Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto if I did oh what fun there would be

Innocence lost

(ITACHI'S POV)

"Tachi-nii!" Yelled the little blond as I walked through the door. He'd just learned how to talk and already I knew that "Tachi" will be my new name. I had been his favorite since he was born. I suppose it was because I practically raised him but I never said I didn't enjoy being "Tachi-nii" actually I loved the little bundle of sunshine and would have done anything for him.

"TACHI-NII!" Naruto whined. "Play!"

"Oh?" And what would you like to play Naru-chan?" I replied. Watching his face morph into a cute if a bit constipated thinking expression I allowed myself a small smile at his antics he must have been thinking very hard.

"Ninja!" Naruto shouted excitedly as if it was the realization of a universal truth I actually chuckled at that thought, though I would have preferred something else however. I wanted to keep him away from even the idea of being a ninja. Even though I knew in the end nothing I did would mater such is the fate of a jinchuricki.

I was never one to deny him as he had so little and asked for nothing so at last I relented. All right Naruto ninja it is." I said softly. I watched as his cerulean eyes lit up in joy and allowed him to grab my hand and lead me toward the back yard. On the way there I gave his hand a small squeeze and he looked up at me with that smile of his that always put me at ease even after the most inhumane of missions I finally allowed myself to relax and smiled back fully maybe I couldn't always protect him but at least for now I could keep that smile on his the beginning Itachi had always been the one to protect him. When the nine tails was sealed it was Itachi that protected Naruto from the villagers and ninja that came seeking revenge for their lost loved ones despite how many scars he got for his trouble, and when Naruto was old enough to understand feelings it was Itachi who protected him from the full brunt of the peoples hatred. There was no one he loved more than little Naruto. From the moment he first held that little bundle of squirming sunshine Itachi knew he couldn't abandon Naruto despite knowing the circumstances behind his birth.

His father Fugaku Uchiha on the other hand was a bastard that hardly cared for Naruto or anyone else for that matter that man was a hate monger with an insatiable lust for power he was often careless and dismissive towards his wife which eventually drove her into the arms of another. When it was discovered that she was having affair and had become pregnant Fugaku had tried to kill her immediately though the timely arrival of the yondaime saved both her and the child, Itachi didn't remember what was said but he did remember his father speaking of a combat asset with some of the elders a few hours later though he didn't know why. After that Fugaku left his mother to carry out her pregnancy all by herself. Itachi felt that familiar pain in his chest at the thought of his late mother as she had died during child birth Itachi still had not forgiven Fugaku for abandoning Mikoto.

He remembered how the Kyubi attacked taking the lives of thousands of villagers and shinobi among the killed was the Yondaime hokage himself. He died sealing the beast away inside of Naruto and his last wish was for Naruto to live, and be seen as a hero. worse yet was the memory of how Fugaku had left his mother to die after the yondaime had for whatever reason chosen to make Naruto the jinchuricki and take him away when the Kyubi had finally smashed the hospital building his father made no effort to save her rather he Got out of the building leaving her behind. After all was said and done Naruto as all he had left of his late mother.

Sadly only Itachi loved Naruto and only Itachi cared for Naruto, so Naruto would naturally grow up idolizing him. As everyone else either scorned his existence or just wanted to use him. Still despite it all Itachi just wanted to make his ottuoto happy.

"Tachi-nii why sad?" asked a curious Naruto in his broken speech.

Itachi gave a small start at the sound of that innocent voice and then chuckled softly, he was brooding again. He had to stop that it upset Naruto to see him so deep in thought.

"Are you ready to play Naru-chan?" asked Itachi.

"Ya!" He shouted.

Then he took off toward the side of the house and around a corner. When a sudden crash sounded Itachi ran to Naruto's location in a heartbeat, only to come face to face with his father.

"Chichue what are you doing here" Itachi asked tonelessly."

"Your game will have to wait". Fugaku replied "It's time for the weapon to begin its ninja training." Itachi didn't fail to notice the malevolent look he sent Naruto's way or the trembling in Naruto's body as he faced their cold and spiteful father.

And in that moment Itachi's heart froze because despite all his hope and prayer his ottuoto's pure soul was going to be stained crimson.

Hello again I thought this story could use some much needed changes in how I wrote it but no worries the plots the same I'm just making slight tweaks to make the story a better read special thanks to my new beta

-Kurokoi