Sweet and innocent

Annieme:
I don't wanna sound desperate, but... YES!! YES YES YES YES YES YES YES!!!! I would LOVE to have a beta, been looking for it for a while, but they always sort of dissapear somehow.... please, leave your emai, so we can keep in touch.... or take mine: its chibikitten_38@yahoo.com ... thank you so much for your offer!!


Oh, my! This is so exciting... cause, like, a 75% of my reviews enter the words ' so addictive' in their response... but they're so short! I mean, I don't wanna be a spoiled author, or some sort of an ungrateful bitch, but the usual "it's great, keep it going and update soon" line is just so...void! I'd like to know if you would like Itachi to something else, a suggestion, point out stuff you didn't like, yell at my lousy grammar... anything. But, oh, well... you're the readers, so... I guess you can put whatever the hell you want in thte reviews... as long as you do review. *makes puppy eyes* Please don't stop reviewing....

Discalimer: Take a good look at the anime.... Do you see Sasuke whoring himself, while Itachi fucks his ass into the nearest counter, and Naruto fucks his mouth, while Neji masturbates, Kakashi-sensei fists Gaara, who's fingering Iruka, while he sucks on Kankuro, and Akamaru's licking Kiba's cock, and Shikamaru's got Chouji and Lee handcuffed to the bed, with lots of cholate syrup over them, and turns Lee's hard cock into a meaty version of a banana split?? Do you see that in the show?!?!?! Well, that means Naruto doesn't belong to me...


Ages
Itachi: 15
Sasuke: 9
Naruto: 8 (I don't know who's older, but let's say it's Sasuke, even if by a few months)

"You called, Hokage-sama?" The masked ANBU asked, seemly appearing out of thin air in the third Hokage's office.

"Oh, Itachi... I've been expecting you for a while now..." The old Hokage admonished, and signaled to one of the empty chairs. Itachi removed his mask, and sat down on the offered chair. "I called you for two reason, Itachi... one, to congratulate you."

"Congratulate me, Hokage-sama?" The young ANBU questioned, not seeing what he should be congratulated for. The Hokage, however, nodded at the question.

"Congratulate you, indeed, Itachi. It's been two years since the death of your parents, and though many doubted such a minor could do it, you have successfully demostrated to be more than capable of looking after your little brother. Considering you still managed to complete your other responsabilities, as a ninja and ANBU, I do believe such a fit deserves a congratulation." The Third Hokage explained, smiling fondly at the boy. Sarutobi himself, was one of the people who didn't really think the young Uchiha could pull it off, but he had been pleasently proved wrong, and he loved it, if only to stuff it to the rest of the Konoha Council members.

"I thank you, Hokage-sama. But, with all due respect, I don't see the reason of a formal calling for this." The young man pointed out, his voice as detached and neutral as ever. Today was Sasuke's birthday, and he had planned to make a small gathering with Sasuke's classmates, Sasuke most've been going crazy with preparations, waiting for him desperately. This 'party' was something Itachi had promised to Sasuke and Naruto, he didn't have time to waste, he didn't have time to converse with the Third Hokage. "Hokage-sama, if you'll excuse me, it is Sasuke's birthday today, and I promised him--"

"Is it, now??" The old man interrupted him. "Then, I'll make this as short as possible" After saying this, Sarutobi passed a scroll to Itachi.

Itachi retrieved the scroll, and noticed Konoha's Legal business symbol on it. Frowning slightly, he opened it, and for the very first time in his long life, Sarutobi saw the lightest surprise expression on Uchiha Itachi's face.

"Hokage-sama, this is..."

"The legal permition to be Sasuke's guardian" The old Hokage completed, joining his hands under his nose, looking at Itahi over them.

"I though I had this two years ago, when our parents died, and let Sasuke and I to live on our own" Itachi's voice turned so cold, Sarutobi was shocked the scroll in the young man's hand hadn't frozen.

