Summary: After living with an abusive father, and a runaway mother, two brothers are forced to live on their own. With help of unusual friends, they learn to move on with their lives together and find love with the people they do.

General warnings: abuse, alcohol, drugs, sexual intercourse, mentions of abortion, death. (It sounds darker than it is. I'm just being over cautious, but consider yourself warned).

Specific warnings for the chapter: mentions of drug intake and mentions of physical abuse.

Betaed by: ~GoodMorningFlower and ~breather

Chapter 1 - The day I met you

It was three years ago, but I remember that day with an uncommon precision. Today, on my birthday, we are finally able to fulfill a promise we made all the way back to the day we met. At my young age, I looked forward to this day, but now I just wish it had never came as it is the last time we'll meet for who knows how long.

'We are parting ways, and I can only wish you all the happiness in the world, my friend.'

…

That morning, I woke up to a gentle knocking on my door, once and only once. It was a Saturday and I had nothing to do, yet an anguished feeling tormented me. So I left the comforts of my warm bed too early in the morning to answer the door. A small boy, with features so similar to mine, stood quietly in front of me, just blinking his dark eyes.

"What happened?" I said as softly as I could, considering I had just woken up and my voice was still intoxicated with sleep.

My little brother, Sasuke, bit his lower lip in thought and then silently pointed at his knee, dripping with mud and blood. I remember the white shorts he was wearing that day got stained from the dirt.

I sighed as discreetly as I could upon seeing his skinned knee, and then I forced myself to smile for his sake. I reached for his small hands, also dirty with dry mud, and he took it and held on it as his short life depended on that. Maybe back then, it really did.

"Let's clean your knee while you tell me what happened."

I took my little brother, only five years old, to the bathroom we shared and sat him on the sink to examine at his knee. He watched me, curious and apprehensive, as I gathered a clean towel and soap. I could tell he was afraid of it hurting, considering his wary pout and the fact he was five and at five, you are usually more afraid of antiseptic and medicines than hurting yourself or getting sick.

I filled the sink with warm water and soaked the towel in it. "It's not going to hurt, Sasuke," I reassured him though he hadn't said a word about his fear and discomfort. However, he sighed in relief and closed his eyes, looking more relaxed.

I washed his knee as carefully as I could with the soap, paying attention at his features for any indication of pain, and then used the wetted towel to rinse the lather. The blood had stopped and the wound was already scabbing over at the edges.

"All done, no pain as promised." At my voice, he opened his eyes to take a look at his knee, cautiously observing it.

He frowned and tugged at my shirt to get my attention, pointing at the box of curatives on the sink. 'You haven't wrapped it on my knee,' the gesture was meant to indicate..

"I saw that you're all covered in dirt and dry mud, so I was thinking…" his small face lightened up as I picked him up. "…what about a bath with your brother?" I suggested as I placed him back on the floor.

He nodded enthusiastically, quickly taking off his clothes and arranging them neatly on a small pile. I laughed and soon filled the bathtub as my baby brother glared at me for taking too long.

"We forgot our towels and clothes."

Sasuke gestured for me to hurry and get them, climbing on the tub as I had seen him do so many times before, but it still scared me with thoughts of him falling and hurting himself.

"I'll come back quickly, don't move and no standing up on the tub, Sasuke," I told him and left the bathroom's door open so I could hear if something happened to him. I hurried to our bedrooms, thinking about everything I had read about accidents with children in the bathroom and how you should never leave them alone. I was 15 years old at the time and was not supposed to know so much about children as I had been forced to learn.

I sighed in relief when I went back to see my baby brother playing with the small ducks.

"… and then… then the evil Duck yelled at Super Duckling… 'You cannot win because I am stronger and I can punch and hit you! Ha ha ha!' but Super Duckling was not afraid, oh no, because… because he… er, he had a secret weapon!" I quietly watched Sasuke playing, knowing that if I announced myself he would silence himself immediately.

I gave him his small privacy to play, knowing his habit of basing his fantasy games on whatever problems he was facing; listening to his play would tell me what he was feeling and what he wanted, and later, it would be easier for him to talk to me. When he played, there was always a hero and a villain, about whom he would describe their battles, their good and bad deeds, and their wishes.

It was normal for his age, but what was concerning was how he portrayed the villain against the hero. The villain was always very violent and stronger, while the hero never used violence. I remember times I heard him coming up with brilliant solutions for the hero to win without using physical strength. But I also remember times the hero lost because, in his words, the villain was simply too strong and the punches hurt too much. Those moments were the hardest for my young self – still are when I think about it – because I know what it means to have the villain win: it is when I'm not around to protect my baby brother from our father's physical abuses.

"…with a broken wing, but a mind like Tachi, the Super Duckling won against the evil! Yay!"

I smiled and pretended I had just walked in, watching as Sasuke acted as nothing had happened.

"You took too long," he eventually told me, splashing the water.

"I'm sorry," I smirked. "I got lost on my way back." I saw him frowning at my obvious lie, but shook it off, starting to babble.

"We have new neighbors, Tachi. I saw when I was playing outside, but they didn't see me, there were lotsa people with boxes."

I hummed and entered the tub. "Why were you playing outside so early in the morning and without telling me?" It was meant to cause guilt, but Sasuke just shrugged it off and took a bottle of shampoo in his small hands.

"Let me wash your hair, Tachi."

