I just wanted to give a big thank you to everyone who's reviewed so far c:

Okay, well here's the second chapter. I'm sorry if it flows weird... ah. I'm also sorry for any spacing issues/typos/weird grammar mistakes.

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Itachi slept better than he had in days thanks to the tiny boy curled up next to him. Sasuke's steady, gentle breathing helped to lull him into a peaceful, dreamless slumber.

Once morning came and the shrill sound of Itachi's alarm clock rang out through the room, both boys woke up. Itachi was an early riser by nature, the complete opposite of Sasuke. Said little boy was currently grumbling something along the lines of "five more minutes" but it was heavily muffled by the fact that his face was currently buried in the fabric of Itachi's nightshirt. Itachi smiled and nuzzled Sasuke's forehead before placing a gentle kiss there.

"Wake up, sleepy head," he whispered. Why was his brother so cute?

Sasuke grumbled and tightened his hold on his Aniki's shirt. Itachi decided that five more minutes really couldn't hurt, and Sasuke really was adorable while he was sleeping and he'd hate to disturb him.

After a few minutes, Sasuke began to open his eyes (but only halfway) and peered up at his Aniki. He looked completely out of it and rather pissed off, but in that adorable way that only a child could pull off.

"I don' like mornings," he mumbled. "Aniki's so warm...don' wanna get up."

Itachi nearly laughed at how adorable his grumpy little Otouto was.

"But we have school, little brother, and Kaa-san or Tou-san will be in here to wake us up soon if we don't get up on our own."

At the mention of their father, Sasuke suddenly seemed much more alert.

"Okay, Aniki," he said while stifling a yawn.

Sasuke begrudgingly detached himself from his brother's warm embrace and dragged his tiny feet onto the floor. He stood up, though he wobbled for a second, and disappeared out of Itachi's room and to his own room to grab his clothes. Itachi stood up as well, and walked to his dresser to pick out his clothes for the day. He easily decided on a black t-shirt and black jeans. Itachi saw no reason to add much color to his wardrobe, as he didn't particularly care about fashion.

Itachi smiled a little to himself. This was one of the rare mornings where he'd woken up in a pleasant mood, not dreading the day. He supposed he had little Sasuke to thank for that.

Just as the elder was pulling his nightshirt over his head, he suddenly felt as though he was being watched. He turned to face his doorway and saw his father leaning against the door-frame and regarding him with a hungry, lustful gaze.

"I'll expect you home early today, Itachi," Fugaku said with that damned perverted grin plastered across his face. The young raven internally cringed, but kept his face impassive.

"Yes, Tou-san."

And with that, his father was gone, taking Itachi's good mood along with him.

Itachi always left for school before Sasuke, which was a cause of worry for the elder raven. Although Fugaku and Sasuke were left alone for a mere twenty minutes after their mother left and before their father had to go to work, it was still unsettling. Itachi tried to push this thought out of his mind as he gave his brother a goodbye hug.

"Be good at school today, Otouto," Itachi said.

Sasuke nodded and promised like any good boy should.

Itachi smiled and ruffled the small child's hair and gave him a quick kiss on the forehead before leaving, praying all the while that his little brother would be okay in his short absence.

"Get on the bed."

Itachi did as he was told without a single complaint. He knew better than to try to refuse at the threat of his little brother's innocence. His father crawled on the bed above him and began littering his exposed skin with harsh nips and bites, much to Itachi's dismay. He really hated having to hide those from the questioning eyes of his mother.

"Take off your clothes, Itachi."

Itachi, again, did as he was told. When naked, he sunk back onto the bed, looking completely lifeless as his father resumed his position above the small pre-teen.

Fugaku wasted no time in prepping him tonight, seemingly still angry about the night before. Itachi couldn't help the small yelp that made its way from his throat at the rough intrusion. It normally hurt even with prep, and without it it was nearly unbearable.

Fugaku sneered at him.

"Does it hurt?" He whispered into Itachi's ear. Itachi grit his teeth and tried to will away the small tears leaking from his eyes.

"You're a sick bastard," he managed to hiss through the haze of pain.

