-Fate's Favourite-

Prologue: Truth

Itachi Uchiha was never open with anyone. Many even called him cold and detached from others to a point it was unhealthy. It wasn't a surprise, Itachi always had been above others, his skills and strength surpassing everyone else, and thus, separating him from people around him, both adults and children alike. He was a hero to his clan, their saviour and future leader; so, it was almost ironically cruel that he was the one who ended their lives. He killed the very ones who praised and boasted about his infinite abilities and skills that were unmatched by anyone.

He was, of course, called lucky by many. He was a genius, everyone looked up to him. He was an example to be followed by others. But, the cruel and bland truth was that there was no happiness in his life – there never had been. There was always that pressure of being the best, pushing yourself so hard it felt like your bones were about to break. If you weren't the best, you were nothing. That was one simple rule Uchiha clan lived by. At least that's how things were before he slaughtered them, all but one. His little brother.

Sasuke Uchiha, the only other surviving member of their clan beside Madara. The young boy who lived to kill him and was fuel by his never-ending hatred. Sasuke lived for revenge, and Itachi knew that it was going to be Sasuke's hand that will take his life one day.

Sometimes, Itachi wondered how much longer he still had left. He was more than aware that his time was slowly coming to an end, and oddly enough this realization soothed him. He was going to die by his brother's hand and finally find peace that he always craved for. He hoped – perhaps foolishly – that his brother would find peace too, even if he knew how unlikely that was. He knew that events of that night were going to haunt Sasuke forever, never completely gone from his mind, no matter how hard he may try to erase them. Itachi only hoped that Sasuke would not fall into Madara's dark web of lies and deceit. That was Itachi's one and only wish – Sasuke's happiness. Happiness that Itachi never knew or felt, and even if Sasuke continued to hate him forever, at least he would be happy, and as long as Sasuke was happy, Itachi would be happy too. Even in death.

After all, fate hated him.

With a vengeance.

And just for once, Itachi accepted it.

It was raining in Kumogakure. Not something unseen or very rare in the main city of Land of Lighting. The clouds were dark and thunder echoed around the mountains and rivers that adored the beautiful yet dangerous landscape. In far distance two figures emerged from a foggy path between mountains, both walking down a deserted road as rain started to fall heavily from the heavens.

The figure on the right was taller than the second, a huge sword sitting proudly on the man's back as he moved slightly ahead. A conical straw hat was hiding his features, a long back cloak with red clouds hiding the rest of his body as well. The smaller figure was wearing the same cloak and hat, except his deep scarlet eyes were watching the road before them dully, waiting to strike down anyone foolish enough try and make their move against them.

Two Akatsuki members, Itachi Uchiha and Kisame Hoshigaki, were traveling around the Land of Lighting trying to gather more information about Four-Tails current location. The information they had found so far informed them that Four-Tails was sealed into a man called Rōshi from Iwagakure. Upon learning this, two members of Akatsuki wasted no time and began their long journey. The weather was getting increasingly worse the further they went dwindling their speed substantially, making both men slightly irritated. They were used to bad weather conditions, especially rain since their main headquarters' were located in Amegakure, but it was still never pleasant to be travelling like this.

Suddenly, Kisame slowed down, before stopping completely. Itachi only took few steps before stopping as well, turning his head towards his partner.

"Itachi," Kisame said, gesturing towards a small mountain slope on their right. "We have company."

The two members were gone in a flash and seconds later they were on top of the hill, looking at the figure crawling on the ground, leaving a bloody trail behind them. The figure was heavily injured, multiple stab and cut wounds visible all over their body, blood gushing almost uncontrollably. But even from so far away it was clear that the wounds were gradually closing, the blood flow gradually decreasing the further they went. And even with the rain pouring thickly from the sky, there was no mistaking that orange clad figure and blond hair that was now covered in blood and dirt.

Naruto Uzumaki.

There was no doubt about it, but it did not explain why he was so far away from his home, alone and heavily injured.

Itachi always thought that there was something strange about that boy. His first suspicions arose when he confronted the blonde in that cheap hotel he was staying in with the legendary Sannin Jiraiya. Itachi was unable to confirm anything back then and was forced to flee. It had been almost three years since that day, and Itachi still found something amiss about the energetic demon host. There was something there, something Itachi couldn't see but he could feel it instead.

"Well, well, what do we have here? Naruto Uzumaki? Must be our lucky day, eh Itachi?" Kisame's loud voice proclaimed as he let out a slightly crazed chuckle. Itachi's red eyes watched as the blonde boy froze and quickly turned around, making blood gush from the wounds that were yet to heal.

"Who are you?"

