Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto, someone in a far away and magical land, where Ramen grows on trees, does.

As far as I know I'm not making any money off this, but if someone could tell me how… (Grins)

This story is AU

"Troublesome" Normal speech
'Troublesome' Thoughts (or in speech they're like those pesky 'air quotes' like dr. evil does from Austin Powers "fire the 'lazer'!")
"Troublesome" words with emphasis (or could be looked at as sarcasm or emphasis with a sneer)
"Troublesome" jutsu

firareth3-Fugaku's desire to break Itachi's bond with Konoha comes from thinking that when someone has several bonds, breaking one bond causes the energy and care that went to maintaining the broken bond will get put into the other remaining bonds. In this story this is done to almost all Uchihas, so that they put the clan before anything else. In a sense it's kind of like the Hyuuga's curse seal, except it's completely psychological, so that the Uchihas never feel trapped or pressured, they want to do everything they can for the betterment of the clan. The reason that building Itachi's faith in the village again is important is so that Itachi (as clan-head) feels that Konoha is still the best place to protect his clan, that way he doesn't turn the clan against Konoha. Also remember, much like the Hyuuga's form of physical control (branch seal), the Uchiha's mental control is tradition. Fugaku is a victim of it also, which is why "Itachi" as a person isn't important to him, but "Itachi," the clan's asset is.

"Uchiha-sama, you wished to see me? I am sorry about taking so long."

"Don't worry; I thank you for coming on such short notice Shige-san. I am still waiting for someone else to arrive, so have a seat."

"Thank you Uchiha-sama. If I may ask, how has Itachi been doing?"

"He has been doing fine; he passed his jounin exams only a short while ago."

"That is amazing," Kenta gasped. "He was only a genin for a year! How long was he a chuunin for—a week?"

Fugaku laughed, "Hai, he passed his first chuunin exam exceptionally well. I admit that when Maeda-sensei had Itachi and his team wait out their first two chuunin exams I was quite skeptical."

"Why did he do so? Itachi had higher chuunin level everything and both of his teammates were at least lower chuunin."

"Something I didn't think of," Fugaku explained "as a chuunin Itachi would have much less time for training, so Maeda took the tremendous amount of free time genins have to train, and made Itachi into jounin material. Instead of having to train around the increased work load of a chuunin, Itachi was able to just take missions. So that by the time the jounin exams started, Itachi was more than ready for them both training and mission-wise."

"Ah, very clever! No wonder Itachi looked so bored during his Chuunin exam!"

(AN: This story is AU - Itachi only spent 1 year as a Genin (without his Sharingan), he gained it during his first (and only) chuunin exam, but since he was already low jounin level without it….he quickly made jounin…the Jounin exams were 2 months after the chuunin exam)

The door to Fugaku's office opened revealing a man with long dark red hair and piercing teal eyes. Twin wakizashis crossed behind his back in their dark green sheaths, the standard Konoha Police force cloak was covering the rest of him.

"Uchiha-sama, please forgive my tardiness, I came as soon as I received your summons," the man said.

"Utatane-san, don't worry about that, neither of you are late, and I am pleased that you both could make it under such short notice." Fugaku said pleasantly. Giving a light cough, to give a more formal air to his next words, Fugaku continued, "I called both of you here for a very specific reason, the Matsuri no Gaika is rapidly approaching. Due to decisions above myself, your assignment has changed." Fugaku paused and let them think.

Both men looked puzzled by what they heard. Sadaime wouldn't change his stance about that. So it must have been the Konoha council. Both men smiled, having come to similar conclusions. All three men knew that the council abhorred the Gaki no Kyuubi, nothing they mandated about the gaki would ever be for its benefit other than to kill it.

"That said—you two will be going undercover as civilians until about two weeks before the festival." Both men were nodding in acceptance of the mission before Fugaku even finished. He looked at both men, seeing almost identical smiles. They were feral smiles, filled with gratitude, yet promising that someone would suffer. Fugaku would almost say they were slightly insane. 'Both of them already understood that the council is…in charge of this order, they won't tell any other shinobis, so that Sadaime never hears about this.' Continuing Fugaku said, "During these two weeks you two are to encourage and stir up as much hatred of the gaki no Kyuubi as you can."

"Uchiha-sama," Utatane Chikao interrupted. "Why stop so soon? With a little more time the masses will easily be ready to attack him at the drop of a hat."

"The reason why, is that this mission's aim is NOT to get a mob to attack the child, that is a prerequisite." Both men's eyes widened, "Your mission…is to kill the Gaki no Kyuubi. In order for you to actually use the cover of the villagers and thus not be caught, they must be able to attack him." Sighing Fugaku said, "Sadaime has lengthened the ANBU's protection time this year, it is now from two weeks before until two weeks after the Matsuri no Gaika, so for the villagers to attack the gaki, that is the last day. That is when you kill him."

"Uchiha-sama, should I expect my uncle Utatane Koharu to know I am being sent?" Chikao asked anxiously.

"No, he most likely hasn't told you of this mission since he was not sure that you would be sent on it. And the least number of people who know of it, the better, don't allow him to know that you were chosen. Council members are surrounded by so many unnoticeable elements, that even if neither of you leak it, someone is bound to hear it. Since you two are going to be going undercover, we have rented buildings for you to use as your aliases, further details are contained in these scrolls, which are to be burnt to ashes once you have memorized their contents."

Both men gave a firm nod of acceptance, and Fugaku continued after a moment, "Although your mission is to kill the gaki no Kyuubi, make sure that you leave only a slight trail, and appear to be a foreign shinobi. At the places specified you have authentic items from the countries that you are supposed to be imitating, so that when you attack you leave no trace of collaboration between you two or evidence any leading back to Konoha."

"However, if somehow you are found out, before you attack or kill the boy, I have included a pseudo-mission, that you are testing ANBU loyalty and efficiency at finding, identifying and capturing invading and spying shinobi." Fugaku curtly nodded at the two signaling dismissal.

Both men, Utatane Chikao and Shige Kenta, stood and bowed in deep respect. Shige spoke first "Thank you Uchiha-sama! I will not fail you!"

"I will uphold your expectations, and will surpass them. Consider this done, and rest assured that your faith is not misplaced!" Chikao added.

