Authors Note: This idea randomly came to me when I was puzzling over how Sasuke, a 7-8 year old, survived on his own with a guardian.

Rewritten: 8/20/08

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Prologue: Lighting the Fire

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It was early enough for the streets of the lively village to be empty, the soft wind still and the glorious sun high in the sky. It was the sort of morning Sarutobi loved to sit back and appreciate. If his guilt hadn't allowed him the luxury his job would have stolen it for him. Seated at the head of a tan semi-circle table he let his tan hands rub his sore throbbing temples. Sandaime Sarutobi, proud leader of the Village Hidden in the Leaves, was getting a murderous headache. Not for what was happening, but for what he knew would begin soon.

Turning a smile to the attentive audience Sarutobi addressed the assembled Konohakagure Council. "Now that you all have started behaving like the adults you are we can finally resolve this issue. Genma, please step forward and read your report."

A man situated to the left of the Sandaime cleared his throat and began to talk, "July 29th, 4:37 a.m. Kobayshi Shinto arrived at the Uchiha Compound for his annual surveillance of the clan. 4:40 Kobayshi discovered countless corpses lining the streets of the small village. Closer examination pronounced the dead bodies to be members of the Uchiha Clan. Backup was called immediately."

"4:50 all members of the Uchiha Clan were pronounced dead. 4:51 a young boy identified as the second son of Uchiha Fugaku was found alive with only a few minor injuries. 4:55 the boy was brought to Konoha Hospital for treatment. July 30th, 8:13 the boy, now identified as Uchiha Sasuke, was reported missing from his hospital room. 8:29 Uchiha Sasuke was found sitting outside the compound of his home and brought back to the hospital. 8:30 Uchiha Sasuke reported the assailant to be his older brother; Uchiha Itachi."

As fond of spectacles as the gathered men were Sandaime had expected the full report to send them into another loud, pointless frenzy. His warm brown eyes were met with surprised, unnerved, and in a few of the lesser ninja's gazes: fear. If the entire Police Force could be taken out by a single thirteen-year old boy what hope did they have?

In an attempt to ease the tense air Sarutobi exhaled and calmly removed the large, white rimmed hat of his office. "It will only unnerve the civilians if news that one of the villages noblest clans was massacred by a teenage boy. Tell them it was an enemy of indefinable numbers with a grudge solely against the Uchiha. That should settle any doubts about their safety."

Glancing up from his hat Sarutobi noticed several of the men looking doubtful—almost as if they thought the report was false. Twisting a small frown on his face Sarutobi gave the room a sad sweep of his eyes and said, "This event was certainly surprising but not unbelievable. Uchiha Itachi is — was, the best shinobi since the fourth Hokage himself. I have sent two ANBU squads in chase of him but it I doubt they will catch the young boy. If he doesn't wish to be caught he won't be."

Sarutobi was satisfied to see his explanation seemed to resolve the questioning gazes. Using the momentum created with his words he continued, "This emergency meeting was not called to discuss Uchiha Itachi's fate but rather his younger brother Uchiha Sasuke's. The seven year old boy has expressed his immense disinterest in returning to the compound. In light of his young age and orphaned state the medics have strongly suggested he be adopted immediately. What are your opinions?

The news a boy no yet sixteen had massacred his entire extended family in a few hours could not cause a rush of panic or confusion in these men but the debate over a boy's life could. Sarutobi did not appreciate the irony.

"He should be put in with a normal family—"

"No, he can manage by himself!"

"An orphanage—"

"It should be a Jounin family—"

"Be quiet all of you! You sound like children," Sarutobi chided sternly, his low voice carrying all the weight befitting a leader of his stature.

The command was sudden but effective. Within in minuets of its uttering the ruckus died down to low muttered complaints that, with a pointed look, were easily silenced.

"Squabbling will get us no where! Calm down and behave like the leaders I know you are. I will take suggestions but one at a time. I am sick of hearing you all bicker."

The room remained quiet for a good duration of the time as each man weighed his argument.

The silence was broken by a man dressed in loose red kimono. "I agree with the medic's. The boy should be put in foster care so he can have a family again."

