Chapter 3: Sugar and Spice

"Traditionally a man may be the head of the household, but the woman is the neck." Naruto's new feminine arts sensei was elderly and sexist, turning and still somehow encouraging the kunoichi wannabes in the worse backward manner. "Back when women rarely became anything other than housewives and mothers, if a woman showed interest in having any power of her own even while the laws said she could pursue it, it was a punishable offense to her male family members." Displaying a beautiful bouquet on her lap, Fudo Kyouki gesture it with a predatory smile. "Those who trained in secret, already on their own missions, would use flowers to send messages."

Naruto, against all odds, had finally decided to pay attention in all her classes.

Or at least her clones did for her whenever she got too bored and sneaked away.

She was a jinchuuriki, a natural front line fighter. Her techniques were dangerous, caused widespread destruction, and were a reflection of the flashy and demanding biju in her stomach who can cause earthquakes with a single move.

Though she knew that this was a different woman who was teaching the Kunoichi classes from the first time around, her introduction speech had caught Naruto off guard and kept her attention. Having a demand to be better, to pursue having more tricks against others, men especially only, reminded her of a harsher Tsunade and Tenten.

Having been caught acting differently by two different individuals both who were in their own leagues that would be honed on when they were full-time shinobi if they weren't already, the need for subtly hit Naruto in the face like a brick. Of all the members in the Ino-Shika-Cho trio, the blonde had been assuming she'd have to watch her step around Nara and anyone with authority or sharp eyes. Instead, it was a young gossiper that she caught the attention of.

Only able to guess that the Yamanaka heiress watched Itachi leave the rose and wanted to see it for herself up close - teasing about what she must've had to do to get a boy to give her a flower never came from anyone. When she had convinced her now former sensei to quit by going even further than the first time around out of anger at the accusation of stealing a flower, Naruto thought that the fellow blonde would have left her alone since she was only acting as the petty deadlast troublemaker.

Instead there was a homemade study guide on flowers and their meanings that suddenly appeared at her spot in the open grass, first thing on Monday with their new sets of teachers. Fudo-sensei's speech did give her the idea of trying to communicate with Itachi Uchiha, but not even 10 minutes later there was a cheat sheet to help her as a certain heiress walked away. Her sudden attentive-ness yet vicious meanings in the bouquets she made for class brought on the weirdest praises from a woman who seemed to passionately hate men - and odd looks from her new sensei Iruka Umino at the end of the day when they'd be able to take them home. It wasn't that much of a surprise, she went from destroying flowers or throwing them quite literally out the window to scoffing at the boys bragging about some extra taijutsu time of the academy style.

The more disruptive pranks she pulled and the obvious slacking off in class had alone dulled enough that he had upfront asked her on if she even liked the other teacher who taught both the kunoichi arts and her usual class, and look of actually having the petty trouble-making jinchuuriki like his and Fudo's teaching sped up his now own guard dropping and disappearing dislike of her. To Naruto, she knew the first time around - it had taken almost a whole school year before he warmed up to her. Even though some of the students were iffy on her savage and cruel messages in the bouquets as it did scream something around the lack of morals and that encouraged the whole monster-image in their parents or being more boy than girl, a note from the Third Hokage was dropped off saying good job on getting her first A in Kunoichi Arts, come in on Friday for some celebratory ramen.

Naruto wasn't sure of how Itachi had been able to see her messages of her arguing for the earlier death of Root and the thief Danzo as soon as possible as they sat on her dining table, but his notes left on the back of the bench each morning as he dropped off Sasuke were frustrating her with the lack of face to face communication and proper conversation.

He couldn't trap her in the Tsukyomi every time they needed to speak, it was mentally exhausting to her and required a spike of chakra with an active doujutsu that paranoid civilian parents might mistake as proof of the Uchiha Clan to be able to control her. Sasuke though - her main excuse as she was still trying to beat him up in the name of their current one-sided rivalry, was starting to take her seriously.

