A/N: Hi! I feel honored that you choose to read my story. This is my first fic. It has been on my mind for quite some time, but I didn't really have the courage to post it. (I actually didn't know how, hihi..). Anyway, get reading! I hope you guys enjoy it!

Chapter 1

Sasuke and Itachi

It was a cold night. The stars were shining bright in a cloudless full moon sky. Sasuke was standing by his window taking in the cool breeze, closing his eyes when the wind played with his hair. It was a calming night, an ideal time to think when one has troubles. He looked at the moon once more and turned around towards his desk to finish the paperwork he brought home.

He took a few steps away from the window when he heard a twig break behind him. It was a faint sound but being trained the way he was, he failed to ignore it. He turned around swiftly, only to see his brother Itachi standing in front of his window. Sasuke let out a relieved sigh and sat down behind his desk. Itachi followed and sat across him.

"Why don't you just act like a normal person and knock the door for once, like all other normal people do?" Sasuke asked. It was a rhetorical question; he didn't expect an answer and neither did Itachi give one.

"What's wrong, little brother?" Itachi mocked. "Scared?"

Sasuke scoffed.

"What do you want?" Sasuke finally asked. He knew his brother only shows up when it's something important. The two of them weren't real talkers but they have a certain amount of understanding and brotherly love for each other.

"I came to you to talk about the inheritance" Itachi replied.

Sasuke lifted his eyebrows ever so slightly, as a sign of interest. The Uchiha brothers weren't so keen on showing off emotions.

"I know you've been wanting to continue the family business all your life." Itachi continued. "I'm planning on changing father's mind and letting him choose you as his successor instead of me."

"And how are you planning on doing that?" Sasuke asked indifferently.

"I have my reasons." Itachi replied mysteriously. "Just be present at the family meeting next week. I'll set out my arguments and hopefully father will grant you the business."

"And why don't you want it?" Sasuke argued. He liked the idea of getting the business but he didn't like the idea that Itachi was practically giving him the company. There has to be something behind it.

Itachi stood up and smiled slightly. "I have my reasons," he repeated.

"Don't worry, little brother" he continued while turning around and heading towards the window. "I'm not pulling a trick on you and neither am I planning one. Just trust me."

Sasuke also stood up from his seat and followed his brother to the window.

"And Sasuke," Itachi added, while slightly turning his head to his brother. "Don't be late." He smiled a small smile, jumped on the window sill and leaped into the darkness.

"Hn..." Sasuke murmured and thought deeply. What was his brother planning on telling his father? Itachi was his favorite son and Uchiha Fugaku has wanted the company to fall into his hands ever since he was born. It would be hard to persuade him.

Sasuke took another deep breath from the cool air of the cold night and turned around to finish his paperwork.

The family meeting

In a relaxed pace, Sasuke walked towards his parent's house. Just like the night when he had that talk with Itachi in his study, the morning air was cold. It was the beginning of spring. The birds were happily chirping in the trees and the area was lusciously showing off its greens. He didn't bother to hurry; he was early and he enjoys walking in the peaceful village of Konoha. Most of the people were probably still in their morning slumber but the crowd was starting to form. Young kunoichi's and shinobi's who were still in grade school, hurriedly made their way to the academy. Sasuke smiled as he remembered his own time in the school. He was considered a prodigy back then but he never seemed to surpass his brother. Throughout his teenage life he has tried to impress his father by surpassing Itachi's standards but to no avail. Itachi was always a step ahead. Both men however, have made a decent living and one that every father would be proud of. Itachi was captain of the ANBU Black Ops, under direct command of Hokage Uzumaki Naruto and Sasuke was second in command of the Konoha Police Corps, the first being their father.

In the beginning Sasuke yearned to follow in his father's footsteps and take his place in the Corps only so he could finally beat his brother, but that time has passed. Having surpassed his puberty and entering adulthood with his 25 years of age, has changed Sasuke's perspectives. Now he only wants to protect Konoha and earn his place in the Uchiha household, still awaiting his father's approval.

He carefully slid open the rice paper door to his parents house, took off his slippers and walked towards the kitchen where he heard the noise of pots and pans hitting each other.

