A/N: Sorry I took so long to update. I'm writing like three other fics and one has my utmost attention.
I decided to give Kushina a bigger role then I intended, although when I started writing this, I had no intention to put her in this story. Funny how things work out. And I doubt there'll be any but just to make sure there's no confusion, I'll say it right now. Itachi and Kushina love each other like a mother and son would. No romance between those two. This is a ItachixHana fic after all.
Also I'm wondering who I should make Itachi and Hana's final teammate from when they were younger. I'm leaning towards Anko, but I can be persuaded otherwise, I do know I want it to be a girl though. And don't be afraid to go outside the box. Meaning if it's a dead person or someone to old or young, I can make it were they never died or change their age, of course I have to like the idea of that person being on their team.
Another thing I might do is bring back Konan. She would have never died and runs the rain village. And there'll be an alliance between the leaf and rain, giving me an excuse to have her come to the leaf. There'll be interaction between Konan and Itachi, non romantic though.
Oh yeah one more thing...I knew (spoiler alert) Obito was Tobi! I've been saying it the whole time! High five to those who knew it too.
Itachi looked upon the house that he and his daughter would be living in, he couldn't help but notice how much it looked like the house he grew up in. Itachi shook off the oncoming memories of his childhood and knocked on the door with his daughter on tow.
"Itachi? What are you doing here?" Naruto asked.
"It appears we'll be staying here from now on. I hope we won't be a bother." Itachi stepped into the house.
"Oh. Cool." Naruto led them into the kitchen. He was about to call out to his mom, but was stopped by Itachi. Naruto looked curiously at Itachi, as he silently stalked up behind Kushina, who was doing the remaining dishes. Itachi reach out to grab her shoulder, but was met with a pair of fingers poking him in the forehead.
"Nice try Itachi." Kushina smirked. "You should know after all these years that you can't sneak up on me."
"I did it once." Itachi replied
"Yeah and what happened when you did?"
Flashback
"Kuku!" a three-year old Itachi called out from the living room.
"What is it?" Kushina asked as she walked into the room.
"I want to go visit Mina." Kushina couldn't help but giggle at Itachi's nickname for Minato. It would always embarrass Minato, because it sounded like a name for a girl and no matter how hard he tried he couldn't get Itachi to stop calling him that, he always failed. "Do you think he would mind?"
"I'm sure he would be glad to see you." Kushina smiled.
"You're not coming?"
"I'll take you there, but I have to go grocery shopping. You wouldn't want to starve now would you?" Itachi shook his head, while he grinned inwardly. Everything was going according to his plan.
"Knock. Knock." Kushina and Itachi said as they walked into the Hokage's office.
"Huh? Oh hello Kushina, Itachi." Minato turned away from his paper work to greet the two. "What are you two doing here?"
"Little Ita wanted to pay you a visit." Kushina put her hand on Itachi's head and messed with his hair.
"What are you doing?" Itachi asked as he jumped and sat on Minato's lap.
"Just some boring paper work. Why don't you try doing this for me?" Minato sat Itachi at a little desk beside his, which was put there by Kushina. He then handed Itachi a Sudoku puzzle.
"Well you boys have fun."
"See you at home." Minato saw her off, then turned to Itachi only to freeze. "Itachi?! Itachi where are you?!" Minato yelled.
'Oh crap. Oh crap. Oh crap.' Minato started to frantically search around the room. After a few minutes off tearing apart his room someone called out to him.
"Sensei what are you doing?" Minato turned around to see Kakashi, Obito, and Rin looking at him like he lost his mind.
"Perfect timing! I need your help!" Minato pleaded.
"Why what happened?" Kakashi asked in his usual bored tone.
"I-I-I." Minato stuttered.
"You what?" all three curiously leaned forward.
"I lost Itachi!" the room fell into silence, as the three digested what he said.
"..."
"..."
"..."
"You what?!" they all shouted at him.
"You lost the little brat!" Kakashi looked shocked.
"You lost my little cousin!" Obito looked like he was gonna have a heart attack.
"You lost little Ita!" Rin looked, for a lack of a better word pissed.
"He was right there!" Minato pointed to the little desk. "Then I turn my away for one second then he's gone! He even managed to finish the Sudoku puzzle I gave him!"
"Kushina's gonna kill you!" they once again yelled in unison.
"I'll get her today." Itachi snickered to himself as he hid in Kushina's closet. He worked everything out, he knew that Kushina would get groceries that day. That's why he asked to go see Minato, to get away from Kushina. If he didn't Kushina would've taken him with her and there was no way he could sneak away from her. It was like she had an Itachi radar. He could never sneak up or away from her. The only chance he had was when she got out of the bath since it relaxed her so much. Which Itachi knew she took after she would come home on a hot day, just like it was that day. So he waited for her to get home and take a bath. Most kids would've gotten bored by waiting so long, but Itachi could be extremely patience if need be.
