I do not own Naruto.

I will say this right now. In my opinion this chapter is very corny. I have rewritten it four or five times and this is the best I have gotten it. Hate it or love it, whatever. I think I got my point across with it and I am happy with it.


Naruto grumbled awake. The Anbu that had accompanied him home was long gone. It was hard enough to get to sleep with the events of the previous night. With the Anbu standing in the corner watching him it was near impossible. He got out of bed. His father was probably home otherwise the Anbu wouldn't have left.

He walked out into the kitchen and sure enough his father was there. It looked like his father had come home late and had fallen asleep right at the table. He was laying on top of several papers with an empty plate in front of him. He didn't have his cloak on and must have cleaned himself up before falling asleep. Naruto walked up and looked at his father and couldn't help but feel a little sad.

His father worked himself to the bone. It was clear he did not have a good night sleep the entire week. He was sure his father had even spent some nights in his office. Minato took his job very seriously; a trait that was necessary for his position. Naruto just wished his father took it easier on himself some of the time.

He walked over to the fridge and pulled out two cups of instant ramen. As he was preparing them his father woke up from the noise. It was clear he still had a headache, of course sleeping on a hard table wouldn't help. Minato sat up in the chair and Naruto sat a bowl in front of him and sat down on the opposite side of the table.

"Good Morning, Dad." he said.

"Good Morning. Thanks for breakfast. What time is it?" he asked starting to eat.

"About ten thirty." he said. Minato instantly sat up. He had to get to the office. After last night he had to get there to take care of matters. He came home well after midnight and when he had left there was still enough to deal with.

"Sorry, son. I have to get to the office." he said gathering up his papers.

"The village can wait an extra ten minutes. You can at least sit down and eat. If you continue to work like you do Dad you'll kill yourself." he said looking at his dad.

"I'll be fine. It's nothing I can't handle." he said standing up.

"Really? When was the last time you slept in a bed? You look like you have hardly slept in a week." Naruto said staring at his father.

He was right. It had been days since he last saw his bed and he only managed to get a few hours of sleep each night. He could function, but that was just about all. His decision making and anything else he needed to do would suffer because of sleep deprivation. He sighed in defeat, ten minutes wouldn't kill him or the village.

"Fine. I'll sit down and eat. Then I'll be off. What are you going to do today?" he asked.

"I'm not sure. I doubt we have school today, if not I should have been there hours ago. I might go see Sasuke. He has me worried and the look he had yesterday troubled me." Naruto said worrying about his friend.

"He will need his friends. This is more than enough for anyone your age to experience. After last night he is one of the three remaining Uchiha. But also don't press him if he doesn't want too, give him time and just be there for him. Over time and with the help of others we heal can heal the wounds to our hearts." Minato said. One thing his said father stood out to him.

"Three remaining Uchiha? You mean nobody else survived? What about those who didn't fight?" he asked. Minato, seeing the affect of his sleep deprivation, let a small secret slip. With no use in hiding it he told his son; soon enough everyone would know it anyways.

"Ah. While we were busy dealing with revolting members. An assailant got into the compound and took out those who were against the revolt. It wasn't until after we were done with the revolutionist that we found them." Minato said with obvious sadness.

"You think it was one person, you said 'an assailant'." Naruto said. He may look dumb, but his father made sure he was sharper and much more attentive then he looked.

"Yes. All signs point towards it being one person." Minato said finishing up his ramen. His son sat there deep in thought. It would worry his mind, but it wasn't his job to find out who did it. He would leave that up to his father. His father broke him out of his trance.

"I'm leaving now. Don't go around spreading this news. We are still deciding how to deal with it and how to tell everyone what happened. I can trust you not to say a thing, right?" Minato said. It may have been unorthodox to tell his son this as it was still a secret to the village, but it was useless for him to really hide it from his son. He would pry at him all day to here it and it was just another distraction he did not need.

"Of course. I won't say a thing. See you later." Naruto said finishing up his meal.

"Bye, son." Minato said stepping out of the door and walking to his office.


Sasuke laid in bed. He stayed there since they arrived. The Anbu had taken them to an apartment building for the time being. They couldn't return to the compound because it was still being cleaned and there also remained the fact that they might not even want to return.

