Disclaimer: Still don't own them.

I've re-edited and changed some things in ch9

Fiddling with this chapter cause I wanted to move away from Naruto getting beaten up when he's a genin. Maybe it happened when he was little but not so long after becoming a ninja.

Chapter 10

Harry whistled as he walked down the streets, occasionally waving to some of the various people he was getting to know. His talk with the Hokage had gone well, she'd agreed that he could tell whoever he wanted the truth about himself as long as he was positive they could keep it secret. So now he was going to find Iruka since it was the older mans day off. When he'd told her who he wanted to tell, Tsunade had decided that Iruka needed a break from the Academy, therefore he was being assigned the mission of getting Harry up to at least Academy graduation standard in everything.

Harry still wasn't too sure how he felt about that, he'd been avoiding thinking about her decision while he was recovering. It meant that he'd be a Konoha ninja and would tie him to the village for life. Sure, if it came down to it he could probably fake his own death well enough to fool them, but he didn't like the way it would be limiting his options. He knew Tsunade just wanted a way to make sure he would fight for Konoha other then his word and that she was looking out for the village as it was her responsibility. It could be a lot worse, but he hated people trying to control his life. He'd had enough of that thank you very much.

Harry sighed and then paused; looking into the alley he was in front of. He frowned as he made out several villagers surrounding someone or something and what he could hear…well it wasn't nice. He slipped into the alley and worked his way closer trying to see what they were doing. What he saw made his blood boil and his magic snap at its bonds.

"LET HIM GO!" The group sprang back at the sound of Harry's voice, giving him his first clear view of the poor boy. Harry knew that at the moment he was probably a fairly intimidating sight but he didn't care. What gave these…these idiots the right to do something like this. Remembering what Itachi had taught him about killing intent he mentally smirked. He had been taught as a method of scaring Death Eaters and making them easier targets. With how mad he was at the moment, plus his magic swirling around him almost visibly it was enough to make the poor civilians quail in terror. Naruto shifted from where he'd been backed into a corner, obviously unwilling to fight his way out against them, forced to listen to words that would have made the Dursley's and Death Eater's blush.

"Now." That he lowered to almost a hiss, being a parselmouth really came in handy for freaking people out. They slowly began moving away from teen as Harry began stalking closer. He pushed a little magic towards his eyes, making the emerald glow, giving them the look of a cat, a very pissed off radioactive one.

The more cowardly villagers broke and ran but that still left a good-sized group. With everything Itachi had told him he didn't want to risk conjuring some snakes to scare them, he really didn't need to be connected to that Orochimaru idiot, why was it no matter where he was the bad guy had to have a snake obsession? It certainly made his life more difficult when people learnt about his 'gift'.

His hand almost slipped down to the kunai holster Kakashi had insisted he wear since he could use them and was officially about to begin training, but he knew that would definitely be frowned on. He might not actually be an official ninja, yet, but he knew there were rules about violence against civilians. He took a deep breath and then raised silencing and notice me-not-charms around the alley but also between the mob and Naruto so he couldn't hear them anymore, the last thing he needed was for anyone else to wander in to investigate. Harry smirked and a few shifted uncomfortable, not sure about what this unknown person was about to do. So Harry decided to not keep them in suspense any longer. He took a deep breath and unleashed his magic, being careful to protect their victim with several shielding spells.

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Naruto blinked as everything went silent and blurry. Genjutsu? He didn't think Harry knew any. He didn't want him to get in trouble for hurting them, he didn't want him to hear what they were calling him either. He'd been learning the village history, he was smart, he'd be able to work it out without too many hints. Then what would happen? He didn't want Harry to hate him. He could take the mobs, it was just words, no matter how much they hurt. He was a shinobi of Konoha! He had fought for the village, had defeated Gaara in the invasion to save them all, had dragged Sasuke back…and still some people refused to see him as anything but the demon he contained.

