observant and quick to figure things out. He would recognize a lie, but she needed to say something, "It doesn't matter," She finally said, "We're his family now."
Itachi looked at his mother with keen eyes. He knew she was hiding something from him. He tucked it into his mind for later but right now she was right; it didn't matter. He reached out his hands in a silent question. Mikoto delicately handed him the baby.
Itachi took the child over to Sasuke who was starting to get fidgety from the lack of attention. He fussed and whined, scrunching up his little face as he struggled to get out of his chair. Itachi walked over and smiled at his beloved brother and Sasuke immediately calmed as his big brother reentered his field of vision.
Itachi showed Sasuke the baby in his arms, "Look at this Sasuke, now you're a big brother too." Sasuke looked blankly at the child, not understanding what was happening. Itachi laughed, "I'm sure you'll be a great big brother to…" His voice trailed off. He turned to look at his mother, "What is his name?"
Mikoto looked at her now three boys and smiled softly, "His name is Naruto."