Disclaimer: Naruto is the sole property of Masashi Kishimoto.


Sasuke's ride back home went uneventfully. His expression remained neutral despite the fact that he would be returning home after a year and a half of being away. He was glad he would be seeing his parents again, not that he was busting with joy about it, but the thoughts of his encounter with the blond man and the memory he could not seem to conjure were disturbing his peace.

He was sure he had seen that same expression before, but for the life of him he could not remember where and it was pissing him off. It was not every day that somebody completely went off on him. The repercussions one would suffer stifled those impulses, but here was somebody who dared to one: scream at him, two: throw back his money to his face and three: enrapture him with just the gaze alone.

Ever since he was young, he understood his wants and found no need to care about the importance of gender. As long as he was receiving pleasure, he didn't care about the structure of the genitals. Finding this 'Naruto' had sparked something he had only felt once and the remembrance of the pain he endured because of it was keeping this newfound feeling at bay.

As he continued to wrack his brain to a point in his life where he had encountered those same eyes, he missed the warning sign before his brother struck him in the arm with his fist to signal that they had arrived home.

Sasuke glared vehemently at the retreating back of his smug older brother before he made his way out of the car, surreptitiously rubbing his abused arm.

"Asshole," he muttered only to hear a low chuckle when his brother still heard it.

"It's my job little brother."

"Grow up will you," the youngest shot back as he climbed the stairs that lead to the door.

Before they even had the chance to knock, the door was pulled open by an average sized woman who resembled her sons in hair color alone. Her arms spread wide as she approached Sasuke and held on tight as if decades had passed instead of a year and a half.

Despite his cold exterior, it was in the presence of his mother that his barriers were broken down a little and he smiled as he wrapped his hands around the shorter woman's torso. He would never tell that he had a soft spot when it came to her. That would only give her the liberty coddle him as much as possible despite his age, but he couldn't help but accept the warm hugs that she provided.

After what seemed like an eternity Itachi pried their overly-giddy mother away from the younger Uchiha and made their way inside the house. Everything was as Sasuke remembered. The Uchiha's were not big on change so everything always remained the same. The floors were impeccably shiny, the wall retained their luminous glow in the faint light and the air smelled of a light lavender mist—an odor their mother adored.

The three of them made their way to the dining table where their father was more than likely waiting. In every corner the youngest Uchiha was welcomed home and congratulated for his new movie success. Sasuke ignored them; much to the maid's disappointed who only wanted to be acknowledged by the young master, even if just for a second. All three finally seated themselves, Mikoto besides Fugaku and the two brothers opposite to her.

Turning to his father, he acknowledged him with a single word.

"Father."

Fugaku looked up for a second, nodded and went back to reading.

Although Mikoto was used to this type of silence from her three stoic men, she had resolved herself to changing the atmosphere from now on. Things just couldn't keep going on like this.

"Honey, can't you welcome your son home a bit more warmly? It's been a year since we have seen him and all you do is nod and go back to your book?"

Itachi smirked as he noticed his father's composure faltering a little. He always did wonder how his parents had even managed to form a relationship with such little communication between them, mostly in part due to his father.

"Mikoto," the head Uchiha warned through his undertone.

"What? You promised me you would try. If not for your sake at least for mines and theirs."

Sasuke raised an eyebrow at this. Yes there were times he had heard his parents argue, though he couldn't quite remember one being as trivial as this. For the first time he was about to witness the power his mother held over his father.

"I swear Fugaku Uchiha, you will not eat if you fail to do as you promised," her tone leaving no room for betrayal in her threat.

The two sons watched in mild amusement as their father sent a menacing glare toward their mother, whom was not fazed in the least by it, and realized that she had won.

Reluctantly, Fugaku made his way toward Sasuke who seemed perturbed by what his father was intending to do.

"Mother, he doesn't have to," he turned to address her while still keeping an eye on the older male.

"Quiet, Sasuke," she ordered as her eyes followed her husband's stiff movements.

Surprised at the command, the young raven turned his gaze to his father who seemed to be approaching him at a very slow, reluctant pace.

"Sasuke, stand up."

Obeying, he slid his chair backwards and stood, standing at eye level with the other man. Fugaku raised his arms, and though he was unsure of how to do it, wrapped them around his son's midsection in the most awkward hug Sasuke had ever received.

Itachi couldn't help but snicker as he witnessed the very first act of paternal affection completely instigated by his docile mother.

