It was the day after he tried to kill "the idiot" and Sasuke hadn't felt this weak since the day of the massacre. Having the entirety of his chakra closed off to his use was especially damning as he had become dependent on it due to his harsh training schedule. If that wasn't bad enough, he was having his first appointment with Ibiki and learning, quickly, that smartass replies didn't fly with the man.

"Remember Sasuke, you refer to her as Hokage-sama or you'll get slapped again. Do you understand?"

He scowls but nods. "Good. Why did you try to kill Naruto Uzumaki?"

"I didn't, it was a misunderstanding."

"Except we have witnesses that testify they heard you screaming you were going to kill him."

"I say that all the time, it's our special relationship."

"I wasn't aware you two were… intimate."

"That isn't what I meant! I threaten the dobe frequently, you all just happen to take it seriously this time."

"It must have been insufferable being your teammate. When someone who isn't that bright thinks everyone around them is stupid, it's just such a terrible bore. Such a boring little Uchiha you are."

He grits his teeth at the man's insults. How he hates being insulted or contradicted. How he wished he had access to his full abilities to shut this asshole up.

"We'll meet twice a week for the foreseeable future. You will tell me everything I want to know, Sasuke."

"Tsk, whatever." He said as he left the interrogation room to return home, a much longer walk than he remembered. Once he arrived at the Uchiha compound he saw Kakashi waiting for him.

"Come to lecture me, too?"

"No, words don't work. Beatings don't work. Nothing works Sasuke so I'm done. You're self destructive, you will ruin all that you touch and all who try to love and or support you and in the end, you'll fail. Even if you kill Itachi you'll fail because you'll have nothing left and will be nothing. Good luck on staying a broken child, Sasuke but I won't let you drag my team down with you."

"Pfft, you're team. Last I recall, you barely paid attention to any of us until you trained me for the chunin exams and you didn't even bother to be on time for the dobe's match. Spare me your sentiments, especially when you don't even follow through. The great Kakashi Hatake would have eventually gotten his entire team killed because he couldn't be bothered with us.

The funny thing is, the only one who was visibly hurt by your actions was Naruto. So hopeful you'd show him a cool jutsu! You treated him as badly as I did but I wasn't responsible for him."

"Oh, kitty has claws. Well, Sasuke-chan, you're right I didn't teach Naruto and Sakura much but you want to know a secret, just between you and I? We had an extensive psychological profile on you. Some highlights are: flight risk, prone to violent outbursts, doesn't work well with others, jealous of any contemporary that demonstrates superiority in any skill you value. To keep you loyal, I had to retard the rest of the team and instill the principles of teamwork within you specifically. Lo and behold, Naruto surpassed you anyway. I saw the injury report, two kunai to the back of the knees? That was quite the shot. Knocked you out immediately afterward and had ANBU on you moments later. Man, if only the rookie of the year were that good."

"I'm not, nor have I ever been jealous of Naruto."

"Sure, Sasuke-chan, you tell yourself that. Well, I'd say it's been a pleasure but you're a black hole given flesh so good luck on staying miserable because you were too much of a coward to be happy." Kakashi said before shunshin'ing away. As much as he would have loved to ignore the man, his former sensei's words got to him and it angered the avenger that Kakashi blamed the failure of team 7 solely on him when he never wanted to be on a team to begin with. He only wants to kill Itachi, nothing else.

Soon enough, Sasuke's life fell into a routine. He'd train his body as much as he could but was hampered by previous injuries and because he was no longer a shinobi he was low priority at the hospital and the village didn't have an abundance of private doctors, even civilians went to medical ninja. However, knowing he couldn't stop lest Itachi get away with his crimes, he pushed forward. When he wasn't training or in his sessions with Ibiki he had taken to exploring the village. That eventually led him to occasionally following around Naruto and Hinata. Sasuke didn't know why he started following the dobe but once he started he couldn't stop.

