Summary:
'"Please Itachi… I know I can't save Sasuke but I can save you." Itachi considered these words before knocking Naruto's hand away.' Redemption begins in the form of salvation, at least that's what Naruto believes. ItaNaru Spoilers for Manga Chapters 365+
Pairing:
ItaNaru
One-sided SasuNaru
Challenge From:
xXxFrostyIceCubexXx
Warnings:
Character death, Manga incorporation, predictions as to 'what happens next', sexual situations later on/eventual Yaoi.
Cursed Salvation, Descending Redemption
Chapter Four
Legacy
Anything handed down from the past, as from an ancestor or predecessor
遺産
It wasn't raining but the sky still took on the look of clouds that were about to dump their load, Naruto mused. The sky was grey – not even a hint of white amongst the ceaseless clouds – and there was a chill to the air that whispered a promise of rain.
Itachi pulled the hood up as soon as they crossed back into the fire country's border (the town had been situated just over the border line) and neither had talked since. The very few passersby gave them an odd look before carrying on; it was almost nightfall and with the Akatsuki on the move, not to mention other Missing Nin who had taken the time to group together, life became just that bit more deadly.
"We'll arrive in Konoha before the rain hits. It shouldn't take too long and I would suggest running though that would highlight our entrance. The Advisors would want us to enter like that; as any normal Shinobi, but we need to remember that we cannot simply be normal Shinobi. We have to be a step ahead if we want to secure Konohagakure as a safe hold."
Naruto nodded and the thoughts brought on by Itachi's words stored themselves in his brain.
"You're saying that we need to act like the heads of our clans then?"
Itachi's eyes glowed slightly as he activated the Sharingan and set the tomoes whirling. A thrill of excitement coursed through Naruto's body as he met those eyes, resisting the call of slumber they held deep within.
"I am very glad that you shrugged off your idiotic tendencies. Does anyone aside from Jiraiya-sama and Hokage-sama know of this?"
Naruto shrugged, "They never asked so I never told. I play the part I was assigned when I met them and live up to the name of my thirteen year old self. They need no reason to suspect me so I will give them none… though when they find my clone is gone from Konoha that could raise a few questions as how I managed to slip past them all…"
Naruto gave a low chuckle before swinging his hands behind his head and locking them. It was amazing what a little time and nurturing a relationship such as this could do.
"Say Itachi… we don't really know each other do we?"
Itachi grunted in answer.
"I thought, seeing as we'll be spending a lot of time together and stuff, that it would be nice to find a bit more about each other." Naruto bit his lip, "Though you probably know a lot about me, being part of the Akatsuki and all."
Itachi rolled his eyes in the depths of his hood but replied,
"I'm twenty years old, twenty one in June. I graduated from the Academy at the age of seven, mastering the Sharingan one year later, before becoming a Chuunin at ten. I carried on ascending through ranks before reaching the position of ANBU Captain only two years after my Chuunin, at twelve years. After that, I obtained the Mangekyou Sharingan and the rest you know. In all truth, Naruto, there is little to know about my life.
Naruto looked over at Itachi; in all honesty he didn't think the man would have told him anything about his personal life but he was grateful. And although he wanted to disagree with what Itachi said in regards to little bring known – for Itachi was the mystery of all mysteries, a person who was shrouded in such puzzlement – yet could not bring himself to say it, opting instead to reply,
"I'm sixteen years old, graduated at the age of twelve after three consecutive failures. Managed to master the Kage Bunshin no Jutsu in one night, Rasengan over an approximate period of one month, excluding the time it took to singlehandedly use it, and my variation of the Hiraishin no Jutsu is currently still a work in progress." Quirking an eyebrow, Naruto smirked, "From there, I'm sure you know the rest."
Itachi nodded at the repetition of his words and allowed the smile to catch daylight, exposing it for Naruto.
"Thanks Itachi. I mean, it's not important but I just…"
"Naruto, why did you save me?"
The air around them grew thicker and their tense silence was only interrupted by the foot falls as they walked.
