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English
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Published:
2023-05-05
Completed:
2023-07-23
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28,577
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7/7
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Wolf in Sheep's Clothing

Summary:

Wolf in sheep’s clothing: A wolf in sheep's clothing is an idiom of Biblical origin used to describe those playing a role contrary to their real character with whom contact is dangerous, particularly false teachers. Much later, the idiom has been applied by zoologists to varying kinds of predatory behavior. Animals have evolved to deceive their prey by appearing as other prey, or like angler fish and snapping turtles lure the prey by appearing as the prey's prey.

Minato promised his late friend, Mikoto, that he’d take care of her sons. Which is precisely what he’s doing. He doesn’t see anything wrong with overindulging the youngest of her three sons. Yoshizo’s not like Itachi or Sasuke. He’s fragile, delicate, sensible, innocent and a bit of a crybaby. He may also be bratty and whiny on rare occasions. But, he can’t stop himself from giving him everything he wants.

Of course, the naïve and gullible blond should pay closer attention to the boy’s true hidden nature. Because, he’s actually inherited all of the worst qualities/defects from his older brothers. He can be just as manipulative and conniving as, Itachi. While, he can also be just as perverted and ambitious as, Sasuke.

Notes:

Oh my God! I hope you’re not as much of a compassionate-empathetic-sensible-crybaby as me. Because, if you are? Well, make sure to have a tissue with you. Because, I actually cried like that little boy they met during Team 7’s Hidden Mist Village’s mission, while writing the death scenes.
(*´°̥̥̥̥̥̥̥̥﹏°̥̥̥̥̥̥̥̥ )人(´°̥̥̥̥̥̥̥̥ω°̥̥̥̥̥̥̥̥`)

What was that boy’s name again? Inari? Let me just google it to make sure. Yay! I did remember his name correctly.
( ˘ω˘ )

Oh! I forgot to mention something. While, sixteen year old Yoshizo is definitely a wolf in sheep’s clothing. His six year old self is not! He’s a very honest, innocent, good hearted and just kid. He only starts changing once he hits puberty.
(≧y≦*)

(See the end of the work for more notes.)

Chapter Text

₊˚Details ྀ࿐ ˊˎ -

Only Kushina died during the 9 Tails attack.

Fugaku and Mikoto have three sons in this fanfic. Itachi, Sasuke and Yoshizo.

The Uchiha massacre didn’t happen.

The Hidden Sand Village attacks The Hidden Leaf Village. Because, The Fourth Kazekage asked The Fourth Hokage to aid him in killing The Tsuchikage. Because, they are at war (The Hidden Stone Village and The Hidden Sand Village) and he wanted to end it. Minato, is actually on good terms with The Tsuchikage and refused to help Rasa. He did just sign a peace treaty with the venerable elderly man. Rasa, is enraged by the blond’s rejection and plans a Coup d'état.

Sasuke and Naruto became friends/rivals a lot sooner than in the anime/manga. Because, Minato is often training his son and he’s not as… slow in his progress. So yeah, Sasuke deems him a worthy rival and friend. 

Minato and Naruto are close with Fugaku’s family. Because, Mikoto was Minato’s teammate and they’ve always been good friends. Plus, she was besties with his late wife. So she’s often babysitting the hyperactive blond boy. They’re also often invited over for dinner at The Uchiha’s house. The two families see each other every week or so. They’re really close and the three Uchiha boys adore the kindhearted and powerful man.

゚。⋆⋆ ˚ ˚•. 𖦹

The Hidden Leaf Village…

"You’re going to pay dearly for refusing to lend me your help, Fourth Hokage. You’re going to pay with your life! I’ve been saving this new technique I created just for you." Rasa says through a menacing and sinister tone.

Minato wasn’t prepared for the other man’s sudden entrance. He’s just about to go into Kyūbi Chakra Mode when, the man is already performing the hand seals quickly. He has no time to pull out his kunai knife either.