The reactions Sasuke would have to his stalking would depend on what he witness Naruto doing. Initially, he found the dobe wasting time with an equally weak, second rate clan heiress and scoffed at Naruto giving up on his "Sakura-chan" for his safety girl. Watching the two failures delude themselves gave him a sense of security, but a part of him was annoyed at how seemingly blissfully unaware they both were, as if they were discounting his very presence. When he saw them training together, hearing her mention preparing for the chunin exams, he was initially unimpressed. But a few months in he could see her improvements. It didn't occur to him until later, so used to discounting Naruto, that the dobe had helped her improve but never seemed overwhelmed by her increasing skills. When he had this realization he concluded Naruto must be getting secret training from somewhere else.

She became a chunin on her third attempt, nine months into his following the couple, well now couple he observed as the two had been fairly chaste until that point. He thought it obnoxious, the two idiots would hold themselves back by valuing romance over training. If he still had access to his chakra he'd attack them both just so they'd see how weak they really were. 'Why do you hate Naruto Uzumaki' he remembered Ibiki asking him. He once replied by asking why wouldn't everyone hate that blond annoyance, only for Ibiki to respond, "He's a good and loyal ninja". Sasuke could only roll his eyes, a good ninja? No, that idiot was not a good ninja. He couldn't even tell he was being followed for months.

Months past and the two grow closer and Sasuke can only wonder if there is a limit to which you can be disgusted with a person as he kept finding a new level of it for Naruto and the Hyuuga broad. While he could admit her skills were growing and she wasn't the wallflower she once was, she still had a weak constitution. If she had to avenge her entire clan she couldn't do it. She'd rather eat pastries and make eyes at that stupid, blond haired obstacle. He's just always in the way! Why doesn't anyone see that Naruto is just a fucking drain on everyone. Without him, Sasuke would have been receiving training from Orochimaru. He would have been approaching Itachi's level and he wouldn't be stuck here, growing weaker instead of getting justice for his clan. 'Why do you hate Naruto Uzumaki?' Why shouldn't he hate Naruto Uzumaki? Pestilence personified.

It had been a year and half since Sasuke had his chakra sealed and after a hard day of training he was once again following Naruto and Hinata. He had grown increasingly spiteful of the pair, so wrapped up in themselves as if the rest of the world doesn't exist. As if Itachi doesn't exist.

"So, I guess this is coming to an end soon?" Sasuke overheard her ask.

"Yea, it's time. I'll meet up with Pervy Sage tomorrow and by the end of the week it should all be over."

"Are you scared?"

"Pfft, as if! I'm Naruto Uzumaki, next Hokage, dattebayo. I fear nothing but ghosts."

Sasuke hears a stifled giggle at the idiots pronouncement.

"But seriously, I am a little. I don't want to change too much, you know."

"I know" she said softly, "but I believe the core of you is the same so while different you'll still be you." The two fell into a comfortable silence for a while before the idiot spoke again.

"When do you leave?"

"Tomorrow, same as you. Shouldn't be longer than a week, hopefully I can make it back when… you know"

"Yea, I'd like that but don't rush it. It's getting late and we both have things to do tomorrow." Naruto said.

"I know." she said but neither departed, apparently enjoying being in each other's presence too much. How could she stay out late when she has a mission? Isn't she a professional? Sasuke wonders watching the pair but no longer paying close attention until he hears something that sets him off.

"I love you Hinata-chan."

"I love you, too, Naruto-kun" she said before giving him a quick kiss. He smiles in response and the two part ways.

It was a day later in his session with Ibiki that Sasuke decided to vent.

"Do you still want to know why I hate Naruto?"

"If you're willing to share." said the stern man.

"Because he is always in the fucking way. Because his very existence mocks my own. Because he never had anything to lose, no expectation and got to be an idiot. He never took things seriously and coasted but still that was enough to keep him within my skillset. I hate him because he doesn't have to hate, he doesn't have to live a miserable life only concerned with his survival. I hate him because that failure stopped me from gaining power. He stopped me from receiving what Orochimaru wanted to give me, he stopped me from evolving my eyes. At every turn he has been in my way, at every turn he seeks to prove that I will never be equal to Itachi! Why does he get to be happy? Why do Hokages just seem to adore that idiot? I'm more naturally talented, more skilled but they treat him like family. That blond bit…"

He was cut off from his rant when Ibiki backhanded him.

