Note: This was posted with an absolute fail in it. I have gotten rid of the fail and made it to my liking. Working on the 6th chapter and had to fix a few things in that as well. Hence why it's so important to reread your chapters. Making things consistent is important for me.

Chapter 5

Dear Otousan,

Chibi is really brave. Today he had Gaara-chan and Shika-kun join us at the swings. I was behind him and pushed. I know he likes that. He wants all of us as friends. He just doesn't know it yet. Don't worry, I'll help him. Believe it!

Naruto smiled as he saw Sasuke come over. He was standing with Gaara and Shikamaru. "Sasu-chan!" He waved to Itachi who was watching, giving a giggle when the elder waved back.

Sasuke stopped next to them, nodding in greeting. He was still rather quiet but that's okay. The good thing is he doesn't look scared anymore. "So can we do it at your house Naru-chan?"

Naruto nodded. "Hai. Okaasan said she can do it. As long as everyone gets permission of course." He watched his friends nod. "Cool." The bell rang and they all went in.

At lunch something wonderful happened. Sasuke wanted to have Gaara and Shikamaru sit with them again. Then at break another thing happened. Sasuke asked for Gaara and Shikamaru to join them at the swings. Naruto had never felt so proud and immediately gave him a hug to show he did good. That got the Uchiha to turn red, like his favorite food.

At the end of school while waiting, Naruto gave Sasuke a hug and said, "You're really brave."

Sasuke blushed with a small smile. "Arigato." And then the boys parted. Sasuke going to Itachi while Naruto went to Kushina.

-O-

Dear Okaasan,

I'm really happy I'm best friends with Naru-chan. And I think I might even want Gaara-kun and Shika-kun as friends too. But I don't know. I'm still new at this friend thing. The dobe's Okaasan said we can do it at his house. I just remembered I need to ask aniki.

Sasuke closes the diary and quickly pads out of his room. After a quick check in Itachi's room, he continues his search. He pauses by the office for a few seconds before knocking. When no answer is given, he gathers himself. "Otousan? I'm doing an art project tomorrow about lightning in a desert. My best friend Uzumaki, Naruto will be there." He almost thinks he'll get a response when the typing pauses. But it starts up again. So, Sasuke sighs and goes to find Itachi. He finds him with two other boys in the living room, Deidara and Sasori. When no one notices him right away, he clears his throat to get their attention.

Itachi pauses in his speaking and looks over. He smiles. "Can I help you otouto?" The others look over too.

Sasuke nods. "Hai. I need permission for our project to be done at Naruto-kun's house." He blushes when all eyes focus on him. "Well, I mean I need permission to go do our project…at the dobe's house…like…me with them at Naru-chan's house…" He awkwardly rubs his arm.

Deidara immediately grins, having always found the youngest Uchiha totally adorable. Ever since they first met in the public library. "Is it the art project you told us about?" When he sees the nod, he turns to the redhead next to him. "He's doing a diorama with his classmates. I think he said it has to do with lightning."

Sasori looks over. "Interesting." He gives a nod. "Good luck. Art is the true passion of the world."

Deidara lets out a cheerful, "Damn right it is, yeah!" Which causes both Itachi and Sasuke to laugh a bit. Sasori merely rolls his eyes, but it can be seen he's not actually annoyed. Probably because he silently agrees. But letting Deidara know he's right, is dangerous in Sasori's mind.

~2 Years Ago~

Itachi walked into the public library. While they had a lot of books at their house, he still enjoyed the change of scenery and browsing for new things to read. He also sometimes needed specific books for his lessons that they didn't have. He looked down to the short boy next to him. "You sure you want to walk? I can carry you, otouto."

Sasuke looked up with big eyes and a bright smile. "I can walk aniki. I'm big."

Itachi chuckled and gave the small hand a little squeeze. "Of course, otouto." Mikoto had asked Itachi to take Sasuke with him so she and Fugaku could have some quality time. He slowly walked through the aisles, pausing a few times to look at a possible choice. "Once I find a book for me, we'll pick out something for you." He put the book back into place and rested his hand down to find…nothing. He quickly looked to where Sasuke had been a few seconds ago and saw no brother. "Sasuke?" Well, this had never happened before.

As he did a quick check, he heard a bit of a commotion. He came across a long-haired blond and a grumpy looking redhead fighting. And Sasuke was walking up to them.