"Magnet Style: Gold Dust Guillotine!" Rasa shouts as he creates a guillotine made out of golden dust.

The device resembles the French’s beheading device. A tall, upright frame with a weighted and angled blade is suspended at the top of the blond’s head. The blade falls down and slices through the Hokage’s head.

But, instead of a splash of crimson blood as he expected. The only thing he receives is a puff of smoke. Minato’s body suddenly starts disappearing into a puff of gray smoke.

"A Shadow clone? I should have known. Damn you, Minato!" Rasa growls in irritation and uses his third eye to search for the blond’s location.

゚。⋆⋆ ˚ ˚•. 𖦹

Namikaze House…

"Dad? What’s going on? Why is everyone getting hurt? Why are the Sand ninjas attacking the village? I’m scared, Dad." A boy with spiky blond hair, blue eyes and whisker marks on his cheeks asks in a shaky voice.

The seven year old boy is frightened and has tears running down his face. He’s hugging tightly onto his dad’s leg. Shaking in terror.

"Naruto, honey. There’s no need for you to be frightened. I won’t let anything bad happen to you. I’ll protect you. Nothing is going to happen to you, alright?"

Minato says as he gives his son a comforting hug. He wraps his arms tightly around him. Rocking him back and forth until, he’s managed to calm him down. Once he’s absolutely certain that his son is no longer panicking, he kneels down until they’re both at eye level. Smiling tenderly at him.

"Son. I need you to do something for me, alright? I’m going to take you to Mount Myōboku.  Do you remember it? It’s the place I showed you last week. The land of toads. It’s where Master Jiraiya and I trained."

"Oh yeah! It’s where Chief Toad, Pa and Ma live. I remember." Naruto says with joy.

"Yes. That’s the place. Well, I need you to be a good boy and wait there for me. I’ll come get you after I’ve dealt with the enemy ninjas. Do you think you can do that for Daddy?" Minato pats his head lovingly.

Naruto nods his head and wipes the tears from his face. He doesn’t understand what’s going on. He doesn’t know why The Sand Village is suddenly attacking them. But, if his daddy says that he’ll protect him and won’t let anything bad happen to him. He believes him.

Besides, he’s going to get to play with Pa and Ma. They’re always so nice with him. They treat him as if he was their own grandson. They even tell him bedtime stories.

゚。⋆⋆ ˚ ˚•. 𖦹

Uchiha Residence…

Fugaku, Mikoto and their three sons were all enjoying a peaceful night. They had just finished eating their dinner. Mikoto was washing the dishes. Fugaku had just tucked in Sasuke and Yoshizo. Itachi was brushing his teeth.

But, the next thing the family knows? Five Anbu Black Ops break through their house. They’re all wearing identical Hidden Sand headbands. It’s all happening too fast.

Mikoto quickly performs the hand seals and shouts, "Fire Style: Phoenix Flower Jutsu!"

The five ninjas are trying to move away from the chasing fire. They’re distracted and don’t notice the parents quickly running to their sons’s room. Fugaku shakes the sleeping Sasuke and wakes him up. Mikoto attempts to do the same with Yoshizo. While, a worried Itachi looks directly at his mom and dad.

"The village is under attack." He states the obvious.

Fugaku quickly carries a groggy Sasuke towards him. He pushes the dazed black haired boy into the arms of the thirteen year old boy. Itachi quickly places his arms under his younger brother’s knees and around his back.

"Take your brother outside as fast as you can. Don’t look back. Now! Go, Itachi. Go!" Fugaku shouts in a commanding and loud voice.

Itachi does as he’s told. He runs as fast as he can outside and doesn’t look back. He runs as far away as he can. Trying to find a safe place to hide. He tries to calm down and tell himself that his parents and youngest brother will all be safe.

"Itachi? What’s going on? Where’s Yoshizo? Where are Dad and Mom?" Sasuke asks as he yawns and rubs his sleepy eyes.