Probably because when he had turned to tease her about the "easy A" in a class that "didn't matter compared to taijutsu," she turned to him and pointed out each individual flower and what their meaning was. "Teme, my bouquet says we have to kill the thieves right now, when no one is watching. If I turned it this way facing the window, whoever the thief was in here would've been assassinated by my team. Just 'cause the other girls make theirs about loving you don't mean mine isn't me practicing for going undercover where I'm not allowed to fight my way out of it. Besides, I always train after school too, so I'm technically learning more than you so I'm already better at it than you!"

Grinning wildly in pride as said teme froze in his place with an irritated expression, Itachi had added a part in his next note asking why Sasuke was now interested in knowing about other shinobi arts that he claimed better than flower arranging - such as trapping, poisoning, and tracking.

She found it hilarious, knowing that he was a little threatened at the fact that he couldn't take a Kunoichi Arts class for other skills. Knowing that she would be stuck in seductive training later on, with make up classes and history lessons on fashion, she silently wondered if she could pick up anything else in the Academy, not wanting to only get her same skills from before.

On Friday, a week and a day after having been spoken to and noticed by both Itachi and Ino though, Naruto thanked the gods for a golden opportunity that would've never happened if she wasn't overly competitive with Sasuke naturally over everything. Having received an entertaining detention right after the Academy let out with Iruka and her beginning to bond, she didn't consider it a waste when it would drag out her dinner with her jisan.

Mikoto Uchiha, a woman she had only seen from the distance before the Massacre had came in with a thank you and welcome homemade meal to the new sensei of her son's class. Having been told by said son that the teacher was overseeing her detention, kind onyx eyes had turned to her for the first time in both realities.

With Iruka in the next room after graciously saying thank you, Mikoto gave a soft smile.

"You must be Naruto, my son's rival."

She decided that Itachi was a split mix of both his parents appearances, his smile taking after his mother's. While Sasuke had inherited a more feminine frame from her, he took after their father in everything else besides the gentleness he'd treat his future children with.

"Uh, yeah, if you mean Sasuke-teme." The name slipped out before she could stop it, but it only made the Uchiha Matriarch grow warmer toward her.

"He's always complained that the Academy was too easy, that he should be allowed to skip a year and graduate as early as possible," shaking her head slowly, onyx eyes took on an appreciative glint. "But its been your rivalry that has been encouraging him to take his time, to learn other skills that won't put him on the front lines." Wondering on what her point was and on if she was telling the truth, Naruto's mouth opened only to be cut off before making a sound. "I was wondering on if you'd like to attend dinner at my home one of these days. Not many young girls take their Kunoichi Art classes seriously until they're chunin and while I haven't been on active duty in several years, I may be able to help you in on getting a head start on some of your other classes. Maybe you'll be able to become Kunoichi of the Year when you graduate."

It was a golden opportunity to be able to be seen around Itachi to speak and plan more properly, but this was the wife of a man that was allowing a coup to happen in the village they had all fought for. To be offered to practically train underneath her all because she was acknowledged as a rival to Sasuke finally in his eyes before they were even 10..

Having no idea what to do besides accept and wing it, Naruto would be coming over Saturday night to the Head House in the Uchiha District.

It'd be the first time she would see the Uchiha Clan alive and in full swing with their everyday duties in both timelines, the 'other Naruto' she decided to call it, having never seen the inside until cobwebs were everywhere or after when it was restyled to become a part of the village as a whole.

With detention finished, an ANBU member had even popped out of nowhere to tell her that the Hokage was already waiting for her at the stand.

The part of her that knew Hurizen Sarutobi, the reinstated Third Hokage would be killed defending his village during an invasion by his former star pupil, missed the elderly man quite a bit. He didn't exactly wrong her with how she ended up growing up as he was an elderly man past his prime and forced to focus on his other decisions, but he did try the most despite their positions.

The other part of her that knew she shouldn't know how he was going to die and how the future was going to turn out, was paranoid. She was acting differently, would her old man notice?

