A/N Itachi begins to realize he needs a lot more training to accomplish his goal. What is his goal? You shall soon know. I hope you enjoy this chapter and PLEASE review when your done. Thanks.

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto

My Nindo

Chapter 4

Time and time again Itachi found himself at what was left of Lee's stump. He practiced kicking and punching until he could hardly stand up. He wasn't really sure he was doing it right, but he kept at it. One particular day Itachi was practicing when Lee approached. "You are doing a most excellent job Itachi, now if you will use your arms you can get more lift into that splendid kick of yours. Make each kick a little higher and faster. Speed is what takes them by surprise. They may see your movement but if their body can not move fast enough, what good does it do them." Lee demonstrated the kick with great speed. He was so fast that Itachi could barely see the kick. He didn't mind that Lee had come because he remembered Iruka's words, "Lee is an excellent Shinobi."

Itachi knew he was going to need Lee's help to accomplish what he wanted. According to Iruka anything he could learn from this taijutsu master would be to his advantage, even if it was walking around the village on his hands or some other quirky thing that Lee seemed to do. So he relented and let Lee show him how to use his arms to gain greater lift, how to place his feet and bend his knees just right. He tried Lee's suggestions, and they worked. He had no idea that learning to kick needed such precise movements and such physical strength. Lee continued, "each time strive to make your moves better, your kicks stronger. Make them faster. The goal is to strive to become better than you were the time before, and then you will become a splendid ninja."

Itachi was concerned about his lack of physical strength but mostly his lack of the sharingan. "And if I do not measure up, then what?"

"Ah that is where you are wrong my youthful lad. There is no need for concern. Iruka Sensi told me about your incident at school. You performed like a most perfect ninja." Lee said with a grin.

Itachi was soaking in the praise he was receiving.

"Yes, you just let those ninja instincts automatically take control," Lee said nodding his head.

"I do not have any natural talent," Itachi blurted out.

"Even without natural talent you can surpass others, if you work hard enough. You know what?" Lee said, " Here is what I believe. There are two different kinds of ninja. Those like your father and uncle who are born with a natural talent and do not have to work at it. And those like me and maybe you! The ones that have to train every day of our lives!

We must know where our loyalties are and stick to them, then and only then can we be true to our ninja ways."

"Oh, you mean hard work?" Just my luck. Itachi shook his head and wiped at his eyes.

"However, Itachi, I believe your ninja way is the sharingan. So practice the taijutsu and when the sharingan develops you will most assuredly become a splendid ninja."

Itachi looked hard at Lee. He mind began to race, should he chance it? Should he ask Lee for help. He knew he needed a lot more training if he were to become powerful like his father. "Lee, would you teach me the taijutsu?"

Lee looked straight at Itachi, for a fleeting moment he though he caught a glimpse of Sasuke's fire. Lee smiled and bowed slightly to Itachi, "Yes, I would be most honored. Now let us go find you your own stump."

Like his father, Itachi took his academy days seriously. After his attack on Gaka the students left him alone. He had earned a bit of a reputation from that incident and the fact that someone figured out that Rock Lee was training him. He never questioned anything that Lee told him to do. His days and sometimes nights were spent going through the routines and training that Lee assigned him. He came to believe that hard work could compensate for his lack of abilities.

He did not have any friends and he did not want any. They would only get in the way of his training and schooling. The only ones he spent time with outside of training was his siblings, the twins. The seemed to be able to reach him where no one else could. Sakura sensed the change in Itachi but tried to convince herself that it was a phase he was going through and it would pass, at least she hopped it would.

He never showed any interest in her medical abilities and did not ever question her about her missions or about Sauske. But he was always alert and seemed to be taking in everything and anything that concerned his father or the Hokage.

The academy building was filled with people and buzzing with excitement. Not only was tonight graduation from the academy, but also the big announcement of the new student exchange program. The Hokage was present as was the Kazekage. Sakura was bubbling with excitement. Shikamarou would rather be out watching clouds and wondered what all the fuss was about. Hinata stood next to Sakura and nervously played with her fingers. These three shinobi had played a very important role in giving birth to this new program.