Sasuke stomped his foot and pointed at them. This made the two pause and look down. "This is a quiet place. So shush. No being rude." He then put his finger over his lips. Itachi sighed and walked over, standing behind Sasuke.

The redhead spoke. "…your otouto?"

Itachi nodded with a sigh. "Hai. And he is right. You really shouldn't be loud in a library."

The blond smiled. "He's so cute, yeah. And I guess you have a point."

The redhead looked back at Sasuke. "…yeah…sure…" He seemed kind of thrown off by it. "Who are you two?"

Itachi smiled and bowed in greeting. "Uchiha, Itachi and Sasuke." Sasuke bowed as well.

The blond giggled. "Iwa, Deidara. And this is Sasori-danna."

Sasori frowned and gave him a look. "It's Subaku, Sasori. Brat."

"No fighting." Itachi found he enjoyed the shocked looks he got.

Deidara gave a smile. "Well, how come we haven't seen you Itachi-san, hn?"

Itachi shrugged. "I'm homeschooled and Sasuke is still too young for it. We don't get out much I suppose." The Uchiha family tended to just stay close to each other, not really needing many others. Though the clan itself is large, Itachi's true family is small. Okaasan, Otousan, Sasuke, and himself. Well, and a few cousins too.

Sasori nodded and they both bowed in greeting. "Well it was interesting meeting you…we will attempt to be quieter." His eyes had gone to Sasuke when he said that.

Sasuke crossed his arms and nodded his head as if agreeing to it. Which technically he was, even if he didn't fully realize it.

Each time Itachi went, they seemed to be there as well. It didn't take long before they began hanging out and going over to Deidara's on the weekends. Most times Sasuke would come, situating himself either right next to Itachi or in Itachi's lap. Itachi really only started asking them over and increasing his time with them when he sensed that Mikoto was not going to get better early on in the illness.

-X-

Sasuke tilts head. "Sasori-san? Do you know Gaara-kun?" It just dawned on him that Sasori has the same last name. Subaku isn't a popular name, at least not that Sasuke knows, so it can't just be a coincidence.

A nod is given "Yes. He's my cousin and staying with me and my parents. Why?" The more Sasuke looks at Sasori the more he can see resemblances to Gaara.

"He's in my project group."

Sasori raises a brow. "Well, that makes sense why he has been talking about an Uchiha. And why he asked to do a project at Uzumaki's house."

Sasuke frowns at that. "You didn't tell him you know me? That's mean!"

Sasori shrugs. "It wasn't needed information. And he'd find out on his own anyway. He's a smart kid." It's rare to get praise from Sasori so Sasuke smiles, knowing that Sasori means it.

Itachi smiles as well. "Is he also your friend?" He has a feeling that's why he's being so protective over him.

Sasuke pauses and thinks about it. After a few moments he nods. "Hai. He, Shika-kun, and the dobe are my friends. But the dobe is my best friend." He is looking very proud about that now.

Itachi's eyes soften. He missed seeing Sasuke like this. "Very good, otouto." He loves the blush and will remember to tease the boy later about being so cute. No need to break the mood.

Deidara smiles with a giggle. "Oh this will be awesome, yeah! Looks like you both have a grumpy redhead friend!" That makes Sasuke bust out giggling, which in turn makes Itachi laugh and even Sasori smile.

The next day, Itachi gives Sasuke one more hug at the school gates before he walks in. He quickly spots his three friends and heads over. Sasuke smiles and bows in greeting. His eyes move to the redhead. "Gaara-kun. My aniki knows your cousin Sasori. They're friends."

Gaara blinks. "Really? What's his name?"

Sasuke nods. "Itachi." He adjusts his bag. "We met him and Deidara-kun at the library two years ago."

Gaara slowly nods. "Ah. Okay I see that now. He never said Itachi-san's last name." He frowns. "Should have known…"

Naruto can only do what he does best. See the good. "That's awesome! Now we can be even closer!"

Shikamaru gives a somewhat sleepy smile. "Everyone got permission?" He watches them nod. "Okay. We'll all meet at Naruto's home after classes are out."

Sasuke though clears his throat, keeping Shika there. "Why are you always tired? Do you not sleep enough?"