I sighed in defeat and lowered my head, letting a cascade of dark hair curtain in front of my eyes.

"Do you think the new neighbors are cool?" I felt his small hands scrubbing my scalp.

"They have a kid, but he looks stupid. He still had a paci, Tachi!" Sasuke told me, truly shocked.

"Don't say that word. Maybe he was a toddler, was he small?"

Sasuke considered it for a moment. "Yes, very small, but no, not a baby. He was stupid."

I stopped his hand and looked up at him. "You know I don't like you saying things like this, specially while talking about other kids." I scolded him more harshly than the first time, but it was useless.

"Dad is always saying it, and so is Mom… and I heard Tachi saying it too!" he protested.

I looked him in the eye. "I was wrong, so I'm sorry, but I still don't want you saying it."

He held his glare at me for a moment, until he pouted in defeat. "I am sorry."

"It's fine, since you won't say it anymore. Now give me the soap so I can wash you, the water is getting cold."

I proceeded to give my baby brother a proper bath, tinting the bathtub in mud and revealing a few bruises on his pale legs. They didn't worry me; as pale as Sasuke was, any impact on his skin would leave a mark and these bruises were clearly from playing outside.

When I scrubbed his hair with shampoo, he hissed in pain and touched his head. I looked at the tub and saw it wasn't tinted with only mud, but blood as well. I felt myself panicking. I took his hand off and rinsed his hair with water until I could find where the blood was coming from.

It was a shallow and small cut, but oh God, it was bleeding so much, as scalp wounds tended to. I might have reopened it when I scrubbed his scalp, but…

"Why did you not tell me?!" I asked him more harshly than I intended, but why had he hidden it from me? "Answer me, Sasuke," I pleaded more gently, yet he refused to utter a word.

The sight of so much blood coming from my younger brother disturbed me, but more disturbing still was the fact Sasuke had hidden it from me. He always told me when he injured himself, and again a cut in the head wasn't normal; that was the first time. I began to imagine various 'what if's' – what if he got a concussion, what if this was serious, what if I hadn't seen it.

I was sure of one thing, which ironically would save my life: I had to take Sasuke to the hospital.

I hurriedly washed the soap from his body and quickly rinsed myself. When I left the tub, I felt my legs, arms and hands shaking, so I forced myself to calm down. 'Don't be ridiculous,' I told myself, 'all the blood is due to the amount of blood vessels on the head. No need to panic.'

I wrapped a towel around his head to keep the blood from falling on his clothes and also in an attempt to slow the bleeding. It worked, which calmed, but Sasuke looked agitated after I told him we were going to the hospital.

"It's not going to hurt, Sasuke, I promise," I reassured him the best I could, promising to take him to eat ice cream afterwards.

Walking around the house, I could tell my father was absent, and I knew better than to try to contact him. When I went to my parent's bedroom, I found my mother on the bed, sleeping heavily with an open box of sleeping pills by her side. Considering that the box was half empty, she was dead to the world for the whole day.

I sighed, wondering how I was supposed to take the kid to the hospital without any help from my parents. The bus barely made it to anywhere close to the area on weekends and even if I could take the car without a license, I was sure my father had taken it. Also, it wasn't the safest alternative considering my panicked state. If only my mother was awake…

I thought the only alternative was to ask Mrs. Kyoko, the widow who lived across the street with her dog and two cats. I knew she would ask too many questions, questions I wasn't sure I could or should answer, but still she was a better option than waiting for a bus or doing nothing.

I took Sasuke outside, who remained mute the whole time, intending on asking Mrs. Kyoko for a ride, thinking of a believable lie. But when I closed the front door behind me I saw the new neighbors Sasuke had told me. 'Damn.'

I saw a redheaded man with a blond kid in his arms and a dark-haired woman. The man noticed me and waved in my direction. 'Shit, now I'm obligated to greet him,' I thought disdainfully. 'But maybe they could help me without asking too many questions, if only I can get my act together.'

I politely greeted him with a "Good morning, you must be the new neighbors." And I had to force myself to maintain a blank face when he grinned, showing a pair of sharp fang-looking teeth. 'Is it normal or safe?' I wondered.

"Hey, nice to meet you, neighbor. I'm Kurama Uzumaki." We shook hands. "This is my wife, Kaoru." The woman nodded at me with a small smile. "And this little fellow here is Naruto. Say hi, Naru." The blond kid took off his pacifier and yelled "Hii!"

"I'm Itachi Uchiha and this is my little brother, Sasuke. Nice to meet you."

We talked for a while about things that didn't matter; I wondered when it was acceptable to mention we needed a ride to the hospital. 'Maybe I should just ask Mrs. Kyoko, since she has known me and Sasuke for so long.' I thought.

"… but are you alright? You look somehow worried, is there something I may help with?" For him to notice, either I was showing more than I intended – which wasn't the case – or the man was extremely sharp. "Eh, I mean, sorry to meddle, Kaoru always tells me I meddle too much in people's life, but if you need anything, you can tell, alright?"

'It is now or never,' I convinced myself.

"Actually," I began cautiously, thinking how I should phrase the request in order not to raise suspicions. "I need to take my little brother to the hospital, I-" I was going to lie about an exam or a check-up, but Kurama cut me off.

"Oh my God, is it serious? What happened? Why didn't you say sooner? That's why you look so worried."

