A/N: I never really got why the entire Uchiha clan had to be killed. I mean kids and all. Is that shit really necessary. It makes since if Itachi actually went bat shit, but since he was actually a 'good guy', killing everyone but his brother made no real sense to me. On that note, why does Sasuke take Tobi's words at face value when he learns the 'truth'. I am under the impression that Uchiha are rather unhinged from reality as a group. In any case, we start to see the signs of coming strife mingled in with the everyday life of the future Team 5.

"So does the seal let him grow like that, or disguise him as a house cat?"

"You've asked me that every day for two years, Masaru. What do I always say?"

Masaru sighed, "You say 'I cannot reveal the secrets of my clan'."

Osamu smiled at his big friend. Of the three of them, Masaru was the tallest and heaviest, coming in at just above four feet. A good portion of his weight was baby fat, and he gave the image of being just a little chubby. He wore a plain tee shirt and set of durable double layered pants that he tucked into his combat boots. The whole ensemble was black to hide the ever present ink stains from his sealing practice. His copper colored hair was pulled back into a ponytail, and his sky blue eyes were currently sizing up their escort, a large black panther with bright green irises.

Osamu was night to Masaru's day. He was the smallest in the trio at just under three and a half feet. He was slender, much like his sister, though his face retained the roundness of youth. He was wearing a deep green shirt and set of dark blue shorts. He had clean white wrappings on his forearms and hands as well as his lower legs and feet. The bandages did not cover his fingers, toes, or heels, and except for the wraps, he was barefoot. His black hair had been trimmed exceedingly close to his scalp, making his head look fuzzy. He too was considering the topic of their conversation with his amber eyes, the pupils mere slits in the bright morning sun of late summer.

"If you can beat me in our run today, I'll show you my heart seal," Osamu offered his seal obsessed friend as a consolation.

"Really!?" Masaru looked determined, "I'll beat you then, tiny!"

"You mean like all the other times?" Osamu asked sarcastically.

"Oh shut up," the larger boy shot back grumpily, "I still don't get how you run so fast with such short legs."

Their conversation dwindled into a comfortable silence as they closed on their destination. They began to hear grunts of effort interspersed with an odd swishing sound. Curious as to what their friend's mother, Mayu, had the aspiring martial artist doing today, they sped up to a light jog.

They passed around the small house Hotaka had grown up in to see their friend doing one handed push-ups. What made the training unusual was the fact that the boy was balanced on the tops of three four foot tall posts with his mother occasionally striking at his supporting arm with a riding crop. Each time the crop came in for a strike, Hotaka would push up hard enough for his upper body to hop over it.

Upon seeing his friends, Hotaka's mother stopped the exercise, "Alright, Hotaka-kun. The layabouts are here. Get 'em sweatin."

Hotaka hopped down from his unusual perch to greet his friends. He was currently shirtless, showing off muscle tone that people twice his age would envy. He was closer to Masaru in height than Osamu at just under four feet. He still wore the pants of his white gi and his sandals. He was rarely seen out of the training garment since he was almost always training. Despite the fact that his normally messy brown hair was plastered to his head with sweat, his gray-blue eyes were filled with eagerness to train with his friends.

"Hey guys," he called, "I figured we'd run to the park this morning and do the 'obstacle course.'"

Osamu and Masaru groaned. The 'obstacle course' was just a normal playground, but the challenge hungry Hotaka had developed an extremely difficult route through it. The process required a great deal of coordination, flexibility, and strength. They could do it, but only with great effort.

"Oh come on," Hotaka teased, "It's not that bad."

After a short period of stretching, they took off at a dead sprint for the park. All of them had begun training at the age of five and so completed the mile run just shy of six minutes. As always, Hotaka came in first, but had Masaru and then Osamu hot on his heels.

"Gotta... show me... that seal... now," Masaru panted to Osamu who just waved in agreement.

XxXxXxX

For two years, the council had tried to call Hiroto in to bring up certain concerns. For two years, the Hokage had conveniently put him on out-of-village missions during regular council meetings. The inevitable eventually happened, however; a client had canceled a contract just before Hiroto could deploy. Now he stood waiting to enter the council chamber. He knew what this was about. He would be stupid not to.

