A/N: Well, this is a story I've been wanting to write every since I did the first one. Enjoy!
"I can't believe you're friends with that…that…traitor! And you dragged Sasuke into it! How can you let him be around that monster fox? You are the next leader to this Clan, and you can't afford to be seen with the likes of them!"
Itachi just stared at his father, face expressionless, mouth sealed. Inside however, he was seething. He had wondered when this particular argument was going to happen, and he had expected it a long time ago. After all, they had all been friends for 10 months now. He would have thought that the great Uchiha Fugaku would have realized something was going on earlier. He didn't think it would have taken him spending his 10th birthday with his friends instead of family – not counting Sasuke of course.
While his father ranted, growing more pissed and frustrated when Itachi said nothing, he worried over Sasuke. He could feel his otouto's chakra right around the corner, hidden in the shadows of the hallway just like he'd been taught. He knew Sasuke could hear every words their father spewed. He worried mostly about the fluctuations he felt, that he knew his father couldn't. Fugaku didn't spend enough time around his youngest to familiarize himself with the weak pulses. Considering the amount of chakra that could be felt in the compound – along with Itachi's own, because he couldn't let their father know that Sasuke was there – it was easily masked.
Itachi could feel it, and at this point, Kakashi and Obito probably could too. Naruto could because of the ring, and an interesting twist was added to it some months ago by the Hokage without their knowledge. Sarutobi had added something to the location seal that allowed them to sense the others emotions. They couldn't talk, though with the interest Naruto was showing in fuuinjutsu, it might only be a matter of time.
He snapped back to his father when he moved, but didn't try to protect himself. His cheek burned sharply, and his head was forced to the side by the strength. Blinking slowly once, he turned his head back to his fuming father, ignoring the slap to his cheek.
"I will not forsake my friends," he said softly, but his voice was steely with the effort he was putting into it so he didn't reveal his rage. Kakashi and Obito were the first friends that he ever had besides Shisui, and he could hardly call him a friend anymore, having not spoken to the other teen since they had become Genin.
"You would put your 'friends' before your own responsibilities? YOUR OWN FAMILY?" Fugaku roared, but Itachi remained unmoved.
"There is only one thing that comes before my responsibilities, and it is not you or mother," he answered in the same quiet voice. Fugaku moved, and Itachi narrowed his eyes dangerously. "Do not attempt to strike me again. You will not like the results."
He was pleased that Fugaku froze, his hands clenching in and out of fists helplessly as he glared.
"What the hell happened to you Itachi? You used to be the pride of the Uchiha Clan, and now look at you! When it was just you off cavorting with that traitor, I could overlook it. Everyone else could ignore it. We have an image to uphold you ungrateful child! You refuse to enter ANBU, and now you're off cavorting with the…the unsightlies!"
Itachi wondered if his father could hear his teeth grinding together, but probably not.
"Then you dragged Sasuke into it, and you even let him befriend that bastard demon! You dishonor the Clan with what you're doing!"
"If I dishonor the Clan that much, then disown me," Itachi said bluntly, knowing that he was showing his rage because his fully matured Sharingan had activated, and his words were spoken in nothing but a hiss. Also, he knew that now that he had started talking, he may not finish for awhile. There were so many things that he hated about his family and Clan…he understood much more why Obito had simply walked away without putting up a fight.
"You wanted me to be the best, the brightest, the most skilled. I am, Fugaku," he said scathingly, not refraining from using his father's first name. "I am the best that the Clan has produced in generations, because I forfeited my childhood, any personal dreams that I had, to do what you wanted me to. I lived up to the expectations, I am still living up to them, and you dare to get angry with me because of who I choose to be friends with? It is my personal life. You, and the Clan have no right to tell me what I can do with my personal life!"
He almost snarled, but he knew letting his anger dictate his words would be a bad idea. He immediately closed his eyes, and took a deep breath to calm himself down.
If his eyes hadn't been closed, if he hadn't taken that moment to try and calm down so he wouldn't ruin what was left of his relationship with his father…things would have turned out much differently.