From their posture and suppressed excitement, the two probably were ready to go running thorough all of Konoha, screaming that they were the two people who loved their jobs the most.

"Good luck on your mission, and remember to keep a cool head, at all times" Fugaku added as a last piece of advice before they opened the door and left his office.

Fugaku remained in his office for another hour before he left also. His destination was the Uchiha personal training ground, he had promised to meet Itachi there for a training session. Despite Itachi only being 11 years old he was an accomplished shinobi, often times in command of missions.

In short, Itachi like everything else in his life was going through puberty early. 'Well, not really' Fugaku reasoned with mirth, 'he just that rebellious stage…where he wants the freedom that usually comes with the responsibilities that he's already taken. Though I would have expected that he would be a bit more tactful about it.' Fugaku chuckled, thinking the main reason Itachi was so desperate to live on his own. "Mikoto, I told you not to baby him. Now, he's been constantly eying ways of escaping" Fugaku chuckled again, feeling almost glad that he had 'normal' problems occasionally.

'Granted, that having your 11 year old jounin, moving out isn't exactly…an everyday occurrence. Itachi will grow from this, and become a fine leader for the clan.'

Arriving about 5 minutes earlier than their appointed time, Fugaku wasn't surprised to see Itachi already there, warmed up and practicing advanced taijutsu stances and katas.

"Itachi before we begin training for today, I want you to know that I will be sending you out on a mission vital to Konoha. This mission is not approved by the Hokage, since I haven't brought it to his attention yet."

"Otousan, I don't understand, why would you give me a mission without the Hokage's consent?"

"Because, it is a report that came in to me recently, and you are my best suggestion, however I wanted to give you the option about this mission since you are best qualified for it," Fugaku said completely serious. Itachi nodded in understanding. "I have received reports that agitation about the Matsuri no Gaika are at an all time high. Now, in order for me to continue I must tell you an S-Ranked village secret. By law telling the younger generation, including yourself, is strictly forbidden and is punishable by death for the adult who tells you of it."

"Otousan, why would you tell me this then?"

"Because, I know and understand the sprit of the law, and once I inform Hokage-sama that I have informed you and the reason behind it he will understand. The secret is that the Kyuubi no Kitsune, was not killed, defeated…hai, but not killed." Itachi's eyes widened as he took in what his father said. "The Kyuubi is still alive and it resides in Konoha, however what most people fail to comprehend is that the Kyuubi can not attack us right now."

"How is that possible?" Itachi asked with as close to a flat, uninterested voice as he could manage. "I was told that the Yondaime defeated it."

"The Kyuubi was defeated, and the Yondaime did do it. The Yondaime called upon the Shinigami to seal the demon, into a human child at the cost of his own life. As far as I know of sealing, there was no other way to contain the beast, since everything else would succumb to the beast even with the seal."

"Why a child?"

"Sadaime-sama said that only a newborn child's body could accept such a large amount of volatile chakra constantly and have a chance of survival. Sadaime-sama said that the boy was truly human, protecting us in a way that neither the police nor ANBU could, by keeping the Kyuubi no Kitsune safely locked away." Fugaku watched every slight action that Itachi did. No child would want to befriend a monster, so Itachi had to think of the Gaki as a ningen, yet he couldn't push Itachi into thinking that the Gaki no Kyuubi was a ningen, he had to decide that for himself if he was to be able to really believe it and accept the gaki.

"If the boy is holding the Kyuubi back then the boy should be treated as a hero. I don't remember seeing anyone treated that way. Where has he been? Is he coming soon?"

'Good, that is just what I need you to think Itachi' Fugaku smiled warmly, "I'm glad to hear you say that Itachi, it is just further proof that you are far superior to the foolish villagers. Many view the child as the Kyuubi or an incarnation of it, not trusting in Sadaime-sama words and Yondaime-sama's works. The reason for the law is so that the child can actually meet people who don't hate him, and grow to be a loved part of Konoha." Inwardly Fugaku snorted 'There is about as much chance of that happening as the Yondaime being revived and leading Konoha again…'

"So you're saying that the villagers hate their hero?"

"They don't view him as a ningen and thus to them he is not a hero. They view him as the Kyuubi–slowly waiting to gain its powers back so that it can destroy Konoha completely. They treat him as a monster, and many go out of their way to make his life miserable. Many of the adults have passed the behavior on to their children, though the kids don't know the reason," Fugaku said with an edge to his voice. "That is why I want to assign you this mission, to protect the boy. During the times before and after the Matsuri no Gaika the villagers get unusually restless, and aggressive toward the boy, you are going to protect him." The look of pride and determination on Itachi's face seemed to glow forth. "Also, understand that you are not required to make contact with the boy, however neither are you forbidden from doing so."

"Understood!" Itachi barked, not quite sure if he was just advised to do or not to do what was just mentioned.

Sensing both Itachi's confusion and hesitation (which confused Fugaku), he finished, "From the boy's evasiveness with people he doesn't know, he will be a good shinobi."

Itachi's eyes lit up, understanding the cue that his father had just given him. Feeling a little embarrassed since they had been working on picking up on the minor details of missions. 'Picking up on minor the emphasis of what people say is very important both from understanding missions, and gathering information, and picking up leads. I must do better next time," Itachi thought. "Otousan, there are several other questions that I would like to ask," receiving an accenting nod, Itachi continued, "I am grateful, for this opportunity, however if I may ask why me?"

"Right now the boy only sees the faceless ANBU, most of which protect him dispassionately, or aid in harming the boy, I know that you are not like that. Since you accepted the mission I know that no harm would befall the boy that you could prevent," Fugaku stated proudly.

"Arigato, Otousan. When should I start, and what does the boy look like, where should I find him, and what is his name?"

'Already interested…this is perfect.' "You may start whenever you are ready; I will be discussing this with Sadaime-sama and alerting him that you are doing so soon. Most likely this will be ranked either B or A rank considering how this can affect Konoha's future. The boy is has short, spiky blonde hair, he is 7 year old, with red eyes, 95 cm tall, he is thin but not malnourished, his most defining marks are on his face, three 'whisker' like marks on each cheek." Fugaku paused to think, "Most likely you will find him around a ramen stall owned by Icharaku Teuchi, called Icharaku's Ramen, from what I've collected, the boy almost never eats there during the 'normal' meal times, and he usually eats about an hour before and then heads to his home via alleys."