Ever since he had taken it upon himself to look out for Uzimaki Naruto, people had become nervous. That was reasonable. He was being chummy with the village jinchuuriki, and he was a defector from a foreign land. A paranoid mind might wonder if he was planning some scheme involving Naruto. Since shinobi, as a rule, were all paranoid, the council had decided to... discuss the issue with him.

He wasn't about to be politically bullied, however. He had developed a reputation as being an extremely unpredictable opponent. This was due, in large part, to his wide range of skills, and his creative use of them.

What most did not know, was his skills and unpredictability extended past the battlefield. He was versed in multiple speaking methods, as well as a variety of techniques for reading people. In short, he knew how to manipulate others. He didn't think the usual tactics would work on the experienced and canny individuals conferring behind those imposing oaken doors, so he had decided to drop a bomb on them.

The doors opened, and the wizened face of the Hokage's old teammate Koharu appeared, "Come in, Hiroto-san."

Hiroto entered calmly and stood at the end of a long dark wooden table. The Hokage sat at the opposite end giving him a worried and almost apologetic look. On the long sides of the table sat the various clan heads, as well as the Hokage's old teammates and Danzo.

Before anyone could speak, Hiroto struck, "Thank you all for seeing me on such short notice," he kept his tone even and respectful.

His words caused confusion to run through his audience, as he had wanted. They had called him here after all.

"As you know," he continued, pressing his momentum before someone could correct him, "I have taken a personal interest in Uzumaki Naruto. This is due to his rather unique circumstance, and his treatment by the village because of it."

"What circumstance do you speak of?" the Hokage asked. Hiroto was grateful for his aid. It was integral to his walking out of here with what he wanted.

"His status as the jinchuuriki for the Kyuubi no Kitsune," the chunin said blandly.

The room erupted as various people began talking at once. He heard a few demands for the source of his knowledge and some vehement denials. He swore he heard the Uchiha patron suggest he be killed or otherwise silenced.

"QUIET!" the Sandaime finally roared when the councilors showed no signs of calming on their own. They all complied rather swiftly.

"How have you come by this knowledge, Hiroto-san?" the Hokage asked him, a slight twinkle in his eye.

"If you look at my interrogation reports from my defection, you will see that I have experience with another jinchuuriki," Hiroto explained, "I pieced the truth together from that experience and a bit of investigation into Naruto," no sense in telling them the Hokage had led him by the nose to the revelation.

"What prompted this... investigation?" Uchiha Fugaku asked carefully.

"I ran into the child by chance," Hiroto told him honestly, "There were some odd incongruities with how a mischievous child should be treated and how he was handled. I grew curious."

He knew what the next question would be, so he headed it off, "I decided to befriend him on the off chance I could teach him to love this village as I do," he saw a few incredulous looks from the councilors and an outright sneer on Fugaku's face, "In the event I found him giving control to his prisoner, I resolved to kill the boy."

That earned him some surprised looks, and Inuzuka Tsume asked "You'd kill him?"

"My first duty is to protect this village," Hiroto responded with true conviction, "If I can save thousands at the cost of one, yes... I'll kill him."

That seemed to mollify a few people around the table. Others looked slightly discomfited by his proclamation. He felt he had them suitably off balance now.

"I would like to formalize my responsibility for Uzumaki Naruto," he stated, "I am requesting the council allow me to legally adopt him as his guardian."

The stunned silence was so sweet to his ears, and he would treasure the looks of surprise for years to come.

The surprise wore off in seconds, but the Hokage managed to head off the storm of debate, "Hiroto-san. You do not need the council's permission to adopt a child. You meet the necessary requirements already."

That confirmed one suspicion the chunin had. The Hokage truly was banking on Hiroto to give the boy some semblance of a normal life.

"Considering the individuals involved," Danzo said evenly, "I think he's done the proper thing. Hiroto is, and always will be, a defector from Kumogakure. Uzumaki Naruto holds the most powerful being known," Hiroto internally winced at the old war hawks words.

"That thing should have been put down years ago," Fugaku stated coldly, "If it breaks from its seal, there is no telling how much damage it could cause," the Uchiha patron's feelings did not surprise Hiroto. The Uchiha had absorbed a large portion of the casualties from the attack.

"We are aware of your stance on the jinchuuriki," Homura said to Fugaku icily, "It was decided that it would be a terrible waste considering the fact that Kumogakure has at least one vessel, most likely two."

