Sorry for the long wait! Chapter four! Hurray!

Disclaimer: I Don't Own Naruto!

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Because I Betrayed

Chapter 4

Naruto sat tapping his finger on his desk in annoyance. The elders were still alive, and they made sure to harass him every chance they got. It wasn't that they had anything against him in particular, after all, he'd saved the world more than once at this point, but it was their job use their past experiences to argue different opinions so the best outcome for any given situation was achieved. Today's visit was concerning Itachi.

Due to the delicate predicament, Naruto had been put in with the surprise pregnancy, they'd been brought into the very small loop. They knew the true reason for Itachi's treason against the Leaf, having partially caused the massacre, and that he'd been a vital part of their war effort against Madara, but they still didn't think that he should be allowed back into the village.

"Pardoning him would lead to questions we simply can't answer. Danzo and our Anbu forces did many terrible things in the past, and we aren't disputing that, but those were different times. Letting Itachi's true mission the night of the Uchiha massacre become public knowledge could undermine Konoha's leadership hierarchy." Koharu explained.

"How exactly would it do that mam?" Shikamaru asked, having already instructed Naruto to let him do most of the talking. "All of the five great nations, as well as the smaller ones, have agreed to total transparency, and our village is still composed of generations accustomed to war and secrecy. They'd understand that what happened was simply a consequence of the past, and not something that reflects our current situation."

Homura shook his head sadly. "If only it were that easy."

"How is it not that easy" Naruto growled in frustration. "It was you all and Danzo that forced Itachi into making such a terrible choice. He has served the Leaf as a loyal shinobi for over two decades and is only disgraced because you all made such a bad decision years ago."

"The mission Itachi received was neither immoral nor unnecessary. The Uchiha were set on a coup de ta, and the conflict would have left the village open to an outside attack which hostile nations would have capitalized on. In no time another Great War would have broken out and Konoha would have been destroyed after losing so many of our shinobi to an internal conflict of that caliber." Homura stated firmly, receiving a nod from his old teammate.

"But if that is the case, and it couldn't have been avoided, then that is even more reason for pardoning Itachi," Shikamaru argued, still not understanding what the big deal was.

"You youngsters don't understand what can happen when citizens start to question the stability and trustworthiness of their government. What if a clan starts to wonder at what point they will become expendable for the sake of the village just like the Uchiha were?" Koharu explained.

Shikamaru sighed heavily, understanding what she meant, though it was obvious Naruto still didn't. "So, what you're saying is, despite the peace and trust that we have now, it's still young and hasn't been fully tested yet. If we were to come out with all of our bloody past at once, especially concerning the approval for a genocide of an entire Konoha clan, it could shake that budding progress. And if a clan started to worry about their standing in the Leaf, they would scrutinize every decision just like the Uchiha did, eventually creating enough grudges on either side that it built up to a threat against the village."

The blonde's eyes didn't change from their determined glare though, irritating the council members. "You all are acting like we are still in the Warring States Period or the Great War Period our predecessors had to deal with. No one believed that shinobi of rival nations could understand each other, but it happened. Tens of thousands fought and died protecting each other and their loved ones back home, and the people who survived have bonded over that shared loss and triumph."

Shikamaru went to stop Naruto's speech, but he was quickly waved silent, allowing the blonde to continue, "People say I'm the kid that makes miracles, but I couldn't have gotten to where I am today without my comrades help, including and especially Itachi. I never go back on my word and if anyone has a problem with what happened all those years ago then I'll talk to them myself."

Koharu and Homura gave each other distressed looks, neither completely trusting that this was the best option. Shikamaru however, had a defeated smile on his face. He expected no less from the boisterous Hokage.

"Look, I've prepared several options for how to go about letting him back into the village. I think the best choice is to break things down into parts. Part one would be giving him a pardon by explaining what he did for the allied forces during the war. After all, Orochimaru and Kabuto were forgiven for what they did and they actually caused far more damage to the Leaf and other nations than Itachi ever did. Then, once we are sure that has been smoothed over we'd move on to part two and so on." Shikamaru offered, hoping that they could at least come to a compromise.

