~ooO (2) The Battle Mage Ooo~

"I'm certain all of you have heard the rumours. I've heard many variants myself and laughed myself silly at some of them, so I've decided to give you the facts myself."

Naruto stiffened and sat up straighter, paying closer attention to Hazuno-sensei. It had become a habit to drift a little in DMA class, mostly because he was already familiar with the material and techniques being covered through self-study and reading ahead.

"One of the youngest wizards to complete his Duellist Mastery and gain Battle Mage status has approached Tenshiro Academy with a proposal. Rikudou Itachi is willing to take on a Sixth or Seventh Year student as his personal apprentice. Of course it will be a part-time apprenticeship until the student he has chosen has graduated and satisfied Battle Mage Rikudou's expectations. All of you can write application letters and hand them to me before end of day Friday in order to be considered, but please note all the candidates must pass a written test before being interviewed and tested."

Hazuno-sensei ignored the sudden upsurge of urgent whispering and raised his voice to be heard over the noise. "Please do not bother unless you have at minimum Exceeds Expectations in DMA. And since you are too distracted to learn anything else today, class dismissed!"

Almost as one the students stood and began stampeding out of the classroom, to spread the news and to prepare their own application letters. All but Naruto who remained at his desk.

"Uzumaki-san,, is something wrong?"

The teen looked up at the DMA professor. He was old and a bit boring, but he knew a great deal and was more than willing to share his experience.

"Hazuno-sensei, do you think I have a chance? Of being considered?"

The elderly wizard smiled down at one of his favourite students. "Of course. In fact I would strongly suggest you prepare your application letter as quickly as possible. I would be more than happy to edit it for you and give you feedback."

Naruto relaxed, pleased and reassured by the offer. Hazuno-sensei was nice but he did not appreciate anyone wasting his time. He would not have made the offer if he didn't believe Naruto had a real chance.

"Thank you Hazuno-sensei. I'll start working on it right after dinner today."

And he would, even if he had to stay up late to complete his regular assignments. Naruto was not going to pass up on the chance to study with the youngest Duel Master to win the Pacific One-on-One Championship and achieve the title of Battle Mage.

~ooOoo~ooOoo~ooOoo~

"Uzumaki Naruto."

Naruto jumped when he heard his name. He ignored the snickers from the older students and walked towards the partitioned-off room containing a duelling ring. The teen had breezed through the written test and been one of twenty students interviewed by Rikudou Itachi. He thought he did pretty well at the interview, and Rikudou-san must have thought so as well because he was one of five students who were called back for the practical test.

The other four students were older, more experienced, and better qualified than Naruto. They had also been tested ahead of him and must have done pretty well given how smug they all looked. Naruto was the youngest at just sixteen and the last to be tested. He wondered if Rikudou-san had already made his choice. If so, then why did he ask for everyone to remain in the waiting room after completing the practical test?

Naruto hesitated for two seconds before entering the room. It was dim and poorly lit but Naruto restrained the urge to use a Lumos spell. He did not know if the test began the moment he stepped into the room and he did not want to fail by making a target of himself. He quietly but quickly moved away from the entryway using the wall as a guide.

"Very good Uzumaki-san," Rikudou-san murmured from the shadows. "You are the only one who thought before acting."

Naruto remained silent. Rikudou-san had not indicated he could speak. And from what he just said the test had begun the moment Naruto had stepped into the room.

There was a soft pop as several orbs floating near the ceiling began to glow, increasing in intensity until Naruto could see clearly. The arena was empty but for him and Rikudou-san. At one end there were several targets, including a dozen human shaped mannequins. Rikudou-san looked amused.

"You may speak," he said.

"Am I being tested now?"

"Of course. In fact, the test began the moment you received instructions to come here."

"And what am I supposed to do now?"

The older wizard waved at the other end of the room. "Your goal is to defeat the duelling mannequins. You are not expected to succeed as the mannequins are enchanted to Duel Master standards. They will begin on the lowest skill level and keep improving as time progresses. What I will be observing is your spell repertoire, technique, tactics, and strategy. When you are ready to start, say Initiate. When you cannot continue, say Finite and it will end. If you step out of the circle, it will end."

Naruto nodded and moved towards the mannequins. He saw the floor at this end of the room was etched with a large pentagram suspended within a circle, the limits of the enchantment that would be animating and powering the mannequins.