I was dizzy with so many questions. "It's nothing serious." I shook my head, trying to convince myself of that. "He fell while playing and hit his head, he got a shallow cut so I want to take him in as a precaution," I ended up blurting.

Kurama frowned and handed the blond boy to, I assumed, his mother. "Indeed," he said, more serious than before, but smiled again. "I'll take you there, no problem. Going to the hospital is routine with the little one over there; you take your eyes one second off him and he comes crying with a new wound or cut," he sighed humorously.

I chuckled in agreement though it wasn't very convincing, yet the man said nothing. So we followed Kurama into his car, an old and cheap model that looked as precious as a Ferrari to me in that situation.

He rolled down the window to talk to his wife. "Kaoru, I'll take them to the hospital and stop by the market later. We'll be back soon."

"Do you want me go with you?" She flicked her green eyes at me and Sasuke at the back seat, a worried expression on her face.

"No need. I'd rather you be at home with Naru," Kurama answered with a soft smile.

Kaoru smiled back and placed a soft kiss on his forehead, a gesture that reminded me of my parents from many, many, many years ago. "Take care then. Naruto and I will start unpacking the boxes."

"I'm going, bye. Bye Naru, help Kaoru and behave, you hear me?"

"Bye bye! Naru helps and behaves! Bring Naru lotsa goodies!" The kid waved off and we parted with Kurama shaking his head and chuckling.

…

"Are your parents working?" he asked me as we turned in direction of the city. "Did you call them?"

My mind whirled, trying to cope with the man's sudden, numerous questions. "Yes, they are working," I lied easily. "But I didn't call them." He raised an eyebrow. "They work so hard and they worry so much already I didn't want to concern them further. I will call them later so they know everything is fine with Sasuke."

"That's very thoughtful of you, responsible as well, and you look so young. How old are you, by the way?"

"I am fifteen and Sasuke is five." There was no point in lying about my age; it would not benefit me. "Sorry to ask you sir, but you and your wife look very young…"

He laughed, cutting me again. "Thank God you think so! I'm 25 and Kaoru is 24. We are young and I know what you're thinking, but you're wrong."

I frowned. "I'm sorry?"

"About Naruto," he explained. "He's not my son, he's my baby brother."

Naturally many questions arose in my mind, as well as few answers but as the man didn't say anything further, I was left with a polite "I see."

We arrived at the hospital ten minutes later. He surprised me by going in and waiting with us until the receptionist called us in. He had been there enough times already for the girl, Mariko, to recognize him.

"Good morning Mr. Uzumaki. What happened this time?" she looked around. "Where is Naruto?"

"He's at home with Kaoru. They're both fine this time, miraculously."

"It's been a few months since I've seen him, might be a record," Mariko joked lightly.

"Let's hope to keep it that way."

"Yes, yes. So, how may I help you today?"

Before I could speak, Kurama explained. "You see, Naruto's friend here, Sasuke, was playing at my house. You know how boys are, so Sasuke ended up falling and hitting his head. As he was under my responsibility, I brought him here, but his brother, Itachi, insisted on coming," he lied easily. I could only tell it was a lie because I knew the truth, but his voice and gestures gave nothing away. My hackles rose unconsciously; I would need to be cautious around him.

The girl nodded and typed something on the computer. "Such a responsible kid. Your parents must be really proud."

I gave her my best and fakest smile in return, unable to answer anything. She handed a paper that Kurama quickly signed off and asked us to wait. We were soon taken to the doctor's office.

Upon opening the door, the doctor sighed at the sight of the redhead.

"Oh God, I knew it was taking too long." She then looked at me and Sasuke and blinked. "Oh, where's Naruto?"

"He is at home and safe with Kaoru, Shizune. These are Itachi and Sasuke, my neighbors." I felt useless and childish around Kurama, but yet I couldn't deny it was a relief having an adult to rely on.

"Nice to meet you, Itachi, Sasuke." Doctor Shizune shook my hand and motioned for us to sit with a smile. "So, what happened?"

I told her what had happened in the morning, skipping over the parts of my parents' unreasonable absence and their lack of worry.

"I see. Sasuke, could you sit over there so I can examine you, please?"

My baby brother nodded and sat on the gurney. Doctor Shizune listened to his heart, measured his pressure, and examined his throat and his eyes. She took a look at his knee and then finally at his head.

The doctor touched it lightly. "Tell me if it hurts." Sasuke nodded but didn't complain about pain. "Did you feel dizzy, like the world was spinning around and around?" He shook his head no. "Do you remember how you hurt your head, Sasuke?" He nodded, but didn't elaborate.

"Apparently it's nothing. You said you didn't see how he hurt himself, right Itachi?"

"Yes, I was sleeping and he didn't complain about his head hurting. I assumed he had fallen while playing." My concern was real, so Dr. Shizune calmed me down.

"It's more likely he hit his head on the edge of the table or some furniture. He has a small lump and the cut is shallow." I probably looked guilty or worried because she reassured me everything was fine. "It's not uncommon for kids to hurt themselves like this, but we still have to be careful… Playing with the child and not simply watching over them is a good way to prevent most accidents and also to help the child's development."

I nodded in understanding. "Yes. Thank you very much, Doctor Shizune."

"No need to thank me." She smiled and, finally calmer, I noticed how young she looked for being a doctor. "It was just a scare, but please come back if you notice he's feeling dizzy or nauseous. Kurama has my contact number so don't hesitate to call him or me."

