Twin Brother's Two Halves One Soul Chapter 3: Adjustments and everlasting dreams, a naruto fanfic

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.

A/N. Oh, my. I'm so sorry for not updating soon for like 4month!, not counting June. There have been alot of events going through my life like, family crisis, personal reason, internet got disconnect, school and more. I will admit that I get distracted easily so that's another reason why I'm taking so long...so I want to apologize once again about my tardiness.

About review reply, there will be review reply at the bottom of this chapter, and the next and the next after that as long as I could get the nervousness away, than, hopefully, I will be able to start replying to reviews directy.

Once again, I would like to apologize of the grammer mistakes. I know at the begining I've said that I will change the mistake, but alas I'm really busy so I couldn't get around on that. However, if one day I complete this story(Which I don't know when) I will go back and re-edit the chapters. :)

Again, this is a really looooong chapter, I'm sorry If I'm making everyone dizzy and having a sour or blurry eyes by reading my story, though I never thought it will be this long, and I never thought I was capable enough to write/type long chapters, which make my hands hurt a little, to be told truthfully. So, I think the next chapters will be much more, more shorter...I hope.

I would like to thank everyone who read, review, alert and favorite this story.

A/N I'm sorry I'm reupdating again, I went to change some small errors, not sure it's more worse or not. You don't need to review again though. ^^ This chapter contains lots of fluff. lol.

Chapter 2

Adjustments and everlasting dreams.

"We live in a fantasy world…of our dream…of our wish…of our promise…

…A world I want to live with you…forever…and make it turn from illusion into reality…

…The real reality we're currently live in is cursed…

…Our life is like a fairytales… a prince…and a princess…

…A brave, loyal prince bound to protect the princess from death hand…but can he?

…And a mute, harmonious princess who fate is sealed by the everlasting darkness…

…This is our life…this is our fate…

…I wish it wasn't…

…Don't you think so, my dearest treasure?"

"Sasuke-kun, wake up, wake up!"

"… Leave me alone…"

"Sasuke-kun dearest nephew, we're home. Wake up!!!"

There was a grumble and a small shifting. "Stop…shouting, can't you see I'm…. sleeping?!"

"You can sleep later. Rise and shine precious nephew!!!"

It was silence for a while, then a soft sleepy murmur: "…Go jump over a fucking cliff."

A loud slap rang through the silence.

"Ow, stop hitting me!" Was the irritable drowsy yelled.

"Sasuke-kun stop being rude, wake Itachi-kun up." Madara said in an equal tone.

He heard footsteps walking away from where he was.

"Why did you hit me for, uncle," Sasuke grumbled rubbing his aching head. Why is everybody hitting him today, lately? First Naruto's then Itachi's and now Madara's. What is today 'Let's hit Sasuke day'? He starts to sulk while still having his eyes close. He realizes he cannot sulk right now. He needs to wake Itachi up. Where ever he is. To be told truthfully, he does not realize where he were. Where was he again? Ah, yeah. He's with Madara, going to a new home. Now, he just need to stop be lazy and get up.

Grumbling even more, Sasuke opened his eyes. Once his eyelids parted open, light from the inside of the van was shining into his eyes-- almost blinding him for the second time. He rubbed the sleep from his eyes irritably. Urg, He really needs some water to spay on his face. Once his eyes were no longer blurry, he tried to move his body. Affirmative, he tried to moved, but could not, there was something heavy lying on his stomach. Not knowing what going on and still adjusting to his surrounding, he starts to panicked. His arms, that can move, flail around the van trying to find something to help him, saving him from whatever it's trapping him. He froze as a groan vibrate from his stomach as his arms hit something silky and soft on his navel, which in the back of his drowsy state mind, was familiar to him. Once the drowsiness dissipated from his being and his eyes was more focus, Sasuke glance down on the something that was lying on his stomach, which weigh like a bloody tons.

To say he was shocked was an understatement.

The something was Itachi. His brother was lying with his face buried on his stomach; his arms wrapped tightly around his waist as if he will suddenly ran away. The bad things are, Itachi's face was on his bare stomach. His shirt was riding up; exposing his stomach to everyone's viewing pleasure. Moreover, the others bad news are, with his face press against his bare stomach, Sasuke can feel his twin's breath tickling his navel with each inhales; it's his weakness area. The third bad news is, being this close to his brother like in the park before Naruto's and his friends barge in, (Oh yeah, He need to talk to his twin about that event soon.) was making him feel uncomfortable. As he looked around the van with sharp-eyed, he realizes that he was lying across the back seat of the van. His legs were facing the left side door, while his head was near the right side door of the black van. Sasuke let a frown grace his feature as he pushes his bangs away from his face. How did he end in this position? He didn't remember sleeping across the seat. He recalls he was sleeping near the window, but not lying down. Ah, whatever. He has to wake Itachi up.

Carefully, he shakes his brother's shoulder with his right hand--He could not shake with his left because it was starting to sting from the wound he inflects on himself early. His twin did not even rouse only continuing to sleep, those slender arms tighten even more around the young teen's waist as if he was a huge fluffy teddy bear or more specify as Itachi said, like a cute, fluffy huge panda bear. Sasuke let out an exasperated groan. That the reason why he do not want his twin to sleep on him. Itachi cling onto him as if he was a pillow he can rest on. Like a few years ago, only that time was less embarrassing. He decides to rouse his twin for the second time. His back was starting to hurt, Sasuke idly think he sound like an old man, much to his hidden amusement. The teen moved his legs only to have sharp pain shock up his legs. Damnit, this was not his lucky day or night. His legs fell asleep on him. Itachi definitely need to be awake so he could get his legs to wake up again.

"Itachi," He whispered urgently as he shook his brother's shoulder. Itachi shifted a little but did not make any movement to get off him. "Itachi, wake up. I need to use the bush." Yeah, he was lying, he does not need to use bush. However, if he announces that, Itachi can maybe get off him. Sasuke know his twin will not let him suffer.

Unfortunately, Itachi did not get up or rouse.

"Urg," the teen sigh defeated. He let his arms drop to his side, being careful not to hit his twin in the process. There no other way to wake Itachi up. Once Itachi is content around his surrounding, he can sleep up to 10 hours. Hell, he can even still be sleeping during a Seismic or having huge troll running rampage across the world.

"Sasuke-kun…" A voice from above him asked, along with the sound of opening door.

The said teen glance up to look at an upside down Madara, and for the first time he was glad to see him.

Knowing Madara was somewhat angry with him a little. He decides to act nice--only this once-- so his uncle can help get his twin off him. Sasuke forced a coyly smile. That make his jawbone hurt. "Uncle, can you get Itachi off me? He wouldn't get up." He asked, sickly, sweetly as he gestured to his sleeping brother.

Madara raised one eyebrow at his spiky hair nephew's smile. Was Sasuke having mood swings? One minute, he was swearing and the next; he was smiling. Missing the sly look on his nephew's feature, his un-swollen eye travel to Sasuke's finger was pointing. His longhaired nephew was sleeping on Sasuke's stomach, not on his stomach, more on his bare stomach. Sasuke's shirt was riding up around his lean waist. Madara could see Sasuke was fighting to hold a blush down as his twin nuzzles his face onto his navel, still in dreamland. Madara inwardly chuckles, teenagers those days.

With Madara help, Sasuke was free from his twin's suffocating grasp, much to his brother's disappointment. He was mumbling something along the line like 'I want my Panda bear back' reaching for Sasuke as Madara pull him away from the spiky hair teen. Sasuke doesn't know he find it adorable or bizarre with the way Itachi was half sleeping, fighting against Madara's grip wanting to grab him. The younger twin decides to choose the former, he find it cute. There's nothing wrong finding your sibling cute, in his book.

Leaving the task to Madara to wake Itachi up, Sasuke got out of the van, once his legs was no longer sleeping. Feeling the hard surface under his foot as his legs connect with the ground, the teen take in his new 'home'.

To say the least 'beautiful' is not the kind of word to describes his new home. The word 'Enchanting' seem to be more suitable. Even it was night, he could still see through the darkness, thank to two design small lanterns that was hanging on the handle of a black mix with silver manor step and a two to five more at the side of a manor. The black/silver manor must be Madara's house, Now Sasuke and Itachi house. It was taller than their mansion in Konoha's, the spiky hair twin noted. The difference it's doesn't have any gates surrounding the manor. Instead, there was gray and dull as the moon itself stony pathway where he was standing leading to it and than there was a fork as it stop mid-way, dividing into three parts where one lead to the manor, the second leading to the right side area next to it, and the other lead to the left side. Behind the manor was a huge forest. Sasuke wonder if he enters that forest where it's going to lead him, it was thick and dark seemingly continue on and on. Tearing his gaze away from the forest, he turns to look at the side of the manor. Beside the manor on the left side almost near the steps, was a little bird fountain and a bamboo fountain. On the right side of the manor there was a garden growing there filling with fruits and flower that even stood out against the dark night. Next to the garden a little inch away was a two Cherry blossom tree, with a set of swings hanging on the thick branches, swaying lightly against the wind. In addition, to Sasuke amazement, there was a beautiful waterfall cascading over a mountain steep behind the cherry blossom tree. The moon emit its enthralling light despite the sky was dark and gloomy as the haunting light reflects on the waterfall, causing it's to sparkle like the stars in the heaven. No wonder Madara called his home the 'Secret Garden' it really is a garden. His 'home' gives a serene feeling that make the dream and trouble thoughts he had fade away, for now at least.

Sasuke heard a gasp from behind him and it didn't take him long to realize his twin is awake. Itachi is seemly amazed as he does.

"Is that…" Itachi asked softly trailing away. His voice oddly enough didn't hold the sign of drowsiness even he just woke up. Itachi glide over to where the garden was beside the manor with his twin trailing after him, who keeps glancing at the forest with keen sharp eyes.

Itachi delicately pick a unique red flower from a vine-- being careful not to prick his finger on the thorn-- gazing at it. "I can't believe it. It's the moonflower."

Sasuke turned to look at the flower in his brother's hand glowing in the dim moonlight, raising an eyebrow. "Moonflower?" he question lowly. His brother is addicted to flowers for some reason, that why at their old home in Konoha, there were so many gardens flowing in their lawn. Although it was dark, Sasuke could picture his twin's eyes shinning in ecstasy at the moonflower appearance.

"It's the rarest flower in the world. The moonflower is a plant whose petal opens, especially at night, like right now," The older twin told the younger, handing the flower to Sasuke.

Sasuke stared the flower in his hand. His twin was right; the flower petal was open and giving off a heady aroma. It was making him feel light-headed. "It is blooming. So…how you know all this moonflower stuff?" he asked, giving the flower back to his brother.