"Oh! Good morning, Sas-dear. You're early," his mother said. "Help me with the tea, now will you?"

His mother was busy cleaning the kitchen, returning the dishes to their proper places. She clearly had her hands full when Sasuke entered. The water in the kettle was already boiling and she nodded towards it when asking Sasuke to help her. Sasuke turned off the stove and put the kettle on the table.

"Thanks, hon" his mother said, while wiping some sweat off her forehead with an arm. "Now go to the meeting room, your father is there waiting. I don't believe Itachi has arrived yet. But you boys seem to just pop in without me noticing, so he might be there already. I'll bring the tea in soon."

Sasuke entered another room in the house and when he slid open the door he wasn't surprised to see that his brother was already sitting by the table. The Uchiha's were very punctual people and being early was one of their traits.

It was quiet in the room. The walls were adorned with bookshelves with the occasional painting disturbing the constant flow of books. In the middle of the wooden floored room was a long but short table. Being Japanese, they sat on flat pillows rather than chairs, his father sitting on the farthest end of the table while Itachi was sitting on his right. Sasuke walked towards his father, bowed and greeted him before he took his place on the left side of the table.

After a while Uchiha Mikoto entered the room with a tray of cups, a kettle with warm tea and sugar.

"Here we go," she said and put the tray in the middle of the table. She poured a cup of tea for everyone and sat down on the other end of the table, opposite to her husband. "It's not eight yet, but since everyone's here, why not get started already?"

It was quiet around the table. No one said a word; Fugaku was sitting with his eyes closed, his face set in a serious expression. Itachi was taking an eventual sip from his tea and Mikoto and Sasuke were just staring at their cup, waiting for Fugaku to say a word.

"We all know why we have gathered here today," Fugaku suddenly spoke. Everybody looked up to the leader of the Uchiha clan.

"Today is the day where the successor of the Uchiha clan will be chosen," he continued. "Because Itachi is the eldest child in this family, it is all but natural that he be chosen to lead the clan. Is there any objection to that?"

Fugaku didn't expect an objection; he was certain Itachi would take the responsibility. His son became captain of the ANBU Black Ops after all. But to his surprise, someone did object. But it wasn't Sasuke this time. If there were to be an objection, he'd expect it to be from his younger son because he knows that Sasuke has been craving the position. No, it was Itachi himself whom objected. Fugaku hid his displeasure well and looked at Itachi, inviting him to explain himself.

"I cannot continue the family business, father" he started. "Being captain of the ANBU has presented me with very little time for myself. Let alone to carry on the family traditions. And even if I wanted to, it would require I bring forth offspring which I cannot afford. Because of my importance to the Hokage, I might put my family in danger and I fear I might have no opportunity to lead the clan properly. I hereby suggest Sasuke to lead the clan. He has been in the Konoha Police Corps nearly half his life and has been under your supervision and guidance the whole time. I'm sure Sasuke has enough experience by now to know the responsibilities of being the leader of the clan."

Sasuke gulped. Everything his brother just said was absolutely true. But he wasn't sure if his father would accept his arguments. He just sat there, his eyes closed, obviously thinking very hard.

"Sasuke," he finally said. "Are you ready to take up the responsibilities?"

Sasuke was stunned. He didn't believe what he was hearing. Was his father seriously considering this?

"Y..yes, father" he stammered.

"Hmm..."

"Alright then," Fugaku spoke. "I shall grant Sasuke the honor of becoming the leader of the Uchiha clan, on one condition. Do you agree, Sasuke?"

"Yes father," Sasuke eagerly answered. He still couldn't believe his lifelong wish is finally being fulfilled. "Anything you say."

"Then, as my final decision, you will have to wed a woman of my choice. If you do not do so, you will not be granted leadership of the clan. Understood?"

Again, Sasuke didn't know what to say. His eyes widened and his heart stopped beating for a moment. He was speechless, he didn't expect this. But the leadership of the clan was more important to him than his own feelings, so his decision was made easily as well.

"Then so be it, father" he assured.

A/N: I hope this is a good start. Please Read and Review. It makes a writer feel good. My fellow writers know what I'm talking about ;) There's more to come! Reviews...please.. Arrigato gosajmas *makes a bow*