"We are not here to debate Naruto-kun's existence," the Hokage interjected, somewhat annoyed, "That matter was decided years ago. Hiroto-san has come to us because of the unusual circumstances of his request. Let us put it to a vote. Should he be allowed to take legal guardianship of Uzumaki Naruto?"

"I vote yes," Koharu started, "The boy is showing signs of delinquency, and despite Hiroto-san's past, he has shown himself to be a capable and loyal shinobi of the Leaf. I say let him be a role model for Naruto."

"I vote no," her counterpart, Homura disagreed, "Hiroto-san can easily perform those functions without adopting him."

"No," was the only thing Fugaku offered.

"I vote yes," Tsume told them, "Koharu's right. Since you wouldn't let me take the pup, let Stripes handle it," she grinned as she used Hiroto's informal code name. He had heard the Inuzuka clan had petitioned to adopt the boy, but had been shot down by the council for fear of the power it would give them.

"I vote no," Shikaku stated blandly, "Sorry, Hiroto-san. Don't really trust you."

"I say no as well," His large friend, Choza agreed, leaving his reasons unstated.

"I say yes," Inoichi surprised them by disagreeing with his old teammates. An extremely rare occurrence.

"Yes," Shibi said flatly, "It will free up ANBU resources while Hiroto-san is in the village and give our jinchuuriki a chance for training outside the academy," Hiroto had actually discussed the benefits of his proposal with the Aburame head prior to the council meeting. The man had considered all angles, but had eventually agreed the idea was logical.

"I abstain," Hiashi said stiffly. Hiroto didn't blame the man. His clan had lost almost as much as the Uchiha, but he was also not blinded by hatred, as was Fugaku. His clan was run differently, though. Fugaku ruled with an iron fist; Hiashi still had to contend with his clan's elders who saw Naruto, and Hiroto, with varying degrees of distaste.

All eyes settled on the heavily bandaged Danzo. The man seemed to be considering very deeply. Finally, after minutes of silence he looked at Hiroto and smirked, "I vote yes."

The Hokage had lost composure at his longtime rival's unexpected answer. He was lightly gaping at the black haired man. He quickly recovered, however, "That is five votes for, four votes against, and one vote abstained. Hiroto-san, you have this councils permission to officially adopt Uzumaki Naruto. We have no further need of you... dismissed."

XxXxXxX

Hiroto spent another hour at the tower filing the necessary paperwork. When he was preparing to leave, a gruff voice called out to him.

"Hiroto-san," Danzo was ambling up to him, his cane tapping out an even rhythm, "May I speak with you?" the request sounded more like an order.

"I have someplace to be," Hiroto told him, "but we can talk on the way."

The elder nodded his acquiescence to the compromise and exited the Hokage's tower with the young man.

"You were surprised by my vote," Danzo was not asking.

"I wasn't the only one, Danzo-sama," the chunin countered.

"My old friend, Hiruzen, sometimes forgets that I always have the village's best interests in mind," the old man explained.

"You think my taking care of Naruto-kun is in the best interest of the village?" Hiroto could not hide his incredulity.

Danzo chuckled at that, "After the incident seven years ago, I proposed the boy be given into my care to be trained. He would have been a shinobi by now."

Hiroto's hazel eyes regarded the old war hawk, "You would have made him a weapon."

"Perhaps," Danzo allowed, "but he also would not have been through the hardships he has faced instead. He would have had the satisfaction of duty and at least some human contact."

Hiroto couldn't deny that point, "So why allow me, the traitor from Kumo, to have him?"

"Please, Hiroto-san. Do not insult my intelligence," Danzo answered, "I have kept a close eye on you and, despite your drinking problem, you are talented and loyal shinobi."

"So you want me to do what the Hokage will not allow you to do?" the younger man asked.

"In a sense," Danzo confirmed, "He is too old for emotional conditioning, but his goals are known to me. He wants to be a shinobi, and you are able and, more importantly, willing to guide him down that path. He can still be a great asset to this village."

The two men lapsed into silence as Hiroto considered his elder's words. He had already started Naruto on an exercise regimen and taught him some basic taijutsu. It gave him a good reason to stick around and keep an eye on him. Danzo wasn't really asking him to do any more than he already was.