I nodded and looked at the man beside me, who nodded back and smiled. "Thank you, Shizune."

"Now, if you please…" she handed a paper to him, who quickly signed it. "…I'll prescribe an antiseptic for his knee. Wash it with soap and water and dry it carefully, then apply the antiseptic two times a day for the next three days."

She handed me the prescription. "Of course. Thank you again Dr. Shizune."

Before I could protest, Kurama took care of everything, including the paperwork, and we were soon leaving the hospital and driving to another part of the city.

"Do you mind if I stop by the market?"

"No, of course not." After all the trouble I gave him and how kindly he was, I could only try and help him shop for groceries.

"Good, so could you call Kaoru and ask her what I am supposed to buy? I kind of forgot the list." I looked at him, deadpan, as he scratched the back of his head awkwardly. What the hell happened to the adult feeling? I shrugged it off and asked for the cellphone.

…

"Hello?"

"Hello, this is Itachi, the neighbor. Kurama is taking us to the market so…"

She sighed on the other side of the line. "He forgot the list, didn't he?"

"Yes ma'am."

"Oh God, that man… Sorry for the trouble, dear, but could you write it down for me? I'm sure there's a notebook and a pen in that pouch on the back of the seat. How is your brother?"

"He's fine, it was nothing serious." I found the notebook and opened to a blank page; it had many drawings in it, probably made by the blond kid. "You can start, ma'am."

She giggled, I could hear her talking to the kid, and then she started listing the items we were supposed to buy.

"… and that's it. Thank you, Itachi, sorry for the trouble."

"It's nothing, ma'am. Bye."

"Bye."

…

I woke Sasuke up as we parked. I picked him up as he was still sleepy and we followed the redhead into the market. I wondered if I should prioritize buying the antiseptic, but soon dismissed the thought. It was only courteous to first help the man who had helped me without a second thought that day. However, after I placed Sasuke on the cart's chair…

"Oh damn, I forgot." Kurama took his wallet and handed me a few bills. "Itachi, could you hurry to the drugstore to get Sasuke's antiseptic?"

I blinked at him. "I can't accept it, sir."

"Oh please, it's just 20 bucks, not a fortune Itachi. And it's for Sasuke," he said as if he already knew Sasuke was my weakness. Kurama took a step closer to me and smiled at my shocked face. "You know, Itachi, I know how it feels to be responsible for something before you're ready for it. It's not easy. Someone else helped me when I was in a situation I quite couldn't manage on my own, so consider this me paying it forward. And in the future, you do the same for someone else, creating a virtuous cycle." He cautiously touched my hair and when I didn't make a move to brush him off, he ruffled my hair in a… maybe what I imagined to be a fatherly way.

"I know it sounds weird from someone you met this morning and it's not even noon yet, but I felt a connection with you. The way you looked reminded me of myself a few years ago. I honestly hope you can rely on me and on Kaoru for a while. No worries." He grinned and it felt so warm; his touch and his smile were so warm.

"I don't even know what to say…" I was almost speechless.

He laughed out loud. "Just go buy the antiseptic, Itachi."

I nodded and ran to the drugstore without a single thought. It was just when I was paying the cashier that I froze in place. Without a single thought I had left Sasuke alone with a stranger.

'Fuck. Shit. Fuuuck!' I screamed in my mind. 'How could I be so stupid? Kurama is charismatic, but then, aren't most abductors and child molesters charismatic as well? And what about the weird conversation we had? Connection? What the hell? How did I fall for that shit?'

I was breathless when I entered the market again, earning a few suspicious glances, not that it mattered; the only thing I had in mind was to find Sasuke. I dashed around the store, looking for them frenetically.

Nowhere.

I thought about going to the police, or to the reception desk and telling I lost my brother so it would catch people's attention about a lost child. I wondered if I should go home, hoping to meet them at the house next to mine.

In my desperately churning mind, I almost missed my baby brother's voice.

"[…] I'm sorry Kura, but he looks a bit stupid." I sighed in relief at hearing his voice, but damn kid, I had scolded him for saying that word.

"I confess he's a little slow indeed, but he has a good heart, the biggest I've seen."

I could tell by their voices they were on the next corridor, so I took the time to calm down and listen. It was rare Sasuke talked, especially with a stranger.

"I can try being friends with Naru, but promise me a thing," Sasuke demanded and I confess I felt jealous over the fact he was talking so much with a stranger.

"What is it?" Kurama asked him.

"Be Tachi's friend too. Tachi has biiiiig heart but he has no friends to play with." Oh Sasuke, if only he knew how happy I felt when he said that, and how sad as well, for I didn't want him to worry about me.

Kurama chuckled. "I'll be your brother's friend, promise."

"What's that?"

"This?" A pause. "It's a pinky promise. Here, gimme your pinky." He probably entwined their fingers. "Pinky, pinky bow-bell/Whoever tells a lie/Will sink down to the bad place/And never rise up again."

I smiled at the silly song I had completely forgotten about. I should have taught Sasuke.

"I never heard of pinky promises. Are they powerful?"

"Of course they are. Now listen, every promise is powerful. Never forget that." I heard the cart moving. "Now let's look for your brother, he must be coming back soon."

I ran to the end of the corridor and turned around and back again, so it looked like we just met by chance when he turned into the corridor.

"There you are," Kurama said with a smile as I waved at them. "We were talking about you just now."

