Iruka smiled at Naruto as he face planted into a book, "Iruka-sensei…" he whined, "My head hurts and I still don't understand anything."

Iruka patted the boy's head, "How about that ramen?" he asked.

Naruto's head lifted up and he brightened up considerably. Iruka smiled, "First, we go invite Sasuke," he said.

Naruto nodded and jumped up happily. Iruka stood up just as Naruto ran towards the entrance way, "Come on Iruka-sensei!" he called.

Iruka chuckled, but followed the energetic boy. Naruto walked hand in hand with Iruka and looked around, "It's empty," Naruto said looking around the Uchiha Compound.

"Naruto," Iruka said, "Don't mention anything about what you know to Sasuke, okay? It'll just hurt him."

Naruto nodded slowly. Iruka stopped in front of a house, "Come on," he whispered walked up the stairs.

Iruka knocked on the door, "Sasuke?" he called, "Sasuke, I know you're home."

The door slide open slowly, "What do you want, Iruka-sensei?" he asked, only half his face showing.

Naruto was shocked. He saw so much sadness in the one eye he could see. Iruka bent down to Sasuke, "Do you want to go out and get some ramen?" he asked, "I know you haven't eaten much lately."

Sasuke pushed himself into the wooden door then looked at Naruto. Naruto flinched when he the normal look of annoyance crossed his face, "Why is he here?" he asked.

Naruto pushed himself into Iruka. He's heard the tone one to many times, "He's staying with me," Iruka said, "Sasuke, would you please join us for dinner?"

"No," Sasuke stated.

Naruto flinched, "And why not?" Iruka asked.

"I have food here," Sasuke stated.

"But you have to fix that yourself," Iruka said smiling, "I'm offering to have someone else fix you food. Aren't you tired from training today?"

Sasuke looked away, "I said I don't want to," Sasuke said.

Iruka sighed and forced the door fully open. Sasuke lost his balance at the suddenly loss of the thing he was leaning on. Sasuke looked at his teacher with confusion. Iruka bent down to him, "Sasuke, I know you've been training very, very hard," he said and Sasuke looked away from him, "But that's not going to bring anyone back."

"I know that…" Sasuke whispered, "I'm training to become stronger than Nii-san! Tou-san was always more proud of Nii-san. He liked Nii-san better. Then Nii-san goes and kills everyone," Naruto went wide eyed, "I want to be stronger than him. I want Tou-san to be-" Sasuke cut himself off.

"To be proud of you?" Iruka asked as he wiped away the boy's tears, "Sasuke, your father expected you to be strong. Stronger than your brother. That was his plan."

"And how would you know!" Sasuke yelled.

"Your name," Iruka stated.

Sasuke blinked, "My…" he whispered.

Iruka smiled, "Sasuke. The name of the Third Hokage's father," he said.

Sasuke went wide eyed. Naruto looked at Iruka then at Sasuke, "It's tragic, what your brother did, Sasuke," Iruka said, "But living only for revenge and power won't help you achieve what you want. To truly reach your full potential you need to have something more important than power."

"What?" Sasuke asked, "And why haven't you taught us it yet?"

Iruka smiled, "Friends," he stated, "Having friends and people you care about. When they're put in danger, you'll notice yourself get stronger and stronger."

Sasuke looked at Iruka and he held his hand out, "Now…" he said, "How about that ramen?"

Sasuke looked at Iruka before nodding and taking his hand. Iruka helped the boy stand up and he put his shoes on, "Let's go," Iruka said taking both five-year-olds' hands.

They walked into the village. Sasuke looked around as people began to whisper-rather loudly since he could hear them, "Isn't that-"

"Get away from it."

"Ugh, how can Iruka stand touching it?"

Sasuke thought they were talking about him and tightened his free hand, but then, "Shouldn't someone get the last Uchiha away from it?" Sasuke blinked, "Won't he be tainted?"

"Ignore them, Naruto," Iruka said, "They don't understand."

Sasuke peaked over Iruka and saw Naruto, for once, didn't have his stupid grin on his face. He looked…depressed. Iruka stopped, "Here we are," Iruka smiled, "Ichiraku's."

Naruto brightened instantly and Sasuke blinked once. The three walked into the restaurant, "Welcome!" Teuchi and Ayame said.

"Ah! Naruto-kun!" Ayame said happily, "Welcome back!"

Iruka helped the boy into a stool, but Sasuke managed on his own, "And who's this?" Teuchi asked.

"This is Uchiha Sasuke," Iruka said sitting in the middle of the two boys, "I invited him for dinner tonight."

"Hi," Sasuke said waving.

Ayame smiled, "What kind of ramen would you like?" Teuchi asked.

Giving their orders for both food and drink, the two owners began their work. Sasuke looked around the restaurant, appearing as if interested, but really he was trying to figure out what had happened on the way over here. Why were the villagers saying he would be tainted by something? Why did Iruka telling Naruto to ignore them? Was "it" Naruto? Sasuke's musings were halted when a bowl of ramen was set in front of him. He looked up and Ayame smiled at him, "Enjoy," she said before walking away.

