Hey guys! I hope you're enjoying this fic still and I hope those of you who can read this enjoy this chapter, more emotional stuff here! Don't worry though it'll get better, y'know, eventually. To the person who said she didn't like how I portrayed Naruto when she first met Tsunade I'm sorry you feel that way.

It was perhaps half an hour before Rin arrived home-and it sounded like she had a few people with her, Karin Naruto would guess, and perhaps Jiraiya. She lifted her head when her mom made her way up the stairs-Naruto was sat by Sasuke's bedroom door, back to the wall and knees pulled to her chest.

Rin's smile-and she'd had a wide smile on her lips until she saw Naruto, faltered. "Honey?"

"Hey mom." Naruto swallowed hard as Rin moved to sit in front of her. "What's wrong-is Sasuke-kun in his room? Karin-chan said you were both
home here."

"Don't bother him right now." Naruto's voice was soft, "He needs some time I think."

"What happened? Jiraiya-sama did say that he was sent out because you wanted to talk about Itachi-san. Is Sasuke-kun okay?"

"Itachi-san was innocent... kind of." Naruto's brows furrowed, "Danzo-he told Itachi that if he didn't kill his clan the Danzo would get someone else to do it and Sasuke-kun would die too." she looked down at her hands, biting her lip, "The clan were planning a coup."

"Oh shit." Rin closed her eyes, "Oh that poor boy-"

"He was just a kid. He was a year older than me mom." Naruto gave her mom a wide eyed look, "And he was forced to choose to kill his entire clan just to save his brothers life."

Rin moved, shifting so that she was sat next to Naruto, wrapping an arm around her gently, pulling her into her side.

"It's horrible." her voice was soft, "What do you plan on doing? Was Danzo punished."

"Clearly not enough. Sandaime-sama's stepping down. He's said he'll tell Baa-chan what really happened so that she can make sure Danzo is punished and Itachi is pardoned."

"I see." Rin rubbed Naruto's shoulder gently, pressing her lips to the top of Naruto's head, "Tsunade-sama's going to be the Hokage then... I'm sure she'll deal with Danzo."

"Sasuke's..." Naruto shook her head, "He's in so much pain right now. I took him to the Forest of Death and we sparred-he needed some way to channel his anger-"

"That's understandable." Rin's voice was soft, "You did a good thing."

"He broke down. I've never seen him like that never felt him like that I don't like it."

"Of course you don't, he's your friend and you care about him."

"I've told him that if Danzo isn't dealt with we'll kill him together."

Rin grimaced slightly, "I don't blame you." she said carefully, "But be careful okay honey?"

"We're also gonna bring Itachi home."

"Good." Rin nodded, "That'll give Sasuke-kun something positive to focus on." she shook her head. "You go downstairs honey. Is Sasuke-kun awake?"

"I don't know."

"I'll check on him." Rin said gently, brushing her fingers through Naruto's hair, "It'll do Sasuke-kun some good to talk to an adult." she pressed her lips to the top of Naruto's head, "You go down stairs okay Naruto-chan. Tomorrow you and I and maybe Sasuke-kun too, we can go to and visit Kakashi-kun."

"Is he okay?"

"Yes. Tsunade-sama managed to heal him up well enough that he was awake and talking if not up and walking around-she's insisting he stay overnight at the hospital but he should hopefully be able to come home in the morning as long as he rests."

"That'll be great." Naruto smiled weakly, "I'm glad that he's okay."

"Only because you convinced Tsunade-sama to come home." Rin pulled her arm away from Naruto's shoulder and pushed herself to her feet before holding out her hand for Naruto, "C'mon Naru-chan. Up you get princess."

Naruto accepted the hand and dragged herself to her feet, running her fingers through her long hair. "Good luck talking to Sasuke-kun mom."

"Eh I can handle a traumatized teen-" she waved a hand, "You forget I was an expert at Kakashi wrangling before Isobu."

