Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto. That's all.

Akumade Mo

By: Blade-kun

"Oi."

A small blonde looked up from his swing to see a tall, dark haired boy standing before him, illuminated by the moonlight.

"Who are you?" the boy asked.

Instead of answering, the older asked, "What are you doing here?"

The blonde fidgeted. "Um…well, I'm not supposed to be here, cause it's late, but it's quieter now, and no one's here to look at me funny."

"Why would they do that?"

"Because…they say I'm a monster."

Silence.

"Are you sad?"

The blonde looked up, then away. "Kinda…but it's okay. It only hurts for a while. They've been doing it forever. You're the first person who hasn't. How come?"

The elder shrugged. "You're too small to be a monster. I'm the real monster."

"You are?"

"Yes."

The boy saddened. "You must be lonely, too."

There were a few moments of silence as the dark-haired one stared at the blonde, who stared at the ground.

"Do you want to come with me?"

The blonde looked up. "…You want me…to come with you…?"

"If you wish."

The boy stared at him as he held out his hand. After a long moment, the small blonde hesitantly reached out and took it.

"Okay…"

Life was simple. Kill, eat, and sleep. Those were the basics.

Unless one lived with Uchiha Itachi.

Naruto stared out the window passively, a sword resting in his arms and a black coat decorated with red clouds over his shoulders. He had lived with Itachi for 7 years now, ever since the elder had come to him one day in Konoha and asked him if he wanted to leave. Naruto didn't know Itachi at all then, but had accepted anyway. Now he lived within the confines of the Akatsuki organization with his dark-haired 'brother', although his existence to them was only half known. They knew him as the promising boy that stayed with Itachi, a powerful fighter who occasionally accompanied the elder on some missions, or otherwise sat in Itachi's room and waited for his return.

They knew not of the Kyuubi within him. It was a secret he and his foster brother had sealed.

Life with Itachi was a bunch of up and downs. Sure it seemed simple, but Itachi was possessed of strange whims, which possessed him at times to do strange things, and ask odd or even ridiculous favors of Naruto. Once before he'd left for a mission, he made Naruto swear to watch the sky the entire time he was gone. Naruto had grudgingly obliged, even depriving himself of food and sleep.

Fortunately, Itachi was only gone for three days.

Of course Naruto had observed nothing new, odd, or out of place about the sky, and to his distaste, when he asked the elder as to why he was told to Itachi denied him an answer. To this day, he still had no earthly idea why Itachi had asked that of him

It made him wonder why he'd ever gone with the strange, whimsical ex-ANBU.

Naruto had left with Itachi that fateful day for one, maybe two reasons: Itachi had wanted him to come, to be around him, something no one else had ever wanted of Naruto. And Naruto felt somehow, he could trust him.

Itachi taught him everything. He told him everything. Naruto remembered one night four years ago when Itachi had gathered him into his lap and quietly confessed his sin, his killing of his entire clan, and how he had spared only his brother. Naruto had listened and understood. He thought no less of Itachi. He wondered if there was anything Itachi could do that would make him think less of him.

Probably not.

Unless he sided with that snake traitor who Naruto despised with every particle of his being. That would just be wrong.

Fortunately, Itachi detested the snake man almost as much as he did. Only he was much more subtle about it.

"Naruto."

Naruto glanced away from the window over to Itachi.

"Yeah?"

"I have something I'd like you to do."

Naruto nodded slowly. "Which is?"

"I'm sending you back to Konoha."

Naruto frowned. "What for?"

"I want you to watch my brother."

Naruto blinked. "You've got to be kidding me. You're sending me off for so stupid a task? They don't want me back there. They'll probably kill me as soon as I arrive. There'd better be a good reason for this."

"There is. Orochimaru."

Naruto bristled at the name. "That snaky son of a bitch? What about him?"

"He wants Sasuke."

A pause. "He wants your brother."

"Yes."

Naruto turned back to the window. "Big deal."

"Naruto."

"What?"

"I do not want Orochimaru to have him."

"So you stop him."

"I can't. It would give away too much. As far as Konoha is concerned, I kidnapped you. As far as they believe, I took you to use the Kyuubi within you. You will be safe there. All you have to do is watch Sasuke."

Naruto sighed. "Why can't I just kill him? Wouldn't it be quicker?"

"Naruto."

"Yeah, yeah. Your little ending, the true successor of your clan, either you kill him, or he kills you. Your stupid plan is such a pain in my ass."