He shook his head and blinked, feeling suddenly sleepy. What? He blinked, eyelids too heavy to raise again, knees buckling.

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Harry carefully caught Naruto as the spell sent him into a deep sleep, before apparating away to the kids apartment. He'd never been further than the door before but it was enough for him to make a guess as to where he was going, plus Naruto's 'presence' in the apartment was hard to miss. He lay Naruto down on his bed, cautiously removing the various weapons, pouches, jacket, and then his shoes, pulling the sheet over him.

"It's okay Naruto. You're safe now, I'll protect you," He murmured, carefully channelling his magic into the boy's body to make sure he wasn't injured. That mob had brought back many unpleasant memories from his own childhood at the mercy of his family and his cousin's gang.

Done, he decided to take a look around the apartment without actually snooping. He hadn't been able to see very much last time from the front door, although he still had plans to hex the woman downstairs later for what she'd said when Harry had asked for the apartment number that visit. What he saw made his heart ache; no child should grow up in such conditions. It may be bigger than his cupboard but the whole apartment wasn't much bigger than Dursley's master bedroom. A quick check of the kitchen had him ready to do damage but he forced the emotions back. It took scant minutes to ward the apartment and then he apparated out and to the alley next to Kakashi's building. He left the alley and headed for the shops, specifically the grocers.

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Naruto blinked and sat up slowly, looking around in confusion. How had he gotten back to his apartment and into bed? The last thing he remembered was being in the alley and… he scrambled out of bed, looking around. Harry, Harry had been there, had he brought him home? But then where was he? He followed his nose into the kitchenette and looked around. Seeing a note on the table with a small bottle next to it he picked the note up nervously.

Naruto,

There's food warming in the oven, I expect it all to be eaten when I get back. I had some errands to run but I'll be back in a few hours. As long as you stay inside the apartment you'll be safe till I get back.

Harry.

Naruto stared at the note in shock. He was coming back? Maybe he hadn't heard what they were saying? Or hadn't worked out what they meant yet. Curious, Naruto went over to the oven and pulled out the most delicious smelling meal he'd ever seen. Smiling slightly he sat down and dug into the best meal he'd ever had…wincing at the betrayal of his beloved ramen.

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Tsunade and Kakashi looked up as Harry stormed past the distressed guards, paying no attention to the two ANBU members who didn't seem sure what to do since he was a known visitor. Tsunade waved them off and waited for Harry to speak, he was obviously very upset about something.

"Is it normal for the people of this village to go around verbally abusing their own people?" Harry all but hissed in anger.

Tsunade paled slightly; there was only one person she could think of that that would happen to. "Who?"

"Naruto. I hate to think what else would have happened if I hadn't noticed! I left him in his apartment after warding the place heavily, no one but me is getting in there without my say so. I also stocked his kitchen since all he had was out of date milk and half stale cup ramen."

"And his attackers?" Tsunade asked carefully, blinking at the vicious smirk on Harry's usually cheerful face.

"Will think twice about ever doing something like that again. I do not look kindly upon people who harm children." Both shinobi could see the old pain in his eyes. "I didn't hurt them, physically. Just gave them the scare of their lives." Seeing something in the other twos faces he slumped into a chair. "This isn't the first time he's been attacked is it? I've seen the way people look at him, what they say when they think he can't hear. Have you seen the food he has? Why? Why is he treated like this?" the anger had drained out of his voice leaving him tired.

Tsunade and Kakashi exchanged looks, should they tell Harry the truth?

"Do you know what happened fourteen years ago?" Tsunade asked. Harry shook his head. So the two shinobi proceeded to explain exactly what had happened and what it meant for Naruto.

"Let me get this straight. The Hokage sealed the demon in Naruto when he was a baby and ever since then people have treated him as if he is the demon?" They nodded, not sure as to how Harry would react. "How stupid are they?" Harry yelled, and they relaxed, at least Harry seemed to not care about the Kyuubi being sealed in Naruto. "Did they never stop and think that if, if Naruto were the demon then treating him the way they have would just get them massacred? Instead he's done everything he can to protect those bigoted idiotic morons!" Harry shook his head in disbelief at the stupidity of the villagers.

