I just love reading how everyone hates Danzo. It's very amusing to read all the comments against him. I really appreciate the feedback too, since a lot of times I get ideas from the my readers' suggestions.

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Kakashi sighed and absently stirred his now cold tea. What Naruto had just told him had been completely unexpected. So, Itachi had never intended to murder his clan. Someone in Konoha had ordered the boy to carry out the grisly deed. Things had just gone from complicated to insane in a matter of half an hour.

Naruto was practically sitting on the edge of his seat, waiting for Kakashi's answer to the dilemma. "Well, Kakashi?" he asked.

Kakashi said nothing for a moment. This was more serious than he had thought. "You say that Tsunade had Inoichi look at Itachi's memories?" he finally asked.

Naruto nodded fervently. "Why hasn't she done anything?" he exploded. "What is so important about this that could lead to a war?"

Kakashi tapped his fingers against his cheek. "I don't know. I'll ask Tsunade about it."

"So what are we going to do about Itachi?" Naruto asked. "He's practically innocent!"

"Unfortunately he isn't," Kakashi corrected. "Despite everything, he is a traitor to Konohagakure. He is a former Akatsuki member, and he killed hundreds of people."

"But it wasn't his fault!"

Kakashi shook his head. "He had a choice, Naruto. He wasn't forced to join the Akatsuki or continue with the murders. He chose that path, and he has nothing to blame but himself for it."

"But he wouldn't have done it if someone from Konoha hadn't threatened Sasuke!" Naruto argued.

"That doesn't excuse his crimes. It only gives him a chance at a fairer trail," Kakashi answered. "You can't expect anything better than what Tsunade has already done."

"Augh! It doens't make sense, though!" Naruto didn't notice the attention he was drawing to himself. "Sasuke would never have left Konoha if it hadn't been for Itachi! None of this would have happened if it hadn't been for the orders from Konoha! How can you say it doesn't excuse his actions?"

"Naruto, calm down," Kakashi warned as he saw some of the customers look up.

"Wait, what's he talking about?" Teuchi asked.

Kakashi sighed heavily. "It's nothing that should be discussed here."

"What do you mean?" Naruto demanded. "This is - "

"Naruto! I said that's enough!"

Naruto sat back at the jounin's shout. Kakashi rarely raised his voice, even in intense situations. Apparently Naruto had done something to really upset him.

Kakashi sighed. "I hadn't intended for this to be shouted to every member of Konoha."

Naruto rubbed his neck in embarassment, realizing the few other customers in the bar were already whispering their questions to one another.

Teuchi leaned across the counter. "Is this about that Uchiha kid? Itachi?"

It was amazing how quickly word could spread throughout the village, especially when supposed secrets were involved. If Kakashi had realized the significance of Naruto's information, he never would have suggested they meet at Ichiraku's.

"It's not something I wish to speak openly about right now," Kakashi answered. "I apologize for the disturbance." He stood quickly, hoping to leave before further questions were aroused.

"Hey wait, but - "

Teuchi's words were ignored as Kakashi put the money for the bill on the table and left the resteraunt. Naruto followed after him.

"Sorry, Kakashi, I didn't mean to inform everyone," Naruto apoligized.

"It can't be helped, Naruto," Kakashi responded in a frustrated tone. "I should have picked a more private place to discuss it."

"But Kakashi, what will we do now?" Naruto questioned. "How do we explain this to Sasuke?"

"I don't know," Kakashi shook his head. "I just don't know." He would discuss Naruto's information with Tsunade later.

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Itachi lengthened his short stride to keep alongside Kiba. Ever since Danzo's accusation several days ago, Kakashi had insisted Itachi have an escort at all times for safety measures. At first it had been absolutely neccessary, as some of the villagers would not have hesitated to kill Itachi on the spot. Lately the anger of the people appeared to have abated somewhat, perhaps due to their accustoming to the idea of seeing a child Itachi.

Despite this, however, Itachi still had many enemies. Unexpectedly a large clod of dirt hit the side of his cheek, stunning him momentarily and leaving a smear of dirt.

