Naruto Uzumaki had always been an odd child from his bright smile and blond hair to the distinctive whisker like marks on his cheeks. He didn't think his younger brother Sasuke would ever appreciate the peculiar boy and all the strange things he offered not only to his friends and enemies but to passersby as well. The boy was so different from everyone else he had ever seen or would ever come across that Itachi just couldn't help but think about the boy in times of quiet.

He had first seen the boy three days after the Nine Tails attacked the village. He was wrapped up in a bundle of blue blankets and was securely nestled in the arms of the Third Hokage; a tuff of blond hair was just barely visible to his six year old self. Itachi had been stationed between his mother and father, the former holding his new baby brother in her arms. The rest of the clan was behind his family as they stood ridged during the funerals of the Hokage and all the shinobi who had died just days before.

At the time Itachi had thought it odd that one as old as the Hokage had been holding an infant that looked younger then Sasuke who was hardly a month old. As the funeral progressed he learned why the Third held the baby. The child's parents had been two of the many who had died during the attack, though the baby looked to be only a few days old. Surely his mother hadn't attempted to fight so soon after child birth. Perhaps they had just lived in a part of the village the Fox had attacked and his parents had died that way.

That theory was disproved twenty minutes later when all the children who were left orphaned by the fox were marched to the front of the crowd, roughly fifty of them. "These boys and girls are the next generation. We have a responsibility to them and the ones that died for them to rebuild Konoha so that they may take our village to new heights."

Itachi noticed that several of the children, who ranged from the infant in the Hokage's arms to older academy students, had begun to try to hide their tears and put on , what he assumed was supposed to be, a brave face. Though Itachi just thought they had the same look Sasuke did before their mother would change his diaper.

"This boy right here though." The Hokage said drawing Itachi's attention back to the infant. "Was born not thirty minutes before the fox attacked and the Fourth Hokage chose him as our savior."

The muttering immediately started and Itachi could almost feel the uncertainty in the air around him. His mother on the other hand seemed to know exactly what was going on if her gasp and pale face was any indication.

"The Fourth died sealing the Nine Tailed Demon Fox inside this boy to save his village as is the duty of any Hokage. His dying wish was that we treat him as a hero for bearing the burden of such a malevolent creature so that the people of this village may live."

This announcement was not met with the reaction Itachi would have expected. Instead of being grateful most everyone seemed horrified to learn that the Fox was still alive. He of course could understand as he could still remember the fear and panic of that night very clearly. Though the Fourth Hokage was obviously very capable, otherwise he wouldn't have become Hokage to begin with. It was a reasonable assumption that the Late Hokage would have the ability to seal the Demon inside of a newborn without any ill effects on the child.

Though the reactions from the adults around him were disconcerting, perhaps there was something about sealing he didn't know yet. He would have to make a point to ask his mother and father about it when they arrived home.

The funeral ended shortly after and his mother and father lead him to where the Hokage was shaking hands with the head of the Hyuga clan and his family. It was an odd experience to see his mother so impatient as she waited for the Hyuga's to say farewell. When the other clan head had finally moved on his mother nearly ran over his father in her haste to reach the Hokage.

"The baby is theirs isn't it." She stated before the Hokage had time to greet her.

He paused a moment and took a quick glance around indicating something to his mother and father though he had no idea what. "His name is Naruto Uzumaki."

"What are our options in adoption?" His father asked.

Itachi had thought this strange as in his experience his father had always been distant with everyone and didn't seem to care for anyone outside of the clan. More than likely he was doing this to appease his mother how was clutching a sleeping Sasuke tightly to her chest and had her eyes locked on the baby named Naruto.

The Hokage looked torn before he eventually spoke. "Let us talk more tomorrow in my office." He said closing the subject of adoption. Itachi got the impression from the Hokage that this child would not be joining the Uchiha clan.

Itachi had always been encouraged to act as an adult and not like the other children his age and as a pint sized adult he saw fit to speak to the Hokage like he was not six. "May I see the child." He asked careful to make sure he displayed the proper amount of curiosity.

There was momentary surprise on the Hokage's face as he had probably not expected his maturity. Then he smiled and lent down to show him the face of the savior of the village.

His face was round and his eyes were large. The whisker like marks on his cheeks were likely made due to the Demon Fox being sealed in him. The tuft of hair he had caught a glimpse of previously covered his head and was a bright yellow. Itachi knew that experience was something real adults had that he didn't but even he could tell that this was the Son of the Fourth and Kushina, his mother's friend that had been very pregnant only a week ago.

"He will be very strong." He said finally and took a step back to indicate he was done looking.

The Hokage had nodded approvingly and his father had clapped his hand on his shoulder before leading his crying mother away.

A/N

I hope you enjoy and I hope I nailed Itachi's personality right. I'll continue as soon as I can so please leave reviews so I know how you like it.