The older twin turn swiftly away from his brother's view. Sasuke arched an eyebrow at that. He could swear Itachi was blushing, or something wrongs with his eyes making him seeing things. "I've read it in a book," the longhair teen mumbles so softy that Sasuke almost did not catch it.

Thank to his good hearing, the teen did catch the soft-spoken words. The teen have to hold back a snout of laughter by covering it with a cough. Oh, god. Itachi's reading flower book. That has to be the funniness thing he'd ever heard, and coming from Itachi of all people. However, his giddiness disappear as he saw Itachi leaning against the cherry tree, closing his eyes in pain, the flower in his brother's hand drop on to the ground, laying there forgotten among the falling petals of cherry blossom.

Worries seep into him as he approach his twin with cautious steps, he doesn't know how Itachi react to quick movement. "Hey, you're alright?" Mentally, Sasuke scold himself for asking such a stupid question. 'Of course he isn't alright. Look at his skin, he deathly pale. Which is kind of abnormal since he wasn't that pale a few minutes ago?'

Much to his surprise, Itachi was not bother by his unintelligent question, instead his brother give a small-pain smiles he laid his head against the tree trunk. "I'm okay Sasuke, just having a headache." He tried to make his voice sound strong, although he couldn't stop the tiny pain gasp escaping from his mouth when the pain increased. Through his fever-fill gaze, he noted Sasuke heard the gasp to, as if the look of concern flash before those dark, soulful eyes was not evidence. The older twin let out pain sigh, resting his aching head against the Cherry blossom trunk, he felt like there was a hammer pounding into his head wanting to crack his skull.

Sasuke slowly approach his brother, pressing his hand against the smooth skin of his twin's forehead-- he almost recoiled in shock. Itachi's forehead was burning up with fever as if he was in a volcano. Sasuke narrowed his eyes in thoughts as his twin turn away from him, facing the trunk of the Cherry blossoms, his head resting against the trunk while closing his eyes. Sasuke, abstractedly let his eyes trailed over that slender body, while trying to figure out what the cause of his brother's fever. He was fine a minute ago. So wha-

"Dearest, nephews…"

The brother's turn around, although Itachi did with more difficultly. Madara was standing behind them, with one hand on his hip, twirling a set of keys around his index finger. "Let's get inside, it's going to ra-" Madara pause mid-way in his speech as he looked at one of his nephew leaning against the tree, he look exhausted as if he will drop down any minutes. His eye continues to study Itachi. His nephew usually porcelain feature was anomalous pale, with the eerie moonlight reflecting on him along with the dark, gloomy night, he look almost like a ghost. He quickly noted that Itachi's eyes were glassy with fever, fading in-out of focus. Madara know from experience that Itachi definitely need medical attention and some medicines.

Madara turn his attention to the younger twin. "Sasuke, help your brother inside the manor, while I get some medicines," Without waiting for Sasuke to respond, he quickly turn and headed for the front door of the manor.

Sasuke turned back to his twin as he reach for his arm, without warning he hastily sweep his brother off his feet's effortlessly, using one arm to support his back and the other behind his twin's knees. The teen chuckle as his brother let out a surprised tiny gasp at the sudden movement, clinging onto his shirt tightly as to stop the world from spinning in his hazy mind. "Sasuke…" He whispers faintly once his world wasn't spinning. Itachi lightly glared at his twin as Sasuke offer a smirk.

Adjusting his brother in his arms, Sasuke start walking toward to the front door. His steps were slow and sluggish due to the heavy weight he's carrying but he manage. He ignores the sharp punches to his shoulders. Although for a few minutes later, he couldn't help wincing. Despite he was sick, Itachi sure have strong punches. "Itachi, stop punching me or I'll drop you onto the ground."

Not ceasing his action, Itachi glared at his brother with intense-fever eyes, his mouth set into a thin line. "Drop me then, I'll rather walk," he respond willfully, giving his brother another punch on the shoulder.

"Hell no, you sick. I'm not allowing you to walk, while you look like you're going to collapse any seconds," Sasuke firmly replied. His twin is prideful. He doesn't want to be weak in front of people and of course, in front of him. Nevertheless, sometime, you have to let your pride go…

Itachi narrowed his eyes. "Sasuke, I won't allow to be carrying when I have the ability to walk. Put me down this instant."

"No. You're having a fever. I'm won't allowed you to walk," Sasuke said stubbornly. Readjusting his brother in his arms as his twin was starting to slipped, he start moving in a faster pace, ignoring the punch to his shoulder and the wounded pain of his left hand. By the way, it was stating to hurt. Bravery, he wills himself to go through with the pain, he has to get his brother inside before his fever increase.

A few minute later, Sasuke step up to the front porch of the manor, after struggling to walk under his Twin's heavy like a rock weight. He absently wonders why there was no punching landing on his shoulder after a while and gaze down to find a sleeping Itachi. His twin's face was press against his chest; his breathing was in shallow pace, slow and fills with pain. The worries increase in Sasuke's chest as he continues to study his brother's form, he never seen his brother look this pale before from past illness. He seemed so fragile as if a blinding gust of wind can sweep him away.

"Sasuke-kun…"

Sasuke snapped his head to the voice. Madara was standing at the door entry, holding the door open with one hand and the other was tightly clasp around a bottle of Medicines.

"Let get Itachi-kun inside."

With a nod, Sasuke headed inside his new home. As he's step inside, he glance over his shoulder, before Madara close the door, were the forest was surrounding the manor. Those forest been bothering him, as of lately. He gets the feeling as if someone is watching his every movement, their forms are overshadowing by the leaves, dancing and swaying with the wind. Watch him talk. Watch him walk. Although he could not see what it is, he felt a cold, silent stare drilling hole into his back, cold and malevolent.

Watching and Waiting …

Outside, the heaven finally open up and the dark skies began to split with a torrent rains. Thunder rumble through the heaven and lighting crashed down, illuminating everything with blinding white light.

The moonflower that lay forgotten underneath the blossom, dissolve into nothing, but a herd of poison red worms. Their slimy body slowly slithers into the dark, green forest surrounding the manor. A lone, pale hand greets them.…

The smell of polish- lemon drop- floor greets Sasuke, once he enters his new home and than stop briefly at the foyer, studies his home interestingly. His house is quite beautiful, it could not compare to his old mansion in Konoha's, however still unique, portrait and ancient scrolls line up against the unblemished white wall. A huge black grandfather clock was in the living room at the right side where he was standing in the door hallway. The living room was floored with pale, pink fluffy carpet. Next to the living room was another huge room, where he guesses it the dining room. To his left was the kitchen, a big spotless kitchen. From across from him was a spiral staircase that was winding up to the second floor. There were many lavished statues and artifact in every parts of the manor, decorated its interior. Apparently, Madara brought them during his trip to Tokyo. Their uncle love rare, complex objects, especially ancient scrolls. There was also a slender katana with a silver edge on top of black furniture as he passes the kitchen. It's look beautiful and deadly, powerful in shape and form. Alas Sasuke did not get much time to admire the beautiful blade as he was following Madara upstairs to the second floor.

It was a long trip upstairs, the staircase was like a spiral, going around and around in circle. It was making him dizzy and tired since his twin felt like a dead weight wanting to drag him to an endless depth of darkness and slumber.

Finally, reaching upstairs, Sasuke found Madara waiting for him in the hallway, standing in front of one room to the right side. Many doors must be the guest rooms. He noted. Sasuke felt the form in his arms shifted a little, followed by a soft grunt and figure his brother is awake. Without the other to demand him, Sasuke lower Itachi onto his feet's. He wrapped his arm around his twin's shoulders, steadying him when his brother was swaying slightly. "Can you walk?"

"Yes," As to prove he was capable, Itachi shakily step forward and promptly fall forward to the floor. Swearing, Sasuke reach over to grab him catching him by the arm before he could do a face-planted. Itachi grabbed his twin's shirt, keeping his balance. "Or maybe not," He said hoarsely.

Sasuke rolled his eyes. "Troublesome." He mildly muttered. Placing his arm around his twin's waist (He notice Itachi shiver at the touch), he starting walking to were Madara was, gently pulling his brother along side with him.

Itachi smirked in spite of the headache coursing over his body. Sasuke's sure sound like Shikamaru. "You sound like Shikamaru-kun, Sasuke." He voiced his thought.

"Hn…" At the mere mentions of his friends, Sasuke suddenly felt oddly solemn, although he kept his face emotionless. The only thing that betrays his feeling are his eyes, those eyes was like there was a raging storm cloud inside their depth, making his emotions unpredictable. He misses Naruto and his friends even though he recently got here.

Itachi notice Sasuke's arm around his waist was tighter than usually, probably he mentions Naruto and the others. Looking at his twin at an angle, he could see those dark eyes were watery. "You miss Naruto and everybody, Sasuke? He asked. Sasuke stop in his track for a while before resuming.

"Yea-Hey, wait a minute!! How do you know?" Sasuke asked dumbfound, turning to look at Itachi. Can his twin read his mind? His brother always made him speechless when he can see right through him. It was not the first time, anyway.

Itachi, once again, smirked cunningly. "I can read your emotion clearly, Sasuke. Even if you keep your feature emotionless, your eyes betray your emotions. Something my eyes don't." The last sentence was barely audible. While he spoke, Itachi kept his head downward his long, graceful bangs obscure his face, hiding his emotions if he had any at all…

Sasuke notice that there was something in his brother's voice in the last sentence-- sadness, a longing, anger. Nevertheless, it was gone immediately, replacing with that impenetrable cool ice, solid and strong. He sighed feeling exhausted all of the sudden.

"Well," he said after awhile, "Look at the bright side. At least you not like me. Beating random peoples up," He chuckle offhandedly, wanting to lighten the mood. Hearing the barely audible words and the way Itachi's bang hid his feature away; as if he's hiding himself make him feel bothered. 'You're much more special than me, Itachi. At least you don't let your emotions cloud your judgment…not likes me. My emotions control every fiber being in me……making the wrong decisions…

"Hn…"

After a few steps, they reach the room where Madara was standing. Receiving a bright smile from there uncle. "What with the sour face, Sasuke-kun? Here let me take Itachi to his room," he said. Madara carefully pull Itachi away from Sasuke, letting his fever-stated nephew lean against him.

Sasuke scowled at his uncle, rubbing his sore-tired arms before brushing his bangs always from his eyes. "You could at least help me, instead standing here."

Madara give the younger twin a small-apologize smile, a knowing twinkle was shining his eyes. "Sorry Sasuke-kun. I don't want to ruin the moment between you and Itachi-kun." He chuckles as Sasuke glared at him and the older twin let out a sigh. He could a feel a heat radiantly on his shoulder, meaning Itachi is either blushing or it's his fever indorsed state. He believe it's the latter since he never seen Itachi's blush before, ever.