"Where does he live?"

"That I cannot tell you, it is another S-Ranked secret, since the last time anybody knew where the boy lived, his apartment, was destroyed…so thoroughly the building collapsed. However, I will request permission to release the information to you, however work under the assumption that I will be unable to provide it for you."

"May I ask anyone else about it?"

"No, although even if you did, almost none would know, I'm not even allowed to tell my officers."

"Considering what I have been told, how does the boy prevent others from finding where he lives? If he live near anyone else then they would know…with the current dislike, I'm surprised that it hasn't been leaked…"

Fugaku sighed, knowing that Itachi was just pondering, "In order to keep his location secret from the vast majority of Konoha, the boy has taken to using sewers, and he is apparently very adept, since even jounins consistently lose him in them."

Itachi's eyes widen at the ingenuity, "Otousan, what was his name?"

"Uzumaki Naruto"

Naruto woke up, slightly saddened that he hadn't had that heavenly dream from a few nights ago, again. Naruto had not had anymore nightmares about those nins attacking him again since then, but they only came rarely anyway.

Thinking back on the dream he just dreamt. Actually it was another memory, but still it wasn't really a nightmare. That girl was there, but she was over in a field near the playground playing ball with other kids. Naruto had wanted to sit on his favorite swing, alone and watch the other kids play. However some of the other kids' parents had seen him as they started walking off, and ran him away into the woods. Naruto watched from there afraid to go back near those adults.

The kids were playing with a blue rubber ball that they were kicking around—Naruto had never learned the name of the game, with a few other kids watching or cheering. The sun was shining brightly down on the kids and a lot of them were sweating, having been running around constantly for quite a while.

That girl stopped playing and walked away with her friend, both talking in between breaths. The two were walking toward a tree that Naruto had seen another boy lay under with two others. Naruto, probably to make sure that girl didn't come near him, watched the whole thing happen with a sense of horror.

The two girls walked up to the shadows under the tree and saw that some people were already there, something alerted the sleeping boys that someone approached them, because the one with the little dog snorted loudly and woke up quickly.

Startled the two girls jumped back, and one, a blonde with long hair started yelling at them for scaring them. The dog boy just yawned and scratched his head with his foot, ignoring the blonde. Then that girl started getting upset about the boys ignoring her friend.

The dog boy seemed to ignore her too until he said something about 'sun glare' and that girls head. Naruto heard a gasp, and then that girl attacked them. Naruto shivered (both in his dream and his real body (which also broke out in a cold sweat)), remembering the beating that he got from the same girl, for the same reason, although phrased as a question.

Naruto shivered again, remembering the dream/memory. "Is that what it looks like when the villagers attack me?" Naruto idly whispered to himself. Shrugging at the thought, Naruto walked to his closet and picked up the clothes that he wore yesterday. They were still clean, and right now, going out to wash his clothes in the river was still kinda dangerous.

If he gave away where he washed his clothes, something that he changed constantly, then people would watch the spot and ambush him. It had happened once some years ago, before Naruto started alternating washing spots. Naruto escaped without a beating, but even now Naruto refused to go back to that spot to wash his clothes again. Even with the Sadaime's allowance, no one was willing to sell him a washer so he had to use a stream.

Naruto looked in his closet, trying to make sure that he had enough clothes for the next 5 weeks. He didn't, even if he wore the same clothes for 3 days he still wouldn't have enough to last him until the villagers were acting normal again.

'Going out now would be useless, since a lot of people are starting to buy costumes, or extra clothes,' Naruto planned. 'I might be able to make it into Risa-san's shop about 3 hours after breakfast, most everyone will be at work and the streets will be kinda calm then. By then most people who went to her shop to get something made or bought should be gone by then, but that is all the way on the other side of Konoha. I can't take the alleyways all the way there, '

'Ok, I'll just have a late breakfast, about an hour after everyone else and then I'll see what I can do on my way there.' Naruto said with finality. Naruto looked back into his closet once more, 'Yea, I do have to get new ones, and get my other stuff repaired. Anything more than 3 days, and I'll end up smelling enough that the villagers or a shinobi may be able to track me.'

'The last thing that I want is to have them able to track me again,' Naruto panicked 'then they'll…' "Wait. No, I can't let myself think like that, it doesn't happen every day, and as long as I avoid the drunks I'll be ok!" Naruto said optimistically. 'No I won't, especially right now…everyone is out to get me,' Naruto's pessimist shot back. "But last year I avoided everyone and didn't get beaten even once around this time. I can do it again," Naruto whispered to himself.

Naruto remained tense at the memories, then sighed and looked down at the floor. A few spots of blood adorned the floor, causing Naruto to look at his hand. Looking at the rapidly healing wound on his palm, Naruto thought 'I wish I was a Shinobi, then I could protect myself,' Naruto thought about it briefly, 'wait a moment, even if I tried being a shinobi, no one would teach me, and even if they did, once those cloaked 'ANBU' aren't around me constantly they just come and attack me again.'

A resigned feeling came over Naruto, feeling his mood fall Naruto let his head hang and his steps drag as he moved to his kitchen, to prepare a single and his last cup of ramen. "Hold on a second," Naruto said to himself slowly, "no one knows where I live now, so I don't have to leave! I can stay here! So I don't have to use the streams to wash my clothes!' Naruto's eyes lit up and he felt lighter than air for a little while. All I have to do is get enough food to last me for…5 weeks…no one will sell me that much food,' Naruto thought. 'But I bet I can get Ayame-chan to get it for me! Um, well I better make sure that I have enough to get everything.'

Naruto almost started jumping for joy when he realized that this was the first year that he wouldn't be camped out in the forest, constantly hunted by shinobis and villagers alike. 'This is the best year ever!'

After eating his last scrap of ramen in his apartment Naruto cleaned up his home as much as he could. The effort lasted about 2 minutes, being a prisoner in his home throughout most of his life had caused Naruto to become something of a neat freak. 'Not that everything looks perfect,' Naruto though to himself, he actually was just very tidy.

Naruto looked up at his ceiling; it started out as an off white color, and had faded into a dull grayish throughout most of the apartment. In some places the ceiling had leaked, and discolored into either yellow, brown or black spots were mold was growing. Not that Naruto cared, since he couldn't reach it so it was out of mind…and he wouldn't have Ojiisan send someone who might tell that this was were he lived.