He was thinking. Mostly why his Father did it and what he would do now. Over half of his family wanted to revolt and the others stayed loyal to the village. He was angry that his clan would do such a thing, but he was also angry that the village could so easily turn their backs on those who had been comrades earlier that same day. Then there was the matter of the rest of his family. They didn't revolt and couldn't fight, yet they were slain mercilessly. Something he couldn't let go of easily.

He couldn't decide. Who should he be angry with? He laid in his bed for hours thinking about it. He thought about what his mother and brother might be thinking. How could then turn so easily on the clan? Then seemed to care a lot about the clan, yet turned so easily. How could Itachi turn on their Father and even kill him?

Itachi was eating breakfast that morning while Sasuke was deep in thought. Their mother was still asleep, like with Sasuke she wasn't fairing too well. Itachi wasn't having a great time either, but he managed to retain his impassive appearance. He was worried about Sasuke. Eventually he would have to talk with him. He only wondered if he would have sided with his Father if he had been old enough. Deciding it was now or never to help him out; he went to Sasuke's room.

He knocked and without waiting for an answer he went in. He was laying in the bed staring at the ceiling. He was right in assuming he hadn't slept that night. It also looked like he didn't notice Itachi come in or didn't care to acknowledge him.

"Come and eat breakfast, Sasuke." he said. Sasuke remained where he was. Itachi waited until he would get up and seeing he wasn't going to he continued to speak.

"I can help you deal with this." he said then left to return to the table.

Sasuke got up. He didn't feel like moving, much less eating, but he needed some help. He walked to the table that Itachi was sitting at. He moved more like a zombie than a human. The shaking he had experienced last night had subdued hows ago. At least when he was shaking you could still tell he was alive. He sat down and waited for Itachi to speak. Only after several minutes Itachi decided to take the initiative.

"What exactly is it that is bothering you Sasuke? Unless I know I can't help you." said Itachi. He had to pick his words carefully with him for now. Sasuke's world as he knew it just fell apart. Picking it up and putting it back together will be a long process.

"All of it. Why would the clan do such a thing? How could the village just kill off their comrades, couldn't they have reasoned with them at least? How could you go against Father?" said Sasuke in a troubled manor.

"The clan felt that it was in their best interest to try to take over. They had enough with being treated as they were and wanted to change that. When they made the plan to start a coup they were only concerned about the clan's interest, not the village's. They were selfish and that kind of ideology is dangerous. They were no longer thinking as members of a village, but just as members of a clan. Do you know why the hidden villages were formed, Sasuke?" he asked Sasuke.

"No." he replied.

"The villages were originally created to stop the feuds between clans. Before the villages, there were clans that fought amongst each other and had endless battles. Kids even younger than you would see war and be forced to kill. The villages that were formed were intended to stop this. Instead of fighting each other we came together to protect those that need it. This only works when the clans that make up the village work together. The majority of our clan misplaced their loyalty. They only cared about the clan's sake and not the village's. That's why they could easily turn on the village. That's also why the village's shinobi could also take out our clan like they did. They were fighting to protect their home, their loyalty was with the village, instead of what ever family they belonged to. The also Hokage tried to solve this peacefully. His initial plan was to talk it out and only resort to fighting if the clan did. However things don't always go as we like. Things happened faster than anticipated and all of this happened." he said and paused. Sasuke was absorbing everything as he could.

"It pained me to take on Father. I didn't want to, but it was only something I could do. As a shinobi we have to make tough decisions at times. It was best if I took him out then, after all it would only make sense that it was me. If I stood by and let him go he would only kill my comrades along with hurting the village. I couldn't let him continue to hurt my home, because he had already hurt my family." he said and stopped again. Sasuke looked over to see him looking into the cup he picked up. Sasuke could truly see the pain he was in. The last thing he wanted was to take down his clan, but they went too far and it was necessary to protect his home.

"What about the rest of the clan, the ones that didn't fight?" Sasuke asked.

"Like me, they wanted to protect their home. They spent their lives protecting it and didn't want that to go to waste because the others were selfish. They understood what it meant to be part of a village and while the others were out fighting and old enemy came. You are to not tell anybody this. I am only telling you so you know because we are the last Uchiha's. The person who murdered the rest of our family was Uchiha Madara." Itachi said and Sasuke's eyes light up in surprise and doubt.

"Wait. He was alive during the time of the Shodai. He can't be alive." said Sasuke.

