Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto, wish I did though.

Warning: Alternate Universe, Use of Original Character, Some out of character behavior from Naruto, Itachi and some others. There will be Shounen ai and Shoujo ai but pairings aren't a major part of the fic. Both Minato and Kushina will be alive and so are Obito and Rin. Naruto will have siblings. Itachi and Sasuke are twins. And Naruto is a few years younger in this alternate universe.

Ages: Naruto - 10, Itachi and the rookie nine - 12, Gai's team - 13, Naru's twin brothers - 15, Rin, Obito & Kakashi - 24, Kotetsu, Izumo & Iruka - 22, Minato & Kushina - 32

A second chance

-2-

Kotetsu and Izumo sighed bored from their position against the gates. "Ten minutes and we are out of here!" exclaimed Kotetsu with a grin, while his partner nodded his head.

"Good. I'm starving." Izumo stated with a smile.

A burst of chakra spikeed causing both chunins to turn towards the direction it came from. "What was that?" Kotetsu questioned as he eyed the surrounding critically.

Izumo shrugged and stood up, "Lets go check it out. It's to close to the village to ignore." ne turned and glanced at his best friend. "Ready?"

Kotetsu nodded as he stood from his seat and ran towards the direction the energy came from with Izumo beside him. The both of them came to an abrupt halt in the middle of a clearing as they gaped at the sight before them. There wasn't an enemy nearby or a spy. It was some-thing far worse then that. The youngest son of the Hokage was lying unconscious on the ground, beside him was an unknown male and it was apparent that the guy was dead.

Kotetsu and Izumo rushed towards the blond boy, "Naruto?"

Dropping beside the unconscious boy, Izumo checked him over making sure that he was alrght. "I don't think rhe bloods his, he doesn't have any visible wounds unless the fox healed him." Izumo called out scooping the kid into his arms and glancing towards his partner, "I'll take him to Hokage-sama." Turning to look at Kotetsu he frowned in worry, "Can you take that body to Inochi after notifying the replacement that they need to take their shift early?"

Kotetsu nodded his head and grabbed the body, "Hokage-sama is going to be mad at this attack." he stated, shuddering "And I don't even want to think about what the twins, Obito and Kakashi will do when they hear the news."

"That's nothing compared to Kushina and Rin!" Izumo replied.

Kotetsu nodded, "Your right about that. I'd hate to be on the recieving end of there ire." he stated before teleporting towards the gates while Izumo shunshin to the Hokage's tower.

(Konohagakure- Hokage's tower)

Minato glanced up when the door to his office slammed open and Izumo ran inside. The blond Hokage bolted upwards when he saw his youngest son held within the chunin's arms. "Hokage-sama, Kotetsu and I found Naruto-kun in a clearing outside of Konoha. He doesn't appear to be wounded or anything but his covered in blood and beside him was a dead body. Kotetsu is taking the body to Inoichi to see if he can gather who the guy was and what he was doing near Naruto."

Minato gritted his teeth at the thought of someone hurting his baby. There had been a lot of attempts on his life and they all ended with the person being killed for attacking another citizen. He motioned for the chunin to place him on the couch.

"Naru-chan, wake up for daddy." he whispered, gently shaking his sons shoulder. "Come on baby." the yellow flash ran his hans through his sons hair and glanced at Izumo, "Does Kushina or the twins know about this yet?"

Izumo shook his head, "No." the chunin seemed to pale at the thought of the fiery red headed woman. "I rushed here to report to you first and I believe it's unwise of me to be the bearer of such news."

A weary chuckle left the fourths lips, "Yes, very unwise. Kushina-chan and Rin will be quite dangerous especially when they find the person responsible for this attack." Minato narrowed his eyes, a frown tugging at his lips as he took in his son's appearance. Blood marred every spot of the boy's body and angry red and purpled marks decorated Naruto's neck. He could already see the beginning signs of finger marks forming. "Those bastards" he hissed, angry at the treatment that his son undeservely recieved from the masses. "Go to Inoichi and tell him I want a name and anyone else that wishes to harm Naruto. And to find out if he was working alone, with someone or if it was an order."

Izumo nodded his head and bowed before vanishing from the room.

"Naruto?"

Tired blue eyes cracked open for a bit as he looked around the room uncomprehensively before staring at the sight of the Yondaime, his father, being alive and only one thought entered his mind as he took in the sight of his father, alive and well, It worked. Closing his eyes, he was about to drift off to sleep before he remembered something and bolted up. "Itachi"

Minato stared his son in confusion, "What about Itachi?" he questioned confused, he didn't even know the two knew each other but by how worried his son sounded, the blond Hokage was tempted to believe that the Uchiha heir and his son were friends.

"His hurt. We have to find him." Naruto cried out, getting off the couch and moving to leave the office when he was stopped and he whipped around to stare at his father, "I have to look for him. He could be any where."

