Precious Treasure of the Uchiha

Summary: For centuries, a child Madara took in lived with the Uchiha clan and was loved above all treasures. But in this day and time,the clan is wiped out, only one remaining. Read on as Naruto tries to solve the murder of the clan and the disappearance of Itachi all the while protecting the last living Uchiha. How will Sasuke cope in the world of immortals?

They won the competition, completely trouncing the other bands despite them being the only ones who had played on acoustic instruments and without power. Through Kakashi's and Sai's help, their background pictures were a marvel that had remained humble and there was no unnecessary flashiness or flare to it. A short story about loss complimented their song perfectly and the atmosphere had been far more electrified after their performance than any other, so the winner was clear and they had been handed a small trophy for their win that was now proudly displayed in the trophy locker of their school. Ino even congratulated Naruto herself before striking up the first normal conversation she had with the ancient blond and they became friend, Ino-Shika- Cho and the group that revolved around the Six Paths Sage.

Fitting, seeing how much their fates were intertwined either way, seeing as their shinobi families were all more or less allies and Naruto had in some way gotten them all indebted to him at some point anyway. They even started coming to Sasuke's trainings with Naruto, watching as the blond explained as much as he can about the Sharingan without actually having it to give him examples of what he's supposed to be doing. It was fascinating to see how much Naruto pushed Sasuke to the limits, training him in speed and strength so he can match the Sharingan's prowess and then showing him how to use it with better efficiency, using less chakra and responding better. Within a month of training with the blond, Sasuke was now able to use the Sharingan ten times better than when Kakashi had been trying to teach him. For all that Kakashi had been using it for a much longer period of time, he had no idea of the Sharingan's true limits since he had gotten his and wasn't born with it. Even Kakashi came to a few lessons to learn more about the eye he had in order to use it better and not exhaust himself so easily when using it.

What eluded both Sasuke and Kakashi was the infamous Mangekyo Shairngan, the doujutsu that had allowed Sasuke to use those black flames, the Amaterasu, a technique that was an Immortal killer. Naruto said that each Mangekyo had a different pattern and a different power, although some times there were no unique powers to the eyes. Amaterasu, powerful as it was, was one of the most common powers a Mangekyo user can use, if they were strong enough, since it was quite draining. Itachi had been able to use it and had also had a unique power of his own, so it was possible Sasuke will have a unique power for his own eyes, too. Then there were other cases, like one having a unique power but not being able to use the more common powers the Mangekyo provided but Naruto didn't give examples in names, of either Uchiha or techniques. Kakashi knew one of the people Naruto was talking about, as they had died not long before the Massacre had taken place and the wound of that death was still raw, only made worse when most of the rest of the Uchiha clan followed son after, but he had no idea who else could have had such powers. Naruto even told them that it was possible for an Uchiha to gain the Mangekyo Sharingan but to have no other new powers except a better vision of chakra patterns and a stronger genjutsu, which was a lot more than anyone knew about the Mangekyo other than the few Uchiha who have managed to get it over the years.

Naruto had taken up the habit of disappearing every few days for hours on end, though, and that had at first put the Shinobi Alliance on edge. Then they all sighed in relief when they realized he was simply going to the Ryuchi Cave to speak with Manda about something the purple snake would not tell even Orochimaru or Kabuto about but they all figured they knew what it was about and just shook their heads. Everyone knew that Naruto still searched for Itachi and believed it to be a futile endeavor but they knew better than to say anything anymore. They did wonder where he got the fonds for his search but they also knew better than to ask that. Naruto had a lot of influence since he had been around for so long and some of that influence can't have come the right way by means of law. They figured they didn't want to know and just let it be.

The school was the only place people were starting to get annoyed with his disappearances, especially since he still managed to have passing grades. He didn't bother too much, contending himself with Cs and Bs with the occasional A before ignoring the teachers outright and doing whatever it was that he thought was more important, such as searching for the person who had caused the blackout during the concert.

They were keeping it on the know and so far, only Tsunade, Jiraiya, Orochimaru, Kakashi, Yamato, Danzo and Naruto were the ones to be in that select group. The blond wasn't very happy with Danzo also being kept up to date regarding this matter, but since he was in charge of the organization meant for protection against such situations, he couldn't kick him out of these meetings either. Besides, as much as he hated Danzo and suspected him to be involved in a dozen or so crimes he still couldn't solidly connect him to - including that certain plane crash that had changed so many things - he had to admit he was a formidable ally in all matters revolving Pein and his organization. They needed as many men on this case as was possible, especially since it was revealed two more of the organization, Akatsuki, were prowling around and Naruto had other obligations to turn to.

Mainly, one very unexpected school educational field trip to a nearby temple that was obligatory. Kiba spent the entire ride to the temple teasing him about his sulking from the seat behind his until Sasuke turned on him a Sharingan glare fierce enough to cower the usually shameless boy into silence.