"He is. Immortality was something he could certainly obtain. He agreed with the Shodai to come together and form the village. Though after some time he defected and the clan didn't go with him, because of that he holds a grudge against his own clan. So when we were busy stopping the coup he sneaked in and murdered the rest of the clan. The ones too young or too old to fight and those who wanted to preserve their home. Because of him we are the only ones left and it only makes sense that one day he will come after us. All we can really do is wait until he makes his next move." Itachi said.

"Well what are we going to do then, Itachi?" asked Sasuke.

"What do you mean?"

"Our clan is gone now and this Madara is after us as far as we know. We just can't wait for him to strike." said Sasuke.

"We can't run from him and we can't take him on. Years ago he fought against the Hokage and was able to keep up with him until he got injured. I may be skilled, but I can't take him on. If we want to stay safe from him then it would be best to stay in the village. That is also the best way at the moment to protect our home. Remember that the Leaf is also his target, if we leave that just means our home is in that much more danger. Besides we don't know where he is. He can teleport into the village and anywhere else with ease. He hasn't been located in the last how many decades and he doesn't intend to be found so easily now." said Itachi.

"What of the clan then? We will rebuild it right?" asked Sasuke.

"If you decide to rebuild it, do it for the right reasons. There is no point in rebuilding our clan if it will just fall to the same fate. If you want to rebuild it, do it with the memory of those that fell to Madara. Rebuild it so that we can continue to protect our home like some of our ancestors did. Look at the mistakes made in the past. Learn from them and don't make the same ones they did. If we can't learn from our past, we will fail like they did." Itachi said and looked at Sasuke.

"Thank you, brother." said Sasuke.

"We're family and you are a part of my home. I only hope you would do the same for me. Now I have to go meet someone. Think about what I said and hopefully you can sort out your mind." Itachi said as he stood and went out the door.

Sasuke sat in the kitchen. His brother had already set out some cereal before their conversation. Now he felt that he could eat, but the pain of losing his family was still present. After hearing the full story he couldn't help but feel that his father had been fool. He let the clan and his selfishness come before the village and their home. He may have had his reason's, but through his ways he only harmed everyone and nobody was better off. The only person that benefited was the clan's and village's enemy, Madara.

Sasuke would mourn for his family, but he also couldn't sit around all day and do nothing. He got up and walked out to a training field. Training was always something that helped calmed him and allowed him to think in peace.


Itachi walked along the very same path he was on the previous day. He doubted he would find who he was looking for, but there was something he needed to know. He stood in the very same spot he stood yesterday when he got his unwelcome visitor. After ten minutes a swirling mass appeared and the masked Madara appeared before him.

"I was wondering if you would show up here, Itachi. I already took care of what I wanted so what do you desire coming here?" Madara asked.

"I want to know what you will do with the rest of my family. We are the only ones left and our clan still stands as long as we are alive." Itachi said.

"Well, you and your family has interested me. I won't interfere with your lives for now. Consider it like I am running an experiment. Let's see what will win out, your belief in protecting your home or the curse of the Uchiha's, our hatred. I will just watch and see if our curse can be broken. If that is all I will be leaving." said Madara leaving.

Itachi was puzzled now. What exactly was Madara planning? It was something that puzzled him, but for now they could rest in peace knowing he wouldn't be interfering. He could only prepared for when he next appeared.


Naruto walked through the village. He found out where Sasuke was staying temporarily and went there, but nobody seemed to be home. Knowing his friend he went to search the different training grounds. If Sasuke needed to think about something he would train. Knowing that it was only a matter of time, he found his friend practicing with his shuriken.

Naruto stood next to a tree to the back of his friend. He wasn't sure of he wanted to talk and if he did he would have noticed him. He waited a while and watched him practice. He seemed to be better off than he remembered last night. That was a good sign. Hours passed and eventually Sasuke took notice of him.

"You can come out Naruto. I know you are there." said Sasuke. Naruto walked out of the forest with his hand rubbing the back of his head.

"Well...I wasn't quite sure if you wanted to be bothered. I was worried about you and I figured if you wanted to talk you would call me out." he said.

"Well I am alright. I will miss my family, but moping around about it at home won't solve anything." he said.

"What about how your Father planned a coup? Aren't you bothered by it?" he asked.

