The Fox and The Weasel at Red Dawn: rewrite!

Chapter 22: Protection

The four of the Akatsuki members had finally made it to Sarutobi's house, and they were exhausted. Itachi now understood why Naruto was trying to get him out of the Hokage's office.

Flashback

"Naruto, don't you think that I haven't forgotten about your little boyfriend," Iruka said as he smiled innocently, but Itachi could feel a tint of evil in it. He watched as Iruka cracked his knuckles, and watched as Naruto paled immensely.

"Sensei," Naruto said hesitantly.

"Don't worry Naruto," Iruka stated. "Itachi's going to stay intact. Speaking of you, Itachi, may I see you for a minute?" I nodded and pried my hand from Naruto's. Itachi walked out of the office and he led me to the meeting room of the councilors.

"What would you like, Umino-san," Itachi questioned.

"I would like to know your intentions with Naruto," Iruka said as he looked out the window towards the village.

"I want to stay and love him for as long as I can," he replied.

"You know, you are going to have to go through a trial basis," Iruka stated.

"Excuse me?"

"Naruto may trust you, but that doesn't mean that I do, Uchiha Itachi. I've seen Naruto being hurt throughout the years because of this damn village, and I am not about to let Naruto be hurt by another."

"Sir, I would never hurt Naruto, I wouldn't because I love him," Itachi replied. Iruka nodded.

"I can see that," he stated and turned towards him. "And that is why I am giving you a chance to be with Naruto. If I hadn't, I wouldn't have let you go anywhere near him, especially in his vulnerable state. And I am not the only one who believes it." Just then, someone appeared in the window. Itachi turned to see Hatake Kakashi.

"So, are we ready," Kakashi inquired.

"What is going on," Itachi questioned.

"We are going to put you to a test, with the Hokage's permission, and you are to fight Kakashi," Iruka explained. "It is to see if you are able to protect Naruto, just like he needs. Naruto is the innocent person that has never had protection, and if you want to be with him, we have to make sure that you can protect him."

"I will agree to this," Itachi nodded.

"Let's go," Kakashi stated as he jumped from the window, heading over to one of the most secluded training grounds.

End of Flashback

"Naruto, you should get some sleep," Konan advised. Naruto nodded as he gave a big yawn. He started waddling towards one of the bedrooms. Itachi followed behind him, knowing Naruto would want to be wrapped in his arms. Itachi would always be right next to him when he slept, and Itachi wasn't about to not do that.

Once Naruto had reached the room, he just flopped down on the bed, and he moaned as he hadn't felt something so comfortable in weeks. He heard Itachi chuckle from behind him, and Naruto turned to stick his tongue out at him before snuggling into the pillow. Itachi laid down, and he circled his arm around Naruto's stomach. He couldn't help but to smile when he felt a kick. Naruto snuggled back a little more before he closed his eyes. He was out like a light in no time. Itachi just stared at his face before smiling and falling asleep as well.

XxXxXxXxX

"Is everything set," a dark figure questioned as he came into one of the Konoha houses. Konan nodded as she walked over to him.

"Yes, Pein," she said. "Everything is going to happen with little trouble at all."

"Good," he nodded. "Now, how is Naruto?"

"He's taking a nap," Kisame stated as he came into the room. "Itachi's guarding him."

"Good; I don't want anything to happen to him, like I've been hearing," Pein stated. The others in the room nodded. "Now, let's get planned for the invasion."

"Yes, sir," the others in the room stated before they all began the deep discussion.