Looking at the walls, some paint had chipped and revealed the dull gray, even darker then the ceiling, of the wall underneath. Unlike his last apartment the walls were all in good condition, since Naruto didn't mess up his home. Villagers who would come in and destroy things would mess up the walls. Naruto smiled, no feces, vomit, urine, or animal blood was on a single wall. Also there were no gaping holes in the wall, letting in cold air, constantly. There were no holes in the walls at all.

Naruto looked at the floor; the living room was the only place with carpet. Cheap carpet, but it was clean. Well mostly clean, since Naruto ran out of cleaning stuff that Sadaime had given him, he just stopped eating over the carpet since he spilt some milk and ramen broth on it, and…it didn't smell too good. He had asked Icharaku-san to borrow his cleaning stuff for the day, and cleaned it up. But until he could get his own, he wouldn't eat on that carpet.

Naruto walked over and laid on the carpet, smiling. The rest of the floors in the apartment were all wood and hard, but the carpet was nice and soft. Looking at the beige carpet as he lay on it, Naruto let his mind wander hoping for the best, in his soon-to-be common downtime.

'When I really look at things, and really think about the details, I save myself a lot of hassle. How do I start practicing?' looking around Naruto started trying to focus in on things, finding the small details.

Sadly, Naruto's abnormal amount of energy worked against him as he started to fidget, losing what little concentration he had worked up. 'Well it always works better when I'm being chased.' Naruto thought with a huff. 'How much time do I have until I can go out?'

Naruto looked at his clock, 'About 15 more minuets and everything should be ok.' Then Naruto really looked at the clock, trying to focus again, it was sitting on his lamp stand, since the wall mount was broken when he found it. The clocks actual shape was in a diamond, made out of a reflective plastic. It was about the size of Naruto's chest, but it had a large clock face, with simple hands the moved so smoothly that they seemed to glide. Inscribed on the material of the clock face was Konoha's emblem, etched in blue over the black face. "I don't care if the clock makes me think about the villagers, I always think of Ojiisan when I see it.'

Shaking his head, clear of those thoughts Naruto began to study the clock again, noting the dust that the clock had collected. Eventually Naruto noticed that around the 8, the second hand moved slower, and the individual movements became more pronounced, enough that he could tell the clock did snap to place instead of constantly move. 'Not that it makes a difference. I don't know though, watching details seems stupid…' Only a second later did Naruto think, 'NO, not always. Shadows, and the way people talk, and walk, and stare, those are details…I think. I don't wanna ignore those, if I do then I won't know when the villagers are about to do something. Ok, so that means that I just have to figure out what is good to watch for and what is not…' Naruto stood up slightly impatient.

Naruto looked at his kitchen table; even it had some dust on the tabletop by the wall. The table also had scratches and gouges from the previous owner, who had thrown it out. The legs of the table told Naruto that termites must have gotten to it at one point, since they all had small holes drilled through in ways that ningens just couldn't do. Naruto looked around his kitchen trying to take all the details in.

'Wow, I never noticed all those cabinets up there…' Naruto climbed on the counter and almost opened up the cabinets, 'I hope that there's no nasty spider waiting to come flying out and bite me…again.' Naruto thought, remembering his last apartment. It happened when Naruto opened up the cabinet under his sink.

With this apartment, Ojiisan was there when he opened that particular cabinet door. 'Ojiisan helped me a lot with this place. I'm so glad that he had me keep this place a secret. I can finally relax when everyone goes crazy.'

Naruto stopped for a moment, and then smiled broadly, almost splitting his face, "I'll be able to sleep!" Naruto whispered excited. "This really is going to be the best year ever!"

Before Naruto stepped out his apartment, Naruto checked the area extremely thoroughly; since he knew it was about now that the villagers and shinobi started getting really bad around him, once he stepped out of his apartment. Checking for anyone else being able to see him leaving, Naruto ducked into the alley between his and the building next to his. Already on alert for those weak explosion notes, Naruto knew that soon they would be getting replaced, but the full strength ones, just like last year.

Although remaining aware of the ones near him, Naruto pushed the notes littered on the ground to the back of his mind. Although Naruto left his apartment with a rough plan, actually carrying it out would be much tougher. Naruto realized that a few shinobis were actively looking for him. It was a gut feeling.

Well the feeling really came more from his stomach, not his entire gut. The feeling was always with him Naruto realized. Ever since the Kusa-nin attacked it has been much stronger, I think I even felt it before Kusa-nin attacked.

Now the feeling became much stronger for a brief second, which was all Naruto needed to hide in some of the refuge laying about the alleys.

Since he had that run in with the chuunin that lead to Naruto finding the ULTAMATE THUG, Naruto had refused to go inside the warehouses unless he knew they were empty. Unfortunately Naruto couldn't really make sure of their being empty, except the warehouses by his apartment, which made little sense to him at first.

Yesterday Naruto had come up with a reason why he should still bother with familiarizing the ones by him: if someone followed him, instead of hiding in his apartment and leading them to it to tell the villagers, he could hide in one of the warehouses, that would kinda protect where he lived. Naruto felt proud of coming up with that all on his own.

However, since the only warehouses that Naruto had scoped out were near his apartment, he decided that he wouldn't really consider them options in most cases. Since mandating (self imposed) that he not enter anymore warehouses, Naruto started to love refuge heaps, since when he only spent a few minutes in them he didn't hold much of a scent (usually), and they were much safer to duck into.

"One man's trash is another man's treasure," was something he heard one man say as they passed him while he was hidden. Naruto, since hearing the proverb, had been thinking about it. Since he was considered trash to the villagers, who's treasure was he?

Not that Naruto thought too long or hard on it…he still hadn't eaten breakfast, and soon his stomach would be giving him way. Grinning to himself about how loud his stomach could be, he continued on his way to Icharaku's.

Itachi had been scouring the entirety of Konoha for the past hour. A couple of seconds ago Itachi could have sworn that he saw his target in one of the alleyways he was said to frequent, but in the time it had taken him to look back…it was gone. Which meant one of two things for Itachi, his mind was playing tricks on him, Very Bad, since it might start happening on other missions also, or the boy could just hide that quickly.