In fact, he didn't. He had came to the same conclusion with Iruka that her former sensei wasn't the best and that Hurizen had personally picked a combination that was proving to make a difference in what was considered the worse academy student. The fact that the real reason that kunoichi art classes were taught in the first place had came clear to Naruto of all people made him swell with pride that he allowed her to wear his hat for fun throughout their celebratory dinner.

Seeing the difference between his age from when she was young to before he died, it made the blonde wonder on if Tsunade could be convinced to come back sooner.

"Welcome home, Itachi-kun." His mother's voice called out from the kitchen, in an unbelievably cheery mood. Ever since his reveal to the Hokage about the upcoming possibility of a coup, his recent missions were either close or in the village as he acted as a spy for the Third against his clan.

"Thank you, mother," he responded softly as he entered the room, nodding to an angry Sasuke who had his arms crossed and was trying hard not to pout against the wall.

"Don't mind him, he's just upset I invited one of his classmates over for dinner tomorrow," Mikoto had added, catching the pleading look her youngest sent to the oldest. "She's very bright, you two should become friends!"

"She doesn't like me at all, mom! Why does the dobe have to come over?"

Only blinking to reveal how he felt over who exactly was coming over, he ignored the bickering between his family. Knowing that his father wouldn't have approved if he was even around for Friday and Saturday dinners in the first place, it was almost out of character for his mother to finally give her best friend's child attention. Her excuse of her being bright in an unique way was accurate but never acknowledged by her previously and the Kunoichi of the Year title was very unlikely as she was still ranked deadlast. It was also probably far away from Naruto's mind if she planned on being apart of the next Team 7 once again.

"If you like, mother, I can pick his classmate up. I don't think they'd know how to find our home, unless you gave her directions?" The betrayed expression Sasuke sent him was almost amusing as his mother nearly beamed at him. It went unspoken that they both knew where she lived, being that much of a troublemaker that most shinobi did when they went looking for her to dish out punishments - though his mother most likely didn't know he knew where she lived due to being assigned to watch over her than find her.

Fugaku was also not attending dinner tonight and due to a playdate at a cousins house, Sasuke would not be around tomorrow until their father was gone to complain once again.

It eased Itachi's nerves that his traitorous parents weren't planning on doing something against her or her jailer, but instead a plan of his mother's to possibly play matchmaker or to compare the young girl to her gone mother up close, now that even her younger son has noticed her.

One of the Third's request for information had been about what they had planned for Naruto, a jinchuuriki that held the most powerful biju of all villages. Since the Uchiha's weren't completely blinded by power and hatred with the information that it was her mother who previously held it, it was correctly assumed that only Uzumaki's could contain it - and Naruto was the only Uzumaki who wouldn't be able to or interested in having kids for another 10 years at most if she wasn't mentally much older inside.

If this was his mother's gentle attempt to show the clan that they could control her through love for whatever reason, as Mikoto really did show literally no interest in how she was turning out the first time around, then it would fail. It would only give him, her prodigy son that chose the village over their clan, an opportunity to speak to the only other person that knew of their village's future.

And though they had been uniquely arguing over what to do about Danzo, Itachi was confused on why Uzumaki kept referring to him staying in the village. It was impossible and he had no other way to cast a mangekyou that wouldn't be noticed this time around, as the first bouquet she properly ever made screamed warning, someone is watching, do not come near.

He could only assume that due to her chosen topic of Root and Danzo, that the old war monger had given some sign that he watched him give her that rose. The man had no qualms about using anyone to get what he wanted, Shisui's death and the subtle threats of hurting Sasuke ringing in his ears.

When dinner had finished, the crow watching her return home and set up the newest bouquet had reported in while the other took its place automatically.

Itachi didn't completely understand Naruto's insistence on disbanding Root as soon as possible until the newest bouquet spelled it out quite literally when he had upfront asked why.

"Sacrificing innocents to be loyal patriots, thief kills brothers trust." With an odd combination of S-A-I that wrapped around it, it took him a moment that it was spelling a name.