"They’ll catch up to us. Don’t worry, Sasuke." Itachi isn’t exactly sure if he’s trying to convince his little brother or himself of this.

゚。⋆⋆ ˚ ˚•. 𖦹

"Minato, my boy. What’s going on? Why have you summoned me?" A giant toad asks as he appears beside Minato.

"What the devil is goin on here? Is The Hidden Leaf Village under attack? Who’s responsible for this?" The red toad asks as he puts away the large kiseru pipe he was smoking a few seconds ago.

"Gamabunta, I’m sorry to disturb you at such a late hour. But, I’m in dire need of your help. It’s a Coup d'état. The Fourth Kazekage’s behind this. Please, give us a helping hand. I have to go and find him."

"Where’s Naruto?"

"He’s safe. I sent him to Mount Myōboku."

"Good thinking. Alright, you go and defeat that rotten Kazekage and I’ll fight off as many Sand ninjas as I possibly can." 

"Thank you. I knew I could count on you."

゚。⋆⋆ ˚ ˚•. 𖦹

"That was the last of them." Mikoto says as she pulls out her Jagdkommando Tri-dagger that’s currently located inside of the dead woman’s stomach.

"It’s been a few years since I last saw you fight. I had forgotten how agile and quick you were with your dagger." Fugaku says before he lets a man’s dead body fall to the ground.

"Thanks, dear. But, you shouldn’t forget that I was trained by one of the legendary Sanins. Master Jiraiya may not act it but, he’s quite an exceptional Sensei."

"That’s true. Perhaps, I might have forgotten. My mistake. Now, let’s grab Yoshizo and catch up with Itachi and Sasuke."

Fugaku quickly places both of the heavy sleeper’s arms over his shoulders. Crosses his son’s arms, grasps the boy’s opposite wrist. Pulls the arms close to his chest. Squats slightly and drives his hips into, Yoshizo, while bending slightly at the waist. He balances the load on his hips and supports the sound asleep boy with his legs.

The three start running towards the village. They run as fast as their legs can carry them. The small six year old boy is still dead asleep.

"It’s a good thing that he’s such a heavy sleeper. Perhaps he won’t have to be awake for any of this. Maybe it’ll be like, Yoshizo, never experienced this day." Mikoto tells Fugaku as she glances at her youngest son and continues running besides them.

゚。⋆⋆ ˚ ˚•. 𖦹

"Magnet Style: Giant Gold Dust Burial Sending!!"

Minato quickly throws his knife before Rasa’s attack reaches him. He disappears and reappears behind the surprised auburn haired man. It only takes the Kazekage a few seconds to notice the markings on his left thigh. It seems like the blond marked him.

"It seems you’re just as fast as ever, Yellow Flash. But, I wonder… do you have time to kill me and stop Shukaku from destroying The Uchiha Clan district?" Rasa says with a wicked smile on his face.

Minato’s eyes suddenly widen when he glances at the direction the man pointed at. A rampaging tailed beast is currently destroying the Uchiha Clan district. He’s out of control and smashing everything on sight. He knows that the clan is strong and quite capable. But, he doesn’t think they’re on equal terms.

He frowns and releases his grip on the man. Removing the kunai knife that’s held at the Kazekage’s throat. The blond forgets about dealing with him. The only thing that’s currently on his mind is getting to his people as soon as possible. He quickly throws a kunai knife across the grass and appears in the middle of the Uchiha Clan district. He lands a small distance from the One Tails.

゚。⋆⋆ ˚ ˚•. 𖦹

Fugaku sets his son down on a nearby tree. He assumes a fighting position and turns on his Mangekyō Sharingan. Mikoto does the same and turns on her Sharingan. 

They don’t know if they’ll survive this fight. But, they’re going to protect their son. Even if it costs them their lives.

"Alright! It’s time to rock and roll, baby! It’s party time for Shukaku! Come on! I want to have a good fight. But, you better not try to pull anything on me with those eyes of yours. I won’t look into them." The sandy-brown colored tanuki yells as he starts running towards them.

