Pein woke up and looked over at Sasuke, who was playing video games quietly. He smiled as he watched Sasuke make his concentration face and press the buttons rapidly. Pein sat up and kissed Sasuke's cheek, and Sasuke reacted by pausing the game, jerking away, and glaring at Pein. Pein pulled back too, giving a Sasuke a confused, yet slightly offended face.

"Pein. Ihate it when you do that. Stop." Sasuke said.

"Oh, Sasuke. I'm just teasing. You know I love you. I don't mean to make you so upset."

Sasuke just rolled his eyes and huffed irritably. Pein furrowed his eyebrows a little bit. His feelings were hurt. Sasuke always acted like this and it made Pein feel bad about both himself and their relationship. "Sasuke."

"Pein, one second."

"Sasuke, please."

"Pein!"

Pein was frustrated. He turned off the TV, crossed his arms, and looked at Sasuke. Sasuke looked furious. He sat up. "Pein! What the hell? What's wrong with you?"

"Tell me you love me."

"No."

"Tell me you love me. Say it."

"No, Pein!"

"Sasuke!" Pein stood up and glared at Sasuke. "I hate when you do this! It makes me so frustrated, Sasuke!"

Sasuke got up, too. "Are you kidding right now? You're going to get mad at me when you're the one pissing me off when I asked you to stop?"

Pein ground his teeth together as he listened to Sasuke talk. "Sasuke, it's not even when you're just playing video games or irritated. You do this all the time! All I do is tell you I love you and you just act like it's nothing!"

Sasuke groaned and rolled his eyes. "Stop yelling at me, Pein."

"Sasuke, please! Are you even listening to me!?" Pein's voice was laced with desperation.

Sasuke took a step back. He wasn't afraid of Pein, but he knew Pein could get excited. "I will listen to you when you calm down."

"Oh, as if, Sasuke. You never listen to me."

"Pein! Stop! You're really pissing me off! You're acting like a three year old! I haven't even done anything wrong!"

Pein threw his hands up and then held them in front of him in a desperate way. "Sasuke! You're not listening to me! I told you why I'm upset, God damnit- don't you dare fucking leave!" Pein threw closed the door Sasuke was opening and pushed Sasuke away from the door.

Sasuke held out his hand, palm facing Pein, and gave him a warning look. "Don't touch me, Pein."

Pein sighed aggravatedly and ran one hand through his hair and put the other hand on his hip and looked at Sasuke. "I'm really sick of feeling this way, Sasuke, and it really pisses me off that you don't even care."

"I do-"

"Eh! No! Don't even open your mouth! I'm ti-"

"Can you ju-"

"Shut up! I-"

"Pe-"

"No-"

They both began yelling over each other. Pein yelling at Sasuke about how he wouldn't listen, about how he didn't like feeling the way he felt right now. But he was so mad. He was /so/ mad. Sasuke was yelling at Pein about how he was sick of feeling the way he himself was feeling. Neither of them were listening to each other, just getting louder and louder; angrier and angrier. Eventually, Sasuke couldn't take it anymore. He kept yelling, but he started getting dressed and once he did that, began packing his things... /All/ of his things.

Pein stopped yelling and became quiet once he noticed what Sasuke was doing and he cursed himself for letting Sasuke get so far into it. "Wha... What are you doing?"

"You tell me, Pein."

"Sasuke..."

"No, Pein. I'm done. I hate this. I can't do this anymore." Sasuke picked up his suitcase and, pushing past Pein, began walking to his brother's room. It wasn't too early in the morning, but it was still a few hours away from the afternoon. He pushed open the door and closed it, standing against it and holding the doorknob. "Itachi."

Itachi had stood up once the door had opened. "Sasuke."

"Itachi..." Sasuke breathed, looking away and putting one hand over his eye. He felt like crying and was cursing himself for showing weakness. "Take me home."

Itachi had a feeling he knew what Sasuke meant, but he wasn't sure. If he was right, then... He just put his hand on Sasuke's shoulder. "Sasuke. What's going on? Are you fighting with Pein? I heard raised voices, but..."

Sasuke took a second to compose himself and then looked at his older brother and nodded. "I... I want to leave. I want my friends back. I want to go back to people who actually love me. I don't want to be here anymore, I don't want to be with Pein anymore. That's all it is with him... Pain." Sasuke smiled slighty, darkly amused with his own joke. Sasuke usually employed some form of dark humour when he was upset.

