Naruto was loud.

Inoichi had been expecting it, he had known Kushina after all, but it was still exhausting, particularly when Ino took it as a challenge. Both three years olds were happy and energetic and Inoichi adored them, but he wouldn't exactly have minded if the pair were a little bit more like Shikamaru and Chōji.

Then again, Inoichi reflected, as he arrived back home to find the two 'helping' Keiko with the dinner, he wouldn't really want life any other way.

"Tou-chan!"

"Ji-chan!"

Inoichi barely had time to hang up his coat before his arms were full of squirming children. He laughed and hugged them both close. "Hello there. Have you both had a good day?"

Ino and Naruto started talking at once, naturally at the top of their voices, and Inoichi hid a wince with the ease of long practice.

"And we saw Kiba!"

"And we played with the puppies!"

"Tou-chan, can we-"

"I'm afraid we can't have puppies here," said Inoichi quickly. Their faces fall, and Keiko raised an eyebrow, so he added, "But I'm sure the Inuzuka would be happy for you to visit and play with all their puppies if you ask nicely."

"Awesome!"

"Cool!"

"I wanna be an Inuzuka!"

"No, I do!"

"I did first!"

"But I thought it first!"

"Did not!"

"Did too!"

Keiko grinned, and Inoichi had to bite the inside of his cheek to keep from laughing. He instinctively stretched out his chakra to bask in the feel of being surrounded by the people he loved, only to pause as something else flickered on the edge of his awareness. He tensed, and saw Keiko shoot him a concerned look. Her eyes went to the children and she summoned a smile.

"All right, time to let tou-chan move," she said. Her voice was light, and only Inoichi recognised the wariness in it. He set down the children and concentrated. It wasn't a threat, but he did recognise it. He forced himself to relax, and nodded to Keiko.

"I'll be back in just a moment."

"But you just got here," Ino whined.

Inoichi reached down to pat her head. "I'm not going far," he promised. "I just need to have a quick word with someone."

Ino frowned, but was easily distracted by Keiko calling her over to help Naruto set the table. Inoichi sent her a grateful look, and slipped silently out the door.

The street was deserted, but Inoichi wasn't the strongest sensor in the village for nothing. He leaned against the wall and closed his eyes.

"You know I know you're there," he said.

There was a second of silence, then Inoichi felt a flicker of chakra and the faintest breath of wind and opened his eyes to find a teenaged boy standing just out of arm's reach. His visible eye was pinched with pain and exhaustion, and Inoichi felt an uncomfortable rush of sympathy. He couldn't know officially, but he knew what an ANBU looked like, and if his suspicions were correct this shinobi had spent a few too many years doing the village's dirty work. It might be worth a few hints to the Hokage.

For now though, Inoichi just gave him a warm smile.

"It is always a pleasure to see you, Kakashi-san."

Kakashi twitched ever so slightly at the unspoken reprimand, but he didn't look away. "My apologies, Yamanaka-san."

Inoichi sighed. "We never mind visitors," he said gently. "And Naruto is always excited to meet new people."

Kakashi's gaze did drop then, and Inoichi saw his shoulders tense. Not that Inoichi could blame him. Kakashi was one of the strongest shinobi in the village, but dealing with Naruto was something else entirely.

Still, Inoichi hoped Kakashi would agree. The teenager only seemed close to the Hokage and one of Chōza's former genin, and he'd made no attempt to reach out in the past few years. Kakashi was devoted to the village, and to Naruto if today was any indication, but no one could live like that. Kakashi was intelligent enough to be well aware of that too, but still he held back.

Inoichi looked at the clearly conflicted jōnin and knew he had to try.

"Chōza is having a get-together at his place next week," he said. "I know Gai has been invited, and I'm sure you'd be more than welcome." He chuckled. "It's not like there won't be enough food."

Kakashi hesitated, then jerked his head in a curt nod. "I'll think about it."

It was more than Inoichi had expected, so he just nodded back. "Good."

Kakashi started to turn away, then paused. Inoichi waited, and after a moment Kakashi glanced back at him. "Is he happy?"

A shriek rang out from the house, closely followed by Keiko and Naruto's laughter, and Inoichi only smiled. Kakashi's mask twitched and he nodded. "Thank you, Yamanaka-san."

He was gone before Inoichi could reply, but Inoichi went back inside with a much lighter heart.

Shikaku watched approvingly as Shikamaru talked Naruto through the basics of shōgi. The blond was so hyperactive that Shikaku had half-expected the him to lose patience after ten minutes, so seeing him so engrossed in the explanation was a very good sign. Raising the kids together was paying off. Ino and Chōji were very carefully running through katas together a few metres away, and Shikaku could already see improvements in their form.

"They're doing well."

Shikaku hummed in acknowledgment and accepted a glass of sake from Chōza. His friend settled himself on the bench next to him, his eyes travelling over the children. "You haven't started chakra exercises yet?"

Shikaku shook his head. "Soon." None of their clans were particularly known for their chakra reserves, so it was important for them to start early. Good control was invaluable, and the sooner they started the better.

