Brothers Forever

(Disclaimer: I own nothing. Except for an iPod and a pretty sweet PlayStation 3.)

Chapter One

A young blonde haired boy sat alone up above his village. The cool night air was comforting to him, especially right now. If there was one thing the boy was in dire need of; it was comfort. His favorite spot was Hokage-Mountain. More specifically, right above the Fourth's head. He himself was not sure as to why he felt at peace in this particular spot. Perhaps it was because that no one else ever came up here. This one area was his and his alone.

Naruto Uzumaki, the Hidden Leaves Villages number one loud mouthed, active, surprise, knuckleheaded ninja. On the outside, Naruto may seem like a smiling, happy-go-crazy, stubborn headed idiot. Truthfully, he is the exact opposite of who he allowed to be on the outside.

Growing up he knew exactly as to why he was hated. It was not because he was loud, and a prankster. Not because he was an orphan who had no idea who his biological parents were. It was because he is the vessel for Kurama. Also known as the Nine-Tailed Fox. Although Naruto hid it, he was on par with Shikamaru Nara and his intelligence.

Naruto figured it out a long time ago at the age of four the reason why he was hated and tortured by the villagers in the Hidden Leaf.

He was just a newborn when then. He never asked to be the vessel. He never asked to be born. He never asked for any of the hatred! He never asked to be beat up day in and day out! He never asked to struggle day in and out and go days without eating a single thing!

He never asked to be seen as a "hero!"

Throughout everything that has happened to him Naruto knew one thing that: he was innocent. For a time, that was all he needed in his life. Sadly as time went on, he himself began to see himself as a guilty person.

Looking up at the night sky Naruto sighed. Moving his legs close to him, he wrapped his arms around his legs and sighed. I wish things would kunge for me. I wish… I wish Itachi nii-san was here. He is the only one, the ONLY one who truly gave a damn about me.

*Flashback Begins* (This is quite a long flashback so bare with it)

A seven year old Naruto lied face down in the middle of a dead end alleyway. For all intents and purposes, he was defeated. For the umpteenth time, the villagers attacked him again with no grounds for assault. Why? Why do they always do this to me? What have I ever done to them? That's right…nothing.

Slowly getting up, Naruto made his way to the wall and sat down. *Sigh* At least the pain is going away now. Thanks to the fox, pain is not all that bad. Looking up at the sky, it started to rain rather harshly. I love the rain. When it rains, I am able to cry without anyone knowing. Then again, why do I hide my tears? Not like anyone would care.

The fresh water from the heavens above felt pleasant to his skin. The cold night air mixed with heavy rain was a godsend for him. After a while of sitting down, Naurto began to cry. Even though he masked his pain with a goofy smile, he still felt the pain, the hatred from the villagers.

The villagers are so stupid. They fool themselves by believing that I am the fox incarnate. Rather than seeing me as a jailor. If I'm right, if I die… the fox dies as well. Why do I even bother? Death would be so welcoming at this point in time. I have no family. No friends. No one to call "precious." I have nothing!

With a flash of lightening from the sky, the boy noticed something shining from the corner of his eyes. He slowly got up and walked over to the object that shined brightly in the cold night.

Looks like my prayers have been answered. How ironic. The one thing that I ask for is actually given to me. This knife is the key to my release. For the first time in his life, Naruto gave a real smile. Sadly this one, this one "smile" would prove to be his last

Holding out his left arm, Naruto looked at it before positioning the knife in order to slash at his veins. With his decision final Naruto thought it's not as if anyone would even miss me. They'll probably just leave my body in a trash can or something.

*Point-of-view change*

A teenage ANBU with a weasel mask was dashing from roof top to roof top. Scanning for the slightest bit of evidence of where his target is currently at.

I swear by the gods above if that boy is harmed again I will kill each and every person responsible nice and slow. After I put them through my Mangekyō Sharingan!

With his anger giving him the fuel he needed, the lone ANBU moved faster than ever.

After searching for five minutes, he finally found his target. Quickly positioning himself in the shadows of one of the rooftops, the Weasel turned on his radio to inform his comrade and to assess the situation.

"Dog. This is Weasel. Please respond. Over."

After a moment of silence his comrade replied.

"This is Dog. Weasel, have you found the target? Over."

With hints of both anger and venom in Weasel's voice, he replied to his comrade.

"Yes. He's been assaulted and battered. Again. No signs of perpetrators. This rain is only helping them hide their traces. I'm assuming it was the work of civilians. If it were the work of ninja, I would have a trace on them."

Weasel's heart was heavy for Naruto Uzumaki. He and his comrade Dog both knew that Naruto was truly innocent. If he had things his way we would have gladly taken the boy with him into his home and raised him himself. Granted that Weasel, was just fourteen years old. Naruto… you poor child. I swear to you Naruto Uzumaki that I Itachi Uchiha will protect you as if you were my own brother!

Itachi couldn't help but wonder what his younger brother Sasuke was doing right now. By all accounts, Sasuke should be asleep in bed with his teddy bear. With a small smile on his face Itachi couldn't help it. The image of his younger brother sleeping with a stuffed bear was too cute to not smile. His train of thought was quickly interrupted when his comrade Dog arrived on scene.