Scowling, Sasuke continued, "She credits him with her coming back, she tortured me because I wouldn't confess. Most of the villagers hate him but the really important people love him and I know they give him secret power, private training that they don't give to me. I need it more than he ever has, I need to avenge my clan, they can't rest until I do. He is just a status seeking idiot with no talent but people pity. I hate him because he's always smiling even when he had nothing to smile about; when I couldn't find it in me to smile myself."

"Wow, that's really stupid." said Ibiki.

"What?!"

"I said that's really stupid. You clearly don't know your teammate so you assume things about him but you, a person who puts forth zero effort to make connections, are mad that someone else has? You're really screwed up, kid. At least you finally admitted you were going to defect."

"Yea, so what? What more can you do?"

"Well, the Hokage could get really creative but you'll likely be transitioned out of my care so it really isn't my problem anymore. Goodbye and good luck, Sasuke."


He didn't know what he was going to say to his blond student, now that the restraining order had been lifted he could finally interact with him again but that didn't solve the problem of what to say. It felt wrong to lay the blame on the Sandaime, not only because Naruto loved the man like family but also because he isn't here to defend himself. Yes, the order was to solve the Sasuke problem and Kakashi didn't accomplish that goal but he could have done more for Naruto, even giving him a few scrolls to expand his ninjutsu arsenal or really fixing his taijutsu.

He could just fall on his sword and ask for a second chance, Naruto is certainly forgiving enough but should he ask why things would be different or why they were how they were that leads back to Kakashi's initial problem. Another issue is that no matter how he tries to spin it, it would appear he was showing extreme favoritism to Sasuke, teaching the boy the chidori certainly wouldn't refute the accusation. So, then what? Kakashi would run through possible explanations all night.

It turned out that the truth was really the best way to go and while Naruto was disappointed he could understand Kakashi's and the Sandaime's position. While Kakashi could tell he felt more about the issue, a part of him was grateful he didn't follow up with more but he could see he felt it was unfair to him and Sakura. Not knowing what else to do, he requested a spar out of his former student, to which Naruto eagerly agreed to.

The spar was enlightening for Kakashi and he saw his student had god command over futon and suiton techniques, even managing to perform some vacuum manipulation techniques. What concerned Kakashi was that Naruto's fighting style was a modified version of how Root Anbu fought and it was specific enough, his moves precise enough that Kakashi could only presume Naruto had been trained by Danzo, a nightmare scenario. When the spar was over Kakashi excused himself and immediately went to report to Tsunade-sama, not willing to allow his sensei's son to follow the wrong path.

"I already know, Kakashi," Tsunade stated.

"So, he's a double agent for you?"

"No. He hasn't officially or unofficially spoken to me about his joining Root."

"Forgive me, Tsunade-sama, but you seem very cavalier about this."

"I suppose I do. Suffice it to say, I'm aware of Naruto's activities and I have things under control. Also, you should have a little more faith in your student." She said and Kakashi took the unsaid dismissal and left.

Kakashi was a genius shinobi. Most people assumed it began and stopped with his combat abilities but he had an intellect that rivaled any Nara, the problem that his laziness and taciturn nature often meant no one knew. The public consumption of porn also wouldn't lead one to assume he was overly bright. But he was and from the scant bit of information given his mind was furiously trying to piece everything together to come to a suitable conclusion. The problem, beside lack of information, was his desire to protect his student which was causing a significant part of him to say damn the thinking, activate his lightning blade and go cause a bloody rampage at Danzo's, consequences be damned. However, his more rational side would only let him entertain that thought, and it was quite entertaining to Kakashi, for a short period. He decided to catalogue what he knew:

Danzo has been after Naruto since the day he was born

Naruto was suspended and couldn't openly train with Jiraiya until his suspension was lifted

Naruto was betrayed by his team

Naruto wants to be seriously trained and has a fierce desire to protect his village