Naruto narrowed his eyes at the two, doing his best to be patient as they whispered back and forth to each other.


Itachi waited patiently in the small apartment while Naruto had gone to meet with the elders. He was nervous about what they would say, certain that his blonde would demand the world all at once.

"I hope Shikamaru can mediate in their meeting… I know Naruto believes that the villagers will forgive the Uchiha for threatening the Leaf, but what if he's wrong and they don't? What if the crimes of my people are projected onto my child?" he thought worriedly.

Itachi's stomach twisting tightly, that brought a whole new set of problems to his troubled mind "And my son, Boruto. How can I be trusted to raise a child after all that I've done? I killed almost every member of my clan, even innocent children and then warped Sasuke's young mind almost beyond repair. Then I forced myself on Naruto so many times; what will Boruto think of a father that would do such things?"

The front door opened, rousing him from his detrimental thoughts, and he could barely hide his worry. Itachi swallowed hard and stood as he heard his lover's footsteps coming towards him. He took a deep breath to calm himself, still grateful that he could do so without feeling intense pain as he did before Naruto healed him.

"I can give you a pardon!" Naruto exclaimed happily as he threw the bedroom door open. He bounced over and jumped into Itachi's arms, kissing him passionately.

The Uchiha felt his heart skip a beat. He was also excited at the prospect of getting a second chance, but in the back of his mind, he couldn't help but feel guilty. His clan's misdeeds were bound to come out eventually, and that was not something he wanted his children to have branded into their heritage.

Still, he held his lover tightly and showered him with affection; he wouldn't let his fears ruin his blondes happy mood.

"So, now that we have that out of the way, let's sneak you over to the Hyuga compound so you can meet Boruto! You're going to love him Itachi!"

Before the Raven had a chance to respond, Naruto had used Flying Raijin to teleport them away, landing in Hinata's room moments later.

The girl turned around quickly in shock, dropping the baby bag she'd been packing. Itachi however, was quick to react and caught it just before it hit the ground and spilled, handing it back to the kunoichi quietly. He could see she was still nervous around him, and it made their limited encounters awkward.

Even if Hinata and all of Naruto's friends knew the truth about Itachi, it didn't change how nervous they were around him. The fact that he'd been able to bring himself to kill his own comrades and most of his family haunted them. Then there was the fact that he'd raped Naruto more than once; they struggled to let go of that as well.

"Itachi-san" she gasped, "t-thank you."

The man nodded and looked over to where Naruto had scurried off to, completely oblivious to the awkward exchange taking place. Itachi could hear the baby starting to coo from seeing his 'mother' and felt his blood run cold, his fear of failing the child like he'd failed Sasuke coming back in full force.

"I'll leave you three alone for now and go to fix dinner. Will you join us, Itachi-san?" she asked politely.

"Uh, yes… Hinata… thank you…" He replied, the words coming out slowly as his mouth became increasingly dry.

Hinata smiled gently. Taking care of the infant had greatly increased her intuition, and she could sense how nervous the usually confident ninja was. "He likes having his belly rubbed" she stated, hoping that giving him a hint of what Boruto liked would boost his self-esteem.

As soon as she left, Hinata's words floated through his veins, giving his legs the push they needed to start moving. He made his way over to the crib and peered in, his breath leaving him when he saw the blonde haired bundle staring up at him in confusion.

Itachi reached down slowly and used his thumb to rub the exposed jelly-belly. At first, nothing happened and he worried he'd done something wrong already, but right as he was about to pull away, Boruto started giggling hysterically, kicking his feet and grabbing onto his father's hand with his chubby fingers.

The carefree response melted away all the fears he'd been suffering from in an instant, and he gently picked up the excited baby, holding him close. He smiled, turning his attention to Naruto who had been quietly watching.