1 Hour later
Kushina got out of the bath with a towel wrapped around her, as she made her way to her room. She opened her closet to get some clothes, which was what exactly Itachi was waiting for.
"Boo!" Itachi shouted.
"Kyaaaaaa!"
(Boom)
Itachi stared wide eyed at the fist that missed his face by inches and blew a whole in the wall at the back of the closet.
"Oh crap. Itachi are you ok?" Kushina asked, as she picked the shocked Itachi up and buried him in her chest. "Don't scare me like that."
"Yes Ma'am." he mumbled while his face was still buried in her chest.
"What are you doing here?" Kushina pulled him away from her and held him with her arms stretched out in front of her.
"I-I wanted to sneak up on you." Itachi averted his eyes as his feet hung in the air.
"Well it looks like you succeed." Kushina beamed. "It isn't everyday someone sneaks up upon Red Hot-Blooded Habanero." Kushina tickled Itachi causing him to giggle.
"Wait a second." Kushina stopped. "Does Minato know you're here?" Kushina questioned as she put him down.
"I don't think so." Itachi shook his head.
"Hmmmmm." Kushina started to wonder if she should tell him she had Itachi. 'Nah. I let him sweat. That's what he gets for taking his eyes off of Itachi.' Kushina snickered to herself.
'I know that look. Minato's in trouble.' Itachi couldn't help but feel guilty for what will to Minato when he got home.
Flashback End
"You nearly killed me." Itachi deadpanned. "That led to my paranoia of surprise attacks." Itachi admitted.
"And I'm sure that helped you stay alive all these years."
"I won't deny that."
"Then you're welcome little Ita." Kushina patted his head like when he was a kid, causing Itachi to sigh.
"Little Ita?" Naruto tried his best to hold back his laughter, but eventually let it out.
"Hey! Don't laugh at my papa!" Miko yelled, as she kicked Naruto in his shin.
"Oww! You little bra-!" Naruto began to say, but was cut off when a knife flew by his face.
"Little what?" Kushina said with a smile on her face that spelt death if Naruto gave the wrong answer.
"L-Little angel." Naruto patted Miko on the head, as he sweated bullets.
"That's what I thought." Kushina said.
"I like your nickname papa." Miko beamed as she looked up at him.
"Thank you." Itachi replied, as he poked her in her forehead.
"He does that to you to?" Sasuke said as he walked into the kitchen.
"Yeah." Miko pouted, even though she just like Sasuke liked it when he did that.
"I never did learn where you got that from?" Sasuke questioned.
"You would have her to thank for that." Itachi tilted his head to Kushina.
"Really?" Sasuke responded.
"Guilty as charged." Kushina said.
"How come you never did that to me?" Naruto asked.
"She was probably worried that it would cause you even more brain damage." Sasuke smirked.
"Sasuke you bas-" Naruto cut himself off.
"Bas?" Miko curiously tilted her head to the side. Naruto turned to look at her and saw the glare Itachi and Kushina were giving him.
"I...Uh...Ah forget it. I'm going to Ichiraku, anyone wanna come? I'm buying." Naruto said as he made his way to the door.
"That's a great idea. Right little Ita?" Kushina beamed.
"Yes it is." Itachi said with a nostalgic smile on his face. "It's been far too long since we last ate there."
"You two used to eat there?" Naruto questioned as he put on his shoes.
"All the time." Kushina replied as they all got ready to leave. "Why are you still wearing that cloak?" Kushina asked as she stopped Itachi by the door.
"I've grown quite fond of it." Itachi shrugged. "Also Miko likes to hide in it when she gets scared." Itachi continued.
'They're so different.' Kushina thought as she remembered how curious instead of scared Itachi was when he was a kid. 'Yet they look practically identical. Even more so if he was a kid. They could've been twins.'
"There's no reason for you to be scared. If anyone messes with you they'll deal with me. Now take off that cloak." Kushina stated, making Miko feel slightly better.
"Just for today." Itachi removed his cloak revealing the Akatsuki clothes he wore under the cloak.
"Much better. Now we can go." Kushina stated as she led the group out of the house.
"The great Itachi Uchiha getting pushed around by a stay at home mom." Sasuke smirked. "Who would've thought." Sasuke teased as he walked up beside his brother, while Itachi's other side was occupied by his daughter.
