Mikoto Uchiha always knew that her greatest wish was for her children to be happy, to be loved. The moment she held her first child in her arms she knew he would do great things. But the moment she held her second son Sasuke she felt something different. She felt like she had to protect him more and look after him more then she'd ever had to look after Itachi.

Even at five it was obvious that Itachi would grow to be a strong ninja. She knew he would be praised, envied, and despised for his greatness. But she knew that Sasuke would suffer most living in the shadow of his older brother. The moment she held him in her arms for the first time she made a silent vow to herself that no matter what she would support Sasuke and made sure he was always loved.

The years past by quickly for Mikoto and with them her children grew. Just as she'd predicted Itachi grew strong while Sasuke was always left in a shadow he could never fill and she felt such heart ache for her youngest son. Even thought many females sought him out he'd yet to find someone.

Someone who Sasuke could care for and who had the strength to protect him. She was so scared of what would happen if Sasuke didn't find a love like she'd found her own husband.

She made sure that Sasuke spent as much time as possible with the others, but he never seemed able to connect to those his own age. It seemed that he might end up alone for the rest of his life and that thought frightened her.

Finally when he turned 7 Sasuke made a friend. He wouldn't say who, just that his friend had golden hair and a sweet smile.

She only knew of one blond in the village that was Sasuke's age: Ino.

She was so thankful. Her son never looked happier then in the weeks that followed. All Sasuke would talk about was his friend and how much he cared about them. Mikoto was certain it was Ino...until Valentines Day.

Sasuke had spent hours working on a valentine card for his blond crush. She had never seen her son work on something so hard. It had to be just perfect for his valentine. Finally after hours of hard work and coloring Sasuke held up the card and raced to show his mother as fast as his little legs would carry him.

"Mother come see what I made! I hope my valentine likes it!" Little Sasuke cried.

Mikoto smiled fondly as she looked down at her son's homemade card and read:

Happy Valentines day Naruto! I Love You!

Your Sasuke

Mikoto looked at her son horrified. Naruto, as in Naruto Uzumaki? The demon carrier? The Kyuubi vessel? Naruto with blond hair and a beautiful smile? Naruto was the one Sasuke loved?! It wasn't allowed! Had she not told him to avoid the boy like she had Itachi? She couldn't remember. What would her husband say? What of the villagers?

Suddenly she looked down at her son who stood at her side waiting her approval of his card. He truly loved this Naruto boy. that much was certain from the look in his eyes. How was she to deal with this? She looked at Sasuke's hopeful eyes and remembered the one thing she always wanted for him, be loved.

She'd promised that she'd support Sasuke no matter what. In that moment she remembered every time she'd seen Naruto. It seemed so obvious now. The sweet smiles, the faint blush. How had she missed it? The boy was so hopelessly in love her son it made her feel queasy. This was no childhood crush; no Sasuke was never one to give his affections away easily. But the Uzumaki boy of all people?! In a way it made sense, Sasuke was a very anti- social child, so who better to befriend then someone who wouldn't worship him? Someone who wouldn't care that he was an Uchiha. Who wouldn't compare him to his brother like everyone else. The more sense it made the more it bothered her.

"Well Mother do you think he'll like it?"

She smiled at him reaching her decision.

"It's lovely Sweetheart I'm sure he'll love it. Just don't tell Father or Itachi. They'll get jealous that you have such a cute Valentine."

"Thanks Mother! I'm going to deliver this right now! I hope he accepts!"

Mikoto smiled as she watched him run out of the Uchiha district. She only hoped she made the right choice in trusting her son's heart in the hands of the little blond orphan.

But by the look on Sasuke's face when he came back he hadn't been rejected. She prayed that when the time came Naruto would protect her son. When the time came that she could no longer protect him.

Had she only know it would come so soon.

I didn't get many reviews for this story but I had this vision for how I wanted to finish it. One more chapter and I'm done with this. Please review! The next chapter is going to be amazing! See why Itachi really didn't kill Sasuke! A great knew idea!

Yours Truly,

Lacy Fairgold