Title: Selfish

Disclaimer: I don't think Naruto is a yaoi manga...

Summary: In which a simple action yielded a consequence far dire than expected. Everything changes when a ten-year-old Namikaze Naruto gets adopted into the Uchiha clan. (AU, Yaoi, OOC)

Chapter 1 - Gathering of Thoughts

Flashback

"What's the meaning of this?" Itachi questioned, desperate for an answer. "Why would you do something like this?"

"You make it sound like I can do nothing wrong, Itachi. What makes you think there's a reason for this?"

"You aren't that type of person to murder your caretakers" Itachi's sharingan flashed angrily. "Tell me why and I might just let you get away unscathed."

"Oh? I'm unsure of whether or not to feel honored for being someone powerful enough for you to kill."

"Sarcasm doesn't fit you" Itachi bit back. "What has the clan done to you?" he asked, voice softening. "Mikoto treated you just like another one of her children. Why did you massacre the entire clan?"

Blue eyes glowed eerily in the darkness as the red moon bathed everything in a crimson light. "Because...when you didn't save me, I saved myself" was the whispered reply before the person vanished in a swirl of dark energy.

"Why?" Itachi's voice wavered as he knelt to pick up his unconcious younger brother. "Why didn't you tell me? I would've done anything to help you and you know that...

Naruto..."

End of Flashback

Itachi gasped as he shot up in bed. It was two years since that event has occurred and he's been having the same dream - no - nightmare for the past few weeks. 'An omen?...' He frowned as he ran a hand through sweaty locks. It has been a year since his family was murdered...by someone who was adopted into the family a year before the massacre, a year since he's seen...Naruto.

Flashback

"Itachi, we'll be adopting a child into the family. I suggest that you and Sasuke will treat him like you would to each other" Uchiha Fugaku informed his eighteen-year-old heir.

"Hai" the raven replied monotonously, wondering why his father would suddenly want another child - an adopted one at that.

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"Boku wa Namikaze Naruto. (I am Namikaze Naruto.) Domo yoroshiku. (Nice to meet you)" a boy the age of nine greeted Itachi and Mikoto.

"Oh my. Fugaku, dear, you seem to know who to pick" Mikoto's eyes gained a fangirl like glint. "Such an adorable and well mannered child."

Itachi could see why his mother thought so. Windblown golden spikes made a halo around the child's cherub like face that was pale and unmarred. Large crystalline blue orbs were framed by long lashes that castes shadows as they fluttered close at each blink. Plump pink lips added to Naruto's child like demeanor. An petite body made the kid look fragile and evoked a sense of protectiveness. But then Itachi, as a well trained shinobi and an Anbu captain for a year, felt that underlying tone of danger emitting from the delicate looking child. "What are you?" he had whispered.

"Don't be rude, Itachi" Mikoto reprimanded him, "questioning an obviously human child what he is..."

"No, Mikoto" Fugaku shot an amused look at his oldest son. "Itachi is right in being cautious. This boy has already been an Anbu for a year and was the Kyuubi container. It makes him all the more to be wary around, no?"

"Was, father?" Itachi questioned.

"Ah, the Kyuubi is gone. The Sandaime said that the demon has merged with the boy two years ago. Welcome Naruto into the family and tell Sasuke to come down to meet him."

Itachi gave his new brother another glance before heading upstairs to get Sasuke.

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"How come I've never seen you in the Anbu quarters?" Itachi asked the blond as he sat next to the said boy on the bed. It was time to sleep and the raven had just showed the preadolescent to his room.

"Sarutobi-sama found it more...useful...for me to stay near him" Naruto answered, slipping under the covers.

"Kagemusha..." the raven muttered in recognition.

"Ah...you seem to have figured out my identity...Karasu."

"Welcome into the family, Naruto-kun."