"I should have done more than just scare those freaks." He muttered and Kakashi smiled slightly. "Thank you for telling me Hokage-sama. I better get back before Naruto goes stir crazy from being locked in." With that Harry apparated from the office and straight into Naruto's apartment, leaving behind two surprised ninja's.

"So, we should never tell him how bad it was in those early years," Kakashi winced.

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Naruto jumped, grabbing a kunai on instinct and throwing it towards the sound. He blushed sheepishly as he saw Harry dodge the weapon. "Oops?"

Harry smiled slightly and shook his head. "My fault; should have used the door." Harry studied him critically, making Naruto squirm slightly. "You okay?"

"I'm fine, they didn't touch me," Naruto answered nervously.

Harry nodded and drew Naruto into a brief hug before steering him towards the old couch, pulling Naruto down beside him. "Words can hurt just as much as blows," Harry slumped back, and Naruto stared at him. "My Aunt and Uncle were my guardians and…well they didn't like me at all because of my parents. And they made sure I knew it."

Naruto was surprised by that, it was one thong for the villagers to treat him badly, but Harry's own family? All because they didn't like his parents? "Why didn't they?"

"My Aunt was jealous of my Mum. She was prettier, smarter, and married old money. They hadn't spoken in years when I got dumped on them, with the warning my parents were murdered by someone possibly wanting me dead too. So, I can understand some of why they didn't want me, it was risky and they had their own son a little older than me to consider. They were well compensated though, not that I knew that at the time."

That was…he couldn't imagine that. Sure, he knew families had issues, and some clans needed their asses kicked, like the majority of the Hyūga. Though, he did wonder sometimes, if his parents had survived the attack, would they have kept him?

"So a mob treating you like that because of something you didn't do may have brought up a few unpleasant memories. They may have told the neighbours I was an unstable delinquent, but I never had a mob yelling at me. People can be idiots, believing lies even when faced with the truth because it's easier…like thinking you're the demon and not the person keeping them safe from Kyūbi."

Harry's voice was so calm that Naruto almost missed the last bit, but then he tensed. Harry knew! He waited, not wanting him to hate him, and was shocked when an arm wrapped around his shoulders, tugging him against Harry's side.

"It's okay Naruto, Tsunade told me after I told her about the attack. You are not responsible for what happened. It's okay little brother."

Naruto's head snapped around and he stared at Harry in shock. Did Harry mean it? The older teen smiled down at him warmly. "Brother?" Naruto whispered, and Harry nodded.

"I've never had a real family Naruto but I think I'd like having a brother. What do you think?"

"You don't care about the fox?"

"No. You are not Kyuubi, you are Naruto. If those stupid villagers are too blind to see that then it's their loss." It was a good thing he was already sitting because the force of Naruto's hug would have knocked him off his feet.

"Thank you." Naruto moved to sit beside Harry but leant his head on his new brothers shoulder.

Harry smiled and put an arm around his shoulders and it felt good to just be held like that. "There is a lot about me you don't know Naruto and I think its time for you to hear it. But you can't tell anyone, Hokage's orders. Okay?"

"I can keep a secret!"

He felt Harry take a deep breath and then listened in shock as Harry told him about his world….his world! Naruto remained quiet after he was finished thinking it over. Sasuke hated his brother, Itachi had killed the Uchiha…but Harry trusted him.

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"Naruto?" Harry asked hesitantly.

"If you like Itachi then he can't be all bad. Something else happened that night, didn't it?"

Harry smiled; Naruto was a lot smarter than most credited him with. "Yes, I can't tell you what because I promised, but Itachi is innocent."

Naruto thought about it for a while before grinning. "Does that make Sasuke my brother now too?"