"Oh," I tried to look and sound surprised. "What were you saying about me?" I looked at Sasuke with a half-smile.

"It's a secret Tachi." My baby brother surprised me with a cute smile that I hadn't seen for quite a while.

"It's a secret, I see." I looked at Kurama. "Sorry I left Sasuke with you and ran off without even asking." I cleared my throat when he just made a dismissive gesture. "Do you need help with shopping?"

Kurama shook his head. "No, we're almost done. Sasuke was a great help." The little one smiled proudly at the compliment. "Now, we just need to get ginger, cinnamon and chocolate."

"Chocolate?" Sasuke asked as his dark eyes glinted.

"Do you like chocolate?"

The boy nodded, but fidgeted with his small hands, causing Kurama to raise an eyebrow at me.

"My parents don't really let him eat candies," I explained lamely, it was more like they didn't care enough to buy it.

"Kaoru doesn't let Naruto eat candy as well, says he gets way too hyped and it's not really healthy, but we found out a bar of dark chocolate is the compromise we needed. But if you think your parents won't like it, I won't buy it. It's everyone or no one."

I thought it wasn't really fair for me to make the decision, but it wasn't a hard choice. "I suppose it's fine, just a bar," I told him, making Sasuke's smile widen.

I felt a bit guilty he bought a bar of chocolate for Sasuke and didn't let me pay for it. First was the medicine and then the chocolate. I confess I sulked a bit on our way back home, but it was understandable as my 15 years old self wasn't used to be treated like the teenager I was.

…

It was almost lunch time when we arrived back at Kurama's house, and my stomach did the favor of reminding me and everyone else how hungry I was since I had eaten nothing that morning.

"I'll feel offended if you don't have lunch with us."

I thought about my mother, who probably was still sleeping at home. Who knew for how long she'd sleep, more likely she was going to sleep through the whole day as it wasn't unusual.

"I don't want to intrude," I said out of habit, but quickly changed my mind upon the look the redhead gave me. "I mean, sure we will."

Kaoru and Naruto greeted us and I sent Sasuke to her, as she offered to look over the kids while Kurama and I took the groceries inside. I helped him quickly, storing and separating the items as the man instructed me. Obviously I had an ear for Sasuke if he suddenly felt uncomfortable, but it didn't seem to be the case.

Kaoru was a beautiful woman, anyone could say, with big green eyes, long dark hair, red lips and a little nose. She was incredibly gentle and attentive, but also childish, clumsy and terribly bossy. It was obvious by the way Kurama looked at her that he was completely crazy for the woman, even as she yelled he had forgotten to buy this and that, or when she stumbled over air.

The house was pretty decent, considering it wasn't completely ready to live in. The kitchen was completed with every utensil and appliance one could imagine, and a pile of empty boxes lay on the corner. The living room was an empty space decorated with boxes of different sizes, a perfect place for two little boys to run around each other.

A yellow giggling flash passed by us in the kitchen, followed by my calmer baby brother.

"Wah, Naruto! I told you not to run inside the house." Kaoru picked the up running boy and spun him around, making him laugh out loud in joy. Sasuke stood by my side and observed with glinting eyes.

The blond kid touched her cheek with both hands. "Sorry mama."

I noticed how Kurama frowned at the sentence, but he said nothing, occupied by the task of cooking.

"It's alright baby boy. Give mama a kiss."

Naruto placed an open mouthed kiss on her cheek.

"Don't encourage him, Kaoru. You're not his mother." It was a simple phrase, spoken lightly, yet it made the temperature of the room drop.

I could see there was something more meaningful behind the words by the way Kaoru looked hurt. I wouldn't understand the cruelty of those few words until many months later.

"Naru mama is Naru mama, Kura!" The little kid protested angered. "You, you... poopy head!" the little blond gasped at his own choice of words, guilty for the bad word he had just uttered. If only Sasuke could feel guilty about his choice of words.

"Sorry," Naruto grimaced. "S-sorry." He repeated with a sad and desperate expression and then he started crying.

As soon as the first tear fell from his eyes, the thick atmosphere completely dissipated. Kaoru rocked his small body trying to calm him down, but it was only when Kurama picked the boy up that he stopped.

"Sorry Kura," Naruto said through a cracked voice.

"I forgive you, kit." He ruffled the blond hair and patted his back, effectively calming him down. "Now, why don't you show your new friend your toys?"

Naruto perked up again and jumped out of Kurama's hold as if nothing had happened, running to Sasuke and grabbing his hand. My baby brother startled and looked confused, but the blond didn't seem to notice his reaction as he dragged him to the living room.

"I'll watch over them," I said to give them privacy. It seemed the right thing to do.

"Thank you." It wasn't about me looking over the children.

…

"This my car, this my plane, this my bear and this my dog." Naruto picked all the toys his small arms could hold to show Sasuke.

"It is not a dog, it is a fox," My baby brother corrected the younger boy.

"A dog, my dog!"

"No Naruto, it is not a dog."

"A dog, my dog, my dog!"

"A fox, it is a fox!" I had never seen Sasuke so patient to continue a conversation with another kid for so long.

"My fox?" The kid tilted his head to the side.

"Yes, Naruto, this is a fox." Sasuke rolled his eyes.

"Oh, Sasu smart." They smiled at each other "Play with Naru."

