I do not own Naruto

INARI BLESSED

Decisions

"Yumi…" Yumiko turned around and smiled at the sleep ruffled Naruto. It was already noon, but Yumiko had let him sleep in since all of them needed the rest.

"Hey, Naru…"

"I am sorry."

Yumiko chuckled, "Don't be an idiot, there's nothing to be sorry for."

"I was quite rude to you yesterday," he says, slightly ashamed.

"I said don't be an idiot, Naru. Yesterday, all of us were pretty messed up…" She trails off solemnly but Naruto shakes his head.

"No, Yumi. I want you to understand that what I said yesterday doesn't mean that I don't trust you with my problems. I trust you; I trust both you and Kyo very much. You are right; yesterday, all of us were pretty messed up. I think that I was a little past 'messed up', though. I was scared and confused and generally losing my mind, that's why I was so… I am sorry, Yumi. I just don't want you to doubt how much I trust you."

Naruto finds himself comforted by Yumiko's warmth as she engulfs him in a hug and speaks softly, "I don't doubt anything, Naru… I don't doubt you…"

They stay like that for some time when Yumiko voices, "Did you speak with Kyo?"

Naruto nods slowly, "He said that he understands… said that I should talk to you though."

Yumiko hums.

"Have you decided what to do with the memories?" Yumiko asks cautiously.

"Not yet… I need more time. It feels so calm without those memories. My mind finally feels like it is my own. When I had them I was so afraid."

Naruto cannot remember any of the memories of his ancestors anymore, but the experience had shaken him up.

"I will tell you both when I decide what to do with them."

Yumiko nods.

It was already afternoon, so they spend the rest of the day resting and regaining their energy.

Naruto had a conversation with Uzume as well. It went fine, he listened to her and it helped. Earlier when he had actually killed all of those people, he didn't give it much thought because he had the memories from many lives of killing innumerable amounts of enemies that it felt like an unimportant detail. But now, looking at it when he had no memory of any previous battles and thinking with a clear mind, the weight of his first kill sank down deep. Uzume's talk helped him a lot with that.

They spend the following week at Wave.

The shinobi actively helped in building the bridge, as well as rebuilding the village. Naruto helped a lot with healing people who had gotten injured during the fight. Needless to say, Naruto was quite famous among the villagers.

Shin was suspiciously docile during the whole week. He even apologized to Kyoshiro in front of the rest of them. The only ones who weren't fooled by his act were Naruto, Kyoshiro and Yumiko. Shin was a very good actor, but emotion sensing was just too hard to surmount, even with the best acting skills. Yumiko didn't have any emotion sensing abilities, but she could read Naruto and Kyoshiro well enough to know that the two didn't trust Shin and that was enough for her to not trust him as well.

Sasuke was very solemn and withdrawn for two days straight before Naruto dragged him out of his funk. After that, he was doing much better.

Sakura was different. She was silent and withdrawn during the entire week. Her encounter with Sasuke had changed something and all of them hoped that the change was for the better.

At the end of the week, when the bridge was finished, a celebration was held at the village center. The shinobi were the guests of honor. The bridge was named "The Bridge of Heroes" and a plaque was established depicting the heroic actions of the shinobi that saved their village.

The very next day, they left for Leaf village.

Once they reached the village, the jonin dismissed the genin and left to report to the Hokage.

Naruto sat in his room facing the window. The wind ruffled his hair and he thought about his decision once more. He believed it was the right thing to do.

The Uzumaki, Namikaze and Sora are three clans that have been lost, with only the Uzumaki having some relatives wandering about. For the Namikaze and Sora clans, he was the last and only one. The knowledge of three clans so close to becoming a myth. He had thought about this during the week he spent at Wave and the travel back to Konoha.

The purpose of the Namikaze memory transfer was so that their techniques and knowledge would not be lost, but if he rejected the memory, that is exactly what would happen. He also cannot completely accept the memories since he would lose himself. He could only come up with one solution for his predicament.

He stood up and walked outside to tell Yumiko and Kyoshiro about his decision.

Hiruzen watched the two shinobi in front of him and sighed. How could a simple C-rank mission go so wrong?!

Naruto, apparently, has some strange new jutsu, Shin lost control because someone tampered with his seal, not to mention that Wave would have blown up had it not been for Naruto. What a wonderful C-rank mission indeed!

In the end, he said, "I'll up the rank of the mission into an S-rank. Kakashi, have Naruto check Shin's seal again, just to be sure. Jiraiya is not in the village and won't be able to arrive for another month or so. I will talk to Naruto about his newfound abilities; you don't need to worry Suiren-san, dismissed."

