WARNINGS, NOTES, AND STUFF: I finally got around to getting this done. Amazing, I know. There is a chance that this could turn into a KakaSasu, but the ItaSasu will have to be here too. Maybe….So, yeah, there might be yoai. If there's typos, I'm sorry.

Disclaimer: The same old stuff.

"Final Answer: Part One"

Yawn. How boring. They follow the same routine day after day. The figure sighed as he continued to watch the three ninjas 'train' with Kakashi. It seemed that the group had done too much of nothing the past few months. That in itself was odd. Another thing that would strike someone as strange is the fact that Sasuke, Naruto, and Sakura were working on their skills with Kakashi. At least, that is what the general public was led to believe.

True, they were testing their abilities with Kakashi. They themselves were not sure why they were doing so, except that Hokage had ordered it. Little more than three months had passed since Sasuke had allegedly disposed of his older brother. To most that knowledge was a relief. To others… well, some people were still expecting Itachi to start causing some trouble; some just could not accept that he was dead.

Poor Sasuke. After burying his brother's body, with help from his friends and sensei, the dark-haired ninja became withdrawn. No one could figure out why Sasuke was depressed and distant. Only one man understood and he was not about to say anything. Kakashi. If only he knew how to pull Sasuke from the hole he was falling slowly into. The remaining member of the Uchiha Clan put on a smile of adopted his usual posture when he was around others. Only Kakashi seemed to notice the young ninja's attempts to hide. …And even Kakashi could not fully understand what was going through the boy's head.

Kakashi became the boy's shadow. While the group was exercising, when Sasuke walked home. No matter what Sasuke did out of his home, Kakashi would be there. Of course, the younger male took no notice of this. Kakashi could be discreet with questions, hiding what he was truly asking by masking it with simpler or more commonly asked questions. When he wanted, Kakashi could become invisible among the trees or the shadows, using them as aids to keep his presence unknown.

Finally, after hours of repeating attacks against one another for a good half-day, the four ninjas decided they had had enough for one day. Naruto and Sakura took off. Sasuke chose to linger behind for a few minutes. He simply stood, appearing to be lost in his thoughts and unconscious of his surroundings. This being the case, he did not catch the shadow that shot past him. Exiting his trance-like state, Sasuke began to gather his possessions.

Kakashi looked on from his perch-a nearby wall-as the blur sped past the unaware ninja and into the forest ahead. So, I see you are still alive…just as I though. He noted that Sasuke was ignorant to the speeding figure and the fact that said figure had been watching them all day. In fact, the aforementioned being had been watching them for weeks now. And though Kakashi had a pretty good idea as to the identity of this 'stalker', he told no one but Hokage-who gave him an earful that only confirmed his suspicions and worst fears for the young Uchiha.

Returning his focus to the task at hand, he leapt from his place of seating. Sasuke, hearing a light 'thump' as Kakashi's feet made contact with the ground, turned around. From instinct, or more precisely a mixture of paranoia and past experiences, his hand was reaching for the closes weapon it could find hidden on the ninja's body. Sasuke relaxed when he saw that it was only Kakashi.

"Ah, Kakashi-sensei, you frightened me." Sasuke stared up at his teacher, patiently waiting for his teacher to speak. He received no immediate response from the man. Kakashi had his head tilted just barely to the side. Looking closely, Sasuke could tell by the expression on Kakashi's face that the other ninja was thinking. They remained that way for some time-Kakashi thinking and Sasuke staring at his teacher patiently.

At long last the elder released a sigh. From what the boy could make of the other's expression, it seemed Kakashi was worried about something. "Mind if I walk you home?" Recieving a shrug in response, Kakashi motioned for the boy to lead the way. The man followed, remaining three steps behind Sasuke.

Neither spoke a word. Kakashi kept looking over his shoulder as if expecting someone to jump out at him. Sasuke was more than grateful for the company, though he tried his best to hide it. He began to wander through his thoughts, and because of such, nearly collided with his door. He blinked as he felt himself jolt, confused as to why he could walk no further. Glancing upwards, he saw Kakashi peering down at him. "Careful." Sasuke missed the warning. He was, instead, focusing on the reason for his near idleness: Kakashi had grabbed hold of the back of his shirt.

After fishing the key from his pocket, the young Uchiha sighed and turned to face his companion. He waited for Kakashi's gaze to fall upon his before he spoke. "Kakashi-sensei... you are welcome to come inside." Kakashi's mask shifted, allowing the younger ninja to catch the smile. In an attempt to hide his blush, Sasuke swiftly turned toward his door, nearly loosing his footing.

Once again the young Uchiha was in need of a little help, only this time his elder provided assistance in Sasuke locating his balance. An arm slide around the Uchiha's waist and pulled him upright, causing his blush to deepen. "Thank you," a soft voiced barely managed to utter as the boy moved away from Kakashi's grasp and quickly opened the door.

Sasuke entered and waited patiently for the other to do the same if he so desired. Kakashi strolled inside. As soon as the man was over the threshold and a safe enough distance away not to be hit with the door or Sasuke himself, Sasuke shut the door and turned the bottom lock. The Uchiha hoped that Kakashi had not noticed there being three locks on his door, two of which could only be locked or unlocked from the inside. Kakashi did not.

Sasuke turned around only to stare at the sight before him. Kakashi was bent over in his living room examining the flowers on the coffee table. That gave him a very nice view of Kakashi's backside. Dammit. Why am I staring?...Well, it is nice to look at...but it's Kakashi-sensei. Realizing that he was blushing again, he rushed in the direction of the kitchen, not failing to say, "I'll go make some tea." He did not make it far, however.

"Don't." The boy's mouth opened to protest, but he was not allowed time to speak. "I am leaving. There's no need." Sasuke nodded, figuring there would be no point in arguing. He was a bit disappointed, a fact that Kakashi seemed to notice. "Maybe next time you could give me a tour. Tonight I have something I must do." Sasuke nodded for the second time that night.

Kakashi let himself out the door, making no mention to the locks as he turned to wave goodbye. And then he was gone. Sasuke hurriedly turned all the locks and double-checked to make sure the door was secure. He leaned back against his door, his eyes scanning every inch of the place that was in his line of sight. He sighed. There was nothing to clean; the place was practically spotless. The only thing left for him to do was get ready for bed. A good night's sleep would do him some good.

Sasuke made his way across his living room and down the hallway that led to his room. He showered and put on his pajamas. Once those tasks were done, he moved about his room, gathering the items he would need for the next day. As soon as his clothes were laid out and his possessions in place, he turned off his light. The Uchiha slinked under his covers and settled down. Moments later he was lost in the bliss of slumber.

The only window in the room opened, and a cloaked figure slipped inside. The figure made its way to Sasuke's bed, standing over him, watching him sleep. Ah. You look so peaceful, dear brother. I would so hate to disturb you. A hand reached out. Fingers wrapped around the boys neck, holding in a firm grasp. Sasuke's eyes shot open. He tried to scream out but he could do nothing but stared up at his brother, completely horrified and trying to move his hand. The struggle continued for only seconds...and Itachi was gone.

Sasuke sat up in his bed, gasping for air, try desparately to fill his lungs. Some dream... He looked around his room just to be sure. Nothing seemed to be wrong, out of place. Sighing, he laid back down. Soon, the sound of light breathing was all that could be heard. That and soft chuckling coming from outside.

t.b.c.

A/N: Yep. That was part one. Just two more to go and the whole thing will be finished....