End of Flashback

Itachi sighed as the memory of their first meeting assaulted him. It took a while for the child Anbu to get used to being taken care of as the blond has been alone for the majority of his nine-year-old life. His father had yet to mention the reason for adopting the child nor hinted at a motive for keeping the Anbu near. It wasn't until 8 months after the adoption did Fugaku did anything that could possibly relate to his reasons for adopting the Namikaze.

Flashback

It was a busy day for everyone in the Uchiha compound. Many of the maids were rushing around to finish placing the last minute details for the ceremony. The rest of the Uchihas were lingering around conversing in groups. Itachi eavesdropped on a group of branch women members as he stood still for his maid to help him into his elaborate kimono.

"What was Fugaku-sama thinking when he decided to marry Itachi-kun off to that monster?!" a woman, whom Itachi noted as the mother of Aya (the cousin who has a crush on him), mumbled venomously to her fellow group mates.

"Didn't you know, Midori?!" the other woman gasped, placing a hand delicately over her heart as if she was going to faint. "Naruto-sama is Yondaime-sama's son!"

"Aoi-san is correct" the more serious of the three informed. "Treat him nicely. He's also part of the main branch. It's a pity though. I would've loved to have my eldest son, Yukio, with Naruto-sama."

Aoi raised an eyebrow. "Tsukiko, you do know that Yukio is much older than Naruto-sama right? I believe he's 23 this year?"

"Age is but a number" the woman replied calmly. "The child is beautiful and would grow up to be even more gorgeous than his father. It wouldn't be a surprise many people would be vying for the child's hand in marriage soon. Besides, Itachi-sama is seven years older than Naruto-sama."

Midori paused to consider the fact and slowly nodded her head. "Itachi-sama would've made a better match with Aya though."

"Hardly. Get your mind out of the clouds, dear" Tsukiko rolled her eyes. "You don't seem to understand the true meaning behind this engagement. Fugaku-sama is using this ceremony to bind the Namikaze clan to the Uchiha Clan as the heir to the Namikaze clan is too young to hold the position as of yet. Do you understand now?"

Itachi couldn't hear the rest of their conversation as his mother called him over.

"You're looking wonderful, Itachi" Mikoto complimented as she smoothed the imaginary creases on his kimono sleeves. "I know it's too young for Naru-chan to be engaged...I don't know what your tou-san was thinking when he decided this...but I have to say, Naru-chan would've been engaged a while ago to the daimyo's son if Fugaku haven't kept denying the requests. You might think this is asking too much of you, dear, but I want you to protect Naru-chan."

"Protect? Okaa-san, Naruto-kun is as powerful and possibly more powerful than I am" Itachi questioned confused.

"No, silly. Naru-chan is strong...he's been trained at such a young age. What I mean is I want you to protect his sanity, Itachi. He's never had a childhood and now we're forcing him into an arranged marriage. Help him shoulder some of the responsibility because he's never had someone to do so. Now, go. Naru-chan will be joining you when the ceremony begins."

End of Flashback

A small smile appeared on his lips as he tried to hold in a chuckle, thinking about the even that happened during the yui-no (engagement ceremony). Had Aya been alive and watching, she would've squealed at the sight he was making. When Itachi sat up in bed, his blanket had slid to his waist, revealing his toned chest. His hair was loose and pooling around his shoulder while his head was tilted slightly in thought. The moonlight shining through his window completed the scene, glinting off the silver necklace, making it look serene and sighed as he got out of bed. It was so large and empty without the warm, soft body that laid beside him every night. They didn't do anything else of course. Naruto was still a preadolescent and the Uchiha would've been considered a pedophile (as he is now of age) if he took advantage of the engagement just to satisfy his urges. He did his daily wake up routine and began his walk to the Hokage tower. The Sandaime had called for him yesterday after he had told him that he has been having reoccurring dreams. He unconsciously lifted a hand and caressed the platinum necklace around his neck. It was Naruto's engagement present for him. The necklace, apparently, strengthened the bond between the two of them to the extent that they can feel each other's strong emotions. Naruto, in return, received the second ring of a matching pair - a silver eastern dragon biting it's own tail with a ruby as its eye (while his own has a sapphire). 'I wonder if he still has it on him...'

