It's been three months since Naruto became an Uchiha. Every member quickly grew attached to the boy, and welcomed into the clan. Itachi loved that he now had another brother that he and Sasuke could play with and just generally enjoy the company of.

Today, Itachi was returning from the Anbu test he would need to pass to get into a squad. It was a gruelling experience but luckily, due to his skill, it was over quickly. When he arrived home, he opened the door and toed off his ninja sandals.

"I'm home!"

He took off his pouch and bag and set them next to the table at the entrance. In perfect sync, two voices echoed down the corridor as two bodies came barrelling into Itachi.

"NII-SAN!"

Itachi chuckled lightly as he set his hand on each of his brother's heads.

"Morning."

"Morning!"

The three smiled at each other before making their way back to the kitchen. Itachi walked beside his brothers as they ramble about yesterday's spar. Sasuke was bragging about mastering the Fireball Jutsu while Naruto mentioned that he had discovered his chakra nature.

"Yeah, with help dobe."

Naruto pouted.

"Just 'cause Tou-San helped me find out I'm a Wind nature doesn't make it less important teme!"

Itachi decided to bypass the happiness and pride of learning his youngest brother has the most uncommon nature in Konoha, and instead thought about what he had said. His eyes widened in shock as his head turned to Naruto. The blonde still pouting furiously at Sasuke.

"Where did you hear that?"

Naruto dropped the pout and looked to Itachi, blue eyes brimming with confusion.

"Wind style? Tou-San, why?"

Itachi shook his head.

"No, where did you hear the word 'teme'?"

Naruto made a noise of understanding before he grinned mischievously. Sasuke was very confused as he looked between his brothers.

"I heard it from Closet Pervert-Sensei. The one with the sunglasses."

"Ebisu?"

Itachi's brow rose in question. Naruto nodded as an answer and Itachi felt a little angry at the revelation. He didn't like the idea of the man saying such things in front of his little brother. Then, he growled lightly at the thought of just why Ebisu would use that kind of language around Naruto. "I'll be having a word with you later, Ebisu."

He felt two tugs on each arm, and blinked back into reality. What he saw, was his brothers pulling on his arms to lead him into the kitchen so they could all sit together for a short while.

"Come on Nii-San! Play with us for a little bit!"

Sasuke whined, small pout on his lips. Naruto nodded enthusiastically as he initiated what their mother liked to call 'Puppy Eyes Jutsu'. It wasn't the same as the Sharingan but, it was just as effective in conflict.

"You want to play for a while?"

He teased. He had a plan brewing in his mind, and neither boy knew it. His brother's nodded with a chorus of 'yeah's. Itachi grinned, worrying both boys.

Before either could react, Itachi span on the spot and collapsed to the ground. Having not let go of his arms, Naruto and Sasuke were dragged down as well. The three crashed onto the floor and looked at each other for a millisecond before erupting into fits of laughter.

There were thundering footsteps from inside the kitchen, and Itachi managed to crack an eye open as Fugaku threw the door open. He glanced up at the aging raven and tried to contain his laughter. When he managed that, he apologised to his father before getting himself and his brothers off the floor so they could get ready for the academy.

Now that the boys were in the academy, Itachi was able to speak to his father. He informed the clan head of his success during the exam, and awaited the praise he knew would come.

"So you managed to pass… That's my boy."

Fugaku smiled then bowed to his eldest. Itachi repeated the gesture, with an added thank you for the kind words.

"I have to get my equipment from Hokage-Sama in an hour."

Fugaku nodded in understanding. Then, with a solemn look, he rose to his feet. A bitter look flickering across his face.

"Itachi, you will not like the news I have for you, but you should know about this."

Itachi felt dread well up inside of him. His father rarely talked in the tone he held now, and it was never for a good reason.

"Naruto has received a death threat from the village."

Itachi's eyes widened at the news presented to him. His father looked out the porch and over the compound, a small frown on his lips. Itachi rose to his feet and took a step towards his father. He felt sad for his blonde brother, and angry at the audacity of the villagers.

"What?"

He didn't want it to be true, but he knew better. Especially as Fugaku sighed and went to his desk to retrieve a slip of paper.

"They didn't even send it here. The cowards left it on his seat at the academy."

Both males felt their anger rise as they discussed. Though, they both also hid it expertly.

"He and Sasuke came home as usual, but instead of going off to train in the garden, Naruto ran to his room clutching this paper. Your mother was the one to go talk to him, and she returned half an hour later with tears streaming down her face."

