Summary: Namikaze Minato is not the only one to be greatly affected (on a personal level) by the miko. Her impact on Uchiha Itachi is just as great.

...ooO Uchiha Itachi Ooo...

Uchiha Itachi snuck a wary look at the adults looming over him. He did not know why Chichiu insisted he follow Shishu-kun and obey the lady. But she looked pretty and nice. He had never seen her before in Konoha.

"Itachi-kun, my name is Kagome. Did your father tell you why you are here?"

Itachi shook his head. "He told me to follow Shishu-kun and to obey the lady who is you."

Kagome sighed and glanced at the Yondaime Hokage who smiled encouragingly at her.

"Look after him Minato-kun. I need to get Naru-chan." And then she disappeared out of the receiving room.

Itachi struggled not to squirm under the penetrating eyes of the Yondaime.

After what seemed like an eternity he spoke.

"Kagome is going to turn your world upside down Itachi-kun. Try to keep an open mind. Remember, she will never lie to you. She may hide the truth or refuse to answer, but she will not lie to your face."

Itachi was confused but he merely nodded to indicate he understood.

In a few minutes Kagome had returned carrying a sling and a baby whose bright yellow hair could easily be seen by the Uchiha heir.

"Who is that?" He wanted to know.

Kagome cradled the blonde fuzz and smiled softly. "This is Namikaze Naruto, Minato-kuns son. His mother was killed by some traitors soon after he was born so I am looking after him." Then the softness drained. "Follow me."

She walked out of the house briskly, occasionally stopping to allow the Uchiha heir to catch up.

As Itachi followed he noted all the shinobi gave her the respectful greetings usually reserved for shinobis of great power or skill. The civilians treated her like a shinobi, with great care and courtesy; some even shied away from her, treating her like ANBU Interrogation specialists.

"The civilians fear you." Itachi noted.

"Yes. I stopped Aoshi, the Kyuubi that attacked Konoha a few weeks ago. In their eyes I practically forced Minato-kun to unravel the conspiracy that resulted in many of their fellows, high ranked civilians and shinobi, being implicated and executed."

"The Clan Elders." Itachi realised.

"Just one example of the corrupt, power hungry megalomaniacs whose sins I brought into the light of day." Kagome spoke in light mocking tones. "They fear I will bring what sins lie in their past into the open."

Itachi suddenly realized his first impression about the lady was completely and totally Wrong.

"But you are not a kunoichi. How could you fight a bijuu?"

"How can I not? I am a miko. I was born to fight his kind though I prefer not to. I find youkai more honorable and trustworthy than most humans. My Pack Alpha, Sesshoumaru, is one of the strongest taiyoukais in Makai."

Itachi struggled to understand. "Sesshoumaru, he is a youkai?"

"An inu-youkai. In power levels he far surpasses Aoshi since he is far older and fought battles that reshaped land the size of small countries."

"If he is so powerful how come no one has heard of him?"

"Sesshoumaru doesn't care for Ningenkai. After the Splitting of the Realms he rarely leaves Nishi Makai."

"Splitting of the Realms?"

"Centuries ago youkai and ningen lived together in Ningenkai. As time passed it was clear if outright war broke out both sides would face extinction so the Taiyoukais formed a pact that resulted in almost all youkai leaving Ningenkai. Now youkai rarely come to Ningenkai, mainly on a whim, sometimes because they are Called."

"Called? Who would call a youkai?" Itachi was confused.

"The traitors that were killed this past month. They wanted to call a youkai so they could create a jinchuuriki by sealing the youkai within a newborn child. This child would have the youkais power and abilities; they wanted to create a weapon, a shinobi without human limits."

Itachi was aghast. "They... they did it deliberately?"

"Hai. Aoshi was pissed. If Minato-kun never met me he would have done just that. How do you think a youkai would feel if he or she was trapped without consent in a mortal shell?"

"I would be furious. I would never help my jailor. I would do anything I could to hurt him, to make him weak and miserable."

"Oh yes. How could a childs mind withstand the force of a youkai with centuries of experience? It is possible with a very intricate seal but even so the youkai would never allow his or her power to be used by the vessel without damaging the body. Youki is corrosive and it can only be tolerated if the child was blessed by another youkai. Are you fool enough to believe it possible?"

"Iie."

