As the day was drawing to a close, Itachi Uchiha was laying down for the night. It was silent, peaceful, and hopefully these circumstances would grant him the ability to actually sleep tonight. His eyes, surprisingly onyx, began to close, though just as he could feel his muscles and limbs relaxing, the sound of his door sliding open forced him awake. In the doorway stood the girl that had been trying to make the cold-hearted, emotionless man into a caring brother once again. Though she was the age of fifteen, she currently looked about half that, holding with her a teddy bear, a helpless expression upon her face.

"Nii-san... I had a bad dream..." She mumbled quietly, looking down. Her presence would surely bother him, but at this moment, she simply wanted his comforting presence.

"It was nothing but a creation of your mind, Summer. Go to bed." The man stated with a tired sigh, watching as the young girl hugged the bear tighter to her self. Unlike hyperactive and stubborn child she normally acted like, this was most certainly a very vulnerable side.

"O-oh... kay..." She mumbled sullenly, turning to leave and clutching the stuffed animal tighter, as if she would die were she to loosen her grip at all.

Watching her begin to leave, Itachi found himself speaking without realizing it. "...Wait. If you wish, you may... Stay in here. For the night."

Looking back at him, a relieved smile crossed her face. "R-really?" Happily, she walked over to him, crawling into his bed and curling up under the covers, reminiscent of a small child sleeping in her parents bed.

Sighing slightly, Itachi looked down at the girl. How was it possible that he could allow himself to risk hurting another? He had already failed once; it was more than likely that he would fail again.

"I love you, Nii-san..." The mumbled words pulled Itachi out of his thoughts and self-doubt, making him focus once more on the girl that was now beside him, already drifting off into slumber.

"...I... love you, too..."