"...I'll get ready, Sasuke. Make sure you have all your things. I'll take you home." Itachi turned to get ready when Sasuke grabbed his wrist.

"Come home with me, Itachi." Sasuke said quietly.

Itachi saw his little brother the way he was so many years ago, when he tried sending Sasuke home during a training session. Sasuke was too afraid to walk home alone... He had said the exact same words that day. Itachi felt his heartstrings being pulled. "...I will do my best, Sasuke."

Sasuke accepted that. Itachi meant his words and he believed in his big brother. Sasuke set his things by the door and quietly went outside the room and went to his and Pein's room to collect one last thing. When he went inside, Pein turned and looked at him. Sasuke ignored his gaze and went to grab his necklace- but Pein snatched it first and held it from him.

Sasuke was so annoyed with this overgrown child he had the stupid pleasure of calling his 'boyfriend'. "Give me my necklace, Pein."

"Tell me you love me." Pein said in counter.

Sasuke didn't want to play any more games. He went to go and grab the necklace- and Pein backhanded Sasuke so hard Sasuke fell to the ground. Sasuke had an incredibly sensitive body; being in battle, he could at least rely on adrenaline to numb most of the pain. Being, for the most part, calm and still, being slapped so hard stung and brought tears to his eyes. He glared at Pein with a gaze he once turned on his brother.

Pein's heart stopped as he realised that he raised his hand against his beloved. "Sasuke..." Pein crouched down and reached his hands out to comfort Sasuke.

Sasuke's body crackled with electricity and he grit his teeth together. "Get. Away from me."

Pein got up and took several steps away. "Sasuke, I'm sorry, I-"

"I don't want to hear it, Pein. This has happened three times now. I just. Uughh." He grabbed the necklace away from Pein as he fought back tears and went back into his brother's room.

Sasuke was quiet and kept turned away from Itachi to hide his face, but Itachi immediately knew something was wrong. Itachi drew himself up and placed his older brother authority in his voice. "Sasuke. Look at me."

Sasuke flinched a little, wary of what was about to happen. He looked up at his brother. Itachi put his hand on Sasuke's good cheek, wiping away a tear. "He hurt you... My little brother. Otooto-chan..." He hugged Sasuke tightly and gently held his fingers in Sasuke's hair.

He closed his eyes for just a second, remembering times when Sasuke was younger and came crying to Itachi when he was hurt. Itachi opened his eyes and decided he had had enough. He was patient the first two times for Sasuke's sake. Now his baby brother was tired, frustrated, crying, and hurt. He'd had enough.

He picked Sasuke up and placed him on the bed. Itachi flew out his door and crashed into Pein's bedroom. "Pein! What the hell did you do to my little brother?"

"How dare-"

"I'll talk to you however I want! I don't care who you are! Don't you ever lay your hands on my little brother!"

Pein drew himself up to his full height. "You have no right to tell me what I can and cannot do, Uchiha Itachi!"

Itachi stood his ground and activated his Sharingan- using it only for intimidation- and stared Pein straight in the eyes. "My little brother and I have put up with enough coming from you. You are going to leave him alone, am I clear?"

Pein remained quiet for a second, formulating a response. "...leave my sight. Immediately." He paused. "You have no right to address your leader in such a matter, Uchiha Itachi. I want you out of my sight."

Itachi nodded at Pein and turned away. "Funny. I believe Sasuke said the same thing about you." And then left the room.

Itachi was furious with Pein. He was sick of people abusing his family. Especially his little brother. Being knocked around in battle against someone unfamiliar was one thing. Being backhanded by someone he loved was another. Itachi wanted so badly for Sasuke to be happy. Itachi hit the wall and cursed under his breath. "I swear... If that man touches you again, Sasuke, I'll kill him. ... "

Itachi composed himself and calmly entered his room, where Sasuke was fixing his hair. Itachi smiled slightly and watched his little brother fret. Sasuke was being picky about his hair. He had a rogue part of his bangs that refused to sit tightly down how Sasuke liked it, and so he dipped his comb in the water and furiously combed it and held it down straight. While letting it dry, he fluffed up the hair on the back of his head, turning his head to see in the mirror. Itachi chuckled to himself. Sasuke was still young and cared about his appearance very much, despite anything he might say. Itachi, too, was also distinct on fashion and appearance. Itachi began packing his things, as well, while still watching Sasuke.