"That is why jinchuurikis usually become insane and did young. Unless the youkai decides to take pity on the vessel and work with them, not against them."

Then Itachi realised something. "Why are you telling me this? Shouldn't this be classified information?"

"The Council would think so but I feel otherwise. I am not Konohan and I do not care to listen to them. People should know, so they do not forget and repeat the same mistakes."

Itachi nodded. "I will not forget."

Kagome stopped briefly and looked down into the solemn pointed face. After some seconds she nodded, satisfied with what she saw, and continued to walk. By now they were entering a park, crossing the grass towards the older growth and one particular tree.

"Jinchuurikis are a dangerous way to access a youkais power. Another more safer but still dangerous way is to Ask for a Youkais Blessing, a Youkais Gift."

"A Youkais Gift?"

"Kekkai genkai." Itachis eyes widened. Reflexively he touched the corners of his eyes. "Hai. The Sharingen was mutated out of the Byakugen by the Blessing of Miyagami. Your ancestor Madara made a pledge to Miyagami but it has been forgotten and denied in recent decades."

"Miyagami is real?" For the first time a hint of true excitement escaped the usually solemn boy.

"Hai. Hopefully you will meet him today."

..oo..

Itachi watched as Kagome knelt before a tree and prepared a small fire with fallen twigs and dry leaves.

"Do you know a katon jutsu?"

"Hai."

"Cut your palm and allow your blood to bleed a few drops on the pile then set it on fire with your jutsu."

Itachi obeyed her instructions. He used a kunai his first set of live blades, a gift from his father for successfully learning three of the most basic katon jutsus taught to all Uchiha shinobi-in-training.

A rich merry voice broke the silence.

"It has been a long time since I tasted the blood of Madaras children."

Itachi turned to see a tall lean man with snow-white skin and black hair and coal like eyes. He was dressed completely in leather, tight black pants, boots, a loose hip length black coat over a black silk shirt embroidered with silver feathers down the button front.

Uncertain of what to do he looked to Kagome who inclined her head. Quickly Itachi bowed his head as well. "Miyagami-san. This is Uchiha Itachi, eldest son to the current Clan Head. The adults have forgotten but the young are willing to learn."

Miyagami chuckled. "Sesshoumarus Miko. I thought you had forsworn all ties with ningens? And who is the young one?"

Kagome shrugged. "Minato-kun was very persistent. His heart... it reminds me of what I once was." She cupped the baby through the sling. "This one is Minato-kuns son Naruto. I enjoy raising young ones."

"You should have a nest of your own chicks." Miyagami teased but his eyes were unexpectedly serious.

Kagome smiled bitterly. "Ningens fear me since I do not support their racist megalomaniac views. I cannot mate a youkai."

Miyagami tilted his head. "Then what of this Minato-kun?"

"He is just a friend. His wife just died. He is grieving. When he is ready he will marry another, perhaps to solidify a political alliance."

Miyagami nodded politely. "Perhaps. I would like to talk to Itachi-kun."

Kagome nodded and walked some distance away, just out of earshot."

Miyagami studied the young Uchiha. He was pleased when the boy did not squirm. Much.

"Has Kagome explained about Youkai Gifts?"

"Hai. She said you Gifted Hyuuga Madara who became the first Uchiha Madara."

"Mmm. Madara was an interesting ningen. He had a great deal of drive and focus from a young age. Very much like you."

Itachi was not certain of how to respond so he remained quiet.

Pleased that the young one knew how to listen Miyagami continued.

"Power is Power. To grow beyond perceived power one must have a reason. Pursuit of power for itself serves no purpose, provides no drive. You must Need it. You must be willing to bleed blood sweat and tears for it. Are you willing to do that Itachi-kun?"

Itachi knew it would be a very bad idea to lie to this not-man so he answered truthfully. "I don't know."

Miyagami smiled widely. "Very good! You know better than to lie to me. The truth is you don't know how much you are willing to give up until you Have to. Do you know how the Sharingen manifests?"

Itachi was confused. "You have to train really hard?"

