Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto

Author's notes: Thank you so much for your feedback so far!

Karmic Acumen: I hope chapter 7 did a better job of presenting the 'common sense' aspect of the story. As I mentioned in a previous reply in our private conversation, the "common sense" bit is primarily focused on removing plot holes where people were dumber or smarter because the plot demanded them to be.

tsuety-lynnt: At this point, I don't really know which character will be the third member on team 7. I like to leave some things to evolve with the story. To a certain extent, I am trying to place myself in the shoes of the characters and tell the story from the perspective of how they would act and not how I would wish the plot to go. Sure, there are some major plot points that I have already considered, but they are more or less a consequence of how the characters will have evolved by that point and the changes that will have come in the universe as a result. As such, the third member may be Sakura, it may be Hinata, it may be Ino or an OC. I don't know just yet.

Normal Text

'Person thinking'

"Person talking"

"Jinchuriki talking inside his head with Bijuu"

'Bijuu thinking'

"Bijuu talking"

"Bijuu talking inside jinchurki's head"

Chapter 8 - The gift

The morning following Itachi's report, Hiruzen decided it would be wise to personally investigate Naruto's sensing ability further. However, he also did not want to put Itachi on the spot and make it obvious that he was the one who reported about Naruto's capabilities. That said, it was just as likely that the boy was already aware that the ANBU would report to the Hokage about it, the moment he approached the agent. And even if Naruto would not be that forward-thinking, the Kyuubi would most certainly be aware of the implications of addressing an ANBU agent in such a blunt manner.

'Does that mean that Kyuubi felt that there was no reason to keep this ability a secret from me?' this was an intriguing thought, with even more intriguing implications. Alas, he resolved to ask Naruto about this capability on his following Sunday visit, unless of course, he would share this information about it of his own accord. He was supposed to bring the boy a gift anyway, as promised when they were in the hospital, so things would align well. And if there is one thing old age teaches you, it's that patience is a virtue.

Speaking of the blonde maelstrom, Naruto currently found himself at the training ground, having just finished sensing training practice. It surprised him to discover that he could sense animals as well. Their presence was much weaker but he could feel them nonetheless. He figured he could not sense them when he practiced at home because there were too many people whose presence was much stronger than that of birds or mice. It was a lot like when you cannot see the stars in the sky because there are too many ground lights in town. Having ANBU-niisan as the only human signature in his sensing area allowed him to fine-tune his ability slightly. It was a novel experience for the young boy to sense the moles. Up until this point, he did not know that he could feel things that were underground. It was difficult to keep track of such faint signatures at this point and the ground definitely interfered with his precision, but the thought that he could do it motivated him to continue refining it.

After a few hours he finished his physical training as well. It was around noon that he was making his way back to his house. He chose to walk through the village at a steady pace to take in the sights. He knew he was safe because ANBU-niisan was watching over him.

'I need to do something nice for ANBU-niisan one of these days' he thought. 'Maybe some milk and cookies. No, he can't eat with the mask on. Well, maybe I can give the cookies to him for later. Yes, we'll do that. But where do I put them? He said to be stealthy. The other ANBU don't stay where he stays when they are watching. I could put the cookies there for him when he comes to work! Hmm, but the other ANBU will see me. Oh, I know! I will just call him over really quietly and give him the cookies myself! Yes that will work!'

With his mind made up, Naruto made his way home with much more vigor. He entered the house, got a small bag, wrapped 10 cookies in some napkins and carefully placed the cookies in the bag. He extended his senses to feel where ANBU-niisan was positioned. The same tree as yesterday. He made his way to a window that was looking in the direction of the tree. He sensed again to see if there is anyone around. Well, within his radius there was no one. So, he slowly opened the window in order to make no sound and started waving for ANBU-niisan to come over.