"I've been looked at as a monster for so long for something that I had no control over. I am a Jinchuuriki – a human sacrifice – but you are too; you think that turning your back on Sasuke and killing your family equates to nothing? Not only that but you risked everything, everything, in joining the Akatsuki… even begging the Sandaime to lie about the true reasons behind your actions. In a Shinobi's world there are no second chances, I don't know how many times I've been told that, but I wanted to try. If anyone deserves it, Itachi, it's you."
Itachi remained silent before placing a hand on Naruto's shoulder. There was no need for speech; actions spoke louder than words after all. The palm of Itachi's hand rested against the moving shoulder before sliding down and falling to the Uchiha's side.
"What about Madara?"
Itachi glanced at the blond from the corner of his eye before closing both eyes.
"He'll have to wait. You said that the clone told you that Sasuke was looking for you and this must mean he wants you. If we find out what he knows and why he wants you then it could well aid our cause."
Naruto replied softly, "There's another reason isn't there."
The inclination of Itachi's head agreed.
"Madara hates Konoha; he will never forget the rivalry between the Uchiha and the Senjuu clans. He may have built the village alongside them, taking the Shodai Hokage as his friend, but Hashirama was no fool and he defeated Madara at the Valley of the End. Madara always wanted to take revenge upon Konoha and if Sasuke becomes his pawn... we know what might happen and the three-"
"Three Oni. That's what I called them for practical reasons," Naruto nodded sagely, arms crossed over his chest and Itachi stared at the man with a worried look upon his face. Why the hell Naruto would think of the demonic ogre-like creatures as the Advisors seemed bizarre but it was easier to refer to them as such.
"The Three Oni then would most likely bargain with Madara to get as high as they could in the ranks of life. Madara would offer them complete rule over something in his 'new world' and they would take it like fools.
"And believe it or not, the one thing that Madara fears is Konoha; to him it represents all of his failures and weaknesses, a visual scar in his life. He will come to Konoha, have no doubt about that, and we shall get him then."
Naruto hadn't realised how long they had been talking for yet took a sharp intake of breath when he noticed that the gates had drawn closer; the wooden frame just jutted out over the trees ahead.
"Itachi I don't think-"
"You've been waiting your whole life to claim the village, Naruto. Yondaime-sama would have wanted this and Tsunade-sama knows you are more than capable. You won't be alone, I'll help you and I'm sure that when Tsunade-sama and Jiraiya-sama return, they could replace the Advisors. For now we just have to counter the Three Oni, not rule Konoha. I classify this as a time of war and wartime Hokages need to first fight the enemy; whether it is internal or external."
Naruto let the held in breath out and his shoulders slumped.
"You know what, Itachi; I think that you should become a public speaker or something. You can be bloody persuasive and stuff… plus you include all the long winded mumbo-jumbo that only attentive listeners understand. I think I can do it with your help; the village needs us."
The guards at the gate saw the two figures and called into the darkness.
"It's Uzumaki Naruto and friend."
"Naruto? I thought you came back with Kakashi-san and Yamato-san?"
Naruto instinctively raised his hand to rub the back of his neck and Itachi remained silent, eyes hidden yet regarding the two officers carefully in case they deemed him to be a threat.
"I did but it's a long story… look, I have to go see Baa-chan and you know how she gets when she's angry."
Both Chuunin visibly flinched and Naruto suppressed a smirk. He waved a hand but Izumo's voice cut in,
"Who exactly is your friend, Naruto?"
Before Naruto could reply, Itachi had whipped the hood down to reveal unfamiliar features.
"I am a friend of Naruto-kun's that he met whilst travelling with Jiraiya-sama. He told me that he'd show me the village he grew up in one day and our paths happened to cross. With all the terrible stuff with Oto and all we both agreed that there is no time like the present."
Naruto concluded that Itachi was a damn good actor and the guards smiled and waved them on.
"That was pretty risky," Naruto hissed at Itachi's side as the hood was pulled back up.
"We've all taken a lot of risks, Naruto, and the future will be no exception. Take us to Lady Tsunade!"