"Naruto is going to have problems."

Shikaku grunted again. The Uzumaki, on the other hand, were natural powerhouses, and that was without the extra chakra granted by the boy's tenant. "He's going to be a superb frontline attacker," he murmured.

"I'd gathered that," said Chōza dryly. "But training him is going to be a nightmare."

Even thinking about it was tiresome, and Shikaku took refuge in his sake. "We'll think of something. There are people we can call on."

Inoichi had nearly got Kakashi to the point where he could be in the same room as the boy for more than five minutes, and there were at least a few jōnin that Shikaku could press into service if necessary. They still had time.

The afternoon peace was suddenly broken by indignant shrieks, accusations and protests, and Shikaku let his head fall back against the chair with a groan. Chōza chuckled, and dragged him upright.

"You are not leaving me alone with this one, old friend."

It was too much trouble to refuse. Shikaku slouched after his friend, who had separated Ino and Naruto with the ease of long practice, and was now frowning at them.

"What exactly is going on here?"

"She fell into me on purpose!" Naruto yelled.

"I didn't see you!" Ino screeched. "You should have moved!"

"You were behind me!"

"And you were behind me!"

"That's enough of that," said Chōza wearily. He crouched down between them. "Naruto, she didn't do it on purpose. Ino, it certainly wasn't Naruto's fault."

Ino sniffed, and gave Naruto a sheepish look. "Sorry, Naru."

Naruto's scowl vanished immediately. "S'okay. Hey, want me to fix your hair?"

Shikaku watched the two immediately settle down, and shook his head. Shikamaru just yawned. "Troublesome," he mumbled.

Shikaku ruffled his son's hair fondly, then gave him a gentle push in the direction of his friends. Chōji had produced a packet of crisps from somewhere and the four were soon chatting easily, quarrel forgotten. Shikaku sat back down again, and yawned.

"When are Inoichi and Keiko getting back from the hospital?"

Chōza gave him a fondly exasperated look. "Whenever they finish. And thank you so much for your help back there."

"You had it under control," Shikaku pointed out. He closed his eyes, letting the afternoon sun soak into his bones as his mind drifted to the children.

Everything was going even better than he had anticipated.

Inoichi knew something was wrong the moment he stepped through the door. The silence was telling enough, and the anger and misery hanging in the air was thick enough that even a non-Yamanaka would pick up on it. Inoichi took a moment to steady himself, then made his way through to where his wife's presence was flickering.

Keiko's welcoming smile was strained, and she clung tight to him when he opened his arms.

"We went to the market," she said quietly. "Naruto was recognised."

Inoichi closed his eyes for a moment. "I was hoping it would take them longer than this."

Naruto deserved more than just a few years of peace. Keiko sighed. "We're going to have to talk to him. And Ino."

"Naruto first," said Inoichi quietly. Neither conversation was going to be easy, but Naruto needed the truth. Reluctantly he disentangled himself from Keiko and took a deep breath. "No time like the present."

Keiko hesitated, but didn't argue. "Send Ino down to help me, will you?"

Inoichi kissed her on the cheek, and headed up to his children's bedrooms. A low murmur of voices guided him to Naruto's room, voices that stopped when he knocked lightly on the door.

"It's me," he called. "May I come in?"

There was a longer pause than he liked before the door finally swung open. Ino looked up at him from her spot next to her brother, but her usual welcoming grin was nowhere in sight. Inoichi crouched down to give her a quick hug.

"I know," he whispered. "Would you mind giving kaa-chan a hand with the dinner?"

Ino tilted her head to one side, then the corner of her mouth turned up. "Okay." She glanced back to smile at Naruto before disappearing down the stairs. Inoichi shut the door gently behind her, and turned to his foster son. Naruto's tear-stained face looked up at him, and Inoichi had to squash down a fierce surge of paternal fury. No one got to make his son look like that. He eased himself down onto the carpet and wrapped an arm around Naruto, who immediately burrowed into his side. Inoichi could feel him shaking, and he had to pause to make sure to keep his voice gentle.

"I hear you had a bad day."

Naruto gave a hiccuping half snort. "Everyone was looking at me."

Inoichi hugged him close. "People can be idiots," he said softly. "Don't pay any attention to them."

"But why do they do it? And say those things?" Naruto demanded. He twisted to look up at Inoichi. "What's wrong with me?"

Inoichi bit his lip. He had known this day was coming, but finding the words was still difficult. The utter dejection in Naruto's blue eyes made everything a thousand times worse.

"I don't know what's going on," he was mumbling. "It never happens to Ino, or Shika or Chōji." His lip was trembling as he looked up. "Do they hate me?"

Inoichi pulled him into a tight hug. "They don't know you enough to hate you," he whispered. "You have done nothing wrong, Naruto. Nothing."

"But I must have done something," came Naruto's muffled voice.

His shaking was intensifying, and Inoichi knew he couldn't put it off any longer. He sat back enough that he could meet Naruto's eyes. "You didn't do anything, but there is a reason why people treat you as they do." He sighed. "Not a good reason, but in some ways an understandable one."

