Hey, so I have no idea what's going on with at the moment, I know it's playing up for some people and if that's you I am so so sorry I don't know what to do about it, there's not much I can do other than keep updating at the moment, I'm not a tech person so I dunno how to fix it to make it work right. In any case to anyone who can read this chapter I hope you enjoy it and I hope you've enjoyed the others, and also, word of warning, this one is intense.

Hiruzen's eyes narrowed, "What do you mean by that Naruto-chan-"

"I can sense the guilt." Naruto pointed out quietly, and she could see the way Jiraiya's eyes narrowed, "Ero Sennin don't tell me not to- if there's something going on I want to know what." her gaze met the old mans. "So I'm asking what you know?"

"I-"

"Please." Sasuke's voice was desperate, his expression pleading as he stepped forward away from Naruto, "Please if there's something going on I should know. I nearly considered leaving Konoha to get the power to kill him. If there's more going on I need to know."

Hiruzen closed his eyes, "Jiraiya-kun. Leave please."

"What?" Jiraiya's eyes widened, "But sensei-"

"Please."

"I... fine." Jiraiya's expression was hesitant but he nodded before turning and leaving quickly, shutting the door behind him.

"Will you tell us now?" Naruto grabbed Sasuke's hand and squeezed it gently.

The old man-and he did look old... so so very old and tired. "I have made mistakes. Many of them." He admitted softly, "I retired because I was tired and I trusted Minato-kun. I never planned on returning to the position but after your fathers death I had no choice. And I was given the unenviable job of dealing with the aftermath of the attack and your fathers death-I let things slip that I shouldn't have. There were suspicions that a Uchiha was behind the attack- Danzo was very certain of it." the old man explained slowly, "And many people believed the suspicions to be correct, they assumed it was some plot that the clan were responsible for. They were treated poorly, forced to the outskirts of the village. I should have prevented it but I had so much to deal with... the village was weakened and there were threats on all sides, I allowed things to slide that I shouldn't have. I allowed Danzo too much power-"

"Who is Danzo?" Sasuke frowned.

"A member of the council and an old friend of mine... one I have been far too lenient on over the years."

"Mom and Kakashi-sensei don't like him." Naruto said after a moment, "They were scared he'd try and turn me into a weapon."

"I have no doubt that he would have if he could." Hiruzen admitted. "I am only telling you two these things because I am trusting you both-is that clear? Naruto-chan you will be in my position some day, I want you to learn from my mistakes, and I have no doubt that you shall have Sasuke-kun as your loyal ally. And because Sasuke-kun does have a right to know the truth."

"What..." Sasuke swallowed hard, "He's got something to do with the massacre, but how?"

"Because of Danzo's manipulations the Uchiha clan grew to resent the rest of Konoha, to resent everything, and... I am sorry Sasuke-kun but they planned a coup." that made Sasuke go deathly pale, "Itachi-kun became a member of Anbu... he was our inside man, along with a cousin of yours, Shisui. He also had his Magekyou. His eyes allowed him to use the most powerful Genjutsu I've ever known. The coup was unstoppable by conventional methods it was too late but there was to be a meeting in which Shisui-san was to use his Kotoamatsukami to force the clan to end the coup. Danzo... Danzo has never fully trusted the Uchiha. He... at the time I was unaware of his actions but I believe he had Shisui-san attacked. It is my suspicion that Itachi found an already dying Shisui and likely mercy killed him-"

"Oh Kami." Sasuke looked horrified, "No-no that would have.. Itachi... that would have broke him."

"Yes." Hiruzen looked pained. "After Shisui's death... I was... I admit I didn't know what to do, it seemed like the only way to stop the coup was to wipe out those behind it but I would have never had the innocent ones killed... Danzo however went behind my back. He ordered Itachi to kill his family-if he didn't Danzo would have it done. And he wouldn't spare you-"

"What?" Sasuke was shaking, his expression horrified and his grip on Naruto's hand was painfully tight. "He-"

"He did it to save your life." Hiruzen confirmed, "And I have no doubt that he has never forgiven himself. Itachi-kun was a pacifist. He hated death and violence."

