Disclaimer: Anything and everything Naruto belongs to Kishimoto-sensei; which means characters, places, and all the flippin' awesome Justus are not mine. What do I own? My kickass plot tweaks that make the story better.

Summary: Naru is caught by the Akatsuki while on her Training trip with Jiraiya and is held prisoner for about two months before she escapes. While a captive Itachi is charged with watching her but he's not quite what she suspected and finds herself captivated by the mystery that is Uchiha Itachi. Upon her return to the village she decides to go through everything related to him and the Uchiha's and she finds herself falling in love with Itachi. Will she be able to bring Sasuke home before he confronts Itachi or will she lose the love of her life?

Rating: Rated "T" for language and possible violent and/or bloody scenes (I mean come on they are ninjas).

Regular speech

'Thought'

Flashback

'Flashback thought'

Bijuu speech

'Bijuu thought'

-*- -*- -*- -*- I/N -*- -*- -*- -*-

Chapter 29 - Seeing it My Way

When Naru woke up she knew she was being carried on someone's back, by the scent of forest and thunderstorm she'd have to say it was Kakashi. Opening her eyes she saw silver hair and snuggled into his back.

"I thought I lost you too, Kashi-niisan." Naru mumbled as she hugged him, just then the sound of cheering reached her ears, "What's all the noise about?"

"Everyone has been waiting for you to return," Kakashi said smiling, "They heard all about your fight with Pain and were worried about you."

"How?" Naru asked.

"I relayed everything about your battle to the village." Katsuyu said leaving Naru's cloak pocket.

"Even?"

"No, I left out your conversation with Konan?" Katsuyu said leaving Naru relieved. Suddenly Naru was surrounded by kids asking a million and one questions about the fight and if she was injured. While she was distracted by the kids Naru missed Sakura walking up to her.

"You inconsiderate Baka." Sakura shouted as she hit Naru in the head, before wrapping her in a tight hug, "I was so worried about you."

"Sorry Sakura." Naru whispered.

The rest of the afternoon was spent celebrating the defeat of Pein and setting up temporary residences for the civilians of Konoha, as while as barrack for some of the shinobi to stay in.

-*- -*- -*- -*- I/N -*- -*- -*- -*-

It had been a week since Pein was defeated and the rebuilding of Konoha started; but that wasn't the end of the changes. Tsunade is in a coma, and the Daimyo had chosen a new Hokage, who was Danzo Shimura, unfortunately.

Flashback

"So everything is completely healthy with the baby." Shima said.

"Thanks for checking Shima-obaasan." Naru said, "I want to keep the baby a secret at least until 'Tachi is proven innocent. It will cause less issues that way."

"When should we send your boy back to you," Shima asked, "With Tsunade in a coma who will take over?"

"Probably Shizune," Naru said, "Baa-chan isn't really unable to be Hokage anymore, she's just temporarily incapacitated according to Sakura and Shizune. They shouldn't try electing anyone new unless she doesn't wake up in the next month. Shizune and Shikaku-san should be able to hold things down for a couple weeks, even with the approaching war."

"Your assumption is wrong Naru," Sai said entering Naru's personal tent, "They just finished a council meeting to elect the next Hokage."

"Who was elected?" Naru asked, "Do you know what's going to happen?"

"That's something that should be talked about in private." Sai hinted and Naru activated the privacy seals on her tent. "Danzo-sama was elected, and he has ordered you have 24hr surveillance, I am to report everything back to him, who you speak with, where and what you eat, when you use the facilities; he wants you to have absolutely no privacy or freedom, but after you're defeat of Pein he can't just lock you away like he wants."

"Well, I guess we just continue as we have been for now," Naru said, "Tsunade should wake up in the next few weeks hopefully, then we can bring Itachi back then and have Danzo executed for treason then."

"What about the Uchiha's missing eye?" Sai asked, "Weren't you going to have a Byakugan user check to see if Danzo-sama had the eye in his possession?"

"I'll have to think of something and work behind the scenes," Naru said, "luckily you're at my side and can give Danzo a false report to hide my activities and the truth from Danzo. I refuse to let him ruin Konoha with his twisted thinking."

"I believe he may have people following me," Sai said, "I have changed since joining your team and having my seal removed, I fear I'm not as trusted as I once was, the only thing in our favor is that Danzo-sama believes the seal cannot be removed."

"True, but we'll just have to continue as if nothing has changed," Naru said, "You continue with your reports, and I act as if I know nothing is happening."

"How long before your pregnancy shows," Sai asked.