Naruto stopped dead when he heard Itachi's slight exclamation, Itachi's voice had risen to a slight high at the end. The Uzumaki looked around just to check that everything was alright in the world (it was likely that the apocalypse could occur anytime soon with Itachi acting abnormal and stuff) yet found not a single disturbance.
The street was almost devoid of life as the first rain drops fell down. Naruto looked upwards before tucking his head further down into his shoulder, shrugging his collar upwards to provide some form of protection against the water. Although he loved the cloak, there was a slight draw back as opposed to Itachi's in that the Uchiha could remain hidden and dry.
Thankfully the Hokage tower was only a short time away and they managed to walk the distance with little rainfall covering them. As expected, Itachi made no move to take off the hood and they walked in silence to the Hokage's office. Naruto knew she would be there; his clone had seen the way she had looked earlier that day and Tsunade was in for a night's haul of work.
They passed the wide eyed onlookers with as much dignity as they could muster and Naruto tried his hardest to block out the whispers that formed behind his back, claims that the Yondaime was back. Itachi's arm brushed against his and he smiled at the Uchiha, knowing full well that – despite the hood – the man could see him perfectly.
There were no guards at the Hokage's door, only Shizune. She nodded to Naruto and frowned at his companion yet Naruto nodded and she relaxed.
"Tsunade-sama has been expecting you Naruto…-sama."
Naruto's blue eyes widened at the suffix and he felt the blood rush up to his cheeks. He had never been one to use authorative respect upon others and it felt odd to be reminded that he would now be addressed as such. Did all Hokages feel like this at first? Had his father felt like this?
"Shizune-nee-chan, you can't call me that! It's weird… you'll always be a sister to me, even if I do become the Rokudaime."
Shizune smiled and hugged Naruto.
"You look so grown up, Naruto. I know you understand the work the Advisors and Danzou will put against you but there is no one better suited… we best go in, Tsunade can discuss the matter further."
Shizune took a key from her pocket and unlocked the door, ushering the men inside. Once the black haired woman had stepped inside, she locked the door behind her and pocketed the key again. Tsunade looked up at Naruto and smiled lovingly.
"I remember you when you were an idiotic Genin… and now I find out that you've been playing us for fools all along! You are truly unpredictable and this is just what we need against the-"
"Three Oni," chanted Naruto and Itachi at the same time. They looked at one another and Naruto broke into a chuckle, Itachi merely smirking.
"I suppose that's the nickname you blessed them with then eh? Well okay then the Three Oni was informed that you would take the position when I leave… who is your companion?"
Naruto cocked his head and turned to look at Itachi slowly. Itachi saw the question forming on Naruto's features and took a step forward, communicating he wished to explain. Naruto smiled in relief; it would be far easier than him trying to explain everything.
When the hood came down, the Hokage's jaw fell open and Shizune took a step back, both female's eyes widening considerably. It was Tsunade that was the first to recover,
"You are supposed to be dead. Team Kakashi and the others reported that you were dead, they said they thought your body had been taken for disposal by the Akatsuki."
Itachi inclined his head, "I was dead but Naruto saved me."
Tsunade's eyes bugged even more but Itachi raised a palm and began to explain,
"I need to explain a few things before we deal with questions, as it stands only four living people know of this truth, the two Advisors, Danzou and Naruto. Sandaime-sama was the other person to know but it died with him." Itachi took a deep breath,
"The Uchiha clan was planning a Coup d'état upon Konohagakure and I was ordered as the ANBU spy in the Uchiha compound. When they were found guilty of the crime, I was given orders to slaughter the entire clan. Sasuke was the only person I was unable to kill but I couldn't have had him grow up to despise Konoha… not when I love this village so much."
Itachi's eyes drifted over to the window and he closed the space between him and the glass, pressing a hand against the pane.
"I begged the Sandaime Hokage for the truth to be concealed from Sasuke and joined the Akatsuki so I could keep a track on their actions. I met with Naruto before the fight with Sasuke and he saw the truth through the Mangekyou as he accused me of lying. It reminded me of the time I had to beg for another to lie on my behalf and Naruto… Naruto… Naruto wanted to help me but I refused and went to my death."