Is currently being trained by Danzo

Tsunade Knows

Tsunade knowing is what throws Kakashi for a loop as she wouldn't let Danzo brainwash him and whereas the Sandaime would threaten Danzo, Tsunade would outright kill him. But he is being trained. Could she have been blackmailed? That's always a possibility, if you've been a shinobi long enough there is bound to be dirt on you, however Tsunade is not the type to be blackmailed; her temper and general disposition wouldn't allow her to tolerate it for long. Kakashi went around and around those facts and got nowhere until he remembered who was at the heart of this. Naruto, the knucklehead. The kid that still believes in saving the Princess, especially since he's done it, liberating nations and being a hero. He'd join Root with the goal of taking it down. Kakashi had half a mind to go bonk the boy on the head, of all the foolish ideas. However, Tsunade having known means someone is looking out for him, even if he doesn't know it. Partially pacified with the information Kakashi resolved to help the blond shinobi.

Getting back into serious training showed Kakashi how far off from his peak he was and he'd be ashamed of it if not for Gai constantly pointing out the return of his youthful flames. That made Kakashi want to train harder just to better punch his best friend in the face. A side benefit is when he sparred with Naruto, he could see the improvements of his former student while also being able to push him better than anyone in his generation. He was impressed with the progress Naruto made under Danzo's tutelage as the once brash knucklehead was more calm and methodical in his approach, giving focus to his unpredictable nature. Kakashi could only imagine what Naruto would be when he incorporated the memories of the blood clone, he'd be well on his way to Elite Jounin status once he got enough experience.

Kakashi also helped Naruto perfect his earth manipulation, the pair even collaborated on developing new jutsu. Both preferred the Earth Style: Earth Fang Bullet which was exactly like the water version but had increased piercing power. Paired with the Swamp of the Underworld jutsu and it was truly fearsome. While proficient in suiton, Kakashi never had the control nor chakra capacity to pull moisture out of the air, at least for nothing past a mid C rank jutsu but he enjoyed watching Naruto try to recreate the Nidaime's water manipulation process.

It occurred to Kakashi that he often found Naruto in the company of one Hyuuga heiress and he had to say, his knucklehead surely aimed high. He was even fun to tease as seeing his most confident student reduced to a stuttering mess was worth the effort of dodging those kunai once he composed himself. He was happy that Naruto was becoming friends with the rest of his generation.

One thing that did concern him was Sasuke's habit of observing Naruto, which he knew Naruto was aware of and yet he never said anything about it. Kakashi chalked it up to a very subtle prank as Sasuke would likely spin out on his own without Naruto having to lift a finger.


The day was drawing near. Kakashi didn't know how he knew but he just did. His student was a little more tense, it was subtle but Kakashi could definitely tell, the signs of nervousness were present but hidden well. He wished he could help his student, he wished he could point out the elephant in the room and let him know he has someone to confide in but he can't. This is a test, Kakashi remembered Minato telling him about some of the things he was tasked with doing when he was just a chunin or fresh Jounin. The selection for Hokage starts early, those with the potential are put through various tests to see if they are up to the challenge. This was Naruto's and as his sensei he could only have faith in his student. Anything more, even shadowing him could cause alarm and throw everything off. If Kakashi had to guess, Naruto tasked himself with complete elimination of Root, Danzo included.

He'd normally be extremely apprehensive with Naruto fighting Danzo, yes he was strong but Danzo was a rival of the Sandaime and even being close in ability to that man made you a monster. However, Kakashi had taken noticed that Danzo had been more reclusive as of late, not even attending council meetings. Maybe Naruto had taken precautions, a sentiment that was laughable just a few years ago.

