A/N: Yeah! we're almost done! Just four chapters to go!

Another reincarnation story

27.

Itachi came up with the idea when he was picking up some vegetable for his roommate. After having nothing to do all afternoon, Itachi thought he might finally be able to dedicate some of his time into taking care of a certain orphan boy. He still believed Naruto was the best thing that happened to his brother and together, they would become the saviors of this world. It would be too bad if the legacy of the fourth Hokage succumbed to ill nutrition before that. Somehow, Itachi had come to see it as his own personal responsibility to protect the future boyfriend of his beloved brother. Sasuke of course wouldn't even admit it under torture, but he cared deeply for the blond.

Itachi landed on Naruto's balcony railing as silent as a feather and felt his heart sink. Even from outside the glass door, he could see that the apartment was a complete mess. The door to his bedroom was embarrassingly easy to pick and not a single ward was in place. As Itachi made his way through the small space, he wondered how Naruto could live here and not get sick. There was barely any space to put his foot without stepping on some trash. Itachi refused to take off his shoes and soil his soles in such... filth.

Rubbing his temple, he conjured two clones to do the literal dirty work. They picked up trash from the floor, gathered Naruto's laundry, made his bed and then eventually started cleaning the bathroom and kitchen. It took a whole hour before the space slightly resembled an environment a child should be living in. Then, Itachi shamelessly started going through Naruto's belongings. Despite his almost legendary lineage, there was next to nothing interesting in the boy's apartment.

The only incriminating thing he found that could be used as blackmail was a Sasuke plush toy Naruto apparently made himself. It was currently stuffed under his bed. Chuckling, Itachi sniffed it. There was a faint fragrance of Cup noodles and childish sweat. From the look of it, Naruto divided his time equally between cuddling and kicking the toy. Nonetheless, Itachi placed it carefully on Naruto's bed and tucked it in. The boy would know what it meant.

The front door burst open an hour later just when Itachi finished the last dish for dinner. Naruto kicked off his shoes in poor manner and stopped dead in the entrance, gaping at his living room.

"I... Itachi nii-chan?" he stammered, his big blue eyes sparkling brighter with every second. He looked so cute Itachi wanted to cuddle him. "What... what are you doing here?"

"Welcome home, Naruto," Itachi said softly. "Is Sasuke with you?"

"Oi, idiot!" Sasuke yelled from behind Naruto when he bumped into his friend. "Don't just stand in the door! What are you doing? Eh, Nii-san?"

"Hello, Sasuke," Itachi waved with the spatula in hand. "Did you have a good day at the academy?"

"Why are you here?" the tiny Uchiha looked just as stunned as his friend.

"I thought you two deserve a good meal after a hard week at school," he smiled at them, pointing at the table with his freshly cooked food. "Go wash your hands."

"You cooked?" Sasuke lifted a brow.

"Oi, Itachi nii-chan!" Naruto shouted again when he managed to rip himself from his rooted position by the door. "What did you do with my apartment?"

"You really should take better care of yourself, Naruto. It's not healthy to live in your own filth."

"Wow!" The blond boy jumped at the food on the table with drool in his mouth and hearts in his eyes. "This looks delicious!"

Itachi slapped his hand away before the child could grab onto the rice ball. "Go wash your hands first."

"Hai!"

Naruto dashed into the bathroom as soon as the other Uchiha came out. Sasuke pouted when he approached, sitting down at the table as if the dishes offended him. Itachi didn't miss that Sasuke's face was slightly flushed or that his brother refused to look him in the eyes. "What's wrong, Sasuke? You don't like the food?"

"Why don't you cook for me?"

"I just did," Itachi sat down himself, waiting for Naruto's return.

"But you never do it at home anymore."

"Mother cooks at home. I don't want to interfere. Besides, I don't live there anymore."

"So you really aren't coming back..." Sasuke sank down to put his chin on the table, pouting even more. Averting his gaze, he muttered. "Do I get to see you again?"

"What's with this attitude? I'm not going anywhere."

"You said you wouldn't just get married and leave us..." Sasuke was clearly pouting, even if Itachi couldn't see him clearly. "Now there's this ring on your finger. Even I know what that means. You're going to leave me, aren't you?"

Itachi blinked at his brother, then he chuckled. "I said I wouldn't just marry a girl and leave the village. That is still true. Kisame and I will stay right where we are. But I guess the fault is still with me; I haven't asked you about how you feel about all this. Forgive Nii-san?"

Sasuke blushed harder and tried to hide his face in his arms. He mumbled something into his elbow and swallowed the last of his words. Even with his face hidden by his hair, Itachi could see the flush forming on his skin.

"Speak clearly, Sasuke."