An elderly man in blue robes rose to glare headily at the one who had suggested such a ludicrous idea. "No, that would only remind him of what he lost," he snapped.

"What, do you expect him to live on his own? He is only seven!" a third spoke his opinion with an added slam of the fist atop the table.

"An orphanage then. There is no family there," yet another spoke up.

"He can't live in an orphanage! He is the last Uchiha he should be given the treatment that title holds!"

Soon the room was filled with aggressive voices for the second time that morning.

"Quiet! Quiet! This is not a school house gentleman!" The Hokage's voice boomed through out the room, successfully drowning out everyone else. When they had quieted down once more he spoke. "Let us discuss each suggestion individually. Yakamura, I believe you spoke first?" Sandaime directed his question to the red clad man.

Yakamura politely inclined his head to the Hokage before standing up. "As I said early I believe the boy should be put under the care of a specially chosen foster family. I have no doubt many families would be delighted to take in the young Uchiha," Yakamura finished his statement with a small, confidant smile.

A man dressed in sharp shades of blue made a move to stand but was effectively stopped by a pointed look of Sandaime. "Be patient Akemi, you will have your turn. As for your suggestion Yakamura I ask you this. How would we choose the family? On what scale would you deem them worthy to raise the boy?" Sandaime countered.

The man opened his mouth to answer but was cut off by a loud woman with wild brown hair. "There isn't any way to choose! That's why he needs to put in an orphanage. That'll tuffen the squirt up." Her voice was gruff, very much like her shaggy brown appearance.

Yakamura turned to the lady and addressed her directly. "Oh you know all about 'tuffening' them up don't you Inuzuka?" he spat.

The lady's mouth broadened into a snarl. "What did you say you snot-nosed coward?!"

Surprisingly enough it was not the Third who silenced the room but rather a long haired man dressed in a cream robes. "He should be put with people he can relate to and who have similar ways of doing things." The man's voice was soft yet firm, laced with self-confidence and respect. All eyes shifted to the bold male.

"What are you suggesting Hiashi?" Sarutobi asked.

The Hyuuga's mouth turned up slightly in what was supposed to be a smile. "Sasuke should live with the Hyuuga. It is common knowledge both clans have had similar system of reering children. It is only fitting the boy should be put by us."

"Are you saying you want to adopt him?" Sarutobi clarified.

Hiashi nodded his head as he spoke, "I am willing to raise him myself as a member of both the Hyuuga and the last Uchiha. I have two daughters of my own so he would have other children of his age to interact with."

"Wouldn't that remind him of what he had lost Hyuuga?" Akamichi demanded from his place near the back.

Turning to face the larger male Hiashi met the distrusting gaze with a polite, if not a bit superior, smile. "If a child is thrust into a situation he is not comfortable in he will instinctively adjust his surroundings into something he finds comfortable, a home away from home. By placing the boy in my care it will be skipping all that awkward adjusting. Isn't that correct Hokage-sama?" Hiashi directed the last of his words to Sarutobi, tilting his head to catch the old man's eyes.

Despite the Third's natural distrust of the Hyuuga head he had to admit the idea was the most rational he had heard as of yet. It was also getting late and he knew the decision needed to be made soon. With that thought in mind he said, "Very well then. From this day forth Uchiha Sasuke, the sole survivor of the Uchiha Massacre, will live with Hyuuga Hiashi and his family in the Hyuuga Compound. Meeting adjourned."

There were several grunts and words of disapproval but the council members knew that the Hokage's decision was final.

Sometime later the Third Hokage was left to himself. Standing up he gazed out the large window behind him and into the beautiful city he loved, the earlier matter pushed to the farthest corner of his mind. It was too late to feel guilt. He had done what he had to.

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Edited Changes: I made the prologue longer and, most importantly, Sasuke already went to the Compound. He does not go there with Hinata like he did in my original telling of this story.

Authors Ending Notes: Sasuke is seven for plots sake. If you see anything you think is wrong, or even simple criticism, please tell me. I am also looking for a beta for this story. If interested please let me know. If I can get five reviews for it I will update the next chapter tomorrow. If I don't then it will be the day after tomorrow.

Thank you for taking the time to read this. Double thanks for the second-time readers.