It's For The Best

After being approved by ANBU Naruto had told his team he wouldn't be taking the exams. Sakura just snorted and stated 'of course you wouldn't be.' Sasuke looked at him weirdly and Kakashi wasn't surprised. Though Naruto just gave them a lame reasoning. "I don't feel strong enough yet." Though it was a load of bull shit. Kakashi knew how strong Naruto was and so he figured out quickly -2.3- seconds that he was now part of ANBU. After all he was too and so it wasn't hard to catch wind of the second youngest ANBU member. A white fox mask was a dead give away.

Yet the silver haired male didn't really have time to question them since he was still busy training Sasuke. While Sakura was off doing something else. Naruto had no idea what it was but he had a feeling it was 'stalking' Sasuke.

Sighing Naruto looked up at the skies. He was once again sitting against a tree this time in an open field. He didn't want to be bothered so he had hid his chakra signature. He couldn't help but frown as thoughts reached his head.

Only two months left... He thought with a deep sigh. He was only 13 now. His body was starting to go back faster. He had all his stamina back and his skills back from before. Since his body was growing it was allowing everything back. He smiled remembering feeling so light. All he worked for in first life was coming back but he knew that with his old skills he would have to grow faster. Grow stronger and even then be better. He couldn't risk slacking off now.

In two months he would leave. Not until he killed the snake. Maybe...maybe I can learn new skills with the snake. He can make me stronger. His body froze as the thoughts came into mind. Flashes of him and Sasuke fighting and Sasuke screaming at him telling him he was weak. That he needed him to make him stronger. He needed Orochimaru. He didn't need Naruto. Dread filled the blonds' body as his air felt like it was pushed out of his lungs and not willing to come back. But in seconds he was able to breathe again. Sasuke was hell bent with revenge. I'm not. I am Naruto...I will protect my precious people. I will protect them all. Even if they don't remember who I was to them. He breathed easier now. He just needed to remember that and never forget.

But it seemed he should use the snake for now. Until he got what he needed. Pursing his lips together he looked back up to the sky only to let out a girly shriek. His eyes wide seeing none other than Itachi standing upside down on a tree branch looking at him. His low pony tail hanging as well.

"Hello to you too Naruto." The raven said with a small smile trying his best to hold in his chuckle after hearing the blond scream. Naruto felt his cheeks flare up before coughing patting his heart gently.

"You ass. You scared the shit out of me. How the hell did you find me? Wait...how come I didn't sense you?" Itachi give 'the look' before Naruto huffed rolling his eyes.

"Your ANBU too. So of course you can hide your chakra." Naruto almost forgot that yet again before sighing. He was still avoiding the older raven and the other was more than willing to seek him out. Naruto felt that he couldn't face Itachi knowing that he was going to betray him in 60 days. It just didn't feel right. Nothing felt right to him when it came to Itachi but he knew one thing he would never regret feeling. Was the love he held for the older. He questioned if he knew the older from his first life would he have fallen in love with then? It was hard to answer and really hard to think that when he was leaving. Just that simple thought made him feel...depressed.

But he was being selfish. He should be happy he's saving his family. The only family he had even if they didn't know him like they use too.

"Naruto?" The baratone voice caused Naruto to snap out of his thoughts again. The blond looked up at Itachi for a few seconds. Itachi blinked seeing the look on Naruto's face. Either the blond needed to really use the bathroom or he was thinking. Yet the two words that came out of his lips almost -key word almost- caused the controlled Uchiha to fall out of the tree. "Kiss me." Now there didn't have to be a reason why Naruto said it. All Itachi knew was he was right side up and on the ground in front of Naruto with his lips pressed to the soft plump ones in seconds. After all he did ask Itachi to kiss him. Who was he to deny him?

The kiss lasted a few moments. Such as by the time the two pulled apart they were panting and holding each other in a rather intimate position. That was how Sai found them in anyways. "..." What could the boy say when 'poofing' into a time like that? His face was blank a pink blush rising to his cheeks as he tried hard not to stare at them. Naruto had quickly tried to pull away but the Uchiha wasn't planning on letting go anytime. That much Naruto got when Itachi didn't let him get up. Now he was stuck in his lap feeling his obvious 'problem'. All Naruto had to think of was of some annoying girl and his problem was gone. Though his concentration lacked because of Itachi as Sai spoke.