"I should have figured you would hear that as well." Naru said, "It shouldn't be visible until after Baa-chan wakes up if I'm lucky. Don't say anything to anyone, I have a way to both protect myself and the baby so no one else has to know yet."

"Okay."

Today Team Kakashi was having a team training session so Naru and Sakura were waiting at the training ground for everyone else.

"Kakashi-sensei did say 8 am right?" Sakura asked.

"Yeah, everyone else should be here soon," Naru said, "It's almost noon."

"Do you think any of us will ever have a regular schedule like everyone else?" Sakura asked with a sigh, "I mean, I showed up 2 hours late for an outing with Ino last night, it's like all the years of dealing with Kakashi's tardiness is finally catching up with me."

"You know when I was younger he was always on time for me," Naru said, "It wasn't until I became a Genin that I even learned about his tardiness. Do you think that means I lost importance in his eyes by graduating from the academy?"

"NO," Kakashi said walking up to the duo, "I just couldn't risk my reputation by being on time just for you anymore."

"What reputation?" Naru asked.

"Yeah, you're always late and read porn in public," Sakura said, "I'm surprised you when never arrested for being inappropriate in front of minors with as often as you used that damn book to keep us in line."

"Yeah, threatening to read excerpts to children to keep us in line can't be right." Naru agreed, "Though it did stop arguments and get us to at least attempt to work together."

"Headbands equal adult in the shinobi world." Kakashi shrugged.

"That doesn't make it right to read porn to 12 year olds, Sempai." Yamato said.

"Ah, Tenzo you've arrived," Kakashi greeted, "Does that mean Sai is going to be here soon?"

"He was called for a meeting with Danzo-sama." Yamato said.

"Do you think that means they're finally going to make the announcement?" Naru asked.

"True, it's been a week since Sai told us about it." Sakura agreed.

"Sakura! Naru!" Kiba shouted as he entered the clearing riding on a panting Akamaru, "I've been looking for you everywhere; I have some bad news."

"What?" Sakura asked.

"They just announced a new Hokage, it's some Danzo guy." Kiba said.

"What how could they do this to Tsunade-sama?!" Sakura shouted in outrage, "She could wake up at any time." They had already talked about how they would reach once the news hit the general population.

"Yeah, Baa-chan will be fine," Naru said, "besides Shizune can handle anything that pops up before she wakes up."

"True, but that's not even the worst part," Kiba said, "as one of his first acts as Hokage he marked Sasuke as a missing-nin, with kill-on-sight orders."

"What he can't do that?!" Sakura said.

"That's what normally happens with shinobi who abandon their village." Kakashi said, "It's only because of Tsunade's leniency that he hasn't been marked as thus so far."

"But Baa-chan said we could handle Sasuke," Naru said, "We just have to tell that Danzo guy about that and he should back down."

"Yeah, we'll go speak to him right now." Sakura agreed.

"Calm down you guys and take a moment," Kakashi said as he grabbed the two girls.

"Sempai is right, you two know that when it comes to Sasuke you don't think clearly."

"We're not going to attack the guy," Naru said and got disbelieving likes from both Yamato and Kakashi, "We just want to talk to him."

"Naru's right, we just want to talk to him." Sakura agreed.

"What if he says something to bait Naru?" Yamato asked, "Her temper is almost as famous as her color choices."

"Danzo is the one who wants her locked in the village," Kakashi reminded, "He knew you guys would take this news about Sasuke hard, if you just barge in to speak with him you'll be walking right into his hands." Naru thought about it for a second before giving a resigned sigh.

"There's got to be something we can do?" Naru pleaded.

"Take a step back and think of a plan first," Kakashi said, "You can't just charge in blind, maybe you should focus on something else for now."

"Like what?" Sakura asked.

"Wasn't there dirt you were trying to find on somebody?" Yamato reminded.

"How does that help us now?" Naru asked.

"The Hokage is given a three-month trial period, before the Jönin of the village assemble to give a proper vote of election," Kakashi said, "Once the vote is finalized there is nothing that can be done to remove the elected from the office other than by their own choice or death."

"So you're saying if we can convince enough Jönins…" Sakura asked.

"Just the Jönins in the major clans will be enough but yes." Kakashi said. Naru looked over at a confused Kiba.

"Hey Kiba, where's Hinata?" Naru asked.

"At home, why?" Kiba asked.

"Cuz I need her." Naru said, "Well, seeing as the things I need are in line I'm going to put Mission: Out the Traitor into attack. See you guys later, and make sure to tell Sai so he can find me later cuz I still want to spar against him."

-*- -*- -*- -*- I/N -*- -*- -*- -*-

Twenty minutes later Naru was outside the destroyed Hyūga Compound where the Hyūga's were busy rebuilding.

