Hotshot: My first request! Yes! Also, I've tried to keep the ages right and, hopefully, I did. We'll see though! Now, Enjoy!


Requested by: SweetAlphaChild on AO3

Pairing: ItaNaga
Summary:
Nagato doesn't know what to expect from Konoha.
Rated: PG
Warnings:
Age gap, nothing explicit


Nagato: 10

"Woah..." Yahiko mumbled as he stared at the large, Konoha gate that loomed over them as they walked. Jiraiya chuckled and lead them through, nodding over at the guards that stood at attention. The Toad Sannin lead the three to the Hokage tower, watching as the orange-haired orphan looked on in awe while Nagato and Konan were more reserved as they took in everything. This was their first time seeing anything that resembled a peaceful village, one that didn't have chunks of homes and buildings blown out or doesn't have people scattered, slowly dying.

Their sensei walked through the doors and up the stairs to the Hokage's office before he knocked and waited. A voice from behind the door voiced their greeting and Jiraiya opened the door, walking in with his students behind him. There, in Hokage robes, were the third Hokage and the sensei of the Sannin, Hiruzen Sarutobi.

"Jiraiya, I wasn't expecting you back so soon." Hiruzen peered at his former student before his eyes noted the three kids behind the other. "And you brought guests."

"Some strays I picked up." The Sannin shrugged with a grin. "They are orphans, so I thought..."

Hiruzen nodded before fully looked at the three. "Your names?"

"I'm Yahiko." Yahiko went first.

"Konan."

"And I am Nagato Uzumaki."

"Uzumaki, hm? Well, your in luck. You seem to have relatives living here." The Hokage told him, making the red-head perk slightly.

"I...I do?"

"Yes, I can arrange you to meet with them."

Nagato glanced at his two friends and, seeing how they were giving him looks of encouragement, straightened up and nodded. "I would like that."

"Glad to hear that. Now, would you three mind waiting outside? Jiraiya needs to debrief me."

The three kids nodded and they filed out and stood near the door, huddled together.

"This is awesome, Nagato! You actually have family here!" Yahiko stated excitedly and Konan nodded in agreement.


Nagato: 18
Kushina: 23
Itachi: 4

The first time Nagato saw Itachi, it was in passing.

"Come on, Nagato!" Kushina shouted from the living room of Nagato's apartment that he shared with Konan and Yahiko. It was decided that the three would live on their own together when making living arrangements. They just weren't comfortable living apart, even after making Genin at the age of 15. "You have to report to the Hokage tower for your mission, your teammates are already there!"

"I'm coming!" Nagato finished dressing in a pair of long black pants, a fishnet shirt and a black jacket that had red accents along with the Uzumaki clan symbol on the back. Konan and Yahiko wore something similar but without the symbol. He picked up his headband and tied it around his forehead before grabbing his pack and headed out of his room and down the stairs.

"Finally." Kushina shook her head. "I swear, you couldn't survive without me."

"Sure." Nagato rolled his eyes, his Rinnegan shining in the sunlight. He walked over to the front door, slipped his sandals on and stepped outside, waving at Kushina before shutting the door and set off towards the Hokage tower. He stuffed his hands in his pockets and glanced around at the passing villagers and store fronts. He really did love it here and how peaceful it was, despite the war that's been going on the outside of the village walls. He did wish that the wars would stop, especially seeing weeping family members of the deceased.

His thoughts got caught off when He caught sight of Fugaku Uchiha, the head of the Uchiha Clan and the leader of the Konoha Military Police Force. Nagato never really talked to him, the only Uchiha he really liked was Mikoto, the head's wife, and that's only because Kushina was friends with the woman.

Nagato glanced behind the man before he stopped.

Itachi Uchiha followed after his father with a hauntingly familiar look in his dark eyes.

Nagato frowned, know that the boy saw the aftermath of war like he and his two friends did when they were younger. Despite not seeing Itachi before, the older still felt back for the younger. No kid this young should experience war, during or the aftermath.

He continued to watch as the two walk, until they turned the corner and out of sight. He waited for an extra moment before continuing onward to the tower to meet his teammates and get the details of their next mission.