'What is it this time I wonder?' Thought Itachi to himself. He did notice Naruto's change in demeanor a few minutes ago before he started sprinting towards his home but wasn't really sure what to make of it. Being called in like that probably had something to do with it so he figured he might as well humor the little boy and go in. Just like the day before, with a quick shunshin, he was already beside the blond and, just like last time, Naruto was startled by Itachi's speed.

"Naruto-san, while I appreciate that you were a bit more discrete this time around, you still could have been spotted."

"But I made sure no one was around this time!"

"How exactly did you do that?"

"I can feel when people are around!" replied Naruto excitedly.

"How far can you feel them?" asked Itachi. To him, this was a chance to get information on the actual scope of Naruto's ability.

"Umm, about there." Naruto again pointed to the same roof about 50 meters out.

"It is good that you did your due diligence, but shinobi can see farther than this distance, which means we could have been spotted by someone outside your range."

"Oh…" replied Naruto dejectedly. He really thought he thought of everything this time around.

"Do not fret, Naruto-san. I ensured I was not seen."

"Umm, ANBU-niisan, how far would I have to feel people to be safe?"

"Shinobi can notice people not moving in stealth as far as a mile out if not more. However, if stealth is your objective, you would be safe sensing just about as far as where that blue rooftop is." As he said that, Itachi pointed towards the blue rooftop of a building that was about 200 hundred meters out. Of course, there were more nuances to his statement about stealth, but what Itachi really wanted to discover is a) whether Naruto can increase his range and b) how fast he would get to that level.

"Right! I'll do my best, ANBU-niisan!"

"I have no doubt that you will. Now why is it you called for me?"

"I wanted to give you these! For when you go home!" Finishing his sentence, Naruto ran to the table and picked up the bag of cookies and presented it to Itachi holding it with both hands.

"What is in the bag?"

"Cookies!"

"Why do you wish to give them to me?"

"Well, because you make me feel safe and for helping me out yesterday. It means a lot!"

"What about the other ANBU that watch over you when I am not around? Do they not make you feel safe as well?"

"I guess they do, and they're not bad, but they don't care like you do! They just do their job and go home. You really care!"

"How do you know that, Naruto-san?"

"Because I can feel what people feel!" Naruto presented Itachi with his trademark grin as he extended the bag towards him even more. Itachi could swear, if he extended just a bit further, he would fall on his face. Wouldn't that be a sight?

Of course, Itachi was not one to treat others in a demeaning way. He took the bag from Naruto, knelt on one knee, took a scroll from his side holster and unfurled it. Afterwards, he placed the bag on the scroll and placing his index and middle fingers together on a specific point in the pattern inscribed on it, channeled some chakra. A second later the bag disappeared in a puff of smoke.

"Whooaaaa… where did the cookies go?! You didn't throw them away did you?"

As he wrapped and placed the scroll back in its holster, Itachi responded "That was a storage scroll. I can place a limited amount of objects in it. It makes it easier to move around without having to carry heavy loads. Your cookies are now safely stored in my scroll until I can actually get to eat them."

"That is so awesome! Will I get to learn this in the academy too?"

"Unfortunately no. In fact, while I know how to use a storage scroll, I do not know how to make one. Fuinjutsu (the art of sealing) is a rarely studied subject. Very few are alive today who are masters in the art. As a matter of fact there used to be a clan called 'Uzumaki' who were renowned for their prowess in sealing."

"What happened to them?"

"They were killed during the Second Great Shinobi War."

"Oh…"

Naruto pondered for a moment. He felt it was really sad that a clan so awesome died out completely. Somehow it just didn't feel right. 'Maybe I got this name for a reason' he thought. Finding his resolve, a new fire burned in his eyes as he declared with his right fist pointing upwards "Well, I may not be from the Uzumaki clan, but I will bring back their art. I will find a way to learn fuinjutsu and become a seal master!"

Itachi smiled behind his mask as he answered "Seeing that you carry their name, it would indeed be fitting if you did. I must return to my post. Thank you for the kind gift, Naruto-san. It is much appreciated."