"I really hate formalities," Naru mumbled under her breathe as she knock on the compound door knowing a couple guards were right on the other side and had already sensed her arrival.

"Good day Uzumaki-san, how can we of the Hyūga Clan help you today?" the Branch member guarding the door asked her.

"I wish to speak with Hyūga-sama regarding Hinata-sama, may I?" Naru asked.

"Please wait one moment while someone alerts Hiashi-sama of your presence." The branch member said as his partner rushed to get the clan heads answer.

"Of course, Hyūga-san." Naru said and waited patiently.

"You may enter Uzumaki-san," the branch member said, "Hiashi-sama has agreed to see you in his office. Follow me."

"Thank you." Naru said as she was lead to Hiashi's office, once there she was granted access she pulled out a strange looking seal and stuck it on Hiashi's door.

"Uzumaki-san can I ask why you placed a seal on my door?" Hiashi asked confused.

"I need to have a private conversation with you," Naru said, "This is a special seal I created that will allow us to have a long conversation in a short amount of time. I'm being tailed by the temporary Hokage's ROOT members so he can keep tabs on the village Jinchuriki."

"Hokage? I thought you wished to speak about Hinata?" Hiashi asked.

"Actually I need to speak with Hinata about something private," Naru said, "I do apologize for misleading you, but it's something of high importance."

"What would that be?" Hiashi asked.

"The new Hokage is a traitor, and I have proof he was behind the Uchiha Massacre." Naru said, "I know that the Hyūga's and Uchiha's didn't see eye-to-eye but I'm sure you understand what it means to wipe out a powerful clan."

"I do, however why would Danzo wish to have made a clan disappear?" Hiashi asked.

"My guess is that he didn't have eyes in the clan." Naru said, "You know about Danzo's Root members, as a matter of fact I know you gave Danzo 10 of your own branch members."

"Something I always regretted, but after the program was shut down they were returned to their families and have become respected members of Konoha's shinobi forces," Hiashi said, "They are even exemplary members of the branch family."

"I hope you don't honestly believe that," Naru said, "Danzo has always been known as the Hokage's shadow because of all the background work he does. Surely you are smart enough to realize that those 'exemplary members' are really only loyal to Danzo. I bet if you were to search each of them you would find Danzo's privacy seal on their tongues."

"Are you saying that they are spying on me?" Hiashi asked.

"You and your clan yes," Naru said, "Danzo is the true meaning of a dictator and thinking he should have control of everyone. I'm trying to stop him before that can actually happen."

"What is the proof you have Danzo was truly behind the Uchiha Massacre?" Hiashi asked.

"The memories of Uchiha Itachi as well as his spoken testimony," Naru said, "I know that doesn't seem like much but both Nara Shikamaru and myself did research for up to 8 months before the Uchiha Massacre. The Uchiha's were talking to the Third about gaining more power over the village, but he was just trying to get them to participate in the village and not be so closed off. When Danzo heard of the power struggle and that the Third was winning, that would mean the Uchiha's would side against Danzo and he would have to account for his misguided action, of which there are too many to count."

"So you have proof other than the accused murderer, who happens to have died recently." Hiashi said, "I need something to go on other than your word."

"Technically I'm not supposed to be telling you any of this," Naru said, "Tsunade said it's an SS-rank secret, and only those she specified were to be told so I can't give you any physical evidence, but I can give you information that only my team and Tsunade knows and even more as a show of faith that you'll trust me and help me protect Konoha from Danzo."

"Go ahead after I hear what you have to say I will make a decision." Hiashi said.

"I understand, but what I tell you for faith will never leave this room no matter your decision as it will put an innocent life in danger." Naru said. "Is that agreed?" Naru than offered her hand for a handshake.

"Agreed." Hiashi said taking Naru hand, next thing he knew his hand was pricked.

"Sorry, but I have to take all the precautions possible," Naru said before she launched into all the things she had learned from her research as well as what Itachi had told her, including about Danzo stealing Shisui's eye, even the plan she and Sai had come up with to see if Danzo had replaced his eye with Shisui's. "So do you understand the favor I wished to ask of you?"

"You wish me to have one of my men see if he has a Sharingan eye," Hiashi said, "and your show of faith?"

"Uchiha Itachi is alive and well," Naru said as she then explained Shisui's final act, "After Itachi and Sasuke's fight my team arrived at the site hoping to catch both brothers and return them to Konoha, but when we arrived Sasuke had already either left with or was taken by the man claiming to be Madara Uchiha and Itachi was almost dead. Sakura and I worked together to save Itachi's life and I have him housed on Mt. Myöboku while he recovers."

