Prologue

It all started with a single, admittedly stupid, moment. For once, it wasn't even the blond who had done it. Despite being Konoha's number one knucklehead ninja, Naruto could honestly say that none of this was his fault. Believe it it not, this had actually been caused by a certified genius of all people. Naruto refused to take the blame for his affliction; after all, it wasn't his fault that he had fallen in love with one of his village's most abhorred Nukenin. Not to mention that, technically speaking, the raven hadn't actually done anything yet.

Other than use a jutsu he read off a scroll without practice like a dumbass, that is.

Whatever. Naruto couldn't really bring himself to care all that much. Itachi was the reason he could now, honest to God, have a reason to hate politics. More than that, even, it gave the blond a reason to want to instill change in the world. Jiraiya would be proud of him now, he was sure, but it was Kushina the perverted sage connected with on a spiritual level. It was kind of odd to think that Minato was the one he taught…

It was also odd to think that the man who would be his dad, the one renown for all his kindness, could be such an asshole. Honestly, it was a good thing Minato finally accepted the younger blond, because at the rate things were going, Naruto had been contemplating teaching Obito exactly how permanent fluorescent pink hair dye could be. Ah well, a problem for another time.

Thinking back on it, Naruto was honestly a little shocked at just how far he and Itachi had come. The blond didn't know if he had the power or motivation to look back on things. Itachi had access to a photographic Kekkei Genkai, however, so it wasn't like the memory would be lost. Minato had asked them recently if they wanted to go back, but Naruto knew; there wasn't anything to go back to. The timeline was different this time around, and while it may be unprecedented, the blond shinobi was determined to wait this one out.

Jumping into things head first had consequences, after all.

"Naruto, what are you doing up here?" a soft voice asked from directly behind the tired blond.

"Reminiscing, I suppose," he responded, turning. "Did you need me for something?"

Smiling softly, the raven gently tugged on a ragged lock of bright hair before speaking again.

"Reminiscing? You spent all day meditating and you haven't had enough time in your own head?"

The sky had faded to a dark azure color, and the birds were settled in the trees. Crickets had begun their song, families cozying themselves away for the night. Konoha was peaceful in a way it never was during the day; constantly bustling with movement and energy, Shinobi going back and forth to complete their duties and civilians living their lives to the fullest. It was beautiful to see, and if it were any other night, Itachi had full confidence he and Naruto would end up spending it under the stars, lethargically nestled into the little crook between the bangs and the spikes of stone Minato's head. It wasn't, though.

It was October tenth, exactly seventeen years from where they had left off.

God, they really were getting old, weren't they?

"I'm scared that something will happen, but… I guess I am also scared that nothing will happen, you know?" Naruto eyed his striking companion somewhat pleadingly, expression desperate for some sort of reassurance.

"If nothing happens, that means we changed things. Fixed things. Maybe, this time around, our lives can be better," the blond explained. "But, at the same time, if nothing happens…"

Itachi patiently waited as his partner trailed off, deciding to fill in the blanks.

"If nothing happens," Itachi said, gently pulling Naruto closer, "then we are flying blind. It will have utterly changed the course of this future, and our express help will no longer be needed. We will be normal Shinobi, living an unpredictable life once again."

Naruto nuzzled into the juncture of the raven's neck and collarbone, quietly accepting the reassurance.

"Thanks, 'Tachi," he mumbled.

Chuckling, Itachi pulled a hand through the blond locks and fondly said, "I didn't do anything. I simply stated the truth."

Naruto dislodged himself and smiled up at his partner. He really was beautiful, with his dark, flowing, long hair that perfectly framed his kind face. Even with the Sharingan deactivated, his eyes still glowed with a warmth the blond had rarely seen in anyone else.

"I think I just needed to hear someone else say it. Sounds better when it's coming from you, after all," Naruto elaborated. "Hearing it makes it okay. You make it okay. You make me okay."

Sighing lightly, Itachi pulled his blond a little bit closer. It was thanks to him that the raven could even face himself anymore, so he could understand what it meant, hearing it from someone else. Naruto really had come a long way, hadn't he?