Disclaimer: Naruto is copyright to Masashi Kishimoto, Shonen Jump, and potential others I currently don't know. I own nothing.

A/N at the bottom

She was sitting next to her husband, seiza, her elder son behind them. Sasuke was running late, for which she was thankful; the last thing she'd want him to see is this- his parents, calmly waiting for his older brother to kill them.

Speaking of which…

"Father… Mother… I—"

She interrupted him. "We understand, Itachi…"

"Itachi…" she heard Fugaku start, "Promise me one last thing." A small pause. "Take care of Sasuke."

It was silent for a moment, before she heard his response, his shaking sword barely audible alongside. "Understood…"

"Don't fear," her husband continued. So he picked up on Itachi's hesitance as well. "This is the path you chose to follow. Compared to the pain waiting on it, ours will be nothing." She could hear the sword rattle more, and could only imagine the look on Itachi's face; it hurt more than anything. "And despite our differing views, know that I am proud; and we love you."

A choked sob sounded behind her, before she heard steel stab flesh. Fugaku's blood stained the wood in front of her. She closed her eyes, waiting…before she gasped at a chop to her neck.

And then nothing.

The first thing she felt was a numbing pain; spreading all down her back, but most prominent at the back of her neck. She wondered why, briefly, before the recent events came rushing back. The end of the Uchiha clan…

Coal eyes slowly opened, knowing bright lights awaited, as she thought back to it. Her husband, her two young sons, her aunts and uncles and cousins… Everyone gone; either dead or on the run. She could only close her eyes and weep silently.

Some minutes passed, before she heard a door open to her left. She opened her eyes again and turned her head slightly as a young nurse walked in with an IV bag. The poor girl nearly dropped it, when she noticed Mikoto was awake.

"L-Lady Uchiha! Um, uh…please wait! I need to inform Lord Hokage you've awoken." Mikoto could only nod as the girl rushed, feeling how hoarse her throat was. How long was she out for, if she couldn't talk?

At least another ten minutes passed before the aged leader of the village walked in, posture relieved but face grim. He silently handed her a glass of water, which she hastily downed in one gulp, before shutting the door and sitting down in a nearby chair. A silence passed, before she choked out, "How long?"

"A week," he responded. "Mikoto—"

"I apologize, sir!" she interrupted, unable to stop herself. "I tried everything I could to get Fugaku to call off the revolt, but between him and the others who also called for it, I couldn't get anywhere and my failure cost everyone their lives and Itachi's chance for any sort of peace-"

"Mikoto." Hiruzen tried again, firmer, and she stopped. "Calm down. Itachi came to me after everything and explained why he left you and Sasuke alive-"

"Sasuke?!" She turned wide eyes to the elder, and moved to get out of bed. "I need t—AH!" The sudden flare of pain in her back, as well as the Hokage's hand, kept her in place.

"Let me finish," he commanded, tone soft. She winced, but nodded, laying back down. "Sasuke is currently in a therapy session with Inoichi Yamanaka," he explained, pulling an unopened envelope from his robes. "Itachi asked that I give this to you once you woke up."

Curious, Mikoto took the letter and the kunai the Hokage offered alongside it, and cut the top of the envelope open. Handing the knife back, she pulled the note from the envelope and unfolded it.

Mother,

If you are reading this, then you have, thankfully, woken up and spoken with Lord Hokage. Please ask him to send me a message saying you're awake; I will be in Tanzaku City for a month. I feel knowing that you are alright will make my journey as a missing ninja easier, however slight.

Sasuke is alive. Slightly after I knocked you unconscious, he entered the room. I told him I had done everything to test my capacity, before showing him the massacre with a genjutsu; I regret it. Even so, that is preferable to him finding out about father's plans for a civil war; PLEASE do not tell him of that. It will keep the Uchiha name clean and when he kills me to avenge the clan, he will be seen a hero.

I did this so his potential as a ninja will not waste away, and with you guiding him I know he will become the best he can. Please help him.

I am so, so very sorry for this. Whatever should happen to me as payment for this would be too good for me.

Love,

Itachi

By the end of it, Mikoto was crying yet again. It would take a few minutes, Sarutobi waiting patiently the whole time, before she could gather herself enough to hand back the letter and speak. "First paragraph; he asked that you message him that I'm awake. And tell him…" she sniffled, "I forgive him, and I'll always love him."

Hiruzen could only smile sadly. "Of course."

Anymore conversation was cut as a knock sounded and the door re-opened, a male nurse sticking his head. "Sir, Uzumaki is in the room next door with broken wrists. He requested you see him if you were available."

A sigh escaped the aged man's lips. "Yes, thank you. Tell him I'll be right there." As the nurse nodded and left, the Hokage found Mikoto giving him a curious, slightly awed stare.

"Uzumaki?"

"Kushina's son, yes. Naruto," he confirmed. "He's never in here for more than two days at a time, but with all his training accidents he's in here quite a bit. Honestly I think he does it on purpose sometimes so that he can miss school without trouble…" When he was met with silence, he turned back to find Mikoto staring at the doorway, seemingly in thought.

After a few seconds, she once again made eye contact. "Sir, once I can leave this bed, may I meet him? I've neglected my friend's only child long enough."

"Yes, of course." Hiruzen smiled. "I think Kushina would be pleased to know you're looking out for Naruto, now."

"She would probably beat me to a pulp, first." The two laughed at that, and as the Hokage went to speak to the seven year old, Mikoto gained a thoughtful smile. Meeting the boy would only be the first step. If things went well, then by the end of the month, Naruto would have the loving family he deserved and had been robbed of for too long.

Alright, so, if anyone has read "Forever Brothers", I'm back! Hopefully this time for good, since I have more time on my hands. I've condensed the Massacre to Itachi's last words with his parents, from Mikoto's second point of view. I also removed the bit with Naruto's birth.

Naruto and Sasuke will come in next chapter, hopefully Mikoto's adoption plans will come out next chapter, and other thinks I can't think of right now; it's 2 AM.

No beta yet; lost contact with my last one. Although, Chosha, if you're reading… :D

Anyway, same stuff as last time, generally. NaruHina, SasuSaku (you know they're canon, right? *throws party*); I'll leave Brothers up for a reference and so you guys can see how things have changed. Review box is just below. Constructive criticism is encouraged, praises are always nice. Flames equal S'Mores for me and none for the flamer.

Later!