Sai, the replacement member in Sasuke's place on Team 7. There weren't too many memories of his own that revealed much of this individual, other than that he was emotionless and attempting to figure emotions out to be more human after spending his entire life only knowing Root.

Having done enough of his own missions underneath Danzo and meeting a few of his actual operatives that were forced to live their lives out with a seal underneath that tongue that'd kill them if they were able to speak too much of that secret organization, the Uchiha admitted with a silent sigh that the worlds Peacemaker was right once again.

It was Sasuke finding out that it was the Hokage's personal council who ordered the massacre, rooting a deep mistrust against Konoha as a whole that he wanted to destroy the entire village due to three elders who haven't fought for it in years. The fact that a Root member had replaced him of all people must have rubbed salt into personal wounds on how he saw Naruto and Sakura, even though they were trying to teach the former operative how to join society.

His final words to his little brother were that on if he told him the truth from the start, that he wouldn't have had to go through such pain, repeating the cycle of trying to make his older brother happy beyond death.

But he truly was too young and innocent - if Danzo was somehow taken care of before giving the order of the massacre, that wouldn't stop the family being too riled up for a coup. There were too many members readied for it and it'd only tarnish the village's image of the Uchiha as it'd get out if there were executions carried out as punishment. Sasuke had an unhealthy view of his family, to the point of idolizing the want to be emotionless and considered more untouchable that his fangirls would be too afraid to be caught staring. Being a mama's boy, seeing his older brother as an undefeatable force, and pursing his father's approval since he could know what chakra was and not be able to use it as soon as his older brother during wartime could, would confuse the growing boy if he was forced to choose between them, or would only cause resentment and the need of revenge once again.

Placing the book on flowers down, Itachi covered his eyes with his hands as he sat motionlessly at his desk.

Naruto was around the village to see the more frequent changes and would know what to prevent and push along. She saw the world lose its use for ninja and Itachi dearly wished that he could've been born into that world to have other options than to be a shinobi. He didn't mind having the power to help others as a trained shinobi, but it appeared everyone else had plans for him to go down the path of killing to help.

He hoped Naruto's plan wouldn't be darker than what had happened before, but with him having died at the age of 22 verse a woman who had lived sometime past 52 and became Hokage after defeating the Rabbit Goddess - she was his superior. More likely to know what was going on, why they knew what was happening, he wouldn't blindly follow but would take her suggestions higher than anyone else's orders first.

Wondering on if it was just easier to kill his entire clan besides baby brother once more, he had unknowingly fell asleep at his desk from exhaustion and stress.

Hours after the children of the household fell asleep, Fugaku had returned from the police station to see Mikoto sipping at a tea.

"Is Itachi awake?" Setting down the usual files brought home, his wife sighed into her cup before shaking her head slowly.

"No, and I believe he should be left alone to stay asleep." Hearing a warning edge in her voice, he raised his eyebrows unimpressed at her. Without even looking at him, she continued. "He appears much more stressed than normal, he should be allowed to have a full nights rest."

"He's an ANBU captain, the position is very tough in the first place and he has proven himself capable of handling it months beforehand. I need to discuss clan matters with him, immediately."

"By clan matters, do you mean him being the one to inform our genin of the rebellion and their part in it?"

"We'll need as much help as we can receive to successfully pull this off."

"The genin are children. We may need the help, but several of them will be losing their lives if they take any part in it."

Frowning at her as she continued to avoid looking at him, he was nowhere near in the mood to argue her on a decision the elder members had agreed on him with. If his son was able to be ANBU captain at 12, the genin that graduated at 12 should be capable as well. "They become adults the moment they earn their headbands. Itachi is a respected member of our family, in and outside our own walls. He can train them before our last month is up."

Saturday for both Itachi and Naruto was spent in silent anxiety. There was now 28 days left until the Uchiha Massacre would take place and the two would receive an opportunity to be allowed to start openly communicating.

Focusing on his duties, Itachi had kept his eyes open wide for the Root operatives that may be watching constantly.