"Let get you inside, Itachi-kun. Don't worry about your brother, you can go to bed, Sasuke-kun. Goodnight." He stated to the young raven teen as he led Itachi to his room.

He pauses in his steps when there was a tap to his shoulder. He turns around, being careful not to jerk Itachi, facing the younger brother, "What is it, Sasuke-kun?"

Standing awkwardly in the hallway, Sasuke turn his feature to the side, gazing at a crack of a nearby wall, feigning interest. "I have no idea where my room is…" he muttered casually as if he been in this situation before.

The elder Uchiha nervously laugh. How could he forget showing Sasuke his room? Ah, family traits.

In a short time, Madara led Sasuke to his room around the corner of the hallway; it was quite far away from Itachi's room. Sasuke want to ask his uncle why his room was far away from Itachi but decide against it. His room was not that far away anyway. It was just a couple steps away. So why was he worried? Ah, it that dreams. That dream was the main inner subject that has been tormenting him all day. Right now, it disappears. He knew by the fact it's was not gone literally, it was still lingering around in his mind. Waiting to resurfaced, wanting to cause him emotional torment. Wanting him to breakdown so it can strike, as it was, a predator watching a helpless target writhes in torrent of mental agony.

In other words, he was the prey.

"Ah, here we are."

In the midst of his thoughts, Sasuke almost collide into his uncle's back, as Madara suddenly came to a halted, before he stops himself in time. They were standing in front of a rose-wooded door, with a black doorknob. Interest and excitement taking over him, the teen step away from Madara side and open the door.

He was speechless once again.

His room was an amazing sight before him. It was large, larger than his old room. Matter fact, this have to be the largest room he ever seen. After his uncle had left, saying something about going back to Itachi. Sasuke walk around his new room, taking in everything in detail. The room is ethereal, with whites and light blues and silvers splashed on every surface, and there were two doors, one leading out to the hallway and the other leading into a bathroom. The bathroom was also heavenly too in Sasuke's eyes, with white/black tiles. It has everything-stone bath, shower, sink, hot tub, along with other necessary things and it too was utterly big as the bedroom. The room was floored with a white carpet, with a design of a phoenix, its wings was spread as if it was about to take off into the sky. His room also have a four-poster bed with white hanging around it, two dressers, two wardrobes, one desk for his laptop, a huge wide-screen television, one fluffy rotating chair, two bed- stands where his cell-phone was settled and a night-lamp. He noticed that his personal belongings were already here like his clothes and non-boring things. So… everything's is settled. He was home.

As he examined his reflection in a full-body mirror, his left hand give a pulse reminding him he need a bandage to wrap his hand before the wound could get a infection. Striding to the bathroom, he starts looking into cupboard for the item he needed. Finding the item, a bag of bandage, he wraps the white cloth around the palm of his left hand, gently and tightly.

Sasuke jumped when there was a loud thud coming from his room as if something's has falling from a great height. He looks questioningly at the bathroom door, which led outside to the bedroom. 'What the…'Finish wrapping his hand; he headed outside to his room to see the rotating chair knocked down on the floor. Placing the chair back onto its feet, he scans his room with wary eyes. There was nothing out of ordinary. Only the chair that somehow falls down by itself, as if something knocks its down. There must be a justification for the collapsed chair; it cannot simply fall down on its own. The window was out of the picture, it was not open in the first place, and even if it was open, the wind cannot be strong enough to knock down a steel chair. Moreover, nobody can possible be in his room, his uncle was busy tending to Itachi and his brother cannot walk all this far, while being sick. The only logically explanation was that something knock it down, the question is 'what knock it down, exactly?'

Sasuke sighed getting up from his kneeling position. He was truly confuses. He does not want to consider that his new home is haunted, he does not really believe in ghosts, spirits or demons. The only ghost he believes was the ghost in his dreams; it's so real to him. The ghost that haunt his mind, the one who's possess his brother in order to lead him to kill….his twin.

I do not want to hurt someone who's precious to me…

He has to stop dwell on his remorse, he thought idly as he went to his bed. Without bothering to remove his clothes, the teen particularly flopped down on his soft bed, pulling the comforter around him, switching his night-lamp off before burying himself in his warm blanket. He knew he need a shower, his shirt feel clammy against his sweat-soaked skin, although the shower can wait for tomorrow he was dead-beat tired.

Turning onto his side, he let his body relax the tension from his body and his mind to shut the unwanted thoughts from consuming him.

Letting his eyelids lid to lower into minuscule, he nuzzle into the soft pillow, the faint scent of gingerbread and the sound of the pattering rain against the window relax him before he let himself drift into the realm of sleep.

Sleep is the state of full unconsciousness, letting the body to shut its system and ignorant to it surroundings.

Frankly, Sasuke was unaware of a ghastly figure watching him with glowing eerie green eyes, as he turn in his sleep with a content smile.

The storm resides in the early morning, leaving only a dense of fog in its wait. However, the fog did not last long. The dark storm cloud move away from the hidden sun as the said sun peck its morning head to shower the earth, with it's blinding cheerful light. A small white bird makes it presence known by releasing a soft loud chirp, leading a mass of white to the open blue sky. One particular bird left the swarm, flying down to a manor down below that caught it interest. Landing softly on the windowsill, the small bird starts chirping loudly as if it wants the resident attention, going so far to peck the window.

Tick…. .

The teen in the bed let out an annoyed grunt at the sound, shifting around as he pull the blanket over his head to block the annoying pecking. Alas his efforts were fruitless as the pecking keep getting louder along with loud chirping.

Tick …

Tweet…

Sasuke pushed the blanket away and released a sigh. He was definitely not a morning person. The young teen sluggishly sat up, running his fingers through his messy hair as he got off the bed to head to the window, only to have his leg caught in the sheets, which somehow tangle around his ankle, causing him to fall flat on his back on the floor.

There was a loud thud that tremor the manor.

"Damn, my back."

After staring at the ceiling for a few seconds, blinking rapidly, letting the dull pain of his lower back subside the young teen jump to his feet's and stomped to the window. Pushing it open, Sasuke glare at the creature that disturb his dream sanctuary. "What?" he demanded coldly at the white bird.

The bird cocked its head cutely as it stares at the messy-hair teen with large, innocent eyes, not affected by the dark glare. Its eyes were focus on the Sasuke's hair, which was sticking up in disarray. "Tweet?" it chirped, staring at his hair as if asking why his hair was untidy in the first place.

Sasuke brush aside the hair in question from his eyes. "Yeah, my hair is mess up." he grumbles. The teen was shocked when the little bird quickly jump onto his hair as it was a nest for it's to rest on. Lying between the disheveled mass of spikes, so that what its intentions were. He wasn't please. "Hey!! Get off my hair. It's not a nest!!" He yelled lowly, snatching the bird from his hair and holding it in his grasp. He does not know if Itachi or his uncle is awake, so he has to be quiet.

The little white bird struggle against the tight grip, wanting to go back to the black nest but Sasuke won't have any of that. "No," he said sternly, as he's place the bird back on the windowsill. The little bird seem to be pouting before it take off into the sky, throwing a longing look at Sasuke as it join with its flock.

Sasuke watches the birds fly off with soften eyes. Maybe he should not be harsh with that one bird, it just like his hair, considering that it a warm nest the bird can sleep on. Its must be exhausted after the long journey from the south. He rubbed his eyes as he lean against the window, letting the morning breeze blew away the sleeping dust out of his dark orbs. He should not feel guilty, he figure out the bird will come back; it will not back down from a fight either way. It has spunk's, which remind him as he does.

The teen close his eyes as a soothing breeze ruffle his hair and caress his face like gentle, soft hands. Inhaling sharply the smell of fresh earth flood into him, he absolutely love that scent after a rainstorm, it soothing and refreshing. Giving a taste of new beginnings of his distant future, it definitely reminds him of his twin's scents. His brother's scent could compare to the earth after a storm, so enchanting, and calm with a tint of strawberries. Refreshing and addicting. Sasuke wrinkle his nose when the earth scent was mixing with his own as a strong breeze caress him. He need to take a shower, his body was giving of unpleasant odors that remind him of rotten cheese. After that he can check up on Itachi. Nodding to no one in particular, the young teen tread to the bathroom, bringing two towels with him along the way.

After a few a minutes, Sasuke reemerged from the bathroom, drying his soaking hair with one towel and the other was tie tightly around his waist. Heading to the dresser, he proceeds to place his undergarment, choosing to wear a plain white t-shirt and loose-fitting blue jean. Standing in front of the mirror, he wraps up his task by placing an Uchiha chain-necklace around his neck. The white and red crest stood in comparison to his white shirt. Therefore, it makes him look paler, than before. Unnaturally pale, having a more milky complexion. Brushing a strand of hair absently away from his eyes, giving his reflection a haughty smirk deciding he look decent enough (he felt like he's going on a date with a random girl) Sasuke stroll out of his room intending to check up Itachi, closing the door behind him.

Heavy footsteps storm down the stair as if the owner was in a rush to get somewhere in the throe of panic, to find someone, someone that disappear without a trance… lost somewhere. The fear is an overwhelming emotion that is uncontrollable for any human to experience. That how Sasuke feel right now, as he ran down the stairs being careful not too tripped. A minute ago, he'd went to his brother's room bent on to see if his twin is all right, only to find his brother was not in his room. All of the sudden that dream came back in fuel force, causing him to start panicking and worry of his brother safety. 'What if something happen to him.' He asked himself as he descended the last steps. The image of the dream ran through his head at an incredible fast flash, those images make his heart choked as if someone was squeezing his organ. Eventually the dream subside as he cross the kitchen, the heady aroma of fresh bread, and steam pork buns known as Nikuman emanate from the kitchen, making his stomach growl in hunger. Abruptly, his heart was swelling up in relief as he turn back and enters the kitchen; almost feeling like the weight of the world was off his shoulder. Only one person can cook in this household, and that was Itachi.

Sure enough, Itachi was in the kitchen fumbling over pot and pans, wearing a light, yellow summer yukata with a green apron around his waist that match the leaf design on the garment. On the kitchen table consist of a white tablecloth, was a plate of steaming pork buns, freshly cooked and ready to be served.

His brother didn't notice his appearance at the doorway as he was busy washing the plates. So wanting to be acknowledging, Sasuke called his brother in a pleasant voice instead his customarily bored tone, "Itachi."

Turning the faucet off and putting the dripping plates in a drying rack, Itachi turn around to greet his brother, he doesn't look at all too surprised at his twin's arrival.