The Uchiha was actually the only one excited about this trip, as the temple they were visiting was actually the Uchiha Clan's Nakano Shrine, built here a decades ago when the Uchiha moved with the rest of Konoha's population into hiding. It was one of the rare few places that might be able to tell him something more about his long family history now that all of them were gone except the one adopted member and himself. The books in New Konoha's archives and in the Uchiha's library simply wasn't enough and Sasuke was still having difficulty getting stories out of his guardian. For all that he and Naruto had gotten closer, the gap between them was still almost impossibly wide. Sasuke found it was quite unfair that unlike with any of the previous Uchiha, Naruto at times didn't even seem to be giving him a chance to become important to the blond and that irked him more than words could explain. Still, Sasuke was just as stubborn as his guardian and that usually was the reason some of their discussions became heated and very loud with insults being thrown around like rice at a wedding.

He also didn't like how one such argument had happened just the day before the excursion and now he was forced to sit with Kiba while Naruto shared the seat with Sai. To his left and forwards, Ino and Sakura were turned around to engage their other two kunoichi in conversation, behind him Lee was shouting about youth and the marvelous adventure this trip could be while Neji tried futilely to get him to shut up and in front of Naruto, Shikamaru was sleeping and Chouji was making an ungodly amount of noise as he ate his snacks. For a moment, Sasuke envied their resident Aburame, since their Clan had an emergency meeting and he couldn't attend. He was spared Mizuki's not-well-enough-disguised-disgusted speech about the temple and Iruka's excited chatter about their monks traditions. He was straining his ears to hear the corrections Naruto was muttering under his breath, but it was as futile as silencing Lee.

Honestly, the last known Uchiha hated fighting with his teacher slash guardian. There was something about the ancient shinobi that drew him in and at the same time set him at ease. He had only ever felt so safe to sleep in his house since the massacre with his brother close by as he felt now when Naruto stayed the night with Kurama if their training was particularly tiring or lasted too long. In a sense, Naruto had given Sasuke back the sense of family and so the Uchiha wasn't exactly willing to let that go.

But he also hated how secretive Naruto could be. He kept going to the Ryuchi Cave with a frequency that worried and intrigued Sasuke yet no one else paid any attention to. It was as though it didn't matter that one of the strongest and most dangerous Immortals was off so often, spending hours or days at a time doing only Kami knows what. There were times he would come back so tired that he completely forgot that he had returned in warmer clothes than he had left in and was then forced to avoid questions or make up excuses. Sasuke did not like being lied to.

What he hated most about their fights was the fear that Naruto might just give up on him after one. From what he had learned so far about Naruto's interactions with any and all Uchihas before him, Naruto had never been treated before how Sasuke was treating him. Not by an Uchiha, at least. Every single Uchiha since Uchiha Madara had treated the blond like a precious treasure and had in turn had enjoyed the luxury of Naruto's love and care. So far, Sasuke mostly only got just little glimpses of that love and care and it made him mighty jealous of his dead relatives, which in turn had left him feeling quite ashamed. He had spoken with Jiraiya about it, but the old hermit had just laughed his worries off, saying it was a normal thing among his Clan and that he should not worry before clapping him on the back and changing the subject to the latest mission he had just come back from.

Sasuke also missed seeing him and Kakashi around more often, but this Pein guy had them all pretty much strung up and every high ranking shinobi was needed to deal with him. It at least gave Sasuke a few missions of his own to do. Nothing overly difficult but he was just glad to be going on missions at all. He had never realized just how much there was for shinobi to do. He had never thought so many ninja would be spiteful of the new so called modern system that had exiled them from their villages that held so many of their origins. He had never expected to see so many different kuchiyose left to harm humans and destroy their settlements. Sasuke can honestly say he had never expected to fight fellow shinobi in order to save an oblivious town of normal people who will never thank him for risking life and limb for their lives.

Going on missions with Sakura and Sai was an adventure and a half, but it was also so dangerous that Sasuke sometimes came back to his home a bloody mess that had Naruto - when he unfailably waited up for him, getting in with a key Sasuke was sure his brother had left him with - cursing up a storm as he rushed to take care of his wounds, which are mostly already healed by Sakura until only bruises and dried blood - his own or someone else's - that just had to be cleaned off.

"Are we there yet, Naruto-kun!?" Sasuke was brought out of his musings and sulking by Lee all but leaping over him to try and shake the blond Jinchuuriki, who jerked back on instinct, away from the reaching hands. The entire buss turned to watch in interest as Kiba batted away at the older teen, Neji muttering to himself how embarrassing it all was and Sasuke mourned not being able to stay back with Shino.

"Not yet, Lee-kun," Iruka-sensei called from the front of the buss with a disapproving frown. "We still have another ten minutes to go!"