Sneaking about the village as she trained, Naruto spent her day over-analyzing the past and future.

When it was 4pm however, there was a knock at her door.

Opening it to reveal Itachi dressed in civilian attire, explained that he was to walk her to the Main House for dinner. Though a hour early, he sat around in her apartment as she hurriedly cleaned up and changed out of her dirty clothes. Now wearing a white shirt with the Uzumaki swirl and plain black shorts, the male's nod left her nervously twisting her hands.

Their walk through the village was not followed by whispers, or at least not until they had left the civilians view, and Naruto almost found herself missing the mutterings of what the demon brat had been up to compared to the confused stares.

As Hokage later in life, the blonde had came to learn the subtle politics and double-edged meanings in every action. It wasn't necessary to enter a child into the academy to graduate as soon as possible in the peace of other Naruto's time unless ones family was living in poverty, but she couldn't recall a single shinobi graduating too early anymore. She had gone over faded reports and notes that were hidden with Sasuke, wanting to know why.

The war wasn't even over when Itachi Uchiha was enrolled into the Ninja Academy, earlier than most kids his age during the wartime. Despite the so-called peaceful times where the Great Villages were discussing new terms and setting their weapons down, Itachi was still able to graduate at the top of his class as the second youngest in Konoha history. As the quiet and humble-like clan heir who was even bullied, his official graduation was seen as the Uchiha Clans sacrifice for the village.

When the Uchiha Clan members made a mistake however, especially when the higher ranked members weren't doing many missions anymore yet held their official rank over ones head in arrogance, Itachi would take the social punishment as a genin from his so called peers and some superiors.

And he did, his natural prodigal status was quickly turned around into favoritism, some form of manipulation planned by the Uchiha's to hurt the village again.

Until he proved that when it came down to him, he had earned his place in the village with his chunin vest. His jonin vest and rank had brought in some personal insults, shinobi becoming biased thinking he was going to begin the tradition of lording it over their heads, yet he hadn't. When the ANBU tattoo was later spotted with no bragging announcement, it was unanimously agreed.

He was a blessing to the dwindled force, a protector that had his head on right despite his family. One could trust the name Itachi, but one could not trust an Uchiha.

With the Uchiha's blamed for the Kyuubi attack and clan agreeing to stay away from her except for her classmate Sasuke, she was now being walked to the clan compound by the public's trusted shinobi. She knew without a doubt, it wouldn't be just Ino watching for them now, it would be the village as a whole.

At least with the gossip queen in the academy, the worse assumption was that they were dating.

"Itachi-sama?" Practically standing on guard at the compounds gates with the subtle expressions screaming shock to her and the heir, was a middle aged man who routinely checked their surroundings. It wasn't as if there were hundreds of people watching, but the sideways glances and slow moving actions from interested looking adults made Naruto wonder just how entertaining most civilian home lives were.

"Hello, Itama-san. If you will please open the gates, Mother has sent me to escort Naruto-chan here to attend dinner with our family."

He didn't say much, just opened the gates for them and the blonde felt herself visably cringe.

Watching the possibly soon-to-be dead clan in full action of their everyday lives made both Itachi and Naruto ache inside awkwardly and desperately.

The bright blonde hair was not hard to spot in the crowd of dark brunettes and the two had quickened their steps to escape the now more judgmental stares, leaving Itachi to wonder how long it would take for Fugaku to learn of this. Reaching the smaller set of gates that lead to the Main House, swinging them open only revealed a heavily pouting Sasuke sitting with his arms crossed. His eyes brightened at the sight of his older brother, only to darken into a glare at his classmate.

The soft clattering of plastic and sometimes wood reached her ears from the traditional home before the two a sliding door off to Sasuke's right opened halfway as the meaty aroma hit her nose the strongest. "Aniki, why did you have to pick her up?"

Snorting as her blue eyes focused on him, she crossed her own arms and struck a pose. "Because if you did, you woulda never showed up!"

Posted: 2/02/2019