"Good morning, Sasuke," he said in a pleasant voice, that sound like chiming bells with a soft tinkle. His twin is always in a good mood when he cooks in the morning, Sasuke noticed, as he observed his twin, who was putting a plate on the table. The spiky hair teen remembers one time when his brother had told him cooking is his favorite hobby, its sooth the soul putting your mind at ease. Sasuke wasn't really paying attention that day, he had been busy staring at his brother and daydreaming at the same time, but he did catch a few of those words flowing from his twin's fragile, pink lips.

"Morning," Sasuke replied, walking to the refrigerator and opening it. Inside was a bunch of sweet dessert--Sasuke make a sour face he hate sweets-- bottle of juices, and others healthy nourishment. Grabbing a bottle tomato juice and shutting the fridge door, he places himself on one of the chair in the kitchen, pouring the juice in a glass. "So…how are you feeling? He asked, referring to Itachi fever, taking a deep sip of his drink. As he asks this, Sasuke was observing his twin's complexion. His brother's skin was back to it healthy peachy color, unlike last night where he was deathly pale. Hm, his uncle's remedy did some good.

Madara like to collect rare plant, from across the world that usually resides in the mountains. Using those plants, he creates medicine for sickness and disease and, amazingly, it actually work. Many people's came by often to buy his medicines for their illness which make him happy. He always wants to help people from their sickness. Creating those medicines was a great accomplishment for him personally, Madara told him a year ago.

Yes, it's a great accomplishment, and right about now, his uncle is researching for a cure for…Itachi. His twin has a sickness or you can call it a disease--an incurable disease. That disease cause his twin to have a headache, his chest to tighten and cough--mostly a fair amount of blood, which was horrifying to him when he come across his brother in that conditions. Itachi did not catch that disease from strangers or infected by a deadly plant. No, he was born with that sickness as if he was destinedto have it. Like the most experience doctors said solemnly, there was no cure for that disease, they all tried their best but there was no such luck. That disease have no name, it's was unknown, a mysterious sickness. When his parents was alive, an grave face medical practitioner told them that Itachi won't lived much longer, he can only live up to the age when he turn 16. That disease was killing him, and eating him from the inside out.

Sasuke recall how his mother fainted in shock, her face was tear-stricken, and his father's face was contort with rage and desperation as he shook the doctor, demanding him to find a cure at all cost. And him…..he was simply standing there as he digest that piece of information, it's so sour to digest that fact. Sasuke felt his world tilted upside down like a boat rocking on the sea. It couldn't be true. There got to be a cure or someway to increase the chance he could live longer, his uncle was working on that. Sasuke won't lose hope for him and Itachi. He has to give his twin confidence, which hope, from the way he talk yesterday, was already waning to a spark of light…

Staring at the glass in his hand, the teen let his mind to wander from the present to the realm of his soul, where he constantly retreats to. From time to time, Sasuke think he should deserve the illness more than his twin. He find it extraordinary that if Itachi and he were born at the same day and month, shouldn't he have the illness too or his brother was meant to have the sickness and he was curse to have the privilege to lose everybody's close to him. He finds it kind of ironic that they're both is given a curse. He was curse to lose the person that is precious to him and Itachi was curse with an unnamed disease that was cutting his life span apart…Fate's was playing a cruel game…

Itachi smiled in that light smile of his. "I'm feeling better. Thanks to uncle's medicine," he said smoothly. He watch his twin's daze expression turn relieve as he took a sip of his drink. Suddenly, the older twin's expression turns sour as if he smells something foul, while staring at the glass in his brother's hand. "I don't understand…"

Sasuke, who was in progress to take another sip of his drink, halted, raising an eyebrow at his brother, "Understand what?"

The teen was not certain, but Itachi was almost glaring at the glass of tomato juice in his hands, like it's was an arched enemy. "I don't understand what you find so appealing about tomatoes," Itachi answered stoically, taking a seat next to his brother.

Taking a big sip from the rest of his drink, Sasuke shrugged. "It's healthy," He stated matter-factly with a mischievous smirk, his eyes darting to the plate full of pork buns. He ingeniously glances at his brother from time-to-time so his twin wouldn't notice, who was staring at the cat-shaped clock on the wall. He placed his glass on the table, and start inching for the buns on the plate, only to let out a hiss when his beloved right hand was slapped away. "Shit!"

Itachi's face was marred with a frown at his brother's colorful vocabulary. "Sasuke, you should've known better. It's inappropriate to eat before the elder gets here," he addresses his twin, whom was nursing his hurt right hand. Ignoring Sasuke's sulky mumbling and the light glare direct at him, Itachi turn to look at the clock on the kitchen wall. Their uncle should come down right about and yet he couldn't hear footstep thudding down the stair. He might be sleeping in late. "Sasuke, maybe you should get uncle. The buns are getting cold." And sure enough the steam buns was getting cooler, much to Sasuke's displeasure, and dried with a few crust falling off.

The teen give a lazy stretch, and ignoring the fact, his twin was ordering him around, Sasuke groaned. "Uh, do I have to?" His voice comes out whinier then he intended. Not that he wanted to sound whiny; it because going upstairs and then back down again, was really tiresome. But then again, he doesn't want the buns turn cold, it taste nasty after a while.

Stiffing another groan when his twin gave him a look that say 'Yes', and for the sake's of the buns, Sasuke got up and stomped to the stairs. Reaching the staircase after a few seconds, rather then going up, the teen took a deep breath and bellowed.

"Oi, Old man, breakfast is ready!"

"Sasuke…" His twin called.

"What?"

"You're supposed to get uncle, not yell."

"Fuck that. I'm not wasting my time going up there."

"Watch your language."

"…Yes, mother…"

Just as Itachi was about to respond to that smart remark, an unexpected familiar voice shout from the second floor.

"Ahhh Sasuke-kun!! Why are you so cruel?! I'm still fairer young. Now, back to the time I was a young, arrogant whippersnapper like you. Your great grandfather taught me a valuable lesson--"

Rolling his eyes and walking back the kitchen, Sasuke called over his shoulder to his uncle, who was busy ranting and sniffing as he recall those memories of his early childhood. "Shut the fuck up and get down here!" the teen shouted and stomp back to the kitchen, muttering about 'Lazy Uncle and bossy brother' along the way.

In the kitchen, Itachi was tapping a pair chopstick on a plate sat in front him, his eye was glazed over, gazing at nothing in particular while wondering how to lessen his twin's constant vulgar behavior.

Once Madara got down stair, they'd immediately dug in to their breakfast, like a family who suffer starvation. Well, they are a family, Sasuke noted as he chew on a pork bun, the delicate meat was delicious to his taste bud, added with the luscious smell, he couldn't help but grabbed another. His twin is an amazing cook. As he swallows a piece of meat, he glances at his brother next to him. Itachi was eating in much slower pace then he does, slow and elegant. Even he was just simply eating, his twin seem to have the air of grace surrounding him. His brother was perfect in whatever he does.

Their uncle was the first to finish his breakfast, sighing contently and flashing Itachi a proud smile. "You're a great cook Itachi-kun. Your style has not changed at all, delicious as always. Sasuke-kun, maybe you should let your brother teach you how to cook."

Sasuke snorted before bringing a glass of water to his lips. Though he was proud of his twin's experience cooking skills somewhat, he could not help but feel slightly jealous. "No, thanks, cooking is a women job anyway, and Itachi definitely suite that." he smirked around the glass as he said that, which earn him a kick to the leg, none other than by Itachi.

Madara smiled at the twins before getting up from his seat. He was planning to headed upstairs' to continue looking for cure for Itachi's disease, which is impossible to find. He been looking and researching for the cure for the pasts month, and he never stumble upon on one. It was almost hopeless. Madara mentally shook his head, he won't give up looking. His nephew's was counting on him and he won't let them down. His eyes widened when something he forgot dawn on him.

Turning back to the brother's, he addressed them. "Itachi-kun, Sasuke-kun, I'll almost forgot telling you. There is a summer festive held in a small city here, we can walk there, its just two blocks away." He shifted his gaze back and forth between his blank face nephews. "So, what do my two nephews think?"

Itachi gave a small smile as he dabbed his mouth with a napkin. "It's a great idea, Uncle. It's going to be fun. What you think, Sasuke?" he asked his twin sitting beside him.

Sasuke shrugged, finishing the last pork buns. "Why not then? It could be fun," he said calmly after he swallows the biggest buns. If he says no, his twin and uncle will leave him by himself, and personally, he does not want to stay in the manor alone.

Madara looked delighted. "All right, then its official, we going to the summer festival." the elder uchiha swept his gaze to Sasuke. "Oh, and Sasuke-kun, I'll expect you be wearing a kimono by the way."

Sasuke, who was sipping his glass of water, suddenly choked and started coughing. Itachi let out a sighed and patted Sasuke's back in attempted to calm him down from his coughing fits.

Once Sasuke's coughing subside, he jumped up from his seat and slam his palms on the table, making the plates and glass rattle. Ignoring his twin's warning look, the teen glare at his uncle. "What the hell? I'm not wearing a kimono, uncle," he said hoarsely. He do not like wearing a kimono, it's too long and make his skin itched. Beside, it makes him look rather feminine.

The elder Uchiha frowned. "You have to Sasuke-kun, it's our family tradition."

Sasuke glared at his uncle unrelenting, his eyes shinning in stubbornness. He'll definitely not wear any of those kimonos. No way in hell.

"There's no way you can make me wear a kimono."

"I can't believe he make me wear a kimono."

Sasuke glared at his reflection and his reflection returned the glare. He was in his room, in front of the full body-length mirror. He was wearing a grey kimono that hung a few inch from ground, with a black silk obi tie around his lean waist, the tails of the obi hung in the middle, every time he'd move the obi sway back and forth with each movements. The teen still could not actually believe his uncle had managed to motivate him to wear it. Not, only Madara, but also his brother too! His sweet twin makes him give in, to wear a kimono. Sasuke couldn't refuse his brother when Itachi actually had asked him to wear it.

Moreover, he surrenders to him, like a good younger twin, just to make him happy by wearing the kimono.

Sasuke stare at his reflection in the mirror as he's study his kimono. Actually, when he thinks about it, the kimono was not flashing looking; it's simple and unique at the same time, which he like, he was not the type to like pretty, shiny outfit. He does not look feminine either. Heck, he hardly look girly, that Itachi's job to look beautiful. The young raven solely has his deceased mother's milky complexion and that it. He also has his deceased father's eyes. While Itachi exhibit their father's skin color, only paler, their mother's gentle, calm eyes and long, pretty hair. All in one, they both possess their parent's looks.