"You are assigned to be a guard at the exams. Your team will consist of Hawk and Owl." He informed though Naruto began to focus soon as he said exams. "I thought Falcon was." Sai nodded slightly. "Falcon was but he was sent on a mission to retrieve a scroll and his mission is longer than anticipated. If Falcon isn't here then Hawk will be taking Falcon's place." He informed. Naruto pursed his lips yet again but nodded. Falcon...you're not on a mission are you. Damn you Kabuto. I knew you were Falcon. Of course the other would leave to inform the snake of certain details of the exams. Their identities were kept secret but when having all information of a ANBU then you could impersonate them easily. The real Falcon had been killed weeks ago and Kabuto took his place. How he managed to kill Falcon was still a mystery.

Naruto nodded thinking slowly. "...I feel like something is going to happen, Naruto. Do you feel it too?" Sai questioned lightly now taking a serious note to his voice causing Naruto to gaze up at him. He met his eyes and the two stared at each other for along moment. That was until he felt Itachi move under him. He looked away before speaking softly. "Whatever happens it happens for the best. Don't worry Sai." He gave a smile to the other who had a hard time returning it because he knew something was going to happen and it wasn't good. Soon though Sai left and it was Itachi who spoke soon after.

"What's going to happen?" He asked fearing the answer but hid the fear well. Naruto let out a sad chuckle before shaking his head. He didn't answer Itachi because if he did then he might just tell him what was going to happen.

They spent the day with each other in silence. As both sat deep in thought until they were forced to leave each other.

Walking home Naruto looked up at the dark sky.

Our roles have reversed Sasuke. I hope your happy...I really hope your happy now. Pain believed in me to bring peace before giving up his life. Jirayia believed in me...everyone believed in me...I don't think I could have made it without them. But you...so stuck in the past. So built on revenge only to be played a fool in the end after killing the only person who truly loved you. All built on lies you chose to believe.

But even then Sasuke...you are my friend. You were there when I needed someone to see me. To acknowledge me. I know it will be hard debt to repay. But I figure this is a good start. For you. For everyone who died.

In the end, I will blend back into the crowd. Even though I tried to so hard to be noticed. I can step back. To avoid all of the war. To bring peace.

He was back at Hokage Mountain staring at the village beneath him. Remembering the day he fought Pain letting out a soft laugh.

"Look Sasuke. Our village. If only you were here to see this. I won't regret leaving this place. Leaving will insure their lives. For the new generation of ninja and shinobi to grow and fight. I don't mind...being a loser." The remembrance of the nickname caused him to laugh again. He felt so light. Like he could fly.

"I guess I could fly. What do you think Pervy Sage? If you saw me now. Call me a brat for doing this?" He knew he was crying but damn he was so happy.

He of course was talking about his past. Well past future before coming back to past.

"But you know what guys. You are all alive. Alive and in teams working together. Having your own ninja way and never giving up. For that I will do this a thousand times over. I will not and cannot let you all die again. Even if I am banned from this village I will always keep you safe. You may hate me in this life but no matter what I will always love you. That is my ninja way!" Naruto laughed as he ran towards his apartment.

He couldn't look at his leaving like some death sentence. He was leaving to protect his friends.

I'd be damned if I was sad about that.

He thought as he kept running.

He decided to visit Inoichi. Running on roof tops he was there in no time. He knocked on the door twice before the door opened revealing the young Ino. Naruto couldn't help but fill with happiness to see her. "Oi. I wanna talk to your dad." He said seeing the annoyed look on her face. It was better than her being in pain. Anything was better than that. Inoichi soon came out and nodded to Naruto. The two left the house walking...aimlessly before Naruto decided to take him to the small river.

"I know what you saw and I know it must have hurt to see her die. It hurt knowing I couldn't do anything...but I want you to know Inoichi. I will not have this happen again. I only have one chance to right things. To make sure they all grow up to have families. Grow old. Live happily...to love as much as possible." Naruto stated with a soft grin to the older blond who was trying hard not to get emotional.