Naruto rushed out of the bathroom just in that moment, making Sasuke flinch. He sat up straight and put on a brave face for his friend. Itachi bit on his lower lip, trying hard not to laugh. He shook his head only mentally. It was extremely endearing that regardless of his own emotions, Sasuke was still trying to act cool and impress his simple friend.

"Oi Teme," Naruto pushed his face into Sasuke's personal space. "What's up with you? You look sick."

"I'm not sick, Idiot!" Sasuke snapped at him, pushing Naruto towards his seat. "Sit down and eat! Nii-san worked hard for you!"

"Itadakimasu!"

"Itadakimasu," Itachi echoed softly, watching his brother mumble the same.

It was the best meal Itachi had enjoyed since his suspension, and he knew all the credit went to his amusing company. Naruto was naturally curious. Between bites, he asked hundreds of questions, many of them Itachi didn't know how to answer. On the other side, Sasuke was constantly torn between his cute self and wanting to hide any opening from Naruto. The blond was merciless, always trying to find something about Sasuke that wasn't as 'cool' as the younger Uchiha liked to pretend.

"Ne, ne, Itachi nii-chan," Naruto called from across the table, waving to get Itachi's attention. "Sasuke says you're not a shinobi anymore, why?"

Itachi winced mentally. That sounded a lot more insulting than he expected. "It's complicated," Itachi said, "I did something wrong and was suspended."

"Suspended?" Naruto's eyes narrowed when he didn't understand the answer.

"It means I am not allowed to work as a shinobi right now." He needed to explain this as simple as possible if he didn't want to confuse the blond. "It's like getting detention at the academy. When you do something wrong, you must stand outside the classroom and miss your lecture. It's bad for you because you can't get stronger by not learning."

"You are already strong, Nii-san." Sasuke argued.

"So old man Hokage is punishing you?" Naruto asked, his eyes wide. "He makes you stand outside of the classroom with buckets of water?"

"So to speak, yes." Itachi chuckled. "But when you become a shinobi, you don't have to stand with water buckets anymore. Not being able to work is punishment enough."

"So you'd rather go back to doing missions than spend time with us?" Naruto asked with an innocence Sasuke never managed. Itachi guessed it came with a simple mind and pure heart.

"Nii-san is a shinobi," Sasuke snapped. "Doing missions for the village is important! Dou-san says that Itachi is one of the best."

"Does he, now?" Itachi mused. Interesting. So after all that's happened, his father still recognized his ability. He wondered what else Fugaku was saying to Sasuke.

"But you don't have missions right now, do you?" Naruto was clearly up to something. "Can you-"

Itachi interrupted him by jumping up from his seat. He was certain that a hawk just outside the window was flying in a very specific pattern. Moving closer to the glass, Itachi knew he was right. The summoning hawk circled above him, making Itachi's heart beat faster.

"What's wrong, Nii-san?"

"Nothing," he reassured him. "But I have to leave now."

The younger Uchiha pouted, already knowing what excuse Itachi was going to give. Naruto though only tilted his head, looking at the situation as if he understood nothing. "Why?" the blond asked.

"I have an urgent summoning." As much as Itachi liked the kids and wanted to spend some time with them, he could not wait to be reinstated. There couldn't be another reason why the Hokage would summon him.

"Naruto, Sasuke," he said, before jumping up to the windowsill. "Don't forget to wash dishes after the meal. I've left some rice balls in the fridge, don't eat them all at once or you both are going to be sick."

"I know, Nii-san!"

"Thank you, Itachi Nii-chan, You're the best!" Naruto shouted and jumped down from his chair. He caught Itachi's sleeve and grinned up with his big blue eyes. "Will you train us next time? Sasuke says you know a lot of jutsus. Will you teach me?"

What? Itachi had never thought about that. The words of the blond seemed to give Sasuke extra confidence. He hurried over where his friend stood and pushed him out of the way. For a moment, the two little kids competed with each other for Itachi's attention, then resigned with each occupying a half of Itachi's vision. One glaring, the other grinning, but both glanced up at Itachi with hope.

"You promised you'd teach me a jutsu, Nii-san!"

"I want to learn too!"

Itachi's lower lip trembled. He couldn't deal with this kind of cuteness right now. How did Kakashi train them back in his old world? How did he manage to look at them and not do everything they wanted?

Surrendering the inner battle, Itachi nodded. "Fine, I'll train you Sunday morning. But you two must know, I'm a very stern teacher."

"Really?"

"Of course!" Sasuke rolled his eyes. "Nii-san is a captain of ANBU, he trains only with the best!"

"You're awesome, Itachi nii-chan! " Naruto shouted, as if Itachi's couldn't hear him from just half a yard away. "See you on Sunday!"