"Lightning Style: Supreme Thunder Dragon!" Mikoto shouts.

A giant dragon made out of bolts of electricity collides with the tailed beast. This powerful attack seems to only cause a small crack on the tailed beast’s forehead.  Shukaku just laughs as he fires multiple wind bullets. These bullets are strong enough to vanish Mikoto’s giant dragon.

"My specialty is my impenetrable defense. So you’ll have to try a lot harder than that."

"Fire Style: Flame Sniper!" Fugaku creates a sniper made out of fire and shoots it at the giant tanuki.

The attack causes more damage than the previous one. A massive part of the tailed beast’s face is broken. A small redhead boy is now visible underneath the tailed beast’s head.

"Is that the Jinchūriki? A little boy that’s the same age as Sasuke?" Mikoto’s resolve seems to waver a bit when she looks at the sleeping boy.

She can’t believe she’s attacking a little boy. She can’t help but, feel sorry for him. Maybe she could try to subdue the tailed beast by using her Sharingan on him. She quickly jumps up a tree and summersaults up in the air. She lands right on top of Shukaku’s nose and stares directly into his eyes.

Shukaku stares into her piercing and hypnotizing red eyes for a few seconds. But, once he realizes what she’s trying to do. He quickly looks away and lets out a loud roar in outrage.

"Were you trying to use your Sharingan on me? Trying to control me? You’re going to wish you hadn’t tried that, you witch!" Shukaku quickly snatches her and holds her between his clawed paws.

Mikoto screams out in pain. She can feel her ribs cracking under his strong vice-like grip. She tries to escape but,  she can’t.

"Mikoto!" Fugaku runs towards the tailed beast.

He has no choice but to use his Susanoo. He doesn’t like using it that much because, it drains too much chakra out of him and leaves him quite out of it afterwards. But, it’s his only option.

"Huh? What are you doing now?" Shukaku asks as he stops squeezing the injured woman and turns to look at the male Uchiha.

He’s different now. There’s a gigantic humanoid avatar made of the man’s chakra which surrounds him and fights on his behalf. Shukaku has no time to block as the dark violet Susanoo swings the drill-like lance at him. Fugaku has coated it with fire to create a vortex of flames. It slashes through the One Tails’s arm that’s holding Mikoto. It cuts it clean off.

Shukaku screams out in excruciating pain. Mikoto falls and her husband’s Susanoo is there to catch her. She looks up at Fugaku and smiles at him. She’s just about to heal her broken bones a bit when, all of a sudden… they hear their son’s voice.

"Mom? Dad? Itachi? Sasuke? Where is everyone? I’m scared. There’s a giant monster outside." Yoshizo starts looking everywhere for his family.

He finally sees them and starts running towards them. But, before he can reach them? The One Tails spots him.

"Oh? So you have a little brat? Well, why didn’t you say so? I think I want to play with him."

Fugaku and Mikoto stare horrified as the smirking tailed beast turns to face the running boy. He starts gathering chakra around his mouth. He’s going to launch an attack on their son.

"Tailed Beast Bomb!"

"Yoshizo!" Fugaku and Mikoto both shout in unison.

Fugaku uses his Susanoo’s wings to fly in front of the small black haired boy. He shields his body with his own. Mikoto ignores the pain in her fractured ribs and hugs her son with all her might. Shielding him from the powerful blast.

゚。⋆⋆ ˚ ˚•. 𖦹

I do hope Pa and Ma don’t mind me sending Itachi and Sasuke to Mount Myōboku as well. It was quite fortunate that we ran into them when we were making our way to the One Tails. Don’t you think, Kurama?

Yeah. Those two Uchiha brats would have probably been dead otherwise. Now let’s just go to where that stupid tanuki is and knock his lights out. I’m getting sick and tired of all this. You just had to use your clones to make sure every last Uchiha had evacuated the area, didn’t you?

