Things Change [Naruto AU]

1

Nagato, Konan, and Yahiko

It seems like just another rainy day in Amegakure, but that is not the case; a pivotal battle unfolds to a resolution that will greatly change the village. Three young ninjas stand at the bottom of a cliff glaring with hatred at the other ninja, Hanzo - the leader of their village. The elder had gathered others to kill those who had opposed him but failed in their attempts which resulted in their current confrontation; Hanzo did not expect the group to be victorious from the assault. Now it is only Hanzo and the three.

Hanzo is not a stupid man, it is certain he will die on this muddy battleground. There is not enough time to run and he definitely does not have enough strength to fight all three, none of this even compares to his extremely low chakra levels. Finally, he moves into a fighting stance and runs head-on at the three, not wishing to prolong his death with sappy words and cheesy lines. The young man with bright orange hair reacts quickly and attacks him as soon as he's in range with a lethal attack.

"What do you plan to do?" Hanzo asks as he chokes on blood.

"I plan to be the leader of the village and protect it alongside my comrades," the orange haired one responds while nodding to the others. Hanzo barely nods and gives a slight smile. The village may be in good hands, he thinks before drifting away with too many regrets and fading anguish. The three surviving friends turn and walk to the village, and head straight to their hideout. After addressing the rest of their group about the conflict and healing wounds they received, the man with orange hair and his friends take over the current government. Within one month the group achieves their goal and their leader is set to speak to the people of the village.

"My name is Yahiko and I will be the leader of this village now. Hanzo is dead and no longer in rule, I will protect this village and prove its strength," he shouts to the people in hopes to rile their long-dead pride. Admittedly, Yahiko's speeches have not improved despite the times he practices. All the while, the people still applaud his attempts. A woman with blue hair stands behind Yahiko with a fond smile. She turns to see the other man with dark red hair and strange purple eyes smiling beside her as well. This is a great day for the three friends–more like the small family–that had long since awaited this day.

Itachi

Too late into the night, a little boy desperately runs home in order to not upset his family because of his forgetfulness. The boy, Sasuke, was training way too late and lost track of time. The dark blended and nearly swallowed the dark-haired boy as he pushes himself harder to reach his home. He arrives to see Itachi standing on the porch waiting for him, the warm glow of house's lights casting a dark look over the teenager's face.

"Big brother!" Sasuke shouts and runs to hug Itachi by the waist while the older one accepts the affection with a gentle smile.

"Working hard, Sasuke?" the little boy nods and the two walk inside while spending their time together talking. Types of moments such as these were becoming hard to come by for the siblings, the older brother had been receiving special missions which caused much of his absences in the home which left the little brother lonely most days. Soon the little boy's yawns become more occurring and Itachi sends him to bed while the said boy wanders outside again for the fresh air and night sky to help focus his thoughts.

He thinks of what Danzo, his superior officer, had proposed to him only a few weeks ago. It is a very dangerous and risky mission. As much as he wants to take it, how much he feels he needs to, he cannot; the murder of his clan is too much to ask for. If anything Itachi can persuade the clan from inside in order to turn them away from a retaliation against their own village. In the case that his own plan fails then Itachi can take his brother and flee the village to find a better place away from any war.