Itachi ceased talking, the words dying in his throat.
"The Kyuubi helped me to bring him back to life and heal him; I couldn't condemn an innocent man… not when he did so much to protect Konoha and Sasuke."
Tsunade was startled by the tale and looked at Naruto as he finished for the Uchiha.
"I'm afraid to say that we need verification, Itachi-san," Shizune spoke, her voice quiet and reserved. Itachi suddenly pulled his hood up as a harsh tap on the door interrupted them and Shizune ran over to open it.
"I'm afraid Hokage-sama is busy and she-"
"Get out the way girl! We need to talk to the Hokage immediately. Tsunade, the Uzumaki is reported to be missing from the village, if we do not- Y-you?"
The Sharingan whirled in Itachi's eyes as he smirked at the two Advisors.
"I believe this is enough proof, Tsunade-sama."
遺産
There was only one place that Sasuke could go and that was to the Haruno residence. From the time back when they were Genin, Sakura had told him every detail of her house and it was now that he was thankful; somehow it had stored in a part of his brain he hadn't even known existed. With a look at the large house he walked in the growing darkness round to the right side of her house and to the top window. With a glance around he knew that it was clear outside and slipped in through the partially opened window.
It was now just a matter of time and he sat on the wooden chair by Sakura's desk. Her room contained the necessities of a woman's life; mirror, make up, a CD collection and player as well as multiple scrolls, books and even posters about the human body and aspects of healing. Sasuke found himself engrossed in the poster of the brain as the door opened and Sakura's voice called a good night to her mother. The woman turned and a hand rose to her heart as she saw Sasuke.
"Sasuke!" her voice was a whisper and she walked closer to the man. She shut the door hastily behind her and glared at the man. "What the hell are you doing!?"
"It was a Shadow Clone. I want to know where Naruto is and I need your help in that."
Sakura looked at Sasuke with surprise evident in her eyes. The Sasuke she knew wouldn't have ever asked for help. But then again, the Sasuke she knew hadn't just killed the only family he had.
"You'll need a disguise then… can your Sharingan maintain that?"
Sasuke nodded and he closed his eyes to reveal the face he had used before. Sakura gestured to the window and the pair slipped out with ease.
"I hope you know how much I am risking here, turn left."
The rapidly sinking sun allowed the pair to stay hidden in the shadows as they looked for their missing team member, even trying Ichiraku ramen and Naruto's house twice.
"Sasuke… stay here. I'll go check with Iruka-sensei and then Tsunade-sama."
Sasuke nodded his head and shot upwards to conceal his body between the branches of a large oak tree. Sakura ran towards the academy building, knowing Iruka would be there at this time (the man always told her team when he would be staying late at the academy, for Naruto's benefit if anything) and hoped that he knew where the Uzumaki prankster was.
"Iruka-sensei!"
The brown haired Chuunin smiled warmly at her as he placed the keys to the academy gates in his pockets.
"What can I do for you Sakura?"
"Have you seen Naruto at all?"
Sakura's heart plummeted as Iruka frowned and shook his head.
"Sorry, not today. Have you tried Ichiraku?"
Sakura knew the Chuunin would worry himself to death if she told him that she couldn't find the teen and an easy lie slipped from her mouth,
"I always forget, of course! Thank you Iruka-sensei!"
Instantly Sakura ran towards the Hokage tower; the last place Naruto would be was the tower. There was nowhere else for him to be except the training areas and even Naruto wasn't as stupid to sleep in the outdoors when he knew that rain was coming.
The first drops of rain fell just as Sakura got into the tower and she praised her luck. Without missing a beat, the woman ran towards Tsunade's door and stopped before Shizune.
"Shizune-san… is Naruto in there?"
The woman shook her head before speaking,
"Tsunade-sama is waiting for a meeting with someone of high importance and I haven't seen Naruto since earlier. Have you tried Ichiraku?"
Sakura shook her head before walking onwards, tears threatening to fall from her eyes as the last hope flickered.
"Naruto…"
"Excuse me, Sakura-chan, are you alright?"
Blinking through the tears, Sakura looked up to see the withered face of Utatane Koharu, one of the Hokage's advisors.