It was Naruto informing him that he'd be gone for a few days that solidified Kakashi's belief. If he had to guess, the merger was taking place before the elimination, giving him a few days to incorporate his skills and get over any mental strain. He didn't know when Naruto would be back so he had taken to doing some late night jogs near his apartment when he came across a very nervous looking Hinata entering his apartment. He figured she knew something and was likely there for support so Kakashi decided to camp out on an adjacent roof. It was a few hours before sunrise when Kakashi saw Naruto arrive on his doorstep via shunshin. There were no obvious injuries and he assumed all went well. When he was told that Elder Danzo had died via smoke inhalation he knew his pupil had been successful and couldn't fight back the pride that swelled in his chest. Details would start to trickle, he knew the spin Tsunade and the still existing Elders would give to Naruto's suspension would paint the boy in a positive light, any harm that came from that black mark would be erased. He still had years, he still had a lot to learn but Kakashi was confident his knucklehead would one day reach his dream and he'd do his damnedest to make sure.


It is likely unbecoming for one to be giddy after an attempt on their lives but right now, Hinata Hyuuga couldn't give a flying turtle's shell because her Naruto-kun rejected Sakura-san and chased after her, the shy little heiress. Bluenette 1, pinkette irrelevant. Oh yes, Hinata Hyuuga was feeling herself… as much as a preternaturally kind person could be. While it wasn't a confession of love, it also wasn't nothing. Either way, she's happy, so much so she didn't mind the looks of confusion the ANBU was giving her as she supplied her report of what Sasuke-san attempted to do. Nope, an unwarranted attack was not going to ruin her mood. Her father's, decreasingly, cold glare? She couldn't even be bothered to acknowledge it.

They had only recently agreed to start dating each other and while it wouldn't be in secret, they also wouldn't call attention to it. Hinata got the idea from how Kurenai-sensei handles her relationship with Asuma-san. Since then, the two had spent a lot of time together but progressed their relationship slowly. Mostly it involved training, as she was preparing for another chunin exam and he had his responsibilities and while he never went into specifics, Hinata wasn't an idiot and knew he was still conducting missions in secret. His overall increase in skill, chakra control and capacity pointed to being trained and him disappearing for days at a time would be explained by him being on assignment. She knew he and Tsunade were close and assumed she had just found a way around his suspension. Not seeing the need to make him lie about a, she assumed, confidential appointment she never asked about it.


Newly promoted Chunin Hyuuga Hinata was returning from a mission with her teammates and she has to admit, she was extremely lucky to be assigned to the team she was. Hearing Naruto's horror stories about Team 7 and seeing how Asuma-san trains Team 10 lets her know she got the best arrangement possible. Since she returned from the exams, she's noticed that her relationship with her clan has improved. Her father actually speaks to her with a degree of warmth and Neji even trains with her. There hadn't been any talk of sealing either her nor Hanabi, things were good. Which was why she was confused when Ino-san broken down in front of her, apologizing repeatedly. Hinata didn't know how to respond, she had never been close to Ino, not so much out of any disregard for her fellow kunoichi, the two just didn't run in the same circles so she couldn't understand what was happening but being who she was, couldn't walk away from someone that upset. Leading her to a secluded training ground, Hinata tried to understand what was bothering the blonde.

"It's my fault" is the only thing she could understand but Ino was adamant about it. "Can you tell Naruto I'm sorry." she managed to say clearly before running off. When Hinata relayed her apologies Naruto didn't have a clue as to what she'd be apologizing for. Until two weeks later when she revealed she had been the one that made it possible for Sasuke and Sakura to lie about his defection. When Naruto had told her about Ino's confession, his voice was calm but there was an underlying anger she could tell and while she didn't think he'd do anything to Ino, she wouldn't pretend to be blind to his faults. This version of Naruto was not as forgiving, he didn't laugh off or ignore slights. He wasn't a bully, nor had he ever resorted to force but he had no qualms about letting it be known that certain behaviors would not be tolerated. She tried to calm him down but in retrospect, Hinata believed the talk may have done more harm than good.

"You know, this is partially my fault" Naruto said.

"Why would you say that?" asked a confused Hinata.

"Because, my other half was so ready to forgive everyone in order to be accepted, an idea the Sandaime put into his head, that people believe we can be disregarded without consequence. Ino wouldn't have done that to any other Leaf Nin but since I'm not important, since I'm just the loser anyway sacrificing me for that stalking little obsessive was no big deal. I can't just let this go, her being sorry or not." a venting Naruto replied.