"As long as I live Inoichi I will not let this...this rage, this war happen. You got a good look of what I lived through. I know I should be angry. Sad...but right now. I can't be. I am only happy to know I can save them all." He looked down to the water staring at their reflection.

"How can you protect them all Naruto? You are only a boy." Inoichi had his doubts and he couldn't help it. Naruto let out another laugh.

"Right now I am boy. With the knowledge of what can happen. Do you think I was sent back to do nothing Inoichi?" Realization hit the older blond as he stared at Naruto's smiling face. He could see he was sad but at the same time Naruto looked...free. "You've been working this whole time? On our future?" Naruto nodded looking up the moon.

"I was sent back because I believed. I believed on a better future. One of true peace. To achieve such a goal I am willing to sacrifice. Willing to do what I need too. Do you believe in me Inoichi?" It was the question that was answered without hesitation. Naruto smiled before pulling out something out of his pocket. He un folded it and gave it to Inoichi who eyes widen seeing it. It was a drawing. A picture of his daughter, Ino smiling with her team Shikamaru and Choji relaxing in the fields. Inoichi looked up quickly but Naruto was gone.

"Do you believe in me Inoichi?"

"Yes."

Inoichi leaned against the railing looking at the picture. Ino looked older. She was smiling happily. She was safe. Turning it around he saw a caption.

That day was the day Ino was proposed to by Choji. Shikamaru tagged along to make sure Choji went through with it.

Wet drops began hitting the page as Inoichi laughed softly not even bothering to wipe his tears away. "A better future...I believe Naruto. I believe in you."

After his visit with Inoichi Naruto had started training harder. He wasn't going to be beat by the snake and he definitely wasn't going to think of this as something sad. Of course he was going to be sad but not for the right reasons.

Itachi watched over him as he trained wondering why he seemed so happy but he and Naruto had talked and it was a surprising topic yet at the same time they had gotten in an argument seeing that Itachi had figured out what Naruto was planning.

"You know...when I was training with Pervy Sage I always thought he was an old crazy fool. All I wanted to do was train to get better. Stronger. So I could finally be somebody." Naruto started with a light laugh. "I pissed him off a good amount of times before I realized I wasn't just training. He was helping me become a better person. He was willing to teach me despite who I was then and now. I took for granted what he did to me but I knew he was someone special to me. I never knew just how special when he died. I'm glad to see him alive. Walking around and traveling the world for his books. I hope he stays like that..."

Itachi still couldn't get the image of Naruto...smiling so...sincerely. "You never talk about your memories. Why all of a sudden?" Questioned the oldest Uchiha. Naruto tilted his head looking at him the smile still in place. "Not all of them are bad. In fact most of them make me proud to have been their friends to become a family. It's cheesy I know but they were the ones who I had. To see them now. Alive. To seem smiling. It makes it all worth it."

Itachi sat there and blinked slowly. "Worth what Naruto?" It wasn't long for Naruto to realize his mistake. "To be back." Itachi couldn't help but narrow his eyes. "You're keeping something from me." Naruto looked away quickly. "Naruto...you talk like something is going to happen. Like this will be the last time you se-" Itachi's eyes widen as his thoughts pieced together.

"You're leaving." Naruto looked out to the setting sun as they sat on top of the Hokage Mountain. "Yeah..." Itachi felt his eyes sting some but refused to let his tears go. "Why?" Naruto glanced back to the older knowing he deserved an answer. He gave a sad smile. "To save them Itachi. In order to bring peace I need to make sacrifices. You know this more than anyone. To see the people you love die in front of you. You saw what war can do." Naruto knew it was hurting him. Hell it was hurting him too but it couldn't be helped.

"Let someone else do it Naruto. Why does it always have to be you?" Itachi stated angrily as he clenched his fists tightly. The sad smile still in place Naruto looked back to the colorful horizon. "It was always me Itachi. If not me..." He didn't want to think about it. Didn't want to think about anything if he didn't go.

"Itachi...do you love Sasuke?" Naruto questioned still looking out. "Of course I do. He's my baby brother." "Now ask me." "...Naruto do you love my brother?" Naruto didn't answer for several seconds.