He sighed and leaned back in his chair once the two shinobi left. Retirement sounded like heaven right now.

"You want to make a record of the memories?" Yumiko asked, a little unsure of what Naruto meant.

Kyoshiro just looked thoughtful.

Naruto nodded at Yumiko, "I would need to have access to the memories again, so I plan on making a seal that could make a record of the memories, giving me access to them anytime without actually having to go through them all again."

Kyoshiro nodded, "That sounds like a nice idea, Naru, but isn't that exactly what the Namikaze's wanted to avoid? They had the memory transfer because they didn't want to have any of their knowledge recorded.

"But this is the only idea I got. It's either I do this or bury those memories forever because there is no way I am going to accept those memories," Naruto spoke imploringly.

Yumiko sighed, "He's right, Kyo. This is better than nothing."

"Alright," Kyoshiro agreed, "So how about we work on this recording seal?"

Naruto and Yumiko nodded.

"Well, what are the three of you up to?" All three of them turned to look at Uzume and Kakashi who were coming towards them.

Yumiko smiles, "No pranks, Kakashi, at least not on you this time."

"I pity the poor fool who will be the target of your evil mischief," Kakashi drawled, not taking his eyes off of the book.

"Well, we're here to get Naruto," Uzume told them, sighing.

"Me?" Naruto asked confused.

"The Hokage wants you to double-check Shin's seal."

Naruto nods at them and turns to Kyoshiro and Yumiko, "I'll be back and then we can start on the seal."

Kakashi and Uzume look at each other in confusion, "What seal, Naru?"

"A recording seal," Naruto says nonchalantly.

"What's it for?" Uzume asks

"Nothing specific, it's just a fun project," Yumiko says.

Uzume narrows her eyes in suspicion but doesn't question her students further.

Naruto leaves with Uzume and Kakashi.

"I'll inform Inari-sama about Naru's decision."

Yumiko nods, "Alright, I'll get the scrolls and references we might need. We'll get some basics done by the time Naru returns."

Both of them walk back inside the compound.

Shin sat inside his study in the Uchiha compound. Mikoto was in the kitchen and Sasuke was out training with Itachi. Of course, Itachi had offered to train Shin as well but Shin had refused, saying that he needed some rest. The real reason was that he needed to look through some of his father's old notes.

There were detailed scripts about the Kyuubi and the origin of the Sharingan, but none of them gave him any idea on how to bypass the seal and gain access to the Kyuubi's chakra. It seems that getting rid of the suppressing seal was the only option. But if he suggested that, they would be suspicious of him. Shin didn't need their suspicion now. Someone else would have to make the suggestion for him.

Shin was startled out of his thoughts by a knock on the door.

"Shin, come out. Hatake-san is here to see you," Mikoto spoke from the other side of the door.

Shin frowned, why was Hatake here? This may be about the Wave incident… Better not keep him waiting.

When Shin arrived downstairs, he saw that Naruto and Uzume were with Kakashi. Shin was slightly suspicious, but he tried not to show it and put on a confused face, "Sensei?"

Kakashi smiled at Shin, "No need to worry, Shin, we are just here to check your seal to make sure that it's still in good condition."

Shin nodded, he had already guessed that was the case.

"But why is Naruto here?" he asked because he really didn't understand the need for Naruto to be present.

Uzume smirks slightly, "It's because he will be the one checking your seal. He is a seal master."

Shin's eyes widen briefly, a seal master?

"He's the one who designed the seal that we used on you at Wave," Kakashi explains. Shin doesn't express any of the intense anger he feels, but Naruto can feel it nonetheless and his eyes narrow.

Naruto stands up, "We need to move to a private location where you can be a bit more comfortable."

Shin nods and leads them to his bedroom.

"Please take off your shirt, lie down on the bed and concentrate some chakra into your hands," Naruto says blankly. Kakashi and Uzume stood leaning against the wall.

Shin did as he was told and watched as the seal became visible when he used chakra. Naruto looked at the seal critically.

After some time, Naruto nodded at Kakashi and Uzume and stood up, "Done. You can put your shirt back on."

Shin watched as Naruto moved towards Kakashi and Uzume wordlessly.

Then, Naruto spoke, "There is nothing wrong with the Eight Trigram Divination Seal or the Death Reaper seal as you all call, it is fine. Are you sure that someone tampered with the seal, Shin?"

