There is not coincidences….

They hadn't been able to hide the fact that Itachi had awaken the sharingan for much, but neither of them had been worried about it, as it was a not-spoken-rule of the rule of the clan that when a young child woke up their kekkei genkai no one asked how or why, because the important thing was to offer them support and start teaching how to control it.

Luckily for them, this hadn't changed. So Fugaku only hugged his son, before starting to plan a schedule for Itachi. The head of the Clan wanted to had the best user to train his boy, fortunately for the trio, Shisui was recognized as one of the best, so they wouldn't we separated for long, even if Itachi had other teachers.

Although, the truth was that as Shisui and Itachi go forward in their career the three of them spent less and less time together. It was something that was meant to happen and they had known it from the beginning.

And it only became more evident when the Hokage asked Shisui to join the Black Ops.

"Well, what do you think, Sasuke?" The older Uchiha asked to their leader when he returned home, sounded curious and slightly concerned. "Should I accept?" Truth be told, Shisui was quite nervous about the promotion and he didn't know what to do, that was why he was seeking council on his cousin.

Izuna didn't comment for a few minutes, a thoughtful frown in his young face.

If Shisui became a part of the ANBU, they would have a political advantage. But he didn't want to put his brother into something like that if Shisui wasn't ready for it.

Especially, when every one of them knew that being part of the ANBU was something very difficult. It was something that could destroy you, the darkness, the solitude, the void of emotions they were supposed to have. Being tools without name or face.

It was something cruel. Something Izuna wouldn't force onto anyone, not in his allies, less to the members of his family.

"I believe that you are the only one who can make a decision on this, Shisui." He told the older boy with a serious tone. "Because you are the one who would be trapped inside the organization."

It was a very personal decision, something he didn't have a claim to and once it made it clear, he leave the older boy alone so he could think about it, taking Itachi with him.

The eight-years-old only smile kind but sadly at Shisui, as if he could tell what would be his decision. Maybe he did. After all, the emotions had been according with the conclusion he reached at the dawn of the next day.

Shisui had thought long and hard about what this offer meant for him and for his brothers; mostly about how this could affect Sasuke´s plans to the future. After all, it could be an immense advantage for them to have something in the inner circle of Konoha, of the Hokage himself if he could made it work.

But it also give himself a lot of thought, about if he was sure he could get in and not cave under the pressure of being part of the Black Ops and leaving his identity behind. Even if it was a façade.

He informed all his family of his decision at breakfast.

He was going to accept the proposal.

Fugaku and Mikoto were ecstatic; proud and happy. Both of his brothers didn't look that happy with the news, but congratulated him accordingly. Even tough, he could see in Sasuke´s black eyes a deep respect that made his chest puff out proudly.

From that day on, he became Crow. He joined Team Ro, under the leadership of Hound-taicho and soon enough his name was very well know inside the Black Ops.

Truth be told, it was not as difficult as he thought it would be. After all, he had been acting for years now. So pretend that he was a loyal dog, blind to the mistakes of the council and all the Senju ideology was easy. And it didn't hurt that the weight of the he ceramic mask on his face made it even easier to remember who he was when he wasn't occupying it.

For his part, Itachi had been being pampered in happy-concern attention from all the Clan once the news of his new awaken sharingan for a few weeks, until the time of the Chunnin exam came and he passed it with honours.

Of course, with his new position came new responsibilities; same ones that forced him to leave the village more often and leave his younger brother alone with their fathers. Because, as Shisui was now a member of the Black Ops, he wasn't home most of the time.

Thus, they ended leaving Sasuke alone inside the village when their missions concurred. Not that they were worried, because they knew that Sasuke was able to protect himself. But it still felt wrong not being together.

Like something was missing when they weren't near each other. Something very important to them, because the lack of it leave them feeling really cold, like their flame inside their chakra and soul was dying.

According to Sasuke that was not estrange. He had felt the same thing with Madara, and with his former lover Toka. It had something to do with the compatibility of their chakra and the harmony they had developed at being together from a long time.

It was something very common in brothers. But he had seen something similar in a genin team. A bond that made that person's family even if they weren't your blood.

Every Clan had a word for that concept. Many accepted that bond, others rejected them. The Uchihas did neither. Or both, if you wish.

They were aloof and cold with anyone who wasn't blood because when they loved, they loved with everything they had. And once they had formed a bond it couldn't be cut up, even if the Uchiha in question tried.

When this happened there were two options. And only this two options: Kill or Marry. And which one should you took depended if the other person belonged to a clan the Uchihas could absorb and made it part of their own.

Of course, this kind of thing wasn't like this anymore –thankfully– as they had left that kind of barbaric sense in the War Clan´s era. In the present this kind of bond was well saw and openly accepted inside the village.

And Izuna, thanks to his friendship with Hinata and Kiba, could now comprehended that it wasn't as horrible as he had believed in the past. He knew that his friends weren't close to became that important to him, yet. But he was sure that they could get in there if he let them to be.