Sasuke turn away from the mirror and gazed around his room, with a light frown. He have not grown accustomed to his room or his new house, it all felt dark and foreign. To be told truthfully, how can him, anyway. Not without feeling like someone standing behind him, in the shower as he'd took the said shower. Whatever it is, does not know the definition of the word privacy. He could not shake off the feelings that somebody that is invincible to the human's eyes is watching him, from behind him, the side, below and above him. Almost everywhere, where he's standing, sitting, walking and lying down.

So, what is it? You asked. He has not gotten a clue of what it is.

An unexpected loud slam tore through the hallway from outside his room; cause him to jump and his heart to beat at an incredible pace. Man, he felt he's going to have a heart attack with those unexpected happening. Wait, rewind back. The slam comes in the hallway. Could it be his brother's slams something, a door? Why would he a slam a door though, unless…

He sees something horrifying that chills him to the bones.

"Shit." He swore, when the curse dream and windmill swarm around his mind. Moreover, without hesitate a slightest bit; he burst out of his room to the hallway and around the corner where his brother's room is located. Airline rush through him as he increase his fast pace to where Itachi was waiting for him.

Skidding to a stop in front of his twin's room, he grips the doorknob of the door and harshly opens it; with enough force that can be knock off the hinge. The teen sprint to where Itachi is, who was standing in front of his wardrobe with an impassive look on his face. Sasuke bent over, next to him, supporting himself with his hands on his knees, as he drew in, deep, ragged breaths.

"What…happen?" he rasped, after he manages to collect himself and straighten his posture.

His brother did not respond, he was still staring at the wardrobe with a blank, yet a hint of a shock look, (How he manage that was a mystery to Sasuke). The teen also turn to looked at the said wardrobe that was in front of them, whatever inside seem to shock his brother to the core, whom never been shock in his lifetime.

Mustering up his courage, the teen took a step forward and griped the handle of the wardrobe with his sweaty unclothe palm, opening the rosy-color door to find…

Kimono and robes?

Not just a simple kimono or robes. A several of kimono and robs with vivid of colors that was attacking his eyes. It make his eyes hurt.

Sasuke stare at his brother in disbelief, again, as he watch his twin pull out a light red kimono and hold it to his body. This was the reason he make him run here for? "Itachi, What… The…"

Itachi didn't hear him as he'd stroke the soft texture of the kimono. "It's so beautiful, Sasuke. I've never seen such rich color and texture. I'll have to thank uncle for buying those for us."

The younger twin look torn between twitching and gaping. Unable to decide, he did both.

Of course, it was short-lived when he saw his twin, who decide it was the right time, take off his clothes unashamedly right in front of him as if he done it before.

"Itachi, Hey-" Sasuke quickly spun around on his feet's to give his brother more privacy, almost knocking himself off balance. There was a soft chuckles coming from behind him.

"I don't understand why you should be nervous. We'd take a bath together in our childhood, there's nothing to be ashamed off. Beside…"At this, Sasuke can hear the smirk in his twin's voice. "You already had seen me exposed before."

Sasuke felt his cheek flush furiously, he was so glad Itachi could not see him with his back turn to him. God, Itachi is naïve to everything. "That was different; we were young kids back then, and….I didn't see anything that day!" It was true; he did not see anything that day when he'd walks into bathroom while Itachi was taking a shower, well…after the shower at least. The teen just walk in without knocking, actually he did not need to knock too, since it's unlocked in the first place. Though he blame Itachi for being so quiet, and not locking the door, and the shower was not running so how he'd know Itachi was in there. So, yeah he blame his twin for the embarrass event and the white clear robes, Itachi decide to wear, that cling so innocently on his brother's wet body, it was completely see-through.

"Hn," There was a shuffle of clothes. Sasuke tried hard not to peek over his shoulders but the temptation was there. To keep his mind off from taking a peek at his twin's nakedness, he decides to stare at the wall of his brother's room to keep him occupied, and forget the fact that his brother was exposed from behind him. His twin's room was the same as his own, except his brother wall was black, light red and gold. And the carpet was gold with a dragon design on it, it's head was facing the sky, with it's mouth open, almost looking like its about to let out a mighty roar. Sasuke stare at the door lost in thoughts mix with confusion of why his room and Itachi have mythical creature, while listening to the sound of shuffling silk. After a while, there was silence. "…Sasuke, you can turn around now."

The teen turned around and let out a happy sighed in the progress. "Finally, we can go and…" he trailed off as he drank in the sight before him.

Itachi was wearing a light, long red kimono with a dark, green silk sash around his lithe waist. There was also a green, phoenix design holding a black rose in between its beck on the back of the garment when Itachi turn around. His twin's black hair was adorned with a big bow that match the color of the kimono, it really stood out against his dark hair, making him look more enchanting than usual.

The way his twin stared at him with such intensely make Itachi nervous for some reason unknown as he shifted nervously under the scrutiny, running his delicate fingers through his hair that lay on his chest. "So…..how do I look?" he asked his brother, meeting his gaze.

Sasuke blinked and tried not to blush, when he realized he been gazing with deep fascination at his own twin for a while. His lip parted and close again as he tried to form a coherent sentence. Finally, he was capable to utter. "Uh…you look great, can we go now?" he asked, already heading for the door. He really want to get this over with and come back home.

Itachi nodded. "Yes, we can. But before we go I need to fix my hair." With that said. He went to the mirror in his room and start combing his hair in a slow and gentle pace.

Sasuke moodily crossed his arms over his chest (Well, more into his kimono sleeves), an obvious sign he was getting tired of waiting, as he leaned against the doorway. "You're really vain, you know that right?" He asked his twin, as he watches Itachi complete his task of combing his long hair and fixing his kimono.

"Yes," came the simple quiet replied. The longhair teen glanced at his reflection and his hair for the last time, and then turns to walk to where his brother was waiting for him. "See, I'm finish. Now that wasn't too bad, correct?"

Sasuke rolled his eyes as he receives a smirked from Itachi. "Yeah, yeah," he mumbles, as he headed out of the room. "Can we go now and get this over with?"

Itachi sighed as he follows his brother out of his room. "Does it really bother you?" he inquired Sasuke, when they're in the hallway.

The younger twin turned around and blinked naively at his brother. Okay, where that question come from? "What's bothering me?" he asked one of his own questions.

The older stared at the younger as if he was stupid. "You said I'm vain," He continue when it seem Sasuke realize what he meant. "So, does it really bother you about my vainness?"

The teen have a look of understanding after he'd figure out what his brother was trying to say. "I….uh…No, It's doesn't bother me," He tell his twin. Sasuke was not sure if he was seeing things, but Itachi feature was a look of akin to relief as he turns his head to the side to the opposite wall, and walks to the staircase that lead downstairs. The younger twin follows behind him. "So, why do yo-"

Sasuke was about to asked why Itachi question that, but he pause when he heard footsteps running up the stairs. After few minutes, their uncle emerges from the stairs, looking disheveled and exhausted. Even though he was panting and gasping, Madara look relieved as his eyes travel to Itachi. "I ran up here when I heard a loud slam. Is everything alright?" he asked in a fatherly tone of voice, as he walked up to the twins.

Itachi step forward and, much to Sasuke's shock and Madara, bow in apology to his uncle. "I'm sorry uncle, for making you worried, and yes it was me who slam the wardrobe. But fear not, nothing bad happen," he told his uncle, as he straighten up and direct a smirked to his twin, who was staring at him and was gaping ever-so slightly. "Beside, Sasuke will save me from the monsters if they happen to come into my room."

Sasuke awoken from his shocked, from the smirk that was solely aiming at him. Ah, yes. Itachi love to make him feel embarrassed in any situation. He really has a sadist brother, an attractive one, to say the least.

"Whatever," he grunted sulkily, as he turn to look at an interesting crack on the wall near him, and started scratching his neck in an irritated fashion. His kimono was making his skin itched, badly.

"Oh, and Uncle, I love those kimonos you've brought us. They are absolutely gorgeous."

Sasuke heard his twin a say as he scratched his neck distractingly, while listening to Itachi's and Uncle's conversation. Yep, his brother has a fetish for kimonos and Panda bear.

"And you and Sasuke-kun look great," His uncle said politely. Sasuke make a sound that resemble a snorted and an'Tsk'. 'We're a weird family. With my vain, naïve, and sadist adolescent brother, and an annoying old fart for an uncle, add with me, who's short-temper, rude, and having a hormonal overdrive. Yeah, we're picture perfect weird.

Itachi let a ghostly smiled spread on his pink lips. "You don't have so humble, uncle. You look great too. Right, Sasuke?" he asked his twin stoically. The younger twin was scratching feverishly on his skin; as if he wants, tear it off, into little pieces of meat. That thought make Itachi uneasy. When Sasuke realize Itachi was asking for his opinion, he stops his objective of trying to ripe his skin off and stares at his uncle, taking in his garment. His uncle was wearing a black kimono with a hat on. Huh, okay…. Well aside from the hat, he does look nice, not that Sasuke will admit that.

A huff escaped his lips as Sasuke shoved his hands inside his long, kimono sleeves, putting an air of arrogance. "Tch, He still looks like an old-Och!" The last word turn into full-blown yell, as Sasuke jumped a few feet from the ground and rubbed his side above his hipbone. Itachi pinch him! "Itachi, you pinch me! Why I outta-"

"I'm sorry, uncle. For Sasuke's rude behavior," Itachi smoothly cut Sasuke off, before he can continue ranting.

Madara shook his head, chucking slightly. "Its okay, Itachi-kun." he said offhandedly, as he turns around and headed downstairs. He swirled his head to the twins. "We should be going now," he said, and stride downs the steps.

The brothers start following Madara. Sasuke was still sour over the fact Itachi pinch him and his skin was itchy. "You know, I'm going to get at you for that," he told his brother confidently, while he pauses in his walking in order to scratch his shoulder. This kimono was really itchy and distracting. He hate kimono with a passion. Huh, that rhymes, he thought to himself.

Undeterred by Sasuke pause of movement, Itachi stride pass his twin and give him a smirk as he pass him along the way. "I would like to see you try," he whispered softly and headed downstairs, leaving his twin standing by himself in the dim-lit hallway.

Sasuke stared after him, and forgetting his itch for now, he'd trail after his brother's soothing warmth that was beckoning him to follow with each step. "Hey! What's that suppose to mean?" He called after him, as he ran downstairs, being ultra careful to not trip on his sandals. His question was left unanswered by his brother.

The summer festival was a held in a small town, near 'the Secret garden. It was small, yet fills with buzzing of excitement of the festival that held here. Women's and men's were cloth in beautiful tradition kimono and wearing a geta. Children's wore a more simple, miniature version of the adult's kimono, which some was getting wet from playing explosive water balloons. There was an also small shop lining in row across the small city, where merchandise, food, game, toys, fireworks, and stuff animals was being sale.