Shin was startled and nodded slowly. Suspicion was already forming on Kakashi and Uzume's minds and Shin cursed at Naruto inside his mind. Naruto smirked when he felt the emotions Shin was projecting.

Naruto continued his conclusions, "The Eight Trigram Beast Confinement Seal is still active and I would suggest keeping it active indefinitely."

Shin looked up and his eyes flashed red briefly but no one noticed, "That's the seal that was used to subdue me, right? Keeping it active means that I won't have any access to the Bijuu chakra."

Naruto nodded, "Given what happened at Wave, we should keep the biju chakra confined for some time so that it settles down a bit. After that, we can remove the confinement seal. Then you can access the Bijuu chakra once more."

"You're saying that I will lose control without the confinement seal?"

"I am saying that it is better to be safe than sorry."

Kakashi coughs, stopping the staredown between the two boys.

"Naruto, I think we should look for the Hokage's opinion on what to do with the seal…" Kakashi says placating.

Naruto sighs, "Yeah, sure, I have to go. Kyoshiro and Yumiko are waiting for me."

Naruto glares at Shin when he senses the emotions of the other at the mention of Kyoshiro. Naruto doesn't say it, but Shin knows the threat in his eyes.

"Yeah, you can go now Naruto," Kakashi tells Naruto and wonders why the boy seems so offended by Shin.

Naruto leaves the room without another word.

Downstairs he finds Mikoto standing near the door, "Mikoto-san."

"Naruto-kun," Mikoto smiles at him and Naruto suddenly remembers the scroll that Mikoto had given him just before he left for Wave. The scroll is still safely tucked away inside his storage seal, but with all that had happened Naruto had entirely forgotten about it.

"We have to talk…"

When Naruto returns to the Uzumaki compound, it's almost noon and Mikoto is with him. Yumiko and Kyoshiro are both surprised by Mikoto's presence, but what bothers them, even more, is the carefully crafted blank look on Naruto's face. Kyoshiro can feel the turmoil the blond is going through.

Yumiko steps back in surprise when she sees the person following behind Mikoto and Naruto, "Father?"

Hyuga Hoseki steps forward with a nervous frown, but the nervousness was only detectable to those with the capacity for emotion sensing

"What's the meaning of this, Naruto?" Yumiko asks. She tries to hide the quiver in her voice. The man who had kicked her out of her clan was now standing before her and all she wanted was one smile from him. God, how she wished she could hate him!

Naruto opens his mouth to speak, but Hoseki stops him, "Uzumaki-kun, I would like to be the one to tell her, please."

Naruto pauses then nods, "Yumi, I want you to listen to him before you come to any conclusions. Give him a chance to speak."

Yumiko blinks in surprise but then nods. Because, while she might resent this man, she trusts Naruto.

"Can we talk in private?" Hoseki asks Yumiko and Naruto at the same time.

Naruto looks at Yumiko waiting for her reply.

"I… yes, it's fine," Yumiko mumbles.

Naruto just nods. Kyoshiro is staring at the whole interaction with narrowed eyes, Mikoto standing just behind him.

Mikoto, Kyoshiro, and Naruto left Yumiko and Hoseki in the guest room and activate a privacy seal.

"Naru?"

Naruto looks at Kyoshiro who appears confused and sighs.

"I assume the man in there is Hyuga Hoseki, Yumiko's father," Kyoshiro states and Naruto nods at him.

"I know that all of you, including Yumiko, believed that Hoseki banished Yumiko from the clan because she didn't have the bloodline. But he had his reason for what he did."

Kyoshiro looks at Mikoto inquiringly, "And what is the reason he had for abandoning his own daughter?"

"He didn't abandon her… He was protecting her."

"I am sorry that I never got to watch you grow up… You have become a fine kunoichi, and I would've been proud to say that you're my daughter. Alas, I no longer have the right to do that…"

Yumiko doesn't speak but her eyes become wet and she looks down to avoid letting him see that. Why was he talking to her now of all times? It's been nine years since she had been kicked out of the Hyuga clan. Nine years since she had even caught a glimpse of him. Now, why was he suddenly interested in her?

"I don't expect you to forgive me, but I want you to know the truth. I never hated you, Yumiko, and I never once thought of you as a disgrace. I was proud of you."

"Liar!" Yumiko shouted, "You're lying! You always hated me… You never loved me or mom! I heard rumors that you loved someone else and you never wanted to marry mother. You hated her because she wasn't the woman you loved and you hated me because I was not the child you wanted. You never gave mom a chance, even though she had been forced into marrying you just like you were. Now, you're here saying… I don't want to hear this!"