Even though the rain made his voice sound weaker, two Akatsuki members heard him perfectly well. However they were both somewhat surprised by the boy's question. Didn't he know who they were? After all they've met before. Had he really forgotten that easily about them? It was hard to believe that anyone would forget people that were hunting them, no matter the circumstances.

There was a pregnant pause, Itachi's eyes narrowing as he replayed Naruto's words in his mind. There was something wrong with his voice. The words were softer, somehow, less chirper and obnoxious.

The blonde had cuts and scratches all over his face, a kunai clenched tightly in his hand as he stared at the two mysterious figures. Kisame laughed faintly, reaching for his sword, but Itachi's hand stopped him. He observed the alarmed and confused look on Naruto's face. His face…it was different too. It was softer, more feminine and smooth, lacking the usual cheerful smile and excited spark in his light blue eyes.

In a flash, Itachi was before the blonde, making him gasp in surprise and step back, only to be stopped as Itachi grabbed his wrist tightly, the metal kunai suddenly falling to the ground. Shock and fear were clear in his eyes, and Itachi tightened his grip on the boy. There was something wrong with him…something very wrong.

"We're not here to hurt you," Itachi spoke, his voice the usual monotone. "We're here to help you," he explained quietly, ignoring the snort from amused Kisame that was still standing behind them.

Naruto stared at Itachi, straight into his blood red eyes, slight shiver racking through his petite body. That bothered him as well. Everyone always feared to look him straight in the eyes for obvious reasons. And Naruto was no different, so why was he staring in his eyes now, even if he already knew what his eyes were capable of. His eyes were his deadliest weapon, and Naruto stared into them as if he didn't cared or perhaps didn't know. Could it be possible that he didn't know? Perhaps he suffered a head injury that resulted in a temporary memory loss? It was unlikely but still very much possible, especially with how the young shinobi acted towards them.

No fear, no recollection, nothing.

It was like he was looking at them, but not really seeing them.

"How can I trust you?" Naruto whispered, his voice still hoarse and fearful.

Trust…

That word made Itachi pause. How could he make the blonde believe him?

"My name is Itachi."

It wasn't exactly what one may say to someone who just asked if they could trust them, but it was enough for Naruto as he stared blankly at Itachi, even though it looked like he was looking past him.

"Itachi…?"

The blonde repeated the name as if tasting it. There was nothing but confusion and frustration on the boy's face, it was like he was struggling with himself but kept failing.

"I…I can't remember. You seem familiar somehow…your eyes…" the boy trailed off, looking both tired and angered. Itachi knew that the boy was all out of chakra and was about to collapse any second, but his words made Itachi's eyes widen vaguely.

So, he was right, Naruto somehow lost his memories. But, how? That was the question that was most pressing at the moment. However, Itachi couldn't lie to himself, this situation was ideal. They had Naruto, utterly clueless about who he was. If there was ever a perfect opportunity to use, this was it.

The longer the boy thought, the more unbalanced and worn out he appeared, his soft face melting from one full of fear into one full of exhaustion in less than a second.

"Were…were you my… friend?" Naruto whispered, his words choppy from drowsiness. Itachi had no idea why the question bothered him. He didn't show it, but it did.

Friend.

He honestly couldn't remember the last time someone called him their friend. But then, his mind flashed to Shisui's face and he realized that it'd been years. Long years of loneliness and blood, the same colour his cursed eyes were, the eyes that brought him nothing but despair, and sealed his fate forever.

"Yeah, kid. We're your friends," Kisame answered with wide sadistic smile on his face, saving Itachi from having to answer himself. If he was anyone else but a proud Uchiha, he probably would have sighed in relief.

Naruto's eyes flickered towards Kisame for a second, and he smiled in relief, his eyes brightening slightly.

"I'm… glad," he murmured quietly as his eyelids dropped and he stumbled. "I'm very…glad."

Naruto's eyes closed and he fell, but Itachi managed to grab him before he hit the cool and muddy ground. And at that moment, when the now unconscious body of Naruto fell into Itachi's arms, he realized why he always found something wrong about Naruto, why he was always so different. And most importantly, why he looked so unusual right at that moment.

When Naruto's body laid calmly in Uchiha's strong-arms, Itachi uncovered yet another secret about Naruto Uzumaki.

He was a she.

AN: Hello, peeps. As you may have noticed this story is now in progress of being rewritten. I've only had few chapters written but I ended up losing my inspiration for it, however I loved this idea too much to delete the story or put it on HIATUS. So, instead I decided to rewrite the first three chapters and restart this story again! Let's just say that Itachi's latest appearance in the anime helped a LOT.

Thank you for reading. And please, ask any questions if something's unclear.

Regards.

A.