Shikamaru shrugs. "Well…I'm not really sleepy. I just love sleeping. It's fun to dream."

Sasuke tilts his head as he thinks about it. "Well…guess that makes sense…kind of." Any further conversation is cut off by the bell though.

-o-

Dear Okaasan,

I'm still in school…Haruno-san pushed me down and I hurt my knee. Do I tell someone? Should I? Will that make me weak? I wish you were here…I don't want to disappoint anyone. Naruto asked and I lied…am I a bad friend now?

Sasuke was headed to the bathroom when suddenly he yelped as he felt a hand shove him from behind. He fell at an odd angle and banged his knee. He whined and looked up, only to see Sakura with a scowl.

The pink haired girl crossed her arms over her chest. "You think just because you're pretty and smart you can steal other's friends? Well, this is what happens." She huffed and walked away.

Sasuke had hurt his knee and kind of just took it in shock. He didn't know what to do or if he was supposed to tell someone. This had never happened to him before. He made his way back to class. Naruto immediately noticed the slight limp as he went to his desk.

The blond leaned over. He knows Sasuke doesn't like talking in class so he must really be worried. He whispered, "Are you okay, Chibi?"

Sasuke bit his lip and flipped open his notebook. He answered just as quietly. "I just tripped coming back from the toilet. I'm fine." He could tell that Naruto wasn't too sure but he accepted it with a nod and focused on the sensei.

-x-

Sasuke is quiet the rest of the day, including during lunch and break. He knows he's probably worrying Naruto but he's just too conflicted about the lie he told.

Then later after school when he tries to give the same lie to Itachi, the elder doesn't believe him at all. "Otouto. You don't have to lie to me. Tell me what happened." He kneels down to be eye level.

Sasuke lets it out with a soft sniffle. "Haruno-san pushed me and I hurt my knee. But you can't tell Naru-chan." It's pretty clear to Itachi that he told the lie to Naruto as well.

Itachi nods and kisses his head. "I promise. Does it still hurt?"

Sasuke shakes his head. "Iie." He's telling the truth this time. But he still looks away. "Am…am I a bad friend now?"

Itachi sighs and gently pokes the younger in the head. "Stop that otouto. You're not a bad friend." He watches as Sasuke nods. "Let's go home." He takes his hand and walks with him.

After stopping by the house quickly to pick up a few things, Itachi drops Sasuke off for the project. As the young ones go further in, Itachi manages to quietly get Kushina's attention. "Uzumaki-san. Do you know how to get in touch with the principle?"

Kushina finds it a bit odd but doesn't push. "I do. I have her home number. Just tell her Kushina gave it to you. She was my principle back in the day and now adores Naruto." She figures it has something to do with Sasuke. "One second." She steps to the side and gets a piece of paper to write the number down. "Here you go Uchiha-san. I'll take good care of Sasuke-kun." She watches him leave and then turns to the house of kids.

When Itachi gets home, he immediately calls Tsunade. "Moshi moshi. My name is Uchiha, Itachi. My otouto Sasuke goes to your school. Kushina-san gave me your number."

Tsunade hums. "And what can I do for you Uchiha-san?"

"It seems a girl named Haruno, Sakura pushed him down and he hurt his knee." A soft sigh leaves his lips. "He's worried about speaking up for himself. He made me promise not to tell Naruto-kun. They're best friends."

Tsunade's displeasure can be heard. "Ah. Well, I will take care of this. And I'll try to be discreet about it." Meaning she won't let Naruto know either. If the elder brother is worried like this then it must be something important. Tsunade sees Naruto as family because he's so much like how Minato was when he went to school.

Two hours later, Itachi heads back to Naruto's house to pick up Sasuke. He'd just gotten a call that they finished what they planned to do for today. He considers whether telling Sasuke about the call to the principal and lands on the decision to do it. He won't keep things from the boy. Especially things like this.

He knocks on the Uzumaki door, Kushina opening it. "Ah. Itachi-san."

Itachi chuckles as Sasuke hurries into the entranceway for a hug. "We got a lot done, aniki!"

The elder places a soft kiss on his head. "Good job. Let's go home."

With a giggle, Sasuke turns as Naru walks in. He quickly goes to him for a big hug. "Bye Naruto. See you at school."

Naruto grins. "Yeah! Maybe it can be just me and you at the swings again."