Fugaku attacked him, snapping Itachi's eyes open, and it was more out of the lingering respect he had for the man who raised him that he merely blocked the blows that were being rained down on him, instead of responding in kind.
"You ungrateful, spoiled child! After all the work I put into you, this is how you are going to repay me?"
Itachi bit his bottom lip hard enough to draw blood, hoping against hope that he hadn't just felt the angry flare of Sasuke's chakra.
"You sicken me! You would disgrace your Clan, to be with friends? You don't need friends! You will take this family's honor down with you!"
The blows were becoming harder, and Itachi grunted as Fugaku changed tactics, going for his ribs instead of his face, and landing a particularly hard one on his right side. Despite everything, Fugaku was bigger, stronger, and had been a shinobi for far longer than Itachi had. He tried to block, but he just wasn't fast enough, even with the Sharingan.
There was a sickening crunch as some of the bones broke, but Itachi couldn't look away from the bulging, pissed, insane black eyes that were glaring down at him.
It seemed he had been right all along. His father had cared nothing for him as a son, and everything for him as a pawn in his standing in the Village and Clan.
He did cry out softly, clenching his teeth instantly after when the ribs on his left side were broken. Blinking back involuntary tears, his eyes widened as a small, black blur flew into his father, making the man topple sideways with a cry of surprise and pain.
He was too dazed with his broken bones and what had happened, to do much as Sasuke pummeled his father, tears streaming down his face and Sharingan bright crimson in his eyes.
"I hate you! I HATE YOU! You hurt 'Tachi! I'll never forgive you! Never!" he screamed, and Itachi was there to catch Sasuke as Fugaku punched him, knocking his brother out cold and into the air. Grunting as their combined weight slammed into the wall, he glared at his father as he protectively held his otouto to him.
"Get out," he father rasped, eyes gleaming with hatred and blood dripping from a split lip and cheekbone. "Neither of you are sons of mine. I never want to see your faces in this compound again!"
Itachi merely gave him a mocking bow, pushing aside the stabbing pains from his ribs and bruised arms. Draping Sasuke on his shoulder, he went to his room and swiftly packed the minimal amount of items he would need. He paused at the door, seeing the naginata that was propped in the corner.
It was a deadly beauty, with a matte black wood staff, that theme carrying into the two foot long blade that curved from the top. It was able to be disconnected to become a simple katana, or a chain could be attached to make it an even deadlier long raged weapon.
It had been a present from Kakashi and Obito when he had passed his Chuunin exams in the winter. He nodded to himself and packed Sasuke's things just as quickly as he had his, and with his brother still unconscious and rage still smoldering dangerously in him, he grabbed the weapon on the way out.
Their father was gone as he made his way out the door, sliding it shut. Standing in the street, burning pain eclipsing his arms and upper body, he stared at the place he had called home. He was expecting to feel something akin to regret, or sadness. He felt none of it.
He turned away with a small smile, taking to the tops of the houses and making his way to the apartment that had become his refuge for the past year. He wasn't very surprised to find that he was feeling relief.
It only took him a few minutes to reach the dwelling, but by the time he knocked on the door, he was weaving back and forth, and he knew his sweaty face was ashen. Carrying two packs full of their stuff, plus a still knocked out Sasuke on one shoulder, plus his myriad of injures…needless to say, he was starting to feel it.
Kakashi was the one who opened the door, and Itachi was only able to thrust Sasuke at the man, before pitching forward into welcome blackness.
He frowned. There was something pulling him from his unconscious state, but he couldn't quite identify what it was. He wanted to sink back into the inky darkness, because he could tell that his body was in serious pain, though it was somewhat distant at the moment. Shifting on the couch, he couldn't hold back a soft groan when his ribs creaked in protest. Absently, he took note of his injuries.
At least six broken ribs, two on his left and four on the right. Those were his only broken bones thankfully. Other than that, he would have some spectacular bruises on his arms from where he defended himself.
The sound that had initially brought him back stopped, and he felt a hesitant, small, cold hand press on his forehead.
"A…aniki?"