With a final wave, Itachi teleported himself up to the roof, grasping the front of his shirt. Dammit, what had he gotten himself into? How could he train two children and not break them? How was he supposed to watch adorable Sasuke and cute little Naruto push themselves to the brink of exhaustion and not pamper them?

Sighing, Itachi thought he might have just discovered his greatest weakness.

-xXx-

When he arrived at the Hokage tower, Sarutobi Hiruzen was waiting for him on the top platform alone. With no other agent in sight, Itachi was even more confident that he would be returning to his former duty soon.

"I'm at your disposal, Sir," the current civilian said and knelt.

Hiruzen did not turn to face him but continued gazing over Konoha in the twilight sun. "Ah, Itachi," he said kindly, sounding more like a grandfather again, "how does civilian life treat you?"

Itachi swallowed, "I've learned my lesson."

"Good, good," Hiruzen chuckled. "Then you should be very happy to know that I have decided to end your suspension."

Itachi almost sighed in relief. He controlled his reaction and lowered his head in respect. "I thank you, Sir."

"After," the Hokage was a very dramatic man, "your honeymoon."

"My what?"

The old man turned to smirk at him, the wrinkles around his eyes multiplied by the smug expression. "Your mother wouldn't forgive me if I took that pleasure from her first born."

"That's not necessary, Sir!" Were they kidding him?

"Of course it is," Hiruzen insisted. "After all your hard service, I agree with Mikoto that you deserved some down time. What's the matter? The prospect of quiet time with your beloved should put a smile on your face, not a frown."

"Thank you for your consideration," Itachi quickly replied, "but I doubt that would be agreeable with our staff. I worry about my team's progress."

"Don't you have confidence in them?"

"I have every confidence in their skills, Sir," Itachi corrected. "It's the cohesion of the unit that still needs work. We are a newly formed team, long separation will not benefit us."

"I've heard that Fugaku intends to invoke all the Uchiha tradition. There must be a lot of preparation of finish."

"That's right, Sir. My father does not intend for me to marry until I am 16."

"That would be three years of suspension," his lord said, drawing a breath through his pipe, "quite unheard of for an ANBU captain. I suggest you convince your father to accelerate the procedure, then. Otherwise Konoha would be without your protection for far too long."

What was Hiruzen playing at? Did he expect Itachi to elope?

"I'm afraid it is no easy task," Itachi reported. "Without my status as a shinobi, I cannot decide for myself until I'm of age. Hokage-sama, only by returning me to my unit can I take actions into my own hands."

"That wouldn't do," the Hokage shook his head slightly. "I promised your mother I wouldn't interfere in the clan business or your marriage. By reinstating you, I am making a point. That would be undiplomatic."

Wait, what? Itachi's brain worked hard. What exactly did the Hokage want from him? He doubted that he had been summoned here to receive a most resented wedding gift. There must be something behind the words, something Hiruzen couldn't say but wanted Itachi to know.

"Do you understand the situation now, Itachi?"

"I do, Sir," the teenager said. "I should get married and return to duty as soon as possible."

The Hokage gestured him to rise and invited Itachi to stand next to him. "You have an uncanny gift for deception and persuasion," the Hokage stated. "I have known ever since you were a child that your sensitivity towards all things would make you great one day. It seems I'm not wrong. Your performance in my council chamber the other day was very impressive, making me think that you can become more than just my sharpest blade."

"Thank you, Sir."

"You must have figured out why I chose to support you."

"I am in your dept, Hokage-sama," Itachi inclined his head. He hesitated for a moment, then continued. "Hoshigaki Kisame is a valuable asset to Konoha."

"And a loyal one at that," Hiruzen nodded, "you did well to secure that."

"He is loyal only to me, Sir. I doubt he will show the same devotion to the village," Itachi said truthfully, "if they do not accept him."

"Then we are fortunate you hold his leash tight."

"With all due respect, he is my future husband, not my dog."

Hiruzen chuckled, his eyes wandering down to Itachi's right hand, "that is very kind of you to say." He looked over towards Itachi, his face illuminated by the orange light. "As your leader, I must be sure of your intention as well as Hoshigaki's. After all, he will be marrying the future Clan Leader of the Uchiha. Were you any other shinobi without the tidings of a clan, I would be less cautious. Please forgive my scrutiny."

"There is no need to apologize, Hokage-sama," Itachi replied. "I am aware of the danger of having someone with Kisame's skills within my father's reach of influence. But I assure you, Kisame will not turn on me. I am convinced of his loyalty."

