(A/N: `` `` will be used for Akamaru's dialogue instead of " " since he has a higher pitched voice of a dog.)
The walk to the Uchiha compound was pretty informative. But all the while, he was rehearsing ways to tell Itachi about what would happen in the future. He recited all sorts of things in his head, and they all ended in one of two ways. Itachi kills him on the spot for knowing too much, or he's arrested, thrown into prison, and tortured by Danzo to know how he had gotten his information.
It all seemed like a lost cause until a thought came to him. "I could pretend to be a member of 'Root' and give him the info like I'm betraying Danzo....but then he might do a trial by combat and realize I'm too weak to be a 'Root' member and kill me..." He sighed, disregarding the thought.
"Is something on your mind?" Sasuke asked as he heard Kiba sigh.
"Oh, uh....I was just thinking about Ninjutsu." Kiba hastily came up with an excuse.
"Ninjutsu? What kind? Like Substitution and Clones or nature transformations?" Sasuke asked.
Kiba's eyes widened at the mention of nature transformations. He grew more interested in this conversation. "Yeah, that's exactly what I was thinking about. Do you know anything about nature transformations?" Kiba asked, pulling a sly smile and a giggle out of Sasuke.
"Of course I do! I'm a member of the Uchiha clan, our specialty is our Fire-style Ninjutsu!!" He exclaimed in a slightly smug tone. Sasuke then went on a rant about how great the Uchiha clan was.
``He's talking a lot...`` A tired Akamaru whined from atop Kiba's head, shortly before falling into another nap. Kiba just snickered and listened as Sasuke grandiosely bragged about his 'amazing' clan. He didn't really mind as most of the information he got from Sasuke was interesting, plus, he was only a kid that was proud of his clan.
Soon after Sasuke's rant ended, they made it to his home. "Oh, we made it!" Sasuke said in surprise as he stopped. Kiba's heart raced as he peered at the Uchiha family home. It was his first time here in person, but it felt so nostalgic. He was finally making his first steps forward....
"....What are you doing?" Sasuke asked, snapping Kiba out of his trance. Sasuke was standing at his open front door, while he and his mother just stared. Kiba blushed in embarrassment still standing a few feet away from their doorstep.
"Way to make a first impression, you fool!" He shouted in his mind as he made his way to them. "Hello ma'am, I'm Kiba Inuzuka." He bowed respectfully.
"Oh my, what a gentleman. I'm Mikoto Uchiha." She spoke with a gentle smile, and welcomed him in. As they walked, Kiba overheard Sasuke and his mother speaking.
"I think you're his first friend Sasuke. He was tearing up....must be touching for him." Mikoto whispered to her son. Kiba blushed even harder, this was her first impression of him.
Sasuke widened his eyes. "Really?" He whispered. "I'll make sure I'm a good friend, he won't regret meeting me." Sasuke reassured himself and Mikoto. Meanwhile, Kiba feigned ignorance with a face as red as Son Goku's fur.
Sasuke led Kiba through his house, showing him around. He had a brief introduction with Fugaku, who was reading the newspaper. Itachi didn't seem to be home so Sasuke walked him through the Uchiha compound. As they walked, they spoke.
"So, are you trying to learn your genetic nature affinity?" Sasuke turned his head to Kiba and asked.
Kiba turned as well. "I already know what my affinity is, I just need to know how to get my chakra to change natures."
Sasuke nodded. "That's easy! Just tell it to change." He shrugged.
Kiba tilted his head slightly. "Tell it to change...?"
"Yeah! 'It's your chakra, simply will it to do something and your chakra will do its best to follow.' That's what my dad says." Sasuke thoughtfully rubbed his chin and hardened his face as he imitated his father.
Soon they reached a large lake. "Let me show you!" Sasuke ran toward the lake's wooden pier. "Our clan has our own special 'coming of age' ceremony here." He grandiosely spread his arms out wide. "To become a true Uchiha adult, you have to be able to perform the Fireball Jutsu."
Kiba walked down to the pier as Sasuke got into position. He quickly did the hand signs for boar, horse, and tiger before inhaling deeply. He then exhaled as a small fireball escaped his lips.
He turned back to Kiba and rubbed the back of his head awkwardly. "I'm not all the way there yet." He sighed.
Kiba clapped politely anyway. "That's still impressive. Most of us aren't even close to learning nature transformations."
``Speak for yourself~ I must be a master of fire release, the way my pee comes out hot~!`` Akamaru barked, finally awake from his nap.
