For Denka4 I mean, its still for you, regardless of what happened soo....

It was really all an exercise, although one that had gotten out of hand. Sometimes he thought of it as if it were a simple training exercise done on the field for rockies to test their ablitys of concealment.

That wasn't what it was anymore, still it was important, no, imperative that he think of it as if it were a simple task.

He did not want to fall because of his own mind, the tickling guilt at the corner of his mind was issue enough.

Meeting Uzumaki Naruto had shifted something out of place, something that he could not afford to look over because it would risk to much. At the time it hadn't mattered, and even now it didn't for all his faults he was a caring man. A tempted and shroud man, but caring indeed.

"You might not agree, and I don't care if you do, but now I think of you as a friend. I don't know what your plan is, but please, don't."

He has said this and more, that little energetic blond, it didn't matter, for nothing changed his plans, nor would they ever, but it had been important.

Everything that blond did for him had been to some grand effect, whether the naive man had known it or not.

Those times of woe when he had not been able to lift himself from stale bedding, and his eyes had blurred over so that colours were the only distinguishable feature of his surroundings, those times when his weakness had shrouded him with doubt, that was when the Uzumaki appeared.

Not mocking, never mocking, he had found him bundled in blood crusted sheets, with hands that trembled as he attempted to eat soup.

Naruto had found him weak. And yet, even as the blond had been taught to kill him, to kill any enemy ninja considered a threat to Konoha, he hadn't. Instead he had taken the spilling soup from his hands, and fed him little mouthfuls of the chicken broth and sweet potato. Of course at the time, he hadn't done anything to stop the blond, even flummoxed with Naruto's behavior it wasn't as if he had the strength to stop him. And if the blond had chosen to kill him, he would have considered it mercy.

He hadn't though.

For days they spoke not a word, content with a forced routine of sleep and eating, Itachi didn't remember much of those first few days. By the time the 7th day had past Naruto had made onigari and he had taken it without hesitance, perhaps it wasn't quite trust on his part so much as the belief that Naruto was aiding him so that he may be killed by Sasuke and not disease.

When his eye sight began to improve, and his muscles no longer shook, Naruto began speaking. Meloncoly half thoughts that were of the past. In fact most all of it was of his little brother, and Itachi was distinctly aware of the fact that his dear family was lucky to have someone so devout on his side. Whether he appricaited it or not.

Eventually, when he could move around without coughing, and when he lay his head down to sleep, Naruto would speak of himself, of trials and disconnection with the village,  and a struggle to remain loyal. Which Itachi knew, what not as shocking as it should have been.

For him it had been a time of learning and understanding. Although he had much of that in his youth this was different, he understood people. He could estimate their approach to conflict, he could plan all he desired, and yet, he had never taken the time to know people individually. Sasuke had been close, but he could never afford the distraction. Now he knew more about this energetic man then anyone. And almost in tern, he knew more then he had ever known of his little brother.

Which had nearly shambled his resolve.

He hadn't spoken back not once, only before he had left, and then the blond had not heard it, asleep and at peace with the world.

He had so much to thank his caregiver for after all.

Learning of his life, of Sasuke's, had been important. And even unwittingly the man had brought him closer to his brother, something he had always wished for. Had layed himself bare in front of a criminal simply because he could.

It had been incidental, and he knew it would go nowhere. Naruto was a strong man, with a pure heart.

Itachi knew, and loved, charished the fact, that his brother was in good hands, that his otouto would be loved by someone so strongly after his death. And he knew without any doubt plaguing his mind that Naruto would do whatever it took to shed the burden from Sasuke's shoulders, and do whatever he could to make him happy.

Itachi knew, and he loved the man for everything he had done, and everything he would do.

Even now.

Even now. With Sasuke beside him. Not unconscious, but exhausted, eyes glazed in confusion, staring up at the sky.

Itachi knew.

Even now.

Even now. When his breathing was to beginning to slow and his heart was starting to stumble. As death awaited him.

He knew that loving Uzumaki Naruto had been the right choice.