"But youth cannot wait any longer! We must use every last minute of it!" The green clad teen insisted and his friends groaned as he flew into a frenzy for the next ten minutes. When the buss finally stopped in front of the entrance to the temple's complex, there was not a single soul who didn't scramble out as soon as their cramped legs would allow.

Sasuke found it suspicious that Naruto kept carefully to the back of the class, away from Mizuki and the temple guards.

The gates to the grounds themselves were already a sight to behold, made in the archaic style of feudal Japan with its red tiles and white pillars and big, heavy wooden and metal doors. Behind the barely opened gate, you could see dozens if not a hundred or more steps long stairway made of some white stone or maybe marble - could be, as marble didn't heat up that easily and Uchiha were very much fire oriented so it made sense for their shrines and houses to be equipped to withstand fire and extreme heat - chiseled with care and precision and kept clean on a daily basis. More smaller, wooden 'gates' were stationed on ever tenth step or so, creating a very beautiful image as the reddish brown wood of the pillars contrasted against the green vegetation on either side of the road. The trees were thick, tall and old here, almost as though never touched before by human hands and there were wild flowers growing right beside the stairs, only a wooden hand railing separating the pretty flora from any curious visitors who'd like to pluck a flower or two. The sun was high in the sky and shining down on them with hot rays while a cool breeze flowed by, creating a peaceful atmosphere supported by the chirping of various birds.

Sasuke was surprised to note there were more crows, ravens, eagles and hawks here than any other species, but that made sense since such top hunters were around. He even saw a napping owl in one of the trees! It was as though only birds of prey lived in these forests. The wild animals weren't afraid to venture close to the roads, going as far as to use them themselves, staring at the newly arrived humans with bored interest for a moment before going back to their own business, whatever may that be. The most shocking thing was that there were also so many cats! House cats and street cats as well as wild cats and big wild cats. The Uchiha and his fellow classmates watched in fascination as a tiger poked its head out of the door with a black cat on its back, also peeking out at the new humans, before both felines lost interest and the jungle cat prowled off.

Suddenly, they were not sure if they were so eager to be out of the buss.

"What do you mean we can't go in!?" Mizuki's snarl drew their attention back to the guards at the gate and what must have been a monk of the temple if his robes were anything to go by. "We made arrangements with the agency and paid the fee in advance and everything! You can't not let us in when we paid!"

"Hey, Mizuki, calm down," Iruka tried to placate his college, but that only put him in a worse mood as he rounded on his friend.

"They robbed us blind and you're telling me to calm down!?"

"We do not accept visitors, sir." The monk told him coldly, running his eyes up and down his body and finding Mizuki lacking, much to his further ire. "We never did. Someone did rob you blind, but it wasn't anyone from this temple or that had any connection to it what so ever. This is private property and you can't step on it without permission. The animals would chew you up and spit you out before anything else."

"Was that a threat?" The albino challenged with a growl, eyes flashing as Iruka held him back by his shoulders.

"It's the rules." They were locked in a long stare-down, almost of epic proportions as there seemed to be lightning between their eyes, contempt and displeasure and killing intent. That is, at least, until a small girl, barely into her teen years with light brown hair, dark blue eyes and strange markings on one cheek that looked kind of like kanji but not quite, burst around the monk and hurtled straight into the group of students, a large leopard cub bounding right after her. The students all screamed and hampered out of the way, the few shinobi in the group drawing their weapons and readying to attack-

"Naruto-nii-sama! You're back, you're back, you're back!" The child cheered as she launched herself at the hiding blond, wrapping her arms around his waist and burying her face into his chest with a giant smile. "Will you teach me a new jutsu? A new move? Oh, how about telling me a new story! Or we can go hiking and camping and I'll introduce you to the new ninneko and the baby tigers!" The girl kept on talking a mile a second before squalling another "Naruto-nii-sama" and just nuzzling his midsection as his hand came automatically to ruffle her hair.

"Naruto-sama, glad to have you back." The monk from before greeted, suddenly all smiles and warmth, completely ignoring the two teachers as he came to give Naruto a little bow. "What brings you here, if I might inquire?"

"A visit." Was all the whisker scarred teen replied, aware of the stares that were being directed at him.

"A visit?" The two residents of the temple asked in confusion and Naruto snapped out with his arm to grab Sasuke's shirt collar and drag him until they stood shoulder to shoulder and the blond smiled a beaming grin when four pairs of eyes widened.

"Yeah, with the heir." He chirped sunnily and watched with glee and resignation as the two guards, monk, little girl and leopard all fell into formal bows before him and the shocked Sasuke.

"Uchiha Sasuke-dono, we welcome you to your heritage."

Said teen turned black eyes to the now sheepishly laughing blond as the entire class' jaws dropped.

"I can explain?"