Harry choked and then laughed. Returning Naruto's grin he attacked, tickling his little brother until the other was incoherent form laughter and tears.

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"Hey." Harry smiled at his lover, and Itachi pulled him into a hug, kissing him hello.

"Anything interesting happen lately?" Itachi asked as he ran his fingers through Harry's longer hair. It was nice that Harry was taller now, he'd been a bit short for his age before and it made Itachi fight not to think of him as younger than he actually was.

"I found out some stuff, about Naruto," Harry answered softly.

"Kyūbi?" it was the only thing he could think of that would have Harry so quiet.

Harry nodded in answer to Itachi's statement "Found him cornered in an alley by a mob using language that'd make a goblin blush."

"Give them a good scare?"

Harry couldn't see it since he was lying against him but he could hear the proud smirk in his lover's voice. "But of course," he agreed. "Now I wish I'd done more. How Naruto's turned out to be such a great kid I'll never know." Harry sighed tiredly and snuggled closer.

"One, he's only four years younger than you so you can't really call him a kid and two, you're a pretty good example of how it can happen. You may not have had it quite as bad but it was bad enough. At least he doesn't scar physically because of the Kyuubi."

"There was too much hate for them to heal." Harry said softly, looking down at his chest where the scars lay.

"They show how strong you are Harry, you survived what they did and didn't give into that hate. Does Naruto know that you know?" Itachi shifted so they were facing each other, and Harry frowned at losing his comfortable pillow.

"I told him. I…he was so afraid Itachi. As if he thought I would hurt him. Once I got it through his head that I don't care about the demon I told him about who I am. He figured out straight away that there was more to the massacre than people believed. I have a smart little brother," Harry grinned, and Itachi smiled.

"Little brother huh?"

"Yep. He even asked if that meant Sasuke is his brother now."

Itachi laughed. "I can just see the look on my brothers face if Naruto said that to him." Sasuke had gotten better with his team over the years, but enough to accept Naruto calling him brother?

"Naruto knows to keep it a secret. I want to help him Itachi. You should see his apartment and the food they give him. I've seen stray dogs eat better. The place is bigger than my cupboard was but it's no bigger than some of the rooms in the Dursley's. It's not right. And you should meet the lady who runs the building, the utter bitch. I was so tempted to crucio her on my way out."

"You didn't, did you?" Itachi relaxed as he felt Harry shake his head.

"I wanted to though."

Itachi smiled slightly, he knew Harry had a temper, especially when his protective instincts were roused but he didn't like him using Dark Magic unless there was no other choice. He didn't want him to ever run the risk of becoming addicted to the stuff. "Whatever you do you can't let people know it's for Naruto or they will turn you away as well," he warned, and Harry nodded again. "Now, how about we train?"

Harry thudded his head back against the tree he'd shifted to lean against. "Stupid, I forgot. Tsunade is making me get a tutor so I can get fully to genin level. She said I never have to take the chuunin exam but I know that's what she wants. She's trying to tie me to the village."

"Looks like it. As soon as you're a genin you won't be able to leave without being labelled a missing-nin."

"I don't want to fight Itachi, I'm so tired of fighting. I told her no but she won't listen."

"If it wasn't for me she would. Maybe you should."

"Don't you dare finish that sentence," Harry hissed. "I love you; I am not giving you up! I've lost everyone and everything I've ever lost I will not add you to that list."

Itachi nodded and hugged Harry, part of him glad that Harry was willing to stay with him even though it would cause him problems.

"If worse comes to worse I can fake my death and leave. I don't want to but I will if I have to. I can change my appearance with glamour easily enough."

"Leave it as a last resort. You deserve the chance to live in Konoha, you're happy there. Even if you do take the exam you could always beg to teach at the Academy or something."

Harry nodded and then stood. "Let's train then."

Itachi grinned, and Harry gulped, he was so getting his arse kicked.