He ran through a series of quick stretches to warm up his muscles before removing his outer robe and pulling out his wand. Carefully he moved to a spot that would give him the best line of fire and raised his wand at chest level, tip pointed towards his 'opponents'. He inhaled then exhaled then inhaled again. When he felt ready he spoke the starting word.

"Initiate."

The mannequins began moving. Naruto quickly used Stupefy and took two of them out. Then they moved too quickly and began resisting the Stupefy spell. He hesitated, not wanting to use a more damaging spell to incapacitate the mannequins. Transfigured and animated ropes worked to take out the next three. Now they were beginning to retaliate with jinxes that made his muscles cramp up. Naruto did not want to waste his energy maintaining a shield so he twisted and bent and ducked to avoid the spells.

The mannequins were moving too fast to be lassoed with his snake-charmer ropes so he began casting spells on the arena, the ground itself, making it uneven with potholes and rubble, forcing the mannequins to manoeuvre around them and into his rope traps. Then they began jumping over the holes instead of moving around them. It was a display of acrobatics and skill that reminded Naruto of shinobis. So he used distractions and feints to herd them into where he wanted.

He was getting tired now. There were still three left. They were co-ordinating with each other, herding him against the edge of the circle. He was putting more effort into avoiding them than taking them out. If he could have he would have run and hid. But if he left the circle he would be conceding. So he stood his ground and fought the best he could using spells and athletics to avoid being taken down.

Of course he couldn't last forever and stumbled and fell, the victim of a paralysing hex. His muscles convulsed as he struggled to break free and failed.

"I have seen enough Uzumaki-san. And I have made my choice."

Naruto shivered as Rikudou-san ended the enchantment. The mannequins froze in position and sagged as though suspended from an invisible string. The paralysing spell also broke, allowing Naruto to roll onto his hands and knees and push himself off the ground.

"I failed then," he murmured glumly.

"No, you passed," Rikudou-san corrected mildly. "In fact, you are the only one to do so."

Naruto's head shot up. "What do you mean?" He was confused and in disbelief. "I'm the youngest applicant you tested. The others are older and better than me! They know tons more spells than I do."

Dark grey eyes pierced him with unnerving intensity. "They may know more spells but I am more interested in taking an apprentice with the correct mindset. Spells may be taught, but it is harder to teach the correct way to think and act."

That surprised Naruto. "Think? How do you know how I think?"

"I read your application. I read your essay answers on the test. You were the only one who did not use a Lumos spell and make himself a target when being tested. You used both physical tactics and spells to take out the mannequins and to avoid being taken out yourself. Most wizards are too proud to run and evade spells. They seem to think it is a sign of power to stand their ground and shield against spells. I do not have any tolerance for ego or pride. That is why I am choosing you as my apprentice."

Naruto blushed and parted his lips before pressing them together, holding the gushing words back. Was Rikudou-san serious? Was he really choosing Naruto as his apprentice? The older wizard must have seen the doubt and hesitation in Naruto because he continued speaking.

"Yes, I am offering you the chance to be my apprentice. It will be part-time until you graduate. Then, if you agree, it will become a traditional full-time contract. Do you accept, or do you need time to think about it?"

That was enough to make Naruto react. "I accept!" Then more quietly, "I wouldn't have applied if I wasn't serious."

Dark grey eyes examined him intently. "I thought so. You may leave now. After dinner go to Hazuno-san's office. He will be there to help you go over the terms of the contract and to witness the binding."

Naruto nodded. "I will be there." He hesitated. "May I tell my friends? That you have offered me the apprenticeship?"

"Tomorrow. After the contracts have been signed and filed."

Naruto nodded and bowed. "I understand. And thank you for this wonderful opportunity."

Rikudou-san inclined his head. "Thank me by not disappointing me."

"I won't," Naruto vowed.

"You may leave now. I will see you thirty minutes after the end of evening meal. If you wish to discuss the offer privately with Hazuno-san or another trusted adult, you will want to see them before our meeting tonight."

Naruto bowed again and hurried out. He wanted to get back to the dorms and to tell Kage that he got the apprenticeship with Battle Mage Rikudou Itachi. As Naruto's sponsor he would definitely qualify as a trusted adult.

~ooOoo~ooOoo~ooOoo~

Kage-san,

It's settled. I hate the bastard. Itachi-sempai, no Rikudou-sensei. He's an absolute slave driver! He made me cast Expelliarmus two-hundred times. With five seconds between each attempt! And when I was done he made me do the same with Accio. I know these spells already, but he still made me do it! I was absolutely exhausted by dinner time. I couldn't stay awake long enough to edit the reports I need to hand in tomorrow. But I'm not going to give up Kage-san! Giving up is not in my nindo!

