It has been a good day for little Naruto.

Kakashi has been home a lot lately. Ever since his 2 week super special mission, he has been treating Naruto more ramen than usual. Was Kakashi paid more because of his special mission? Must be, seeing his real smile. Must be a lot of money, Naruto thought.

Well, could be because Naruto had been a good boy too. He hadn't done any pranks in those 2 weeks! He was tempted though, not going to lie. Being alone in Kakashi's house reminded Naruto about 6 months ago, before he met Kakashi...

But he had Kakashi now, so Naruto could wait a little longer.

By the way, Naruto seldom saw Kakashi smiles. Well, Kakashi didn't smile like like most people. He smiled through his eyes (but how, with his mask and all? Naruto wondered. It's still a big mystery to him until now. Must be his secret ninja jutsu or something.).

Most of the time, Kakashi's smile wasn't real. He just did it because it was... right, Naruto guessed. But sometimes, just sometimes, when Naruto and Kakashi took a walk, or did something together, or eating together, Naruto could see a little bit of Kakashi's real smile. Sometimes his real smile can be sad, though. Naruto couldn't quite figure it out. Maybe Kakashi was lonely too...

Well, that's why Naruto's here! If he's going to be Hokage, he'd make sure Kakashi's not alone anymore, believe it! He's going to make Kakashi opens his mask too-

Thump,

BAM!

"Oww..." Naruto cringed, massaging his feet.

Well, that would teach Naruto not to daydream while on a walk.

"Are you okay?" A gentle voice asked.

Naruto looked up to a pair of concerned black eyes below the setting sun, looking down at him.

"I-I'm fine, believe it!" Naruto got up as soon as he yelled that. His feet protested at the sudden movement, but Naruto ignored it.

The gentle young man smiled at Naruto. Oh boy, Naruto thought. "Your smile looks just like Kakashi!" Naruto blurted out before he could even stop himself.

The young man tilted his head. "Do you know senior Kakashi?"

"Yup! I'm his guardian now!" Naruto yelled once more.

The black-eyed youngster giggled. "I see. I think you have that the other way around. You must be Naruto, I presume. Senior Kakashi talked a lot about you."

Pre-what? This guy must be super smart or something, Naruto thought.

Seeing Naruto's confused face, the young man straightened.

"I'm sorry, I haven't introduced myself. My name is Itachi." Itachi said while holding out a hand.

Umm... he's holding out his hand? But...

"Aren't you afraid of me?"

Itachi was shocked. He never expected a child, looked as young as his brother, said that.

He had heard about Naruto's... special circumstances, of course. A little patten-recognizing here and a bit of fact gathering there would reveal to anyone that Naruto was the fourth Hokage's son, and Naruto was the jinchuuriki of the demonic Nine Tails, even with Hokage's order of secrecy.

Naruto was burdened with great responsibility as soon as he was born.

Yet despite the fact that Naruto carried the burden unwillingly, the villagers of Konoha shunned him. Despised him. Possibly worse than the hate to the Nine Tails itself.

Itachi was furious. He wondered what made him want to be ANBU in the first place.

But back to the matter at hand.

"And why would I be?" Itachi presumed innocence.

"Because... well..." Naruto fidgeted. "Because everyone does. They never let me play with them, or buy stuff even when I have money from the old man."

Naruto's words resonated deeply with Itachi. What Naruto just described was the summarized current condition of the Uchiha clan. Despised and shunned because people fear you... was something Itachi knew very, very well.

This made him doubt Danzo's offer the other day more. If Naruto symbolized the state of the Uchiha clan, would killing Naruto, and the Uchiha clan in actuality, solve the root problem that is unjustified hate and prejudice from both sides? Hatred and enmity would always be in people's hearts.

Granted, the Uchiha clan was not as innocent as Naruto. And Itachi couldn't figure out any other solution. But surely there's a better way?

Itachi didn't know. Itachi may never know. The coup d'etat was near, and he must act soon.

But for now, he must do what he can. Naruto still looked up at him, with hurt yet expectant eyes.

Naruto reminded Itachi so much of Sasuke...

"Well, Naruto, you may find it strange, but I think you would find that I am unlike most people." Itachi finally said with a smile.

Naruto visibly brightened, and nodded. "See! Your smile looks just like Kakashi's!"

Itachi had been meaning to ask. "Can I ask what you mean by that?"

"It means you smile just because it's right! It's not your real smile but it's close! But you don't have a mask on, how can yours is the same?" Naruto wondered to himself.

Just because... it's right, huh. Itachi smiled to himself. Maybe that's what being a ninja means. To do what's right... despite everything.

"AHA!" Naruto pointed at Itachi's face. "Now you smile for real!" Naruto nodded, seemingly proud of himself.

Itachi was shocked. But this time, it didn't make him furious. He instantly thought of something.

Itachi then decided.

"Say, Naruto, it's almost night-time. Would you like to come over to my house for dinner?" Itachi invited Naruto.

Naruto instantly eyed Itachi suspiciously. "I'm not supposed to meet with strangers..."

Itachi giggled. Then what had they been doing all this while?

"Don't worry, we'll come over to your house first, to let senior Kakashi know. We are-were... work partners, you see." Itachi explained smoothly.

"Oh, so you're a special ninja too? Why didn't you say so? The old man always sent someone like you to watch me. Probably to stop me from doing my pranks, but they never made it, hahaha!" Naruto boasted.

Itachi suspected that this particular old man Naruto mentioned was not just an ordinary old man... which made Itachi's plan to let Naruto meet Fugaku Uchiha, his father, made more sense. Just the gesture of inviting Naruto would reveal Itachi's intention of reconciliation between Naruto, the (unaware) representative of Konoha to his father, who was the current leader of the Uchiha clan, and the would be leader of the upcoming coup d'etat. He was not the clan's leader for nothing.

What he was doing may be naive, and borderline futile. But Itachi had to try. He wanted his father to see as Itachi did. If he had to risk his identity as a double agent-no, his life, then so be it.

Because to be a ninja is to do the right thing... despite the hate. Despite the prejudice.

Despite everything.

"Well, shall we go to your house, then?" Itachi changed the subject. It truly was almost night time, after all.

"My... house...? Sure, let's go!" My house eh, Naruto thought. I like that.

"Yes, I'd like to meet senior Kakashi as well. It has been a while." Itachi started walking, following an upbeat Naruto.

"Oh, and you might meet my little brother Sasuke later.

You two might become friends."