"All right, who did that?" Kiba immediately swung to face the attacker. A few murmers echoed from the onlookers, but no one admitted to the action.

"I'm fine," Itachi dismissed quickly as he rubbed at his face.

Kiba ignored him. "I want to know who threw that thing!" he demanded.

One man glared at Kiba in response. His wife gave a sharp gasp as she realized what had happened and walked away from her husband in a huff.

Kiba muttered something and started to step forward, only to be stopped as Itachi grabbed his cloak.

"Just leave it," Itachi pleaded quietly. "It's not that important." Yes, the action had hurt, but it wasn't something to start a fight over. The villagers were merely retaliating for Itachi's past actions, and he didn't expect any better treatment.

Kiba looked surprised by Itachi's request, but he complied with a scowl. "The next person who attacks Itachi gets to deal with me," he warned harshly.

Wonder at Kiba's actions swelled up inside Itachi. When was the last time someone had stood up for him like that? He couldn't express the gratefullness he felt towards those who had helped him since he had been brought to Konoha. Why should the waste their concern over a former Akatsuki member? Itachi didn't understand, but he knew he would never be able to repay them for the support they had given him.

"So this is the young Uchiha I keep hearing about," a feminine voice drawled from behind a dango stand. Itachi and Kiba looked up to see a middle aged, red haired woman leaning over the counter, watching them.

"Funny," she said, "He doesn't look that dangerous to me. If anything he's a little on the short side." The woman tilted her head and regarded Itachi a moment, then shrugged dismissively. "What is he, seven or something? I think I'm cringing in terror from his sheer death glare."

Kiba allowed a slight smile at the woman's sarcasm, though his expression was still guarded. "You're not worried aobut him being a former criminal?"

The woman shrugged. "What's there to fear? He doesn't look like he could wrestle my dog, never mind hurt anyone."

Itachi bristled at the comment, but only earned a laugh from the shopkeeper.

"Look at him. He pouts just like my young grandson. You're telling me this is a former Akatsuki member?"

Kiba chuckled at the sypnosis and rubbed the back of his neck. "Come to think of it, he does look pretty sulky."

Itachi shot him an incredulous glare, causing both Kiba and the shopkeeper to laugh in amusement.

"Here kid," the woman held out a stick of Kinako dango. "Maybe this will put a smile on your face."

Itachi's pride told him to ignore the treat, but he felt like he needed to please the shopkeeper after she had excused his former life so lightly. "Thank you," he said quietly as he took the dango from her.

The woman raised an eyebrow. "Polite little youngster, isn't he?" She smiled at Itachi's look when she mentioned 'youngster.' "All right, so you're what, eighteen?"

"Twenty-one," Itachi corrected as he took a bite of the dango.

The woman barked in laughter, slapping the counter. "Funny, kid. You don't look over eight to me."

"Actually, it's true," Kiba broke in. "He actually is an adult."

The woman shook her head. "He could be fifty for all I cared, but my eyes still tell me I'm talking to a boy. If he wants to consider himself to be twenty-one, that's fine with me. I still think he's just a kid."

Itachi didn't know whether to be insulted or not by the statement, so he simply took another bite of dango instead.

"Here, you'd better take one too," the shopkeeper said as she handed one to Kiba. "No, no," she objected as he pulled out his wallet. "It's on the house. You two gave me my humor for the day, so consider it my way of repaying you."

"Uh, thanks," Kiba answered as he nibbled the candy. He looked towards Itachi, then shifted nervously. "I guess we'd better be going now. Training and all."

"You take care of yourself, hon," the woman told Itachi, who grimaced at the term. "Don't you train him too hard, you hear me?" she ordered Kiba.

"Don't worry, I'd never dream of it," Kiba responded in a worried tone as he backed away from the shopkeeper's strict look. "Especially now," he muttered under his breath.

Itachi smiled and took another bite of his dango. He was beginning to get used to the idea of being considered a child. Although it had quite a few drawbacks, he had never felt so carefree in his life. Itachi had never really been able to enjoy a normal childhood due to the pressures of being considered the "Uchiha genius." He decided that, for today at least, he'd take advantage of his young appearance.