"Itachi?"

"Sasuke?"

"I don't like the smell of your mousse stuff."

"Don't use it."

"I have to."

Itachi smiled and poked Sasuke's forehead with his two fingers. "I'll get you some new mousse."

Sasuke chuckled and shook his head and sparingly used the mousse. Neither he nor Itachi had too many belongings, but they were alike in the fact that when they packed, everything had a distinct place. Itachi had all the time in the world to carefully place his; Sasuke needed his things packed immediately. Sasuke was doing his hair, meanwhile Itachi was organizing and folding Sasuke's clothes and possessions how he liked them. When Sasuke finished, he himself went to go organize his belongings, but noticed they were already organized. He looked at Itachi. "Itachi," he said with impress. "Thank you."

Itachi only nodded and picked up his stuff in response. "Are you ready to go?"

Sasuke's expression turned to that of a solemn one. He hesitated. Is this really what he wanted? To leave? The Akatsuki had basically become his home. They accepted him when no one el- Sasuke cut off his thought there. He was going home. They would accept him there. They would accept Itachi, too. Both very strong members of the Uchiha clan which helped to found the village, both ex-members of a terrorist group at large. A sudden thought struck Sasuke.

"Pein won't let us leave," He said. "We know too much."

But Itachi had already thought of this. "Pein is clouded by emotion right now. If we go fast, we can make it to the safety of the village before facing Pein. And even at that, you are an Uchiha. You can face anybody and win." Itachi drew himself up proudly, and Sasuke copied his big brother and nodded.

He believed it. The only thing Sasuke didn't quite believe was if he truly wanted to go. Sasuke knew he loved Pein, but Pein was just... Too much. Too overbearing. Sasuke had already been thinking of leaving. Since Itachi had explained everything to him, Sasuke had no goal other than to restore the Uchiha clan. And at any rate, that most likely wasn't going to happen while he was with Pein. But even so... Sasuke wiped his eyes and sighed. "...let's go."

He picked up his stuff and followed Itachi out the door. As they were leaving, they met Konan at the entrance. She saw them both with their luggage and looked at Sasuke, scared and confused. "Sasuke...?"

"Konan..." Sasuke struggled. The Akatsuki was like his family. But is it the family he wanted?

"Sasuke... Itachi... What's going on?" Konan sounded nervous.

Sasuke felt slightly ashamed. "Konan... I-I'm leaving. We're leaving. I don't want to be here anymore." He gestured to Itachi.

Konan shook her head slowly and looked even more worried. "...Why? Sasuke... you know you can't do that... I... I won't let you..." Konan took a step backward, the way she always did when she sensed a fight. Sasuke didn't want to fight her. Not her of all people.

"Konan, please. Tell Pein to move the Akatsuki. I... I'll only tell them what they ask. And you have the power to change things. Change where they are. Konan, I don't want to fight you." Sasuke was getting desperate. Konan was his girl, his best friend. He couldn't let this happen. "Konan, it's not you and it's not me. It's him."

"Him...? Do you mean Pein?" Konan furrowed her eyebrows and concern began to mingle into the rest of the emotions on her pristine face.

Sasuke nodded. "He hit me again, Konan, and he was yelling again and... I don't want to do it anymore, Konan. He's not a bad man and I love him, but I don't want that in my life, and I've given him chances and-"

Konan raised her hand to silence Sasuke and her neutral face resumed its position. She sighed quietly and looked like she was thinking. "Sasuke... I see. You're going to Konohagakure. You are leaving the Akatsuki... Please, Sasuke. You can't just sell us all out. You believe in us, don't you?"

Konan did her best to keep her monotonous facial expression, but the concern crept into her voice, eyes, and eyebrows.

"I... I won't lie to them, and I'll tell them anything they might need to defend, but not attack. That's why I'm saying to have everyone move..." Sasuke's voice trailed off.

He was so torn. He understood exactly where Konan was coming from. She wanted her family to be safe and her ideals to be met, but she also wanted Sasuke to be happy and well; he was part of her family, and Sasuke was one of the most important people in her life. "Sasuke..."

Sasuke remained silent. He wouldn't fight her. If anything, he would detain her and-

"Go."