"I was. Then Itachi helped me this morning. I didn't understand why any of this was happening, but Itachi explained it all. I think my Father was just being selfish like the rest of the clan. A mistake I won't make in the future of my clan. I will live on and rebuild my clan in memory of those in my clan that sided with the village. They decided to protect their home just like I have." said Sasuke letting out a small smile at the remark. Compared to his morning self he was making a complete turn around. Naruto also couldn't help but to let his smile show. He was relieved his friend was handling the situation as good as he was.

"You know, that sounds very familiar. My Dad spends nearly every hour of his day trying to do his best for the village. He is the strongest in the village and is ready to fight to protect everyone. It's one of the reasons I want to be Hokage some day. The entire village may not see it now, but I will prove to them I can protect them just like my Father does. This is my home too and I consider the entire village to be my family in a way or another. I don't want to let them down, ya' know." said Naruto with a sheepish grin. He never admitted this reason to anyone before. He always went on about how he would prove something to everyone by becoming Hokage and not that he wanted to be Hokage to protect everyone like his Father had.

"Someday you just might make it happen. Of course your gonna have to be stronger than me then." said Sasuke referencing that he was stronger than Naruto at the moment.

"You just wait! I'll show you up in no time!" Naruto shouted and then went to train with Sasuke for an hour before they both returned home.

Naruto walked into his home. His Dad must have just gotten home too. It was very late at night and it looks as if neither of them had supper, so Minato went ahead and made them a meal. In half an hour it was done and they sat down to eat.

"So did you see Sasuke today?" Minato asked his son.

"Yes. I met him out training. He has taken this surprising well and even smiled a bit." Naruto said with a little astonishment.

"That's good to hear. Of course knowing Itachi he is also probably good at hiding his sorrow." Minato said.

"Yeah. He even talked about rebuilding his clan. In honor of those that had died deciding to protect the village. He said he would make sure they didn't make the same mistake this time around." said Naruto.

"That's good to hear. It's a noble cause as well and won't be easy to achieve."

"Yeah, and it reminds me of why I want to be Hokage some day. So I can protect the village, just like you have Dad. This is my home and I'll protect it with my life and every one in it!" Naruto said. Minato smiled at his son. It made him proud to see his son carried the famous Will of Fire the Sandaime always talked about.

"Well I have no doubt you will be a great Hokage, but if you want to be Hokage you will need to be strong. Which is why very soon I am going to start you on a training regiment. You have been doing fine on your own, but we need to knock it up a few pegs. Every Saturday afternoon you and me will be training. So every Saturday I can see your growth through the week and help you out with anything you have trouble with." said Minato. He looked at his son and he was just beaming. His son was always waiting until he could start to do some real training with his Father and now the time has come.

"I also talked with some of our Jounins. If every thing works out you'll have physical training every morning from five to seven. It may sound ridiculous, but there is nobody better to help you train your body." said Minato. Naruto was not thrilled at the idea of waking up at five in the morning.

"So who is the Jounin who will be training me in the morning?" asked Naruto.

"It's a surprise." Minato said. If he told Naruto it was Gai he would have freaked out. It's not that he hated him, he actually liked the guy pretty well, but it was the things that he did that freaked him out. Laps around the village on your hands, thousands of push ups, and pretty much anything Gai did daily that made Naruto go crazy. Unless you saw it you wouldn't believe the human body was capable of such things.

Minato also made Gai promise not to give his son some of his green spandex. When they first met Naruto got some and it was a week until Minato could get rid of them. That had been one of the few weeks he was willing to forget about Naruto's childhood.

"Anyways, in the evenings after your time in the academy you will either be managing your own training or Kakashi or somebody will be helping you out. You won't be doing anything too major as of yet. Just the basic academy Jutsu's along with working on basic ninja skills. Should be easy enough."

"I can't wait! When do we start?" asked Naruto clearly excited.

"In two weeks. Everybody needs some time to rest and things to return to normal. Then we will begin." said Minato. It was about time Naruto started to train more seriously. In a few years he would start to leave the village on missions and his life would be in danger just because he is the Yondaime's son.


I hope you guys liked it. This is one of the corniest things I have written in my opinion, but in the end it is what I wanted and not that bad in reality. Sasuke's change in mind might be a bit fast, but it just works with the plot.

Thanks for reading and please review, I appreciate them all.