"That puts my mind at ease," the Hokage nodded as a small sigh of relief escaped him. "Itachi, despite your age, you're one of my best. You are a credit to your clan, not many Uchiha would place their loyalty to Konoha above their clan. That of course includes your cousin Shisui as well. In the past few years, the relationship between the leaders of this village and your father were more than strained. By a hair's breath, it would have come to war. It was thanks to your influence that disaster could be prevented."

"I did not achieve it alone, Sir." Itachi bowed. Even in this world, it was Shisui who had started investigating the clan's resentment.

"I am aware, but I am also aware to what length you have gone to protect us all," Hiruzen turned to him again, something very sad overshadowing his old eyes. "I simply wish you would have had the trust to come to me first before taking things into your own hands."

Itachi swallowed.

"I cannot hold you accountable for anything because I don't have proof, but I know it was you who had stopped Danzou in his plan of purging the village of your clan two years ago. An ambition he has pursuit for decades, yet you changed his heart in matters of mellow attitude towards you and your clan was especially suspicious. I doubt it was your brilliance that has given him hope. Though I dare guess it was in the same way you convinced your father to seek out the village, which lets me think that your official file might be outdated. That of course needs to be corrected."

"Of course, Sir."

"Furthermore, the investigation into Danzou's suddenly demise yielded no result." He sighed, giving Itachi a knowing glance. "I guess we will never know. To all, he died peacefully in his sleep, a luxury only granted to a few shinobi. We will honor his service by integrating the agents from his Root Department into ANBU. After a while of settling in, they will be a great addition."

Itachi couldn't disagree. Judging from his past experience which offered deep insight into Root most of the its agents were brainwashed, indoctrinated to follow orders without question. Most of them didn't even know right from wrong. Given enough freedom and kindness, it was possible they could develop a somewhat functioning moral compass, but at the same time were still capable of fulfilling missions of questionable nature.

"Seeing Danzou go, it reminds me of my age," Hiruzen sighed out loud. "I am old and held this office for far too long. I have witnessed four Kages come and go, three of them greater heroes than I am. From the days of the Shodai to Minato, I have seen this village grow. Now that my years draws nearer to its end, I wish nothing more than to see a fifth take over. Someone who is capable of guiding this village towards peace. That is what Hashirama-sama has dreamed of when he founded Konoha on this rock. His dream was of a safe haven for children, where they wouldn't have to sacrifice their innocence or life. It shames me that my weakness has demanded that you soil your hands to protect those who should have protected you. And it shames me even deeper that I have to ask more of you."

"I live to serve Konoha, Hokage-sama," Itachi only said. "I only regret that my clan does not possess your compassion."

"A true son of the Will of Fire," Hokage nodded, "both wise and cunning. Capable of defending Konoha from all enemies, yet subtle enough to represent us as a diplomatic leader, that is what the candidate for this office must be. Someone who would dedicate his life to see the village grow. Someone with unshakable resolve to do the right thing. Do you know of a shinobi like this?"

Itachi blinked, his mind scanning through his mental catalog of all the capable shinobis. Which one of them was able to bear of burden of leadership? Who could stand tall in the light and not crumble when the shadow grew strong? Who possessed the heart to be a father to all of Konoha's citizen and a brother to all its warriors? Who knew more than just ending conflict with a sword, but was also prepared to make the hard choices? Who could be allowed to have absolute power and not be corrupted by it? Who was to be the next Hokage?

A long time ago when he was still a child, Itachi had wanted to become someone like that. It was once his dream to be the best of the world, to be the Hokage and direct his home toward peace. But he had given that up when he stained his hands with his brethren's blood. He had given up his once lifelong ambition for the greater good.

Ashamed, Itachi lowered his head. "I'm sorry, Sir," Itachi said with bitterness. "I have no insight on this matter."

If Hiruzen was disappointed, he didn't show. "As modest as always, I see," he turned towards Itachi, smiling down at him like the professor he was known for. "Return to your home now. Enjoy your free days and make preparations for your wedding. I'm looking forward to seeing you rejoin our ranks." With a final nod, he laid a gentle hand on Itachi's shoulder. "When you are back, we shall speak more about the future of this office."

That was when Itachi finally understood. He gasped and couldn't believe what he had just heard. On shaking knees, Itachi bowed low before his lord. "I am humbled by your trust, Hokage-sama. I shall not disappoint."

Panic! Panic was what Itachi felt when he shimmered away from the roof. He couldn't remember such excitement mixed with fear running through his veins even when Danzou presented him with his only S-rank mission all those years ago. His hands moved on their own accord, forming seals to summon his loyal birds. They separated from him, each taking a different direction and each of them carrying the same message in their bellies.

Emergency meeting! Shisui's house! You'll need Sake.

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