It’s my job to assure the safety of my people. I want to be kind with everyone. Specially those in the Uchiha Clan. Everyone knows how some people might…

How some people might be scared shitless of them? How they might not trust them? How Danzō, Homura and Kohuro think they might rebel against the village one day?

Yes. Which is why I want to show them the respect and compassion they deserve. I think it’s quite unfair for some people to still be so prejudiced against them. There hasn’t been any evil Uchiha since, Madara Uchiha.

What about the masked man who killed Kushina and nearly killed you? Wasn’t he evil too? If that doesn’t seem evil to you, nothing will.

Yes, it’s true that that masked man who possessed the Sharingan is evil. He’s also a possible threat. But, I’m referring to those amongst the Uchihas living in the village. Do you see any rotten tomatoes amongst them?

I thought it was, rotten apples. Wasn’t it? Doesn’t the saying goes, one rotten apple soils the rest? Why are you using tomatoes?

Oh! You’re right. I’m sorry. I guess I was just thinking about how much Sasuke loves tomatoes. It’s really adorable.

You think of those three as if they were your own sons.

Minato just grins after, hearing this. And that’s bad, because?

I’m not exactly too fond of Uchihas. Sure, they may be sweet and innocent now. But, wait a few years and see how much they change. Come and talk to me about how sweet and innocent they are in ten years from now. Then, you’ll see for yourself. A wolf in sheep’s clothing. That’s what they’ll be.

He has just finished tapping into Kyūbi Chakra Mode  when, he stops dead in his tracks. He’s reached the place where the tailed beast was last seen in. But, he can’t believe what he’s witnessing. The place is completely destroyed.

Fugaku and Mikoto are laying on the ground. They’re both fatally injured. He doesn’t think they can even walk in their condition. He runs up to them and sees that they’re not alone. Their youngest son is crying as he shakes their limp and bloodied bodies.

"Dad? Come on. You gotta get up. Dad, we gotta go home." He shakes Fugaku’s shoulders but, the man isn’t responding.

Yoshizo’s crying inconsolably as he talks. He can’t stop the tears from running down his face. Minato can’t do nothing but, stare at the tragic and broken-hearted scene before him. He doesn’t know what to do or say. So he just gives the boy his space.

"Mom? Are you…" The small child now turns to his Mom.

He holds her bloody hand and holds it against his cheek. "Oh, Mom. I love you."

"Yes. Yoshizo… I love you too." She manages to barely talk between labored and slow breathing.

Her voice is so slow and quiet. She’s panting and can barely move her mouth. She suddenly turns towards the silently crying Hokage.

"Mikoto, just try to save your strength. I’ll take you to the hospital right away. Just hold on. Please. Don’t talk so much."

"Minato… I beg you. Please take care… of our sons."

"Yes, of course. You don’t need to worry about that." Minato says quickly as he turns to look at the crying boy.

"Fugaku and I… we both protected him." She says before lightly cupping Yoshizo’s cheek.

She smiles at him and closes her eyes. Her breathing stops. Her body goes completely still and cold. Yoshizo’s eyes widen and he lets out a gasp before clutching her hand even tighter between his two smaller ones.

"You can’t leave me! You can’t leave me! Open your eyes, Mom! Please! Mom!" Yoshizo starts crying even louder now.

He turns to his dad’s dead body and crawls to it. He cries on his chest and buries his head against the bloodied teal robe.

"It’s unfair. All I wanted and needed to be happy was to be with you. How can I ever look forward to the future without you?"

Yoshizo closes his eyes tightly shut and cries even more. His cries turn to hysterical sobbing. Minato can feel a few tears running down his own face. This is something that truly breaks his heart. No child should ever have to witness their parents deaths.

"Mikoto, I’ll keep my promise." The blond whispers quietly.