Nagato: 19
Itachi: 5
Sasuke: Few Months
Naruto: 1 day old

Nagato, now a Chunin, stood beside the Mourners, his eyes solemn and his heart heavy. Yahiko and Konan stood on either side of him, their hands on his shoulders soothingly. His eyes glanced over the pictures of Minato and Kushina and his heart constricted at the sight of their content and smiling faces. He glanced near the Third Hokage and saw a small basket that held his possible last living relative, sleeping soundlessly, obvious of what's happening around him.

Once the funeral was over and everyone paid their respects and left, Nagato walked over to Hiruzen and stopped in front of the older man. Hiruzen looked at Nagato with eyes full of sympathy. "Nagato...I'm sorry."

Nagato nodded, hesitated for a moment before stealing himself. "I want to take Naruto in."

The other blinked, regarding the other. "Are you sure?"

"Yes sir."

The man seemed to think for a moment before nodding. "Alright but there's one thing you need to know about him. Minato sealed the Kyuubi within the boy, are you certain that you want to take him knowing this?"

"Of course, he's family."


Nagato: 25
Itachi: 11
Sasuke: 5
Naruto: 4

Nagato felt Naruto clung to his shirt as they walked towards the academy for Naruto's first day. He could tell that his charge was scared, especially with the heated whispering that was going on with the adults. Naruto didn't understand why but Nagato did and hearing their hateful words towards the small boy made him want to tear all the adults a new one. He held those emotions in though, not wanting Naruto to see that side of him.

"Here we are, Naruto." Nagato stopped in front of the academy. He felt Naruto hesitantly letting his shirt go and he turned towards the boy, ruffling the blond hair. "Remember to listen to your Sensei and do your best. I'll come pick you up after your lessons."

"H...hai, Ojisan." Naruto mumbled, looking at the looming building.

"Morning, Uzumaki-san." a voice came from behind the two, making Nagato look over and saw Itachi with Sasuke next to him. "Dropping off Naruto?"

Nagato nodded and Itachi looked down at Sasuke. "Why don't you go with Naruto to your class, Otouto."

Sasuke pouted before walking over to the blond, grabbed his hand and dragged the bewildered Naruto into the building.

"Thank you." Nagato stated after a moment. "It has been hard for Naruto to approach anyone."

Itachi simply nodded with a small smile before turning and headed out, leaving Nagato standing there for another moment before he too, left.


Nagato: 28
Itachi: 14
Sasuke: 8
Naruto: 8

"Thank you for watching Naruto." Nagato bowed to Mikoto, who just waved the thanks off.

"It was no problem. Sasuke has been lonely since Itachi had increased number of missions. Besides, Naruto's a joy to have around! He reminds me so much of Minato and Kushina."

"That he does." Nagato murmured before heading out in the courtyard where he found the two young boys sitting on the walk way, Naruto talking animatedly until he caught site of Nagato and he was up on his feet, running full speed until he crashed into the warm body.

"How was your time here, Naruto?" Nagato questioned.

"It was great!" Naruto grinned wide. "Teme even helped me with my shuriken and kunai throwing!"

Nagato stifled a chuckle at Naruto's chosen nickname for the Uchiha. "That's good, you'll have to show me how much you improved tomorrow."

"Itachi, welcome home!" Mikoto's voice filtered through the air and a second later, Itachi joined them. Sasuke was quick to jump up and rushed to his older brother, hugging him.

"You've been good, Otouto?" Asked Itachi.

"Of course!" Sasuke pouted, making Itachi chuckle before turning to Nagato.

"Evening, Uzumaki-san."

"Please, just Nagato is fine." Nagato smiled slightly, making Itachi return it. Nagato returned his attention to Naruto. "It's time to head out. Yahiko and Konan will be meeting us at Ichiraku Ramen."

"YA!" Naruto whooped. Hhe quickly bid everyone a goodbye before ran out of the courtyard. Both Nagato and Itachi chuckled at the blond's antics before the older man bid the others a goodbye and followed after Naruto.