Sasuke's hiccupping voice made him open his eyes, and he smiled at the tearstained face of his brother, gingerly moving into a sitting position.
"I'm alright otouto."
"ANIKI!"
Itachi refused to make a sound as Sasuke threw himself into his arms, arms wrapping tight around his neck. Making quiet noises of reassurance, Itachi hugged him back, looking over Sasuke's shoulder to see Kakashi and Naruto sitting at the kitchen table, watching them.
Naruto looked like he had been crying as well, and it caused a small smile to pass his lips. He could clearly tell that Naruto was trying valiantly to stay at the table. Shifting Sasuke slightly, he held out his now free right arm, and Naruto flew to him, crying just as heartedly as Sasuke was. He absently noted that his brother automatically made room for the blond.
"Shh you two, I'm fine. Nothing that can't be fixed," he said quietly, and when they kept crying, he simply rubbed soothing circles on their backs, deciding that he would just have to wait them out.
It took them awhile, but he relaxed against the back of the couch when he realized they were both sound asleep. He blinked when the door opened and a wet Obito walked in. Glancing out the window, he saw that yes, it was raining.
He blinked and looked back when a hand waved in his vision, and both Kakashi and Obito were there. They took the boys carefully, and he sighed quietly when the pressure was relieved from his chest. He loved them both, but with the strictly taijutsu training they were receiving, they had gotten heavier.
They didn't plan on starting to train them in ninjutsu until at least 7 or 8, when their chakra coils matured a little more.
The two came back, and he nodded his thanks when Kakashi handed him a hot cup of saké, savoring the burn as it slid down his throat. Obito sat on the rug in front of him, while Kakashi took his usual chair, both of them silent for the time it took Itachi to shift to a more comfortable position.
"So what happened?" Obito asked finally, and Itachi sighed, closing his eyes and leaning his head against the back of the couch.
"Sasuke and I were disowned," he said quietly, and carefully took another drink, refusing to move his head from its comfortable position.
"We figured that," Kakashi murmured. "Why?"
"Mmm…because we chose our friends over our Clan," he said simply and without elaboration.
Obito scoffed. "C'mon Itachi. We know you better than that. There's more, I know there is."
Itachi opened his eyes only enough to look down at his cousin, raising an eyebrow. "There is. You tell me why you were disowned, and I'll tell you why we were."
Obito pouted and glared at him and he smirked, closing his eyes again. He was very surprised when Obito spoke again.
"Has your father tried pushing you to become ANBU in the past few months?"
That brought Itachi's head up, and made him look carefully at the older man sitting on the floor. He studied the usually open, carefree face, and found nothing but seriousness.
"He has," he offered carefully. Obito scoffed and crossed his arms, looking away and letting his attention be absorbed by the pattern in the rug.
"My dad did too when I hit Chuunin. I don't know why he wanted it so much, but he was really insistent, and so was mom. I kept putting them off, saying I'd get there in time, but it eventually came down to a fight when I was 14. I was damn near a Jounin by that point, and I had already made a name for myself. Dad refused to take my…side-stepping anymore, and told me if I didn't join ANBU, he would disown me. Well, I flat out refused then, and he did what he said he would. I was disowned, and kicked out."
He raised his eyes slowly, and Itachi smirked slightly at the steely black eyes. "I haven't looked back since. I never liked our Clan much anyway."
"Mmm. A Clan built on secrets and superiority. What's not to like?" Itachi muttered dryly, smiling when they both chuckled quietly.
"Alright Itachi. Your turn."
Itachi glared slightly as his grinning cousin, and sighed after he finished his drink. Setting the cup down between his legs, he tilted his head back again.
"It was much the same reason as yours cousin. I have been refusing to enter ANBU, not liking how he seemed so adamant about it, though he claimed it was only for our families honor. He said that being friends with the two of you took me away from my responsibilities as the heir, and brought shame upon us as a family. He also didn't like that I allowed Sasuke and Naruto to be close."
Itachi frowned slightly as he remembered some of the specific things Fugaku said. Surprisingly, it wasn't all that hard to switch his thoughts from father, to first name basis.