Minato furrowed his brows, "What do you mean Naruto?" the Yondaime asked as he reached out to grasp his sons shoulders. Had his son been attacked and Itachi had rescued him from further harm. Or was it some thing else entirely.

Naruto turned towards his father, "His hurt. We need to find him before it's too late." the small blond boys eyes filled with tears, "I don't want Itachi to die."

"He won't die Naruto!" The Yondaime picked his son up, eyes hard. If Naruto knew that Itachi was hurt and needed help, then that could only mean that the young Uchiha had been the one to try and assist his son and he'd do anything in his power to make sure the boy was found and retrieved alive at that, "I'll help you alright." Minato whispered softly as he placed his son on his back. "We'll find him and everything will be alright." he bit his bottom lip. He hoped everything will be alright.

(An hour later)

Minato placed his son down on the ground and narrowed his eyes. They had scouted the entire forest surrounding the village as well as inside the gates and they couldn't find the young Uchiha anywhere. Minato ran his hands through his hair as he thought of any other places Itachi could be.

Naruto glanced at his father briefly before placing his hands together and released a constant pulse of chakra in hopes of sensing Itachi's presense and gasped when he felt it. "Itachi" he called out taking off down the street, his father beside him.

"What is it Naruto? Do you know where Itachi is?" he asked

Naruto nodded his head and pointed towards the stone faces of the past leaders, a worried and concern look on hi face, "The shelters below the monument." he responded, glancing at his father who nodded his head as he grabbed him (Naru) and vanished in a blur of yellow.

Arriving at the Hokage monument, Minato put Naruto down who ran into the hidden chambers which is used to hide the civilians and children in times of war. Turning his head side to side he sent out another pulse of chakra before dashing towards the left side and into a room to see Itachi lying against a wall, two dead men lay on either side of the unconsious Uchiha.

Naruto ran over and dropped down beside the motionless form of. Itachi looked about twelve with shoulder length dark hair and the same flawless porcelian complexion with the two lines below his eyes that did nothing but enhance the Uchiha heirs appearance. "Itachi." He whispered, heart beating rapidly in his chest. He couldn't believe this. He failed. Tears filled his eyes as he turned and glance at his father.

Minato stared at the seemingly dead body of the Uchiha heir in stunned disbelief. He knew how strong the young Uchiha is after all you didn't get the position of jounin by being weak and he couldn't imagine any one being able to sneak up on Itachi and be able to deal him this much damage, unless...

He turned and glanced at his son who was crying and cringed at the sight. He had to witness countless times where his son was severely hurt and would spend just as much times crying and he hated it. Moving over towards the boy he brought him into a hug,

"Naruto, do you know what happened to Itachi? Were the both of you attacked by someone?" He had ro know and by the bodies here and the one Izumo told him was beside Naruto in that clearing he knew they had been attacked but he needed to know if they stated their reason or not, "And how did you know where he was?"

Glancing at his father, Naruto sniffed as he eyed the body of his best friend. He used that fuinjutsu and came here in hopes of giving Itachi a better life and it was all for nothing. Itachi was gone. Closing his eyes, images assuled his mind and he had to suppress the building urge he had to snarl in anger. Of course that meddlesome old coot had to screw up his life in this world as well. At least this time he'll get what he deserves.

"They were three of them. They removed their mask when they'd ambushed me. I don't think they wanted me to know they were in ANBU and before I could do or say anything they grabbed me and teleported outside of the village and into the forest." tears gathered in his eyes. "They started beating me, when I was on the ground, one of the guys got on top of me and wrapped his hands around my throat and started choking me."

Despite knowing about that because of the marks he saw, Minato was still upset about having it confirmed. "Itachi saw what was going on and killed the guy that was strangling me and attacked the other two. Jutsu's were being used and Itachi stayed near me to protect me. He told me he'd take the other two away so I wouldn't get hurt by the stray attacks." a sniff, "I was going to get you so you could help Itachi, but I was to exhausted and blacked out..."

Naruto choked on a sob as he glanced at the still form of Itachi. He couldn't believe this. His heart beat painfully within his chest. This wasn't suppose to happen. Itachi was suppose to live. He, they, were going to have a second chance for a better life. A happier future.

Minato bit his bottom lip and hugged his son tighter and glance towards Itachi. That young man, no boy. A boy not even in his teens. He had risked his own life to protect his son.

"It's my fault Itachi is dead." Naruto cried as his farher tried to comfort him while telling his that it wasn't his fault it was three men who had attacked them.

A cough was heard followed by a groan of pain causing father and son to turn towards the seemingly dead Uchiha in surprise. "Na...Naruto" the voice was filled with pain but it didn't matter as Naruto scrambled off his father and hurried towards the Uchiha, hoping he hadn't imagined that.

"Itachi?" he whispered "Are you alive? Can you hear me? Itachi?"

Another groan and labored breathing, "Naruto..."

Itachi was alive, he hadn't failed. He turned towards his father, "His alive. Itachi's alive." he cried out, grasping the pale hand tightly within his own.