"Yeah. He's my brother too Itachi. I felt the pain he went through. Being alone. Being cursed. The Uchiha and the Nine-Tail. Our fates had always been twisted around each other. But now it's a different life and I'm not going to let it happen again." Itachi's anger began to fade. How could he ever be angry for Naruto leaving when he gave his reasoning. He'd had to be heartless.

"Look Itachi. A yellow moon." Naruto pointed excited looking up. Though turned slightly to wipe Itachi's eyes pressing his lips gently to his and pulling back. "Don't cry Itachi. You look better smiling." A small chuckle left the Uchiha before the two sat in silence enjoying the presence of the yellow moon.

Itachi had decided that he would spend time with Naruto knowing each day brought the day they would have to separate but at the same time he didn't know what Naruto was planning either.

When it came to the exams everything was running smoothly. Naruto and his team were stationed and ready for a fight.

Itachi and his team were protecting the Third Hokage.

When it came to Sasuke's match against Gaara it was then all hell broke loose. The stadium went silent as they were put to sleep. Naruto and his team were on the move in seconds. Killing every enemy in sight. "You were a part of this village Gaara!" Sasuke screamed and Naruto paused looking down at the two. He knew the red-head was safe. He wasn't going to attack Sasuke. He grunted when he was attacked and gave his attention back to the matter at hand. He breathed out evenly as he sought out Kabuto.

When he did he removed his mask. "I know it's you Kabuto. Falcon has been dead for a long while." Naruto informed as the gray haired ninja removed his mask. "Here we thought you were going to put up a fight." Blue eyes narrowed before listening to fighting going around them but he refused to move. "No. I'm not going to put a fight. I am willing to go with you." Naruto stated blankly.

"No one is going to believe you went willingly. You will have plenty of people looking for you to bring you back safely." Kabuto mocked him. Naruto knew this but he didn't say anything at the statement. "I have created a jutsu to erase some of their memories. They will only remember me as the fox. The demon of the village. The one who caused...this." He once more stated with a blank face.

Kabuto chuckled lightly. "Lord Orochimaru will be pleased." Naruto could only nod. "I will go do the jutsu. You may watch." He informed as he ran off towards the forest so he couldn't be traced as Kabuto followed him.

Itachi had been frantic on his search for Naruto. He had seen the masked blond run off with who it seemed to be with Falcon but then that was it. His attention had gone back to fighting knowing that he would have to look for his blond after.

Naruto sat on the branch as he preformed various hand seals. He said nothing as he closed his eyes and his hands began to glow green. He had taken Pain's rebirth jutsu and modified just for this.

"Rebirth Jutsu: Forgotten Memories." He had called it. Soon though as he preformed the last hand seal light sprouted from his body and covered the whole area. It swirled around the whole village as it entered everyone's mind. One by one their memories back to change. Taking out anything good it had to do with Naruto.

I'm sorry everyone but it's best if your hate was placed in me and only me. He thought as he concentrated.

As those fought they seemed to freeze as the green swirled around them erasing the memories. Some screamed in agony unable to take so much chakra in their bodies. Some felt numb as they felt something leave them.

I will not give up. He had felt himself weakening from the use of his chakra but he wasn't about it call it quits. He had worked too hard for this for him to give up over something so simple. The green grew brighter as he thought about protecting his family.

I will go to protect you guys. Just a little longer.

One after one the swirls began to return to Naruto as they finished erasing the memories. Naruto felt satisfaction grow as each line came back to him.

I will not let you guys down again. He stood up slowly. He was weak he knew but now he had to go. Kabuto was standing there as Orochimaru appeared by his sides. Naruto looked to his hands and tried not to scowl. "The Third is dead." Naruto just bit back his anger as he placed his mask on. He would have to go to the Akatsuki to explain to them his plan. He felt sadness wash over him knowing that the Third was dead but for now they had to leave.

He was placed on of the backs of the men who came with them. The one who had another curse mark on his neck. Naruto felt sick to his stomach but he could barely walk himself.

Forgive me...forgive me Itachi.

So sorry that it took me a while to get this chapter up. I've had writer's block but hopefully you will enjoy this! Review!