Sasuke was walking by himself in the city festival. His uncle had gone to the post office, saying he need to pick something's up, which he purchase for a months ago. He told Sasuke and Itachi if the sun was setting, they can go home and wait at the backyard, he would meet them there. His twin also had left him, going to a candy shop where they pass a minute ago. Well, honesty he was the one that left his twin by himself, telling his brother that he want to get some fresh air as the candy shop was making him feel humid. Itachi didn't question him and allow him to leave, and he'd practically run out of the candy shop. Truthfully, he needs to get away from his brother for a while. During the walk to the city with their uncle, he couldn't keep his eyes of his brother for a minute. He couldn't figure the cost of those feelings whenever he stare at his twin or talk to him. The young raven absolutely refuse he was in love with Itachi. He care about his twin, not love. Those feelings were making feel him annoyed every passing seconds as he'd tried to clear his mind from them, which was fruitless as they have ability to pop up whenever he thought they've vanish. Well, look at the bright side, he told himself at least the dream wasn't bothering him much to his happiness, --not that anybody could tell he was joyful with the cold, stoic look plaster on his face-- he'd rather deal with the bothersome feelings over that curse dream any day of the week. So here he was, walking around the city aimlessly and scratching his neck in irritation, gaining some weird look from people's that was passing by, and of course, he pointy ignored them, he did not know them and care much of their opinion or what they've thought.

Sasuke stop in mid-walk as he glances around the city. Essentially, he doesn't know where to go. At one point he came here out to get some fresh air and away from his twin, and now, he felt lost and he definitely is lost. Before Madara left, he should've ask his uncle for a map at the given time but, being the clever guy he is, he didn't. Curse his ego. The spiky-hair teen spot a stuff animals shop a little ahead of him next to a statues store. Without thinking much of his reputation, he allowed his legs to carry him to the little shop. He could not pinpoint why he decides to go since he does not adore stuff animals, but, there was always a 'but' it almost like his heart was telling him to go there. Telling him someone is going to be happy, when he gives the gift to that cherished person. Crazy, as it sound to him.

The shop owner, a man in his late forties, greet Sasuke with a bright smile as he place a doll on a bookshelf were all the stuff animals was set in display. Sasuke respond to the smile with a nod. "Well, this is a first time for today, a young man step into my shop. Can I help you?" He asked the young gentlemen in front of him, wiping his dust clouded hand with a piece of cloth and wait for the teen answers.

Sasuke glanced in interest around the shop. "I'm just looking around for now," he told the shopkeeper. There was not much choice to choose, the shop was fill with colorful stuff animals in one corner and a small amount of dolls, staring at him unblinkingly with theirs various color, empty eyes on the shelf. The teen shudder at those eyes, unnoticed to the shopkeeper. He always afraid of dolls since he had been a young child, it something about them that give him dark, forebodingly fears. He never admits this fear to everyone, not even Itachi. Moving his vision away from the dolls, and hoping not to see them ever again, he glimpses a stuff creature sitting behind the row of countless dolls on the middle shelf. He squint his dark orbs, as he lean against the counter for a closer look.

It was a stuff panda bear, with shiny black eyes and a beautiful shimmering coat of black/white fur. Its round, fluffy body was clad in a light blue shirt, with a lettering of 'Love me' print in bold gold words on it. Its chubby paws were holding a plastic bamboo plant, which was tie tightly together by a blue ribbon. It was quite adorable. There was no doubt that Itachi secretly adored panda bear, especially cute one like this one. Maybe… he should by one for Itachi.

"How much for the panda bear?" he inquired the shop owner, and allows his eyes to flicker to the stuff animal.

The shop-owner reaches for the panda bear from the shelf, and places it on the counter. "It's quite cheap, young lad. Only ten coin. Do you want it?"

Sasuke already was pulling a small, black pouch from his waist, and counting the coins he brought with him. Eventually then, he place the right amount of coins on the brown counter. "I believe this is enough."

"Ah, yes it is." The shopkeeper took the coins and handed the stuff creature to young teen. He went to the cash register and drop the coins in its slot. "I hope you don't mind waiting for the changes, dear boy. This piece of junk getting rusty," he chuckle lightly.

The younger twin shook his head elegantly, his arms were cradling the stuff bear to his chest as he respond to the man: "No, I don't mind waiting," he said politely in his monotone voice. Despite his rude manners, he was still respectful to his elder's, except Madara.

"It won't take long."

As Sasuke wait for his changes, his eyes keep flickering occasionally to the sky. The sun was about to set, and once he receive his changes he can look around for Itachi, wherever he is, and they can go home. Well, easier said, than done, Sasuke noted quickly. Finding his twin would be hard for him since the city was packing full of citizens as of now. He could easily be lost or trampled by a hundreds people while searching for his brother. Though, it can't really be hard to find his twin, can it? He merely must look for someone who looks identical to him, wearing a bright red kimono, with long black hair adorned with an equally red bow. With those bright color it impossible to miss his brother.

'Itachi…'

He felt empty without Itachi presence beside him, although it was his fault for being away from his twin in the first place, and that feeling, which was his reason for running away from his brother, was never less there. It makes him regret to leave his twin side without a more logical explanation to Itachi, he should have say something else beside 'going to gets some fresh air', and now Itachi will think he abandon him, actually he might making a big deal about the knowledge that Itachi could consider he walk out on from him, however he couldn't judge his twin's feelings in reality. So it might be possible, which wasn't helping him relax much. Those self-pity thoughts filling his body make his chest ache, as his right hand clutch tightly at his side and he close his eyes in deep frustration with himself…

…He has to stop running away from those feelings…

…He needs to face his problems instead of running away from them…

…And more importantly, he needs to stop running from Itachi.

Among the scatter pieces of self-pity, he could see his twin in his mind as he shut his eyes from the world. Celestial face (So different from his own), gentle smile and compassionate eyes, glowing with a peaceful nature, that only he could have. He loves those eyes, even though he couldn't see the look of sympathetic from them, he could feel the kindness and adoration radiantly from those endless dark orbs.

He ached for that kindness continue to radiant from Itachi, his light, his sun, his distant Sun; as he look upon him, more than anything the world could have to offer, and he crave for his brother attention, his undivided attention, to fix solely on him, nobody else.

The mere thought of Itachi giving someone else attention that supposedly to be given to him, makes his heart give an awful twist in his chest.

Calming down a little, and taking in deep breath, Sasuke calmly open his eyes and find himself staring at a small, spotless mirror, which he didn't notice before, across from him on the shop wooden wall.

The young teen narrowed his eyes. From this far-away view he could see his reflection on the mirror surface, and he has never guessed that his eyes had so many emotions flowing in their depth of dark pools afore.

It must the reason why Itachi could read him so easily. Did he see what he's seeing? He can tell that his brother is always worried too much over him, even though his feature remains impassive.

Moreover, that person --That he was thinking about constantly and currently-- was standing in the middle of the street of the city, his back was turn to him; still and unmoving. Sasuke spot him when he caught a flash of red with the setting sun golden light at the corner of eyes as he gaze at his right side a few meter away. Sasuke was about to call his twin, but he stop himself. Something was unquestionably wrong… really wrong. His twin was not moving the slightest bit. The citizens was walking around him without a single care or a backward glance at the teen that was standing motionless in the middle of the street and Itachi was still unmoving, his head was lower that his long bangs obscured his face, so Sasuke couldn't see his feature and emotions from where he's at. Not that Sasuke can read him, honesty. More and more people walk around him as if Itachi was a tree or telephone pole in the middle of the road. Really, want wrong with those peoples, Sasuke thought with a hint of anger, his brother was standing in the middle of the street and they were walking around him, as they did not see him. Like …as if he was invisible.

That thought give him countless of morbid feelings.

Not waiting for the shop-owner to bring his changes, Sasuke run to where Itachi was standing, his left arm was hugging the panda bear to his chest, and the other was pushy people's out of the way as he make way to his twin. He did not hear the shop-owner call out to him:

"Oi, Young man, you forgot your changes!"

He did not hear the sound of laughter from children.

"Haaa, Race ya!"

He only hears the sound of his heartbeat thudding in his eardrums.

"I'm sorry dear, but we are out of hanami dangos." An elderly woman with light gray hair, and wife to the owner of the 'dango shop', told the young teen in front of her. The teen in front of her was stunning beautiful. Beautiful dark eyes, long waterfall hair, and a delicate porcelain face. She still could not believe that this person in front of her was a male, a male cannot be this beautiful and, yet, he was. At first when the angelic male had enters their shop, she and her husband had thought he was a she; it was not until the teen ask if there was any hanami dangos, in a deep, smooth voice, that their belief were proven false.

Itachi shooked his head gracefully. "It's okay. Everyone must love dangos since this the annual summer festival time." he assured the elderly women.

The woman nodded her head. She was relieved that the teen was not angry with them, he seem so calm and polite. She never saw any teens like him, sadly. "Ah, many citizens came to buy the dangos when the festival starts. They must love them."

"Yes, dangos are very delicious. I wouldn't blame them though," The young teen smile lightly, gazing around the small shop. He should get going. "I believe I must head home," Itachi announced, as he shifted uncomfortably on his feet's. The geta he was wearing make his foot ache.

The shop-owner spoke, in a raspy tone, up for the first time, a frown spread on his lips as he pause in his task of sweeping the store floor. "Are you walking home by yourself? It quite dangerous for a young, beautiful teen to walk alone, there are many ruthless rebels, now days, especially around the time of a festival." He was worried for the young teen, many rebels will not hesitant to hurt him or….rape him to have the taste of his striking beauty. Although he really did not need to doubt the teen strength, he could tell the young man was strong, from the way he held himself, and there was no doubt that the young teen would be able to defend himself.

Itachi give the elderly man a tiny smile of reassurance even though his eyes shifted a little at the statement of the rebel part. "I have a brother here with me, so please don't worry."

The elderly woman and her husband were relieved. That was good; having a brother with him the rebels will not dare approach the teen. The women clasped her hands together and her face turns more thoughtful as she asks the teen, "Does your brother look similar to you, dear?"

Itachi nodded slowly, though he was confused of why she asked. "Why, yes. He's my twin. He does look similar to me. The only difference between us is our hair; his hair is spiky at the back."

The elder women's eyes widen in realization as the teen describe his brother. She had seen his brother, the one that keep scratching his neck, wearing a gray kimono and spiky raven hair. He walked pass their store one hour ago before the longhair teen enter their shop. "Dear, I've seen your brother."

The longhair twin feature was stoic as always when she told him, although deep inside he was relieved for a reasons. It will save him and Sasuke the trouble of finding each other. They could get easily lost while looking for one another. "Ma'am, I hope you don't mind me asking, but can you tell me which way he'd go."