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Harry collapsed back into the grass, watching as the glade repaired itself from the damage they'd inflicted. He'd been right, Itachi had wiped him out without breaking a sweat.

"That was fun."

Harry sent him a glare worthy of Severus and Itachi chuckled. "You do realise that if I can't move in the morning Kakashi is going to tease me like mad and insinuate that the pain is not from training?"

"So?"

Harry growled and launched himself at his lover, pinning the older man and proceeding to tickle him. If Sasuke had been able to see the scene he would never have believed his eyes, then again neither would most people who had ever heard of the Uchiha. They finally separated and lay together, too exhausted and content to move.

"I'm telling Iruka tomorrow, I get the feeling he's who Tsunade wants to teach me since he's already been helping me with the language."

"He'll probably accept it, after all from what I've heard he was the first to publicly acknowledge Naruto. He's smart to from what I remember so he'll work out that there is something more to the massacre."

"I wish you'd let me tell them what really happened."

"No, its better this way."

"You're nuts," Harry stated. "How can it be better? Your own brother hates you and wants to kill you."

"Better he target me than the real killer."

"And if he gets to the point where he can kill you? What do we do then?"

Itachi didn't answer, having no answer himself. Before Harry the answer would have been simple, let Sasuke kill him. But now? He had no answer.

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"What have you and Harry been up to lately?" Iruka spun around to see Kakashi crouching on his windowsill. He rolled his eyes mentally at the other ninja. Honestly, didn't he know how to use the door?

"You'll find out when everyone else does. And get off my window."

Kakashi dropped into the room, looking around casually. He'd never actually been inside the teacher's small house before.

"You two have been spending a lot of time together," Kakashi commented out of the blue.

"I'm his teacher for now. Though that will change tomorrow."

"Oh?"

"He graduates as a full genin tomorrow."

"In only a month? That is fast." Kakashi followed him into the living room.

"He really only needed the theory and history aspects of an Academy education. He knew most of the rest of the curriculum, some things beyond it, which is understandable considering why he was given training in the first place. He may not be classed as a genius but he is an incredible student, even when you can tell he'd rather be doing something else."

"So he still doesn't want to be a shinobi?" Kakashi was genuinely curious, he and Harry hadn't talked much about it since Tsunade had made her decision.

"Hates the idea. He doesn't like killing at all. He could be ANBU or a hunter if he wanted to and tried hard enough but I doubt he'll ever go above genin, chūnin if he's pushed hard enough. If we can get him to chūnin I'll recommend him for the Academy, the children love him and he's so happy when with them."

"I can tell, he's done wonders with my team, even Sasuke relaxes slightly around him." Neither said anything about what they were both wondering, what would happen if Sasuke ever learned of Harry's relationship with his brother? "So what have you two been doing other than training? Come on Iruka, you can tell me."

Iruka turned to tell Kakashi no again and sighed at the sight of Kakashi's mask down around his neck, the powerful ninja actually pouting at him. He shook his head and leant in to kiss him. "You can wait to find out," he told him, ignoring the pout as it deepened, turning to the kitchen to get them dinner.

With Harry sharing Kakashi's apartment, they hadn't seen as much of each other as usual when they were both in the Village. With Harry being a foreigner and from another world at that, they weren't sure how he'd react to their relationship and so they had kept it quiet. It wasn't like very many people knew about them anyway, shinobi by nature tended to keep such things secret to keep their loved ones safe. He hoped Harry would accept it when he found out, he knew Kakashi liked the teen and so did he.

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"You passed!" Naruto whooped in joy, throwing his arms around his big brother joyfully before stepping back to study the hitai-ate tied around Harry's head.

"Congratulations Harry!" Sakura said smiling happily at the older teen.

Harry was glad she was firmly fixated on Sasuke or else he had the feeling he'd be the one she was chasing after, he had a small following of females from various age groups, especially since his majority and it drove him crazy. Itachi just found it hilarious when he wasn't feeling jealous. Sasuke just smirked as if to say, 'of course he passed, what's the big deal?' Harry was glad he'd spent the time learning all of the Uchiha smirks by watching Itachi or he wouldn't have a clue what was going on with Sasuke most of the time.

