Okay, umm, to answer thiree, the story is not in chronological order anymore. I will be skipping from the past to the present, and all like that. The last chapter was when Naruto was around three, and Sasuke still wasn't in the picture. In this one Sasuke has been with them for a year, I guess, and Naruto already knows about Itachi. See ya' at the bottom.

Chapter Eleven

"Hello. Thanks for coming, we need to talk about your…umm…wards," Iruka-san was hesitant to talk to me, while the entire class listened eagerly. This was not the first time I had been called in, nor would it be the last. Of course, Naruto's classmates knew better than to talk when I was present, I was harsh and I believed in respect your elders while they are talking. Iruka-san was their sensei, so they should be quiet while he teaches or talks to other adults.

"Wards? What have they done?" I glared at Naruto and Sasuke. They didn't get along the best, but they had at least started defending each other against the criticism of others. It was progress and better than the two trying to kill each other.

"Let's talk in private, shall we?" Iruka-san led me outside, ignoring the kids leaning forward in an attempt to listen into our conversation. I shot them a glance before following Iruka-san. I shut the door after us, making sure to smirk at the two kids in my charge. They both paled, Sasuke less than Naruto, but still it was enough for me to notice.

"What has happened?" I inquired turning my back to the door. It was best that they didn't see my expressions. As good as a kunoichi as I was Naruto had grown up with me and knew how to read my mood, and would tell Sasuke if they needed to escape. The only time they would get along was when they needed to team up against me. I learned this after their first prank together.

"Naruto and Sasuke have been getting along…differently lately. It is disrupting class," Iruka hesitated, having a hard time telling me what was going on. I stared at him for half a minute waiting for him to elaborate. He didn't.

"Very well," I turned, opened the door, catching the end of most theories of what we were talking about. "Naruto, Sasuke, come here would you." I gestured at them with one finger, watching the blood drain from their faces. Sasuke stood up first, making Naruto snap out of his stupor and they both walked out the room. I closed the door firmly, as the class started uproar.

"Iruka-san says you two have been acting…differently than usual. What is he talking about?" I raised an eyebrow at them, placing my hands on my hips. Naruto shot a glance at Iruka-san, while Sasuke met my stare, refusing to look away first.

"Umm…we might…argue about, umm, home," Naruto explained looking at anything but me. I narrowed my eyes, and raised a hand. Both boys tensed, ready to bolt if I started to yell. Instead I ran it through my hair, and let out a long breath.

"Boys, we agreed to not tell anyone about our arrangements because you two didn't want anyone to know. I had nothing against it being public. Now why are you two blowing your cover?" I left my hand covering my eyes, so that they wouldn't see my amusement. I had noticed how they had started to get along just a bit, no matter how much they tried to hide it. Still, it was more of a friendly competition getting along kind of way. We were still a long way to go before they were family like me and Naruto.

"It's his fault for being an idiot," Sasuke pointed at Naruto without glancing at him. Naruto stared at him for a few seconds before screaming at him. I let them scream for a few minutes while Iruka-san tried to quiet them.

"How do you do this?" he asked me, as he held Naruto back from jumping on Naruto.

"An iron fist," I deadpanned. I stepped forward, grabbed the neck of Sasuke's shirt and picked him up, while grabbing Naruto's ear with my other hand. "Boys you are making a scene in school. Now I am taking you home early to talk about this problem. I hope this won't be a problem Iruka-san."

Iruka only shook his head, and turned to go back to the classroom. He knew better than to stop me, and I only asked out of curtesy. I had no intention of leaving them behind today. If he wanted to punish them he would do so on another day.

The walk back home was long, and I had to keep a firm grip on them. Villagers stared at us openly, pointing and whispering amongst themselves. Naruto made faces at them, while Sasuke glared at anyone who met their gaze. No one met mine, and if they did they quickly regretted it. I walked briskly, making the boys trot to keep up or be dragged. I ignored the house and kept going, ignoring Naruto's protests and Sasuke's struggling. I was not going to let anything in the house be broken once they started fighting, so the training ground it was.

"I want an explanation as to why I have been called in for the third time this week, now. I should not have to apologize as much as I do for you two," I let them go once we reached the training ground. There were some people there, but they fled once I turned my gaze towards them. If I didn't do something to them, the boys would find them, if they tried to eavesdrop on our conversation. "Well?"

"'It's all his fault!" Naruto screamed at me, while pointing at Sasuke. Naruto looked scared, while Sasuke refused to meet my gaze. "His telling lies!"

"What lies?" I asked Sasuke, trying to give him a chance to defend himself but he didn't answer.

"He says you don't care about me!" Naruto screamed, his face red, and twisted in his effort not to cry. My eyes snapped to Sasuke who crossed his arms and glared at me.

"Why would you say that Sasuke?" I asked him. "Do I not pay enough attention to you? Does Naruto bother you so much you want him to cry? Or is it simply about Itachi?"

"You know nothing of Itachi!" Sasuke flinched when I mentioned his brother. I stared at him long and hard. He didn't trust me. Not after what had happened to his family.

"Sasuke, what Itachi did was deplorable, and vile. However I am not him, I have given you no reason for your distrust. Now I want you to apologize to Naruto," I demanded. I stared at him, not showing any emotion in my face. If he listened I would show him respect, but if he didn't I would treat him as a child throwing a tantrum for not getting a toy.

"I'm…I…I'm sorry," Sasuke apologized to Naruto. Naruto stared at him before turning to face me. I raised an eyebrow, gesturing for him to answer.

"Apology accepted," Naruto murmured at Sasuke, both refusing to look at one another.

"Now sit down. Both of you, I need to talk to you," I sat down, watching Sasuke lower himself slowly while Naruto just plopped down. "I know I don't show my emotions all too often. I also know that we don't act like any other household. However, that doesn't mean I don't care."

"I know that, sis…it's just…," Naruto trailed off, not knowing what to tell me. Sasuke lowered his head down, refusing to meet either of our gazes.

"You sometimes wish I would show I care more," I answered for Naruto. He nodded slowly. "I don't know how to show that I care besides putting a roof on your heads and food on the table. I keep people from hurting you, and those who insult you need to visit the hospital."

"Sometimes that is not enough," Naruto whispered. He looked close to tears and Sasuke looked like he wanted to leave.

"Boys, how about we do whatever you want on the weekend." I offered. They both looked up at that, hesitantly. "One day for each of you. I think we could all use a break from training and chores. It will also help any…feelings you might have. You'll have to behave though."

"That would be awesome," Naruto smiled at me, while Sasuke went back to brooding.

"Sasuke, I know you are scared of trusting others. I understand why, I also went through something similar. I'm still going through that, but I'm old and your young, you shouldn't mistrust everyone. I trust you, and I don't trust my teammates. Trust me, if you can't bring yourself to care about, at least. You are like a brother to me, just like Naruto," I told him, smiling. It was small, hardly there at all, but he also smiled back with a nod.

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Okay, so if you have any questions or suggestions please review or PM me. I'll get back as soon as possible. Also I kinda almost forgot about this, please someone remind me when I take longer than a month to upload. It usually means I forgot, and I forget pretty easily.