"Maybe you should let Tsunade-sama handle it? At the very least you could get your record cleared." Hinata offered, trying to calm Naruto.

"You have a point, I need to go clear my head. You're welcome to stay here tonight, of course, I don't know how long I'll be."


The time for his integration was drawing near and Naruto had become withdrawn, Hinata felt. It hurt but a part of her understood the fear, he didn't know what he'd ultimately be like and if as a whole person he'd feel the same about her. That's why when he told her he loved her it hurt, not because he didn't mean it but because through no fault of his nor her own, he may not feel that way soon. Of course she said it back, she had loved him in some form or fashion for years and it had only deepened as she had gotten to know more than just the inspirational figure that hid his pain but the person who felt the continued slights of the village, that grappled with the forced isolation of his childhood and the realities of being a shinobi. That last part especially since, Hinata suspected, he was exposed to the darker elements of an already bloody lifestyle.

But with that shading came perks, his genuine smile that he had just for her. His penchant for cheating during spars via kisses on her cheek. How he loves ramen but never bothers to make it after a few attempts, as it was always missing something; Hinata suspects the missing element was the feeling of family he got from the stand owners. By discovering so much about her idol turned boyfriend she discovered much about herself. Hinata realized that Naruto's sunny disposition sometimes wasn't a natural inclination but a choice, one that had consequences. He once smiled at the village's hate but that costed him as even a part of Naruto didn't truly respect himself, didn't like himself.

Hinata realized that while the approval of others is important, if you can't appreciate yourself the acknowledgement becomes hollow. As such, she didn't pin her mood on her father's reactions to her, if she were having a good day he no longer had the power to change that. She found what she liked and didn't like about herself and dedicated herself to improving the former and changing the latter. The process was slow and likely lifelong but no longer was she reluctant to meet the gaze of another and voice her opinion. She wouldn't be walked on or stepped over. The most important realization was that she had this ability all along, she just had to believe it.

It was a few hours before dawn as her Naruto curled up in bed beside her, surprised she was there awaiting him but promised they'd talk in the morning and suggested she get more rest. Something else she learned about Naruto, he can be a bit of a mother hen.


The reign of the Godaime Hokage, one Tsunade Senju, had not been kind to the Yamanaka Clan. Any non-mission services provided to the village that could be assigned to others, were. Inoichi didn't have the ear of the Hokage nor her trust and while never said outright, people could tell there was definitely something off between the two parties. The Nara and Akimichi Clans couldn't even get involved on behalf of their allies without fear of invoking the Hokage's wrath, especially since their contribution to the village was more along the lines of goods instead of services. Alternate supply sources can almost always be found or substituted with enough incentive.

This reality had taken an impact on all but the one hit the hardest had been the former heiress, Ino. The freeze between the Clan and the village's power structure added on to her already swelled sense of guilt. She blamed herself for everything wrong with Team 7 and it was harder still with her seeing Naruto more often as he had gotten to be better friends with Shikamaru and Choji. She wanted to confess, to relieve herself of this burden but knew it'd be a slap in the face of Sakura, who kept her mouth shut for the sake of Ino and her clan. But that silence was harming people and Ino had learned that Tsunade could become intractable when crossed and would continue to keep her clan at arm's length unless forced to change due to catastrophic circumstances. Ino's inability to make headway with her father didn't make her dilemma any easier. She found sleep increasingly difficult, plagued by her choices and when she heard Sasuke tried to kill Naruto something snapped. Ino didn't meet with her team for a week, and it took hours of prodding from her father to get her back.

It hadn't fixed the guilt, though, as it was always present like a second skin that was ill-fitting but no less replaceable. She didn't know why she felt the need to eventually break down in front of Hinata, she wish she could say it just happened but Ino had existed somewhere between conscious and unconscious action; not wholly without thought but nothing that could be considered a plan. She just needed to do something and that something landed Naruto at her doorstep. It was amazing how fast Naruto had turned from being kind, warm and supportive to cold and furious. He didn't even respond after Ino choked out her confession and she didn't know if that were a good thing or not. He found her the next day and insisted she tell Tsunade, that an apology without any action to follow-up was empty and only meant to make her feel better. She couldn't disagree so it was here, in the office of the Hokage, with her father for support, Ino told her the events as she knew them.