He wipes away the tears and turns to the direction the One Tails is at. He spots him a few feet away as he tries to find any Uchihas that weren’t able to evacuate the place. But, he isn’t having any luck. Minato decides to end this once and for all. He notices that the tailed beast seems to be greatly injured. He won’t let Fugaku’s and Mikoto’s sacrifices be in vain.

He quickly sneaks up on the unsuspecting Shukaku. He hurls a Rasengan his way. Quickly grabbing the redhead boy that’s sent flying once the attack hits. He puts his unconscious body down on the floor and watches as the One Tails lays unconscious on top of a tree.

He runs towards Yoshizo and picks the small boy up. His blue eyes widen when he stares into the own boy’s eyes. They’re puffy and red. But, they’re not red from crying.

He’s awakened the Sharingan? At such a young age? How’s that even possible?

I can’t say I’m surprised about it. The poor kid did see both of his parents die in front of him.

゚。⋆⋆ ˚ ˚•. 𖦹

Mount Myōboku

"Lord Fourth?"

"Uncle Minato?"

"Dad!"

The three boys run up to where the blond man is standing on. They all stare in shock at the bloodied boy. Yoshizo has blood all over his face, chest and hands. But, it’s not his blood.

"What happened? Where’s Dad? Where’s Mom?" Sasuke asks in anxiety.

Minato can’t bring himself to say it. He can’t believe they’re dead. He doesn’t know how he’s going to break it to them.

"Itachi, Sasuke and Naruto… please, hold on to me. I’ll take you to them." He says in a quiet and melancholic manner.

Itachi immediately deciphers what the blond is saying.

They’re dead. Dad and Mom are both…

He tries to hold back the sadness that starts taking over. He quickly grabs Sasuke’s and Naruto’s hands. Each boy is on either side of him. Sasuke is holding on to his left hand and Naruto’s grasping his right hand.

"Thank you so much, Pa and Ma for looking after them. Gamabunta should be here shortly."

゚。⋆⋆ ˚ ˚•. 𖦹

Itachi’s never thought much of the old saying that goes… It’s easier said than done. At least, not until right now. He thought he could but, he can’t stop the tears from escaping him. Lord Fourth was generous enough to take them to where their parents’s dead bodies are.

He left to get everything ready. He insisted on giving them a proper burial. He took Naruto with him. Because, the boy was crying so hard when he saw the dead bodies of the people he thought of as, Uncle and Aunt.

Itachi is hugging his crying siblings but, can’t stop letting out quiet cries of his own. He never thought his parents would die today. He thought they’d be able to outrun and overpower anyone. He guesses they never expected they’d have to deal with an out of control Jinchūriki.

"There, there. It’s okay. Don’t cry, Sasuke. Don’t cry, Yoshizo. No matter what happens, your big brother will protect you. I promise both of you that."

゚。⋆⋆ ˚ ˚•. 𖦹

"Greater love hath no one than he who lays down his life for his child. When great deeds are remembered in this village two names will stand above all others. Our friends, Fugaku and Mikoto, The Uchiha King and Queen. The memory of their sacrifice and bravery will forever be engraved on our saddened hearts. This spot where they fell will always be a hallowed place for the village. For there lay two of The Hidden Leaf Village’s noblest shinobis."

After Minato’s finished with the eulogy. He walks back to the three orphans and hugs them tightly. They continue looking with sad and teary eyes as their parents are being buried.

゚。⋆⋆ ˚ ˚•. 𖦹

A Few Hours Later…

"Well, it looks like we’ll all be living together from now on. I hope the new house I bought is to your likings. Naruto helped me pick it. It’s got two roomy bedrooms, one master bedroom, two full baths, a kitchen, dining room, living room and a studio."

Itachi, Sasuke and Yoshizo stare at their new house. The living room is open and spacious. From the creamy pale turquoise walls to the patterned curtains, the frame of this room is warm and cozy. Antique paintings hang on the walls, ivory sofas surround the sky blue tufted ottoman which serves as a French coffee table, and the space is centered around a vintage, oriental rug. The space is illuminated by a crystal chandelier.

