"So…. how did Naruto steal the sacred scroll from you?"

Itachi felt his cheeks flush pink, now grateful for the blanket of night making it impossible to see. Still, he pressed forward and took the lead from Shisui with a leap that allowed him to clear two buildings at once. When he had encountered Naruto nearly an hour ago inside the Hokage's residence, there were many things he had expected from the Uchiha's most recent ward. Such as her to be lost, her to make another half-hearted attempt on his life, or to beg for another chance at becoming a genin. However, it seemed that Naruto was craftier and more desperate than he had originally realized.

"I," Itachi paused and tasted the words in his mouth before admitting them. "I let my guard down around her."

He could feel Shisui's mirth as they reached the outer wall. The only person that knew what had happened was the third Hokage, who was now overseeing the search for Naruto as the head coordination officer. Shisui had just naturally leapt to his own, enigmatic conclusions after receiving the call to action.

"Aww, did little Naruto confess her love to you? Were so overwhelmed by emotions you could only stand there while she stole the scroll?" Shisui increased his speed so that Itachi could see his smile.

Itachi cringed, the memory was far to embarrassing for him to speak aloud. That vile jutsu was still fresh in his mind. "Not exactly."

The second they got that scroll back, he was going to force Naruto put that creative jutsu in it, forbid her from using it ever again, and then lock the scroll away forever. Then, his mother apparently needed to discuss sex education with Naruto.

Still, despite the dire situation, he understood why Naruto had done it. Failing to become a genin again had been driven her to desperation. She thought that her career as a ninja had ended before it even began, which couldn't be further from the truth, especially for Naruto. While he certainly had wanted Naruto to pass and be placed on Shisui's team, her failing could have been a boon in the long run.

He felt like he was just as much to blame for this night as Naruto. In his rush to make certain that Naruto would be taken care of, he had forgotten to actually take care of her. His negligence due to, perhaps, a strong desire to complete paperwork had caused this. Maybe he wasn't fit to be the Hokage after all.

"Don't look so glum." Flat and serious, Shisui's tone had nearly nothing of its usual mockery. Shisui nodded up ahead towards a sight that made his skin crawl and blood boil.

Mizuki had Naruto pinned against the wall with one hand and a kunai in the other.

"And now, I'll be known as the Hero that killed the Kyuubi," Mizuki slathered his words in malicious intent.

"But I didn't do anything! I would never hurt Konoha!" Naruto cried out as she struggled against his grasp. "I only took the scroll because you said I could be a ninja if I learned a jutsu from it!"

Rage flashed through Itachi as the world blurred around him. There was no plan of attack, he simply acted. Mizuki's throat was in his hand in the blink of an eye, pressing the academy teacher up against the shed barely a foot away from where Naruto stood frozen.

"You will suffer," he whispered darkly, leaning over him.

The world turned red around them.

Itachi knew what to do purely by instinct. In here, in this illusion, he could break Mizuki. Time was not a factor here. Slow and painful, he planned on making this shinobi suffer. He knew his was his fault on so many awful levels.

He killed Mizuki seventy-two times in the span of a second, his screams blending together into one harmonious sound.

Itachi gasped as his jutsu faded, returning to reality. That had not been the plan. He had used his ultimate genjutsu without even thinking about it. Was being betrayed by his own ninja the cause of such an extreme reaction, or something else entirely? Mizuki fell to the ground as little more than a catatonic husk.

Staring at his crumpled form, he thought again that maybe he truly didn't deserve to be the Hokage. In the Anbu, you just had to follow orders. Even when in charge of the command, your orders were only for the mission at hand. But, as Hokage, his directives extended far beyond simple mission parameters.

Naruto latched onto him tightly from behind, burying her head into his white robes. She whimpered softly and tried to speak, but all that came out were quiet sobs. With her vice-like grip, Naruto squeezed him against her.

"Are you okay?" It was such a stupid question to ask, but he needed her confirmation.

This was all his fault.

Due to his negligence, Naruto had suffered. He now understood the Third's reluctance to tell Naruto about her condition and, in the world of peace Itachi was striving for, he had hoped she would never need to know. But, Naruto's ignorance had left her open to exploitation.

She remained wordless until Itachi returned her hug, rubbing small circles across her back.

"Is it true," she finally asked it was the quietest he had ever heard her speak.

"Shisui, take Mizuki and and the scroll to the Third Hokage," Itachi commanded with practiced grace. Though, even now, he feared he may be speaking out of turn. So much of this could have been avoided if a better leader had been selected.

Shisui nodded, but froze when they made eye contact. "Itachi, your eyes."

Itachi shook his head, putting the conversation on hold. "I know, we'll talk later."

He scooped Naruto up into his arms and the girl immediately flung her arms around his neck. Tonight was going to be long. Perhaps, if there was time, he would try to find somebody that would make a better leader than him.

He was far too young for this.

XXXX

He took Naruto to his living room rather than his office, which would feel too impersonal with the area crowded with ninja. Taking her to his mother was also out of the question, partially because he blamed himself for this situation and seeing his mother would only make everything worse.

Naruto sat silently on the couch that Shisui had insisted on breaking in by sporadically sleeping on the thing. Domestic instincts that he didn't know he had guided Itachi as he flew through his home and prepared a cup of tea for Naruto, setting it down on the table in front of her. With his own cup, Itachi sat down across from her and took a gulp from the still too hot tea.

The poor girl looked broken. She already had such a high burden placed on her, she didn't need this.

"Where should I start?" Itachi asked aloud, immediately cringing. He hadn't meant to say those words, but he was grateful he did as he watched Naruto snapped out of her funk and grab the tea cup with both hands. She took a small test sip before taking a much larger drink after determining that it wouldn't burn her mouth.