Too tired to write anything else. Hope you don't mind,

Naruto

~o~

The one known as Kage-san laughed softly as he re-read the entry. It was nice to see Naruto-kun was not easily dissuaded from his path.

~ooOoo~ooOoo~ooOoo~

Naruto scowled viciously as he began writing. He barely had time to write his letters let alone do his regular homework on top of his Apprenticeship homework.

Kage-san,

I don't know why Rikudou-sensei insists I meditate every day. It's boring as heck and it's hard to remain perfectly still. He must have figured out I fall asleep when meditating because he taught me iajutsu today.

The teen's ire faded and his expression turned thoughtful at the memory.

It's much easier to sink into the void doing katas. Everything is perfect and precise when I'm doing the katas. I know I'm really rough compared to sensei because I could see him in the mirror beside me. It's like watching a dancer. If he moves like this just doing katas, I can only imagine what he's like in a real duel.

He sighed wistfully. Some of his dorm-mates had boasted about seeing Rikudou-sensei duelling in the professional tournaments.

I wish I could see him fight against other ranking Duel Masters. I heard the professional circuit will start in the spring and continue into the summer. I hope he will take me to a few of the events he's participating in at least. Even if he doesn't, I'm going to find out when he's scheduled to duel and buy tickets. I have enough money with my savings and the government stipend thanks to your generosity Kage-san.

Until next time,

Naruto

~ooOoo~ooOoo~ooOoo~

Kage-san was pleased as he read the most recent entry.

~o~

You know Kage-san, there is a method to Rikudou-sensei's madness. I discovered it's easier to cast Accio and Expelliarmus now. I don't need the words or the wand movements now. I think with enough practice I won't even need the wand. When I told sensei that he smiled and said that was the reason why he makes me do two hundred castings every other day, to drill the muscle memory into my magical pathways.

I'm definitely going to do this with other spells. Drill repeatedly until I don't need the words or even the wand. I know it can be done because sensei doesn't need a wand. I don't know how adept he is with more complicated spells but he can definitely cast up to Third Year spells without a wand.

If you are interested perhaps you can try it yourself Kage-san: cast repeatedly in quick succession until you are so familiar with the spell it becomes second-nature.

Until next time,

Naruto

~o~

The boy was learning. Perhaps it was time to up the ante.

~ooOoo~ooOoo~ooOoo~

Naruto rubbed his wrist and forearms idly between pauses as he wrote his latest letter.

Kage-san,

I learnt something new today, a new variation on iajutsu. Rikudou-sensei taught me the first of a new set that draws a wand instead of a blade. It was a bit odd, because a wand doesn't have the weight and length of a steel blade, but it was oddly easy to get used to, especially after he showed me how to pulse my magic through the wand and all my limbs.

He grinned pleased at the memory. He pushed his magic through his left arm making his nails glow a light blue before pulling it back.

It was a little tricky at first. You have to push your magic far enough so it shows as a faint glow at your fingertips, but not so much that you waste it. Once you get good enough, you have to push so it only reaches the tip but doesn't leave. It feels like a faint muscle burn but nothing shows. Only the most sensitive magical sensors can detect the pulses.

I asked sensei why I was practicing such a trick and he said it was to develop control, so I would know the exact limits of my body and magic, when I can continue and when I must flee. Sensei says knowing when to run is just as important as knowing when to stand your ground and fight. Sometimes the two are at cross purposes, so it is always better to be ready to fight at all times. I definitely agree with that.

In his shinobi-world dreams Naruto had always run from drunken attackers and the rare mob. Sometimes there were too many and he ended trapped and beaten up.

I think I'd rather be prepared for a fight at all times than be caught off guard.

Until next time,

Naruto

~ooOoo~ooOoo~ooOoo~

Naruto was especially pleased with what he had to share with his sponsor today.

Hi Kage-san,

Rikudou-sensei taught me something different today. And by different I mean something no one else knows! He taught me how to mould chakra! In my dreams all shinobi use chakra for their jutsus, it is a blend of physical and mental energies, chi and rei. I was shocked when he called it chakra. I did a lot of research when I started my magical education but I never came across anyone using the term chakra the same way as the shinobis in my dreams do.

Naruto frowned faintly. He had tried to be thorough, but there could be books in the Restricted Section. He wouldn't have had access to it as a First or Second Year, but perhaps if Rikudo-sensei gave permission, Naruto could check it out now that he was a Sixth Year. He made a mental note to speak to Rikudo-sensei about it.