Naruto stared at him. Inoichi willed away a growing headache. "Naruto, What I am about to tell you is one of the biggest secrets in the village. All shinobi above the rank of jōnin are aware of the details, but a certain amount of information was given to the civilian population."

That fact still rankled, but Minato had wanted his son's sacrifice to be known. Naruto nodded shakily, and Inoichi drew in a deep breath.

"Six years ago, the Kyūbi attacked our village."

Naruto nodded, and Inoichi took a moment to force down the memories of that terrible night. "Naruto, we teach that the Fox was destroyed by the Yondaime Hokage, but that isn't true." He grimaced. "The Kyūbi and it's brethren are the embodiment of pure chakra. They cannot be destroyed, only restrained."

"How?" Naruto whispered. "How can...that be restrained?"

Inoichi closed his eyes briefly. "They are sealed. Sealed inside living sacrifices." He looked at his son. "Jinchūriki."

Naruto had gone very still. A dozen emotions played across his face, and as his eyes widened Inoichi gripped his shoulders. "The Yondaime sealed the Kyūbi inside of you to save the village, but listen to me, Naruto, you are safe. The Yondaime was a master of sealing, and the seal itself has been tested by Jiraiya of the Sannin. It is under your control."

Naruto barely seemed to hear him. "That...that's why they hate me? Because I'm the Fox?"

"You are the container of the Fox," Inoichi corrected sharply. "You are the one keeping us safe." He stared into his son's eyes, willing him to see the truth. "The civilians do not understand and they remember what the creature did, but they are the ones in the wrong, Naruto. The Yondaime's wish was for you to be recognised as a hero for your sacrifice."

Naruto was still shaking, not that Inoichi could blame him. It was a terrible burden to place on a six year old, but the last thing the boy needed was more lies. He waited, and eventually Naruto let out a shuddering breath and looked up.

"Why me?"

A lifetime of training kept Inoichi's face calm and his voice even. "You were the only child born that day. I'm not an expert, but I believe the seal is more secure if the child is younger."

Naruto frowned. "But what about my parents?" He pulled at a loose thread of his tee-shirt. "I know some people call me a Yamanaka, but I'm an Uzumaki. Did you know my parents?"

The conversation had managed to take an even more dangerous turn, but Inoichi had been preparing for this one. "I did," he said gently. "They were strong shinobi, who loved you more than anything in the world, but they died during the attack."

It wasn't a lie, but it was far from the whole truth either and Inoichi hated it, but he didn't have a choice. Minato couldn't be known to have a son. Not yet. Naruto's lip trembled, and Inoichi gave in to the urge to hug him close.

"They would be so proud of you," he whispered. "Just as I am."

Naruto hugged him back, his little arms squeezing tight around Inoichi's neck. "I won't let you down," he mumbled. He drew back a bit, blue eyes blazing. "I won't let any of you down."

Inoichi's own eyes stung, and he smiled. "You never could."

Naruto smiled back, shaky but genuine, and Inoichi silently repeated the promise he had made to Minato's and Kushina's graves. Naruto carried an impossible burden. Inoichi would do whatever he could to help him bear it.

Keiko was interrupted in the middle of doing the accounts for the flower shop by her husband slumping down into the chair opposite her.

"Ino likes boys."

Keiko paused, then set her pen down. "You knew it was going to happen," she reminded him, and didn't even try to keep the amusement from her voice. Inoichi scowled.

"She says there's a cute boy at school."

"Sasuke is quite popular."

"She's six! They're both six! Why is she looking at boys?" His blue eyes landed hopefully on her. "Do you think you can tell her the story of how we only met when we were in our twenties?"

Keiko smiled at the memory, and reached out to take her husband's hand. "She's six, love," she repeated. "Everyone has a childhood crush. She'll grow out of it."

"I hope so," said Inoichi grimly. "If the boy grows up to be even half as arrogant as his father then we will have problems."

"They're not all that bad," Keiko pointed out. "You liked working with Shisui that time, didn't you? And Itachi and Izumi have always been very polite."

"And I still don't know where they got it from," Inoichi muttered. "Every time Fugaku asks me for an expert testimony he acts like he's the one doing me a favour."

Keiko grimaced. She had only met the Uchiha patriarch a few times, but he had made his feelings on civilians quite clear. Relations had been strained between the Uchiha and Yamanaka ever since, not that they had ever been particularly good to begin with.

Still, there was no reason to think the same of the rest of the clan. Itachi had always been very respectful, and Sasuke seemed a sweet enough boy. Besides, the children were very young. There was nothing to worry about.

Keiko was opening her mouth to say as much when her breath caught and she found herself coughing. Inoichi was round at her side immediately.

"Keiko?"

Keiko felt the familiar healing warmth of her husband's chakra, and the fit eased enough for her to manage a weak smile. "I'm fine," she wheezed.