Itachi changed directions toward where he thought he saw his target, and erased his presence, as only a jounin can. Itachi watched carefully for a few seconds until he was ready to think that his mind really was getting to him, 'I thought I was supposed to be at least in my late 20s by the time this started happening…' Itachi thought as he inwardly sighed and hung his head in defeat and shame.

Then the motion caught his eye again, the blonde boy perfectly matching his description was just standing up out of a refuge heap. The boy seemed, not quite nervous, yet cautious…casually, as though it was a necessity that didn't even faze him. Then the boy started walking again. Never walking in a straight line, he was constantly zigging and zagging while walking down the alleys, forever cautious.

In a few cases didn't keep his presence suppressed well enough, like when Itachi tried to figure out what the boy was dodging, Naruto immediately picked up that Itachi was nearby and went into hiding. And from how fast and well rehearsed it was Itachi could now believe that the boy could hide that quickly earlier. Itachi realized that the boy, Naruto could detect anything below high-jounin level stealth, which was disconcerting, since he wasn't even an academy student.

Eventually, curiosity got the better of Itachi, as he dropped down into the alleyway, once Naruto safely got into Icharaku's, and started to find the explosion notes. At first Itachi thought that he had found a single stray one that the boy just noticed and avoided. From what he could see, Naruto seemed to avoid any place that he couldn't see the stone work that made up the alley. It was a much quieter way of moving.

However as Itachi traced Naruto's path through the alley, he realized that the entire thing was riddled with them. The reason the boy didn't step on places where he couldn't see the ground was two-fold, to keep the noise to a minimum as well as not have the explosion notes, 'Not even concussion notes' Itachi noted grimly, go off and kill him. Considering that a few of the notes were concealed via genjutsu, Itachi was both impressed at Naruto and pitied him.

'Where the notes are concealed with genjutsu Naruto paused, often times getting very close to them before jumping over it or stepping someplace else, he likely isn't quiet used to dealing with genjutsu, but his natural instincts make up for that.' Itachi closed his eyes, and sighed out loud, 'This is a concentrated effort to get rid of Naruto. Now I understand why Otousan choose me for this mission." Standing straight up, and heading back toward Icharaku's ramen, Itachi continued "The only way that Naruto will be able to grow up, will be to get rid of whatever groups have organized against him. Otousan was right, if—no when Naruto becomes a shinobi, he will be a great one."

Completely erasing his presence before he arrived on the rooftop across the street, Itachi almost used a genjutsu, until he decided that once Naruto stepped into the alleys again, he would speak to Naruto.

Forgoing the illusion, Itachi waited. Passively watching people move by and a few non-descript people walk into and out of the booth, proving that at some villagers at least turned a blind eye toward the boy instead of outright hating him. Or at least they didn't show that hatred during meal time…

The boy finally came out about an hour later, part of Itachi was mad, 'By Kami-sama! He takes an hour for breakfast!' Itachi paused for a moment, considering who and why this was a special case. 'The boy's posture is completely different. He still has that casual wariness, but he is standing up much taller, even from here I can see that his eyes are shining. Icharaku Teuchi, well it's a start that the boy has some people that make him feel like a ningen…'

Itachi watched as Naruto made his way back into the alleys, surprised that the boy didn't return to his home immediately but instead went the opposite way. 'Did, he detect me? No, and I don't think he saw me either. Perhaps he just has some other place to go? Though on that part of town…I'm surprised that anything over there concerns him.'

Itachi speed past Naruto on the roofs above him. Itachi Barely escaped detection, since Naruto was starting to get suspicious and had looked up just missing seeing Itachi jump. Leaping down to the alleyway in front of Naruto, Itachi left plenty of room between the two of them. Naruto was likely to be suspicious of him regardless, and the last thing Itachi wanted was to chase Naruto, since he was warned that the boy would almost surely escape.

'First impressions are the most important…' Itachi thought, 'If I can convince him that I'm here to protect him, he'll probably at least tolerate me for a while.'

Naruto looked at Itachi once, and froze for a brief second, then whispered "Ack! A, a Uchiha-san thug!"

"…" Itachi had been ready to speak, having just opened his mouth, but for almost the first time in Itachi's life, he was speechless. His mouth was ajar, and his eyes unfocused and slowly widening in realization. The only thing that Itachi could come up with, in the next five seconds was, '…Um…Perhaps I should have observed him a little more…'

"The ULTAMATE THUG sent you didn't he!" Naruto accused a little more loudly.

'Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaait, a second…' Itachi thought slowly, 'Did he just call my clan a bunch of thugs? Did he just call Otousan the 'ULTAMATE THUG?' When did Otousan even meet him?' Itachi was dumbstruck, nothing was processing like normal and the backlog of audio and visual input was starting to make his head hurt.

Closing his eyes and holding his head, Itachi thought, 'Lets just start from the beginning,' then mumbled, "My name is Itachi, I…um…volunteered to protect you for a little while…" Slowly the train wreck that was his was his head was clearing up. 'Ok, he did call my clan a bunch of thugs…I know that should bother me…but why?'

"What? You mean you're not going to beat me?" Naruto asked in disbelief. 'Is that why I didn't get that feeling from my stomach when he landed? Is he telling me the truth?' "Um…why?"

"Because, you should be treated as a hero, and yet you're not. People still go out of their way to harm you, and you take it all in stride." 'Crap, this damn gaki completely befuddled me! I almost told him! What can I say if he asks?'

"Um, why should I be treated as a hero?"

'Kuso, he didn't even give me a second…' Itachi inhaled deeply, "Anyone with your skills can be a hero. Already you have the reflexes and the sense for danger that any good shinobi will need. You have an insatiable drive to survive, and overcome any of the challenges that are presented before you." Itachi paused, 'He doesn't look too convinced…' "Honestly, your speed, alertness and hiding abilities are almost jounin level, and you have never been trained have you?"

"No."

"With your raw talent, once you start training to become a shinobi you will easily rise to the top. However, you have to make it there. So, here I am, here to protect you."

"So you're really not going to beat me?" Naruto asked skeptically…

"I have volunteered to protect you from harm; I have no desire to hurt you."

