Wow, ok~ Your reviews just about killed me. With kindness, HA! Ah, but seriously you guys are the best. Thanks to everybody who followed or favorited as well as reviewed. But, I'm going to shout out to some that made me scare my parents with random celebratory dances. (Honest)

OnTheRun246: Ok, thank you. I'm seriously grinning when I'm writing this. Anyway, I loved your review. I was worried about how you pointed that out (about how Naruto will get noticed) But I do plan on focusing on Danzo and Orochimaru. That will be ~ fun, to write.

Stolyint: Ok, thanks for reviewing. I actually didn't know how to end it and it just came out like that. I'm glad a lot of people liked the bit of fluff. I'm always hesitant since I don't know if it would be sweet or salty so, yeah. Any way~ your brother moments. Yes, I do plan on focusing a good portion on Itachi and Sasuke, mainly since that as pretty much Sasukes whole story. So, yeah. You won't get some serious moments for a while but you will get them.

GlitterStuff: Wow, I cried when you said that you actually downloaded this story. Made me much happy. What got me though, was what you said about how I write Naruto. I really don't think I have ever felt as accomplished in my life as I did when I read your review. I was super proud of myself. Even though I had to keep reminding myself that we needed to keep her realistic (in logical sense) and in character. So, thank you. Oh, I will try and work on my grammer, thanks for the warning.

Animefan506: Dang, another review I cried over. (sheesh, I'm so sensitive when it comes to Naruto, lol) Ok, you are really sweet! Believe it or not, when I was writing that part about the first time they actually see each other, it was the first time I distinctly told myself; "This part needs to get the readers to cry." (So harsh, haha.) Glad I succeeded. You did bring up a good point about the sibling. I'm still thinking about it but I definitely need to keep it in mind. All the talk you said about the cuteness of Sasuke, I'm glad you like it. I will also try and keep the twists and turns coming. A few will be included especially between Sasuke and Itachi.

EVERYBODY: I'm glad you enjoyed the ramen, haha. I want you all to know, since some were somewhat concerned, I will have Iruka have a part to play with Naruto. But, not ramen. Something probably a bit bigger, at least in the picture. Thanks- happy reading. :)

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Uchiha Sasuke walked home with a slight bounce in his step. He was happy. The academy wasn't necessarily fun, by any means, but it was the time he had to spend with Naruto; so he treasured it. It was slightly odd seeing Naruto so meek when she was about as bright as the sun and as loud as… Naruto. It hurt him to know that this was how she really was, obviously smart and kind. Not the idiot, being honest with himself, that she portrayed herself to be previously. It made him happy to be a part of her life like how he was. As her best friend, who helped her; despite the little hours they would talk to each other.

He slowed a bit, narrowing his eyes in anger. His grip tightened on his bag, knuckled turning white.

He did not, in any way, appreciate how people would treat her. The kids, who were already two years older than the both, would have picked on her. But, it got worse as the few weeks went by. Obviously her name would come up sometime at the kids house from a story or something, and the next day the treatment seemed to get much worse.

The things that were said to his blonde almost made him cry. Torn between shock and anger. He had no idea where seven year olds heard those words. But he really wanted to doubt that they knew what they meant.

Not only that but the teachers were terrible. They were obviously teaching Naruto the wrong exercises and she knew it too. But she knew that nothing would change. Anytime he wanted to say something about it Naruto seemed to see it and told him to let it be.

Sasuke swallowed, the teachers and students were just… rotten in simplest terms. Sasuke rubbed his tiny hand on the equally small forehead. What hurt him the most, despite it not bothering Naruto anymore than usual, was Iruka. Naruto's brother-turned father-depending on the day-figure. Iruka was not like how he remembered him to be. But then again, Naruto knew him two years longer than he did.

Sasuke looked up at the sky, Iruka made him anxious. Yes, he thought, that would probably be the best term for how he felt. He was constantly looking at Iruka at the end of the day, waiting for him to take Naruto out for ramen. But he hadn't, he hadn't said a single word to her. Unless you counted, 'sh!'

Not a word for six months.

Naruto was used to it, as hard as it was for him to admit it. The only comfort he got in any of this was the fact that Naruto had made it out of this before. All the harsh words, pushes off the swing, food stolen and kami only knows what else happens. Sasuke closed his eyes. He didn't know what he could possibly do to help his friend.

His head snapped up. He… may have a thought. He's been wanting to do it ever since the first day of school but didn't know how to go about it. He wanted to wait, for what he didn't know, but he didn't want it to be this soon as bad it was to admit.

But, at the same time…. He never thought Naruto's treatment was this bad. It seemed like he had to do it. That didn't make it bad though.

XXX

Faguku chewed the rice thoughtfully. He was happy, with how things were; as odd as it was to even think it. But he was happy. The ropes that held the clan were loosening. Mostly with Itachis introduction to ANBU and surprisingly Sasuke.

He smiled behind his fork, it seemed that it was a good idea to let his youngest go to the academy. Six months into it, and the clans were reasonably on great terms. The villagers were still iffy because of the Kyuubi attack, but they wouldn't run away from them. They were able to do their jobs as the police without being accused of… actions that they had been in the past.

He pushed his food away slightly and licked his lips. It had been hard for about a year escpecially. They would be criticized, their clan funding from the village lowered and… actually blamed for the Kyuubi attack.