Minato smiled and patted his son on the head, "That's a good thing, yes," the older blond walked over and scooped the dark haired boy into his arms, "Let's take him to the hospital and then I can have you checked out by Tsunade as well."

(Konohagakure hospital)

Minato dashed into the hospital and called out for Tsunade who huried over and was about to question the Yondaime when he saw the Uchiha heir lying within the Hokage's arms and a small blond boy on his back.

"Someone attacked Naruto when Itachi saved him. For a minute, we had thought the boy was killed. I need you to stablize Itachi and then check on Naruto. I have to go and talk with Fugaku and Mikoto-chan."

Placing the dark haired boy into Tsuande's arm, he lifted Naruto off his back and put him down gently. "Now you stay with Tsuande and be a good boy. I'll be back shortly with your mother, your brothers and Itachi's family."

Naruto nodded his head and faced his ba-chan, who smiled at him and motioned for him to follow her, "Come now Naru-chan, let's get Itachi fixed up okay."

Naruto didn't say anything just nodded his head and followed behind the older blond while glancing towards the motionless form of Itachi lying in her arms. Biting his lower lip, he prayed to whatever Kami that would listen, that Itachi will be alright. That he'll survive.

(Konohagakure- Hokage's tower)

Minato paced his office, a frown on his face. How could members of ANBU attack his son? They are the most protective over Naruto and would kill anyone who even set a toe out of line when it came to the small blond boy. So why?

Sarutobi turned and eyed his successor with concern. "What's wrong Minato-kun? I haven't seen you this stressed since the incident with the Kyuubi and the council calling for his death. That was about ten years ago now."

Sighing, the blond Hokage plopped himself down in his chair, "Naruto had been atacked again today. Izumo and Kotetsu found him outside of Konoha. He told me that Itachi saved him, but we couldn't find him anywhere, even after a whole hour of searching the entire village." Minato ran his hand through his unruly hair and closed his eyes, "Naruto did something, I'll need to ask him about that, but anyways we found Itachi in the shelters under the monument." Minato glanced towards the elder Hokage, "It was bad Sarutobi-sama. I could've sworn the boy was dead."

The Sandaime gaped in shock.

"Naruto had been crying his eyes out and blaming himself. He told me that he was attacked by three ANBU members, but the ANBU's have always been overly protective of my youngest. They'd kill anyone if they even breathed the wrong way around Naruto. I just can't fathom how three of my ANBU's could ever attack Naruto like that." Minato turned and stared out the window, "Attacking Naruto is one thing but to actually try to kill a clan heir and a shinobi of the village is just asking for death. No one will risk their lives that way if they were to be found out."

Sarutobi narrowed his eyes, "Danzo and his Ne, it can be the only explanation, Minato-kun. If that old war hawk had sent his own ANBU's that could explain why they also attack Itachi-kun. Ne will only listen to Danzo's order and they'll complete his wishes no matter what the cost."

Minato gasped, "That's right, but I thought you had that group disbanded, Sarutobi-sama?"

"Yes, but I suspected that Danzo disobeyed and kept the Root around but they went underground and in hiding. If I know Danzo as well as I hope I do then it's safe to say that the guy is bidding his time and planning something sinister. We have to keep an eye on him or he'll try to do something to gain himself an advantage over us. And we can't let that happen,"

Minato nodded his head, "Okay. I need to meet with not only my wife and my oldest sons but the Uchiha head and his wife as well. As Shikaku and the rest of the Nara men will say, this is troublesome."

Sarutobi chuckled at that before he turned grim at the thought of Fugaku and Mikoto, "Nothing is going to end well when they hear that someone had not only attacked their nephew but also killed Itachi-kun. And within his own village as well. I'm afraid to find out what will happen to Konoha when the wrath of the Uchiha clan is unleashed."

Mnato blinked and stared at Sarutobi in confusion before realization dawned and he grinned at his mentor, "Sandaime-sama, I apologize for not being clear. Itachiisn't dead. I thought he was by how pale and motionless he appeared, but When he called for Naruto, I knew he was alive and needed medical help immediately so I took both him and Naruto to Tsunade."

The Sandaime glared slightly before sighing, "That's good. Well, you should really get going. And I need to get back home or Biwako will have my head."

Minato chuckled and nodded his head. "Well, off with you than old man." he called out before vanishing in a flash of yellow leaving a grumbling Sandaime in the office.

"Konoha will never be the same after today" Sarutobi whispered as he disappeared ftom the office.

(To be continued)

I want to thank the three who took time to review my fic. saya420, Nemesia23, AnjoRemix. And to the 10-2o people who alerted and fave'd my fic, my thanks.

AN: And to those who actually reads these notes, I want to know if you all would prefer ItaNaru having their best friend/brotherly bond or would you rather they have a relationship. Though it won't happened for sometime.

Peace,

ItaNaru