Kiba sweatdropped at Akamaru's words. "I don't think that's how it works, buddy...." He sighed.
Akamaru turned away. ``Whatever you say...`` He growled sarcastically.
Kiba simply ignored Akamaru and thought to himself. "It's really that simple?...Well, I guess it's still watered down to just another way to manipulate chakra."
"Big brother!?" Sasuke shouted. Upon hearing those words, Kiba immediately tensed. He robotically turned around, and the form of Itachi towered over his child height.
Kiba stepped back...an action that didn't go unnoticed by Itachi. "It's getting late, I'm here to bring you home." Itachi smiled softly and motioned for Sasuke to come. "Oh and by the way, who's your friend?" Itachi asked, finally acknowledging Kiba's presence.
Sasuke beamed brightly. "That's Kiba and his dog Akamaru!"
Itachi turned to Kiba, his smile tightened slightly as he noticed Kiba's tenseness."...I'm Itachi Uchiha. It's nice to see Sasuke making friends already." Itachi spoke, though his voice seemed to lighten when he did so.
Kiba nodded slightly, he wasn't completely there at the moment. "He was so quiet that I didn't notice him..." Kiba thought to himself. He took a quick breath, forcing himself to calm down.
As Sasuke watched the two from the side, his eyes lit up as if he had an epiphany. "Big brother, why don't you show us your Fireball Jutsu!" He exclaimed.
Itachi turned to Sasuke and rubbed his chin in thought for a moment before speaking. "It's getting dark..." Sasuke's smile dropped slightly. "But, I can go ahead and do it quickly." Sasuke's smile grew wide once more.
Itachi stepped out to the edge of the pier and stared out at the lake. He brought his hands up, they blurred in motion before inhaling deeply. Kiba could feel the air warming up around Itachi as the chakra swelled in his stomach. Itachi bellowed, unleashing a massive Fireball that stretched wide across the lake. Kiba could only stare in awe as steam continued to rise from the bubbling lake.
"You see that~!" Sasuke mused. "My brother's amazing!"
Kiba slowly nodded. "He sure is..." Those were the only words he could find at the moment.
"It's time to go, Sasuke." Itachi turned and walked to Sasuke's side. "Were you staying for dinner, Kiba?" Itachi asked.
Kiba thought about it for a moment before speaking. "Thanks, but I'm gonna head home instead."
Itachi nodded before walking off with Sasuke. Kiba stared out onto the lake for a few extra seconds. "Was I suspicious?!" He shouted.
Akamaru quickly shot up. ``Huh!? Did shumthing happhen...`` He looked around still half asleep.
"What do you mean 'Did something happen'!? I think Itachi noticed how suspicious I was!" He frantically rubbed his head. "His smile faltered when he saw me! And then his voice sounded forced as if–he was covering something up!"
``Nah~ He probably just thought you were weird.`` Akamaru yawned, getting comfortable again.
Kiba sighed before departing. Though these worries still plagued his mind. Seeing Itachi's demonstration really put him in his place. Itachi and Sasuke became as strong as they were in the original story by training from a very young age. If he wanted everyone to become powerful, he would need to implement his 'Konoha 12 Redevelopment Plan' fast.
(Itachi and Sasuke POV)
As they walked back toward the compound, Sasuke swung his arms happily, still energized from watching his brother's fireball. Itachi glanced at him, then spoke in his usual calm tone.
"Sasuke… I may have startled your friend. I didn't mean to."
Sasuke blinked. "Huh? Kiba?"
"Yes." Itachi's expression softened with faint guilt. "He stepped back when I approached. My presence might have made him uncomfortable."
Sasuke tilted his head, genuinely confused. "Really? I didn't notice anything. He was acting normal to me."
Itachi raised an eyebrow ever so slightly. "…You didn't?"
"Nope!" Sasuke said with certainty. "Kiba's just like that sometimes—he makes weird faces. Don't worry, Big Brother, you didn't scare him."
A rare, quiet chuckle escaped Itachi's lips. "I see. Then I'll trust your judgment." He reached out and gently ruffled Sasuke's hair, who grinned ear to ear at the gesture.
"Besides," Sasuke added proudly, "I'm his first friend. I'll make sure he likes being around us no matter what!"
"…I'm glad," Itachi said simply, though his eyes lingered on Sasuke a moment longer, soft and warm.
To Be Continued.....
I have not forgotten about you guys...at least not yet. I finished a few chapters. It's just paranoia, I'm trying to make everything flow smoothly so it's not awkward when you read it. Sorry it took so long.