Sasuke nodded and I watched the two kids playing together. It wasn't very peaceful as the boys would engage in an argument every five seconds, but it was the most I had seen Sasuke interacting with another child, so I wouldn't complain.

"Boys?" Kaoru called out from the kitchen. "Lunch is ready. Go wash your hands, please."

"We are in middle of adventure, ma!" Naruto yelled back.

"Five minutes!"

"kaay."

It surprised me how Kaoru would compromise with the kid instead of making him do as she had said. But what surprised me even more was Naruto stopping their game play and putting the toys back in the box about five minutes later.

"Lunch, lunch, lunch, lunch!" the younger sang happily, hopping to the kitchen.

Sasuke and I followed him.

"Did you wash your hands?" Kurama asked his brother.

"Oh, Naru forgot."

"Then, please."

"Come on, Naruto, let's wash our hands," I suggested, taking his hand. "You too, Sasuke."

…

After I sent Naruto back into the kitchen, I placed my baby brother on the sink.

"Tachi, chocolate. I'm hungry."

"We'll have lunch now and after lunch, you can have your chocolate. Now, let me clean your knee."

He nodded and stopped moving as the obedient child he has always been. It was easier to clean his wounds when they weren't caked in dried blood and mud, so it didn't take long.

"I like them, Tachi. I like Kura and I like Kao. Naru is not so bad." Sasuke said as I hummed in acknowledge. "Kaoru gave me a hug, a very nice hug, Tachi, like yours, but different. She smells nice."

I smiled at him. "I like them too, Sasuke." I ruffled his hair. "Give them a lot of hugs if you want."

"Yes! Now let's eat, Tachi. My tummy is groaning."

…

I wondered when was the last time I had fun while doing something as simple as having lunch. I wondered if those people knew how grateful I felt eating with them. I wondered if I could ever have a meal on my own without the memory of the neighbors.

Over lunch, I found out Kurama worked as a cook for a family restaurant in Downtown named Akatsuki. Kaoru was a designer who could work at home, but she was had a medical license for reasons I didn't dare to ask.

"I was thinking about getting a part-time job, but I wouldn't feel comfortable leaving Sasuke in a day care or with a stranger," I contributed.

Kurama and Kaoru shared a look. "I can look over him if you aren't opposed, I'm home all day with Naruto already," the dark-haired woman offered kindly.

"And I can get you a job at Akatsuki. The owner is my cousin and I'm sure he would appreciate more help, the place is growing. Oh, but you have to hand your parents' writen agreement and also get the allowance from your school. That is, if you don't mind working as a waiter. The shift is not long and it pays well, but it's not an easy job."

"I'll talk to them and think about it," I lied easily, knowing my parents didn't care. "Thank you very much for the offer."

"It's nothing, Itachi. And if you decide to get a job, we'll go out to celebrate! Just the two of us," Kurama announced.

"Only when Itachi turns 18, dear," Kaoru reminded him that I was still underage.

"Okay, so we make a promise. When you turn 18, we'll go out to drink, just you and me."

I thought it absurd for many reasons. First for the promise itself, second for the time it would take – who would remember that? And then, how could he say we would still be in touch with each other when I turned 18? It was ridiculous. Still, I felt eager for that day.

…

After lunch, I helped Kaoru wash the dishes as Kurama played with the kids outside. After a small bar of chocolate each, the two were hyped up and ready to play.

"I'm very grateful you decided to come over, Itachi."

"I'm the one who's grateful for the invitation, ma'am."

She chuckled. "Yes, but we met this morning and you have Sasuke," she commented, washing a plate. "Besides, I know how my husband can be pushy and overly friendly at times. It's a bit scary, I admit." I smiled. "And I can see what he saw in you."

"What did he see in me?" I asked self-consciously.

"I'm sure he saw a bit of himself in you. He also likes to think he feels people's true nature and intentions, and I have to admit he's always right. But that's beside the point. Kurama saw something in you and I can see as well. It makes us feel the need to help you, Itachi." She said about the same thing Kurama had told me in the market.

Again I didn't know what to say, so I only nodded.

The rest of the talk was lighter, about neutral events and the weather. We cleaned the kitchen quickly despite that Kaoru broke a glass in her clumsiness.

It was refreshing. The couple was refreshing, and despite all the doubts in my mind and the small suspicion that I couldn't let go of, I felt light.

Kaoru and I went outside the house after we were done. Kurama was running around with the two little boys. The redhead ran, jumped and pretended to fall for the children's delight; even Sasuke was laughing.

"Oh!" Kurama suddenly said to get the boys' attention. "Did you hear that?" He cupped his hand around his ear.

"What?!" the boys asked curious.

"It is…" he built up the suspense. "It is a plane! We have to fly!" he unceremoniously picked Naruto and held him over his head. The boy opened his arms and yelled in joy as Kurama ran in circles, making plane's noises. He placed the boy back on the floor. "Run Naru, run!" Kurama ran to Sasuke and picked him up as well in order to give my little brother the same treatment.

Sasuke screamed when Kurama threw him in the air. My heart froze and my stomach turned upside down at the scene, but my baby brother was soon safe in the redhead's arms, laughing and asking for more. Instead, he held him over his head just as he had done with Naruto and ran around imitating an airplane.

The three walked to us panting with grins on their flushed faces.

"I am dizzy," Kurama confessed to his wife.