"How do you know he is not just waiting for a chance to capture you by lying to you?" Hiashi asked.

"I was trained as a spy by Jiraiya-sensei, and was taught to look for all the cues someone was lying to me." Naru said, "Even the spy Danzo set in my own team, Sai, is unable to lie to me. Besides the thing I'm about to tell you is the reason I forced a blood-bind on you earlier; if I die so does Itachi's firstborn and I'll have you know we are both very happy about the unexpected turn of events."

"You're pregnant?" Hiashi stated shocked.

"Yes, about 10 weeks; and before you ask Tsunade knew about mine and Itachi's relationship from the time I returned to the village from my trip with Jiraiya." Naru said, "However I wish to keep the pregnancy a secret until after Itachi is publicly cleared."

"I understand, but you fought Pein knowing you are with child?" Hiashi asked.

"Yes, Itachi and I talked about the risks and both decided I was powerful enough to handle Pein," Naru said, "I took precautions for the baby before even leaving Mt. Myöboku and had Shima-obaasan give me a check-up soon after the fight ended."

"Who knows?" Hiashi asked.

"The toads, but as you know summons are loyal only to their summoners," Naru said, "Itachi, myself, Sai, he's my spy on Danzo, Hinata, she must have watched my fight with Pein with her Byakugan and that's why she stepped into my fight, and now you. I don't plan on telling anyone else as I said, but I need your cooperation to save Konoha from Danzo so I told you."

"And if I decide to side with Danzo?" Hiashi asked.

"I willing go to Hyūga's I know will be willing to help me even against your orders," Naru said, "I don't wish to cause a farther divide in your clan but I will do anything I need to save Konoha, if needed I will even force you into giving Hinata the clan."

"Really? You would make my daughter your puppet?" Hiashi asked,

"Hinata is no one's puppet, you simple underestimate how far a child will go for their parents' love which you have withheld from her," Naru said, "She reminds you of someone you lost and is a painful reminder so you just ignored her."

"Why do you say that?" Hiashi asked shocked.

"You give her the same look Kashi-nii tries so hard to hide sometimes," Naru said, "As you know the Sandaime assigned him as my caregiver when I was born, I always thought it was odd he had picked someone so young and unrelated to watch me, but I have recently learned he wasn't as unrelated to my past as I thought. Anyway, growing up I would notice that when I said or did certain things he would get a pained look as if he was remembering someone else, but he was stronger than you and pushed me away less often than you have to Hinata."

"I see." Hiashi said.

"I hope you do," Naru said, "Children are precious and shinobi died too easily for you to live in the past. As it is you almost lost Hinata in the battle with Pein, how would you have felt if you came home to a dead daughter and the last thing you had done was turn her away because you can't move on? If you think she'll be safe with Danzo in control you wrong."

"What do you mean?" Hiashi asked.

"Danzo wants me confined and under his complete control," Naru said, "The best way to control someone is through their weaknesses, my weaknesses are my important people, both Hinata and Neji are on that list, Danzo will threaten or even have them killed to control me, those are the kind of tactics he uses to mean his ends."

"He can't just kill off clan heirs, so your worry is unfounded." Hiashi said.

"Shinobi die on missions all the time," Naru said, "being clan heirs won't stop people from taking missions were their skills are needed, sure someone will eventually notice something, but will it be before Danzo has total control over the village. Danzo could send one of my friends on a simple transport mission and they could meet their end by an unnamed 'enemy', that's what he does and how he uses his personal ROOT members."

"Are you 100% sure about this?" Hiashi asked.

"Yes, Danzo is twisted and is going to cause the fall of not only the Leaf but the entire shinobi world." Naru said, "I'm sure when he started out it was all for the better of Konoha, but you can't spend all your time in darkness unchecked by the light without becoming the darkness you were fighting. That's what has happened to Danzo and he has to be stopped."

"I see that you are very committed to this and that you really believe what you are saying," Hiashi said.

"I could sense your 'but' as soon as you opened your mouth, Hiashi-sama." Naru said.

"You did threaten my clan, Uzumaki-san." Hiashi stated.

"I think I may have phrased my intentions wrong," Naru said, "I only meant to threaten you position in your clan. I know the importance of a powerful clan and what can be lost if one vanishes, besides I would never let any harm come to anything my precious people hold dear. Hinata and Neji both love their clan, even if they both believe it needs to change, with is good because things die when stagnant. So Hiashi-sama are you going to stay stagnant or are you going to help with change?"

"Did you just threaten me?" Hiashi asked.