"Foolish little brother." Itachi shook his head. "You fail to see the raging storm looming on the horizon." Itachi cryptically supplied.
"What?"
"Kushina can be very nice and caring, but she also has a huge temper. You must pick and choose your battles with her." Itachi explained.
"Really? I mean, I already knew she can get mad, but you make it sound like something a whole lot worse."
"It is."
"You know I can hear you two right?" Kushina called out from the front of the group.
"Am I wrong?" Itachi responded.
"No." Kushina grumbled. "But I never went off on you."
"You didn't?" Itachi raised an eyebrow.
"If I did it was only because I was worried not mad."
"That's because I learned how to deal with you."
"And I you, Mr. Sweet Tooth." Kushina grinned and Itachi sighed. The group eventually came upon Ichiraku and Itachi couldn't help but wonder how Teuchi and Ayame would react when they saw him. Since Itachi and Kushina ate at Ichiraku consistently, they got to know the father and daughter quite well and he would hate for them to be scared of him.
The group walked in and sat in the seats, Naruto was the furthest to the left followed by Sasuke, Kushina, Itachi and Miko who sat on his lap,
"Hey old man can we get some service here?" Naruto called out causing Teuchi to turn around.
"Oh hey there Naruto. I see you brought your friend. Ah you brought your mother too." Teuchi smiled at his customers, but then he noticed Itachi. "Do I know you? You look awfully familiar."
"Ah come on old man." Kushina spoke up. "Think back." she then wrapped an arm around Itachi's shoulder and brought him close to her. Teuchi brought put a hand on his chin and started to think back. After a few seconds he saw an image of a young Itachi at different ages and Kushina sitting side by side eating ramen.
"Itachi! It's so good to have you back! I heard rumors that you were back, but I wasn't sure if they were true."
"It's good to be back. How have you and Ayame been?" Itachi gave a polite head bow.
"Still as a polite young man as ever. Your brother could learn from you."
"Tch." Sasuke turned his head away.
"Old man I'm dying here." Naruto whined.
"Sorry. Sorry. I'll take your orders in a second. Ayame get in here! There's someone here I think you'll like to see!" Teuchi called out.
"I'm coming!" Ayame answered. 'I wonder who's he talking about?' Ayame walked in the kitchen and scanned the restaurant and stopped on a certain raven haired Uchiha. 'No it can't be.' Ayame shook her head.
"Hello Ayame. It's nice to see you again." Itachi greeted her, causing her doubts to fade.
"I-Itachi?" Ayame's cheeks started to grow red. Itachi was quite aware that she had a crush on him ever since they met, but she never went fan girl crazy on his ass, so he was quite fond of her. "You're back?" Itachi nodded his head.
"Papa? Who is that lady?" Miko questioned, causing Teuchi and Ayame to notice her for the first time.
As Kushina watch what was happening she couldn't hide a smirk that found it's way on her face. There were two reasons for her smirk, the first one was Teuchi and Ayame's reaction, which was blinking and staring blankly at them. The second was the way Miko was possessively hugging her father and glaring at Ayame. Of course since Miko was a little kid the glare was cute instead of scary.
'Like father, like daughter.' Kushina mused. She remembered how possessive and protective Itachi was with his mother and her when he was a kid. It did become less noticeable as he grew older, but she could see how he tensed up whenever a shinobi would approach them. She even noticed on a few occasions Itachi would follow her when she met with the village elders. She had to give him credit for being able to listen in on those meeting without being noticed by anyone else, but then again he was Itachi Uchiha. And as cute as Itachi's possessive and protectiveness was to Kushina, she knew it stemmed from the fear of losing those close to you. Like he lost Obito to the war and almost lost Kushina the day of the Nine Tails attack. 'No point on dwelling on the past.' Kushina shook her head.
"Y-you have a daughter?" Ayame and her father questioned.
"Yes. Her names Miko. Say hello Miko." Itachi put a hand on her head.
"Hello." Miko reluctantly said. Miko really didn't like it when women hit on her dad and he was hit on a lot on their journey to the Leaf Village. And even though Ayame didn't hit on Itachi, she could see the signs of a crush, she was Itachi's daughter after all.
"Hi. My names Ayame."
"Duh." Miko rolled her eyes. Naruto, Sasuke, and even Kushina were shocked by how Miko went from a sweet and shy girl to well what they were seeing now. "Can we eat?" Miko asked once again glaring at Ayame causing Itachi to sigh and apologize.
After everyone got their food, they began eating it while never taking their eyes off Miko. They watched as she would switch from happily sharing a bowl of ramen with her father to glaring at Ayame whenever she looked at Itachi.
"What the heck is going on with your niece?" Naruto whispered to Sasuke.