"You didn't. Upon your parent's death, as you know, many Council Members of Konoha did not thought you capable of taking care of a seven year old boy, all by yourself, judging by your very own age, you were barely a teenager. Some others, on the contrairy, did. After many deliberations, we came to the conclution that, though you were too young to look after someone else, you weren't exactly the ordinary boy, were you??" Itachi arched an eyebrow at this. Sarutobi ignored it. "Therefor, we came with a plan..."

"it was a test." Itachi cut the old man. Sarutobi looked on surprised. No one, with the sole exception of Orochimaru, had cut his speech like that, so coldly and mercilessly. "You wanted to test my abilities to take care of MY little brother... What would've happened if I failed?? You would've taken him away from me, hadn't you?? separate us, and place us in the few Uchiha houses left in the village??!!"

"Now, Itachi, I know it wasn't a clean move--"

"A clean move?! You toyed with my little brother's life!" Itachi knew he was stepping over the line, walking on a very thin fire here, but the mere thought of having Sasuke away from him, made Itachi want to throttle the old man with his bare hands. "Played us like a poker game. What could possibly be clean about that?"

Silence reigned in the room, and although they were both sitting, to Sarutobi, Itachi looked gigantic, like a monster he never knew could exist in the gifted Uchiha. He suppressed a groan, cursing the blasted Council to hell and back. He had been one of the few to support Itachi taking care of Sasuke, and he was the one taking the burn of Itachi's anger. God damned lot of old, meddling fools.

"Look, Itachi... It wasn't a desicion of mine. As you know, my power, even as Hokage, is limited. I, and those who supported this desicion, were simply looking for an altern solution to your parent's death, since both Sasuke and you were so determined to remain together, and alone, of all things."

"So, it was the Council member's influence..." Itachi's voice lost its edge, but Sarutobi saw Itachi's eye flash red.

"Will you kindly allow me finish??" The Hokage said, giving him a stern look. Itachi took a deep breath, and his face changed, back to its neutral, controlled expression. "I could've easily changed the fake scroll for this one, Itachi. Be glad we came clean on this, and for the deceive, my most sincere apologies." Itachi nodded, thinking no ANBU, not even the old man himself, could enter his house without Itachi knowing, but choosing to play nice with the Hokage.

"But, as I said, this is but one part of the reason I meant to speak with you." At this point, the Third sighed, as if not knowing how to bring the matter at hand. Itachi arched an eyebrown, imperceptibly to the common eye, but quite loud to a ninja. "Yes... it has come to my knowledge that one of Konoha's very special child has become quite friends with your brother and you"

Itachi used all his will power not to jump the old man on the spot. How dare the old coot mingle himself in his life with Naruto and Sauke?!?!? He may be Hokage, but Itachi'd be damned if the old fool thought he could fool Itachi again. "Yes, hokage-sama, he has" Sarutobi knew he could cut the tension with a blunt kunai, it was so thick and obvious.

"I'm sure you feel invaded, given your previous discovery"

/Understandment of the century, you wrinkled, piss-loving asshole/

"But I assure you, Itachi, I did not call you to anger you, but to ask you a favor... a very special one, not for me, but for Naruto himself." That got Itachi's attention. Was something wrong with Naruto?? Had his sweet boy gone to the Hokage instead of going to Itachi himself?!?! All of the sudden, Itachi wished he would go back to angry, for he was now weary and clueless, too sensations he wasn't familiar with, and didn't like.

"As you well know, Itachi, Naruto is an orphan" As he began to speak, Itachi noticed the Third's face going grim, as if truly afflicted by what he was saying, and he liked that even less, it was no fun to torture a guilty guy. Guilt was supposed to be awaken, not tormented. "But, he is not your everyday orphan, and I'm pretty sure you know what I'm implying."