Because, he had choose an Inuzuka – Kiba belonged to a Clan that see the world in a doggish kind of view. They believed in pack and were not above from adopt close friends into their particular form of viewing the world. Even if you didn't want or appreciated it – and a Hyuuga; The Hyuuga´s were very similar to the Uchihas. Both of them took blood very seriously and they care for their family, even if the Hyuuga were colder in their forms.

Truth was, he had chosen well.

Hinata and Kiba balanced him well enough in personality; Kiba fed his more animalistic part, his predatory nature and Hinata centered him in conserving his humanity, which was very difficult in a shinobi as ninja developed psychopathic tendencies from a very young age.

It was a blessing from the Gods, he knew.

He had planned for them to be pawns in his political game, even if he had called them Allies. But now, they were friends. And if he let them, in time they would mean something similar to what Naruto mean to him.

Because he may not interacted with the little fox in a direct way. But, Naruto was his. Not in the way, Itachi and Shisui were, but close. Very close. Although, different enough to see that killing the young child would not hurt him enough to develop the Mangekyo. Just like killing Hinata or Kiba, wouldn´t.

(Not that he went thinking about hurting his friends or Naruto, mind you, but it was a cold analysis about his own sentiments that he couldn't avoid to do. It was probably sick that he had to categorize his feelings on that scale, but by now it was something that felt natural to him.)

And the bond he had with his friends helped with the absence of his brothers –easing his worry, concern and fear– and so Izuna could go with his life like a normal-prodigy child of four – almost five– years old. Or what he considered normal, anyway.

Today, Tsume was the one of who was watching them –their mothers took turns to watch them over in a proof of their confidence in each other– and it presented to be a fortune when the petite blond came over and asked them if he could join to the game.

"Can I play with you?" The blond say, head up and standing as straight as he could; blue baby eyes shining.

It was adorable; Izuna had to bit his lips to not coo at the cute image that he had in front of him. Naruto had whiskers! He really wanted to hug the other boy and squeeze his cheeks, maybe even ruffle the blond hair a little.

But also sad in a way Izuna could not describe; Maybe it was in the way Naruto´s eyes were guarded in a way they shouldn't. Because for all he was a child, he had a look in his eyes Izuna hadn't see in this time: A cruel wisdom of the world hidden in them.

Children shouldn't have to experiment that. Not when they were living inside of a Village where one was supposed to be safe and able to live in peace. It made his blood boil at the thought his brother´s dream had been corrupted by Hiruzen`s incompetence.

But this was not the moment to ponder about that, he had to focus on the now and leave all his fantasies of blood, chaos and gore to a more appropriate moment.

As he did this, Kiba, who was the bluntest of the group had scowled at Naruto –making the little fox flinch at the silent judgment– but didn't respond immediately, making the other pause as well, so they didn't refuse him on principle for how other people treated him, which was good, if not a little odd in Izuna`s opinion.

But well…

Inuzuka´s had always had have a very good intuition.

"Sasuke?" The brunet asked in a hesitant tone, moving his gaze to his friend; act that was copied for all the other children, who put their gazes in the young Uchiha, waiting for his resolution to this conflict. Making obvious that Izuna`s opinion would be the only one that counted.

Izuna sighed.

He walked calmly to where Naruto was standing, connecting their eyes and holding the blue gaze that had seem to grown with hope and fear. He could see the slightly trembling in the blond frame and it made really difficult not reaching and put Naruto into a hug.

But, he couldn't do that. So he contented himself with smiling brightly and offering his hand.

"Hi, my name is Sasuke"

"N-Naruto" The blond answered as he clapped the offered hand. He sounded dazed, like he couldn't believe that Izuna was offering him the opportunity to be a part of his group.

"Come, Naruto." The raven tugged the blonde so they could return where the other children were waiting. "This are Kiba and Hinata." He introduced his best friends first, the smile still in his lips as both of them waved the blond, Kiba with confidence and a bright smile, Hinata with a shyer movement, but not less sincere.

"I´m Sakura, and this is Ino." The pink haired child said once Izuna looked in their direction. She was trying to be brave and prove herself that she could belong into the group the others had even when she and her best friend had been playing together with them for almost a year. But now, she could understand a little better why she wanted to be near Sasuke.

Not because he was cute, but because he was kind. In a way she couldn't comprehend. And also represented something very important for any shinobi, someone who was inherently interested in helping them grow.

Izuna himself didn't see it, but for everyone else was obvious.

He was an older brother figure; strong, kind and safe. Someone you could trust; someone you could follow until you were ready to walk at his side.

"I`m Shino." The Aburame boy –Who was ignored by many, but never by Izuna, because he as a sensor and a full trained shinobi was very aware of others presences and knew better to dismiss someone just because he was kind of forgettable– intervened, making Naruto jump a little, surprised as he hadn't taken in account this boy when he had addressed the group.

"I'm Choji and he is Shikamaru." The Akimichi heir informs Naruto with an easy smile, while the Nara just waves.

Izuna recompenses this with a proud smile that changes for a fond one as he turns to Naruto.

"We are playing It." He tells Naruto. Showing that he has been included in the game, but also showing some concern as he asks "Do you know the rules?"