Her shoulders slumped and she thumbed the lip of the porcelain. With large, tear-stained blue eyes, she looked at him. "The Kyuubi?"

He should really go wake Hiruzen again to make the old man have this talk. This part was really more his fault. But no, this was his responsibility now, despite his doubts in his own abilities.

Itachi ran a hand through his sweat soaked hair and leaned forward. Once again, he met Naruto's gaze, hope seeming to waver across her expression. He needed to be careful with his words.

Naruto had cried enough tonight.

"You are Naruto Uzumaki, of that there is no doubt." Itachi wanted to swear at himself, honesty would have been so much better. Naruto was candid and would appreciate bluntness in kind. Trying to pad the truth would do nothing. Naruto stared at him with her lip caught between her teeth. "However, the Kyuubi is sealed inside of you."

A look of relief washed over Naruto and she smiled for the first time that night. It only lasted a moment.

"Is that why I don't have parents?" Naruto sat up straight, nearly spilling what remained of her drink in her seat. She broke and held their gaze a dozen times in the span of a minute. "Not that there's anything wrong with Mikoto and Fugaku but, I mean… my real parents. I kind of always hoped they'd come find me, or something..."

"Yes and no," Itachi answered without thinking. What was it about Naruto that allowed him to so easily open up with his thoughts? Around others, his thoughts were guarded and every action was calculated but, with her, it was the same as with Shisui. He felt at ease and could allow himself to speak freely.

"Huh?" Naruto tilted her head in confusion. A moment later Naruto's expression collapsed in understanding. "Oh."

Itachi stood from his seat and kneeled beside Naruto, taking her hand and squeezing it tightly. "Naruto, your parents wanted you to be seen as a hero. While some of the villagers fear you because of the Kyuubi, there are those such as myself that see you for the hero that you are. As the Hokage of Konoha, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your sacrifice."

A blush spread across Naruto's face and she gave him an abashed smile. Her embarrassment lasted only a moment before excitement overtook her. "Wait," Standing up, she nearly forced Itachi to fall backwards. "You knew my parents! Who were they," she questioned as she bounced from foot to foot.

He really was a bad Hokage, unable to keep simple secrets from the one person that shouldn't know them. Itachi stood up sharply and took a step back from Naruto. He ran a hand through his thick hair, letting out a long sigh that made him feel decades older. "I was only five when the Kyuubi attack happened."

"Oh," Naruto replied, her eagerness vanishing instantly.

It didn't feel right to leave it at that with Naruto. He needed her trust. "Ask my mother about Kushina Uzumaki tomorrow."

"Mikoto knew my mom?" Naruto exclaimed wide eyed. What little resentment, if any, she harbored about her mother being kept a secret from her was squashed under the weight of the blonde's happiness. It was rather impressive.

"Yea, they were best friends actually," Itachi smiled and felt himself finally relax. "Have her show you the napkin."

"Napkin?"

She'd find out later. Itachi kept his mouth shut to mute a yawn and stretched his body against the motion. It seemed as if Naruto was already back to her old self. "One moment Naruto, I have something important for you."

A moment later Itachi arrived from his room and walked nimbly to where she had waited. He kneeled down in front of Naruto and tapped her forehead gently. "Close your eyes for a moment."

"Why?" despite her question, Naruto did as she was told, swaying slightly as though she was ready to fall over at a moment's notice. It seemed even an endless ball of energy like Naruto got sleepy. Itachi didn't waste a moment.

He tied his headband around Naruto's neck loosely.

It was not uncommon for the Hokage to promote a Chunin or a Jonin on the spot, but it was unheard of to do so for a genin. "Naruto, I want you to know that I made this decision not because of what you are, but because of who you are."

Naruto opened her eyes and examined her new headband with a large, vibrant grin. "You mean, I'm a ninja?"

"Yes," Itachi nodded. "You are a ninja because your love of Konoha is greater than my own. One day, I know this will lead you to your dream. You will become Hokage."

"But, if I become Hokage, what will happen to you?" Naruto's lips formed into a frown. She shifted on her feet. "I mean, you're not that much older than me and you're really, super strong and a great Hokage!"

With a smile, Itachi placed both of his hands on her shoulders. He knew that Naruto was not a critic of his and, although she was honest about her feelings, she was a little biased. Yet, still felt good to hear somebody say that after his thoughts from earlier today. "Don't worry Naruto, I won't be going anywhere for a long while. Now, it's late and I'm certain my mother is worried about you."

Despite the hour, the two walked to the Uchiha compound together. The silence of the night was filled with talks about Konoha and its future. It was a nice, honest talk. Naruto was never afraid to add in her opinions, even being brave enough to say that a few of Itachi's ideas were stupid, though she didn't have much follow through on why. To her, they just were. It was a perspective he would have to consider.

Mikoto was passed out wearing her shinobi attire in the sitting room when they arrived. It was late, even by shinobi and Anbu standards. With a profound lack of elegance, Naruto snuck into her room in a failed attempt to not wake up the house.

Itachi smiled as the house erupted in shouts and looked out the window to the stars. He had once been willing to die for Konoha, perhaps it was time to start living for it.

AN: Beta'd by MAethoriel.

So sleepy. Much sleep. Kind of dissapointed that FFN is busted so my followers won't see I update this in their Email. Oh well. Leave a reveiw to make up for my regulars not seeing it :p

Anyways, half way done with the next chapter of Protective Instincts. So yea that's on schedule to be updated by Sunday :p

Working on getting a Narusaku fic going. If you have a good idea for one shoot me a PM. I'm going to be picky about it.