"Iie. It manifests because you Need it, the split second warning to survive death or near fatal injury. Your teacher would push you beyond your limits, making you believe you are about to be hurt really bad… That forces the Sharingan to awaken." Itachi nodded slowly. That made sense since not all Uchihas, especially civilians, ever manifested or even mastered the Uchiha kekkai genkai. "There is always growth potential in my Gift but the bearer must push and be pushed... Need to move beyond perceived limits." Miyagamis expression darkened. "Some fool ancestor of yours managed to cross the usual three tomoe limit by killing his best friend, creating the Mangekyou Sharingan, but that act forever stalled his growth. He could never progress beyond that. I abandoned him and he became insane. His name was also Madara and your clan chronicles often mistake him for the Madara that was the first of your line. A truly unforgivable error. You will correct your clan historians and chronicles as soon as possible." Itachi nodded quickly. "Now tell me Itachi-kun, what do you want?"

Itachi hesitated. "To be a good shinobi. I want to make Chichue proud."

"Making someone proud is not a good enough reason."

"Then what is?"

Miyagami smiled faintly. "What does your Yondaime say about strength?"

Itachi frowned then his eyes widened. "True strength is gained by protecting someone you care for."

"Hai. It is hard to love an abstract concept, your village, your clan; it is easy to love someone, your team-mate, your sibling, your lover. Many youkai, hanyou, and ningen reached heights of unbelievable power because they fought to protect their loved ones. Sesshoumarus own father… his power was unbelievable. When Sesshoumaru found the secret to power he quickly outstripped his sire."

Itachi wrinkled his nose. "But I don't want to love someone. Girls are icky."

Miyagami laughed. "You say that now but wait ten years and you will have a completely different attitude. The trick is to choose someone who is truly worthy of your protection; someone strong who will push and drag you along the path of power and life."

Itachi frowned and thought of who that someone could be. All the girls his own age were rather silly. Even the Academy students were weak. The really good kunoichis were too old. "I don't know who. I suppose Sasuke; he is my brother and I want to protect him."

Miyagami chuckled. "All great legends follow the same pattern, fraternal love is strong but romantic love will bring down the stars. You need to find a girl. Or a boy depending on your preference."

Itachi blinked. A boy? How could he marry a boy? "I don't know anyone. The Elders don't like me playing with the villagers and most of them are very silly."

Miyagami blinked.

"Then will you listen to my suggestions?"

"Hai."

The youkai studied the young boy intently.

"What do you think of the miko, of Kagome?"

Itachi looked at where said miko had spread out a towel upon which she laid baby Naruto, playing with him, dangling colourful toys just out of reach.

"She is pretty and nice. And very strong. She made the nasty old people afraid of her. She stopped Aoshi-san when he attacked Konoha."

"Where does she gain her strength?"

"I don't know." Itachi admitted.

"Mikos have always protected others; it is their duty to protect their home village but Kagome has never chosen a village. She has always protected the individual; her fosterlings, her friends, her loved ones. They give her the strength to go on, to stand and fight, to never give up! Now she has chosen to protect your Yondaimes son and she will kill anyone and anything that dares to threaten her charge."

"But he is a baby! He will grow up and go to the Academy and become a genin. What will she do then?" Itachi protested.

"So will your brother Sasuke. That is why I suggest you find a prospective mate who will not leave you."

"But the girls are silly and weak." Itachi protested. "I don't want to wait until I'm older and then look at the chuunin and jounin kunoichis! I want to start becoming strong Now!"

Miyagami nodded agreeably. "I can see your point young one but back to Kagome, she is strong, yes?"

"Hai, but she is too old for me."

"But her daughter will not be."

Itachis eyes widened. "She has a daughter?"

"No, but it doesn't mean she will not in the near future."

Then Itachi remembered something. "Doesn't she need a father for the baby?"

Miyagami grinned maniacally. "Oh yes. Who would you suggest?"

Itachi thought hard. He wanted his future mate to be strong so both parents should be strong. Kagome was strong. So who would be the best father? Who was the strongest in the village? "Yondaime-sama."

If Miyagamis grin was manic before it was completely terrifying right now. "Would you care to explain why Itachi-kun?"

"For the baby to be strong the father should also be strong. Yondaime-sama is strongest in Konoha. He doesn't have a wife since Uzumaki-sama died. Naruto-kun doesn't have a mother so Kagome-san can look after him also." Itachi hesitated. "Kagome-san also needs someone like Yondaime-sama to protect her. She is strong but old people are very mean. They will make her sad with their nasty words."

"Oh I completely agree Itachi-kun, I completely agree."

...ooOoo...

TBC…

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