Mikoto watched as Sasuke made himself right at home, obviously having been there before. Naruto stood uncomfortably at the door, glancing from Sasuke to Mikoto to the dirty sock the Uchiha Matriarch stepped.
Naruto apoligised hastily, "Sorry, I, uh, didn't quite get around to cleaning the place,"
Mikoto tried not to grimace, "Don't worry about it, Naruto,"
Mikoto put her bag on the sofa and said, "Maybe you two should get started on your homework,"
Mikoto started picking up eaten cups of Ramen and other garbage around the house. Naruto asked, "What are you doing?"
"Helping you clean," Mikoto replied shortly, pursing her lips at the overflowing bin.
Sasuke pulled Naruto into the seat next to him, "Don't worry, my mum is a miracle worker,"
Naruto looked unsure but sat down and the two boys started doing their homework, leaving Mikoto to clean in peace.
"Naruto," Mikoto asked in slight exasperation, "Have you ever eaten anything healthy?"
"Yeah, sure! The old man at Ichiraku's makes me eat veggies if he thinks I'm not getting enough greens,"
Mikoto nodded and returned to clearing the fridge, throwing things out more that organising things.
"These things are past their expiration date," Mikoto mumbled, settling on what she'd do next, granted she didn't have to go to the Hokage.
"Alright, Sasuke, I think it's time to head out," Mikoto said, looking around the clean apartment.
"Wow, Mrs Uchiha, this is awesome! Thanks!" Naruto yelled.
Mikoto smiled, "Aunt Mikoto, please,"
Naruto nodded, his eyes glowing with happiness.
"Bye Naruto," Sasuke waved.
"Bye Naruto," Mikoto echoed, watching as his face dimmed only the slightest.
Mikoto had to drag a energetic Sasuke out. Once they were finally on the streets, Mikoto realised how late it was.
"Let's hurry. Your dad could be back,"
"Didn't he tell you? His mission was been prolonged,"
Mikoto turned around, having already sensed the ANBU's presence. Despite his mask, Mikoto could easily tell who the man was by his gravity-defying silver hair.
"The Hokage wants to see you,"
Sasuke grabbed onto Mikoto's hand and hid behind her legs, staring up at the masked man in awe. Mikoto raised an eyebrow as Itachi appeared next to the man Mikoto identified as Kakashi, the only non-Uchiha with a Sharingan. Itachi was not wearing as mask.
"I'll take Sasuke home, mum," Itachi said, his voice neutral, though Mikoto, being his mother, could tell he was seething.
Mikoto nodded curtly, "Very well then,"
"Wait, where are you going, mum?" Sasuke asked, terrified.
"Don't worry Sasuke. Go with your brother, I'll be back soon," Mikoto soothed.
Sasuke nodded mutely, glancing at the only person he didn't know, before following Itachi.
"Let's go,"
Mikoto tried not to sneer at Danzou. She had never liked the man, especially after she found out he was the one that placed the Uchiha all the way at the outskirts of Konoha.
"Lord Hokage," Mikoto greeted, bowing down as a force of habit.
"Mikoto Uchiha," the Third said gravely, "Kakashi, you may leave us,"
Kakashi bowed and left. Mikoto noticed that she was the only one in the room apart from the two elder men.
"What do you want with the Jinchuuriki?" Danzou asked immediately.
What? No pleasantries? Mikoto thought sarcastically, "Nothing other than helping Kushina's child,"
"Why an interest all of a sudden?" the Hokage asked.
"Simply because my son happened to befriend him,"
"Just like you Uchiha happened to have the only prowess that can control the Kyuubi?"
Mikoto tensed at Danzou's accusation, "I'm sorry? This is not about the Kyuubi,"
"Do you think we don't know what the Uchiha are up to?" Danzou asked, his fave indifferent but his voice full of malice.
"What the Uchiha are up to? What does what the Uchiha do with what we are talking about?" Mikoto was fuming.
"Danzou," the Hokage said sharply. Turning to Mikoto, he said, "So all you are doing is helping Naruto? You realise this is against the law,"
"It is not against the law if I'm only helping out a friend of my sons,"
Danzou interjected, "The law was placed so that no one clan would have too much power. You know that none of the clans will stand you interfering with the Jichuuriki's life,"
Then they can just suck it up and deal with it! Mikoto thought angrily, I knew I should have acted earlier.
"Does Fugaku know about this?" the Hokage asked.
"No," Mikoto replied, her voice polite because he was the Hokage, despite her personal feelings.
"I'm not sure Fugaku would appreciate you going behind his back," Danzou said, smirking slightly.
"I'm simply helping Kushina's son," Mikoto burst out.
"How do you know of Naruto's lineage?" Danzou demanded.
"Kushina was my best friend. Of course I know! Naruto looks exactly like her with blond hair, blue eyes and whiskers," Mikoto snapped.
The Third sighed, "Did Kushina tell you?"
"Yes,"
Danzou stood up, "This is a breach of security! She needs to be kept silent,"
"No," the Hokage said sharply, "Mikoto. You may continue helping Naruto, but I hope you are aware that I'll have an ANBU guard him - and you,"
Mikoto dipped her head, "Very well, Lord Hokage,"
"Wait," Danzou snapped, "I shall have one of mine guard her as well,"
"That is not necessary, Danzou," the Hokage looked tired, "Leave it be,"
Mikoto glanced at Danzou, who was seething, before bowing to the Hokage and leaving. The meeting had gone better than she expected (no torture and interrogation, that was good) but she knew the clan and Fugaku would be hearing of it. She knew very well where that may or may not lead up to. Not to mention facing the Clan Heads since all their heirs went to the Academy.
Mikoto rolled her shoulders, standing up tall and proud. She'd burn each bridge once she came to it. And she would burn them to ashes.
It was time to show everyone what an Uchiha did to keep a promise.
Mikoto started walking home, when someone landed beside her.
"Hello again, Kakashi," Mikoto said softly.
"Lady Uchiha," Kakashi nodded.
Mikoto sighed, "I'm assuming that you're the ANBU sent to guard me?"
"Yes," Kakashi replied.
"If so, then call me Mikoto. I'm not quite comfortable with my title, even after all these years," Mikoto replied.
"May I ask, why did you take an interest in Naruto?"
"Sasuke befriended him,"
"There is more,"
It was a statement, not a question, Mikoto could tell. "I promised to Kushina I'd take care of him. Truthfully, I tried to forget these few years. I wasn't allowed to see him, I was told he was being taken care of, and seeing him hurt,"
"Why the change of heart," Kakashi asked, curious.
"Oh, come now," Mikoto said, humour lacing her voice, "Are you really telling me that when you die, you aren't scared you'll meet an angry Kushina?"
Kakashi winced, "Ah, that. Well, when you put it like that..."
Mikoto smiled at him. Maybe, she could help him too - hadn't Kushina said she viewed Kakashi as a son?
Hey guys! Sorry for the later than usual update. I'd really like to thank you all for the reviews. They honestly mean a lot to me. Every time I read a supportive review my (*cough*nonexistent*cough*who-said-that*cough*) heart fills with joy. I finally understand why they have a review option 'cause I doubt I'd look forward to writing as much as I do now if they didn't have it.