Naruto let out a soft laugh, "Good point mom." she turned and headed down the stairs as Rin knocked twice on the door to Sasuke's room before she opened the door and let herself in.

When Naruto got down the stairs Jiraiya and Karin were sat at the kitchen table, Karin was chopping up some vegetables.

"Hey Naruto-san."

"Hey Karin-chan." Naruto sighed as she moved to the table, pulling a chair out and flopping into it-she could feel Jiraiya's gaze on her.

"Naruto-chan." the old man's gaze was serious, "Is everything okay?"

"Did you know?"

"Know what?"

"About Itachi? Did.. did he send you out because you didn't know?"

"Naruto-chan I have no idea what you're getting at." Jiraiya reached out, laying a hand on her shoulder, "What happened brat?"

"I..." Naruto looked down. "I grew up dreaming of Konoha. It... it's not all as perfect as I expected."

"Okay, that's a serious voice." Jiraiya sighed, "C'mon brat, let's go talk outside while your cousin cooks-"

"I'm making ramen." Karin piped up, a worried look on her face, "Are you and Sasuke-san okay?"

"Not really but we will be." Naruto let Jiraiya gently tow her outside-though they were still in the Uzumaki compound, and he sat down with his back
against the wall, glancing sidelong at the young blonde girl.

"So Naru-chan. What happened? What's this big secret with Itachi?"

"The Uchiha's were planning a Coup." Naruto's voice was soft, "Apparently Danzo was pushing them away as much as he could-"

"I know that the village were suspicious of the Uchiha." Jiraiya admitted, "A lot of people... well given the history with Madara and the Kyubi... they thought a Uchiha must be behind the attack."

"Danzo encouraged that a lot from what the Hokage said." Naruto sat down next to him, looking at her hands as if they were the most fascinating things in the world. "There was a plan to stop the coup but Danzo prevented that-or at least the Hokage suspects that Danzo did... and that it led to
Itachi mercy killing his best friend and earning the Mangekyou."

Jiraiya whistled lowly. "Well that doesn't sound good." he admitted, shaking his head, "And I get a bad feeling I know where this is going. Though it would explain certain things about my anonymous Akatsuki informant, not that he's told me much really."

"Danzo gave Itachi the choice. If Itachi did it himself and took the blame on himself Sasuke would be spared-if not.."

"And that was what I was afraid you'd say." Jiraiya shook his head, "I guess that explains the kids weird behaviour the other day. Though why he did what he did to his brother the day-"

"He hates himself Ero Sennin. He wanted Sasuke to kill him.. I guess he felt like it was right. He killed them all and it would be justice for Sasuke to be the one who killed him."

"What's your plan Naru-chan?"

"Sandaime-sama is stepping down. He's going to ask Tsunade to become the Godaime-he hopes she'll agree 'cause it's only a temporary thing until I'm ready. He's going to tell her everything and to bring Danzo to justice. He can't bring himself to do it himself I guess."

"They've been friends for a very long time." Jiraiya sighed, "Danzo's a dangerous man though he should have been dealt with a long time ago."

"I... I don't know if I like being in a village where something so horrible could be brushed under the rug by the people who should be in charge and caring about it."

"Well if Tsunade-hime agrees to become the Godaime she'll make short work of Danzo." Jiraiya promised gently, "She's got a pretty strong sense of justice and she'll do what has to be done kiddo."

"If she doesn't then Sasuke and I will kill Danzo-"

"He's dangerous Naruto-chan." Jiraiya's voice was soft, a gentle warning in it, "As much as I don't blame you for wanting to kill him you be careful if it comes to that-which I doubt it will."

"We also plan on bringing Itachi home when his name is cleared."

"You will. I have no doubt." Jiraiya wrapped an arm around her shoulder, pulling her into his side. "Sensei's made a lot of mistakes from the sound of it. Your father... things would have been different if he was alive."

"Do you think Sasuke-kun's family would still be alive if my dad was?"

"Probably." Jiraiya admitted softly, "Your dad was a damn good man and an even better Kage." his expression was sad, "He was intelligent, kind, brave and strong. He was one of the best men I've ever known and... I can't imagine Danzo getting away with that with your father in control."