"Kiba, can we slow down a little," Itachi asked in the most pitiful tone. "My legs are getting tired."

Kiba practically screeched to a halt at the completely unexpected request. "What?"

Itachi gave him a puppy-dog expression, while inwardly he smirked. "Can't we walk a little slower? It's hard to keep up with you."

"Uhh, okay... I guess..." Kiba scratched his head in confusion at the change in the Uchiha's attitude. Hadn't Itachi been sulking at being called a child two minutes ago?

Itachi grinned inwardly in triumph. It was all too easy to con people with his pathetic appearence. Maybe he's have some fun with this today.

Itachi purposely dawdled, ignoring the frustrated looks from Kiba. Darting from one shop to another, he talked in an animated manner and managed to win the hearts of several shopkeepers. Kiba by now was completely baffled, but Itachi had finally learned the secret to getting Konoha off his back. As long as he was considered a mere child, it would be more and more difficult for the villagers to hold a grudge against him. Itachi wasn't sure whether to be horrified or intrigued by the concept.

For the time being, at least, the theory appeared to work. A number of villagers shot Itachi a dark glare or an insult, but some began warming up to him after the initial shock. Some compared him to their own children, or simply commented on how sweet he acted. By the time Kiba and Itachi made it to the end of the village, Itachi had an armload of candy and a stuffed toy that had been given to him by various sympathizers.

Grimacing at the stuffed tiger, Itachi handed it to Kiba and popped another sweet in his mouth. Kiba stared at the toy, his face incredulous.

"What ever happened to the 'call me a kid and I'll sock in you the face' attitude?"

Itachi shrugged and tossed aside a candy wrapper. "Guess I'm just getting used to the body, that's all."

"Do you have to act your age?" Kiba groaned. "This is embarrasing."

Itachi grinned cheekily and ran ahead. He was starting to enjoy this.

Today Itachi had been assigned to Kiba's team for training. Kakashi had been making frequent appointments with the Hokage over something he wouldn't speak to Itachi of, Sakura was busy at the hospital, Sai was doing a mission for the ANBU, and Naruto had been absent for days.

Training with Kiba and Hinata turned out to be far easier than Itachi had expected. Kiba was more lenient than the members of team Kakashi, and Hinata was so kind hearted she hardly pushed Itachi at all. Itachi spent the day practicing his taijutsu and running Kiba ragged. He found he had a new favored hobby in life; annoying people. Kiba certainly had a large variety of facial reactions when he got exhasperated.

"Can you please... stop racing around the practice field ... for once...?" Kiba gasped as he plopped down onto the grass. Akamaru continued chasing Itachi in circles, obviously enjoying the Uchiha's antics.

"I think it's kind of cute, don't you, Kiba?" Hinata giggled softly.

"This guy is supposed to be an S-rank criminal," Kiba moaned. "He's not supposed to be doing this."

Itachi finally collapsed to the ground, laughing as Akamaru pounced on him and began licking his face. Was this the kind of life Sasuke had had as a child? So innocent and carefree, without the honor of the clan weighing down on his shoulders?

Itachi sobered as the thought brought back memories of what he had taken away from his little brother. Sitting up, he absently scratched Akamaru's neck as the large white dog sat down beside him.

"Hey, Itachi, a-are you okay?" Hinata asked in her gentle voice.

Itachi nodded silently, his dark eyes troubled. He wasn't at the point of losing control any longer, but his past actions still haunted him.

"Has he finally calmed down?" Kiba asked from where he had collapsed on the ground. Itachi threw a candy wrapper at his head.

Hinata giggled again at the Uchiha's reaction. "Y-you've changed a lot, Itachi," she commented.

Itachi smiled slightly but seemed to be lost in his own world. Hinata's words kept running through his mind, though, and he wondered if she could be right in her statement.

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I actually cut this chapter halfway through so that I could have one day where nothing bad happened to Itachi. The next chapter is very sad, so have a tissue ready and be prepared to punch Danzo and a few other people.

Muahahaha, I am so evil!

Review! :D