Bright. Why was everything so bright? His eyes barely opened before he shut them tight once more. He attempted to raise his right arm to shield his eyes. But, he found that his arm could not be moved. His eyes widened in a panicked state. His body started convulsing, attempting to free itself from the wires detaining him to the bed.

"Naruto-kun, you're safe my boy." the ever-soothing voice of the Sandaime Hokage calls out.

His body slowed, and his eyes opened once more. Glancing around until he found the smiling form of Hiruzen. Then, he felt the back of his eyes dampen. His eyes acting as a dam against the wave of water. Then he released it. "J-jiji!" he cried.

His tears staining his cheeks as he attempted to force his face into the shoulder of the only person he could trust. Hiruzen just allowed Naruto to do it. Ignoring his stained shirt as he slowly patted Naruto on the head.

Another screw up on Hiruzen's head. Oh he would never be able to look Minato and Kushina in the eye once he died. Hiruzen had never felt so truly, old. Not when he sent thousands to their death, and not when his student defected.

This, this was all on him. He could have done more for this one child. He hid an important secret, with another secret, and because of that one decision, a child's life was ruined. He watched the sobbing boy, so normally filled with happiness, with nothing but regret.

The last attachment of Namikaze Minato and Uzumaki Kushina. Hiruzen could see it. The calm sky of Minato's eyes turning into a raging storm. He could feel the oppressive capability of that man. Hiruzen had to shake himself out of it, for he had a child to take care of.

-_-Later-_-

Kakashi glared at the mirror in front of him. The reflection irritating him as he wanted nothing more than to just break it. To shatter the mirror, to distance himself. He placed the mask above his mouth, before applying the Inu mask to his face. If only to detach himself from the failures.

Danzo, that damned bastard, would pay. He would pay, not now, but when Kakashi was strong enough to make him pay. To allow this to happen to his sensei's child, Kakashi would never forgive Danzo. The plot for his death had begun, and Kakashi was ready to play the long game.

But, for now, Kakashi watched the blood drain down his sink, another failure, and more blood would follow.

-_-Elsewhere-_-

Mikoto stared at the women manning the hospital reception area. Who was she to say that she couldn't visit Naruto? Not enough of a person, and the subtle activation of Mikoto's sharingan proved that statement.

Getting the information that she needed, she approached Naruto's room with apprehension. Would Naruto remember her? Was he dying? How would he react to her entry? She steeled herself, she was Uchiha Mikoto, the matriarch of the Uchiha clan, retired Anbu squad leader, she had no reason to fear a child.

She turned the knob on the door slowly, looking into the room to make sure it was the correct one. And, she caught eyes with Hiruzen Sarutobi. Hiruzen looked at the women, prepared to defend the child if needed. "How is he?"

"He is stable for now."

"Thank God." Mikoto responded relieved.

"You see it, don't you?"

"I do… Hokage-sama."

"So you realize why I kept it a secret."

"I see why, the effects it has, I can't agree with."

"Neither can I, but that's the effect of hindsight."

"What do you plan on doing with him?"

"I… don't know yet. It's something that I will have to find out, Mikoto."

"That's… fine."

"Do you want him, Mikoto?"

"Hokage-sama?"

"Do you want to adopt him?"

"Are you serious?"

"I believe that I am, unless there's a reason for me to question your ability to take care of such a child."

"I… thank you."

"Treat him well, and if he is to get injured under your care…" he let the threat sink in.

-_-Later-_-

"Hiruzen, how could you be so naive." Danzo questions, his black eye squinted while looking at the aged Kage.

"I don't know what you're talking about." Of course he knew, he knew to the damned letter.

"Giving the Uchiha the Kyuubi. I can't believe it."

"It will calm tensions."

"How far have you fallen Hiruzen. How can you not see such a simple ploy."

"You've yet to state why you're here."

"Hiruzen. The Uchiha caused the Kyuubi, and now you're giving them the Kyuubi. Just because one woman fauxed empathy."

"I don't see the Uchiha as such villains, Danzo."

"And that's because you're short-sighted."

"If that is all, leave my office."

Danzo looked at Hiruzen. His obsidian eyes meeting Hiruzen's unrelenting coal eyes. "This isn't over." with that, he left the room.

Hiruzen's shoulders slumped the moment Danzo left the room. His face aged and weariness substituted for the stubbornness. His grey hairs were more apparent, and his pipe had never felt so chewed. He prayed that he had made the correct choice with Naruto, but he feared that he may have made another mistake.

-_-Two Days Later -_-

Mikoto sat with Sasuke in the chair next to her. Naruto having healed enough to, at the very least, be humane enough looking for her child to see. Sasuke openly stared at Naruto, wondering what had made him special enough for his mother to have visited this place. The blonde hair certainly didn't seem like something an Uchiha would have.

Then his eyes opened. Cerulean eyes meeting Sasuke's coal eyes. Then the child smiled, such a wide smile, was this human? The way he was beaming, did people's jaws actually move like that? Sasuke didn't care about any of that though, he started clapping as if it was a parlor trick. The smile faltered and Sasuke stopped clapping, looking towards his mother on what to do next.

"Naruto, this is my son, Sasuke. Sasuke, this is Naruto." Mikoto introduced.

The smile returned full force. "Hello Sasuke, my name is Naruto."

Sasuke glanced over towards Mikoto. "Na- Nawuto?"

Naruto nodded, and Mikoto allowed the two to make conversation. "My family is big. Is you family big?"

Naruto's smile faltered once more. "I… don't have a family."

Sasuke's head tilted to the side. "Don't everyone have a family?

"Maybe… not me though."

"Well…. you can be my new bwother."

"R-really?" he was glancing at Mikoto all the same.

Sasuke beamed. "Of couwse you can be my lil bwo."

Naruto smiled, his body moving against the restraints to attempt to hug the Uchiha, despite the growls coming from his stomach.