Purpose
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto =[[
Summary: Itachi babysits Sasuke on the night of the Kyuubi attack on the village. Drabble.
"Your father and I will be back soon," she said urgently as she prepared her weapons. Her husband had gone much earlier before her, as she had to make sure that her sons had everything they needed. "If he cries, check his diaper and if that's not the problem then warm him some milk. It will be very hectic outside with all the commotion so he might be restless. Just make sure you…."
"It's fine, okaasan," the very capable five year old said, cradling the newborn in his arms closer to himself. "Sasuke will be okay under my watch."
Mikoto smiled fondly, briefly bending to kiss both her sons on their foreheads. Sasuke stirred just then, waking from his nap despite the Kyuubi attacking their village. "I know he'll be safe, but I worry about you, too, Itachi."
"Nothing will happen to me, not while I still have Sasuke to protect."
"Take care." Mikoto left to join the ranks, knowing what her eldest said to be true. Itachi was a very prodigious child, a genius who will probably mimic Shisui, the greatest Uchiha treasure. She smiled, her chest swelling with pride. Although she had known that Itachi was special, she hadn't known that he was capable of such devotion and conviction either. Even when her husband, Fugaku, praised him and told him what a great shinobi he'd be, Itachi had a rather disinterested, though complacent, expression on his face. What she had just witnessed just proved that Itachi had passion and, more importantly, that Itachi had chosen something for himself.
Itachi stared after his mother then decided to sit out on the porch area. He sat, careful to keep Sasuke from falling from his wrap, and looked out over distance to see the Kyuubi running rampant on the other side of the village. Itachi was intelligent enough to know that it probably wasn't a random attack. His father liked to teach him more about politics than they did at the Academy, so Itachi was pretty much aware of everything going on, such as the balance of tailed beasts throughout the nations. Perhaps Kyuubi was theirs or perhaps not. In either case, many people were dying in order to contain it.
Sasuke suddenly cooed, pulling Itachi out of his musings. Itachi rocked him gently, almost absently, as he thought about the shinobi world he lived in – the world his otouto would be thrust into very quickly.
"I'll protect you no matter what, Sasuke," he whispered, tightening his hold on the infant in his arms. Sasuke shifted, possibly because he was uncomfortable with the constant coddling from Itachi. Itachi smiled, tapping Sasuke on the nose. Sasuke's little hands reached up, trying to grab Itachi's finger. Itachi decided to tease him by moving his finger away until the little round face turned red in frustration and Sasuke made an angry noise.
Itachi gave in, letting the baby grab onto his finger and swing in up and down. Sasuke giggled happily, almost victoriously. Itachi knew then that he'd do anything to keep that smile on his otouto's face, no matter what the cost.