The hug was brief and both father and son quickly scooted away from each other as if they had been scorched by the mere contact.

The head woman smiled, glad for the step both men had taken. Before her husband could sit down, she opened her lips once more. "Don't forget Itachi, Honey."

The laughter that had formed in the eldest son's throat died as he heard those words. He could tell his father was not happy either, but from the dark chuckle his younger brother emitted, he cursed karma twice the fuck over. He dared to look at his mother and caught her lifting her eyebrows, signaling him to stand up.

With the same amount of reluctance, Itachi and Fugaku went into an embrace that was just as uncomfortable as it was with Sasuke.

As all three men regained their pride, Mikoto smiled warmly as she looked at them. It had taken an assassination attempt to open her eyes and see just how little they interacted with each other. No one knew when one would see their loved ones for the last time and she did not want any of them to regret having spent so little time with each other. Call her crazy but she longed to see her family conversing on a normal basis.

As the food made its way to their plates, Mikoto laughed silently as she regarded her husband and sons. They all had the same mannerism when it came to eating. Unfolding the napkin and placing it on the right side of their plate, taking a sip of their water glass before grabbing their fork and taking a bite out of the meat first.

If they could only see themselves, they would notice the little inherited quirks they seem to share. They were a sight to see all right.


Before dinner concluded, Sasuke coughed and caught the attention of the entire table and surrounding staff.

"I have an announcement I need to make." He looked around at the curious faces and continued.

"I have decided to quit acting."

To say the room was silent in shock was putting it mildly. Mikoto's eyes grew as worry was placed on her delicate features. He looked at his father, but he could not read his expression. Itachi was blank in the face as well.

"Honey, why? Are you unhappy with it? Is it unsatisfying? Did something happen?"

Mikoto's questioning was frustrating him a little. He did not want to go into details as to why because he wasn't ready to face up with reality and he did not want them to worry.

"Are you sure?" Fugaku asked as he continued to stare at his son.

"Yes father. I'm sure." That was the one thing he liked about his father, he did not find the need to pry unless you divulged your problems voluntarily. Fugaku nodded slowly, accepting his decision.

His mother, though, was another story.

"Sasuke, are you listening to me? Are you alright? Talk to me, sweetie," she made a move to stand but stopped when she saw a rarity occur.

Wanting to escape, he smiled at his mother.

"I just want to try something new. I want a bit of diversity that is all. "

Mikoto held her gaze on her son, doubt in her eyes, but decided to leave it alone for now.

"Okay sweetie, as long as that is what you want."

Sasuke nodded and took one last gulp of water.

He excused himself from the table and quickly made the trek up the stairs to his room. He could feel the jetlag draining him rapidly and the faster he made it to bed, the less likely he was to collapse on the hallway, which was looking mighty comfortable at the moment.

Maybe it wasn't the physical exhaustion that was tearing away his ability to stay awake, but the emotional fatigue he had quietly endured over the past months abroad.

Reaching his bedroom door, he briskly walked over to his balcony windows and pulled the drapes closed in exceptional haste, engulfing the room in total darkness. He clumsily undressed himself to his stark nudity and fell into the comforts of his bed.

In a matter of minutes a deep, slow breathing could faintly be heard.


Unbeknownst to Sasuke, the inner turmoil he was silently fighting did not go unnoticed. He could have fooled the entire world with his uncaring disposition, but one person knew him well enough to notice the slight change in his personality. He was sure his parents had noticed too, but he always took the initiative in finding out information.

As the night went on, the figure sat on the inner part of the room which concealed him entirely if need to be. Every now and then, there was a shift in the bed and on slight occasions a whimpering could barely be made out. The man watched the bundle in the sheets intently and took note of the rigid positions Sasuke slept in for brief periods before relaxing, but not before calling out a single word.

"Sakura," he whispered over and over again in a painful whisper, almost as if he was reliving a horrid reality.

Itachi leaned back on the chair and continued to stare at Sasuke.

After a few hours, he stood and made his way back to the hallway.

What happened with Sakura, little brother, which made you give up your career? You can't hide this forever you know. I will find out.

With light footsteps, he walked toward the front door and exited quietly. He needed answers and he needed them now.


A/N: After such a long wait I return. And with such a short chapter too. I know I suck. I'm sorry, but hey at least it's moving along finally. I know there's no interaction between our two favorite to be lovers-to-be, but patience my friends. :) I hope you guys enjoyed it. Until Next time.