His father slapped him across the face hard enough to bruise, then grabbed a clump of his hair and attached his mouth to the smaller, unwilling mouth below him. Itachi briefly considered releasing the bile that was building up in his throat into his father's vile mouth once he felt that slimy tongue slither into his own, but regardless of the small satisfaction it would give him, the punishment would likely be severe and could involve Sasuke. His father's thrusts seemed endless and Itachi felt as though he was being ripped in two. He found himself wondering when his body would simply reach its threshold of pain and give out on him.

But, perhaps there is a God after all.

"Fugaku."

His hips stilled. The eldest Uchiha slowly turned his head towards the doorway, only to find his wife standing there, looking as though she was on the verge of vomiting. Her face had drained of all color.

"Get your filthy hands off my son!" She shrieked, storming into the room and shoving Fugaku off of his poor victim. Although much stronger than his wife, Fugaku was so shocked that he offered little resistance.

She pulled the broken boy into her arms and cradled him close.

"Mommy is here now. I'm so sorry, so sorry baby. Mommy is here," she whispered, rubbing soothing circles on his back.

It was as though the floodgate had been opened and tears began streaming down Itachi's face with no intent of stopping. He hugged his mother as tightly as he could. Mikoto had also begun to cry. She blamed herself.

Fugaku looked like a deer caught in headlights.

"H-Honey, it wasn't what it look-"

"Shut the fuck up, Fugaku," Mikoto hissed. It was rare for the normally gentle woman to curse, but she was livid, disgusted, mortified. She reached into her pocket and pulled out her cell phone, quickly dialing the police. Fugaku stood up, and was about to try and snatch the phone from his wife, but something about the glare Itachi was throwing him made him stand still.

He could have sworn he saw his son's eyes flash red with fury.

Itachi sat huddled on the couch with a blanket draped around his shoulders. He was still shaking a bit, but stopped crying a little while ago.

His father was taken away in handcuffs and police officers had been talking to Itachi for what seemed like hours. They all shot him sympathetic looks. They were all pitying him, and this angered Itachi more than anything. He didn't need their damn pity- he was stronger than that. But, alas, all the police officers saw was a very broken, very traumatized twelve-year-old boy.

Finally, all the police officers were gone, and Mikoto was left alone with the shell of her son.

"Itachi..." she began softly, sitting down on the love-seat across from him.

He glanced up at her, his eyes looking glossy and void of life.

"How long?" She asked, her voice cracking.

He continued to stare at her for a moment, seemingly trying to come up with the correct answer.

"Five years," he whispered after a moment, his voice hoarse from crying.

Mikoto broke down again, burying her head in her hands.

"I'm so sorry, so sorry, 'Tachi. My baby, my poor baby!" The woman was in hysterics, her shoulders heaving and her breathing coming in short bursts. She continued on for a few moments and Itachi could do nothing but stare at the ground in front of him. He felt completely numb. Eventually, Mikoto was able to pull herself back together and she moved to sit next to her son on the couch.

"Can I hold you?" She whispered.

He briefly wondered if it was more for her sake or his own, but nodded his head slightly.

She smiled a weak, broken smile, and pulled the pre-teen onto her lap and began stroking her fingers through his hair. Itachi breathed in the scent of his mother's cherry blossom perfume. It smelled sweet; it smelled safe. They sat in silence for awhile, which was comforting for both of them.

Eventually, Mikoto broke the silence.

"I have to pick up Sasuke from his friend's house soon...would you like to come for the ride?" She asked. He nodded into his mother's chest. He really didn't feel like being alone at the moment.

"Nii-san!" Sasuke cried as he scrambled into the car. Itachi decided to sit in the backseat of the small car as well. He wanted to be close to his little brother. Sasuke flung himself at Itachi and hugged him as hard as he could. Itachi winced a little from the pain shooting up his spine, but hid it well.

"I missed you, 'Niki!" He said into Itachi's shirt.

Itachi managed a weak smile and half-hearted 'missed you too' in response.

Mikoto shot a sad smile towards her two sons. She really had no idea how she was going to break the news of their father's departure to Sasuke.

Sasuke broke away (although it took a little prying on Itachi's part) from their hug in order to settle into his seat and fasten his seat-belt as their mom pulled out of the driveway. He peered into the front and a look of confusion crossed his features as he noticed the absence of his father.

"Where's Tou-san?"

Mikoto opened her mouth to reply, but Itachi beat her to it.

