Disclaimer: Surprise surprise. I don't own Harry Potter or Naruto. I do have a cute Kakashi plushie though.
ATTENTION: I've just realized that my title might not be FFNET appropriate. Any suggestions for a change would be nice. My mind is blank right now, the only thing I can think of is changing Bastard to Illegitimate. Leave any suggestions in a review please!
A/N: Wow, it's been awhile. I hate math…Worst subject ever created. I'm not done yet either. I should be studying for my Diploma Exam, but I find myself typing so…good for you guys, bad for me. Next chapter of ANN should be up soon, and remember to read Obscure Facts for extra deleted scenes and stories. Once again, thanks to any one who reviewed and those that waited patiently.
"You should be in bed kid," Arashi told the boy as he emerged from the shadows, moving to lean against the window frame the boy was sitting on as he stared at the stars.
Sasuke didn't even blink. "I don't like you."
Arashi snorted. "Trust me gaki, the feeling's mutual."
Sasuke turned to look at him. "Why did he do it?"
He didn't reply right away. "You'll find that in life you'll always be asking that question. I used to when I was younger."
"Does that mean you don't anymore?" The boy asked curiously of his eldest brother who had turned his gaze to the moon.
"I stopped a long time ago. So did Itachi," he said as he turned to go to his room. "Get to bed. You have class tomorrow."
"You didn't answer my question!"
Arashi didn't bother turning around. "I don't know the why's yet kid. Maybe I don't want to know. Maybe Itachi felt it was worth doing. Or maybe he felt they weren't worth saving."
"Are you trying to say he might not have done it?" Sasuke yelled. "That he didn't kill the clan for the reasons Hokage-sama gave us?"
"Y'know, it always gets me when you call them a clan. A clan. Not a family. How many Uchiha's did you know well? How many did you play with, or talk to? Why does their death as a whole, anger you more than the death of your parents?"
Sasuke made a sound as though he had been slapped. "You're one to talk you cold hearted bastard! You don't care that they're dead!"
"Of course I don't," Arashi levelled the boy with a chilling glare. "Despite your beliefs, the vast majority of your clan was trash. They did despicable things in the name of dishonourable people. The first time I met your brother, it was to save him from his own Uncle. Many of your family's crimes were covered up. That alone is intolerable in my eyes. Do you think the majority of the population cared about the death of the Uchiha's as individuals? They don't. Like you, they mourn the passing of the clan. Of the power that clan brought Konoha. I cannot afford to think of such things. I must worry on how to bring new strength to Konoha, to make sure we are stronger than ever. Why would I mourn the dead of the Uchiha, when they couldn't bring themselves to celebrate my life?"
"What was there to celebrate?" Sasuke snapped spitefully.
"Apparently quite a bit since I'm still alive and they're all dead at the hands of my student."
"Did you even care about any of them?"
"I cared for Itachi."
Sasuke stepped back as if he'd been struck by the simple admission. Before Arashi could turn to leave he asked one more question. "Do you regret it? Teaching Itachi?"
Arashi stilled for a moment. "It would be a lie if I said yes. He grew on me, over time. I suppose you will too. I only hope that you don't become the monster he did." Arashi pinned the boy where he sat, allowing his odd green eyes change to the swirling black and red of the Sharingan. "If you do…if you betray Konoha as Itachi did…I'll kill you myself. And it won't be quick."
--
The flames flickered wildly, casting the room in shadows as the two men knelt before the large fire in a comfortable silence. The elder wearing white robes denoting his station, the younger clothed in a standard ANBU uniform without a mask.
"Arashi-kun," the old man said suddenly.
"Hai, Sandaime-sama?" The ANBU asked quietly as he turned his head slightly to observe his leader.
The old man closed his eyes tiredly before continuing. "I've named you my successor Arashi-kun."
Arashi stiffened in shock and dismay. "Iie."
"Hai. You are the best suited for the title of Hokage," the aging Hokage went on, ignoring the young man's protest.
"Iie!"
Sarutobi smiled slightly as he opened his eyes and turned his head to look into the ANBU's panicked green eyes. "Why do you protest so, Arashi-kun? There is no one I'd trust more with the position of Hokage."
"What right does one such as I have to the title of Hokage? I'm too young, too weak!" Arashi protested loudly.