Inoichi's eyes were shadowed with concern. "It's still not going away." His arm tightened around her. "Maybe we should go back to the doctor."

Keiko wanted to protest that he was overreacting, but her throat burned and her chest still felt tight, and she only nodded. "I'm sure it's nothing."

Inoichi pressed a kiss to her hair, and Keiko let herself relax back against him. Whatever happened, they would get through it together.

At seven years old, Naruto decided he hated funerals.

It didn't feel like a day for a funeral. The shy was a clear, bright blue, and everyone Naruto loved, from Shikamaru and Chōji to the Hokage himself, were there. It felt like it should be a good day.

But Ino was squeezing his hand tight enough that he had lost all sensation in his fingers, and Inoichi hadn't smiled in a week, and Naruto stared at the photo of Keiko, happy and laughing, back before she got sick and everything went wrong, and felt like his heart was breaking.

For the first time in his life, Naruto was glad that he couldn't remember his parents. He'd never known losing someone would hurt so much.

Naruto heard none of the actual service. He followed Ino, and hugged her when she started crying, but then he started to cry too and neither of them could stop, not even when Chōza picked them both up and held them close. Shikamaru and Chōji hovered in the background, both on the verge of tears themselves, and Naruto felt he should be embarrassed at making such a fuss, but he hurt so much that he simply didn't care.

Besides, Inoichi was crying too.

They all ended up at Chōji's house. Naruto saw a worried-looking Chōza and Shikaku drag Inoichi into the office, before he and Ino were practically smothered by Yoshino and Haruki.

"Would either of you like anything?" Haruki asked. "I have some things in the oven, and I made some this morning before we left, and there are those biscuits that Keiko...that Keiko..." Her plump face crumpled, but before Naruto could do more than exchange a terrified look with Chōji, she drew in a shuddering breath and plastered a smile on her face. "What would you like, my dears?"

Naruto shook his head numbly. Nothing tasted good any more, not even Akimichi cooking. He glanced at Ino, and flinched when he saw her eyes shining. He swallowed and squeezed her hand tighter.

"Can we go outside?" he asked desperately. He loved his aunts, but he couldn't handle so much attention right now. Yoshino frowned, but Shikamaru caught Naruto's eye and tugged on his mother's sleeve.

"Kaa-san, I heard someone talking and I didn't understand..."

Chōji had caught on at the same moment and was pestering Haruki, and Naruto seized the chance to drag Ino into the back garden. His sister liked being the centre of attention as much as he did, but he could feel her shaking and knew they both had to get out.

It was only when they actually got outside that Naruto realised a slight flaw in his plan. Ino dropped his hand and stared at the well-tended beds.

"We helped kaa-chan plant these," she whispered.

Naruto swallowed. He remembered that day. Inoichi and Chōza had called it good practice for D-ranks for some reason. It had been one of the last days they spent together before Keiko got really sick.

"I know," he mumbled. He stared at the cluster of red and purple chrysanthemums, and could only see the yellow ones they had placed on the grave. Everything became blurry, and he bit his lip hard to keep the tears from falling. He couldn't cry any more. He had to be strong for Ino.

"Naruto," Ino's voice cracked, and she tried again, "What are we going to do?"

Naruto opened his mouth, then closed it again without a sound. What could he say? Ino looked at him, her own eyes bright with tears.

"Is this how you feel all the time?"

Naruto shook his head. "No," he forced out, "because I had her, and I didn't know anyone else." The old wounds felt like they were tearing open, and he wrapped his arms around his chest. The stupid sun beat down on his hair, but he could barely feel the warmth. Ino sniffed, then suddenly threw her arms around him.

"I miss her," she sobbed. "I miss her so much."

Naruto could only hug her back. "Me too," he said softly.

It wasn't fair. He'd already lost one mother, why did he have to lose another? His parents were gone, and now Keiko was gone, and it would never end. Nausea surged through him, what if Inoichi was next? Or Shikaku, or Chōza, or Haruki-

"Naruto."

It took everything Naruto had to meet Ino's gaze. There were tear tracks on her cheeks, but her eyes were bright and fierce. "Nē-chan?"

Ino gripped his shoulders tightly. "It's just us and tou-chan now," she said, and though her voice shook, her eyes didn't leave his. "We've got to look after each other." The mask faltered slightly and she looked down. "I don't wanna lose anyone else."

Naruto stared at her, and as he did he felt his terror morph into something different but just as fierce. "We won't," he said quietly. "No one else dies."

He was going to get stronger. He was going to be as strong as it took to make sure no one he loved died. Ino gave him a shaky smile.

"It's okay, Naru. I'm not going anywhere."

"And neither are we."

Naruto spun round to find Shikamaru and Chōji standing just behind them. Shikamaru was very pale, and Chōji's usual bag of snacks was nowhere in sight, and they exchanged a quick look before Chōji spoke in a surprisingly firm voice.

"None of us are going anywhere. Whatever happens, we look after each other." He took a step forward, brown eyes very bright. "I'm so sorry about your kaa-chan."