"Most orphans, if not all of them, always find home in Konoha, mostly by ninjas couples, who do not wish to go throught the burden of pregnancy, yet he is not in an orphanage, but lives alone and fends for himself at such a young age. Even though he's a good kid, people seem to push him away."

"Yes, that pretty much sums it up. You see, there is a reason for all this. I'm sure such a bright mind as yours, might have figured it out by now." There was this certain glint In the third's eye which Itachi clearly didn't like, but he began analizing his little obsession nonetheless, every little curios aspect about him. Those were many, the whisker-like scars, how Itachi sometimes felt a strange surge of chakra while around the boy, Konoha's animosity towards Naruto, specially the adult and elder population, Naruto's seemly endless energy and his incredible abilitly to heal quickly. It all came to Itachi like an epiphany.

"Naruto... is the Kyuubi vessel??" Itachi didn't know if he was asking himself, or the Hokage, all he knew is how shell shocked he was by his suspicions.

"A wonder you didn't know, Itachi." Itachi glared at the old man. The Third simply continued to smile that amused smile of his. "It has been rough, as you can imagine, for Naruto. He does not know, of course, he's the nine-tails demon vessel -I beg you not to tell him, by the way-, ergo Naruto thinks the village has a problem with him. Fortunately, he has found refuge. With you and your little brother, out of all people. Itachi, as I said, I called you to ask you a favor, on Naruto's behalf. Since you have demostrated to be so competent in taking care of Sasuke, and you seem those who have embraced Naruto into your family -I heard you even bought him a cake on his last birthday, and eat Miso Ramen with him-, I've been meaning to ask you--"

"You want me to take him into my guard." Itachi effectively cut the speech, already impatient to get this conversation over and done with.

"Not inmediately, no. Give it time, for the Council to get used to the idea -I have yet to mention this to them-, for you to be able to settle in, to speak to Naruto and Sasuke, explain the situation. This is not something to be decided in one minute, you know." Actually, Itachi thought he'd been thinking about it TOO much, since the old man wouldn't shut up.

"I accept" he curtly said, ending the other man's speech once more. The third looked at the boy, a shocked look upon his face. He had expected a lot of things, but this, dare he say, eager acceptance, was something he had never accepted. Out of all people, he should know Naruto would be the one to brake the Uchiha brother's barriers. "As you said, we care much about Naruto, and do not wish any harm for him. I rather have him by our side, safe and protected by the Uchiha name, than running around alone the village, now I know he's the Kyuubi vessel."

"You know, of course, things are not that easy, Itachi." The Third resumed his pensative position, sighing as he took into consideration the young man infront of him. "If it were an ordinary boy, it would hold no problem for me to give you Naruto's guardship, but since Naruto's case is... special, it also concerns the Council of Konoha. Unfortunately, they demand for the same procedure as we acted with Sasuke" The words hung heavy in the air, making Itachi squirm in his chair, want to rip the Council's head off one by one.

"How long will I be on probation of Naruto's care??" To Itachi's dismay, the Thrid gave one of those sighs which came before bad news.

"If it were only you on probation, there wouldn't be a problem, Itachi, but throught the years, Naruto has proven himself to be a real troublemaker, sometimes, even dragging Sasuke along with him, even if those cases are less of an scandal. Therefor, the Council wants to put all three of your behaviors for the next year oin probation, should you still choose to agree, of course. I must warn you, if you choose to continue, and fail this test, you will be considered an unfitting paternal figure, and Naruto, and perhaps even Sasuke, shall be taken under the Council's power."

Itachi gritted his teeth. Control himself, he could, and also look after both Naruto and Sasuke, but he could never expect to change the blond's characteristic vivid imagination, nor the power Naruto's held over Sasuke since they met. He couldn't even begin to think how his life would be, without his two little nymphs filling out his days. But, he didn't want to leave Naruto alone, fending off for himself against an entire village, filled with people who disliked him, for something he had no fault of. And Sasuke... if something went wrong, his Sasuke would be devastated.