"You tried to get the council to allow the Inuzuka to ward the boy as well, didn't you?" he asked suddenly.

Danzo nodded, "After it was clear Hiruzen wouldn't allow me near the boy, I threw my support behind Tsume's request. She and her clan are loyal. Almost to a fault."

"I believe I understand you better now, Danzo-sama," Hiroto told him, "I'll teach him what I can and give him as much reason as possible to remain loyal. I can tell you, though, that everyone has a breaking point, and loyalty is never a guarantee."

"You would know better than most," the defector could tell the man did not mean any insult, though it still stung a little, "Have a good day, Hiroto-san," the old man stopped, and Hiroto continued on ahead.

XxXxXxX

To the Hokage's credit, he didn't so much as flinch when he realized one of his ANBU had slipped into his office unnoticed. His face was hidden by the stylized visage of a raven, and the Hokage could see his tension despite his apparent ease.

"Report, Itachi-kun," the ANBU nodded and removed his mask to reveal a young face with uncharacteristic wisdom and sadness.

"I am sorry to report that my clan leaders will not see reason," the Uchiha heir told the aged leader, "My speaking against them is drawing suspicion as well."

Sarutobi sank into his chair and closed his eyes, allowing his age to show, "What are you hoping to gain Fugaku?" he asked rhetorically.

"I believe he plans to gain your position," Itachi answered needlessly, "If I may, Hokage-sama... there is a more expedient solution."

"You would destroy the clan?" the Hokage asked incredulously, "Every man, woman, and child."

Despite the young man's ability to keep his emotions well hidden, the wizened leader could see his discomfort, "I don't believe it is necessary to kill the children..."

"You do not wish to harm Sasuke-kun," Itachi nodded in admission to the Hokage's observation, "He and the other children are too young to be party to my clan's misguided coup."

"How would accomplish such a task anyway?" Sarutobi asked, "You are talented, true, but your clan boasts more than one-hundred shinobi. Half of them are chunin or better."

"I have discovered a means," the double agent said. At the Hokage's inquiring look he continued, "It is not something I wish to discuss. It is... questionable."

"This whole situation falls into that area," the old man grumbled unhappily, "Try to bring your clan around without blowing your cover. I would rather not put you through such a despicable course."

"I will do as you say, Hokage-sama," Itachi said as he donned his mask, "I do not believe I will be successful, but I will try."

Just as he had appeared with no warning, he was gone in the same way.

"Be safe," the Hokage whispered.

XxXxXxX

"Damn this thing is complex..." Masaru muttered, finding no problems in staring at his smaller friend's bare chest, "What the hell is this array going towards your belly button for?"

"Do you two have to do this out in the open?" their steel eyed friend asked blandly.

"Quiet you!" the larger boy demanded, "This thing is wild. Does Ren-san's look the same?"

Osamu pulled his shirt down and cried out indignantly, "How should I know? I don't go trying to look under Nee-san's shirt."

They had wandered into a nearby stand of trees after their rigorous training so Osamu could make good on his bet. Masaru didn't have the know-how to even begin unraveling a seal half as complex, though. At least not without some knowledge of its capabilities, but Osamu was being tight lipped about that. They were preparing to jog back to their start point when the sound of voices reached them from the far side of the copse.

"Go away kid." they heard a peer say, "Every time you're around, our parents make us leave."

"I can go where I want!" they heard another voice yell, "It's not my fault your parents are dumb!"

"At least we have parents!" yet another boy said.

The last comment got a wince out of both Hotaka and Masaru. They both looked at their friend to see his pupils dilating in his anger. The small boy stomped through the stand of trees, and the other two quickly followed. They came back into an open area of the park that was hidden from the road by the trees they had just cleared.

They saw a group of five kids facing off with one blond in a dirty black t-shirt and khaki shorts. The bullies were facing towards the trees, and saw the newcomers arrive.

"Look," they recognized the first speaker's voice. He was slightly older, but still smaller, than Masaru and had a smug look under his short, brown hair, "Bet they'll tell you to clear out, too."

Osamu remained silent until he pulled even with the target of all the bullying on the boy's left. Masaru took up a position to Osamu's left while Hotaka stopped to the blonde's right. They could tell that the cat-eyed boy was going to support whoever this was, and they weren't about to let their friend go it alone.