"Good job kid," Kakashi said, smiling happily at his flatmate.

Harry smiled back but the older men could see the sadness in it, Harry really didn't want to be shinobi. He was only acting so happy because of the kids although Iruka had the feeling Naruto suspected from the way he was acting to keep attention from Harry by jumping around and yelling like an idiot.

"Mind if I borrow Naruto for a bit?" Harry asked out of the blue.

Iruka sent a subtle nod at Kakashi so he nodded as well.

"Sure. Have fun you two."

Naruto grinned and grabbed onto Harry's arm. "Where are we going? Can we get Ramen?"

Iruka smiled and laughed softly as the two disappeared. He could feel Kakashi watching him.

"This have something to do with why you've been spending so much time with my cook?"

"He's not your cook Kakashi-sensei and yes it is but that's all I'm saying. I need to report to the Hokage. Have fun training you two." Iruka smiled at the teens and left.

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Naruto followed Harry happily as they walked through the village, ignoring the usual glares although secretly happy that Harry was returning them at an increased intensity. He remembered what Harry had called him last month and it made it so much easier to ignore the glares and whispers, they didn't matter as long as he had his friends and brother.

"Where are we going Harry?" Naruto asked as they headed into a section of the village where the streets were lined with small, nice houses. He usually only came to this area when going to see Iruka-sensei since he lived only a few streets away.

"Nearly there Naruto." Harry extended his hand slightly and Naruto latched on, smiling, happy that Harry didn't care about being seen with the 'demon'. He frowned slightly in confusion as Harry stopped in front of a newish one-story house. "Put your hand on that post and state your full name."

Naruto followed Harry's instructions and then followed him up the path to the door. He watched in surprise as Harry pulled out some keys and unlocked the door. They slipped out of their shoes and Naruto stared around the fully furnished living room in awe.

"Kitchen's through there as well as a small dining room. Bedrooms, study and bathrooms are down here."

Naruto followed him down the hall and into each of the four bedrooms.

"Best bit for a shinobi is out here." Harry opened the backdoor and led him outside. In the backyard was a training area and small dojo, fully equipped. Harry let him wander around to his heart's content before they went back inside and into the living room.

"It's great Harry! So you're finally moving out of Kakashi-sensei's."

Harry smiled and shook his head. Naruto stared dumbly down at the set of keys that were being pressed into his hand.

"What?"

"Happy Birthday for the last fourteen years. It's all yours Naruto."

Naruto stared at Harry as if he'd gone mad. "I can't. What about you? You can't give this to me." Naruto tried to give the keys back but Harry wouldn't let him.

"I bought this place for you Naruto. I'm happy where I am at the moment, though you can expect me over frequently to visit and Iruka's only two streets over so he'll be over a lot too probably. You're my brother Naruto and family looks after each other. Don't worry about the cost, I've got plenty. I want to do this for you. You deserve a safe place to live, not that apartment of yours. The property is fully warded, no one meaning you harm can step foot on it. When you touched the post I transferred the wards to you as the owner," Harry explained.

"Iruka helped me get this all set up with the sort of stuff you like and the equipment you need. I'll have to show you all the neat tricks we put in, some magical and some not. All of the rooms have been magically enlarged without changing the outside dimensions, same with the backyard so that no one walking by can tell. Though I did set up a heavily warded room under the house that I may need to use occasionally but I can apparate in and out of that without disturbing you. I needed somewhere secret for various magical experiments." Harry watched as Naruto stared down at the keys in his hand.

"You…you really mean it? This is all for me?"