The elder women bit her lips in deep thought and then her eyes brighten. "Ah, yes. I remember. I saw him heading to the centre of the city just around the corner," She said quite proudly that she still remember despite her old age wearing her out.

"Are you sure, beloved?" Her husband asked doubtfully. His wife can be forgetful and could not remember much of what she seen.

He got a light slap to the shoulder, which he earns, for doubting his beloved wife. "Of course I'm sure, dearest. I'm not blind yet, or forgetful," The elderly woman glare tenderly at her husband and then she turn back to the teen, who watching the exchange with a hint of amusement on his impassive face. "I hope this information help you, dear." She said tenderly to the young teenager.

"Yes. It does help me," Itachi said in an almost genuine tone, and politely bow in parting. "I hope you two be together forever, and take great care of each other."

"Yes. We will. Take care of yourself too, dear. " the owner of the shop and his wife watch as the teen walk out of their little store and disappeared into the sea of roaming crowds. The elderly woman hopes that he found his brother soon and is safe, before she address the customers that enter her shop.

"How may I help you? Please take a look around there ar…"

Following the elderly woman's given direction, Itachi turn around the right corner and it took him to a more, narrowed crowded street. There were women and men eating at a small restaurant but Sasuke was not among the crowd no matter how many time he scan for his twin, with scrutinize, narrow eyes as he walk silently along with the sea of citizens. Later on, when the sky was turning pink, after he search through a nearby dark alleyway for any sign of his twin, he decide that maybe he can wait in front of the city entrance because if he in Sasuke's shoe and was also looking for his other half, he knew that Sasuke headed to the front entrance. He was not sure how he understands his brother; it perhaps must be they're brothers, twins to put it more likely. Twins share a bond and a deep connection with each other, so that must be the only logical explanation…

The teen didn't have the time contemplate over that matter, when suddenly, as he was about to turn around to go back to the front entrance, he spot a elderly women with gray hair in the street with him a few inch away from him where he was standing.

The women was not standing or walking, no. She was on her knees--looking like she had fallen down and shakily picks up her basket and its spilled contents that was scatter on the road that lay an inch away from her, and attempted to stand up on her shaky limbs. However, her efforts were futile as she once again fall down on her knees as if her limb was too weak to support her weight. Repeatedly she tried to get up, only to have fallen down like before. Around that time as Itachi watch the women, who courageously tried to get up again, he notice around him that the people were walking around the women without stop to assist her. Itachi frown at the sight, why did not they notice the women, who was dire in need of help was in the middle of the crowd. Not even young children's notice the women as they run around her--almost right through her. What wrong with everybody, the young teen ask to no one. There was an elderly woman in the middle of the road and they do not do anything about it. What the world has come to?

Finally, Itachi went to the women intending to help her, he could not just stand here and watch the women suffer or get injured more than necessary.

Reaching the women, Itachi realize that she did not look up at his presence; he held out his hand in front of her for her to grab on to, while his left hand pick her basket up for her. "Here let me help you," he offered softly.

The elderly women gratefully grabbed the pale appendage in front of her, and allow herself to be pulled up by the kind stranger. She gently took her basket when the stranger gives it back to her, "Thank you dear. I'm so grateful of your kindness; everybody's seemed not noticing me. Not paying attention enough to help an old lady in the middle of the street," she said sadly with a hold of bitterness in her tone. The older twin 'slip curve downward to a frown as he heard the cutting bitterness edge of her voice. Though Itachi does think that the citizen's should be more generous to help her out, but she should not hold bitterness to them. Itachi silently scoff to himself, he was the one to talk, were a minute ago he was somewhat angry with them also?

Not receiving a response from the nice stranger, the women glanced up to give a proper thanks, but suddenly she let out a loud gasp when her eyes met the stranger, who was a young teen, face. Terror overwhelm her sense as she stare at the teen with horrified eyes, the basket in her hands drop down on to the grounds once again, but no one, not even Itachi himself make a movement to pick it up. The elderly women bury her face in her hands and shaking her head furiously, while muttering, 'No, it can't be.' in jumbles sentences.

Itachi felt something, an emotions that he lock away in the depth of his hearts to kept his image of calmness while he stare at the woman with concealed confusing and fear, not knowing what to do. And as of now, he could feel something unlock those feelings. Fear and confusion flow through his being. It's so alien to him to have those emotions once again. He was confused when she looked at him why she looks horrified.

The young teen cease the women shaking when she starts shook violently, and spoke, he hope, to be a soothing tone. "Ma'am, what's wrong, why are you shaking?" he asked. His tones once again regain the soft, stoic tone in order to calm the women. But his effort was ineffective as the women continue to shake in his grasp and start yelling in way that can draw massive attention, however, even though she was yelling, she didn't draw any attention from the crowds around them and city. Everyone was still walking around them, bumping into them blindly like both of them was just the only one on earth, laughter, talking and rattles in the festival city flow into his hearing and yet it sound hollow instead of the warmth of laughter that were as before. Itachi surpassed a gasp when the women grip his silk-cover wrists painfully, hard enough to leave a bruise. Her grip was cold and strong despite her age was older, or a decade older, then him. The young teen attempted to dislodged her grip on his wrist as gently as possible. He didn't want to hurt her because she seems to be in a hysterical state of shock, for reason unknown. Overall it didn't work; only made the grip more harsher and tighter than before as the women lean forward to him and whisper a sentence that make his blood run cold:

"You are in danger. They are after you."

Something, he did not know what, trigger inside him: fear, confusing and shock seem to overload his fiber being as those words keep echoing into his ears. There were questions that need to be answers roaming around his head. Who was after him? Why was he in danger?

Instead of answering the questions for himself, he ask the woman that was still shaking her head, his hands bound around her shoulders as he stare at her with calm eyes that betray their inner depth of emotions that he was feeling. "Ma'am, tell me who?" he inquire coolly. The elderly woman pauses in her shaking and stare at young adolescent with trouble emotions in her aging eyes.

It likely that the calmness in his voice sooth the woman's fear as she took a deep breath and parted her lips to intend to tell him, but than, when she was about to tell him, there was a flash of fear flicker across her eyes and her lip were, once close shut. Fear engulfs her and once again, she shook her head as she spoke in a shaking voice. "I-I'm so sorry dear. I cannot tell you. They forbid me from telling you," The elderly woman push the teen away from her, with unmistaken strong strength that Itachi accidentally bump into a nearby man, and took a few steps back herself, maintaining her distant from the young raven. "You must remember to not to tell your brother of what I've told you. They will come after him also and kill him, heed my warning," with that sinister warning and before Itachi asked her how she know he had a brother, she already run to a alleyway behind her, that Itachi didn't notices before, shrouding into the darkness of the alleyway, and leaving the young teen with mix emotions that was hidden away by his haunted eyes.

Itachi inhaled deeply as he attempted to control the emotions raging inside him that were threateningly to come out. The world and the crowds around him were spinning in vivid colors that went from colorful to dull shade of white and gray. His head throb as a sudden pain strike through him into his skull. At the same time nausea stream into him and he's held the urge to vomit on the road. His vision became hazy under the veil of unconscious, wanting to consume him, and he'd wonder if he would pass out in the middle of the street. Those words that the woman told him affect him greatly more than he'd imagined. He was scared… an emotion he never experience before, not until now. He wasn't terrify of death, he already accept his fate that he wouldn't live very much longer. He was scared…to leave that one person who meant so dear to him. That person give him hope, when he loss those hope after realizing there was no cure for his disease and until now he would've give up if not for that person's reassuring words, telling him to hold on, there are still time left. In addition, Itachi did hold on, for his life, and onlyfor this person alone, Sasuke, his other half. The mere thought of his name sound like a prayer to Itachi's ears, as he trailed his eyes to the ground beneath him. His twin creates a dream for them to live in from the real world, that same dream was the promise he uttered. Itachi desperately want to live in that promise of being together with Sasuke, not wanting to faced the reality any time soon or ever. Alas, he could not lie to himself anymore; he must face it sooner. Dreams are just a fragment of fantasy and illusions it will not last forever, the same way that he and Sasuke cannot be together forever, no matter his twin, uncle and their friends in Konoha, Naruto and company told him almost every single day, that's it going to be alright in the end.

Surely that day comes, that dream will disappear and he will disappear along with it.

…And yet…

Itachi were pulled back to present by a hand touching his shoulder and a voice calling from behind him. He turned around, while noticing the ground was reflecting a reddish color, the sun must be setting how long did he zoned out, to meet familiar dark orbs reflecting all their emotions in their depth. "Sasuke…"

…he doesn't want to leave his brother all alone…

"Itachi, are you alright? I've been calling you for the past minutes." While Sasuke ask this and wait for his twin to answers, he was scanning his twin's feature and cloth body over. He could not help to be overprotective of his brother, well who can blame him? Itachi is a delicate creature, it does not mean Sasuke see him as weak or below him, it merely he have the desire to see his brother unharmed, untouched by anyone. The young teen notice that his mind is slipping away from his task and quickly scan his brother for the last time, trying to see if he injured. There was none. The overprotective feeling was gone once it confirmed that his twin is okay.

When his twin was busy, looking him over, Itachi's mind was racing on what possibilities on how should he answers to Sasuke's question. He wants to tell his brother he was not all right and about the women, that told him he was in danger and the warning. Nevertheless, he holds his tongue, he couldn't tell his brother, if he did, the something will come after Sasuke also, and he won't allow his twin to be harm. He willing will face whatever it is that's after him, alone. Even it meant he have to lie to his brother…

…Which is what he'd did.

"I'm fine, Sasuke. Just have a little headache. It's gone now," he responds after seconds later. The lie came more confident and strong in tone now that his mind wasn't being hazy. And Sasuke believes him, as he always did when he make a suggestion. This was also the first time he lied to his brother and that realization makes his chest ache with guilt.

"You're sure you alright?" Sasuke asked sternly, wanting to be clear that his brother is okay. Receiving a nod from Itachi, he let out a pleased sigh and pulls his hand away from his twin's shoulder. However the actions cause him to glance down at Itachi's wrists, which his long kimono sleeves, was rolling up to his elbow, exposing the angelic skin. He failed to notice the red bruise on it before, around his brother's wrists. Now he could tell they were from someone that grabbed Itachi's wrist tightly in their grip or restraining his twin from moving. In a position he did not like.