"What makes you think I'll agree with someone who bullies others?" Osamu said. He gave them a wide, toothy grin and nearly laughed as they cringed from his suddenly feral visage. He had found early on that, with his cat-like eyes and his oversized canines, his smile was more intimidating than warm. He had made a habit of keeping his lips together when he was truly happy, but people tended to shudder, despite his size, when his teeth were bared.

"Yea!?" the defacto leader of the bullies said a little too forcefully, "Well you can leave too!"

"I think you should leave blondie here, alone," Masaru said quietly. He rolled his shoulders to draw more attention to his larger size.

"Yea," Hotaka said brightly, "This park is big. We can all share without having to deal with each other."

"Maybe we should just go," a boy about Osamu's size said to his friends.

"No!" the biggest yelled and pointed at his original target, "I'm tired of this twerp making me leave. My parents say he's bad. Besides... it's five to four"

"Five to five," Osamu corrected, his grin getting wider.

"Wha..." the bully froze before he could finish one more word when he heard a deep growl behind him. His friends were all equally frozen in terror.

Eyes wide, the blonde they had defended finally spoke up, "What is that?" there was a hint of fear, but mostly wonder in his voice.

"That," said Osamu smugly, "Is Mikazuki. Nee-san's panther."

The bullies finally managed to collectively gather their courage and turn to see what menaced them. True to the black haired boy's words, there was a very large, and very angry looking, black cat behind them. A growl was still rumbling in the back of his throat.

Masaru leaned forward and mock whispered, "You should run now..."

Like a switch had been flipped, the bullies began screaming and tripping over each other to get away. They scattered to the four winds and were gone in seconds. The terrible trio exchanged triumphant looks and began to laugh uncontrollably. They soon managed to get themselves under control, but a giggle escaped one of them every now and then.

"Did you see their faces?" Masaru gasped, still winded from his laughing fit, "Man, Osamu! How do you make that smile so creepy?"

"Nee-san's been teaching me," the smaller boy explained, "I like that last part... 'You should run now...' classic."

"We can't forget Zuki," Hotaka chided his friends, "He was the lead role!"

They all looked over to the panther who was now lazing in the early afternoon sun, "Thanks Zuki," they chorused. The great cat just yawned and rolled to his back.

"Who the heck are you people?" the boy they had rescued finally cried. He seemed confused by their kindness.

Hotaka straightened, then gave an overly formal bow. He waved his hand out to his friends, "The runt is Osamu. Fatty is Masaru. I am Hotaka."

"Hey!" his friends cried together.

"And you would be?" Hotaka inquired, studiously ignoring his indignant companions.

"Naruto..." the boy answered nervously. They all finally managed to get a good look at him, taking in his whisker marks and bright blue eyes. They could all see his discomfort, but chalked it up to being shy.

"So what was up with those clowns?" Masaru asked, "Why were they trying to make you leave?"

Naruto began to rub the back of his head, "No clue really... A lot of parents do make their kids leave when I'm around. I try to stay out of sight so I don't ruin anyone's day."

"Well, well, well," a new voice chimed in, "Making some friends, Shorty?"

All four of the boy's jumped and looked back towards the trees to see a bland looking shinobi walking towards them. Even knowing he was there, they couldn't pick up his footfalls.

"Hiroto-san!" Naruto cried happily, "I thought you had a mission?"

"Got canceled, kid," he answered as he examined Naruto's new acquaintances, "Hibaku, Sakibou, and Shoudou... you could do a lot worse, Naruto-kun."

"You know us?" Osamu asked with eyebrows raised.

"I've done my share of wall guard in the fox district," he answered, using the nickname the area had earned after the attack, "We get briefed on Natsumi-san's testing grounds and the wild cats around the Sakibou estate."

While technically true, Hiroto did not mention that he had investigated the two cat users' friends quite thoroughly and spied on the pair regularly.

"How about me?" Hotaka inquired.

"I have helped your mother tutor at the academy," he answered honestly, "She is an excellent teacher, even without her legs. Has this one kid she focuses on that can't even perform ninjutsu, but a year under her has him fighting like a demon."

He saw Osamu perk up at that information. The kid seemed to weigh his words before speaking, "They are letting him train as a shinobi even though he can't use ninjutsu?"

Hiroto frowned. The way those amber eyes shined with cautious hope made him wonder what issues the boy was having, "Do you have stunted coils, Sakibou-san?"