"Remember how I told you father was very sick?"

Sasuke nodded his head.

"Well, he's going to be gone for awhile so he can get better."

Sasuke's brow furrowed in confusion, but he nodded again.

"Okay...I hope he gets better soon."

Itachi 'hm'ed' in response and put his arm around Sasuke, bringing him closer.

Mikoto studied them in the rear-view mirror.

She was very grateful for Itachi's brief and simple explanation, as she had no idea what she would have said to Sasuke. The boy was undoubtedly going to miss his father, but all she could hope was that he hadn't laid a filthy hand on him as well. Her grip tightened on the steering wheel.

Five years.

How on Earth could she have been so oblivious? It was true that she was at work for a good portion of the day, but she couldn't believe it had gone on for so long without her even being suspicious. Well, come to think of it, around five years ago was when she first noticed Itachi's childlike exuberance fading. He used to smile so often and laugh all the time, but suddenly it just stopped. She was worried as any good mother should be, but she just chalked it up to him maturing.

She felt incredibly stupid.

Mikoto thanked whatever deities exist for her deciding to skip grocery shopping and come home early today. Her poor, poor baby... It was all her fault. She should have noticed something was horribly wrong when her baby constantly complained of his back and stomach hurting and throwing up a lot. She should have realized his fear of grown men was less than normal. Mikoto couldn't imagine having to go through something as horrible as living with your own rapist.

I've failed him as a mother.

The lady raven shook her head lightly to clear away any self-loathing thoughts.

"So, Sasuke?" She said in her best cheery voice.

"Yeah?"

"How was Naruto's?"

Sasuke scowled. "Well, Kushina-san and Minato-san are really nice, but Naruto's just a dobe."

"Sasuke!" Mikoto chastised, a small laugh evident in her voice. "That's not a very nice thing to be calling your friend."

Sasuke pouted and crossed his arms over his chest.

"Whatever."

Itachi chuckled and poked Sasuke's forehead with his free hand.

"Kaa-san is right, you know."

Sasuke just pouted more to both Itachi and Mikoto's amusement.

It was only a short drive home, but already Sasuke looked as though he was falling asleep.

"Would you mind carrying him upstairs and tucking him in?" Mikoto whispered to her eldest. Itachi nodded and scooped Sasuke into his arms bridal style. Sasuke yawned and his eyelids continued to droop.

"'Niki?" Sasuke whispered once they were inside.

"Yes?"

"Can I sleep with you 'gain?"

Itachi smiled softly.

"Sure."

He heard Sasuke sigh contently and felt him snuggle closer.

Once in his room, Itachi gently laid Sasuke down under the covers and tucked him in. Normally he would have told Sasuke to brush his teeth, but the poor kid was barely awake.

"I'll be right back, Otouto," Itachi whispered, placing a gentle kiss on his little brother's temple. Sasuke made a small noise of acknowledgement and snuggled into the blankets. Itachi gently closed his bedroom door, careful that it didn't make too much noise, and made his way downstairs.

"Mother?" He called out softly once he was in the living room.

"I'm in the kitchen! Are you hungry?" Mikoto answered.

"No," Itachi replied with a gentle shake of his head as he walked into the kitchen. "I just came to say goodnight and that Sasuke asked to sleep in my room tonight."

Itachi paused for a moment, seeming to think hard about something.

"Thank you."

Mikoto blinked her eyes in confusion. "For what, dear?"

Itachi swallowed and shuffled a bit on his feet.

"For coming home when you did."

Mikoto's face darkened just the slightest shade.

"Itachi, I should have stopped it before it began. I don't know why you're thanking me."

I've failed you as a mother, she added in her head.

Itachi shook his head, his long raven tresses swaying slightly in their loose ponytail.

"Don't blame yourself, mother. You couldn't possibly have known what that man was capable of."

Mikoto frowned but stepped over to Itachi and pulled him into a quick hug.

"We'll talk more tomorrow, okay?" She said. "But are you sure you aren't hungry? You haven't had dinner."

Itachi nodded his head as his mother released him. "Goodnight, Kaa-san."

"Goodnight, Itachi. I love you."

"I love you too," the young raven replied as he left the kitchen.

"Stop struggling, Itachi, or it'll just hurt more."