Itachi quickly pulled his love towards him and kissed him intensely. "Thank you, Naruto," he whispered into the blonde's hair.

"What are you talking about?" the Hokage asked curiously.

"You've given me a second chance at life." He answered, gazing down at his family.

"That was ages ago!" Naruto laughed, still got getting what Itachi was referring to.

The Raven put his forehead on Naruto's, looking deeply into his eyes. "Even after that, you helped me. You redeemed Sasuke to his friends and village just as you are working to do for me. Now you've given me this perfect child so that I can rebuild the clan that I destroyed. And finally, I get to live every day knowing that you love me. You really do make miracles."

Naruto blushed heavily but relaxed into his lovers embrace, completely content.


Sasuke walked through the trees as one of the Hokage messenger birds flew down to him. He extended his arm, allowing the bird to land so he could get the note.

"Sasuke, I hope you're doing alright. I know you're still out trying to right your wrongs and everything, but we need you back in Konoha right now. It's really important so don't blow me off teme!"

The Uchiha smiled a bit at how informal the Hokage's messages always were.

Naruto had beaten him during their second battle at the Valley of the End, and when they'd woken up from their near-death experience the blonde had still been there to tell him that they were friends and always would be. Not even his insanity could resist the warm pull of the eternal optimist.

Sasuke sighed, despite the fact that Naruto and he were now on good terms again, he'd forever feel guilty for hurting him. The conversation they had right after the war flew through his mind again.

~Flash Back~

"I've talked to the council and they're willing to pardon you for your crimes leading up to the war! Isn't it great Sasuke?" Naruto asked

"But… how can I be forgiven? I hurt so many people, I threatened the Leaf and I assaulted you…why wou-"

"Damn it teme! Do I need to pummel you again?" the blonde shouted, waving around his remaining arm. "I told you that you are my friend, I love you like a brother! Gah! You Uchiha's are all so stubborn!"

The Raven's eyes were getting wet under the seal that was keeping them covered. He lowered his head some, silently explaining what was still bothering him.

Naruto sat down next to him and boldly wrapped his arm around the elder's shoulders. "Look, Sasuke, I know you. You will probably always feel guilty, but I understand why you did all those terrible things." Naruto started, his voice soft.

Seeing it still wasn't enough, he continued. "Almost no one could imagine enduring the slaughter of their entire clan at the hands of the person they loved most. That alone would make anyone well up with hatred. Then after years of making choices solely out of pain from that one night and killing the target of your vengeance, you find out he did it all for you and his village. I mean really, Sasuke, no one can fault you for falling off the deep end."

"But I could have come home then and tried to support Itachi's will to protect the Leaf. Instead, I attacked you and swore to destroy everything that had ever hurt my brother." Sasuke argued, trying to pull out of the blonde's embrace.

Naruto wouldn't let go, however, and rested his head on Sasuke's, his ear close enough to hear the sniffles the Raven was trying to hold back.

"That's what hatred and revenge do to a person teme. It makes them do crazy things. I'll admit, I was really upset after you kidnapped and hurt me, but I understand why you did that too! You loved your brother so much and always wanted what he had, but you also were angry at him for twisting your view of the world with lies so you projected that anger on to me. It was kind of like you were punishing him and attempting to keep a piece of what he loved with you at the same time…" Naruto stated, hugging the elder.

"I-I…." the Raven sobbed, his final walls falling.

"Come on teme… if you get pardoned you can go and make amends in the world like we talked about while we were waiting for Sakura to come save us. Just let go of all that negative shit you've been holding onto because to Itachi and me, you've already been forgiven… we both will love you always." Naruto soothed, holding the Uchiha close to him as he finally broke down.

~End Flash Back~

Squeezing the paper tightly, he turned to head in the direction of Konoha, determined to do what was necessary to protect those precious to him.

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