Fugaku looked a little torn as he made his way over to Itachi to show him the paper. His anger was bubbling remembering what was on it. Remembering the looks Naruto and Mikoto had after seeing it didn't help either. He sighed as he handed Itachi the slip of paper.

Itachi read the paper and felt his heart drop. He just didn't understand why a child had to suffer so much.

Should the monster die?

Yes | No

Every tick was on yes, and the sheer amount of ticks told Itachi that most of the village had voted on this. It hurt seeing the sheet, just the question itself was painful. He can't imagine what Naruto felt reading this.

"What has he done to deserve this?"

Itachi looked to his father, desperately hoping the man had an answer that wasn't absurd. Fugaku looked out the side doors again, fists clenched to the point of turning his knuckles white.

"I don't know, but I will be damned if anyone gets away with it."

He turned back to Itachi, his face determined as he pleaded with his eyes. Itachi doesn't remember ever seeing his father so rattled.

"Please show this to Hokage-Sama and explain the situation. You complete this task when you go to receive your Anbu gear."

Itachi nodded, anger and determination filling his sense as he leaves his father's study to prepare for his visit to the Hokage tower.

Itachi made his case in the Hokage's office, all but pleading for action to be taken. Lord Third nodded with a sad frown on his face. His eyes scrutinized the paper, hoping to all Kami's that it vanished when he blinked and never returned. No luck.

"This is indeed a cause for concern."

His eyes flickered through all of the yes' on the sheet, eyes narrowing with each one. At the end, he sighed in anger and exasperation. He motioned for Itachi to take a seat, and the younger ninja bowed in gratefulness before taking the offered seat.

"I can assign some ninja to watch him but, due to the circumstances, I feel they would not be of much help."

He sighed again, trying to rack his aged brain for some sort of solution. Itachi felt hopeless as he turned his gaze to the ground.

"And you say, he saw this?"

Itachi nodded, heart falling at remembering how his father described the scene. The Third stood from his chair and made his way over to the door. When he opened it, he called for an Anbu.

"Yes Hokage-Sama?"

The veteran ninja knelt before the Hokage, awaiting orders.

"Please follow Naruto Uchiha. He has been threatened and might need protection. Do as trained, stick to the shadows. I presume you know the rest."

"Yes Hokage-Sama."

The Anbu bowed before shunshining away. The Hokage turned as Itachi rose a brow.

"Hokage-Sama, shouldn't I be the one to watch him? I am his brother."

The Hokage shook his head as he sat down once again. However, this time, he had a small smile gracing his lips.

"That is exactly why you cannot be the one to watch him. During the early mornings and in the night-time, yes. However, if you were to follow him to school for example, and he saw you, he would no doubt catch on and stop trusting you. He may not seem it at first glance, but he is a lot smarter than the village gives him credit for."

Itachi smiled as he nodded in agreement. During the past three months, Itachi has noticed that Naruto has started showing his true intelligence. That thought itself makes him so proud.

"Enough of that though. How about we give you your equipment so you can show off to your brothers?"

The Hokage's smile spread wide as Itachi nodded again. Maybe this was for the best after all.

Itachi was making his way home when he saw a cloaked man hovering around the walls of the compound. As soon as the figure spotted him, he bolted for the woodland on the outskirts of the village. Itachi scowled at the man as he chased after him. Activating his Sharingan along the way to tail the man effectively.

Once they left the village, they continued for a while before stopping in the trees. challenging glances were exchanged, then the man raised his hand to stop Itachi from jumping in and initiating a fight.

"How much do you care for, Naruto Uzumaki?"

The voice that travelled across the treeline was deep and unnerving. There was a croaky undertone, giving the impression that the man was at least in his thirties. Itachi narrowed his eyes, senses on full alert.

The man laughed a little before he continued.

"I'm sorry, let me rephrase that. How much do you care for Naruto Uchiha?"

A tiny sliver of fear found its way up Itachi's spine. In response, he bared his teeth and growled lowly. The cloaked man laughed again, amused by the younger man's response.

"Would you, kill the rest of your clan for him?"

Itachi's eyes widened and his stance loosened in shock. He felt his mind enter a state of turmoil at the question. He couldn't kill him, or let him die! But then, could he really kill his clansmen? The conflict between options waged on inside of his brain, entertaining the man a short distance away from him. The man chuckled again, causing Itachi's hatred to jump up a few notch's again.

"What about Sasuke Uchiha? Would you kill the clan for him?"