Harry smiled and pulled his little brother in for a hug when he noticed the sheen to blue eyes, signalling withheld tears. "I mean it little brother; this is all yours. The cupboard and fridge are even charmed to supply food, proper food. They'll only give you ramen once a week. You can't live off that stuff your whole life you know. Your wardrobe also has new clothes, in colours other than orange. I don't want to lose the only sibling I've ever had just because an enemy saw his clothes." Harry pushed him away playfully and Naruto smiled around the escaping tears. "It's okay to cry you know."

Naruto nodded and let the tears come until Harry decided they'd lasted long enough and began a tickle match.

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"Naruto like his surprise?"

Harry smiled at the memory and leant back into the embrace. "He loved it once he got it through his head that I was serious and that it was all his. Thanks for the ideas on the training area, it really helped Iruka and me." Harry twisted in the lose embrace so that he could kiss his lover hello. "I think I may have a way for us to meet up again."

Itachi was suddenly all ears.

"I put a room in under the house for magic. No one but me can get in unless I let them. If I managed to leave a portkey somewhere for you it would be a simple thing for you to use it and we could see each other. Naruto knows about us so he wouldn't say anything even if he found out, as long as you didn't do anything against Konoha and you wouldn't."

Itachi stared at him in shock before smiling and pulling him into a kiss. "That could work, Harry you're brilliant."

"Hardly, you're the genius in this relationship. Oh, I graduated today. Don't know what'll happen next but I'm officially a ninja of Konoha."

"In only a month, congratulations."

Harry nodded, relaxing in his lovers embrace. He really hoped his idea worked, he hated not being able to see him in the flesh, especially with the life Itachi lived. They both knew their relationship could end through death at any moment so they took everyone they could get. Kakashi and Kisame both tended to let them sleep whenever they wanted to when they could to give them that time.

"By the way, Naruto's really getting into the brother thing." Itachi could hear the amusement in Harry's voice even though Harry had his face buried in his neck.

"Oh?"

"Yep, especially the threatening your siblings significant other with bodily harm bit. Basically do anything to hurt me and he'll set Kyūbi on you and if that doesn't work he'll set Sasuke's fan girls on you." Itachi shuddered.

"Is it bad that I find the second scarier?"

Harry laughed. "Nope, Kyuubi's just a big fluff ball."

"And you know this how?" Itachi frowned in worry, how on earth could Harry know that? He knew from previous surveillance that Naruto avoided talking about the fox if at all possible.

"We met?"

"WHAT!" Itachi's Sharingan activated, looking Harry over to assure himself he was unharmed.

"Calm down, sheesh. You sounded like Severus before he got to know me. He was curious about me after hearing what I told Naruto so I figured we might as well chat. I used Legilimency to get into Naruto's mind and met Kyūbi. He's not that bad if you talk to him. Turns out attacking Konoha wasn't exactly his idea and he feels bad about what happened. I negotiated better terms between them and they're both a lot happier now. Naruto gets easier access to his chakra plus training from him and Kyūbi gets more access to Naruto's senses and better living conditions. A win-win situation for all."

"And if something had gone wrong during your little meeting?" Itachi asked, still worried.

"I knew what I was doing, I would have pulled out immediately, promise."

Itachi knew that was all he'd get from the stubborn young man so he let it go. "All right, just don't do those things too often, okay?"

"Okay. I have a meeting with the Hokage tomorrow about what happens now that I'm a genin. She's got me as a shinobi now she has to figure out what to do with me."

"I've been thinking. You could claim your magic as a bloodline. Magic is just a type of energy, correct? So you could say you have the ability to pull energy from around you and shape it to your will. Since you're claiming to be from far away no one could really say you're lying."

"It would also bring more attention then I want. But it could work. I'll ask Tsunade tomorrow what she thinks about the idea. Want to train a bit or do something else?"

Itachi grinned, and Harry suddenly found himself trying to get away as Itachi had him pinned and was tickling him mercilessly. Harry shrieked and attacked back, laughing hard enough to cry. The sudden tickle war didn't last very long as they soon began kissing.

TBC…