Sasuke blushes and nods before turning to leave. Itachi bows to Kushina. "Arigato, Uzumaki-san."

Kushina chuckles. "Kushina is fine. We know each other well enough by now." She waves as they walk down the driveway. "What progress has been made on the project, otouto?"

Sasuke's voice is excited and full of energy that Itachi hasn't seen in a long time. Enrolling him in school was definitely the right decision. "We made a design and Shika-kun told us lots of facts about heat lightning."

Itachi hums. "Who did the design?" He knows Sasuke is not good at drawing.

"Gaara-kun did. Sasori-san has taught him some art."

This makes Itachi chuckle. "Makes sense." There is a few minutes of silence as they walk. "I called your principal today. I told her what happened."

Sasuke is hesitant before whispering, "Arigato."

-o-

Dear Otousan,

Sakura was mean and hurt Chibi. I made her apologize because no one hurts my Chibi. I told her she won't make friends if she's mean. You told me that once. I always remember it.

"Hey." Naruto looked at the boy next to him on the swings. "Is everything okay?"

Sasuke looked a bit shocked that he could tell something's wrong. Guilt flows across the expressions, making Naruto worry more. "I can't hide it anymore. Harun-san pushed me and I hurt my knee yesterday." He stood up from the swing and bowed. "Gommenasai."

The blond was quiet for a moment before he got up as well and hugged Sasuke tight. "Arigato for telling me, Chibi," he whispered into his ear. He stepped back but was still holding his hand. "Can I please help?"

Sasuke shrugged. "Tsunade-sama did something, I think. Niisan told her."

Naruto tilted his head in thought. "Well if you're not sure then I should make you sure."

That caused Sasuke to make a confused face. "What?"

Naruto grinned. "I'll do something to help so that you know for certain someone has helped." He's sure baa-chan has helped somehow but he always knows that Sasuke needs to know for certain. And he doesn't know her as well as Naruto does.

Sasuke gave a shaky smile and nodded. "Okay."

When they went inside after break, Iruka-sensei called Sasuke to his desk. He must need to talk with him about something. So Naruto took this chance to go over to Sakura. "Sakura-chan?"

Sakura got up excitedly. "Naruto-kun!"

Naruto frowned and crossed his arms over his chest. "So is it okay if I push you?"

Shock flared across her face. "No!"

Naruto raised a brow. No one had seen him like this before. "Why?"

Sakura's voice held a hint of hesitation in it. She really must be shocked by this then. Well she shouldn't have pushed Sasuke if she didn't want trouble. "Cause I could get hurt."

Naruto's frown deepened. "You pushed Sasu-chan and he got hurt. You need to care for others Sakura-kun. You won't gain good friends if you're mean." He locked eyes with her to make sure she understood.

For a few moments Sakura was quiet as she thought about it. "Hai. You're right." She rubbed her arm. "I'll apologize to him."

After school, Sakura approached Sasuke, Naruto standing next to him as they waited. "Uchiha-san." She bowed. "Gomenasai. I shouldn't have pushed you. I won't do it again." She raised with a hesitant smile. "I was jealous, I guess. I hope you and Naru-kun stay best friends forever." She looked to Naruto, smiling softly now.

Sasuke looked shocked, but after a few moments of silence he returned her smile and nodded. "Thank you, Haruno-san."

Sakura giggled. "You can call me Sakura."

Sasuke smiled back with a nod. "Sasuke, then."

-o-

Dear Okaasan,

Sakura-kun apologized to me. Naruto really did protect me. I'm really happy to have the dobe in my life. You would have approved of him.

Sasuke closes his diary to go find Itachi. The elder is in his room at his desk and Sasuke gives one knock before coming in. He just has to share this! "Haruno-san apologized. She even said I can call her Sakura. Naruto talked to her."

Itachi smiles and sets his homework aside. "That's wonderful. Are you happy about it?"

Sasuke nods and walks over, a small blush heating his cheeks. "The dobe protected me. Do you think…he would do it again? You know…if anyone else is mean?"

Itachi chuckles and gestures for Sasuke to climb up. "Hai. He's your best friend. Will you protect him too?"

Sasuke pauses for a few moments. He doesn't fully consider himself that strong…but determination fills him and he nods. "Definitely."

Itachi puts their foreheads together. "Good job, otouto. Very proud of you."