"I wish I could have met him."

"He'd be proud of you. Both of them would." Jiraiya's voice was reassuring, "I know your mom and Kakashi-kun have told you that but I knew him better than either of them did and he would have been beyond proud-not just of your strength but your heart."

"My heart?"

"You're an amazing kid. You're stubborn and intuitive-not smart in the conventional way but damn if you aren't intuitive as hell, you're kind-you care so much. You have a strong sense of justice too-the whole Hyuuga situation," Jiraiya chuckled, "Admittedly you take after your mother most personality wise but there are times when I look at you and you remind me so much of him." Jiraiya squeezed her shoulder gently, "Just with a lot more loudness and flair. You're the best of both of them Naruto-chan. Never ever forget that okay? And let me tell you this, when the time comes you will be the greatest Hokage that Konoha's ever had, you'll do us all so proud. Just don't loose faith in Konoha okay? Because even if there are bad things, once you step up and take your rightful place you'll change the world I know you will. You'll make it a better place." the faith in the old mans voice made Naruto's eyes fill with tears and she twisted to press her face into his shoulder, and Jiraiya wrapped his arms around her, shifting so that she was curled into his chest.

"Hey now... it's okay kid. It's okay."

"You really think-"

"Not a doubt." the old man chuckled softly, "You've been through a lot lately huh?" he paused, "You never told me that a Uchiha was-"

"It's not something I really like talking about." Naruto admitted quietly, "And I didn't exactly know much, just what Kurama knew which was that a man with a Sharingan was trying to control him after he was released and that my dad showed up and distracted him which is when Kurama took off to attack the village."

"And you didn't mention it after you met him."

"I... I don't know why. He's bad, and dangerous and I... he scares me Ero Sennin. And I don't scare very easy. I don't like admitting to that level of weakness and... I still don't know much about him really."

"I told your mom about his obsession with her family name. She said she doesn't have a clue who it could be."

"That doesn't surprise me." Naruto sighed, "I didn't think she would. I just dunno what to do Ero Sennin."

"Get stronger." The old mans voice was firm, "You'll come with me on a training trip, we'll fix up this new seal of yours to make the Kyubi extra secure, you'll train using his power until you've mastered it and then I have some other plans for you." the old man chuckled, "Don't you worry about a thing we'll make you strong enough that even this fake Madara-whoever the hell he is, doesn't stand a chance against you."

"That sounds good."

"Damn right it does. I might be an old man these days but I'm still one of the Sannin and I'm going to make sure you turn out like your dad would have wanted you too-believe it or not I've had part of what I have planned since the day Kushina and Minato told me they wanted me to be your godfather."

"Really?"

"Oh yeah, just like I always planned on giving you the toad contract-though I think I'd have probably had to race your father to give it to you once we decided you were old enough." that made Naruto grin and giggle slightly, "You think my dad would have been that excited for the chance to-"

"Are you kidding? He'd have loved it kid. He'd have made a real big deal out of it too. And you can bet your ass that if he knew you'd completed his Rasengan he'd have completely lost his cool-he'd be so proud."

"I dunno." Naruto laughed softly, "I mean, as awesome as my Rasenshuriken is it does kinda have the drawback of causing damage to myself too-"

"Oh it's definitely a jutsu you should only use if you have no other choice but I gotta say when Tsunade-hime explained to me just what you did to Orochimaru's arms I was very very impressed."

"I really did screw him over didn't I?"

"Kid you could have killed him. You came close. Now most Jounin wouldn't even pull that off and you're twelve. Kakashi couldn't have done it at your age- kid your father couldn't have done it at your age. You're gonna be the greatest of us all."

"You're biased-"

"Eh." Jiraiya waved a hand dismissively, "So what if I am I'm right. Now kid, let's get back inside and eat your cousins ramen." he dragged her to her feet, a proud gleam in his eyes as together they headed back inside.