Instead of replying, Ino just launched herself at him. Naruto followed suit. Chōji gave the best hugs. Their friend stumbled back a few steps, and Naruto felt a smile bubbling up for the first time in days. He had the best family.

A hand rested on his shoulder, and Naruto glanced over to see Shikamaru standing awkwardly patting both him and Ino, until the girl rolled her eyes and pulled him into the group hug.

"Get over here," she snapped.

For once Shikamaru didn't complain, and surrounded by his family Naruto finally found that he could breathe again.

Chōza needed only a single look at his friend's face to understand.

"He's still not given up?"

The scars on Shikaku's face looked even more ferocious when he scowled. "Can't say he's not persistent," he muttered. He slumped into the seat across the table from Chōza and took refuge in the beer waiting for him. "He even said that Inoichi was going through a difficult time right now, and didn't need to be babysitting while grieving."

There was a creak of wood, and Chōza forced himself to relax before he snapped the arms off his chair. Shikaku's own eyes were dark with barely suppressed fury. It took another few minutes for Chōza to control himself enough to speak.

"I trust he was corrected."

The unspoken threat was clear, and it earned him a grim smile. "Hokage-sama was less than impressed." The amusement faded as quickly as it had come. "The advisors seem more inclined to take Danzō's side."

"Damn," Chōza muttered. The bar was loud with music and chatter, but he lowered his voice anyway. "They won't act against us by themselves."

Shikaku shook his head slowly. "We need to keep a close eye on Danzō. Especially now."

That led easily into the question Chōza had been trying not to think about. "How much of this do we tell Inoichi?"

Shikaku grimaced and set his glass down a little more firmly than he probably planned. "When have we ever been able to keep anything from him?"

That was an excellent point, and Chōza pulled a face of his own. It was difficult to hide things from any Yamanaka, and when that Yamanaka had known you all their life, well. He'd have better luck convincing Gai to give up the jumpsuit.

"We'll emphasise the fact that we're handling it," he said finally. His gaze wandered to the empty chair between them, and he sighed. "He's got enough on his plate at the moment."

Shikaku nodded grimly. Chōza took a handful of nuts absently, barely noticing the taste.

Danzō had gone too far. It was almost impressive really. Not many people were willing to declare war on Ino-Shika-Chō. Should Danzō continue to threaten his loved ones, Chōza would demonstrate exactly why that was the case.

Naruto picked aimlessly at his lunch. It smelled amazing, it was Akimichi cooking after all, but he just didn't have much of an appetite lately. It had gotten bad enough that he had started eating lunch away from Ino and the others.

He wouldn't be able to keep it up for long, they knew him too well for that, but he just needed some time to himself.

Naruto sighed and shoved the bento box back into his bag. He missed Keiko's lunches. Haruki and Chōza were better cooks, but there was something missing. Just like he missed the notes she would hide in his and Ino's notebooks, and the hugs they would get before school every day, and the way he could curl up and listen to her read stories.

He just...he missed her.

"N-Naruto-kun?"

Naruto's head snapped up. He didn't think anyone else knew about this spot. He scrambled to his feet and found himself face to face with one of his classmates.

"Hey, Hinata-chan." He summoned a smile. He didn't know Hinata well, but she had always seemed nice enough. "What's up?"

Hinata hesitated, but met his eyes steadily. "I-I was going to ask you the same thing."

Naruto looked away, unable to sustain the smile anymore. "Yeah. I'm fine."

He was expecting her to leave. She was really shy, and this was one of the longest conversations they had ever had. But instead, he felt a light touch on his arm.

"My mother died a few years ago," she said softly. Naruto stared at her, but she didn't give him a chance to speak, "I know...I know it's hard. And if you ever want to talk..."

For the first time in days, Naruto managed a real smile. "Thanks, Hinata."

Hinata nodded shyly, a light blush spreading across her face. Naruto took a deep breath. He could do this. He had his family and friends, and now he had Hinata as well. He would always miss Keiko, but maybe everything would be okay after all.

"But-"

"My decision is final, Inoichi. There are already some who say you hold too much influence over our jinchūriki. You will not be permitted to raise the last Uchiha as well."

"I don't give a damn about the influence," Inoichi snarled. "You cannot leave a child alone in the house where he watched his brother murder his entire family!"

Sarutobi pinched the bridge of his nose. "I am aware that it is not a perfect decision," he said. "And I will do my best to watch over Sasuke. But that is the last word on the matter."

Inoichi's hands clenched into fists, but he recognised the gleam in the Hokage's eyes and bowed. "Yes, Hokage-sama."

That didn't stop him thinking about it. By the time he got home, Inoichi had the beginnings of an idea.

"Evening, ji-chan," Naruto called, as Inoichi shut the front door. His tongue was stuck out in concentration as he tended the bonsai Inoichi had given him for his last birthday, but he spared Inoichi a bright grin. "Look how well it's growing!"

His delight was enough to divert Inoichi's attention. "You're doing a very good job of looking after it," he agreed. "Maybe you can start helping me in the shop with some of the new ones."