"That would explain why he called you a traitor, Obito." His frown deepened. "I understand that having a child in ANBU would be the proverbial feather in their caps, but I don't understand why our parents tried to force the issue."
"Unless they wanted someone they could control closer to the Hokage," Kakashi said suddenly, and they both looked at him. He blinked at the intense looks, and shrugged. "You both know I never liked your Clan, and it's only gotten worse after the Kyuubi attacked. They turned bitter. Well, bitterer." He frowned and scratched his head, before shrugging again. "If that's even a word. Anyways, it was probably for political reasons. Considering how good the two of you are, it wouldn't surprise me."
"Hmm. Me neither," Obito muttered, and Itachi nodded his agreement. Itachi shifted again, and tried not to wince, though they must have seen something. Shaking off the thoughtful air, Obito shifted onto his knees and awkwardly crawled over to him, the conversation forgotten for now.
"I don't know much healing jutsu, but I can at least heal the broken bones," he muttered, and Itachi raised his arms, hissing quietly. Obito scooted closer, and he frowned as his hands were enclosed in a green light. He pressed them to the right side, and Itachi couldn't stop the shudder of revulsion as he felt his bones knitting back together.
It was the oddest, unnerving, disgusting feeling of something writhing under your skin.
"Sorry," Obito murmured. "I know how odd it feels."
Itachi gritted his teeth with a nod as Obito physically moved a bone back into place, sealing it together. He lowered his right arm as the hands moved to his left, and by the time he was done, there was no longer any stabbing pains, only a deep soreness.
Relaxing completely against the back of the couch, Itachi sighed softly in relief. "Give me bruises over broken bones any day."
"Do you want the bruises healed?" Obito asked, and Itachi shook his head.
"No. None of them will impair my abilities, and they'll heal on their own soon enough."
Kakashi stood. "Alright. We don't have much in the way of food at the moment, so I was going to go get some bbq. What do you want?"
Itachi was on the verge of saying his didn't want any meat, when his stomach growled. Sighing, and knowing he would need the protein, he opened one eye lazily. Now that the sharper pain was gone, he could feel himself slipping into a light doze.
"I don't really care 'Kashi," he mumbled. "Just get some fresh vegetables and fruit, please."
With an eye smile, he mockingly saluted. "Will do Itachi." He paused with his hand on the door, Obito having stood and gone somewhere into the depths of the apartment. "How long are you two going to stay?"
Itachi thought about his savings, did some quick mental calculations, and sighed. "I have enough money saved up to get us a decent apartment, and pay for at least 6 month's rent. So only a few days, week at the most."
Itachi sensed Obito coming back out as he said that and Kakashi nodded, shutting the door quietly behind him.
"You're welcome to stay here as long as you need," Obito said, following it with a yawn as he sprawled out on the carpet, one of the couch pillows under his head.
"I know Obito, and thank you, but the sooner we can get on our feet the better. I was preparing for something like this anyway, truth be told."
Obito hummed in agreement, and for a long while, there was only the sound of their breathing and the occasional voice from the street or another place.
Itachi was on the verge of true sleep when Obito spoke again. "I'm sorry."
Those two words chased sleep completely from his mind. Raising his head, he glared down at his cousin.
"Don't be. Not to be cruel, but I knew what associating with you, Kakashi, and Naruto would mean. I don't want to lead, I have never liked my parents, and I was probably going to leave when I became a Jounin anyhow. Also," he paused, and sternly looked down at Obito, making sure he had his attention.
Obito, for his part, often forgot that Itachi was only 10, his birthday only two days prior.
"I made my choices. I would rather be with friends where I can be myself, then with my family where I have to constantly wear a mask."
Itachi gave him a small smile when Obito continued to scrutinize him, and his lips twitched slightly in a smirk when his cousin sighed, shaking his head with a wry smile on his face.
"You know-" he started, and was interrupted by two things.
Kakashi entered the apartment, Obito immediately jumping up to help him with the bags of food he had, and two sleepy bodies staggered from Obito's room. They came over to him as the two Jounin went into the kitchen, and he assumed it was to give them some semblance of privacy.