"One such as you?" The Sandaime repeated with a raised eyebrow. "You speak so lowly of yourself. You are young yes, but you are far from weak. In time you will surpass the Sanins themselves, I have no doubt you have already surpassed my own weakened state."
"Iie, Hokage-sama is far from weak!" Arashi denied his leaders words.
Sarutobi gave a gentle smile at the young man's vehement protest. "I am weakened and I am foolish. I made many mistakes, before I became Hokage, and after. Time has not been kind to this old man Arashi-kun. It is time for me to choose a successor. I choose you."
"I am not worthy," Arashi breathed desperately wishing that he would understand.
"Why are you not worthy?"
Arashi struggled to form the words needed. "I…I was not born in Konoha. Nor was I raised here. What right do I, someone who has only been here for a mere eight years, have to claim the title of Hokage?"
Sarutobi blinked before bursting into laughter. "I-is that what's been bothering you?" He asked around his chuckles.
Arashi frowned. "Hokage-sama?"
"Arashi," the Sandaime said gently with a soft smile. "The fact that you were not born in Konoha…and that you came to love this village as your own…that is a trait you share with most of the former Hokages."
"Nani?"
"The first and the second…they both created Konoha. They were neither born here, nor were they raised on this land. Myself…my parents and I followed them here. Your Shishou was the only Hokage born in Konoha. Only two of Konoha's Hokages were ever raised here. Where we were born or raised has nothing to do with how much we care for Konoha. It only matters that we do."
Sarutobi sighed as he turned to face the fire. "You don't see it. Just how worthy you are of the title. You need not take up the title immediately, Arashi-kun. However we will begin your training immediately. As much as you and the others see me as infallible, I am old. Obsolete," he said with another sigh. "It would ease my mind greatly to know that there is a Hokage waiting to step in should anything happen."
Arashi nodded uneasily in understanding. "Hai, Hokage-sama."
--
"Good morning Sasuke!" Naruto chirped as the boy came into the kitchen.
Sasuke grunted in return, wishing that he didn't need to put up with the other. "You're too cheery in the mornings."
"Haha I suppose I am," Naruto said laughingly. "But then again, I don't have to go to the Academy. That would make anyone happy."
"It's not that bad," Sasuke said in return his curiosity getting the better of him. "Why do you dislike it so much anyways?"
Naruto let out a giggle. "Oh, well that's a funny story. See the teachers there didn't really like me, they were being really unfair. So Arashi-sensei pulled me out and made me his apprentice. When it came time for me to become a genin, I passed the test the Hokage arranged for me, I had to beat a full Genin team by myself. So I did, but Sensei was still upset with the Academy so he played a trick on them."
"A trick?" Sasuke asked incredulously. "He doesn't seem the type."
"He's not really. But they made him really angry. So he made a deal with the Hokage to become an Academy Sensei for a short time, every one else was so excited that he had decided to teach. At least until exam day."
"What happened on exam day?"
Naruto laughed. "He got all the others to let him test the graduating class. He failed every single student! You should have seen the looks on their faces! It was priceless!"
"Every single student?" Sasuke whispered in disbelief. "How did he get away with doing that? Surely the clans-"
Naruto snorted before he could go on. "What is your obsession with the clans? They're just people, y'know? They have to eat, sleep, and piss just like we do."
"How dare you! Show some respect!" Sasuke shouted. "They're your betters, how dare you talk about them in such a way!"
"He dares because he can," Arashi's voice came from the doorway as Sasuke and Naruto both whipped their heads around to face him. "
"What do you mean?" The youngest Uchiha hissed as the man stalked to the fridge to pull out the makings for their breakfast. "He's just some nobody, how could he possibly get away with talking such trash?"
Arashi didn't even both turning to speak with the child. "Naruto, why are you up so early? Our mission isn't until ten."
The blond perked up. "Hai, I know. Demo…I wanted to go see Iruka-kun before we left though. I didn't get around to giving him that gift we picked up for him while we were away that time."
Green eyes turned to look at him. "I see. You'll be escorting Sasuke then?"
"Hai, if it's alright."
"It is. Be careful though, and go by Katsu's on the way back to pick up some new weapons. We're both low on shuriken."
Sasuke fumed at being ignored and talked about as if he weren't in the same room as the two. "You're going on a mission?" He spat out.