"You're incredibly lucky Ino. Clan heir or not, recent Chunin or not, undermining an official investigation can have serious repercussions. Fortunately, outside of confirmation, your confession is unnecessary. There is already a process underfoot to correct the harm you and Sakura caused. Nothing official will show up in your record, you will not receive a reprimand from me. However, as long as I'm Hokage, you'll never be promoted past Tokubetsu Jounin, you understand?"

"Yes, Tsunade-sama."

"Good, you may leave; Inochi, stay." Tsunade said and watched and Ino promptly exited her office. "This could have all been avoided. You could have trusted that I wasn't so myopic as to risk your evidentiary standing amongst the shinobi standings nor such a heartless bitch that I'd seriously harm Ino over a mistake that could have been corrected. But you didn't trust me and I had to become all the things you feared I would be. So, Inochi, where does that leave us?"

"I don't know, Hokage-sama. You were an unknown and I just wanted to protect my family and my clan."

"So, clan comes first? Should I start worrying about the Yamanaka as potential traitors?"

"NO, of course not!"

"Really, because you just told me you felt it ok to subvert my authority because you may not have liked my decisions. Understand this, Inoichi, I won't keep freezing your clan out because it's a waste of resources but I don't trust you. I possibly never will. Leave."

"Hai"


He had gotten tired of asking himself where he went wrong. It was all wrong and there was no right. Too many moving pieces and too many people with poisonous objectives led to this, led him to where he is now. But with all the ugliness was a chance of salvation. Not for him, as he was damned, but for his clan. He honestly believed his brother would reject his words but maintain the motivation and get strong the right way in order to kill him. Instead, he wanted to do it as quickly as possible, haunted by the monster he believed Itachi to be. When Itachi had heard that Naruto had been assigned to his brother's team, Itachi hoped that the blond's natural light would sway his brother. Orochimaru and deep seated issues would see to that hope all but failing. If there had been a chance, Sasuke's betrayal and attempt on Naruto's life had surely removed any chance. His brother had pushed everyone away and had come to fixate on Naruto as the unmovable object in his path toward power. Seeing Sasuke like this, made Itachi conclude that his brother was broken. The ghosts of the past, wounds inflicted early in the boy's life, even before the massacre made Itachi's plans impossible. The only chance he had now was the truth and maybe Sasuke would redeem himself and truly serve the village and restore his family's honor. However, this last tirade/confession had truly made Itachi fear that even the truth may have come too late.

Naruto, the source of his brother's fixation had been a topic of contemplation for Itachi since he abandoned the village. When he joined Akatsuki to spy for the village, through Jiraiya, he realized there were scenarios in which he may have to kill Naruto to protect the village and potentially Sasuke. While many view him as a stoic, many more as a sociopath, Itachi was not without conscience nor compassion. The idea of damning an innocent boy who had already been damned for the sake of the very people that scorned him hurt Itachi. The underlying unfairness, even if he rarely concerned himself with fairness, felt like a wrong too big to ignore, a cosmic injustice. If, however, it were required Itachi would fulfill his duty to the village knowing it would lead to his death as he was sure Jiraiya would stop at nothing to find him and do all he could to dispatch the person or persons that harmed his student's son. The dilemma presented to Itachi was thusly, if he were willing to kill an innocent in Naruto would he do the same for a guilty Sasuke. He didn't know and the not knowing hurt more than a definite answer could as indecision gets people killed and made Itachi wonder if he hadn't been motivated by self-interest and not true service to the village this entire time. Hopefully, it wouldn't come to that but only time would tell.

"When am I leav…. WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE, ITACHI! I'LL KILL YOU!"

"Without chakra, foolish little brother? I doubt it. I'm not here to kill you Sasuke, I am here to tell you the truth of that night; the truth of why our family died."