"Itadakimasu!" Naruto yelled before practically throwing his head into the extra large bowl.

"Oi, Naruto," Iruka scolded, "At least chew the food," he chuckled at the end.

Sasuke took a pair of chopsticks and broke them, "Itadakimasu," he said quietly before beginning to eat.

They finished about an hour later, "You two go wait outside," Iruka said, "I'll be out in a minute."

Naruto nodded happily and jumped off the stool. Sasuke merely got off and walked out. The two waited outside side by side. They didn't talk. They didn't even look at each other. They both just looked at the ground. Naruto shuffled his feet slightly while Sasuke played with a rock with his foot. Naruto was suddenly pushed down onto his face by some passing kids. Sasuke was shocked, "Itai…" Naruto said getting up and rubbing his face.

"You okay?" Sasuke asked.

"I'm fine," Naruto said sitting cross legged and sitting against the wall, "I've had worse before…"

Sasuke blinked. Iruka came out, "Alright," he said, "Let's go-Naruto?"

Naruto grinned and stood up. Sasuke could see this was fake, "Are you okay?" Iruka asked, "Your face is all dirty. I just washed it."

"I tripped," Naruto said, "Sorry."

Iruka stared at Naruto, "Are you sure?" he asked.

"Yep!" Naruto said, "Totally fine!"

Sasuke narrowed his eyes. Iruka sighed and went back into the restaurant. Naruto sent Sasuke a pleading look. Don't tell. Iruka came out with a wet cloth, "Sheesh," Iruka said, "How do you plan on being a ninja with this clumsiness?"

Iruka began to wipe the boy's face, "I'll get better!" Naruto whined.

Iruka sighed and went back in. Sasuke followed him this time, "Sensei-"

"I know," Iruka stated.

"But why-"

"That's something even Naruto doesn't know," Iruka stated, "The whole village hates him, Sasuke. They hate him more than you do your brother."

Sasuke went wide eyed, "I want you to listen to me Sasuke," Iruka said, "That stunt those kids pulled? That's actually a good day for Naruto. Sasuke, Naruto can't read or write," the owners turned at this, "His Pre-Academy teacher hated him that much."

Sasuke looked outside where Naruto's lower half could be seen, "If you had to choose, Sasuke," Iruka said, "Who do you think has it worse? You or Naruto? You can remember happy times with your parents; with you older brother. It hurts to think about them now," Sasuke looked at Iruka, "But the pain slowly goes away as you let people in. Naruto…he's had nobody. He has no happy memories to help him through all this. He's had no one all his life. Hokage-sama and these owners have tried, but they just can't be with him all the time," Sasuke looked at Naruto, waiting outside, "I want to ask you a very important question, Sasuke," the boy turned again, "It is totally your decision. Do you want to come stay with me and Naruto?" Sasuke went wide eyed.

"Wha…what?" Sasuke asked.

Iruka smiled, "I'm sure Naruto would be happy," he said, "And you can start letting people in and easing the pain within yourself."

Sasuke looked at Iruka, "It's your choice," Iruka said.

"I…" Sasuke trailed off.

"Iruka-sensei," Naruto said poking his head in, "Are we going yet?"

"As soon as Sasuke decides where to go," Iruka said looking at Sasuke.

Naruto blinked before looking at Sasuke. Sasuke looked at Naruto then at Iruka, "I…I want to go…with you," Sasuke looked at Iruka.

Iruka smiled and Naruto was suddenly hugging the boy. Sasuke stiffened, "Get off!" Sasuke yelled struggling.

Iruka chuckled when Sasuke couldn't get the blonde off him. Ayame and her father also laughed. The boys continued to wrestle, "Alright," Iruka stated, causing the boys to stop, "Then shall we head home?"

Naruto and Sasuke nodded. They each took one of Iruka's hands, "And Sasuke," Iruka said as they walked towards the house, "We'll have two others joining us tomorrow."

"Huh?" Sasuke asked, "Who?"

"You know Hinata from class, right?" Iruka asked.

"Not really," Sasuke stated, "I don't really pay attention to them."

"Well, you'll get to know her tomorrow along with her cousin," Iruka stated, "Neji-kun."

"Why?" Sasuke asked.

"Because their family hurts them for being who they are," Naruto answered.

Sasuke blinked, "That's stupid," he said deadpanned.

"Which is why they'll be staying with us," Iruka said.

Sasuke nodded, "I'll start your private tutoring tomorrow after we go shopping, Naruto," Iruka stated.

Naruto nodded, "And you need to start making friends, Sasuke," Iruka said, "I promise. You'll see yourself start to grow stronger with their help."

Sasuke nodded slowly. Iruka smiled. Maybe this could work out well after all.

A/N Sasuke has joined! Neji and Hinata will be next chapter. Probably not what some of you might've been expecting, but remember, Sasuke wasn't always like he is in the Anime. When he was little he had a bright outlook on everything, but was just jealous of his brother, but most brothers are. Please R&R! Please and thank you!