Rikudo-sensei says not all wizards have the potential for using chakra but I do. That's one of the reasons why he chose me to be his apprentice! I want to ask him about shinobis, if it is possible to shape chakra into jutsus like spells but I'm afraid he'll think I'm crazy. I think I'll focus on learning everything he shows me before asking any questions. Besides, even if he doesn't know how to use jutsus it doesn't mean I can't experiment and figure out how to create ninjutsus myself. I mean all the jutsus shinobis used in my dreams had to be created or designed by someone, right? Hell, I might make a name for myself as the first ninjutsu creator in this world.

Naruto grinned broadly at the possibility, of having a set of spells only he and Rikudou-sensei could use. Naruto knew he'd probably have to share his theories with his teacher because he didn't want to kill himself experimenting without an observer.

He re-read what he just wrote and decided to write a bit more.

Please don't think I'm crazy because I'm rambling about chakra and a world that only exists in my dreams. Keiko-san says it's probably a way for my mind to subconsciously process what actually happened to me. I still don't remember anything real, but as more time passes I find I don't really miss having true memories. I think it would be horrible to remember having parents who loved me and finding out they're dead. Or worse, that they threw me out when they found out I was magical.

It had been eight years since he had woken up in Ky-Rin Hospital and Naruto had mostly adjusted to his situation. But sometimes he did wonder about his past, his biological family.

If I don't write for a few weeks don't be too worried. It's probably because I'm too tired with all the extra lessons I've got on top of my usual classes.

Naruto

~ooOoo~ooOoo~ooOoo~

Rikudou Itachi, born and once known as Uchiha Itachi, shifted restlessly in his bed. His eyeballs shifted rapid under closed lids. He was dreaming. It was one of the less than pleasant dreams of his past.

~ooOoo~

Uchiha Itachi watched the proceedings stoically. He was furious, enraged, ready to kill, because all he had sacrificed was for naught. His plans did not involve obeying Pein or Madara. He had joined Akatsuki for the express purpose of working to counter their plans. He never intended to fulfill his assignment—to capture the Kyuubi jinchuuriki. He had never thought some other Akatsuki member would have attempted to capture Uzumaki Naruto, and worse still, succeed.

It was not supposed to be this way. Konoha was supposed to protect Naruto. The ANBU assigned to watch over him were supposed to have stopped this from happening! But even as those thoughts raced through his mind, he could easily extrapolate several scenarios that resulted in Naruto's kidnapping. A young, new ANBU assigned to this seemingly uncomplicated mission. An ANBU who had not gotten over losses experienced when the Kyuubi attacked Konoha; one not willing to look past the jinchuuriki and see the truth, that Naruto was young and innocent. The ANBU may not have tried to actively harm Naruto, but it could have been a dereliction of duty that had been justified in his mind.

Perhaps if there had been a more seasoned partner, one who was professional enough to ignore personal feelings. But there hadn't been. The fool had ignored his charge, left the boy alone long enough to be captured and carried off. There would be no trail for the ANBU to follow. If they were even aware of the situation. But none of it mattered because they weren't here now. And soon it wouldn't matter; within minutes the bijuu would be extracted and Naruto would be dead. The Yondaime's son was screaming. He would die if this continued.

Itachi could see the seal around Naruto's navel glowing. Cracking. Breaking.

The former ANBU captain had read the scrolls hidden under the flagstones in the Uchiha shrine. He knew what Fugaku had suspected, that Madara had attacked Uzumaki Kushina in order to release the Kyuubi. The clan had not used the information in the aftermath, reserving it for leverage. They had been too afraid that the Hokage and the Konoha Elders would have revealed the connection between the Kyuubi and the Uchiha clan, the Sharingan. But all that was moot point now. The Kyuubi would most likely be furious, irate at being imprisoned for almost a decade, but Itachi needed its active co-operation.

He inhaled deeply and activated his Sharingan. He did not say the words of the jutsu out loud. Tsukiyomi. And then he was inside the boy's mind.

~o~

The bijuu stared at the interloper. One of Madara's cursed spawn. But this one was different. There was no madness in him, only sadness and weariness.

It growled at the intruder, ignoring the sewer water swirling around its paws and belly. It hated the sensations of cold sloshing water. It was too realistic; exactly what the yellow-furred whelp had experienced many times—hiding in the sewers from the rare drunken mobs that tried to kill his vessel. It dearly wished they had succeeded; then it wouldn't be helpless and about to be drained for that ungrateful mutt's mad schemes!