Sasuke curled up under his left arm, and Naruto his right, both silent and still yawning their sleep away.
"Aniki…" Sasuke said quietly after a moment, and Itachi smiled to see that the boys were holding hands. Well, if Naruto hooking his index finger around Sasuke's pinky could be considered 'holding hands'.
"What's gonna happen to us now?"
Sighing, Itachi hugged him tighter, ignoring the flash of warning his body gave him as the dark head cuddled closer to his chest.
"Do not worry otouto," he said quietly, making sure his voice was reassuring. He didn't feel as confident as he sounded, but his brother didn't need to know that. Because of Itachi, Sasuke was also without a home, and now his sole responsibility. Though truthfully, if he had minded, he would have found a way for Sasuke to stay with the Clan.
"We will go tomorrow and look for an apartment. Obito and Kakashi are letting us stay until we can find our own place."
"Um…can we get a house? With a yard?" Sasuke looked up at him, and Itachi groaned in his mind – it was a mix of amusement and resignation at the big black puppy eyes. He changed his calculations, and gave his brother an indulgent smile.
"I suppose we can look for one," he said, and hissed when Sasuke squealed and hugged him tightly.
"Sorry, sorry," Sasuke said with a laugh, rubbing his head sheepishly. Itachi blinked. The smile and embarrassed movement just screamed Obito and Naruto. Speaking of…
He looked at the blond, and found the boy biting his lip, having scooted a little farther away, so he wasn't completely in Itachi's embrace. He frowned when Sasuke blinked, and launched himself at the blond, both boys crashing into the floor.
"Don't even think about that Naru!" Sasuke hissed, straddling the blond. Naruto refused to look at him, instead opting to stare into the dead fireplace, still biting his bottom lip. Looking closer, Itachi could see tightly held tears in the bright blue eyes.
"Can't 'elp it…" Naruto muttered, and Itachi's concern only increased when Sasuke snarled and grabbed his shoulders, shaking the smaller boy.
"Yes you can!" he shrieked, still shaking. Itachi had to force himself to stay sitting, and he motioned for Obito and Kakashi to stay where they were when he sensed them about to come and stop the boys.
"Sasu! Stop it!" Naruto shrieked back, and Sasuke snarled again, right in his face.
"Not until those emotions are gone dobe!"
Naruto's eyes flashed. "Don't call me dobe, teme!"
"You keep this up and I won't stop!"
"How do you want me to feel then?"
"Happy! You really think we're going to leave you alone again?" He scoffed, but Itachi could hear the panic in his brothers voice. It made him wonder exactly what emotions Sasuke was feeling through the seal.
"Why wouldn't you?" Naruto snapped and pushed Sasuke off. It wasn't the hard push they knew Naruto was capable of, since it only shoved the taller boy onto his ass. Naruto stood, hands clenching into fists as tears fell unheeded down his face. "Everyone leaves me Sasu! Everyone! My parents! Anyone I try to make friends with! You heard 'Tachi! Your dad disowned you because you…you're…my friend…"
His anger drained away, and Sasuke slowly stood, the three men watching with bated breath as he embraced the smaller boy. Naruto began to cry with abandon then, wrapping his arms tight around Sasuke's waist and burying his head into the small chest.
Itachi knew that the boys weren't as asleep as they had thought, or had woken up in time to hear Itachi tell Obito and Kakashi why they had been disowned. It was the only explanation for how the blond knew.
"I won't leave you alone, Naru. I swear. I swore I would protect you, remember?" he asked quietly, and Naruto's sobbing slowed down to sniffling. Sasuke obviously expected an answer, and Naruto nodded his head slightly. "Good. Well, I have to be around you to protect you, right?" Another nod. "Besides, you'll be moving in with me and 'Tachi anyway."
Itachi opened his mouth – not sure if he wanted to protest or agree – when his decision was made for him. Sasuke glared at him, his eyes burning with the things that would happen to him if he refused. Then there were bright blue peeking hopefully at him from underneath Sasuke's arm.