"He wants you to kill him." Naruto whispered the words, "That's why he made you hate him... he wants you to kill him. He wants you to..." in a twisted way it made sense. He'd done it all for Sasuke, and Sasuke, the one he hurt most would have been the one to end his life.

"Oh Kami no." Sasuke was crying, tears pouring down his cheeks "My brother... he.."

"I punished Danzo for his actions-"

"Why is he alive?" Naruto demanded suddenly, "If he did that then why is he still alive?"

"Because I... I cannot bring myself to kill my old friend." Hiruzen shook his head, "Because despite how heinous his crimes are in his own way Danzo is doing it all for Konoha-"

"I don't give a shit why he did it!" Sasuke yelled suddenly, jerking forward-and Naruto's grip on him was the only thing that held him back as she hauled him back towards her, arms wrapping around him to pin him to her chest as he snarled, tears pouring down his cheeks as he thrashed in her grip.

"He had my family slaughtered he had them killed he forced my big brother to do it! He should be dead he should be locked up-"

"I will ensure my successor is made aware." Hiruzen closed his eyes, "I plan on stepping down as Hokage today. I will be speaking to Tsunade. I hope that-given the fact that it will only be a temporarily situation she will agree to become the Godaime."

"What?" Naruto's eyes widened, "Is that why you wanted her to come home?"

"It's part of it." Hiruzen admitted. "I will ask her to ensure that Danzo is dealt with, and that Itachi is pardoned of his crimes-though he may not choose to return to Konoha."

Sasuke stopped struggling, though he was still glaring at the old man. "If she doesn't have him dealt with then I'll kill Danzo myself." Sasuke growled softly, "He... he deserves to die."

Hiruzen bowed his head, "I do not blame you for your anger. And I don't blame you for hating me."

"I'll be helping him." Naruto said softly, "If it comes down to it then I will help Sasuke-kun kill Danzo."

"I understand. I don't approve but I understand." Hiruzen sighed, "And I have no doubt that Tsunade won't stand in your way in that situation."

"Good." Sasuke's voice was tight, "Do we have permission to leave?"

"Of course." Hiruzen bowed his head low and Naruto released her grip on Sasuke, though she grabbed his hand as he started moving to the door, staying close to him-shaking her head sadly as they exited the old man's office.

Once they were in the hall Sasuke tugged his hand free from hers and whirled around, kicking the wall hard, and she could feel the rage and grief pouring off of him.

Sasuke needed space and probably to destroy something.

Naruto could provide. She grabbed his arm, Hirashining them to the Forest of death, and Sasuke ripped his arm free.

"What did you do that for?"

"Because you can destroy whatever the hell you want out here." Naruto's voice was firm, "So do it." and she watched as Sasuke launched himself at a tree, kicking and punching it until his fists were bleeding, tears pouring down his cheeks as he screamed in frustration.

"It's not helping." he managed after a long moment, "It's not fucking helping-"

"Then let's fight." Naruto's voice was firm.

"I don't want to hurt-"

"Sasuke-kun you're getting stronger but we both know I'm stronger than you. I have Kurama, you can fight me without worrying about you actually hurting me-in a few years maybe you'll be stronger than me but for now I can kick your ass. So let's fight. That should get some of the anger and frustration out."

"Fine." Sasuke launched himself at her, and Naruto let him, ducking and dodging, catching his fists and pushing him back on occasion-and Sasuke came back time and time again as they fought-just taijutsu at first, his blows hard and strong-he was good he really was, it was just that Naruto was better-for now at least.

Then after perhaps fifteen minutes of taijutsu he leapt back, hands flashing through signs, and then he was blowing a fireball towards her and Naruto ducked out of the way, hands moving, the earth beneath Sasuke's feet cracking-and he leapt upwards just in time to avoid falling into the hole that formed beneath him, he landed in a roll and was on his feet a second later, hands flashing-and there were fireballs flying towards her.

Naruto Hirashined away from the attack to Sasuke's side, sweeping out Sasuke's legs from under him with her own, and Sasuke-to give him credit, managed to hook his own leg around hers when she went to leap backwards and she stumbled, and Sasuke was moving, getting to his feet quickly and launching himself towards her while she was still off balance, managing to kick her in the side, though she grabbed his leg before he could leap away from her and she twisted with the blow, dragging him as she span fast as she could, the foot on the ground dragging on the ground slightly and he toppled backwards with some force when she released him, and she moved behind him lightning fast, planting her knee in his back.