"I don't threaten people Hiashi-sama," Naru said, "That's the cowards why of doing things, plus I believe I've stated several times I want my precious people happy and your daughters love you as does your nephew. I'm simply saying I will have Hinata take over the clan from you and then I can guarantee I will have the backing of the Hyūga Clan, because my friends have learned to trust my judgment just as I trust theirs'."

"So either I help you or you will overthrow me?" Hiashi asked, "And just how would you do that exactly, I know you have reached Chünin rank and have the support of the villagers, but clans run off a different system."

"I was trained by Konoha's best spy master and raised by Kakashi Hatake," Naru said, "I know how to gather information and seeing as you're a shinobi I can guarantee I can find something that will prove you are unfit to lead your clan, a secret you don't want anyone to know, like say an illegitimate child in a foreign village that was lucky enough not to be born with the Byakugan when you seduced the young daughter of a corrupt village head; know that's just an example as of course you never did anything like that 18 years ago, right Hiashi-sama?"

"Of course, Uzumaki-san." Hiashi said sitting even straighter, which was quite the feat for they uptight Hyūga, "So you wanted one of my men to check if Danzo has a Sharingan in his right eye that he keeps covered ever since he lost his eye in the First Shinobi War?"

"Yep that's all I'm asking," Naru said smiling cheerily, "You just have to have someone verify its true and I will take care of the rest. Of course, I may still need you're cooperation later on."

"Of course," Hiashi agreed, "but how am I going to get someone in a position to do such a thing?"

"You hold a highly respected position in the village," Naru said, "I'm sure if you offered the Hokage stand-in a Hyūga to use to check some of our visiting shinobi he would take you up on the offer, especially if you offered the use of one of his current men, but before you do so I will have to fix his seal to shift his loyalties away from Danzo."

"How would you do that?" Hiashi asked.

"I would simply change the part of the seal that makes them loyal to only Danzo so that they were loyal to their clan. I won't remove the seal because that may be just a dangerous as having them completely loyal to Danzo."

"Is that what you did to your loyal spy?" Hiashi asked.

"Sai? No, I removed his seal completely," Naru said, "He was already loyal to me before I removed the seal, he had been leaving out information in his reports to Danzo. I simple showed him how to live a normal life and taught him about emotions, basically I was kind to him. However that will not work on your members, as it stands they are all branch members that you gave to Danzo, what do you think would happen if the dozen members went from being Danzo's emotionless and mindless drones to free thinking slaves to your clan at this point in life?"

"They would revolt and cause chaos in the clan," Hiashi said after a moment, "Is there a way to return them to normal, they seem to have reassumed their lives from before they left to Danzo, like I said they have been exemplary members of the clan."

"That won't change," Naru said, "They will continue on as they have been but instead of Danzo they will answer to their clan."

"I can live with that I guess," Hiashi said, "but the knowledge of such a seal does not leave this room, the clan already has stranded relations with those outside the clan for the caged bird seal."

"I agree the only one that should know about the seal is you and the nest clan leader," Naru said, "Now you have two days to get me a spy, any longer and I will take it as you siding with Danzo. It will take me a couple hours to fix the seal on the spy, then you will send him to Danzo. Agreed?"

"Of course." Hiashi said, "Is there anything else?"

"No, I am going to remove the seal now and it will be as if this conversation never happened, to those not in the room about thirty seconds will have past. So remember I came in to see Hinata." Naru said before releasing the seal on the room.

"Welcome Uzumaki-san, what can I do for you today?" Hiashi asked, "I believe you told my man hat you wished to speak about Hinata?"

"Actually, I wish to speak with Hinata, privately," Naru said, "If that is alright with you of course Hyūga-sama."

"You do know she has only just healed from Pein's attack," Hiashi said, "I don't wish her to over exert herself at this time."

"I understand," Naru agreed, "and I promise not to have Hinata do anything she does not feel up to doing."

"Very well, you may visit with Hinata," Hiashi said, "Someone will bring you to her in just a moment, just have the first person you find outside the office lead you to her."

"Of course, thank you very much, Hyūga-sama." Naru said as she bowed out of the office, and turned to find someone to lead her to Hinata, "Oh Neji, just the person I needed."

"Naru?" Neji asked, "Why are you here?"

"I gotta talk to Hinata about something she noticed during Pein's attack," Naru said, "I just got Hiashi's permission would you mind bringing me to her?"

TBC

-*- -*- -*- -*- I/N -*- -*- -*- -*-

So I know this chapter just runs on and is unsatisfactory I wish it was a better chapter, I promise that the next chapter will be better. Thank you for your continued support.