Sighing, he smiled ruefully. "Of course Naruto. I wouldn't have it any other way." Besides, now that he really thought about it, Naruto would have ended up living with them anyway, even if he hadn't invited the blond. At least this way, it could be official upfront.
Blinking, he suddenly found that he had an armful of happily crying blond, chuckling softly as he rubbed Naruto's back. He saw his brothers eyes, and smiled slightly at seeing the fond amusement in the onyx eyes, as he watched Naruto. Their eyes met, and words went unsaid, promises made.
We'll take care of him, otouto.
I know aniki.
-x-x-x-x-
Two weeks later…
"Naru! Come look come look! It's so awesome!"
Itachi smiled as Sasuke raced out of their new house, and then raced back in with Naruto in tow, flying out the back door and into the yard.
He had been very surprised when Naruto had dragged him to the Hokage's office a few days after the argument, and demanded that 'ojii-san' help them find a place to live. He had almost choked when Sarutobi had just smiled, and then drilled Itachi on what he was looking for.
As a result, they now had a house on the western outskirts of Konoha, with a large yard in back, as well as a small pond. It was perfect for practice in water walking, and when he planned on teaching them ninjutsu. At least he wouldn't have to worry about things catching on fire when he taught Sasuke their Clan's fire jutsu's.
It was a simple cottage. Two floors, three bedrooms on the top floor, a full bath attached to each one. The stairs were straight ahead upon entering, and there were no walls or doors on the first floor. A large, open kitchen and dining room was to the left of the front door, a counter with cupboards the only this separating the two rooms, with a living room to the right, along with a nice sized area in the back corner for an office. There was a large, enclosed patio attached to the back, and there weren't even any furnishings for the place. Well, at the moment there wasn't. Sarutobi was making the furniture a house warming gift to them, and he wouldn't budge no matter how much Itachi had said it wasn't necessary. After all, the Hokage had gotten them the house for a really good price.
Setting down a box of his stuff in the living room in his designated stack, he cracked his back and neck, and strode to the sliding doors that led out onto the patio, smiling when he saw the two boys running around on the water, laughing and splashing each other.
"Boys will be boys, eh Itachi?"
Nearly squeaking in surprise he whipped around, a kunai in his hand and already going for the persons jugular, when his wrist was caught by an age spotted hand.
Breathing harshly, he semi-glared at the Hokage.
"Hokage-sama," he said tightly, and couldn't help but ruefully grin as Sarutobi let loose a big, booming laugh. Grumbling mentally, Itachi slid the kunai back into its hiding place, and gaped when Sarutobi made a hand signal, and several Genin teams appeared on the back lawn.
The boys yelled in surprise at the sudden appearance, and Itachi's lips twitched when they lost their control and sunk below the water.
"You made the furniture a D-Rank mission, didn't you?" he asked, cocking an eyebrow at Sarutobi when he smirked.
"That I did my boy. You didn't expect an old man like me to carry all this stuff here myself, did you?"
Itachi shook his head, and laughing, he started directing the Genin on which rooms to put the stuff in, as Sarutobi went out and joined the boys on the water.
After thanking the Genin and their Jounin instructors, Itachi sighed and closed the front door on the last group, closing his eyes and resting his forehead on the cool wood. It had been a long day, and it wasn't even over yet. Taking a deep breath, he opened his eyes and turned around, a look of determination on his face. He walked through the house, flipping lights on and analyzing the size of the furniture and rooms, his mind supplying him with different images as to where they could go.
Sarutobi had taken the boys out for food, Obito and Kakashi were due in a few minutes, and the three of them would put what items still had to be assembled together, and rearrange them.
He entered the kitchen, deciding to start there first, and was halfway through putting the dishes in the cupboard above the sink when two familiar chakra signatures crossed his senses.
"In here!" he yelled, activating his Sharingan and increasing his speed a bit. He really wanted to get this done before the boys came back, and with the three of them, it should be possible.
"Yo! 'Tachi! Which room is yours?" Kakashi yelled from the living room, where all the boxes and furniture was piled up according to whose it was.