"Eh-"

"Go! Before I change my mind!" Konan sounded angry at this point and Sasuke knew he wasted enough time. He and Itachi flashed away, heading towards Konoha. Heading towards home. Heading towards family, safety, love, warmth... So much.

They traveled for a good while and took a break once the reached the forest that surrounded the village. They settled down into a clearing and Sasuke laid in the grass and looked at the wind rustling the leaves. He closed his eyes and listened, recalling every moment he heard this sound. He had changed through being with Pein. Pein was such a good person, he loved Sasuke and was kind. The only problem was his temper and impulsivity. Sasuke understood flaws, but he didn't like the verbal and occasional physical assault that he received from Pein whenever things didn't go his way. Sasuke could protect himself, yes, but he didn't want to bring harm to Pein.

But then again... Sasuke was aware he had a tendency to heighten the emotional intensity of an argument 10-fold and had a tongue sharper than any blade in existence. The separation was not entirely Pein's fault, and now that Sasuke really thought about it, he thought... Does Pein understand what happened? The thought wrenched his heart and he thought about going back. He thought about all of his moments with Pein; all the times they had sex, all the times they made love, cuddled, kissed, held hands... All the times they fought. Sasuke knew deep down in his heart that this was the best way. They didn't have much of a future together, and the way they reacted to each other was probably unhealthy.

Sasuke sighed and switched his nervous thoughts to that of Konoha. Would they really accept him home after everything he's done? Would they really believe his story; that he left, ice cold with hatred, only to have come back years and years later, with the man he sought to kill, only to apologise and give an explanation? Sasuke wanted his friends back. To be home. To be with friends. The time he spent in Konoha when he was younger was bliss to what he was living now. Naruto was a knucklehead- the number one knucklehead, in fact, as he recalled, musing to himself- but he was his best friend. Naruto cared for Sasuke more than anyone in the world and sacrificed everything he had to save him. That thought also wrenched Sasuke's heart. He would have to make up a lot. But he'd changed, he could do it. He had room for love in his heart, amidst all the hate. There would always be a blackness in his heart from the pain he suffered. Sasuke sighed and sat up and looked at Itachi, who was looking at a rock. "Itachi?"

"Sasuke?"

"What are you doing?"

"Identifying this rock."

"Why?"

"I believe it is limestone and that is my favourite kind of rock."

"Favourite meal?"

Itachi looked at Sasuke, remembering that treacherous movie. "No."

Sasuke scoffed and looked away towards the village. He was ready. He knew what he would do. What he was truly worried about was Itachi; would they really accept him back? Danzo was most likely still there, manipulating the village, doing bad things. They would just have to see. Sasuke stood up, brushed the grass off of himself, and picked up his things. Itachi huffed quietly, and Sasuke raised an eyebrow at him. "If you're not ready, just say so."

"I am more ready than you." As he re-adjusted his ring.

"You didn't give them their ring back?"

"No."

"That's not very nice."

"You'll see why later."

"What?"

"Let's go." Itachi cut the thread of the conversation, grabbed his belongings, and left.

"Oh, damnit-" Sasuke fixed his shoe and went after Itachi. They

dashed for a while, with Itachi glancing at Sasuke every once-in-a-while to make sure he was okay. Eventually... They reached their destination. They stopped, a considerable distance from the entrance, but still in its line of sight. They both occasionally looked at each other, challenging each other to go. Then Sasuke put his hands on his hips, shifted his weight, and said,

"Maybe it'd be best if I went first."

"Take off your cloak."

"Right." Sasuke took off his cloak to reveal his clothes underneath. He neatly folded the cloak and handed it to Itachi, to which Itachi responded only by looking at him.

"Look, my stuff's already taken up all the room-"

"Just go."

Sasuke scoffed and nervously looked at the entrance. Itachi gently pushed him and Sasuke shot him a glare and began slowly walking towards the entrance. Every step seemed like an eternity, and he could feel his heart beating faster, like he was preparing for a fight. How would they react? How would he react? He'd probably say something sharp upon the first meeting and then regret it right after. Yeah. That's probably how it'll go. He stopped when he reached the gate. He tensed himself when he saw the posts looking at him with fear. "Uh... Hey." Sasuke said casually. "I..."

Sasuke composed himself and drew himself up to his full height and spoke with command. "I demand Uzumaki Naruto. Now."