Hoseki looked regretful at the first part, but surprised and furious at the last part.

"Yumiko… Who told you that?"

Yumiko stepped back, surprised, "Why on earth does that matter to you?"

Hoseki took a deep breath, but he still looked angry, "You think that woman that you call 'mother' was the innocent in all this? I don't blame you since no one ever told you the truth… But Hyuga Misaki was not a woman, she was a monster!"

Yumiko had no clear memories of her mother, only stories she had heard from her aunt. Hyuga Misaki was a very gentle, loving and kind woman. Her only mistake had been falling in love with the man who had married her.

"How dare you talk about mother like that?" Yumiko asked angrily.

"She's not your mother!"

Yumiko froze.

Hoseki looked at his daughter sadly, "She's not your mother…"

"Hoseki and I were in a team with your father," Mikoto says looking at Naruto. "Even though he acted like a stuck-up prick in front of other people, he was a different man altogether when he was with us. Then, that idiot managed to go and fall in love with my cousin, Uchiha Akayuri, the daughter of the clan head's younger brother. She used to work at the hospital as a medic and that's how both of them met. It was some sort of instant connection," Mikoto stares sadly ahead.

Kyoshiro looked at Naruto and he had a feeling he knew where this story was heading.

Mikoto huffed, "Both of those idiots managed to keep it a secret from Minato and me for a whole three years before we found out. By that time, we had become chunin and had gone separate ways but still remained close friends. It was at that time, I met Kushina. I don't know how they did it but they managed to keep their respective clans unaware of their relationship. The Uchiha and Hyuga clans had a strong rivalry at that time, and them finding out that a Hyuga clan branch family member was in love with the Uchiha clan head's niece would have been a disaster."

"But they did find out, didn't they?" Kyoshiro asks knowingly.

"Yes," Mikoto looked away sadly, "they found out... and it was a disaster."

"There was a Hyuga from the main branch that had an unhealthy obsession with Hoseki. We used to tease him about it a lot. I have no idea how she found out but once she did…"

"I loved Akayuri, and she returned my feelings wholeheartedly. We knew that our clans would never approve and tried to hide the relationship for as long as possible, but even we knew that it wouldn't last long. They would find out eventually. That woman," Hoseki spat, "Misaki, she was the one who somehow found out about our relationship and she tried to blackmail me into marrying her. I didn't agree but, when you're in the Hyuga branch family, choices aren't often given to you. They forced me to marry her when she… One day she just came and told me she was pregnant with my child… a kid that wasn't even mine. I knew that, but her father had to save face and I paid the price."

Yumiko looked horrified at the pain in Hoseki's eyes.

"That was around the time that I found out Akayuri was also pregnant. I was so happy and scared when Yuri told me, and then Misaki happened. Yuri was treated like trash once her clan found out that she was pregnant, but she never told anyone that I was the father. I had no idea what to do at all! We managed to keep everything together until the day of the birth. It was a miracle, really, both of them giving birth at the same time."

Hoseki paused unable to continue.

"Akayuri gave birth to a healthy baby girl. I still remember how happy she was when she saw their daughter… before she… passed."

Naruto squeezed Mikoto's hand comfortingly. Mikoto couldn't get Akayuri out of her head.

"Misaki's was stillborn. We and Akemi, the doctor that took care of Misaki, didn't see any other option… Yumiko was born with all the classic Hyuga features and anyone who looked at her could tell that she was a Hyuga, but we couldn't let that happen. So, we switched the babies. We convinced Akemi to do it. If the Uchiha clan found out that Akayuri had a kid with a Hyuga, they would've killed Yumiko or worse, if they found out about Yumiko's eyes…"

"Her eyes?" Kyoshiro asked, confused.

Mikoto smiles ruefully, "The reason Yumiko never awoke her bloodline was because of a seal placed on her. Minato and Kushina designed and created it together. Yumiko had her bloodline from the moment she was born… She opened her eyes and we saw something new; Yumiko had a dojutsu that mixed the Sharingan and the Byakugan. We couldn't let the Uchiha or the Hyuga know about it. The Uchiha would use her as a weapon and try to recreate the dojutsu, and the Hyuga would undoubtedly do the same."

"So, you had to seal the bloodline?" Kyoshiro asks.

Naruto, who had been silent during the entire conversation, speaks up, "My mom and dad designed the bloodline suppression seal for Yumiko…?"

"That explains why no one ever figured it out…" Kyoshiro mumbles.