"Mine is the master bedroom against the back wall, Naruto's is on the right, and Sasuke's is the left!" he called back, expertly breaking down the boxes into a neat little pile by the back door.
Music blared to life through the house, and Itachi hummed along with it as he systematically went through the kitchen, putting things away. Obito was putting the kitchen table together, his Sharingan activated as well, and Itachi stopped a moment, silverware in his hand as he watched his cousin in amusement.
He had a screwdriver stuck in his mouth, and was bent at an impossible angle screwing the last leg into place. It had been the two Jounin that had gone to their old house and collected what remained of their belongings. He would be forever grateful to the two men for that.
Kakashi entered, and Itachi snickered at the one eyed man and the sheen of sweat that was on his skin.
"Alrighty then. The personal stuff is in the rooms, and all the beds are put together."
Itachi laughed as Obito scowled at his partner, miffed because the silver haired man had gotten more accomplished in the last hour then he had.
Putting the last of the kitchen wares away, he looked around, and nodded his satisfaction. The kitchen was finally done. By the time he was done with his survey and turned around, the table was done, and all six chairs were assembled around it.
It didn't take long to get the living room in order and everything put away, all three of them joking around and laughing as they randomly broke out into song when a popular one came over the radio. Then the boys came home, and Naruto immediately stole the Hokage up to his room, Sasuke taking Obito to his, and with a shrug, Itachi and Kakashi went into his.
Their rooms were put into order with lots of running around and arguments on the boys part, and Sarutobi and Itachi yelling at their respective charges.
Midnight found the men exhausted, sitting on the back porch with a good bottle of saké between them, Sasuke and Naruto sound asleep in Sasuke's new bed.
Heaving a big sigh, Itachi closed his eyes and slouched in his chair, resisting the urge to stick out his tongue at Obito when he laughed.
"Hokage-sama, are-" he started, and was cut off by a scoff.
"Please, Itachi. This is not a formal meeting, there's no need to call me by my title. Sarutobi is fine, or Hiruzen if you feel up to it."
Itachi opened an eye a bit and looked at the man, nothing the wicked twinkle in his brown eyes. He knew there was no way Itachi would ever call him by his first name, and he smirked slightly, knowing he was had.
"Sarutobi then," he murmured, and the man nodded. "You've been here nearly all day."
Sarutobi knew what he meant, and laughed. "My boy, what is the point in being Hokage if I can't play hooky every once in awhile?"
They all got a good laugh at that, and then settled into companionable silence, listening to the sounds of the forest around them.
Around 1, Sarutobi bid them goodnight, and Obito and Kakashi left soon after. Standing at the sink, Itachi washed the cups they had used and dried them, putting them away. In the process of putting the damp cloth over the handle of the oven to dry, he stopped, and blinked wide eyes around him.
He was in a house. His house. He was no longer under the thumb of his father, or his Clan. Slowly walking through the house and locking up, activating the alarm seals, he had a smile on his face the entire time.
He no longer had to worry about Sasuke, and what his family could have turned his brother into. Naruto was safe upstairs, and he didn't have to worry about the blond not getting enough food, or living in that horrendous orphanage anymore. Sasuke would have a better mindset too, knowing that his best friend was safe and sound under this roof.
As he ascended the stairs and entered his room – leaving the door open so he could hear the boys if anything happened – he quickly stripped off his cloths and entered the bathroom. When he did, he stopped and stared at his reflection in the mirror above the sink.
Touching his face, he marveled at the changes he could physically see in himself. He had small laugh lines at the corners of his lips, where none were before. Tiny lines were starting to radiate from the corners of his eyes, where they had crinkled in smiles. His eyes were the biggest difference he could see though. The black depths didn't have the same guarded shine to them that they used to, and were warmer and more open then he could ever remember seeing them.
His lips quirked into a smile, and he chuckled softly at his more friendly reflection. Brushing his long hair, he got into the shower, washing quickly before stepping out.
Yawning, he fell naked into his new, very comfortable bed with a smile on his face, and quickly fell into a deep, restful sleep, one thought on his mind.
This house could easily become a home. And he would do whatever it took to make it that way.