The Uchiha swallowed at the mere thought. Shaking his head slightly, how anybody can make such accusations were beyond him. He still had his questions from that night. So many died, mostly civilians and lower ranked ninja but they had all still felt loss. He definitely had. He had lost his best friend, he had lost his leader. Minato had died that night.

Faguku rubbed the bridge of his nose, it was always so hard to think about. Minato and Kushina had been amongst the ones who died that tragic night. They had also left behind their daughter. He exhaled on accident. He glanced at Mikoto, this was always a sore subject between them. When they had heard about their friends deaths, they immediately asked about their daughter. About Naruto. God, they had been so excited to be parents, ecstatic.

He didn't even realize he had broken his chopsticks. Sending an apologetic glance to his wife he got up to get a new pair.

The stupid council. (He had no guilt or doubt when he said that. The council was stupid.) They forbid any clans heads, or anybody to adopt the girl. They had gone as far as to forbid anything along the lines of communicating to the poor neglected girl. Him and his wife had their hands tied no matter how much they wanted to help. Or even see the girl.

He sat down robotically, preparing to take another bite he paused. Everybody at the table was watching him, resisting the urge to blink or ask 'what?' he simply rose an eyebrow. Mentally patting himself on the back for staying a true Uchiha.

"Sasuke was wondering if he could invite a friend over for dinner tomorrow night." Mikoto asked her husband. She was happy Sasuke was making friends, even if the request was on short notice she was glad he was opening up.

Faguku did blink, surprised. Looking over at his son who was currently fidgeting under his fathers scrutinizing gaze. "Who?" He asked, happy and proud of his son.

Sasuke fidgeted again. He didn't know his families view point on Naruto but he doubted they had any hate for her. Looking up, directly into his eyes he took a deep breath. "She's in the academy with me. She's actually my age. Her name's Uzumaki Naruto."

Everybody at the table froze. Itachi studied his parents silently, the name kept coming up recently it seemed. He would have to look into whoever this Naruto was. He had a feeling she was important.

Mikoto's breath caught in her throat. Naruto? As in… that Naruto. Oh! Her uncharacteristic wide eyes turned to her husband, wanting to dare him to say no but knew that they would have to think about this. Too her surprise, Fagukus eyes only showed immense happiness.

"Of course, Sasuke. Invite her while you're at school tomorrow. She is welcome to come right after, you can play (he looked odd at saying that) or train, or something, but she can come over anytime." He rushed to finish. The table was quiet, which was usually normal but seemed odd in these circumstances.

Mikoto, not knowing where her husband was coming from since they may get killed for this, spoke up. Or tried to but her husband looked her, knowing what she was going to say.

"This is great news and I couldn't be prouder. Sasuke has made a friend, on his own and simply wants to have dinner with her. This has nothing to do with the clan, but a child who wants to spend some quality time with a friend." (Insert odd look from Itachi, which both parents chose to ignore with minor difficulty.)

It took a moment for Mikoto, and unknowingly Sasuke, to realize what that meant. Mikoto was simply overjoyed. She nodded to Sasuke to cover up her oddly thankful look, which seemed to happen a lot. To her Sasuke was a miracle. He's helped the clan in so many ways, lightened up their personal household, and now… now he's created the loophole needed for Naruto. Like she stated earlier: Miracle.

That part of dinner was finished when Faguku spoke up one last time. "Anyway, yes, Sasuke. You may invite your friend over for dinner tomorrow. She is more than welcome to come over." "Anytime she wants to." He added mentally.

The three of them had a gut feeling that Sasukes wide grin had more behind it than it seemed but they didn't comment. After all what do you say to a five-year-old on that subject?

XXX

"You are invited to come over for dinner tonight." Sasuke tried to say casually but failed.

Naruto's arm paused mid-throw, the shuriken falling onto the grass with a thud. She blinked before turning to her best friend. "Uh, what?"

Sasuke swallowed, "I said, you are invited to come to dinner tonight." Naruto blinked again confused. She was going to dinner? What? Where? When was this decided? She shook her head before tilting it with slightly narrowed eyes.

Before Sasuke could explain further the morning bell rang. They both let out a groan, not wanting to go inside but for slightly different reasons. Sasuke brightened up though as they walked to their seats in the back.

After all Naruto was coming over for dinner tonight, she was going to meet his family. His feet slightly faltered, waving off Narutos look. His mind seemed to freeze, his stomach slightly constricted. He couldn't help but think about how this would go. And what would have happened, in the past. If Naruto would have gotten along with his family. What his mother would have thought of her. What his father-

Sasuke cut those suddenly painful thoughts. He didn't want to go down that road of possibilities. He opened his eyes, not even knowing he closed them, turning to Naruto who had bumped him. She mouthed 'Are you ok?'

In response he just grabbed her hand as if it was the most normal thing to do. Naruto couldn't pull it away since she was too surprised, only coming back when Sasuke moved his hand to have her look back to the front of the room. Shuffling in slight panic she tried to pull away but he only tightened his grip.

Naruto narrowed her eyes at her friend who was acting weird. When Sasuke turned moments later, Naruto noticed a well hidden look in his eyes. Like discomfort, worry or… sadness. Overwhelming sadness that she couldn't handle. Without thinking she squeezed back, trying to focus back on the lesson.

She had missed Sasukes slight smile at the action despite the sadness in the wet black orbs.

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Well, that chapter wasn't as long as my other stories chapters and I really have no idea why. This seemed like a good place to stop so I did. Next chapter Naruto will meet Sasukes family. I think this is it for the Authors Note. Thanks for reading. :)