Iruka was having trouble getting everyone to quiet down. Naruto came over to Iruka. "Hey Sensei how would you like me quiet 'em down." Naruto put his hands together, but before he could say anything Sakura was there with her fists ready to pound him. "You idiot, don't your dare." Then she realized everyone was now quiet and watching her.

Naruto let out a chuckle and put both his hands behind his head and said, "er, I was just kidding. Let's get started."

Itachi squirmed uncomfortably. That idiot Hokage was going to do his sexy jutsu right here in front of everyone. What a dobe. Naruto had done it once in class when Itachi was just beginning the academy. He had done it to get everyone's attention, (of course the clouds were in the right places). Itachi had gone home and told his mother, she had gone into a terrible rage. The following morning when the Hokage got to his office, there was Sakura sitting in HIS chair. Her face was red with rage and her eyes bulged out and she screamed at him so loud the whole building shook.

Itachi was jarred from his thoughts. The Hakoge dressed in white robes took his place, standing in front of his chair. Next to him stood a shorter man with red hair, also in robes. Itachi could just barley make out some markings on the man's forehead. These marked the man as the Kazekage, Garra of the Sand. The men looked at each other and took their seats at the same time. All others followed suit.

Iruka stood at the podium and began, "We welcome you to tonight's graduation ceremony for this year's academy students. "I am Unimo, Iruka and under the directions of the 6th Hokage have been asked to conduct this ceremony. First, I want to welcome you students, parents, and friends. We also recognize several special guests here behind me. Of course Namikaze, Naruto (everyone applauded) and seated next to him is Kazekage, Gaara of Suna (more applause) and of course our Student Exchange committee, Sakura, Shikamaro, and Hinata. (again applause). We also recognize our teaching staff …."

Itachi kept his eyes on Naruto the whole time. He watched every facial expression and every movement, trying not to be obvious of what he was doing. He made mental notes of everything. Then Iruka's words came back into his hearing. "We don't want to post pone the excitement any longer so we will now hear a few words from the Hokage."

Naruto approached the podium, he had felt Itachi's eyes staring at him and he made a mental note of this. The Hokage grabbed hold of the podium with both hands and leaned forward. He put a big grin on his face and spoke.

"To those of you who graduate tonight you are no longer academy students, you are genin. Some students twisted uncomfortably and all hoped he was speaking of them.

"You all hope to wear the forehead protector of the Leaf Village, that is a great honor." Naruto watched the nervousness of the students. "Hey, I once was where you are now and I know how anxious you feel, hoping you passed and hating the speaker going on and on. Believe it!"

"All you need do is remember teamwork. I finally learned that with Kakashi sensei's bell test." (Laughter rippled through the crowd. Naruto raised his hand to quiet them down.) "Each student needs to find their own ninga way. My Ninja way is 'I'm not gonna run away and I never go back on my word.' Find your own nindo. Then be true to it! Now let's not talk about everything you learned or were suppose to learn okay? You know what you learned and lets just get you graduated. No need to sit and sweat and wonder if you made it, so let's just do it." The Hokage punched his fist in the air. The hall erupted with laughter and cheers.

Itachi sat and glared at the Hokage. He knew well the Uchiha nindo by heart. Only one person noticed the darkened look that came over Itachi's face as the Hokage mentioned the Nindo. Gaara wondered what Sauske's son was up to.

"I will read the names of the graduates," Iruka spoke with pride. "Each student will come forward and receive his or her forehead protector from the 6th Hokage." Itachi cringed at that revelation. "Iruka began; "Nara, Kayo." A younger, smaller version of Shikamaru came forward. He received his protector from the Hokage and made a deep bow to him. What the crap, I'm not going to bow to the man who killed my father. He deserves no such honor. Itachi began to fidget.

The second name was called, "Uzie, Zrenda," a cute, petite blond girl came forward and received her protector. She smiled at Naruto and bowed. More names were call including Hattus, Gaki. Itachi had hoped that Gaki wouldn't make it, but he had. Just hope that I am not on his team.