"I apologize, Hokage-sama." The Third blinked. This was surprise day, indeed, if Itachi was apologizing to him. "I cannot give you an answer at the moment. I do believe this is a commiment which must be taken from the three of us. I know you think them children, but as you said, any fault could end up in consequences you would not like to face. " Was age finally getting to the Third, or was that a hidden threat from Itachi?? As Sarutobi thought of finding out, Itachi stood.

"I shall speak to Sasuke and Naruto about it, then let you know. Thank you for the offer, anyways, Hokage-sama." Itachi bowed to the old man, then turned, starting his walk to the door.

"No need to thank, I was only looking for Naruto's well being"

"Hokage-sama??" Itachi stopped at the door, and looked straight into the Hokage's eyes, barely resisteing the pent up rage and frustration. "How do you know all these things?? About how we came close to Naruto?? How Sasuke's been involved in minor problems because of Naruto?? About the cake, and the ramen on Naruto's eigth birthday?? Is also part of the Council's function to spy on the boy??"

"Only when he's alone, not while at your house, or the school, or when I personally go and visit him, to provide him with the necessary things to survive."

/So, that's how Naruto's managed to pull it off... he gets help from the Hokage himself, that little imp/

"I know all of this, because you're not the only one who speaks to the boy. I find him to be quite charming and entertaining." It was not the tone, or the way the Third said it, but the worods themselves which made Itachi's blood go cold. They were dangerously close to how Itachi himself would describe Naruto.

"Good day.... Hokage-sama" then, Itachi walked out the door, not waiting to be dismissed.

The party had been a blast. All children had a good time, the guests were very pleased, both Sasuke and Naruto had been invited to several upcoming birthdays (Naruto more because Sasuke clearly announced a pink-haired he wouldn't go anywhere without Naruto), the cake was gone, and the party ended many hours after Itachi had thought it would, since the kids didn't want to leave. In short, the party had been a blast. Which meant, the house was a mess, and both Sasuke and Naruto were falling sleep on their by the time the last guest finally left, which left Itachi to do the house work.

Itachi was irritated. Not because of all the little devils running around the house for a whole day, or because -according to Sasuke and Naruto- more than half the children population was uninvited. He was seething because of his conversation with the Third. Really, it should be easy to make his desicion, he needed no more problems within his life as it was, and Naruto would be just that: a big problem right now.

But, he still couldn't bring himself to deny the offer. Itachi felt tied, by hands and ankles, to the little blond sleeping soundly in his little brother's room right now. He wanted to protect him, to have him close, and make sure the little boy would be alright, along with his little brother. If only he wasn't te Kyuubi vessel! If that was the case, he would have guardship over Naruto in an instant! The Hokage said so himself... but Naruto was the vessel, and there was nothing Itachi could do about it.

Actually, it made Itachi appreciate Naruto in a way he's never had. Before, Itachi had thought Naruto was a sweet boy, who had lost of energy and could lighten up a whole room with a smile, much like his Sasuke, who also had the ability to warm up his heart. But now, Itachi could clearly see the bravery of that little boy, his pureness. All his life, Naruto had received rejection of the place he clearly wants to protect more than anything else, surviving attacks from villagers, under the glaring eyes of everyone who remembered the times of the nine-tailed fox. Itachi now saw Naruto's bravery, his devotion, and couldn't help but think those were too strong lives and emotions for an eight year old to carry upon his back.

Suddenly, he heard light footsteps on the hall, and inmediately knew it was the little blond nymph, for Naruto's steps were always heavier and louder than Sasuke's, and Naruto had the tendency to awake in the middle of the night, to use the bathroom. Sighing, Itachi cut Naruto's sounds off, and resumed his pondering, while making himself a late night cup of tea.

"Wow" Naruto's soft voice broke Itachi's thought, just as the teenager was finishing his tea. "Itachi-kun... You cleaned it all up already?"