"What do you want?" he asked gruffly.

"I want to save Uzumaki Naruto."

Kyuubi stared at Madara's get. The black-furred get was being honest. "Why?"

"He is Yondaime-sama's legacy, his son and heir. I swore I would protect him."

It snorted. "That did not stop you from joining the hunters seeking to kill him."

"Only to hinder their activities!" the black-furred one spoke quietly but sincerely. Bijuus—like most summons—could taste emotions, and tricksters like foxes were especially sensitive to lies.

Kyuubi huffed. "It's too late, Madara's get. The seal has been cracked irreparably. Even if the extraction were stopped, my power will continue to leak uncontrollably before the surges destroy the brat."

"What if it leaked in a controlled manner?" the black-furred one asked thoughtfully. "Can you redirect the power so it doesn't kill Uzumaki Naruto?"

The request took Kyuubi aback. It was not used to such proposals from two-leggers who usually sought to trap it and use its power. "Perhaps," it allowed, deliberately pulling back its malicious aura. It would not do to drive a potential ally insane. "But only the brat can unlock the seal enough for me to do so."

"Where is Naruto-kun?"

Kyuubi waved a paw in the direction of the far shadows. "Hiding."

And then it watched Madara's get walk into the shadows.

~ooOoo~

Itachi sat upright in a rush, tense and ready for battle. Then he remembered where he was. In Tenshiro Academy, his private suite. He cast a wandless Tempus spell. Four fifty-two. Too late for him to try to go back to sleep. He sat up and rubbed his eyes wearily. It had been months since he'd had that dream. There was no good reason for him to remember the past now when both he and Naruto were safe and far away from the madness of the Elemental Countries and Madara's ambitious schemes. He forced his thoughts away from unpleasant memories and tried to focus on more pleasant interesting thoughts. Uzumaki Naruto.

Over the past five months, Naruto had met and exceeded all his expectations by leaps and bounds. Itachi had started Naruto's training with basic taijutsu and finger dexterity exercises for hand seals and wand waving. As soon as the teen got comfortable with what was required, Itachi upped the practice skill level or added variety in the form of advanced spells, duelling theory, meditation and finally several chakra control exercises.

When Itachi had first accepted Naruto as an apprentice, he had been worried the teen's chakra system had atrophied. There was a reason why the Academy started teaching early, and genins were typically eleven years old. Once puberty began it was more difficult to sufficiently expand the chakra coils to use chakra. Naruto would not have been able to use chakra if it hadn't been for the traces of potent bijuu chakra left behind by the Kyuubi. The powerful, dense chakra kept the teens coils open and fluid despite him not actively exercising them like he would have, had he become a shinobi. For a while Itachi had been afraid he had put it off too long and ruined the teen's chance to learn chakra techniques. But he hadn't had much of a choice. Once Itachi had graduated from Tenshiro there was no legitimate reason to return, not unless he had the training, experience, and reputation, to teach.

A more sensible person would have stopped at that point. Most would say Itachi had more than fulfilled his vows to protect the boy by ensuring he had a safe place and establishing him in a new world. But Itachi had vowed to protect the boy and was determined to ensure he was exposed to his familial legacy, to his shinobi ties. It had been easy at first, stopping by his apartment between patrols, sneaking into the village after the massacre. Even after they had landed in this strange new world, it had been easy to sneak into the orphanage to verify the boy was being treated properly, making anonymous donations earmarked for one Uzumaki Naruto. And when he started attending Tenshiro, it was easiest because he did not have to hide his connection to Naruto, simply veil it under a different explanation. But now… now it was getting harder to hold back and maintain the necessary distance. Naruto was maturing, though not yet of age.

Itachi buried his face in his hands torn between conflicting desires and urges. He could not deny he was attracted to the teen. But he was unwilling to influence and pressure him. Not as he had been coerced. He wanted Naruto to approach him, to choose him freely.

But Naruto only saw him as a teacher. Something in Itachi refused to concede and accept that reality. As a shinobi and wizard he knew illusions could very easily translate into experience and become reality. He just had to create one to ensnare Naruto's attention, to make him see Itachi as more than just a teacher.

~ooOoo~ooOoo~ooOoo~

Naruto's hands were shaking slightly as he began writing.

Kage-san,

You won't believe what happened today. I saw him without his robes. In just hakamas! I really really shouldn't write this, but if I don't tell someone I'll burst. And I really don't want to tell my housemates 'cause technically he's my teacher.