"Yes!" Naruto shouted, and Inoichi felt his anger fade in the face of his adopted son's enthusiasm. Both his children had taken to working in the shop when they could, but Ino's preferences had turned towards the more lethal specimens lately. Inoichi was only too happy to indulge them both.

"I'll let you know when the next lot come in," he promised. He sat down, his smile fading. "Naruto, there's something I need to talk to you about."

Naruto set his tools down immediately, his blue eyes wide with curiosity. "Ji-chan?"

Inoichi took a deep breath. "Naruto, what do you think of Sasuke?"

Naruto pulled a face. "He used to be all right, but now he's just gone all moody. He thinks he's better than everyone else." He scowled. "And Ino-nē and Sakura-chan are still fighting over him. I don't get it at all."

Inoichi blinked, but set aside the update on his daughter's friendships in favour of Naruto's assessment. It wasn't too surprising considering, but he still had to suppress a sigh. Already the boy was trying to withdraw, and being alone would hardly help. Naruto frowned.

"What?"

Inoichi hesitated, but it was worth a try. "Do you know why Sasuke has changed so much?"

"I asked," Naruto insisted. "But he just ignored me." He cocked his head to one side. "Did something happen?"

Naruto might never match Ino and Shikamaru academically, but he certainly wasn't stupid. "I'm afraid so." He hesitated. "Naruto, it's very important that you don't tell everyone about this."

"I won't," said Naruto immediately.

"Good." He took a breath, and decided there was no point in backing down now. "Do you know anything about what happened with the Uchiha last month?"

Naruto's face scrunched up in concentration. "I know it was something bad," he said slowly. "But Iruka-sensei never lets us talk about it, and Sasuke won't talk to anyone."

At least it wasn't common knowledge among Sasuke's peers yet. They would all find out sooner rather than later, but Inoichi was glad that the boy had a little time to himself. Still, it didn't change the fact that he couldn't do it alone. He sighed, and looked Naruto straight in the eye.

"Sasuke's family were killed."

Naruto was suddenly as still as Inoichi had ever seen him. "All," his voice cracked, and he had to try again, "all of them?"

"I am afraid so," said Inoichi quietly.

All of the colour drained from Naruto's face and Inoichi squashed down a stab of guilt. Sasuke needed this, and he had a feeling it would do Naruto good too, but... He gave his son a moment to process the information before continuing, "Naruto, Sasuke is alone now. He doesn't have anyone who could look after him."

Naruto's head shot up. "He has us! We could help him, right? Like you look after me?"

Inoichi sighed. "I did offer, but clan politics are," he firmly bit back a more appropriate adjective and settled for, "troublesome." He sighed again. "We have told Sasuke that he is welcome to call on us for anything, but I doubt he will take us up on that."

"No," Naruto mumbled. "He doesn't ask for help." His hands clenched on the table. "This isn't fair!"

"No," said Inoichi grimly. "It isn't." He carefully set his bitterness to one side and rested a hand on Naruto's shoulder. "Naruto, what Sasuke needs now is a friend. Not a girlfriend, not someone who will just see him for his family name, but someone who can understand what he's been through."

Naruto's eyes widened. He opened his mouth, then closed it again. He stared at the bonsai for a long minute, and when he looked up again his face was set in a way that made Inoichi remember the boy's parentage. "I'll help him," he said. "I don't care if he hates me, or yells at me, or thinks I'm an idiot, I'm gonna try anyway."

For a second, Inoichi wondered if it was possible to burst with pride. Keiko would have been equally proud, but he forced that thought aside in favour of ruffling his son's long hair. "If anyone can help him, it's you," he said sincerely. "Thank you, Naruto."

Naruto flicked his hair back into place and grinned at him. "We're Konoha shinobi, right? That means we look after our teammates!"

"Our comrades are everything," Inoichi confirmed, with a smile. Naruto might not be Ino-Shika-Cho by blood, but he had assimilated their teachings as well as any of them. Naruto's grin widened.

"I'll talk to him first thing tomorrow. You can count on me, Inoichi-ji!"

Inoichi patted him on the back. "I know I can." He cast his chakra out, and was pleased to find Ino up in her room. "I just need to have a quick talk with Ino, then how about we all go out for dinner?"

Naruto's eyes lit up. "Ramen?" he asked hopefully.

Inoichi had to laugh. "We'll see."

Naruto beamed and returned to his bonsai, while Inoichi slowly headed up the stairs. Some days he felt every one of his years, every ache and scar, and not even his children could completely lighten it.

Inoichi shook his head, forcing his weariness aside. From what Naruto had said, Ino was having her own problems at the academy, and Inoichi had never believed in abandoning the kids to deal with their problems alone. Keiko would have been horrified at the very thought.

A moment to collect himself, and then Inoichi was knocking on his daughter's door.

"Ino?"