Itachi smiled a little. "Thank you, Naruto."

"Meh. Shut up."

Itachi gracefully obliged and sat down beside Naruto, pulling the pouting fox-boy into his lap and wrapping his arms loosely around him. Naruto raised an eyebrow as he glanced up at the elder's face.

"Aren't I a little old for this?" he asked.

"Is that a complaint?"

Naruto shrugged, "Just wondering." He settled himself back against Itachi.

For moments the quiet dragged on before Naruto popped the question.

"Why?"

Itachi looked down. "Why what?"

Naruto kept his eyes closed. "Why did you spare your brother?"

Itachi didn't answer for a moment. Instead, he rested his head on top of Naruto's.

"You'll soon find out for yourself."

"So this is it huh? I'm really gonna do this?"

Naruto glanced up from where he sat on a tree branch, one leg dangling and loosely holding his sword, at Itachi, who stood calmly beside him.

"Yes," Itachi said, "Just remember what I told you, and use your wits if trouble stirs. I'll be in contact with you." He glanced around and pointed. "There," he said, "I'll meet you there every week on the last day at sundown. Until then, just be on the lookout."

Naruto nodded, memorizing the spot. He then sighed and looked over Konoha. "It's been so long since I've been here. It still looks the same." He bowed his head. "I don't know what I'm gonna do."

"Well, I've heard the other two Sennin are here, and one is soon to become Godaime."

Naruto started. "Is the old man dead?"

"No, just as you said, old," Itachi glanced back, "Granted, the other isn't young, but nonetheless…"

Naruto followed the other's eyes. "They getting close?"

"Yes. It's time for me to go."

Naruto pouted ever so slightly, eyes downcast. Itachi noticed.

"It won't be forever, Naruto," he said, "Just be--"

"Patient, yeah, I know," he finished, then grinned, "Kinda sucks though I had to leave my coat behind. You better take care of it."

Itachi nodded and both turned in the direction they could sense others coming. Naruto turned to Itachi.

"Do it to me."

Another nod of acknowledgement before Itachi pulled free his sword and slashed Naruto several times. Naruto hissed in pain.

"That should do it," Itachi said, "Remember, do not use any of my jutsus that they would be familiar with."

"Yeah I know," Naruto said, holding the gash on his arm, "Take care of my coat."

Itachi only nodded before disappearing. Naruto stood.

"Well, time to get started."

He hopped from the tree and began to run.

Itachi watched him, hidden.

"Good luck…Naruto…"

He vanished.

Kakashi frowned in disapproval. How strange. He could have sworn he felt the chakra here. The ANBU team with him pulled to a halt as he glanced around.

"They're gone?" one said.

Kakashi leaned over a patch of foliage smeared with blood. He wiped a bit and examined it.

'They're slipping up…' "They moved on," he said, "One of them is wounded."

"I sense movement of chakra in that direction," another said, pointing. "It's a little slower than before."

Kakashi followed the blood trail on the ground to the same direction. "It's the wounded one. Let's move."

The others nodded and dashed off, Kakashi leading. He kept his eyes trained on the small trails of blood dotting the ground occasionally and certain branches. The chakra signal was getting closer. Soon they would be upon it.

Suddenly it stopped.

Kakashi started and jerked out a hand, stopping abruptly. All movement ceased a split second before something lunged at him. He saw light glint off a blade and dodged, lashing out and striking his attacker. The person flew back and stumbled to the ground, skidding before rolling to their feet.

"Identify yourself," he commanded.

The shadow let out a low curse and slowly turned to him. Kakashi let out a breath.

Blond hair, blue eyes…it couldn't be…

"Sir…isn't that…?" an ANBU gasped out.

Kakashi stared. 'The missing vessel…Naruto…?'

Naruto narrowed his eyes. "Bastard!" he growled, "The hell was that for!"

"Identify yourself," he repeated.

"Who cares who I am!" he snarled, "It never mattered before! Though I'll credit you on a hell of a greeting!"

Kakashi frowned. "Is it you…? Are you Uzumaki Naruto?"

"What's it to you?" was the reply.

"Are you?" Firmer this time, more demanding.

A shrug. "So what if I am?" he grinned wickedly, "Yeah, it's me, the bastard, parentless demon nobody of Konoha. What, are you saying you weren't happy I was gone? I figured you'd appreciate to be rid of the sin."

Kakashi glared. "You assume too much. Where have you been? Why have you returned now?"