I've never seem him like that before, without the layers and barriers of clothes. A regular wizard would have looked vulnerable and naked.

Naruto lifted his pen and brought the memory to his forethoughts. He recalled how Rikudo-sensei's arms moved through each form like water. He had been distracted and Rikudo-sensei had reprimanded him for his lack of focus. He blushed at the memory before continuing to write.

But he simply looked perfect.

And he had also caused a very strong reaction in Naruto. He had never been more thankful for baggy hakamas and layered robes.

I'm not sure how it happened, but somewhere along the line I think I've fallen for Rikudou-san. Sort of. Well, I want him but he'll never want me. I'm too young and odd looking with my blonde hair and blue eyes. And what's more, I'm a guy and he's never indicated that he's interested in guys. Well, to be honest I've never heard of him dating girls either.

Naruto cursed and jerked his writing hand, dripping small splotches on the enchanted pages. A quick blotting charm removed the worst of the marks. Why did his life have to be such a mess? Too bad there wasn't a blotting charm for life.

I never thought I was gay. But then again I never liked any girls like that either. But to be honest I'm not interested in guys either. I mean I tried thinking of some really hot looking Seventh Years and they did nothing for me. Guys or girls. Maybe I'm just Itachi-sexual.

I hope it's normal to have a crush on a teacher. I'm already odd enough as it is. Actually, I hope he doesn't find out and beat me up. Correction, I think I'd prefer being beaten up than let down gently. Why in Suzaku's name does my first crush have to be on a teacher? A really cute teacher who is most definitely not interested in me? A completely unattainable guy?

He had listened to his roommates in the Academy and the orphanage discussing their crushes on the hottest movie stars or pop idols, mostly to be polite because Naruto had never shared a similar attraction. Until now.

Times like this I miss having someone who I can talk to without worrying about my confessions being repeated and spread throughout the whole school population. I suppose I could write to Keiko-san but she's really busy. So are the oji-sans and oba-sans.

I want to run after him and tell him to stay with me. I want to promise to care for him and always be there like someone should. Why do I feel like this Kage-san? Rikudou-san is my teacher and very kind but why do I want to hold onto him and never let go?

Naruto

Naruto re-read the entry before cleaning his fountain pen and putting it away. Then he closed the journal and locked it in his warded trunk.

~ooOoo~ooOoo~ooOoo~

Itachi re-read the last entry before closing the linked journal. This was something he had hoped for, a most welcome and pleasant revelation. He placed the leather bound book on the bed beside him and shifted, throwing his legs up on the mattress and leaned against the headboard.

Reading Naruto's reactions and desires for his teacher was reassuring to the older male, because he too had feelings for his student. A slight moue of distaste curled his lips. His student. He was not completely comfortable with that. He did not want to be Naruto's teacher. But he'd had no choice but to take on the role of sensei in order to have personal contact with Naruto and to discreetly begin his shinobi training.

If he were Naruto's jounin-sensei, an intimate relationship would have been initially frowned upon but eventually accepted. Shinobi had lives too short to follow civilian morality. As it were, being someone's subordinate placed one in a more vulnerable position than being one's lover. As a captain, he could easily order his team to take risky actions if he felt they were necessary to complete the mission.

But this was not a Hidden Village and the laws they were subject to were not shinobi-made. Itachi made a mental note to do some research into the current magical laws governing apprenticeships, and master-student relations.

Itachi's lips thinned. He was not one to fool himself. He had not planned on beginning an intimate relationship with the teen so soon. The original plan had been to just teach him, to wait until Naruto reached Chuunin-level before approaching him as near equals. But it was getting more and more difficult to resist the blonde. Especially after reading he was just as attracted to Itachi. He wanted the teen and was no longer willing to wait until Naruto graduated and was no longer a student.

The ex-ANBU Captain examined the situation and his options before deciding his first preference was the best choice. If there was nothing in magical law barring an intimate relationship, he would offer Naruto the chance to continue his apprenticeship over the summer. There would be more opportunities to begin an intimate relationship with just the two of them and no other distractions in the form of other teachers and students.

Thick lashes lowered to hide dark grey eyes. Yes, that was the best option. And if it was illegal for a master to have an intimate relationship with his apprentice, well…no one needed to know. Naruto was good at keeping secrets and maintaining his own counsel. And it would only be for one year. Just until Naruto graduated.

~ooOoo~ooOoo~ooOoo~

TBC…