"Of course you are. You just ate, and what about the kids, it hasn't been an hour since they had lunch, they could get nauseous." She shook her head at him, who only smiled sheepishly. "You're such a kid sometimes." Kaoru smiled at him and pressed a kiss on his temple.

"Tachi!" I picked my baby brother up as he ran to me. "I flied, Tachi, I flied!"

"I saw it." It almost gave me a heart attack, but at least Sasuke was happy.

"Itachi?" a voice I wasn't expecting made me turn around to see a woman walking to me, my mother.

She wore sunglasses, probably to hide a black eye, and a scarf around her neck so people wouldn't see the bruises there.

"Hi mother. I thought you'd still be…" asleep, dead to the world. "…working." I hoped she would pick up my hint and go along with it.

She did. "I took the afternoon off to be with you and Sasuke." My mother took Sasuke from my arms and held him close.

She wasn't a bad person or a cruel mother; Mikoto was simply a very weak woman who had made poor choices her whole life. She couldn't face the consequences of her choices and thus chose to relieve the harsh reality with sleeping pills and obsessive shopping, being absent of my and Sasuke's life for most part of it.

"I missed you, mommy," Sasuke said in her arms, cuddling to her chest and making me cringe.

My mother didn't even know what to say or do, so she simply kissed his forehead, making me remember the mother she once had been.

I felt drained, but forced myself to keep a neutral expression when Kurama and Kaoru greeted her. They talked briefly and throughout the talk, I kept pretending not to notice the small glances the couple gave at me, some curious, others suspicious.

"I'm sorry for the trouble. Thank you very much for taking care of my boys," Mikoto said politely. "Now we have to go. If you need anything, just say it." It was an obvious lie meant to say 'don't ever bother us, please'.

"You too, bye-bye. It was nice to meet you." Kaoru waved as we walked back home.

…

For a moment, I permitted myself to be selfish and stay in my bedroom. Later that day, my mother came knocking on my door. She looked miserable and I could only feel pity for her.

"Where is Sasuke?" was the first thing I asked.

"He's taking a nap on the couch."

"Hn." I opened the door for her. "Do you need something?"

"Can we talk?"

I nodded. She sat in my bed with her hands on her lap. I only waited.

"Sasuke told me about his injuries." She sighed. "I'll talk to your father, I'm sure he didn't mean to do it… it was just an accident." I frowned at her words.

"What father has to do with Sasuke's wounds?"

Her eyes widened as she realized I had no idea about that and I could only get angry. I needed to know what had happened. "What did Sasuke tell you?!" I urged her, but she shook her head, her lips quivering. "Tell me what happened." She shook her head again.

"TELL ME!"

"It was an accident. Your father didn't sleep well, he was nervous, I know… I told Sasuke your father didn't mean to do that. He only wants his son to behave, that's all." Her voice as well as her body trembled. "He was nervous, the slap wasn't meant to be so harsh and… and Sasuke fell and hit his head on the coffee table. I should move that coffee table, your father is always telling me to do that, so I should just…"

"Mother…" I felt myself shaking in fury.

"I will talk to your father, Itachi. It was just a scare, but I'll talk to him and he will change. He is not a bad person, Itachi…"

"Mother…" my voice cracked and I felt a lump on my throat.

"We were so happy when we married. He was so sweet, I'm sure it's just a bad phase, he's stressed with work, it's not his fault…"

"Mother, stop! I beg you, please stop!" I tried to swallow, but my mouth was dry. "Stop deluding yourself, please," I said softly.

She blinked at me a few times before my words sunk in her head. I saw her breaking, saw the despair in her dark eyes, the fear, the fragility, emotions I didn't want to see in my mother's eyes.

At fifteen, I saw myself comforting my mother. I saw my mother crumbling into pieces, crying like I wished I could cry. But who would comfort me?

"I'm so sorry," she sobbed. "I'm a horrible mother." It wasn't true, but I still couldn't deny it. "Sasuke is… I'm so… Itachi… sorry."

I felt myself growing colder inside at the pitiful display of my mother. Unknowingly, I promised myself I would never be like that and I would never ever resort to any kind of violence against anyone.

As her son, I couldn't help her. I could only stay there and curse my small tragedy.

Eventually, her body stopped trembling and the sobs grew quieter and quieter until they disappeared.

"What should I do, son?" She sounded completely broken and lost.

"I don't know." And so did I.

…

"Mommy?"

We looked at the door to find Sasuke with his blanket around his small body.

"Are you sad?" he asked, perceptive as ever.

Naturally, my mother denied it and beckoned him closer. Her face was a caricature of what once was her beautiful features. Wrinkles, bruises, cuts and scars adorned the once flawless pale skin.

"Mommy wants to tell you something, Sasuke." She picked him up and held him. "Mommy wants you to know that I love you, ok sweetie."

"I love you too mommy," he muttered and hugged her close to him, breathing in her scent.

"I love you so much, Sasuke. You are my baby boy, you will always be my baby boy." I saw more tears falling from her eyes. "Forgive me," she whispered and kissed his head, once, twice.

My mother showered my baby brother in kisses like she never had done before. She hugged him tightly, whispering how much she loved her baby boy and would always love him.

That night, after my father's arrival and the silent and depressed dinner, I saw my mother's eyes glint with life, and I hoped.

I saw my mother tucking Sasuke in bed, reading him a story, kissing his forehead again and again, caressing his hair and his cheek so lovingly.