"I wouldn't leave it to you, it would be unfair to dump it all on you two" He softly answered, still not turning his back on Naruto, afraid of whatever may happen. Since the little episode a few days ago, Naruto and Itachi had never had a single moment together or alone, but Itachi could always see a small blush coloring Naruto's cheeks, whenever Itachi caught him looking at him from afar. Itachi knew Naruto had those moments printed upon his bed, but he didn't know if Naruto though it a dream, or if the boy knew it happened for real, and he was frankly scared to find out. "What are you doing up at this hour?"

"I couldn't sleep" It came out as a groan, and Itachi heard the little boy coming closer to him, until he sat on the table, right infront of Itachi. "I think I had too many candies, my stomach aches" He whimpered, caressing his tummy under his pajamas. Itachi chuckled, remembering to warn the same thing to both children. Unfortunately, only Sasuke seemed to pay attention to him.

Sighing, Itachi stood, and went to the fridge. "I told you not to eat that many candies, specially after all those snacks you ate" Getting a few lemons out, he proceeded to cut them, then squeezing the juice out of them, onto a small cup, careful not to let the seed fall into it as well. He could feel Naruto's blue eyes on his back, curious as to what the older man was doing.

"Why are you doing that?? you just had tea, why would you make lemonade??" Itachi laughed, a rich, deep laughter, the kind only Naruto and Sasuke's antics could bring out of him.

"Its not lemonade" Itachi answered, while adding a bit of salt to the green liquid, then proceeding to mix it. "Its for your stomach" Then, he said the cup infront of Naruto, who was looking at the thing doubtfully.

"You're kidding, right??" Naruto doubtfully asked, eyeing the strange concotion warily. "It's lemon and salt(1), that's gotta kill someone"

"It won't. I promise. My mom did that to me when I felt stomach sick. Just close your eyes, take a full swing of it, and drink it all in one go. Don't try to test its flavor, for you won't drink it"

It didn't exactly succeded, but at least Naruto took hold of the cup, not as wary of it as before. "Did you get stomach sick often, Itachi??"

"Not much" Itachi sat down on the table, actually content to have time to speak to Naruto. He missed these trivials conversationsthey had, they never spoke of anything of importance, but the conversation was always interesting and surprising. It made Itachi feel almost normal, less of a prodigy and more of an ordinary teenager. "But this always worked"

Naruto nodded, and with a determined look on his young face, he took a full fulp of the liquid, drinking it quickly.... then grimaced, and groaned, holding his neck and sticking out his tongue, as if he had drank posion. Itachi laughed outright, looking at the young boy's antics.

"i'm glad you think it's funny, this thing is awful! Remind me not to ever drink any of your mother's remedies!"

"Don't worry, you'll feel better. You'll want to use the toilet in a bit, but afterwards, it'll be all better, ok?" Naruto looked a Itachi, still not really believing him.

"I guess..." Then, the little boy's face changed, turning a little grim and sad, and he touching the rim of the cup with his index finger, lost in his own little world of thoughts.

"Something wrong, Naruto?" At frist, Naruto looked at Itachi, as if surprised he was even there, but then, he shook his blond head, but he was in no way convincing Itachi. "Please, if anything troubles you, let me know. I didn't mean to make you feel bad. I swear you'll feel better--"

"That's not it!" The kid quickly cut in, ending Itachi's worries. Then, he went back to look at the cup, fingering the words 'From Mom' painted on the cup. "Your mom made this cup, right? It says 'From mom' in a really neat handwritting, and its got the same 'O' as Sasuke's, and your 'M'" Itachi looked at the cup. Yes, his mother had made it, one for Itachi, and another for Sasuke. When each started to drink coffe, Itachi because he sometimes needed it to become awake after a mission, and Sasuke, because he saw Itachi drink it, and wanted it as well.

"Yes, she did. There's two of them, the red one is Sasuke's, and that one's mine." Naruto nodded, still looking at the cup, as if it was stabbing him.