"I don't know. I just met the kid today." Sasuke whispered back.
"She's just jealous that Ayame likes Itachi." Kushina explained.
"What she does?!" Naruto shouted then covered his mouth.
"Idiot." Sasuke rolled his eyes.
"Itachi was like that with me and Mikoto when he was younger, but he never had her attitude though." Kushina pointed at Miko.
"Then why is she like that?" Naruto questioned.
"She probably got her attitude from her mother. Itachi always did have a thing for fiery girls with a 'take no crap' attitude."
"You mean like you?" Sasuke raised an eyebrow.
"I raised him well." Naruto and Sasuke just rolled their eyes.
Itachi sighed as he slowly got out of bed careful not to wake Miko up. Itachi made his way to the back of the house, slid the door open and sat on the porch. He smiled as he looked up at the stars and let the fact that now he was home sink in. He couldn't believe he was given a second chance after everything he did. And to top things off, the most important people in his life were there. His daughter Miko, his brother Sasuke, Kushina the women who was like a second mother to him, Rin his late cousins teammate who was like an older sister, and of course his teammate and friend Hana.
"Can't sleep?" a voice called out behind him. Itachi turned around and saw Kushina walking towards him, wearing a dark blue Yukata nightgown.
"What gave it away?"
"Smart ass." Kushina smirked as she sat next to him. "So what's on your mind?"
"I just find it hard to believe that I was accepted so easily." Itachi answered referring to the people whose opinion mattered to him.
"You know for a genius you can miss the simplest thing sometimes." Kushina said after she poked him in the forehead.
"Care to explain?" Itachi asked causing Kushina to sigh. She then patted her lap, which Itachi chose to ignore. In his opinion he was far to old for that.
(Pat. Pat)
Of course Kushina thought other wise.
"Don't you think I'm to old for that?"
(Pat. Pat)
Apparently not. And if the consistent patting didn't prove it the glare she was giving him did. They stared at each other for half a minute until Itachi eventually relented, Kushina was a stubborn woman he knew that. So much to his slight embarrassment and Kushina's enjoyment he laid his head on her lap.
"So to explain why we all accepted you so easily is quite simple." Kushina turned her attention from the stars to Itachi. "You're family Itachi. We love you."
"It's that simple isn't it."
"Yup. Me and Rin never did believe the crap that everyone was saying about you. You don't want to know how much ass we had to kick, because someone was saying something bad about you." Kushina smiled down at him.
"Of course you did." Itachi chuckled. They sat there for a few minutes enjoying the company of each other, something they thought they would never get to do.
"So little Miko doesn't like to share her daddy, does she?" Kushina smirked down at him.
"So you noticed that."
"I'd have to be blind not too! It was adorable!"
"If you say so." they once again fell into silence and Kushina once again broke it.
"So now that you're back what will you do?" Kushina questioned.
"What do you mean?" Itachi replied with a question of his own.
"What I mean is, what will you do with your life? Will you become a ninja again?"
"I have no plans to become a ninja at the moment, but if the village ever needs me I'll do everything within my power to help it and it's people."
"Sounds good to me." Kushina smiled. "Maybe you could be a Jounin sensei."
"That thought has crossed my mind. The Genin these days are more worried about learning powerful jutsu's then learning the basic fundamentals, something that will most likely cost them their lives. But I doubt they would put me in such a position. Of course it was just a thought. Right now I'm content to enjoy the peaceful life of a civilian.
"I'll feel the same way." Kushina agreed, she herself hasn't been a ninja in years. "But if you ever do decide to become a Jounin sensei don't hesitate to. Any Genin would be lucky to have you as a sensei."
"I'll remember that." and once again they sat there in silence, until Kushina eventually broke it for the last time that night.
"It's good to have you home little Ita." Kushina whispered as she leaned down and gave him a kiss on the forehead, before she got up and went inside.
"I'm not a child anymore Kushina."
"No matter how old you become you will always be my little Ita." Kushina said over her shoulder. "And you will always have a home here. Good night."
"Good night." Itachi replied as he watched her turn the corner.
After a few minutes of sitting, Itachi went back to his room and crawled into bed. A sleeping Miko instinctively cuddled closer to him and gripped his shirt.
"I love you papa." Miko whispered in her sleep.
"I love you to Miko." Itachi kissed her on the head and slowly drifted to sleep.
While Itachi went to sleep, most of the shinobi who knew the truth behind the Uchiha Massacre weren't so lucky. Almost identical questions ran through their minds. Would they have been loyal enough to the village to do what Itachi did? Would they had been able to keep their sanity? Not many shinobi got much sleep that night.