Nagato: 32
Itachi: 18
Sasuke: 12
Naruto: 12

Nagato, now an ANBU, watched as Naruto flung a arm over Sasuke's shoulders with a laugh, giddy from finally graduating to Genin. Sasuke looked annoyed but he could swear that he could see a small smile form on Uchiha's face. Sakura Haruno, their female teammate, seemed to not be amused at Naruto's antics or how he was touching Sasuke. Nagato did hope that she would grow out of this phase sooner or later. He glanced over to his side where his ANBU Captain, Itachi, stood. They had wanted to see their respective charges before they had to go of on their next mission. Nagato became an ANBU when he turned 29 and was placed under Itachi. They had went on quite a few missions together over the years and they worked well together, especially with their kekkei genkai.

"Let's go." Itachi ordered and Nagato nodded. They put on their masks- Itachi's was wolf and Nagato's was fox- and jumped up on a roof before they headed towards the Konoha gates. They flew passed and into the forest, jumping from branch to branch.

"The details of the mission," began Itachi. "Is that there's some rogue Shinobi, estimated as 2, coming close too Konoha in obvious hostility. We need to find out why and take him out."

Nagato nodded and they continued on. He reached out his senses and he could sense two Chakra Signatures coming up. Itachi hid in a nearby tree as Nagato stopped in a clearing, waiting. This was their usual tactic when dealing with rogues. Most of the rogues they took out were hardly a challenge, so this shouldn't be any different.

It was.

Nagato was so occupied of keeping track of the two signatures that he didn't sense a third coming in an entirely different direction and it was coming in fast. That was the first rookie mistake he ever made in his career.

Itachi was forced to unsheathe his katana and dropped down just as the third rogue burst into the clearing. He slashed the rogue's chest, making him go to the ground on his back, eyes wide open and mouth agape. This was the signal for the other rogues to attack.

Four of them burst from the forest, including the two that Nagato was focused on. Nagato dodged one one sword and another while grabbing a kunai and began his counter attack.

These rogues were harder than the usual ones, like they did their homework somehow on the two of them. It's unnerving for Nagato because he doesn't want the enemy to know about him or what he's capable of. The only ones he wants to know about any of that is Naruto and Itachi.

Nagato leaned heavily against a tree once it was all over. He and Itachi both had relieved scratches, bruises and even gashes. Itachi's was on his forearm where he blocked a sword aimed for his head While Nagato had one on the outside of his thigh. Neither were particularly deep but it does hurt like hell.

"That could have gone better." Nagato reached up and pulled his mask off, setting it on the ground beside him. He inspect the gash, tearing his pants more.

Itachi walked over to him, taking off his own mask and setting it with Nagato's. "We'll have a medic take a look at these when we get back home."

"Alright, just let me rest for a few more minutes and than we can head back." Nagato took a breath, his eyes traveling up until he looked at Itachi's features. He could feel a swell of familiar emotions he had kept hidden for years, since Itachi had turned 16. He had started to feel...things for the boy, things that he knew he shouldn't feel because of the age gap between them. He could not act upon it, would not, especially when it'll be time for Itachi to find a suitable wife to continue on the bloodline. Nagato forced these feelings down before taking it the red and black eyes that seemed to regard him.

He watched as those eyes narrow ever so slightly before a hand came up and fingers grazed his cheek, making him freeze at the touch. He watched as Itachi started to lean closer and closer...

"You...we shouldn't..." Nagato whispered, causing Itachi to stop.

"I'm of age now."

"It wouldn't last long." Nagato tried to counter. "Especially if they have potential wives lined up for you- and I'm not going to ruin-"

"Nagato," Itachi cut in, his voice as calm as ever as he held Nagato's gaze."You shouldn't worry about anything like that. I'll make whatever choice I want despite what my father says. My choice is this and it will last however long I want it to...which will be a long time."

Itachi leaned the last few inches and his lips molded with Nagato's and the older man melted, his arms coming up to wrap around the younger's neck. Itachi's free hand trailed down and a gloved thumb grazed the showing skin, right above the gash on Nagato's thigh, making the other shiver at the contact.

It was at times like this that Nagato was thankful that his sensei had taken him and his friends to Konoha.