"Ah, Itachi-kun, lost in thought as always" Sarutobi joked as the Anbu captain entered his office.

"Sandaime-sama" the Uchiha greeted, taking a seat.

"You say you're having reoccurring dreams about things that happened starting from the adoption of Naruto-kun?" the Hokage asked, getting to the point immediately.

"I believe it's an omen."

"It is possible. But your heart has always been calling out for him no? It wouldn't be a surprise your wishful thinking is causing the reoccurring dreams"

"Hn" Itachi didn't give a real answer to the question, but both of them knew that that's a likely explanation.

"I'd say it's probably a prediction that you'll see him again soon. However, your dreams aren't the only thing that I want to speak to you about" Sarutobi stared at the younger shinobi. "Naruto-kun left me a note saying that I have the right to tell you everything about him when he's gone. As you can see, you've gotten your Mangekyou cause you've lost him - your most important person. While it's not literally, figuratively, the two of you have nearly severed your bond. Only you're clinging to the threads holding it together. Are you willing to listen and not be judgmental?"

Itachi nodded, wondering what could've been so serious for his love to have his secrets told this early in the relationship.

"Let me tell you a story. The true story of the Kyuubi attack that happened eleven years ago" The old man inhaled on his pipe. "Eleven years ago, the Kyuubi attacked the village. It came from the west gate and was four hours away. Jounins and Anbu were sent to distract the beast until the Yondaime could go help. During that time, the chunins were all sent to evacuate the civilians. The Yondaime was delayed and the Kyuubi was getting closer. Did you know? Kushina, Naruto's mother, was going into labor that time. Coincidentally, the jutsu that Minato was going to use to contain the beast required a newborn baby. Naruto was chosen. Immediately after he was born and Kushina dead from birth complications, Minato brought his child on the head of Gamabunta to the Kyuubi and began the sealing." Sarutobi sighed. "But the nine-tails didn't want to get sealed into a child or any vessel either. It thrashed around, trying to escape the hands of the shinigami. When its soul was dragged out of its body, it laughed. As only the Yondaime could see the soul of the Kyuubi, only he heard the words. 'Hahaha! It's a pity you'll be dead after this!' the demon roared. "But, I shall leave your son an appropriate parting gift! Undaunted by heat of flame, unabated by waters deep, unscathed by swords' end, untouched by hands of death....for all of eternity! (1)" Minato was crushed. He knows that the villagers will not treat his son like a hero after the sealing even if he wanted it, but when they realized that his son won't age after a certain age, the child would be exiled and tortured. It was too late to do anything though. The beast have vanished and he took his last breath after relaying everything to me. The shinigami, however, stayed there a while longer after the Fuuin: Shiki Fujin was performed. The death god decided that Naruto would be a perfect accomplice due to his curse and turned the boy into a necromancer."

Itachi was stunned into silence at all the secrets that the blond kept.

"Do you understand now why Naruto looks ethereal? It's because he's not human anymore. That necklace he gave you contains mana, the source of his energy. That's the core of the jewelry's ability. Your chakra reacts based on your emotions and when it's strong, it triggers the mana in the object, telling Naruto what you're feeling. The same goes for him, but in reverse. This bond also passes on to you part of his immortality. Thus the reason for why your mangekyou isn't causing your eyes to deteriorate. The mana increases your healing rate. However, it's not time to go in depth about your engagement gifts. I want whatever was said in this room to remain silent. If you ever meet up with Naruto, do not provoke him. Remember that you're the only one trying to piece up your broken relationship at the moment. I hope you will not hold a grudge against Naruto for his condition. But I cannot hold against you for despising his actions against your clan."

Itachi nodded, head spinning with the sudden rush of information. "I am not prejudice. I cannot hate him. I am sure there's a reason for why Naruto-kun did what he did."

"Is it cannot or will not?" Sarutobi questioned, a teasing grin appearing on his face.

