Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or the chars… just this story.

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What could a young child possibly be capable, what horrors were necessary for the mind to loose itself amidst the crimson invitation?

Oh, that they knew, perhaps in such a case, he wouldn't be here...

Itachi sat beside Sasuke, gazing up at the sky, his legs would reach the ground floor, whilst Sasuke, five years younger would not touch that floor for a great amount of remaining time.

" I will always be a barrier for you to overcome Sasuke."
Sasuke gazed up at his brother, seemingly lost in his words. Oh those sweet sounds that his brother made, those words spilling from his mouth in angelic symphonies.

His eyes wandered down Itachi's hair, that midnight whisper of silk; Those eyes shining in their dull glory.

Oxymoron's were truly the only appropriate descriptions for the elder brother, his beauty supernatural and defying everything human.

Sasuke smiled at the thought, and pondered over Itachi's words. He certainly did hate Itachi, but not for overshadowing him, not for ignoring him, or poking him on his forehead...but for betraying him.

Yes, Sasuke had seen Itachi with that sorry excuse of a cousin, that beady-eyed rat that stole from Itachi's radiance. Just the thought brought the Uchiha's fingers to a curl.

Itachi gazed down, anticipating a response. He found Sasuke's curled fists, and sighed, concluding that to be his response, that yes, Sasuke did hate him.

He sighed inwardly.

Suddenly aware of the misunderstanding, Sasuke seeked to fix the blunder, " Nii-san, I-" He began, but was interrupted by the call of his beloved's name.

"Itachi!" They called, and Sasuke was irritated. The way they called his name...how repulsing. Itachi's name was something to be sung, not screeched.

Nonetheless, his brother stood, and walked towards the sound, finding three other Uchiha's outside waiting for him.

Sasuke trailed after him, hiding behind one of the walls. Why were they here?!

"Two people weren't present at the meeting last night."

Sasuke's eyes widened what? Itachi hadn't gone? He grit his teeth.

Itachi stared at them, there was obviously something that they were getting at, and he didn't like the sound of it.

"You and Shisui," They answered themselves, " And Shisui was murdered last night."

The Uchiha had troubles holding his emotions back before them. Shisui...dead?

They handed him a small piece of paper which he carefully unraveled...a suicide note? So it wasn't a murder then...

"It's a suicide note." They clarified.

Sasuke rolled his eyes, they spoke as if Itachi, the great, couldn't read...

Itachi nodded "I see that..."

"But any skilled ninja can copy handwriting...especially one with a sharingan..."

Sasuke stilled, Itachi wouldn't kill someone...not a member of his own family.

"Where were you last night Itachi?" another asked, a bit more openly.

Itachi gazed down, "I cannot reveal that information."

Sasuke peered over a bit more, resisting the urge to shake his head. No! Itachi, you'll just further incriminate yourself. Tell them where you were, tell them right now!

The men's sharp glares turned to mere slits as their eyes narrowed. "You're father won't save you this time." One of the men said, and Itachi contemplated what to do next. He couldn't allow himself to be brought in. Not at such a desperate time. No, he had work to do, missions to complete, promises to uphold.

He told Sasuke he would protect him, he told him he would- His thoughts lost their trail as Sasuke stepped into sight, "Nii-san was busy last night."

Eager eyes stared at him, somewhat annoyed by the intrusion. Sasuke stared at them.

"Oh, and exactly where was he, Sasu-chan?" Sasuke cringed. How they said hi name…these men were lowly dogs. He hated being somehow related to them.

"I told you, he was on a mission.

Itachi turned, "Sasuke" He hissed, encouraging his brother against such acts.

Sasuke, for once, refused to listen to his elder brother and took another step forward.

The men before him scoffed, "Get out of here little boy. You have nothing of use to us until you can tell us where Itachi was exactly."

"I can tell you who killed Shisui."

Itachi's eyes widened…what was Sasuke doing? There was no possible way he could know.

"Oh…really, and then who would that be?"

Itachi frowned, Sasuke…

"Me." He answered.