"Come in," she called, and Inoichi smiled at the quick sounds of movement behind the closed door. He gave her an extra second to hide whatever she didn't want him to see before opening the door. Ino's innocent smile wouldn't fool anyone who knew her, but Inoichi had to admit that she would be a very effective kunoichi. The expression faded into a more genuine frown as she looked up at him.

"Is something wrong, tou-chan?"

Inoichi gave her a small smile. "Honestly? I'm not quite sure yet." He lowered himself down onto the carpet so that he was sitting opposite her, and then realised he'd run out of stalling tactics.

"Ino," he said gently. "What's going on with you and Sakura?"

Ino said nothing, but the shift in her expression was answer enough. Inoichi sighed.

"I thought you knew better than to place a crush above a valued friendship," he said quietly. "Particularly as you are very well aware that said crush has no interest whatsoever in such a relationship at the present time."

Like any good Yamanaka, Ino kept up with what was happening in the village. Unlike Naruto, she didn't have to be told why Sasuke might have other things on his mind at present. She ducked her head, but not before Inoichi saw her cheeks flush dark pink.

"Sakura was the one who said we had to be rivals," she muttered. "She's so stubborn."

Inoichi contented himself with a single raised eyebrow. Ino scowled at him, and Inoichi silently wished for Keiko's guidance. "Do you want to stop being friends with Sakura?"

He was utterly unsurprised when Ino shook her head. She stared at her lap for a long moment. "She...I don't think she knows about his family."

Inoichi blinked, then remembered that Sakura was from a normal civilian family and sighed. "I would advise against saying anything about it. If she persists in asking questions, bring her back here and I'll talk to her." The last thing Sasuke needed was people talking about what had happened to him.

Ino nodded slowly, but she still didn't look happy. "So what should I say?"

Inoichi really wished Keiko was having this conversation. "Perhaps suggest that you delay this...rivalry until after you graduate?" He offered her a wry smile. "I'm afraid your knowledge of academy kunoichi is rather superior to mine."

Ino giggled. "Just a bit." She hesitated, then suddenly flung her arms around Inoichi's neck in a tight hug. "Thank you, tou-chan," she mumbled.

Inoichi just smiled as he hugged her back. Both of his children would make him very proud.

Naruto stared at Ino and Inoichi, then at the scroll in his hands, then back again.

"Are you serious?"

Ino rolled her eyes. "Nope, we gave you that just we could tell you you're not allowed to do anything with it."

"Ino," said Inoichi mildly, but his eyes were smiling so Naruto knew he was in on the joke. He couldn't be annoyed though. Not with this. Inoichi caught his eye.

"It's true," he said gently. "I have thought about it for some time, and talked with many of the others, but I think I have made the right choice." He looked down at the scroll. "You might struggle with some of them until your chakra control improves, but you deserve to give them a try."

Naruto swallowed. "But these are your family techniques."

Ino rolled her eyes again, and tugged lightly on his ponytail. "You are family, duh! Haven't you gotten it into your thick head yet?" Then her grin turned wicked. "Shika and Chōji aren't gonna know what's hit them."

Naruto's heart was too full for him to say anything, but his family understood.

"…And now, for the final part of the exam, could you create a Bunshin for me, please?"

Naruto gulped. Of course it had to be the one he sucked at. Iruka nodded encouragingly to him though, and Naruto closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He could do this. Inoichi's gentle instructions echoed in his head. Feel for chakra, bring it up, don't release it before visualising, concentrate on hand seals and...

Naruto opened his eyes to find himself facing an exact copy of himself.

"All right!"

"Not quite so loud, Naruto," said Iruka, but he was smiling. Naruto bounced up to him, not caring that the Bunshin evaporated.

"I did it, Iruka-sensei!"

"So you did," Iruka agreed. Mizuki grunted, but Iruka continued without looking at him, "And that means you earned this."

Naruto took the brand new hitae-ate with reverence. He had done it. He had finally shown them all. Iruka ruffled his hair fondly.

"You earned this, Naruto. Congratulations."

"Thanks, Iruka-sensei," Naruto whispered. His fingers shook as he tied the headband on, and beamed up at his teacher. "I won't let you down, and that's a promise!"

"I know you won't," said Iruka. He still hadn't stopped smiling. "Go and tell your family the good news."

Naruto managed a single step out the classroom before Ino jumped on him.

"You passed!"

Naruto laughed. "Yeah, it was great!" He looked over her shoulder to see Shikamaru and Chōji, both wearing their own protectors. "You guys all passed too?"

"Of course we did," Ino sniffed. "As if we'd fail now." She flung an arm around his shoulders as her grin turned wicked. "See? I told you waiting until we all took the exam together would pay off."

"I totally could have passed it last time," Naruto protested, but it was impossible to be annoyed on a day like this. His fingers went again to the hitae-ate on his forehead. He was a genin. He was a shinobi of Konoha.

All their parents had promised to come and met them after the exam, but as they were heading out Naruto caught sight of a familiar figure.

"Hey, Sasuke!"

There was a very deliberate pause before Sasuke turned. Naruto grinned at him. "You passed too, huh?"