Yumiko stared at her father dumbfounded and tried to process all that she had just been told. The mother she had always hear about was not even her real mother, but a despicable bitch who forced her father into marrying her; the woman who bore her, an Uchiha, was her father's secret lover who died during childbirth. Also, she had a combination of Sharingan and Byakugan that had been sealed away to keep her safe, something Naruto's parents, Akemi-nee and Mikoto-san knew about.

She fingered the back of her neck, near her hairline, where the seal was hidden. She slumped back in her seat tiredly. Her father looked at her with guilt.

He kept his head down and Yumiko realized that she had never seen him display such emotions before. Back when she still used to live in the Hyuuga compound, he was always tense and wary; each move calculated to never make a mistake.

Hoseki takes a deep breath and continues, "I made sure that Misaki never found out about the baby exchange. That bitch was so overjoyed that Akayuri and 'her' child died. Misaki managed to guess that Akayuri carried my child and she took pleasure in every opportunity to taunt me about how I 'lost my love and my child'," Hoseki clenched his fist in anger, "She had become resentful that, even after marriage, I only had eyes for Akayuri and reveled in my suffering. Misaki always taunted me with something else as well… She always brought up how I was forced to father a child that wasn't 'mine'."

Hoseki chuckles at the irony of the situation, but it was tinged with a heavy sadness.

"I moped around and snapped like everyone expected me to. I mourned Akayuri and I thanked God that you had made it. I acted as if I hated you because I was afraid that Misaki or her sister, your 'aunt', might figure things out. Two years later, when Misaki died, I was so relieved and I thought that maybe I could take care of you more since I would be your sole guardian. But Misaki's sister was still alive and she took you in, claiming that I hated you and I had no choice but to accept."

"Then, they started talking about placing the caged bird seal on you and I couldn't allow it. Akemi argued in my place that, since you had 'no dojutsu', the seal was unnecessary but they were adamant, so I suggested banishing you because I thought that would be a whole lot better than being caged… I am sorry if I hurt you when I acted that way, but I am not sorry that I did it because looking at you now, I know that I made the right decision."

Yumiko let the tears fall freely, and the silent sobs shook her frame. Her father looked unsure of what to do and remained where he was.

"I… I need time… to think about all of this… Please leave…"

Hoseki nods as he stands up, "Yumiko, I am not asking for your forgiveness, but I want you to know that I have always and will always love you. If you want to, I am sure that Uzumaki-kun will be able to remove off the Bloodline suppression seal. Since the Uchiha are gone and you're officially a member of the Uzumaki clan now, you will be safe, but others would be after you if they ever discover the dojutsu and I want you to be safe," He paused, letting his eyes soak up the sight of his daughter, "Take care of yourself…"

He turned around and exited the room, leaving Yumiko alone with her thoughts. He looked at her one more time before he crossed the threshold.

Yumiko stared at the ceiling and wondered what to do.

Three faces looked at Hoseki inquiringly as he stepped outside.

"How did she take it?" Naruto asked softly.

"She… She took it well, but she needs time."

Mikoto nods, "That is understandable."

Mikoto and Hoseki left the house after telling the younger nin to contact them if the need arose and promising to visit again.

Kyoshiro watched as the two of them left, "Well, come on then, we have a friend to comfort."

Shin stood in front of the village council looking at them blankly.

They were discussing what happened in Wave. "If there are enemies out there that could mess with a jinchuuriki seal, then perhaps we should be more careful and restrict the boy to remaining inside the village," some idiot said.

"Did you forget that Uzumaki was attacked while he was inside the village?"

Someone else scoffed. Shin silently stored all the information that they were so carelessly spilling because they thought he was some naïve kid. He knew that Naruto had been the jinchuuriki before him, but he had never been privy to the circumstances that led to the demon's resealing.

"Hatake-san, your report says that the person who attacked you in Wave was the same person that attacked Uzumaki-kun?"

Kakashi nods, "His name was Michiko Masaru and he was an A rank shinobi and seal master."

"And Uzumaki-kun killed him?"

Uzume nods. "How? You have not described that in the report… Just that he used clan techniques… How exactly did he kill an A rank shinobi?"

"If the reports say that he used clan techniques, then that means he has the right to deny you knowledge of what techniques he used," It was Hyuuga Hiashi that countered the civilian who had asked the question.

The civilian council member sputtered, "But Hiashi-sama, an eleven-year-old genin has defeated an A-rank nin. It would be beneficial for the village that we know what techniques he used."