The Uchiha shot him a disgruntled look, bowed and stood to take his leave.

"Itachi, I've decided that it's time for your team to take on a C-Rank mission. Make sure everyone gets here on time."

Amegakure: Akatsuki Hideout

Pein sat at the head of the table and glanced around as he waited for all the Akatsuki members to gather. As of currently, the organization is separated into two groups - the Akatsuki members and the bounty hunters. The Akatsuki members were those who were powerful enough to receive the rings and only ten were qualified. Ironically, the first Akatsuki member to receive the ring aside from the true leader, Madara, was Naruto, an eleven-year-old who have been in the organization for a year already. He, himself, received the third ring. When everyone from the inner circle took their seat and the others lined against the wall, he started the meeting. He was serving as the co-leader while Madara stayed hidden. Naruto was the only one to know where the man has hidden himself, but was to keep watch of the organization and report to the Uchiha.

"Listen up" Pein ordered, his rinnegan flashing to scare everyone into compliance. He wish he had Naruto's ability of speech that could send shivers down everyone's spine, S-class missing-nin or not. "As you have noticed, there are two empty seats within the inner circle. We have decided that Iwase Deidara and Hoshigaki Kisame will be moving up in ranks. The others may leave."

The room was silent as the rest of the bounty hunters other than the two mentioned left the room. When everyone not part of the meeting was out, Pein continued. "When I mentioned that the two of you were chosen to take the places within the inner circle, it's not an automatic entry. Both of you will be taking tests to prove your worth - entrance exams if you wish to call it. The two of you will have a mentor from the inner circle. If you pass, they will become your permanent partner, otherwise you will remain as bounty hunters for the organization."

The two non-Akatsuki members glanced at each other in question.

"What are the benefits of being an Akatsuki members, un?" the clay expert asked.

"Nothing much other than an increase in earnings and higher ranked missions that you will be taking with another partner."

"If you wish for a notorious status, becoming an Akatsuki member means being marked down as an S-class missing nin in the bingo book" Naruto added, voice smooth and hypnotic, providing a sense of tranquility while having an underlying edge of malice. The shinobi in the room all shuddered even those who have heard him speak so many times before. It caused them to drop their defense unconsciously and unintentionally even when they're focused on keeping their guards up.

"What's the exam?" the shark-like man inquired, noticing that there's nothing else the group could chip in.

"It's quite simple" Konan informed. "You're required to accomplish one mission successfully by yourself. This mission has a huge financial impact on the organization of course, and lastly, you'll be asked to get the Akatsuki ring back from one of the two members who left."

The two nodded as they have nothing better to do - they might as well earn more money doing better work.

"Very well, Iwase Deidara will be partnered with Akasuna Sasori. Hoshigaki Kisame, you're coming with me" Naruto cut in, standing up. "Your tests will start tomorrow. Be prepared. Your mentors will be evaluating you on this mission."

TBC...

Author's Note: (1) This was taken from the manga Fallen Moon by Toui Hasumi

Ahehehe -sweatdrop-. Another fic again -sigh-. I had this idea (more like a bunch of ideas mixed together) for a while and it wouldn't leave me alone...plus it's a new idea...or I think it is...I never read one where Naruto takes Itachi's role. I just dug this one out from my fanfiction folder and edited it. Anyways, this one's ItaNaru of course (maybe a little MadaNaru like my other story...hmmm). If you don't like...well you've gotten this far...I have no comment.

I hope I'll be able to update and finish my other stories. I promised some people that chapter 4 of Of Wind and Fire will be out by this month and it's currently 3/4 completed! I'm going to have to put When Life Gets Complicated on hold as I don't have any ideas to follow it up yet.

The Akatsuki sounds so much like Death Eaters from Harry Potter, but the bounty hunters part of the organization won't appear much in the story. Sorry for all those flashbacks, but this chapter should be the only one with flashbacks after almost every paragraph...I hope. Enjoy!