"You sure this is the time and place for this?" was the mocking response, "If you must know, I was being chased, but I'm guessing my pursuer sensed you guys and backed off. I guess I should be thanking you."

Kakashi was silent for a moment before slowly approaching the blonde, stopping only a few feet away. He scanned his eyes up and down Naruto, said boy watching quietly. After a few moments, the elder sighed.

"Come with me," he said, "The Hokage will need to be informed of your return."

Naruto gave him a malicious, almost bitter grin.

"Gee, it's so great to be home."

"What!"

The Hokage and Tsunade turned and stared as Kakashi ushered Naruto in, Jiraiya observing from the shadows.

"We detected two chakra sources outside the village and tracked them. We found him, but the other got away."

Sarutobi looked over Naruto and smiled slightly. "It's good to see you again, Naruto."

Despite himself, Naruto couldn't help but smile back. "Ji-chan."

"Uzumaki Naruto," Tsunade spoke up, stepping forward, "Care to tell us where you've been these past seven years?"

Naruto turned to her. "Sorry. Who are you?"

"Her name is Tsunade," Sarutobi replied, "She is one of the three legendary Sennin, along with Jiraiya in the corner, and is soon to be the 5th Hokage."

"What, ji-chan, retiring in your old age?" Naruto smirked.

Tsunade frowned. "Show some respect for your elders, brat."

"Hmph. Elders indeed."

Tsunade growled, but the Third waved her off.

"Calm down," he said, "Naruto, please answer the question."

Naruto glanced around at every person in the room before turning back to the Third. "Well, if you have to know I was kidnapped by that weirdo. He took me with him to some weird organization and kept me under surveillance there. They trained me, but I was more their prisoner than their guest. They let me roam about freely, but kept an eye on me at all times. If they sent me on a mission, I had an escort. About a week ago, I was sent on an outing, but my escort got careless and went off to investigate something or other. I saw the opportunity and took off. I didn't really think of coming here until a few days ago. At first I was just trying to get away."

The Third nodded. "I see. Did they keep you in the dark about their doings?"

"For the most part, unless I was given a mission. They did smuggle me into a Chuunin exam once."

"A Chuunin exam? For what village? Did you pass?"

"Yeah, I passed. They put me under this village, but only after confirming I would be the only Leaf participant."

"I see," the Third glance at Kakashi, "Do you have any information on this organization? Any at all?"

"I forget the name," he grinned, "But they are interested in power. They do though hate one person, and it's only one thing they and I agree on."

"And who is that?"

"That bastard snake freak, Orochimaru."

All occupants started.

"Have you met him? Personally?" Jiraiya spoke for the first time.

"Yeah, once. And I despise him. I want the guy dead even more than they do. I dream of the day I could see him splattered over the walls in itty bitty pieces," Naruto spaced out for a second, entertaining the thought, "But he's obnoxiously persistent at staying alive."

"Indeed…"

A few moments of silence dragged on before the Third cleared his throat.

"Well, in that case…Naruto, I will reinstate you as a Konoha ninja, and allow you to keep your Chuunin status following a background check to verify what you said. You will be assigned to Kakashi's team. He only has two students, who are also Chuunins."

Naruto frowned but nodded. 'Well, it's a start. I still need to find the Uchiha though…'

The Third rummaged through his draw before drawing out a blue headband and handing it to Naruto.

"Here," he said, carefully placing it in the blonde's hand, "This is your hitai-ate. Take care of it."

Naruto stared at it and smiled slightly. "Thanks, ji-chan."

Tsunade then stepped forward and grabbed his shoulder. "Come here, brat."

"Oi! What're you doing, baa-chan!"

She tensed and shoved him into a chair a little more forcefully than intended. "Shut up. You're injured. I'm a healer, so just be quiet and let me do my job."

Naruto scowled, but complied. She tugged at his shirt and he grudgingly pulled it off. The Third returned to his desk, chuckling, and Kakashi leaned against a nearby wall. Tsunade examined the gashes and ordered a kit, which was given to her in moments, proceeding to clean and patch the injuries, healing the deeper ones. She refrained from healing the others as payback for the 'baa-chan' comment.

"There," she said finally, "Now get lost, brat."

Naruto smirked. "Thanks, baa-chan."

She tensed and whapped him in the head. Kakashi stepped forward.

"Oi,oi. Naruto, let's go"

"Meh. Whatever."

The Third watched them leave. "Seven long years. I wonder how much he has changed. And how much he has endured."

Only time would tell.

To be continued…