Sasuke touched his own hitae-ate, but his scowl remained in place. "Yeah." He glanced at the four of them and nodded slightly, before starting to turn away again. Naruto frowned and quickly caught up.

"You wanna come with us? We're all going to Ichiraku's to celebrate."

"Naruto," Ino hissed, and Naruto glanced at her in time to see her cheeks flush. She had given up on pestering the other boy, but Naruto knew her better than anyone.

She needn't have worried though. Sasuke just shook his head. "I've got training to do." He paused before continuing on down the corridor. "Congratulations."

Naruto watched him go in silence, his earlier exuberance gone. Sasuke never wanted to do anything that wasn't related to training. Naruto liked training as much as anyone, but he knew how to have fun too.

Sasuke never seemed to have fun. He only ever agreed to play if he thought it was something that would increase his skills. Naruto had gotten pretty good at thinking up reasons why he should join in, but he shouldn't have to.

The old bitterness welled up in him, and Naruto clenched his hands into fists.

"Naruto?"

Naruto looked up to find Ino frowning. Her chakra brushed his mind, not to intrude, but to offer a sliver of comfort, and Naruto managed a small smile as he returned the gesture. "Just thinking."

Ino cocked her head to one side. "What about?"

Normally Naruto would have brushed her off. She would then argue, he would snipe back, they would soon have a good fight going, and any awkward questions would be forgotten. This time though, Naruto felt different. Maybe because they were all proper shinobi now, but he wanted to get something off his chest. Something he had been thinking about for a long time.

"I'm going to become Hokage."

For the first time in a long time, Naruto saw Ino struck speechless. Chōji too was gaping, but Shikamaru just tilted his head to one side.

"Why?"

Naruto met his gaze steadily. "So that no more kids have to grow up without parents." He turned to watch Sasuke's steadily shrinking figure, and his hands clenched into fists. "I will protect Konoha, and everyone in it. What happened to me, to Sasuke, it never happens again."

There was a long silence. Naruto waited, heart pounding. He didn't go back on his word, and he was going to become Hokage no matter what, but that didn't stop him from needing their support. Ino, Chōji and Shikamaru weren't just his friends, they were his brothers and sister. If they didn't believe he could do it...

The three looked at each other, and then Chōji stepped forward, his usual cheery grin nowhere to be seen.

"Then we're with you," he said simply.

Naruto's jaw dropped. "Huh?" That was it? He'd expected a lot more arguments. Ino rolled her eyes, and slapped him lightly upside the head.

"Of course we are, baka. You didn't think we'd let you do this alone, did you?"

"So troublesome," said Shikamaru, with a yawn. He looked Naruto up and down. "It's not going to be easy, but I guess you're stubborn enough to try."

Naruto looked round at them, at their smiles and the acceptance in their eyes, and wondered if it was possible to burst with joy. His family believed in him. They thought he had a chance.

Naruto could do anything with them at his side.

Iruka liked being a teacher. He really did. There were some parts of the job though, that absolutely nobody could like.

"The dead last and the top rookie have to be in the same team," Mizuki was insisting. "That means Nara and Uchiha."

The Sandaime raised an eyebrow, and Iruka set down his pen to give his friend a flat look. "Do you want to be the one to tell three clan heads that we're breaking up fifteen generations of Ino-Shika-Chō just because the smartest person in the academy was too lazy to pick up a pen?"

"But its tradition," Mizuki protested, but he was drowned out by a series of snorts. Iruka gave his friend a sharp nudge. They had been at this all morning already.

"We are not breaking up Ino-Shika-Chō," said the Sandaime wearily. He stared at the remaining six students, and selected three photos. "Hyūga, Aburame, and Inuzuka form a perfect tracking team, and we could certainly find a use for one."

Mizuki's jaw dropped. "But that leaves the demon brat on the same team as the last Uchiha!"

Iruka glared at him, but his anger was drowned out by a sudden blaze of chakra.

"Naruto and Sasuke are already acquainted," said the Hokage. His dark eyes hardened. "And Naruto is one of our trusted genin."

His tone was mild, but the amount of chakra in the air was suffocating. Iruka held perfectly still, silently praying for his friend to be sensible, and to his relief Mizuki immediately bowed his head. "My apologies, Hokage-sama," he mumbled. "I merely meant to say that Sasuke might need more focused guidance."

"He needs training in teamwork and cooperation more," Iruka pointed out. "And that is one of Naruto's specialties." He scanned the photos, and nodded. "That would work well, actually. Naruto and Sasuke are both powerful but lack finesse, while Sakura is the opposite. They could learn a lot from each other, and they could be a well-balanced team."

It didn't hurt that Naruto was one of the few people Sasuke would speak more than two words at a time to. Naruto and Sakura got along reasonably well, thanks to Ino's relationships with both, so Iruka felt fairly optimistic that the team could function.

But it was the Hokage's decision. The old shinobi stared at the files for a long minute, then the corner of his mouth twitched up in a smile.

"Good luck, Team Seven."

Thanks for reading! Any feedback would be appreciated.