"Sensei would kill me without any hesitation if he knew how his one and only son were being treated. He would destroy the entire village and no one but his son could stop him. I imagine the same would be with 'Konoha's Red Death.' What do you think: should we knock him out and take him home or leave it to him alone?"

Ignoring his comrade's question, Itachi continued to look at Naruto.

"Kakashi? How do you think he does it day in and out? Where does he get his strength from? Do you think he hates this entire village? Do you think someday he will be a threat to Konoha? Why doesn't Naruto just runaway, this he would have a better chance of survival outside of these walls?"

Removing his mask, the Cyclops teenager looked at his sempai. "I… I think about that all the time. I believe that he should have so much more than what little this village has given him. If I were him, I would feel no loyalty towards this village..."

With flashes of lighting from the sky, the darkened alley lit up immensely.

"Sempai! Is he gonna -"

Before Kakashi could even finish his sentence, his Sempai moved faster than the lightning itself. Within three seconds, he not only stopped Naruto from committing suicide but earned himself both respect and fear from the young blond haired boy.

In a strong yet comforting voice, Itachi spoke to the first time. "Naruto Uzumaki. I swore to myself that I would protect you no matter what. Even from yourself! Don't like it? Tough! I am here to protect you no matter what so you best get use to me. Believe it!

Looking up at the masked Weasel, Naruto was lost in though. What is this? He can't be serious! ANBU have attacked me long before this weasel ever came along. Then again, no one has ever spoken to me before like this. "Believe it?" I like the way that sounds. Maybe this guy will give me a reason to live now. Please, PLEASE don't let this be nothing more than a lie to try and kill me.

After a few minutes of silence Naruto finally spoke up and looked at the man behind the mask. "If- if you're serious then I'll get use to you right now. If this is just another trick from you then please, PLEASE just kill me right now so I won't get my hopes high."

Realizing what Naruto just said, Itachi did something that was strictly forbidden. He broke the cardinal rule by removing his mask. Looking at Naruto for the first time without his mask, Itachi kneeled down and did something he never would have done.

He gave Naruto a real, honest to God, genuine hug.

"I promise you Naruto that your onii-sama will always protect you. Believe it. That is my way, my ninja way and I never go back on my word."

The young blond wasn't sure what to make from all this. His mind was telling him not to trust him and yet… something from his… what is this? Where is that voice coming from that is telling me to trust him? This… this has to be a dream. There is no way that someone would actually care for me. Ignoring both voices, Naruto gave into the hug.

For the first time since…ever, Naruto felt safe. He knew he could trust this man with his very life.

Finally speaking up, Naruto struggled saying these simple yet difficult to speak words.

"Yes. I- I believe you… onii-sama."

Itachi's eyes widened just a little from hearing the young boy call him "brother." Sure Sasuke called him that but… Sasuke was born into a world where he naturally trusted people. Itachi couldn't help but hug the young boy just a little tighter.

Naruto spoke up again but instead of his usually depressing and meek voice, he spoke in a warm voice. That was entirely new to him.

"I-I have a big brother." The young blond gave an actual warm and sincere smile for the first time in his life.

"That's right. You do have a big brother." Itachi spoke up with fresh tears coming to his eyes. "Your big brother will never EVER let you be alone again."

Removing himself from the hug, Naruto looked at the man kneeling before him.

"Can you say it?"

Looking at the young blonde, Itachi was slightly confused at what the young boy wanted.

"Say what Naruto-kun?"

A small smile appearing on his lips, Naruto spoke up in a rather positive voice and simply said "Believe it. Say it again. Please?" Naruto spoke with pleading eyes.

With a simple nod and a smile, Itachi gave in to what you younger brother wanted.

"Your big brother will never Ever let you be alone again. Believe it!"

A huge smile appeared one Naruto's face and quickly moved in to hug his new big brother. "Onii-sama? I don't know if this is a dream or not but… I'm going to take advantage of this as much as possible."

Itachi couldn't help but feel a little pain inside of the honest truth that was inside of Naruto's words. Removing Naruto from the hug and moving him back just a little, Itachi spoke words from his own heart that he knew would help the boy. Placing his right hand on the top of Naruto's head, Itachi spoke words that finally comfort Naruto."

"Naruto-kun, my name is Itachi Uchiha. I assure you that this is no dream. Believe it."

Naruto couldn't help but shed tears from his big blue eyes. For the first time, someone has shown him complete kindness.

"I believe it onii-sama!" Naruto looked up and smiled at his new big brother.

At that moment, the rain finally let up. Itachi picked up his new brother and left the alley behind.

*Flashback ends*

Looking up at the night sky, a twelve year old Naruto was looking up at the sky.

I wonder if onii-sama is alright. I hope he is. I wonder where he is. Is he looking up at the same sky as me? Does… does he even remember me? No! He promised me that he would never forget me! I should have faith in him.

With that in mind, Naruto used the Shunshin no Shisui (Body Flicker Technique) his onii-sama taught him. Tomorrow is the big day. The day he could stop being the "village idiot" and show just who he was and how strong he truly is. He wanted nothing more than to make his onii-sama proud of him!