To that, a happy Naruto responded "You're welcome!" while still displaying his foxy grin.

"He said he can feel how people feel? These were his exact words?" asked Hiruzen.

"Yes, sir. It appears that Naruto can feel other people's emotions." Responded Itachi as he was giving his report. He then noticed a look of recognition on the Hokage's face and asked "Sir, you have heard of such an ability before, haven't you?"

Hiruzen returned his gaze to Itachi having finished his stroll down memory lane "Uzumaki Mito."

"The First Hokage's wife?"

"Yes. She also displayed this ability but to a lesser degree. She had to be somewhere in the vicinity of the person to be able to sense their emotions. A few meters tops. Coincidentally, she was the first jinchuriki of the Kyuubi."

"So, Naruto is able to fully master the ability due to his relationship with the Kyuubi then."

"It is likely that this is the case, yes. Thank you for bringing this information to me, Itachi-kun. You are dismissed."

"Thank you, Hokage-sama."

After Itachi left, Hiruzen sighed in slight relief. In a way, he was happy that Naruto decided to open up to Itachi. That meant that he would likely be willing to share this information with him as well, which would only make his job easier. The Hokage then rose from his desk and looked through the window in the direction of Naruto's apartment. 'Not a day goes by in which you don't manage to surprise me, my boy. It would seem that there is much to look forward to in the near future.'

Dusk came and Itachi made his way into the Uchiha clan head's manor, him being the eldest of Fugaku Uchiha's sons. He made his way to the kitchen, where his mother Mikoto Uchiha, was preparing the plates for dinner.

"Mother, where is Sasuke?"

"He is in the back yard, practicing his shuriken techniques."

"I see. Thank you, mother."

Sasuke, a boy about the same age as Naruto, maybe a few months older, was beat. He had been practicing shuriken jutsu for the last few hours. He wanted to be much like his brother, whom he admired a lot. Itachi was the pride of the clan after all. His dark hair was the same as his brother and mother, but his skin was lighter, showing that, unlike his older brother, who took after his father in this department, he inherited more of his mother's traits. Just like their physical traits, Sasuke took more after his mother in personality also, being a bit more forward in his emotions than his older brother, who seemed to have inherited their father's calculated outlook. That was not to say that Itachi was incapable of emotion. As recent events have already proven, he was quite capable of experiencing them. He just had a more guarded way of displaying them, as compared to his mother and little brother.

"Sasuke."

"Itachi-nii! You're back!" saying this, Sasuke ran towards his older brother to give him a hug, which Itachi kindly returned.

"I brought you something."

"What is it?"

"Some cookies."

"Cookies? But you never eat cookies. You always say that sugar is not good for a shinobi."

"They were a gift."

"From who?"

"A friend."

"Umm, ok. I'm going to go wash my hands and come back!"

"I will be waiting."

Sasuke made his way to the bathroom and washed his hands quickly. He ran back to where his brother was waiting, on the steps of the porch that connected the house to the back yard.

"Come sit, Sasuke."

"Itachi-nii. Why do you give me cookies from your gift?"

"Because I want to. Also, because I am certain my friend would be happy to know that I shared them with you."

"Ok, niisan."

Gently, Itachi opened the bag and had Sasuke grab a cookie while he grabbed another one soon after. They ate for a while, in comfortable silence, while also enjoying the colors of the sunset falling over Konoha.

Suddenly, the two brothers felt a cold shiver run down their spine. They straightened their backs and looked upwards and back, just in time to notice their mother standing menacingly above them holding a wooden ladle with her right hand while beating her left palm slightly with it in a threating way.

"Itachi-kun, Sasuke-kun, are you, by chance, eating sweets before serving dinner?"

Gulping their last bite, both brothers meekly answered "No?"

"I hope you get to the table before me or there's going to be trouble."

And with that, the bag magically disappeared and the two brothers made their way to the dinner table with a speed that would have made Shunshin No Shisui tear up in pride.