"Utatane-san, I don't know how to say this…" She choked out a sob, "It's Naruto, Uzumaki Naruto, I can't… I can't find him anywhere – I tried Ichiraku and oh god where is he?"
Koharu's mouth tightened and her face drained of colour. She comforted the girl with soothing words yet her mind was milling through the worst case scenarios that could occur from this revelation. If only Tsunade had banned Naruto from leaving the village… if the Akatsuki got hold of the Uzumaki now then everything would crumble.
"If you'll excuse me, Sakura-chan, I will go and inform Hokage-sama. You go home and rest."
Sakura nodded dumbly and wiped the tear stains from her cheeks. Although the tears had dried, the aftershocks still wracked her body and if anyone chose to inspect her careful enough they would clearly see the red eyes the tears had left as a gift.
She walked slowly down the corridor, glad that no one commented on her state. She heard the voices around her whispering and she looked up to find a group of women she had become friendly with during her time training in the Hokage tower.
"Sakura-chan! Did you see him? Everyone says it's the Yondaime even though his cloak was a different colour… ah, of course! You won't remember Yondaime-sama, not that it really matters, but it could have been him! Seriously, couldn't it girls?"
The other women in the group gathered round, nodding in agreement. Sakura found it amusing that a couple of them were around her age; if she didn't remember the Yondaime Hokage then they surely hadn't either – so why were they nodding as if they knew from experience of meeting the man.
"The cloak even said 'Namikaze'," said one woman, a smug smile on her face.
"What does the Namikaze have to do with anything?"
Sakura looked between the women as the smug smile was wiped off of one of their faces.
"Namikaze was the Yondaime-sama's clan name. That man has to be linked to the Yondaime somehow, if not the Yondaime himself!"
Sakura bit her lip, "Didn't the Yondaime-sama die fighting against the Kyuubi?"
The women fell silent and they sighed.
"She's right…"
Sakura politely excused herself from the group and continued her walk. As soon as she stepped outside, the rainfall seemed to increase. By the time she was back at the tree Sasuke was perched in, her hair was clinging to her face in pink strands (mingling with the tears that had begun to flow) and the clothes were almost like a second skin.
"Where is he?"
Sasuke's voice was like a knife and she stepped closer to him, close enough to hit his chest softly as she spoke,
"He's gone Sasuke… no one knows where. He's gone and it had every fucking thing to do with you."
Sasuke drew back, eyes wide at her proclamation. Sakura had never been one to swear so violently and out of thin air; sure she had insulted Ino but that had been playful banter. This was a vicious tongue that she laid into Sasuke. She could easily blame everything on him, it seemed and his lip curled in distaste.
"Fine, you've just proved your usefulness. Not only did I leave you but even the Dobe has gone now… what do you think we're trying to say Sakura?"
Sakura's eyes widened as Sasuke's chest came into contact with her back.
"Thanks for everything Sakura but you've just wasted my time and got in my way. Do you understand now why I cut those bonds? They're useless to me."
Sakura knew what was coming next and she closed her eyes in preparation for the blow that would knock her unconscious.
She wasn't disappointed.
遺産
Koharu looked at Itachi with disgust.
"You dare show your face now? You've been claimed as a dead man, Uchiha, and you will not leave here alive."
Tsunade stood suddenly and the room quietened. Itachi allowed the Sharingan to fade and Koharu's chest rose and fell dramatically as she struggled to breathe.
"Koharu-san, please sit here," Shizune gestured to a chair and lead the old woman over to it.
"I am here to assist the Rokudaime when we are needed. We know what you plan to do and have taken a vow that Konoha will never fall into your hands. Namikaze-san will not give up his birthright so easily."
At the mention of the name, Koharu's eyes darted to the Yondaime's portrait and her lips rose into a mocking smirk.
"The Yondaime is dead, Itachi. You may have avoided death but no one can escape the Shinigami stomach."
It was Itachi turn to smirk and Naruto turned around to show the back of his cloak off to the woman. The orange characters burned into her irises and she narrowed her eyes.
