I don't own anything from Naruto.

Normally I would never post two chapters in a week, but next week will be a challenge. Thank you Navi, for standing by my side. **Huggs**
Next update possibly week after next. (This is the worst case scneario of course.) Thanks for reading!

Chapter Two - Time Flies

The following morning, Itachi all but jumped from his mat to find his father.
"Where is father?"
"He's at the temple dear. He will be back soon."
Itachi could hardly wait to ask his father to finish the story. Mikoto watched him over her shoulder and felt the sting of tears behind her eyes.

Please have mercy on my children and forgive our ancestors. Save his soul and that of our unborn. I beg you. Please.

She felt a tear escape as she prepared his breakfast and at that moment Fugaku walked in.

"Father!"

"Well good morning to you also."
"Father, can we finish the story? Please? I couldn't sleep all night. I have to know what happens next."

Mikoto dropped a bowl and Fugaku felt the weight of her anguish on his shoulders.
"Well, uhm, nothing really happens next. The man simply commits a crime and dies. That's all."
Itachi knew that was not at all of what happened and he twisted his lips.

"Nuh, uhn father! You're lying to me. Please tell me the rest of the story!"

Fugaku watched the angry little eyes of his first born and his heart sank.

"Listen. I should never have told you that much of the story. But I will promise you this. I will finish the story when you get older. Okay?"
"What! Older! I'm, I'm old now!"
Both his parents chuckled at him standing to his feet with his hands resting on his hips.

"Okay little man, but when you are able to open this puzzle box then I will complete my story."

From his pocket Fugaku handed Itachi a black box with different symbols and locks and inscriptions. It was a toy given to the smartest of men and scholars. It was given to Fugaku from an ancient wise man and he figured if Itachi could open it then he had the right to hear the rest of his life's story.

"Okay, I'll have this done in no time."

Mikoto finished cleaning up the mess and felt some ease since she also knew Itachi would never understand the other languages on the box. Each language was an answer to another cultures riddle that gave instruction on how to open the box itself and the different chambers. So she smiled and they all sat to eat breakfast.

XXXXXXX

Years had passed. Itachi and Sasuke grew up to be very close brothers often challenging each other in tasks and even in chores. Their mother always knew how to trick them into helping out. When Itachi was given an award for completing the jounin exams early he took his assignments with much care and ease, yet the Hokage felt his exceptional skills could be better used as a spy and assassin. Much to the chagrin, and mixed pride of Fugaku he allowed Itachi to be trained with an elite group of ninja. On his thirteenth birthday Itachi was allowed to return to the village from his four years of training abroad.

"Well my son returns to us!" Fugaku stood at the door while Itachi unloaded the bags on his back. While sliding his feet out of his sandals, Itachi ducked as Sasuke came flying over his head from a tree branch. He'd been watching him since he entered the edge of the village.
"Man, you got really good to dodge that! I guess you're the real deal hunh!?" Sasuke stood up to hug his brother tightly before sparring with him for a bit. Fugaku simply shook his head and smiled.

"Where's mom?" Itachi asked after stepping up to bow and hug his father.
"Well she's preparing a feast in your honor of course.""
"Ah, it's not that special, I mean well I don't really like the tasks given to me father."

In his heart Itachi hated to kill anything. It was this respect for life that made him dangerous. He always made sure his kills were quick and clean and that the victim wouldn't suffer, yet he noticed when he left the village there was something odd about his feelings when he shed blood. It always made him feel anxious and excited. Fugaku sensed his son's unease yet he released him to go to the camp to see if he would be able to handle the training. Every day, unknowing to Itachi, his father watched his every move to ensure that his true nature stayed at bay.

"Oh Itachi!" Mikoto jogged from the kitchen and wrapped her arms about him. The embrace was full of all the warmth a worried mother could give.
"I'm so, so glad you're back!"
Pulling back from her, he blushed brightly before she kissed him on both cheeks and his forehead.

"Well then, let's eat!" Fugaku commanded.

The family had a lot of catching up to do. They told Itachi about Naruto, Sakura, and Sasuke becoming team mates. They informed him that Neji's uncle was in training to be a priest. They even joked at how Sasuke was bound by a mob of girls on his seventh birthday and their parents had to pay ransom for his release. Sasuke hated that story.

Two days into Itachi's return, some of the other members of the elite gathered and his best friend Shisui came to his home one fateful evening.

"Excuse me Fugaku-sama." Shisui bowed as Fugaku ushered him into the home. The family was in the middle of their evening meal.

"Yes?"
"Well, I wanted to know if Itachi could come with me and uhm some of the others. We felt we should practice a little while we are away from the training grounds. Tonight looks to be a pretty nice evening by the river. There's a slight dampness and fog outside so our uhm, training in stealth would be excellent." The young man gave such a convincing story, Fugaku didn't let on that he knew he was lying, but he couldn't figure why.

"Hmm, well Mikoto, can Itachi leave for the evening for…training?" Fugaku said while watching the expression on Itachi's face since he had a mouth full of rice. Itachi's brow wrinkled with confusion.

"At this hour?" She said with a puzzled look to Shisui. He simply grinned while Itachi stood up, still wondering what was going on. After a long sigh Mikoto finally gave her answer.
"Hmm, well I guess. He's old enough and we trust him. Just don't cause any trouble." With a kiss to his cheek, Mikoto nodded permission for Itachi to leave. Sasuke hopped up also.

"Hey, were do you think you're going? This is a top secret mission for the elite only." Itachi said.
"I wanna come too!" He pouted.
"Sorry, ni-san. Uhm, I'll let you come next time okay." With a pat to Sasuke's head, before plucking him between the eyes, Itachi looked at Shisui oddly and they left.

"What was that all about?" Said Mikoto while clearing the table.
"I don't know dear. Guess boys being boys."

Neither one would realize that the next events would change their lives and the course of their descendants history forever.

Author's note: Enjoy the weekend and the suspense...MWHAHAHAHA!!