After several more names he heard Iruka call out "Uchiha, Itachi." Slowly he arose. He approached the Hokage and stood in front of him. Naruto smiled and handed him the protector. Itachi reach out and took the proffered item. Then he just stood there gritting his teeth. He would not bow. The two locked stares for several uncomfortable moments. At that moment outside the window two cats started fighting. Nearly all the audience turned their attention to the window. Naruto gave a slight bow to Itachi and Itachi left to take his place with the other now genin. It was Kakashi who caught the exchange between Hokage and Itachi. His eye flickered as he recognized the rebellious look on the face of Sauske's son. Especially the eyes. No one else notice the exchange between Itachi and Naurto, except Lee and a frown crossed his face. One by one the rest of the students received their forehead protectors and that part of the ceremony was over.

"Now," Iruka said loudly trying to get everyone's attention, "I know you have all heard about the Student Exchange Program where one of our genin will be exchange with one of the students from Suna. Now we will have an announcement from Lady Hinata introducing the exchange. Lady Hinata." Iruka bowed to her and timidly Hinata took to the stand. She wished she had not been call on to do this. Sakura would have been much better than I. She stood in front of the large audience and took a big breath and began.

"As m-many ." don't stutter, get a grip. She started again. "This is the beginning year for this program. It is on a trial basis. As Iruka Sens said the Leaf Village will be sending one genin to Suna to train and learn. In exchange, they are sending one student here to train with us. After a year the committees will evaluate the training and progress of the students and program to determine if it is successful or not. If successful we will increase the number of exchange students. This program not only will help us exchange ideas but also help build respect and friendship for one another. As we are important allies with the Sand and they with us," she paused to make sure everyone was listening, "We ask you all to accept their genin with out-stretched hands of fellowship as they have agreed to do for our genin.

Now the committee, in conjunction with our Hokage and Suna's Kazekage have chosen Nara, Kayo to be sent to Suna" (the audience broke into cheers). Itachi frowned, of course they picked him, his mother is from Suna. "As for Suna we have with us tonight Tomik, Akemi as Suna's exchange student." A beautiful young girl stood and all applauded her. Gaara seemed pleased as did Naruto. "Thank you," Akemi said shyly. Hinata smiled and turned the meeting over to the Kazekage.

The Kazekge looked out over the audience and his eyes met Itachi's. Son of Sauske, hmm. Gaara began, "I am honored to be with you tonight as friends and ally to the Leaf Village. We at Suna pledge to do our part to make this exchange program a success. I will personally be working closely with your committee to assure that any questions will be answered, and any concerns will be promptly handled. I look forward to a continuing friendship with the Leave Village. Thank you." He sat down. That was short, I like him, Itachi said under his breath.

The crowd dispersed that evening, there was excitement in the air with the new genin. Lee approached Itachi. He put his hands on the new genin's shoulder. "Congratulations, you have my utmost respect for you accomplishment."

Itachi nodded. He was too busy trying to keep an eye on the Hokage to pay much attention to Lee.

"However my youthful lad, did I detect some tension between you and Naruto?" Itachi just shrugged his shoulders and stared at Lee for a moment. "What did he know, did he suspect anything?" Lee continued, "A genin is employed by the village, which I am sure you know, and is under the employ of the Hokage. One would be wise to stay in good graces with him." Itachi jerked away from Lee and walked off.

Sakura walked out on the roof top. "May I join you Itachi?"

"Sure Mom," he slid over to make room for her on the bench.

"What a wonderful night Itachi, your father would be so proud of you." She felt her son stiffen at the mention of his father. A breeze was blowing and it ruffled his hair. "You know you are a lot like him." This pleased Itachi.

"Son, there are th-things you should know about your father. Things I should have told you but havn't. Your father was very powerful and strong willed." Sakura struggled for the words she wanted to say. "He was severely injured in his last fight."

"Ya, I know," he spat out. "Naruto did it."

Sakura looked shocked, "You k-know? "How."

"People talk." Itachi said with disgust.

Sakura got up off the bench and walked over to the edge of the roof. "How long have you known?"

"For ever."

"Oh, why didn't you tell me Son?"

"Why didn't you tell me, huh? Why did I have to hear it from strangers on the street, Mom."

Tears slid down her face, "I was wrong, but I felt you might not understand, you were so young when it happened. Time got away from me." She turned to face him, " Just what do you know?"

"Naruto killed him, that is what I know." Itachi was angry. "He killed my father and now he is a celebrated hero and Hokage."

"Itachi, that isn't true, Naruto didn't kill your father."

"Yes he did, he gave him the wounds that never healed. He made him suffer, then he died." he turned to leave.