"Namikaze Naruto, Rokudaime Hokage. If you do not believe us then I'm sure Godaime-sama will bring out the birth certificates," Itachi outstretched his arm and was greeted by a birth certificate.
"I had a feeling we would be needing it, so I've been keeping it in my drawer."
Koharu's nostrils flared as she read the parchment before her.
"Namikaze Minato and Uzumaki Kushina… very well then. Itachi we will keep your secret for now, Konoha would be in shambles if they found out everything; including the fact that you are alive. This is in no way over, he may be the Namikaze heir but there will be a time when you will slip, you will slip and we will rise."
The door was shut with a tremendous slam and the occupants of the room looked at one another.
"That went rather well," Tsunade said dismissively. Naruto rolled his eyes before taking the chair that the Advisor had left and draping his legs over the arm.
"So what do you plan to do Baa-chan?"
The Hokage rubbed her eyes before sitting back in her chair and folding her hands over one another.
"In a couple of days I will leave everything to you and go find Jiraiya. I want you to do the best you can to eradicate those corrupt Advisors and Danzou… ROOT too if you can. I fear we are at the brink of the war and I am just a powerless old fool; whereas you… you have unimaginable power Naruto. Jiraiya told me every detail of your training and I can no longer claim the title of Hokage knowing this."
She stretched her neck from each side before continuing.
"I was going to follow Jiraiya anyway; we both know that he is dealing with forces bigger than what one man can take on. I'll do as much as I can and take out as many Akatsuki on the way as possible… Itachi your help will be needed when discussing that."
Itachi nodded.
"If I left without an heir then the village would rot in a matter of seconds. Your father was the strongest Hokage, stronger even than the Shodai. If anyone could prevent the war and destroy Konoha's threats it would be you, his legacy.
Naruto looked down at his hands and tightened them into fists.
"There is one more reason, Tsunade-sama." Tsunade looked directly into Naruto's eyes; he was no longer playing a child's game and the new title showed this. "Uchiha Madara will come for the village and we will be the ones to stop him."
"Madara…? I think you had better keep that aspect to yourselves… to discuss such a plan for all to hear now could be dangerous. My grandfather fought Madara and defeated him; I can only hope you will do the same."
Naruto nodded his head and swung his feet off of the chair's arm. He stood and Itachi moved to his side. Neither spoke but they looked at the Hokage and she almost flinched at the determination in both of their eyes.
"You two will make a beautiful team."
Naruto blinked at the statement whilst Itachi's stare never wavered. Tsunade fought the urge to laugh as she walked over to the window and looked out to the darkness of the village.
"Thank you, Naruto. I never really thanked you for bringing me here did I? The last years I've spent here have been some of the best," she glanced at Naruto from the corner of her eye, "and some of the worst."
The Uzumaki chuckled at that and ran a hand through his hair.
"What will you tell Konoha?"
Tsunade's eyes grew serious and she turned to look at the pair, back resting against the glass.
"There are two options; I announce you as the Rokudaime and then leave. This one will be-"
"Impractical as you need time to train up a Hokage and Naruto has only recently returned from a three year absence. No higher Shinobi would trust this judgement and you would be in the face of prejudice once again."
Tsunade nodded at Itachi's words.
"The second option would be for you to be discovered as the Rokudaime after I leave. The Advisors themselves would have to announce you – a blow to their pride – yet they would have no choice but to back you up unless they wanted certain rules imposed upon them. To disobey the automatic heir in a time of approaching war is an offence, one punishable by the terms of treason."
Shizune suddenly approached the group with cups of tea and they took them eagerly. The meeting had gone on for longer than any had anticipated yet they knew it wouldn't be enough. There would never be enough time for what they needed to discuss.
Turning his back on the group, it was Naruto's turn to pad over to the glass window and he pressed his forehead against the cool material. Blue eyes scanned the horizon and caught the first rays of sunlight; wincing as he took note of the colour,
Red sky in the morning, Shepherd's warning.
遺産
Notes:
03/12/08: Edited (additional paragraphs and typos fixed)
Thank you to everyone has reviewed again.