Naruto's eyes narrowed, to Itachi it seemed that he was thinking deeply. Naruto actually was trying to see if he felt even the slightest hint of danger or foreboding from being around Itachi. 'Well, my stomach seems to be ok with it…' Naruto looked back at Itachi again and gave a shy smile, "I, I'm Uzumaki Naruto nice to meet you!"

Mentally, Itachi released a huge sigh of relief, if the boy was going to be so forward with him, then his mission might just be much easier. "My name is Uchiha" Itachi noted the slight cringe, "Itachi, I'm glad to meet you. I will do my best to make sure that you are safe."

"Um Itachi-san, are you an ANBU? Cause they are the only people who protect me…Are you not wearing your mask since you volunteered?"

'Kuso, this kid is worse than Shisui!' Itachi thought desperately. He almost cringed when he saw the boy's mouth start to open again. "Naruto, I'll answer your questions, but wasn't there a place that you were going to?"

"…Oh, yeah! But, Itachi-san…are you coming too?"

"Hai, I'll be following you," Itachi said relieved that the boy (hopefully) forgot his previous questions for a little while.

Naruto looked down, almost bashfully, "Um, Itachi-san…"Naruto glanced up at Itachi then looked right down at his feet, almost as though he was anticipating being hit or yelled at, "Couldyouholdmyhandandwalkmethere'causeIdon'twannagetattackedorspatat'causesomeonealwaysseesmewhenIgoduringtheday!"

'KUSO! My head…' Itachi inwardly sobbed. Closing his eyes and trying to make sense of what he could decode. '…you, hands, walk, 'cause, attack, spat, sees, go, day…that was all I got…'

"Could you repeat that slower…please…" 'Dear Kami-sama, please let me get through this day, not even Shisui gives me this large of a headache, and he tries.'

"Um… Could you hold my hand and walk me there…It's because I don't wanna get attacked or spat at. It happens because someone always sees me when I go during the day."

"Hai, Naruto-kun don't worry, if that is what you want, then we can." Itachi said relaxed some, he inwardly cringed knowing that he would have to answer….a lot of questions now. However Itachi was happy that he was, despite the headaches (they were common whenever Itachi had any prolonged exposure to Shisui anyway), actually gaining the child's trust. Reaching his hand down, Itachi asked, "So where are we going?"

"Um, we are going to Ooka-san's shop. She is the only person who lets me get anything. Well at least without having to pay extra."

'Ooka, I know that name…where from?' "Ooka-san? Ooka who Naruto?"

"I think it's Ooka Risa…why Itachi-san?"

"I have heard of the person…" Itachi said cryptically 'Kami-sama!' Itachi though derisively if the council only knew that the same person that custom tailors their "superior quality clothes" was allowing Naruto-kun to touch the same custom made carpet as them…' Itachi almost broke out in laughter, 'The sheer irony of it…I do hope that we don't run into one of them…I would hate for them to die of heart attack…"

"This way Itachi-san!" Naruto said as he started dragging Itachi behind him.

If Fugaku could have known what had happened, he would have laughed his head off. Not only was Itachi working right into his plans, but soon the council would start increasing their 'secret' "anti-Kyuubi push." That, plus, Fugaku's two officers in the field would make sure that everything went according in shattering Itachi's bond with the village.

"If the meeting with the Gaki no Kyuubi goes well then everything should be right on track." Fugaku mumbled to himself as he walked home alone from his office in the police sector. 'Now all I need to do is tell Itachi of the house I prepared for him as a 'promotion gift.' Fugaku sighed out loud, "Mikoto will kill me for this, especially if she knew…But it's for the good of the clan."

Itachi was glad to walk out of Ooka's shop. She kept staring at Itachi strangely, with a small smirk on her face the entire time. Itachi hadn't really minded, being as he was used to being the center of attention, just by his achievements. It was the way Naruto continuously required Itachi's opinion on things.

To her credit Ooka had been sympathetic, letting Itachi know that Naruto always did it. However, Itachi (having become accustomed to the mild headache by now) figured that this was likely one of the only times he had to speak to anyone else.

That revelation made Itachi mad, the longer they remained in there the more apparent it became to Itachi. 'I don't think that she is usually that patient with Naruto, but he didn't seem really afraid around her, so she must at least treat him like a normal person. It's good, but why? Ooka-san is one of the most elitist people I have heard of, she turns most of Konoha away at her doorstep saying that her clothes aren't for commoners…Well I'll take Naruto back to his house and then I'll be able to ask her about it.' Itachi noticed that the alleys they were taking were leading further from where Itachi first saw Naruto. 'We are moving really slowly…' Itachi looked up around until a building caught his eye. For a second Itachi's brow twitched, 'Kuso, what are we doing here? What exactly are we doing here?' Itachi was puzzled 'This is the most likely place…' in Itachi's mind it clicked, 'Oh! This is the place he meant when he said "someone always see me." Well I suppose that sneaking into the Hokage's tower isn't an easy thing to do.'

"Itachi-san, stay here I don't want you to get in trouble if they find me." Itachi blinked in shock, and looked at Naruto.

Or tried, Naruto was already gone, and his hand was just hovering in the air, Itachi had frozen in shock. After a few seconds 'AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHGGGGGGGGG! MY HEAD! THE HEAD IS WORSE THAN BEFORE!'

Holding his head in misery, Itachi walked directly to the tower, hoping that wherever Naruto was getting caught would be nearby him so he could protect him if something ugly happened. 'Dammit, from now on, he is telling me where we are going. I didn't know that he knew the Hokage personally! And people still treat him like trash? How blind are these foolish villagers' Itachi internally ranted. 'Sadaime-sama, why haven't you stopped such horrible treatment?'

Shortly after arriving inside the tower Itachi heard a crash further up in the tower, he almost ignored it as an accident. The only reason he remained alert was because Naruto was wary of shinobi, so someone, if not everyone here, was a potential obstacle to his mission.

Itachi barely heard someone say "That must be the Gaki no Kyuubi…" Itachi immediately hurried to find where the sound came from. If Itachi had remained behind to hear the rest of the conversation he probably would have ended up having a 'session' with Ibiki to remind him, no violence is allowed in the Hokage's tower.

'I've never been so impulsive (obsessed) about protecting people before…nevermind, now's not the time for that!' Itachi found the floor where the crash took place, Hokage's receptionist's floor. 'Wow that is amazing…I would dare say that he has ANBU-level stealth…getting past all these jounins, and I couldn't detect him while looking for him.'