"I bet she was really sweet, if she did this, and took care fo you guys, instead of straight sending you to a doctor. the moment I saw the gardens, I knew you guys kept it because it was her place, don't get me wrong, but you and Sasuke have never shown any inclination towards flowers." Itachi didn't know what to say. Here was Naruto, grieving about the death of his and Sasuke's mom as if it were Naruto's own.

"Yes... she liked flowers. Mainly lilies, but dad wasn't much of a fan, so she didn't have many around the house." He didn't even know why he was saying it, but Itachi suddenly felt like Naruto needed to hear more about them, of their past, the people who raised them, and shaped them into being Naruto's precious people.

"Sasuke has a picture of her. Hidden in his nightstand. He doesn't like to talk about his parents, says he doesn't remember them much." Naruto's words sounded somewhat accusing, as if demanding Sasuke to remember every bit of his mother and father.

"he was six, Naruto. Its natural he doesn't remember much" Itachi reasoned with him, trying to calm his little blond.

"I don't remember mine at all!!" Naruto burst, tears gathering in his blue eyes, but not spilling. Then, as a balloon let loose before filled, Naruto took a shaky breath, and seemed to calm down some. "I'm sorry, I just... birthdays do this to me all the time. I think of my parents, if they would celebrate my birthdays the way you celebrate Sasuke's, if they'd take care of me, like you mom did with you... if everyone would be nicer, if they'd be alive..." then, the blond broke in sobs, letting his head fall ontop of his hands, his blond locks falling softly on the table beneath his hands. "I've felt so alone all my life" Itachi heard him whisper between hiccups.

"You're not alone, Naruto" Itachi soothed the boy, before sitting down next to him, and the moment he touched the blond's shoulder, Naruto moved, and hugged Itachi around the middle so tight, Itachi was shocked such a little thing could have so much strength. "And I'm sure your parents were great people, if they had such a wonderful boy..." He softly said, caressing the blond locks, hearing the whimpers and sobs coming for Naruto, his heart braking by the sounds of them. "Naruto... Let me tell you something, and I don't want you to forget it." For emphasis, Itachi tightened his hold of Naruto, pushing him closer to his body. "Sasuke and I love you, Naruto. You may have alone most your life, but you never will be, from now on. Not as long as I'm around. Understand??"

"Naruto..." Itachi looked away from the blond curls, and was surprised to see Sasuke standing there, at the door, looking at them, tears falling down pink cheeks. "Naruto" The young raven called again, before silently moving closer, until he could touch the blond, and held him from behind. Itachi sat there, froze, as Sasuke showed a compasion too mature for a child his age, and set his head on Naruto's shoulder softly, and he hear Sasuke's boy, soft and low, and couldn't agree more when his little brother said: "Itachi's right, Naruto. You're not alone anymore, cause from now on, we'll be your family, and you'll be part of ours"

Itachi looked on, as Naruto shaking slowly ceased, and he looked up, puffy eyes looking from boy to the other, biting his lower lip nervously. Sasuke smiled, reassuringly, touching the tanned face, wiping the tears. A small hand reached his, Itachi looked at his hand joining Sasuke's and Naruto, saw them hug each other, and held them both in his larger arms, and they held back. Right that moment, Itachi knew there would be no way they'd say no to the Third's offer, no matter the consequences. Naruto was family, and he'd do anything to ensure that.


(1) It does exist. I don't know if that's used in other countries, but lemon and salt is a very common mix stomach aches, vomit and diarrea in my coountry, and a pretty good thing at it, too, even if the taste is qite sour.


This didn't really came out as I wanted to, its got no hot, steamy scene in it, but I do need to work on a plot, and I really didn't want to built their relationship in a sole sexual way, I want these three to bond, so the fic can grow a little bit more... it was sweet and soft in a sad sort of way, so I won't complain, I've done worst. I hope you liked it!!