"Good dreams, Sasuke. Mommy loves you, don't ever forget."

I smiled and thought my home situation would finally change. I thought that spark of life I saw in my mother's eyes at dinner meant a new beginning.

Unfortunately, I was right.

That night my mother left home without a glance behind. She left and disappeared from the world.

It was the last time I saw my mother.

…

I sigh when I arrive at the restaurant. It's the $2,00 everyday ride, but it is the hardest one. I open the same door I open every single day, listening to the chirp of the bell.

I look around and my eyes land on a redheaded figure sitting on the corner of the place. There he is. He waves at me and stands up to greet me.

"I said you should have come with me, you little brat," he complains and hugs me, patting my back.

I hug him back. "I told you I needed to solve some matters." He gives me a disapproving look I'm used to. "As if you hadn't enough trouble yourself, Kura. I'm 18 now, I can take care of myself."

He sighs and we both sit. "That's really sad, Ita."

"Hn, feeling old?" I tease him lightly.

"Hey, I'm a father of two; three considering Naru." Kurama waves at a waiter to bring us our drinks, plain beer.

"How is Kaoru?"

"She's excited. Tired, but excited. We chose the kids' names already," he proclaimed proudly, a dreamy look on his face.

"Already? You found out it was twins last week." He nods at me, still smiling. "And what are they, eh?"

"The boy will be Menma and the girl, Kakuni."*

"What? Who chose the names? Naruto?" I chuckle along with my old friend.

He sighs good-humoredly. "Yes, it was Naruto. We shouldn't have asked him on Ichiraku's night."

"Naruto, Menma and Kakuni… are you going to change your name to Kuramen?" I arch an eyebrow at him.**

He laughs out loud, shaking his head at my poor attempt of humor. We're both sad, unwilling to talk about the fact that tonight will be both our first time drinking together, and the last for a long time.

Our beers are brought by a blonde I know too well, who places the drinks on our table and winks at me playfully before leaving.

"So, you two are doing alright?" Kurama asks, motioning his head in the blonde's direction.

"Better than ever," I admit with a small smile. "Just…" I lower my voice.

"Just what?" he whispers back, drinking a mouthful of beer.

I look around and take a sip of my beer. "We had this conversation about moving in together…"

"What about Sasuke?" he asks me as if I have lost my mind.

"Exactly. I haven't told him yet."

"You better. How long have you two been together now?" He points at me and the blonde.

"Two years," I confess with a grimace.

"Fucking shit, Itachi. That long and you didn't tell your brother?" he raises his voice a bit, causing me to glare at him. "My bad," he mutters.

I clear my throat. "Anyway, about moving in." He hums for me to continue. "We came to the conclusion we'll absolutely take Sasuke with us-"

"Well, that's amazing! Kaoru was very insistent that I bring Naru along back then." I roll my eyes at his interruption.

"Let me continue, Kura."

"Okay, spill out."

"Considering that we're taking the next step, we need a place, a cheap place, but also in a good neighborhood for Sasuke. I can't find it." I finally make my point clear.

"Oh I know a place!" One day I'll ask him something he doesn't know, one day. "The last place I lived before we moved in beside your house. It's a nice apartment complex, cheap, I could talk to the landlady so she lowers the rent for you."

"We are parting ways and I'm owing you my life," I tell him indignantly.

"Consider it my parting gift, Ita." He ruffles my hair as he did in the past, still seeing me as the same brat from three years ago.

"You know I can't thank you enough."

He grins. "That's the plan!" A long sip of his drink. "When you are powerful and influential, I'll knock on your door and say: 'Hello Itachi, remember that little favor I gave you some years ago, so now I need one billion dollars, so do you mind.' And you'll be: 'Everything for my great buddy Kurama, why don't you take two billion?'" I chuckle at his impersonation of us in the future, shaking my head at the horrible notion he has of my future, powerful and influential. "Jokes aside, you owe me nothing."

I smile and take another sip of my beer. We have all night to talk and I hope tonight doesn't go by too quickly.

"Hey, blondie! Another round of beer. I'm getting your boyfriend drunk and nice for you," Kurama yells out, making everyone look at said blond, who only smirks at the attention and fills in our glasses.

"There's no way I'm taking care of his drunk ass, Kura, my shift ends at 2:00."

"So join us! It's Saturday, your boyfriend's 18th birthday and I'm paying. Do you need any other reason?"

I see a smile I'm used to seeing, licentious and deviant. "No way. He's mine after 2:00, right babe?" The whispered words in my ear make me shiver.

The beer makes my head lighter. "Whatever you want." Maybe too lighter as I see myself pecking the lips I love, in public.

"After 2:00, Tachi." It is a promise I'll not be able to refuse if asked again.

Kurama is looking at me amused, so I have the decency to blush. "Don't forget to invite me to your wedding," he jokes.

"As the best-man," I promise teasingly, raising my glass up.

He raises his and clinks it against mine. "That's a toast. Cheers!"

"Cheers." We take a mouthful of our beers and laugh, the alcohol making its way to our systems.

I hope the night ends as well as it began, with laughter and cheers of two friends. I'll make the best of our last night, my friend. Cheers.

*Menma and Kakuni are both ramen toppings, and so is Naruto if you didn't know.

** Oh I'm so funny, haha. .-.

AN: I have tumblr now (tsukinoyue) and I'll update Family soon, promise.

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