Actually stepping out of the stair well greeted Itachi with a sight that almost set him off, two ANBU were hulking over Naruto one with a kunai out. Itachi blurred moving at his top speed, placing himself directly between the ANBU and Naruto.

"What is the meaning of this?" The ANBU with out a Kunai growled out.

"What is the meaning of attacking a Konoha civilian?" Itachi demanded. Ignoring the way they both jerked back in surprise, Itachi continued "All citizens are allowed to come see the Hokage, during these hours."

"Do civilians sneak around? It's quite obvious that—"

"That you are over stepping your bounds and attacking unarmed civilians, for ANBU, that is bordering on treason. If you're fortunate the Sadaime will only revoke your ANBU status, and not your licenses, perhaps you should be glad I stopped you from attacking him, if you value your and your squad's lives…"

Both ANBU stiffened both feeling indignant and anger rolling off them in waves. Itachi retaliated by releasing some killing intent, not something he was intending on doing, but it just happened. "You disgust me. If this is the infallible efficiency that ANBU prides itself on, then I want nothing to do with it." Itachi's voice dropped to a low icy tone, "If you cannot see past what those…foolish villagers see, then you are far inferior even to them. You are supposed to be the best in the village, trained to see beneath everything said and find the truth and act upon facts." Itachi's voice continued to get louder, and his narrowed dangerously, "Yet even when handed the truth, you scorn it and abandon it like cowards into the same lies that the sickening villagers have never seen past!" Itachi's face remained smooth and controlled the entire time through, the only thing betraying his emotions were his eyes and voice. Even his hands were at his sides looking almost casual.

Naruto was looking at Itachi in awe, 'He not only got in here, but he also is defending me! He looks so cool! Itachi-san is awesome!'

The ANBU, both of which had been petrified from fear of the Uchiha genius, at least proved that their training wasn't a complete waste. After a second, the ANBU with the kunai (having dropped it) picked it up off the ground carefully, immediately tucking it away less Itachi think he was trying to attack, or do anything but get out of his way.

The other ANBU shakily stepped back and opened the door with out another word, revealing a completely disarrayed and wide eyed secretary. Both ANBU disappeared (likely to go crap themselves…) immediately after.

"I, I, Itachi-sama," the receptionist said in a breathless terror. "The Hokage will see you now!" She had on an idiotic smile, but her eyes were wide in fear.

Itachi eyed her with cold steely nodded curtly, then smiled as he turned to Naruto, 'Kuso, I really hope he isn't terrified of me…' Looking at the boy Itachi got the feeling that "fear" was in a far away country likely never to find Naruto again. Idolization, admiration, and happiness were written all over Naruto's face. Itachi smiled to himself, and almost sighed in relief, as he reached his hand down, "Come on, you wanted to see Sadaime-sama. Let's go."

Naruto jumped up, taking Itachi's hand, with a broad smile and dragged Itachi through the receptionist's waiting area, and up the stairs to the Hokage's office. Not even bothering to knock on the closed double-doors, Naruto kicked them in while at a sprint.

Itachi's eyes widened, and his heart sank, at who was in the room. Naruto though, completely ignored everyone but Sadaime, and dragged Itachi over the table in the middle of his office and leapt onto Sadaime's desk.

"Ojiisan!"

Itachi blinked, and so did everyone else in the room, except Sadaime. They all blinked a few times, almost perfectly synchronized. Other than Sadaime and Naruto, no one was thinking. Their minds completely shut down for a few seconds.

Itachi came out of his shock induced stupor first, having gotten used to it while being around Naruto for just the 6 hours that he had been. 'Kuso, it's not even near dinner time yet…I want to cry…I stalked a kid, glared down an entire market street, went shopping for 5 hours, snuck around until we got to the Hokage's tower, threatened two ANBU, and burst in on Sadaime-sama in the middle of a meeting.'

"Sadaime-sama, I am sorry I was told that you were available at the moment, and…well…" Itachi trailed off.

"No need to worry Itachi-san." Addressing the comatose but slowly recovering people already in the room, "Hiashi-san, Hizashi-san, could you please excuse me." With a smile Sadaime continued, "It seems something important has come up."

Both men, Hiashi and Hizashi, dumbly nodded and stood and left without a word. Considering that neither of the two were functioning properly, it was actually a very thought intensive thing to do at the moment. However they both left their children, Hinata and Neji, who sat staring at Naruto.

Naruto was busy (re)introducing Sadaime to Itachi. Itachi was doing his best to contact the outside world, yet his vocal cords had frozen up at how casual they were, was Naruto really Sadaime's grandchild? They seemed to be acting that way…

Then came the moment Itachi was dreading, when Naruto started (re)introducing Itachi to Sadaime. If his face would have reacted, Itachi would have visible cringed (for the first time in public). However Sadaime happily listened to Naruto tell of Itachi's 'heroism' and rescuing him from a "horde of enraged crazy ANBU" nodding and smiling at Itachi occasionally. Itachi received a quizzical look when Naruto remembered to tell Sadaime about his meeting with the ULTAMATE THUG, who Naruto then explained was Itachi's Otousan.

Relaxing some after seeing the affect of Naruto's "ULTAMATE THUG" explanation on Sadaime, Itachi thought, 'Yes…I doubt that I'll ever forget that my Otousan is the "ULTAMTE THUG." Holding in a chuckle Itachi thought 'And if I ever did forget that he is the "ULTAMATE THUG," they way Naruto says it will always remind me.' Itachi

"Um, who are you?"

Naruto looked over his shoulder, noticing for the first time that there were more than three people in the room. "I'm Uzumaki Naruto," Naruto said quietly.

'Wow, even around Sadaime-sama he is shy to others. He is still more happy and open than normal, but still quite shy.' Itachi observed.

"Who are you?"

"I'm Hyuuga Neji," the boy said simply. "Why did you chase out our Otousans?"

"Who? I didn't chase anyone out…"

Sadaime interrupted, with a smile, and said "Aren't you going to introduce yourself?"

"I'm Hyuuga Hinata," She said quietly.