"Hai," Arashi said as he turned back to preparing breakfast. "I told you last week. You'll be staying with Iruka for the next few days, we won't be gone longer than a week. That being said," he spoke softly turning to pin the boy with a glare, "if you don't behave and treat Iruka with the respect due, I will turn you over my knee and tan your ass until you can't sit for a week. And next time I'll leave you with the Hyuugas, Kami knows Hiashi won't take any of your shit."
Sasuke blushed as Naruto laughed. "Fine, but when you get back you better teach me something worthwhile, otherwise you'll be the one regretting your actions," he said rashly.
The man turned to look at him with spatula in hand, running his eyes over his form before bursting into laughter. "Yeah, I might've actually been scared if that threat didn't come from an eight year old wearing footsie pyjamas," Arashi snorted. "Uchiha you may be, but you sure as hell didn't inherit your brother's intimidation tactics."
"Arrgh!" Sasuke growled. "Don't compare me to that bastard!"
Arashi walked towards him until he was barely a foot away before bending down until he was eye level with him. "Why not? After all, you do it too. Don't ask something of someone that you're not willing to do yourself," he said quietly before turning back to the stove.
--
"In conclusion, Hokage-sama, we've discovered that Orochimaru was not working alone. It seems he had help in ensnaring Uchiha Fugaku," a black ookami masked man explained as he knelt before the elderly Hokage.
The Sandaime Hokage sighed as he lifted his hand to remove his red and white hat, revealing his snow white hair, the candles in the background turning it silver. "Who was it Kurokaze? Who is working against me?"
The masked ANBU's heart cried out for his tired leader. "Danzo."
The old Hokage closed his eyes wearily as he let his head fall to rest against the back of his chair. "I see. Is he alone?"
"Iie. The Council is littered with those that may not have actively participated, did turn a blind eye to what was happening. And it seems that he's resurrected his Ne forces," Ookami spat, allowing bitterness to coat his voice.
Sarutobi's eyes snapped open as he straightened in the chair. "Ne?" He hissed. "The same Ne your shishou and I spent so long disbanding?"
"Hai."
The Sandaime turned to look at the young ANBU Commander kneeling before him.
"Your Second…Is she a suspect?
"No, she has been cleared."
"How is her training going?"
Ookami blinked behind his mask in shock before holding back a sigh. If the Hokage was asking about his replacement, then undoubtedly his mission or rank was about to change. "She is ANBU. It's taken many years but she's finally adjusting. She would be passable as a Commander."
"And your men? Do they trust her considering her former allegiance?"
Ookami knew what he was really asking. 'Would they listen to her commands?'
"To a degree" 'Not like they do mine'
"Has she cultivated any friendships with any others?" 'How badly will they react if she takes your place.'
"A few." 'They'll tear her apart unless I call them off.'
"I see." 'Make it so.'
"Hn." 'Hai Hokage-sama.'
Sarutobi looked at the Commander with softened eyes. "Remove your mask."
The kneeling man reached up to remove the black mask, revealing vivid green eyes and a handsome face surrounded by shoulder length black hair. He painted quite the picture for the Sandaime and his subordinates, in his black and white ANBU armour denoting his rank, while the candlelight illuminating the room cast shadows across his face.
The Sandaime inhaled deeply with his eyes closed before steeling himself. Opening his small black eyes, he pinned the twenty two year old with a serious look. "Namikaze Arashi. As of this moment you are relieved from your position as ANBU Commander. You are to hand in your mask and wakizashi immediately. You are to answer to the rank of Jounin, with the position of Oinin," the Hokage paused again to breathe deeply. "Forgive me child. You are the only one I can truly rely on to accomplish this task."
Arashi didn't move from his kneeling position, his eyes had involuntarily shut themselves after his demotion and his subordinates shifted uncomfortably, not pleased with their Hokages orders. "Iie, Hokage-sama. I understand."
"You are to track down those that oppose me. You are to continue the mission I first gave you eight years ago. It is up to you to decide how you will juggle the protection of Namikaze Naruto and your Oinin duties. However," the Hokage started sternly as he stroked his beard, "that does not mean you can neglect Uchiha Sasuke. He is also under your protection and guidance."
The newly demoted Oinin raised his blank green eyes to his leader. "Hai Hokage-sama."