After the blonde shakes his head, Izuna and Kiba explain the game in simple terms.

"I will be it" Izuna says and the others nod with excited smiles. Izuna is a difficult It so it always makes the game more interesting when he is the one hunting them.

Of course, Izuna never lost sight of the children, but they didn't need to know that he treated this kind of games as a soft training in stealth and teamwork.

"Come on, Naruto!" Kiba took the lead and grabbed the blonde hand as Izuna closed his eyes and started to count and all the others started to run, hoping to find a good spot to hide.

oooOooo

Time to return to their homes arrived faster than what Izuna would like, but there was nothing he could do about it. Parents had come for their children, leaving only the heirs of the Inuzuka, Hyuga and Uchiha and Uzumaki alone in the park.

"Come one, Kids." Tsume said. "I will walk you home."

This was mostly directed to Sasuke and Hinata, but when the young blonde made a sad face, she rubbed his hair in a fond gesture. "I will invite you dinner, cub." She added as she herded the four children to the exit of the park.

This, made Izuna smile.

His alliance with the Inuzuka's was really a gift from the gods.

They walked to the Hyuuga compound first, leaving Hinata with the two guards that were in the front door, who Izuna knew by sight as well as by they unique chakra, because he wanted to made sure his friends were sure.

Izuna kissed Hinata´s cheek as a goodbye and they continued they way to his home, the three of them talking animatedly. Neither of the adults said anything about the presence of the blond child, probably because Tsume was grabbing his hand in a very clear gesture that claimed the little Uzumaki as his.

His mother was awaiting them at the entrance. Smiling. Although, her face fell as she saw the reason her family was being blamed by for the entire Village at the company of her youngest son and heir.

But she didn't said anything.

Mikoto looked sad, more than angry. And as Izuna said goodbye to Naruto and Kiba, she only thanked Tsume by taking care of the son of her dear friend. The Matriarch of the Inuzuka's only nodded and said that the little boy wasn't at fault and that she was going to take him.

She didn't mentioned that she was doing this for Izuna, thought. Or the weird smell that covered the boy and that was reminiscent of Sasuke, himself. And for that, he was grateful. Because he didn't want to explain this to his mother. Or Gods forbidden, Fugaku.

That would not be a funny conversation.

Anyway. Tsume flikled Izuna´s hair and took both of her boys to return home.

Izuna keep his eyes on the blond, until they disappeared. Then, he turned and smiled at his mother and walked until he was at her side, taking her hand. Acting like nothing had happened.

His mother returns the smile and together entered in the mansion.

oooOooo

"Hello, Mako." Izuna greeted the small salamander, who was sitting near the window.

"Hello, Master." The summon returned.

"Good job, dear." The Uchiha said as he caressed the tiny head of the salamander, as a reward for having take good care of Naruto and took the opportunity that had presented itself that morning.

Mako closed her eyes, glad to had been able to made his master happy. As well as having do good for his ward, that had received the love he deserved once for all. Even if Tsume, was a bit more rough she would like.

But, then, she was a she-wolf and that was the way she showed her love.

oooOooo

"You did something." Crow stated when she returned home, a week after the incident in the park. Noticing the weird smile on his brother face.

They were alone.

Crow had just returned to the house and had not yet greet Fugaku or Mikoto; Itachi was out in a mission. They were in Izuna´s room, sat on the bed, with just the summons of the younger Uchiha as company.

"Not really." Izuna said, calmly. "But something good happened."

"Yeah?"

"Tsume had made Naruto his ward." Izuna informed at his cousin. He was obviously happy with the turn of events.

Crow take his mask off and he became Shisui. He smiled openly at the youngest of their trio and closed the distance that separate them. Kissing the forehead of his loved cousin, he really had missed him.

"That's very good of her. But, it's that alright?" He inquired, concerned.

Izuna paused. He tilted his head, just a little to the right. A thoughtful expression on his face.

"Yeah." He told the older boy. "Tsume knows I had some connection with Naruto, but she doesn't care. And she actually likes Naruto, so there is that."

Shisui makes a face. "You know that wasn't was I was referring to…"

Izuna chuckles. "Yeah, I know."

"But, yeah. It's going to be alright. It's close to us. But we really don't have a say on what Naruto does and no one is going to accuse them on plotting on using the container to they benefit. The Inuzuka's are not us. They are better prepare to take care of Naruto. And even if someone tries to put this on us, we would have a very pissed off Inuzuka's protecting our back."

Shisui relaxed a little, if Izuna was sure this wasn't going to return to bit them, then all was going to be alright.

"Changing the topic. How was your week?" Izuna's eyes narrowed at he asked for information on the Black Corps.

Shisui smirk was dark as he started talking about what had he done in his time as Crow.

GinHanelle: I´m so glad you like how I´m portraying Izuna!

Adriana: I´m sorry for taking this long T-T I will try to actualize sooner.

Klesil: Glad you like it!

Auhuvati: I wish you like this. Altough I didnt really put much about Fugaku this chapther.

Anyway, guys. Wish you like this chapther. If you do, leave reviews ;)