Itachi didn't reply. He couldn't. All he wanted to know right now, was who this man was. And why he was asking him all of these questions. At the back of his mind, he was also wondered if he could kill this man with ease, but he didn't act on it.

The man yet again laughed at Itachi's responses, and decided to offer a proposition.

"Well then, how about I offer you something else? You kill the entirety of your clan, minus the two mentioned of course…"

Itachi began to glare again. He knew he wouldn't like where this was going, but he had to hear him out. If there were ninja coming to investigate the weird presence, then he should do his best to hold the man still. With that in mind, and his brothers, Itachi raised his newly acquired sword and prepared for a fight.

"OR, I take the Jinchūriki AND the little Uchiha and forge them into my weapons. Then we'll come back and slaughter every citizen, wreak havoc across the Leaf, and then destroy the world!"

The man began to laugh hysterically as Itachi felt his stomach churn and his heart begin to pound. Was this man insane?! Itachi would never let that happen! But, he didn't know what he could do! All he could come up with, was fighting this man and hoping to end his life before he could get a hold of his brothers.

He dived from the branch he was on, and launched himself at the cloaked man. He had his sword ready for a swing, but when he went for the kill, he somehow passed through his target. His eyes widened as he turned to look at the man, only to see nothing but trees. Then, there was another unnerving laugh resounding through the foliage.

"I'll give you until tomorrow. If your clan is alive by then, well, let's just say the boys will not wake in the comfort of their room."

The laugh continued to emit from the woodland, even as it faded into nothingness. Itachi stood there for a moment, brain trying to figure out a plan. He didn't want to wipe out his clan, but what else was there? It was that, or his brothers get kidnapped and used to destroy the world! He doesn't want that…

Not knowing what else there was, Itachi turned to the only person who can help him in this situation. "Tou-San can help me."

He made it back to the compound and immediately ran for the part of the house his parents occupied at this time. His father's study.

He burst through the door upon arrival, shocking both adults. Before they could scold him however, they saw his mildly distressed look. His mother moved over to try and comfort him, as his father signalled for him to sit down. When he did, he told them both about the cloaked man. About him lingering by the compound, and chasing him into the outskirts of the village. Then he told them of the decision he had to make.

Throughout the tale, Mikoto looked shocked and horrified. She held a hand to her mouth as tears glided down her cheeks, tiny sobs leaving her mouth and muffling behind her hands. Fugaku stayed composed as he sighed.

"There is only one thing to do in this situation."

Itachi felt hope rise inside of him. He knew his father would come up with something! Mikoto nodded to her husband before they both rose to their feet. Itachi sighed in relief as he stood too. Noticing this, Mikoto shed a few more tears as she headed to the master bedroom. Fugaku following after her. They stopped at the door and turned to their eldest.

"Itachi."

"Yes Tou-San?"

"Erase the clan."

Itachi froze. He looked up to his father, eyes pleading that he heard him wrong. Instead, he got an usually soft look from his father, and a sad smile from his mother. He… couldn't…

"No…"

"Itachi? Sweaty?"

"No! I can't! There's another way! There has to be…"

Fugaku simply shook his head.

"There isn't. I think you know that already Itachi."

When his son didn't reply, and instead just scrunched his face up in sorrow, Fugaku continued.

"If what he said is true, then either way the clan perishes. At least this way, you boys can live on. Continue living, get stronger, and keep each other safe. I trust, that you can end that cloaked man one day."

He waited for Itachi to nod before turning to his wife and wrapping an arm around her waist. The two began entering the master bedroom, tears long since dried up. Itachi looked to the floor, pure rage filling his entire being. Mikoto looked back over her shoulder, apologetic smile on her lips.

"Don't tell the rest of the clan, ok?"

Itachi's head snapped up to stare at his mother in disbelief. She was right, he knew that. For this to work properly, he couldn't tell anyone else. No doubt some of them would want to fight the cloaked man if that were the case, and they wouldn't survive that. He silently cursed before unsheathing his sword and leaving the study.

Fugaku and Mikoto went inside of the bedroom, something unbearably heavy sitting on their chests. The two knelt in the centre of the room, awaiting patiently for their son's sword to pierce their chests, inevitably ending the clan.

"Don't worry Mikoto, the boys will survive. They have each other after all, and I am so proud of all of them."

Mikoto nodded, a shuddering breath leaving her mouth so that no more tears did.

"I know, I'm proud too."

Dat sweet sweet link (-w-): strawpoll. me/11180661