He cried out in pain but he had a kunai out and he span, slashing her arm-and she leapt back too, slightly winded as Sasuke stood panting, gripping the kunai in a white knuckle grip.

And she saw the moment that he shattered and she rushed forward, catching him before he hit the ground, dropping with him as his hands gripped her shoulders and he clung to her, a scream ripping itself free from his throat, nails digging into her flesh so hard that it was almost painful.

Naruto felt her own eyes filling with tears for her friends pain as he just screamed and screamed and screamed until he couldn't scream anymore and the only sound around them was his soft sobs.

"I'm here." Naruto's voice was soft. "I'm here Sasuke."

"They made him kill them. That bastard made him kill them. They made him leave and that bastard got to stay."

"I know." Naruto closed her eyes, rubbing Sasuke's back reassuringly, "I know Sasuke."

"I hate him." Sasuke's voice was pure poison, "I want him dead I want him dead Naruto."

"I know. I'll help you." she promised, "I'll help you Sasuke-kun. And so will Sakura-chan. If Baa-chan doesn't punish him then we'll kill him together."

"I hate the Hokage too." Sasuke swallowed hard, "I hate him too."

"I know." and Naruto couldn't blame him, she really couldn't. She didn't hate the old man, but she was certainly seeing him in a new light now. His failure was... well it was beyond anything she could have imagined. Itachi should have never been put in that position, and Danzo should have been killed for what he did, even if his intentions had been good.

A Kage was supposed to be in charge-it was very clear that Hiruzen wasn't anymore.

She could understand that they'd needed to be dealt with if the Uchiha's were planning a coup-but to kill all of them, including the innocent ones and the children? No, no that didn't sit right with Naruto, would never sit right with her. And Danzo had gone behind his Kage's back to do it.

If she had been the Hokage she'd have at the very least stripped Danzo of any power and had him exiled-if not executed, no matter how valuable the man might have been in the past. He'd forced a child to kill his family.

"We'll make this right." Naruto promised softly, "I don't know how but we'll make it right I promise Sasuke."

"Itachi was 13." Sasuke stated suddenly, "He was thirteen when he killed our clan. He was a kid he wasn't much older than me and they... Danzo made him choose between... and Itachi chose me. He chose to save my life and sacrifice himself."

"He hates himself." Naruto shook her head sadly. "We're gonna bring him home Sasuke, no matter what we'll bring him home." she kept rubbing his back soothingly as Sasuke's grip on her shoulders tightened some more. "I owe him my life, it's the least I can do."

"I want my brother back. I want to tell him I forgive him." Sasuke swallowed hard, still shaking slightly as he just clung to Naruto tightly. "He was just a kid and he was scared and alone and they made him kill everyone to save me." he pressed his face into Naruto's shoulder. "A part of me hates this village a part of me hates them for pushing my clan until they were so angry they wanted to betray the village. And I hate my clan for ever even thinking of it. Konoha's our home, why didn't they try and find a peaceful way?"

"It was Danzo." Naruto sighed softly, "This is all Danzo's fault."

"I know." Sasuke swallowed hard, "As long as he pays I... I'll forgive the rest of the village. As long as Danzo pays for what he did."

"We'll make sure of it. And we'll bring Itachi home."

"What if he doesn't want to."

"We'll figure it out." Naruto sighed softly, "Now let's get home yeah? Your knuckles are all bloody, we should probably get that cleaned up right?"

"Okay." Sasuke pulled away slowly, and Naruto watched him carefully as they stood. He was moving slowly, his face pale, eyes red and puffy, and he was moving on autopilot.

Naruto took his arm and Hirashined them directly home, carefully pushing him into his room-and she was unsurprised when, after she heard the taps in the ensuite bathroom run and then turn off she heard him dropping onto his bed, and very faintly, she heard muffled sobs.
She closed her eyes, sighing heavily, she'd leave him alone for now, give him some privacy.
Kami knew she'd need it in his position.