The boy shook his head, "It's my chakra... it's not balanced right. I only have Yin chakra."

The chunin's eyes widened. He had never heard of such a problem, "That is odd... I think if you can show a great deal of mastery in what you can do, you could make it through. That is the other boy's hope."

Osamu nodded, determination written clearly on his face. He could see that his friends were ready to help him any way they could, and it warmed Hiroto's heart to see such loyalty in so young a group. The next generation would have some fine shinobi.

"As much as I'd like to leave Naruto-kun with you boys," Hiroto said with honest regret, "I need to have a talk with him. Come on, Shorty."

He noted with chagrin that Naruto almost seemed more relieved than disappointed as they walked off, "What's the matter, kid? They seemed friendly enough."

"I know..." Naruto said softly, lost in thought, "They chased off some bullies, but now they'll have the same problem we do."

Hiroto hadn't realized his charge had become so observant. He had obviously noticed the way people avoided Ichiraku while they were there. Hiroto knew the two of them ate more than enough ramen to make up for the loss of business, but Naruto might blame himself.

"You think if people see them around you, they will treat them like you," the chunin stated.

Naruto nodded, then looked up at him, "Maybe if you hadn't defended me that day, people wouldn't look at you like they do..."

Hiroto chuckled, though the sound held no mirth, "Don't worry, kid. I earned those looks on my own long before I met you."

Naruto only nodded, and he silently thanked the boy for not asking what he had done. The blonde simply accepted his fellow pariah, "What did you want to talk about?"

"Well... for starters," Hiroto smirked down at him, "You need to move."

"What!?" the kid exclaimed, "Why!?"

The smirk broadened into a smile, he loved baiting the energetic fool, "Because my apartment has the room."

"Room for what?" the bewhiskered boy was scratching his head and squinting hard in thought.

Hiroto decided to cut the kid some slack, "As of today I, Ryouko Hiroto, have adopted Uzumaki Naruto," he intoned solemnly, "I'm your legal guardian now."

The look of bewilderment, hope, and happiness drew a laugh out of Hiroto when he turned to see his charge stopped in the street, "Something wrong, Shorty?"

"You... you adopted me?" the blonde asked quietly. It was almost lost to the bustle of the afternoon.

Hiroto walked back to him and swept him up to his shoulders. He was getting a bit big for the act, but he still wasn't too heavy, "That's right, kid. Which means I'm responsible when you pull one of your pranks."

He heard the boy chuckle nervously, "I would never try to get you in trouble... err... what do I call you now?"

The chunin smiled, "Well... I am way too young to be a father, but not too old to be a brother."

"Nii-san," Naruto tried experimentally. It sounded good to Hiroto. He had come to regard the pariah as a little brother already.

"Just try to keep them to a minimum while I'm in town," he knew he was basically giving Naruto a blank check, but he felt the citizens needed a little prodding back for the way they ignored the boy. It was his tiny revenge for the disdain they showed him, too.

They drifted into a companionable silence as Hiroto continued on to Naruto's apartment, the blonde happily perched on his new brother's shoulders.

XxXxXxX

"So you finally see what must be done?" a voice called from the shadows of the warehouse.

"They will not accept that their actions will only destroy us all," Itachi answered from behind his ANBU mask. He walked deeper into the building, carefully watching for the dangerous man who had offered to help him.

"It seems my progeny have fallen very far then," the voice said from right behind the young shinobi.

Itachi didn't jump; his only reaction was a slight hitch in his easy breathing. He turned to face the strange mask the man wore. A single eye-hole on the right allowed the man to see. The rest of the mask was given over to a black flame pattern, but was otherwise featureless.

"Such a silly notion..." the masked man went on, "A bloody coup. An Uchiha should be more subtle, don't you think?"

"You will help me with what needs to be done?" Itachi asked, ignoring the question.

"Oh I can give you the power to slaughter a clan," the faceless man told him brightly, "It comes at a cost, however. Are you prepared to pay?"

"I will do what I must," the young ANBU said gravely.

"Good...then look into my eye."

Itachi met the shadowed, one-eyed gaze of the older man. He saw a strange glint there. One that bespoke of deep hatred and barely contained insanity. He saw the tale-tale signs of a spinning sharingan, and then he knew no more.