I would first like to give a thousand apologizes for the late update. Insecurity doesn't give you a warning when it wants to attack, but I was able to manage it.

I'm really grateful that my story is so well liked, both from the original and the current. Looking back on all my stories and seeing everyone's encouragement really has given me boast to keep going. I know this chapter is a bit short, but I'm getting there. Please enjoy.

Chapter 8: A New Path Part 2

Over the next couple of days, the friendship between Sasuke and Sakura began to grow. Unsurprisingly, it wasn't long after the two met that they ran into Naruto at his favorite place. The Ichiraku Ramen. Sasuke was already planning to talk to his other future teammate at some point, but wanted to do it outside the academy, in case someone bothered them. He was happy to have found him when he did the three of them had a fun time.

Sasuke and Sakura was heading in town after they did some training in the forest. Unknown to her, Sasuke took them to same spot the trained at in the future. When they were close to Ichiraku's the young Uchiha heard, before he saw, his future friend. Smiling he led Sakura into the store and sat next to the blond boy.

"Hey, you don't mind if we sit, here do you?" He asked, slowly sitting on the stool on the right of him. Pausing from his food, the boy blinked before looking at the blue haired boy in surprise.

"Are you…do you mean me?" he asked. You could hear the confusion and surprise in his voice.

"Um yeah. I'm wondering if my friend and I could join you. I'm Sasuke and this is Sakura." He replied, pointing to his pink haired friend who joined him from his right side.

"Um…um sure. I'm Naruto." 'I wonder why their talking to me. Sasuke comes from a strong clan and Sakura's really smart, I'm just a prankster that people stay away from.' The young boy thought of how people treated on a regular basis.

"Naruto, you ok?" Sasuke asked, waving a hand in front his face. 'I really hope he's thinking bad thoughts like what Sakura did earlier. I really got my work cut out for me.'

"Hello, there kids what would you like to have?" The voice of the restaurant' owner grabbed the kid's attention as they turned towards him. After ordering a bowl each, the Uchiha and Haruno welcomed and chatted with their new friend Naruto Uzumaki.

A hand rubbing his head brought him back to the present. Looking up, he saw his brother Itachi leaning against they were under. The elder had not long ago completed a mission with his team and had joined the younger, who had taken a walk in the backyard, after completing his homework.

"What were you thinking about?" Itachi asked.

"I was just thinking back on how Sakura and I met Naruto."

Itachi smiled. He remembered the night, Sasuke told him about meeting his future teammate. He thought back to the emotions he showed when he recounted the confrontation to him. The memories he shared about his future were still strong in his mind. Which is why he understood why, he showed such emotions about what happened that day.

"I hope it wasn't bad like when you met Sakura again, was it?" he asked, hoping the boy wasn't bullied like Sakura was.

"No he wasn't which something I was really happy about. We found him at Ichiraku, which I swear is like his second home." The younger replied, with a smile.

"That's a relief. I'm glad you were able to reconnect with them. Hopefully this would be a fresh new start for all of you." He said, hoping his brother would be able to have a better life, than the one he had to go through previously.

Sasuke sat up and turned to look at him. He then leaned his body against the elder, wrapping his arms at best he could in that position. "I want you to be able to have a better life as well, Itachi-nii. You never deserved the pain you had to go through. I feel horrible at being able to see your suffering, even though we're brothers. A large part of me felt like I was a burden to you." He confessed, looking up at elder. Silently the elder lifted the younger into his lap and cradled him into his arms. Internally he cursed his father, Madara, along with the elders who were so power hungry, that can't the bloodshed that the coup will cause. 'Their either blinded or don't care as it's no one from the clan that's gets killed. The villagers aren't going to just sit by and watch us destroy the village just for power, their going to fight back' He thought sadly as he gazed at his brother and tightened his grip. The younger looked up with a questioning look, but his brother just smiled and shook his head, snuggling his brother again.

"Nii-san" Sasuke said after a minute of silence.

"Yes, ototo?" he replied.

"I want to tell Shisui-san"

"Tell him what, Sasuke?" He asked. Said brother pulled out from the embrace and looked the elder in the eyes. Itachi seeing the message began to worry about sharing the information with the older Uchiha member. He already knew of Shisui's position and roles when it comes with the actions within the Clan. He knew how much his cousin loves the Clan, but he also knows how deeply he cared for the village. Looking at the gaze in his brother's eyes, he smiled and asked that he gives him a day to think it over before the younger does anything. Relaxing his gaze, the younger returned the smile and once again lay back against his brother. Itachi also began to relax, even though his mind was going through scenario's involving Sasuke's memories and Shisui's roles.

It's been almost two days since Sasuke proposed including their cousin Shisui in their plans, or changing the future of their Clan, and the village. Itachi looked at his cousin who sat next to him, regaining his breath after the training they have just finished. They were currently within one of the training grounds, assigned to members of the ANBU Black Ops.

"Hey are you alright. You seemed almost distracted out there, Itachi." Shisui said, looking over his younger cousin. They both could tell that something was off with the younger during their training. In fact, Shisui sensed something since he came back from his mission, yesterday afternoon. Itachi knew he told Sasuke to give him a day; whether their cousin was there or not, but he was still having a mental battle because of it. A hand waving in front of his face snapped him out of his thoughts.

"Hn?" Came the questioning response. Pouting for a few seconds, the elder repeated his concern, waiting for a response. Then he got one…just not the one he was hoping to get.

"It's nothing" Shisui got up, walked until he was in front of his cousin, before plopping down with a serious expression, daring for Itachi to try and get out of it.

Blinking at the sudden action, Itachi gave a sad smile before bowing his head and taking a deep breath. At his sudden action, Shisui dropped the serious gaze, and began to grow concern. It's not like Itachi to act like this. 'The burdens of ANBU and the Clan are finally starting to get to him.' He reached out and laid a hand on the younger's shoulder, before giving a gentle squeeze. The younger placed his hand onto of the elder's before saying a shaky breath.

"Shisui, Sasuke knows about what the Clan is planning. He knows about what the village elders think about our family, especially about what Danzou is planning to do to us. He knows about what happened during the Kyuubi attack and how we are secretly watched and monitored by the ANBU. Shisui, Sasuke knows everything."