"By Konoha laws, clan members have the right to keep clan techniques and information to themselves, unless they directly threaten the village. You do know that right?" Yamanaka Inoichi interrupts.

"We're going off topic. Since it is already stated that this Michiko Masaru is dead, meaning he is no longer a threat. Uchiha-kun already said that his seal had been tampered with, so his lack of control should be excused. And here we have Uzumaki Naruto's report on the status of the seal. The seal is functioning as well as it had been, but there is now an additional seal completely cutting off the bijuu chakra…"

Shin looked up when the council discussed the necessity of the additional seal. In the end, the Hokage spoke, "Since you were not under your own volition when you attacked Kazama Kyoshiro, you're exempt from any kind of punishment. But... we're heeding the advice given by Naruto-kun and the suppressing seal will stay on for one month."

Shin cursed internally but, externally, he thanked the Hokage and left the council chambers.

He calmed himself down as he walked to the compound. So... he won't be able to use the bijuu chakra for another month. Trying to go against the Hokage's order would be inadvisable and he couldn't risk it. For now, he would have to wait.

Itachi sat with his mother and little brother, Sasuke, at the dining table.

"Nii-san, is something bothering you?" Sasuke asked Itachi, confused by the sudden gloomy aura that surrounded him since he came back from the Hokage's tower.

"Nothing at all, Otouto… Why would you ask that?" Itachi said as he savored his mother's cooking, while Mikoto sat staring at the two silently.

Sasuke shrugs and continues eating.

Itachi's eyes darts from his mother to his brother, intently studying their features.

"Itachi, I need to speak with you alone?" Mikoto says once they finish the meal. Sasuke watches as Mikoto and Itachi retreat into Itachi's room.

"You have a mission," Mikoto says softly.

Itachi knows that it is not a question but a statement, so he doesn't say anything.

"How long will you be gone?" Mikoto asks. Itachi stays silent for a long time before he answers.

"Indefinitely… Until the Hokage calls me back." His voice is just as soft and Mikoto bites her lip. She knew that look she saw in Itachi's eyes; they very same look she had when going on a mission uncertain whether they would ever return. Looking at her precious ones and wondering if this might be the last time she sees them. She knows that look all too well.

"But you will try to come back right?"

Itachi doesn't answer and Mikoto asks again, louder this time, "Itachi, you will come back to us, right?"

Itachi looks at the ground and the unsure emotions in his eyes troubles Mikoto; "It is doubtful…"

Then, when he sees the desperate pleading in Mikoto's eyes, he adds hastily; "But I promise that I will try, mother. I will try my best to come back to you and Sasuke." He doesn't say Shin, but they both know that Mikoto is the only one in the family that even tries to think of Shin as family anymore.

"What should I tell Sasuke?"

Itachi looks away, "You won't have to say anything…"

Mikoto frowns at Itachi's cryptic words and something like dread coils inside her, "What do you mean by that, Itachi?"

Itachi wants to tell her, to at least spare her the pain the news will cause. He knows deep down that his mother will believe in him and would trust him, but there is a part of him that fears that once he leaves tomorrow, there won't be a family waiting for him to come back.

"What do you mean by that, Itachi?" Mikoto asks pleadingly.

"It's… It's an undercover mission… I have to…" Itachi stops, unsure on whether or not to continue. But Mikoto was once an elite jounin and she connects the dots easily.

"You're going to become a missing-nin…"

There is a pain in her voice, but she knows that she can't stop him and he knows she wouldn't try to.

"I really have to thank Naruto for these seals…"

Both Itachi and Mikoto turned their head to the side so fast, he was surprised they didn't get whiplash.

"Sasuke!" Mikoto cried out angrily.

Sasuke shrugs, "So what, he was going to go off on his mission and you were willing to let me believe that he actually betrayed the village?"

His stance is casual, but the accusation lingered in his words.

"Sasuke, I have to go on this mission-"

"And I am not stopping you," Sasuke says, surprising his brother, "It's your duty to the village and I don't want to force you to choose between me and your duty. Knowing you, that choice would only hurt me…"

Itachi almost flinches at the words.

"But it doesn't matter. You can go off and become a missing-nin, complete your mission and I won't bother telling you to stay, but as mother asked, you should come back to us, to your family. I don't want you to just try; I want you to come back."

Itachi gazes at his brother, wondering when the boy had become so mature.

"I will Sasuke, I will…" He utters.

"Good," Sasuke launches himself at his brother. Itachi catches his brother as he is engulfed in a bear hug. Mikoto hugs him from the other side.

He will come back, not for the village but for his family.