The man's bulky frame loomed above the tiny raven. Itachi tried to move his arms, his legs, anything, but he was held back.

"Please, dad," Itachi's young voice pleaded. "Stop! I'm scared." His eyes were brimming with tears that had yet to be shed as he trembled. Fugaku smiled, his mouth stretching itself into a sickening smirk, and he began to play with Itachi's hair. He leaned down until his breath was ghosting over his small son's ear.

"Good."

Itachi awoke with a start. He was breathing heavily, covered in sweat, and on the verge of a panic attack.

I don't want to remember, he thought to himself as he fought off the tears that were threatening to spill. He held a hand over his heart. He could feel it beating erratically.

"Mmm...'Niki?"

Itachi had forgotten all about Sasuke sleeping in his bed tonight but he was more than thankful for the comfort.

"I'm sorry for waking you, Sasuke," he whispered as he brought the boy closer to himself. Sasuke yawned and snuggled into his brother's chest.

"What's wrong?"

"Just a bad dream, Otouto. Nothing to worry about. Go back to sleep."

Sasuke nodded and began to doze off again, his gentle, steady breathing slowly lulling Itachi back to sleep.

Itachi stayed home from school the next day and Mikoto stayed home from work. Sasuke whined about wanting to stay home as well, but a stern "go to school, Otouto" and a kiss on the forehead from Itachi was enough to send the small boy on his way. Once Sasuke left, the two Uchiha's sat down in the living room to discuss where to go from here.

"Would you be alright with going to therapy, honey?"

Itachi seemed thoughtful. "I suppose it couldn't hurt," He mused.

Mikoto shot him a pained smile. "We're going to have to deal with court soon," She said.

Itachi grimaced. He would rather not have to describe exactly what his father had done to him to a bunch of strangers.

"I figured as much."

Both fell silent for a moment, Mikoto fiddling with the hem of her dress and Itachi staring at the ground. Things were going to be different, undoubtedly, but it was definitely for the best.

"Do you hate me?" Mikoto asked.

Itachi blinked a few times in confusion, trying to register what his mother just asked.

"No, of course not. Why on Earth would I hate you?" He inquired with a tilt of his head.

Mikoto sighed hugely and brought her thumb to her lip. She chewed lightly on the nail. It was a bad habit, one that Fugaku had detested, but one that calmed her nonetheless.

"I...I should have been able to stop it. You...you shouldn't have had, have had-" She stopped talking for a moment as her voice began to crack. After taking a moment to compose herself, she continued.

"I feel like I'm partially responsible," she whispered, her eyes downcast.

Itachi shook his head.

"You are in no way responsible for that man's actions."

Mikoto began chewing on her thumbnail again as they fell into silence.

"Why didn't you tell anyone?" She asked.

Itachi let out a huge sigh. "Naturally, I wanted to, but...he threatened Sasuke."

Mikoto's eyes grew wide as she waited for him to continue.

"He told me that if I didn't continue to...satisfy his needs, he would have to turn to someone else. That someone else being my baby brother." Itachi squeezed his hands into fists before continuing. "He also told me that even if I tried to tell someone, no one would believe that the great Uchiha Fugaku would be capable of something as sickening as what he did to me. He said they would laugh at me, and call me crazy and that if he ever got wind of it, he would beat me to a bloody pulp and...take Sasuke in front of me."

Itachi's voice was mostly emotionless, but he looked like he was going to vomit at the mental image his words had produced. So did Mikoto.

"I-I can't believe I married...that."

"He was a very good liar."

The young raven's face contorted for a moment and he clutched at his stomach.

"E-Excuse me," he gasped out as he fled to the bathroom. Once over the toilet, he began to heave, but his stomach was entirely empty aside from stomach acid so it really didn't help. Mikoto soon appeared behind her son, and held his bangs back from his face as his stomach continued to wretch. She rubbed his back as soothingly as she could while she waited for it to die down.

A mantra of it's all my fault, it's all my fault, oh God it's all my fault was playing through her head the entire time.

So, there's the second chapter. I'm really sorry if things seemed rushed... I originally was going to draw things out for awhile before Fugaku was caught, but Itachi's already been going through this since he was seven so dhsjkgflhsgf yeah

Please review?