"Ok…" Naruto hesitated slightly, afraid that she might be like that girl. "I'm Uzumaki Naruto…"

Sadaime almost laughed, remembering hearing about the incident that caused Naruto to be very careful around girls, "Could you two wait downstairs, your Otousans might be wondering where you are now. Tell them I'll be done shortly."

Neji nodded, and stood, quietly to leave. Hinata was still staring at Itachi, since Naruto's…"descriptive recollection" of today put him as doing almost super-human things, she was in awe of him. Getting up and following Neji, Hinata stopped at the door bowed and said, "Um…It was nice to meet you Itachi-sama, Naruto-san," and hurriedly left.

Sadaime gave Itachi a look that almost seemed to say 'It seems that you have another admirer Itachi.' Itachi loudly sighed in defeat, and the Hokage broke out in laughter. Naruto was looking between them, trying to figure out what just happened.

"Otousan…"

"Hai, Hinata-chan?"

"You said that both my husband and I would have to be really strong to uphold our clan right?"

Still not quite in his right mind, Hiashi nodded, and Hizashi said "Your husband must be strong like you, to uphold the pride of the Hyuuga."

"Then when I get older, could I marry Uchiha Itachi?" both men stopped breathing. "I heard what Naruto-san was saying about Itachi-sama," (the receptionist, who couldn't hear them, could feel an ominous aura, and tried to reach the ANBU) "and I think he would be the perfect person to prove that our clan is the strongest!"

Neji thought for a brief second, then said…"Hai, Otousan, I agree with Hinata-sama."

The ANBU arrived to find both Hyuuga had almost suffocated themselves. Their heart rate was really slow, and they had passed out. Medic-nins were called in to revive them.

After Hiashi came to again, he briefly remembered what his daughter had just said, his vital signs spiked and almost started to drop again, but the medic-nins stabilized him in time to prevent loss of consciousness. All he said was, "When we return home, we…..shall discuss the…………………………………….(im)'possibility' otouto, I believe that I may need you assistance in this decision (we are going to quash this as soon as we get home together—bring Neji)."

"Yes, I think that that would be best oniisan (We should not wait a second to lay this to rest forever, for both of them!)." The twins nodded at each other, understanding each other perfectly.

Matsuri no Gaika – Festival of Victory (only used to speak of Kyuubi within Konoha)
Otouto – younger brother (honorary)
Oniisan – older brother (honorary)

(AN: I think that the chuunin exams are done to show off chuunins to clients since they make up the majority of the villages numbers. This is done since clients will want to see what they usually will get, with each village. Also it probably wouldn't be considered a large security risk to show off what the chuunins can do. Jounin exams are, for me, held once a year and each one of the villages does their own private version. The reason is that no village will want 20 to 50 foreign jounins waltzing around their village. The potential for info to be stolen, or for an attack to happen would be too great, not to mention if on of them is killed a lot of the villages' secrets will get out to the hosting country. I made it so that Konoha does their jounin exams 2 months after when they would finish their spring time chuunin exam.

About the Hyuugas, I feel that the reason that Hiashi became obsessed with Hinata becoming much stronger was because he regretted Hizashi's sacrifice. He took it as personal weakness, and to avoid something similar from happening, he wants both his heir (Hinata) and his clan to have infallible strength. Also his wife's death shortly after Hanabi's birth likely helped push him into believing that the only real strength was the strength of the body over strength instead of the mind. However since Hizashi hasn't been sacrificed and his wife is alive, Hiashi is both more human and less obsessed with the strength of the clan. Thus he is trying to make Hinata a strong clan-head by making her a strong person, not making her a strong person by making her a strong clan-head.

Hinata isn't stuttering because her self worth hasn't been destroyed by Hiashi. She sees him as a father and not a clan head, so she is able to speak to him. Also Neji doesn't hate the main house since his father loves his brother, and has shown Neji that that regardless of what branch they live in they are still family. Additionally Neji he is always them since he is always around his father, and he sees the main branch are humans also.

Naruto meets Hinata and Neji now, since the Hyuugas will have some important parts to play later on.

Also about Hinata and Neji, Hiashi and Hizashi….in every place I find their ages Hiashi is 42 and Hizashi is 32 (age when he died). This means that Hizashi was killed about 10 years before Naruto graduates, meaning that Hinata was 2 or 3 at the time. Yet, they have a segment where Hiashi and Hizashi are training their kids side by side…this of course, must happen before Hizashi was killed. Meaning if we follow the anime's timeline, when Hiashi and Hizashi trained them, Neji was 3 and Hinata was 2…That doesn't make sense that they were learning the Jyuken at that point. So…in this story their ages are different.

Remember that Itachi is an 11 year old, very mature but still an 11 year old, don't picture him as the 17/18 year old that is shown in the anime and manga. That is why Mikoto (Itachi's mom) will have a fit over Fugaku letting Itachi live on his own. Still Itachi's house will be in the Uchiha district.

ANIME-Something I've wondered…how does the leaf accumulate so many shinobi if only 9 are allowed to pass a year… Konoha has been around for about 6 generations (Shodai someone (we'll say Sadaime due to his age) Tsunade/Jiraiya Yondaime Kakashi Naruto Konohamaru-doesn't count yet) since people like Sadaime are in their late 60s and Naruto is 13 that means we could rank it like this

Shodai (70)> Sadaime (60)> Tsunade/Jiraiya (50)> Yondaime (40)> Kakashi (20)> Naruto (10)…so Konoha is about 50 (since Konoha had to come after Shodai was born and a good shinobi we'll say 20 years)

50x9450 total…then shinobi die…with the 2 great wars and Kyuubi we'll say ½ of them died unnatural deaths…that leaves 225 shinobi….then natural deaths….I'll say ¼ are died off….so 168 shinobi in Konoha total. That is what I figured/estimate it to be. Not that I'm staying to that number, nor am I going to divide up the ranks...

Now I just want to point out that Konoha is an exceptional village, so they don't do things the same as others (visible by the demeanor of other village's shinobi)…the mist would likely have ½ of their academy students which would likely leave (with the same class size) about 15 students. 5 new teams. Konoha can get away with having fewer teams because the quality of their shinobi and the values are much higher and different than others. Stronger people who work better together create more synergy, meaning they are more effective, and succeed more often than die. Just my thoughts…Sorry for taking up so much time with the Author Note)