"Wait Son. There is more you need to know." Sakura was gripping the railing so tight that her knuckles were white. "Naruto was a friend to your father, they were Team 7, me, your father and Naruto."

"If they were friends why were they fighting." Itachi did not understand.

"It is very complicated. Naruto was trying to bring your father home. You'r father, well, he wasn't ready to come home. They fought. Your father was so strong he nearly killed Naruto. But the Hokage has very powerful jutsu. It is called rasen shuriken and he had to use it against your father in order to save his own life. The rasen shuriken caused much damage to his body. It is amazing that your father was not killed out right. Naruto brought your father home. Home to me so that I could heal him. But the damage was too extensive. Even with all my medical training there was only so much that I could do. Itachi, there were so many complications that after 4 years of pain and anguish your father just couldn't hang on."

"Tonight son, you made me proud and I have something for you." Sakura handed Itachi a white package." "I want you to have this." Itachi carefully took the package and slowly opened it. Inside was a forehead protector. "After your father was returned to the village he was presented with a new forehead protector." Itachi just stared at the gift. "Did father ever wear this, I mean he could no longer fight because of his injuries?"

"Yes he did. Whenever I went on a mission he would wear it until I returned safely home." Sakura bowed her head reverently.

"Thank you Mother," Itachi watched his mother go back into the house. For a long time Itachi just stood and stared at the protector. It was his father's. This was pretty much the only tangible thing he had of his father's. As the wind blew and the night air got cooler he left the roof top and went to his room.

Itachi tossed and turned, "Father" he called out "Father". He bolted up and wide awake drenched in sweat clutching his father's forehead protector. Tears streamed down his face. A dream, it was all a dream, just like the others had been. He wiped the sweat from his face with his pajama sleeves then wrapped the blanket tighter around him. "What father, what, what are you trying to tell me." He clutched the protector even tighter." His father said something about the Uchiha Name. He scrunched his nose up trying to remember. He'd had that dream before actually three times before that he could remember. Now this was the fourth time. Exactly the same. His father telling him something about the Uchiha Name.

He got out of bed and went over to his window, still clutching his blanked and protector. He put his hands on the window sill, laying his head on his hands, began to think. When had he had the first dream, long ago. Tetsuo and Tomoko were just little. He had come home from his friends house and his mother was having a hard time getting them settled down, and,-he thought, the Hokage was there. That was it, the Hokage had played with the twins and got them all riled up and they wouldn't go to sleep. Stupid Hokage. Lee had said that Naruto had got down on all fours and given the twins rides on his back. How undignified. Hmm, Itachi seemed to remember that Naruto had done that to him. Once when his father was alive, before Naruto was Hokage. That night was the first night of the dream. His father was calling to him, telling him something. He just couldn't understand what Sauske was trying to say. He let his mind wander.

Suddenly the thought came almost as if it were on the cool breeze that blew through his window. "About a two years ago," Itachi yelled. Then realized he had spoken out loud. He didn't want to waken anyone in the house. He remembered, shortly after he had found Lees stump and they had had a family picnic. The Hokage came over to visit with his Mother and Father. They were discussing the student exchange program with Suna. Anyway, he had behaved quite rudely to the Hokage and Lee sent him to his room. Which was exactly what he had wanted. He seemed to remember that Naruto had looked a bit hurt that time and had not come over since. "Oh well." Now when Itachi saw the Hokage, he would look the other way and pretend he didn't see him. That was the second dream.

Then the day the Hokage came to the academy. Iruka could not control the students and he did his sexy jutsu. Itachi had the same dream that night. Then again tonight. It suddenly struck him. The Hokage, that was it the Hokage. Every time he had the dream Naurto had been around. Now he had found the common thread. His father was telling him to avenge the Uchiha name.

Hadn't the Hokage said something tonight about finding your ninja way. Yes, he had said " Each of you must find your own nindo." A Sauske like smile spread over his face and he crept into bed. "Yes," Itachi whispered, "I know the Uchiha Nindo, I know it well, then he began to silently repeat it. The Uchiha Nindo is "To extract revenge against their hated enemies."

A/N Hope you enjoyed this chapter. And whose team do you think Itachi will be on? Next chapter should tell. Again; review and let me know what you liked and didn't like.