"Would any of you like something to eat? Something to drink?" Minato asks warmly.

"No, thanks. I think my brothers and I would like to get some rest. It’s been a long day for all of us." Itachi answers before, bowing his head respectfully. "Thank you so much for everything you’re doing, Lord Fourth."

Minato pouts and sighs.

"Will you ever address me as, Uncle? I may not have been Mikoto’s real brother. But, I truly loved her as if she was my own sister. It would bring me such joy to be called Uncle by you."

"I’m sorry, Lord… I mean, I’m sorry, Uncle. I suppose it’s more fitting now that we’re going to be living with you." Itachi says.

"Thank you, Itachi. I appreciate you calling me that. Please, follow me. I’ll show the four of you to your rooms."

He leads the way to the room to his left. He opens the door. He turns to Itachi.

"This will be Yoshizo’s and your room. I think that Sasuke and Naruto might like to share a room. Because, they do seem to enjoy spending a lot of time together. They are best friends, after all. Of course, you’re more than free to have Sasuke stay with you instead."

"No. That won’t be necessary. I think that that’s an ideal way of doing things. Thank you so much again."

Itachi walks in with a quiet Yoshizo following in close behind. The room is very nice. The two beds are both King size. They are made of wood. They are painted a light blue. They have beautiful carvings on them to give them that French farmhouse look.

The bed on the left has a dark green satin comforter and the one on the right has a burgundy color one. The multiple plush pillows are also made out of the finest of satin and match the color of the comforters and sheets. Itachi is quite touched that the blond actually knows what their favorite colors are. That’s so thoughtful and nice of him.

There are two nightstands on the right side of each bed. They’re also made of wood and have been painted a light blue. They both have a brass table lamp on them and a fresh vase full of flowers. A silver full length mirror rests in the left corner of the room.

A large white wooden armoire stands in the opposite corner from the mirror. It can be used in place of a closet. The ceiling is a snow white and the walls are a dusty rose.

Minato now guides Sasuke and Naruto to their own room. Which is identical to the previously visited one. The only difference between the two are the colors of bedspreads. The one on the right is a neon orange  while, the one on the left is a steel blue.

゚。⋆⋆ ˚ ˚•. 𖦹

5 O’clock In The Morning…

The sound of a knock on his bedroom door wakes him up. Minato quickly rushes to open the door and is met with a sniffling Yoshizo. The boy is staring at the ground and his black hair is covering his face.

Minato quickly pats him on his back and asks, "Are you okay? What’s the matter?"

"I… I can’t sleep. Every time I close my eyes I see Daddy and Mommy being killed by that monster. Is it okay if I sleep with you tonight?"

Minato lifts the boy’s chin up gently and softly. He stares into that little boy’s tearful eyes. It breaks his heart to see him like this. He only wishes he could find a way to take his pain away. Maybe allowing him to sleep with him will ease up his pain.

"Sure, you can. My bed is big enough for both of us. Come on, Yoshizo. I’ll hold you until you fall asleep, alright?" Minato asks him with a tender smile.

Yoshizo’s sniffling start dying down and he quickly starts hugging the blond with all his strength. "Thank you. You’re the greatest. I promise that I won’t kick you in my sleep. Sasuke says that I do. But, I know he’s just making it up. He’s always teasing me and pushing my buttons. Isn’t it awful?"

"Well, some people tend to tease the ones they love. It’s their special way of showing they care. Did you know that?" 

"Huh? Well, he could try showing it by being nicer or something. He doesn’t have to be a jerk to show me that he loves me. Itachi sure isn’t mean to me."

Minato carries the boy with the crossed arms and puffed out cheeks in his arms. He carries him bridal style and carefully sets him down on the bed. He wraps his arms around him and doesn’t let go until, the boy is fast asleep. He places a kiss on the black haired boy’s forehead before, drifting off to sleep himself.