"Who did this?" he almost yelled, forgetting they were in the middle of the streets. The protective feeling came back tenfold. He grabbed Itachi's wrists in his hand as he impatiently waits for his brother to answers when he didn't respond to him quickly for his taste. With each passing silence from his brother, Sasuke's mind was picturing horrific scenario of might happen when he was away from Itachi. What if something had happen to Itachi while they were apart? He knew he should not left his twin by himself at the candy shop. He heard rumors floating around the city, about gangs of rebels that were ruthless, who would not give a second thought of stealing and hurt people in a cold, aggressive way. The mere thought of those gangs might hurt Itachi sent him off into an anger mood. He knew he was exaggeratingly, like his friends point-out, repeatedly when someone (a year before) was messing with his twin that lead him to send that person to the clinic, and he doesn't care. Naruto claimed he is always in an angry and moody state of mind when something tick him off, and that was a lied…okay its not a lie, but still, he only get piss when the situation merited it and when someone tried anything on Itachi.

And he was not that moody all right. Everybody have theirs own personality flaws no one is perfect (He still want to be perfect), except for his brother, at least his mood have the tendency to waver slowly.

"Sasuke, calm down, I'm alright," Itachi said after a while in a soothing voice, not answering his brother's question. He knows he needs to calm his twin beforehand since he could sense that Sasuke was in: I'm-going-to-hunted-down-the-bastard-who-done-this: mood and the way his eyes darken in anger if possible.

The younger twin did calm down by his brother's soft melodic voice as he took deep breath forcing down the anger back down. Once he manages to control himself, he repeated his former question, "Who did this, Itachi?"

His twin lowers his head to stared at the ground so he did not meet his gaze and did not reply to his question, which Sasuke find it odd. His brother always met his gaze when he ask something, so why is this different? Without thinking what he was doing, the spiky haired teen let go of his brother's wrists and instead grasp his brother's chin, making him look up. As theirs eyes met, Sasuke could see something reflect in those dark depth. Worry and fear. Was Itachi scare of something? Did someone threaten him not tell on that person? "Itachi, tell me, who did this," And whom I need to beat the fucking crap out of them. Sasuke add the second part to himself as his twin seemly wanted him to be calmed during this situation.

Itachi let out a sighed as he play with his kimono sleeves. The way Sasuke act was a sure sign he want to know what happen and thus know his brother, he would not let him avoid the question without answering to him. The older closed his eyes as he compliance if he should tell his twin. After a while of considering, he reopens them and spoke in a neutral tone, not revealing any emotion that begged to release from its prison. "To answer your question, Sasuke, an elderly woman did this." he did not tell his twin what the woman told him though, keeping the information away from his brother as much as possible.

Sasuke blinked slightly in bemused. He was not expecting a woman, an elderly woman to put it more specify, leaving a bruise on Itachi's wrists. "Why did she leave a bruise on your wrists?" he inquired, as he let go of his brother's chin, almost involuntarily its seem, and faintly miss the soft, very soft, skin texture beneath his calloused fingertips and the contrast of his brother's warm skin and his own cooler one.

Itachi was still playing with his kimono sleeves in an almost nervous way as he met his twin's gaze with unwavering eyes, "It actually my faults. She didn't hear my approach when I was about to help her pick up her basket, and thinking that I'm was one of the rebels, that was rumour to be stalking here, she quicky grab my hand before it reach the basket. That's the reason why I have the bruise," he lied to his brother. The guilt was strong when he saw Sasuke's eyes soften and his lip tip at corner into a small relieved smile. Itachi tip his head down to look at the ground, he couldn't face that believing smile. "Sasuke?" he asks softly.

"Yeah…"

"…are you angry?"

The young teen repeat his actions like before, lifting his brother chin under his fingertips and make Itachi directed his eyes from the ground on to him. He decides not to voice of why Itachi contantly does that. There are more importants manners anyhow. "Are you asking me if I'm angry at the woman?" his twin didn't say anything only staring at him with those dark eyes. So, Sasuke takes his silence asks a 'yes' and let his hand drop from his brother's chin. "I'm not angry at her…you should've told me sooner…" Once again his brother didn't reply. Itachi was staring at him with an odd intently look on his face, which make Sasuke break their gaze. Glancing down at his left hand and he almost forgot that he was still holding the stuff panda bear, his index finger brushing over the soft fur as he glance at his twin nervously, yet determinedly. Maybe it the right times to give Itachi the panda bear.

Itachi was broke of his reverie-of many thoughts, mostly from what the woman said-, when his brother grabs his wrists and place a soft panda bear into his arms that he was currently holding during their conversation and looking away from him to the lessen crowd, flushing softly.

If someone else was in his position, they won't blame him for his embarrassment. It's not everyday a brother giving his other brother a stuff animal in the middle of the street, were many bystander could have seen the deep affection display by the two brother's.

Itachi hide a smile without his twin noticing. He was quite surprise that Sasuke bother to buy him a stuff animals. Over the past years his brother usually don't show any acknowledgement that he love stuff creatures, well today is surely different from his twin's normal behavior. Receiving a stuff animal from Sasuke was a rare gift from his brother who doesn't show a lot of affection in outsider point, especially brother's affection and adoration. Sasuke have a belief that he doesn't need to show how much he adored that person, he rather have the silence show how much he cared without saying word to that precise person. Now it's different.

Holding the panda bear tightly to his chest, he let his fingers traced the furry ears. It was unmistakable adorable, with its huge black eyes, the soft white/black fur, it body wearing a light blue shirt, how could everybody resist it charms? Not him particularly. And Sasuke who brought the panda bear for him couldn't be able to resist it cute looks either from far he knew.

The older twin look up to say something to the younger only to find Sasuke walking ahead him, his posture perfect as he walk swiftly down the road that lead to the city entrance. Turning his head around, he slows his movement to address his twin. "We should go home. Uncle Madara will meet us there." with that said, he resumed his walking he didn't look over his shoulder if Itachi was following him or not, as if in a way he firmly know his twin will expectily follow him anyhow.

Which he did, long black hair sway with the force harshness from the wind, that unexpectedly appear when the sun start to set among the horzion, as he run to catch up with his brother fast pace, and immediately falling into step beside Sasuke when he'd reach him. Itachi glance at his brother's feature, his right arm holding the panda bear to his chest, as he bit his lip softly in thoughts if he should thank his brother or risk embarrassing Sasuke in public; thus anger him all together.

He was quite intimidating that he knew from personal experience.

Luckily, Sasuke wasn't expressing either one from what he sees. His eyes was staring pensively on the road ahead of them, while his feature give way to a blush staining on his cheeks opposite of his usually stoic nature. By the sign of the light flush, he was feeling embarrassed.

Sasuke broked his gaze on the street, turning his head around and stared at his twin, putting a calm façade to cover the nervousness as his twin's scrutinize him, while biting his lips in the process, looking like he want to say something but could not. "What is it, Itachi?" he asked, turning his eyes back on the road, while his ears focus on what his twin want or have to say, as they turn around a corner. From the dango store they pass, it looks like they're almost near the entrance. He remembers during his sulky walking that he did walk by the store, a while back. So, they are going in the right direction.

Itachi turned his gaze from his brother's feature and flicker his eyes to a nearby-fireworks-store as they walk pass it, still deliberating if he should say it or not. Frankly, a while later on, he decide to thank Sasuke instead of not thanking him and have his twin believe his efforts into buying the fluffy panda bear goes to waste.

With his decision decide, the long-haired youth turned to look at his brother and catch Sasuke's eyes with his, as his brother turn his feature around at the same time to question him again after not receiving an answers. Having his twin attention fix on him, he tried to say something only to be slightly confused of why Sasuke look at him with those eyes--warm, fill with affection, fill with emotions in every core-- left him completely breathless. After gathering himself for a moment, he parted his lips to respond.

"Thank you." It came out very soft and he wondered if Sasuke heard it. Judging by the unconcealed shock that flicker on his face as he tilted to the side, his lips parted, his eye fill with flabbergast that he didn't bother to conceal, and the fact he'd stop walking in order to face him prove that he does heard it.

"Sasuke?" the older twin asked after a few minute, stopping also in his track, and wait patiently for his twin to say something, while getting over his shock of what he'd said. Was it really shocking for him to say 'Thank you?'

The younger twin look frustrated, ruffling his hair with his right hand as he found himself without words to offer. "I-It's nothing, really," he finally mumbled abashedly, feeling a tinge on his cheeks, no doubt he's blushing, and shifting in discomfort underneath his twin's gaze as he let his hand drop to his side, staring at a building with a 'Pocky' sign behind his brother. The building complex was reflecting a golden light mix with pinkish hue from the effect of the setting sun, an oblivious and approaching sign that dusk will roll around soon.

Itachi stared at his twin for a while, his fingers was stroking the soft hair lying on his chest, absently. "Is it really shocking for me to say thanks you?" he inquired softly, voicing his thought from a minute ago. The question was soft-spoken but he didn't need to repeat it again as Sasuke's attention was swiftly drawn onto him.

The spiky haired teen blinked owlishly at his brother, his hand swiftly once again went to ruffling his hair making it even more unruly than usual (Itachi take it's a sign Sasuke was uncomfortable or frustrated) as he was lost at words again. Was Itachi doing it on purpose to make him fluster? It appears that way. "Yes… it's shocking for you to say thank you. It's not b-bad t-thing t-though," he hastily adds, when Itachi was frowning. Sasuke inwardly curse himself for his stuttering and the annoying heat on his cheeks, he was practically acting like Hinata, without the fainting part, not that he have anything against his shy friend. "It just really different to hearing you said thank you since I never heard you said it before and you-- you know-- I--" he trailed off lamely, couldn't finish his sentence to make Itachi understand what he's trying to say. He drops his hand from his hair and has the grace to look sheepish. "I'm not making any sense, aren't I?" he inquired, feeling the heat on his cheek intensified and quickly break eye contact with his twin, looking at a peculiar cat that cross the street, in order for his brother to not see it.

It was kind of infuriating when the blush won't stop spreading to his cheeks with no limit, though no matter he found it how frustrating it is that his physical reaction betray his ever thoughts, he was silently thankful at Itachi's ability to do so.

With every detached glance that makes his feature heat up; no matter how stoic he seemed-quiet or broody or sulky or even angry-- Itachi was bringing his more human side back, not the cold disillusion mask that block everybody out from knowing him.

Sasuke turned his head slightly and gaze at his twin subtly, catching Itachi was smirking more to himself, perhaps amused that he was blushing…

…His brother is so sadist to see him squirming underneath those far-away eyes.

And that the reasons he'd adores him so much.

Although he doesn't doubt if his twin does see it the blush, he have amazing eyes that track every movements and reactions.

Those eyes…

Right now those eyes were close, hiding underneath those eyelids, hiding from the world.

When those eyelids parted it'll reveal beautiful dark jade, strong like the dark wave crashing against the seashores and stunning as the night sky.

As he thought before, he undeniably loves those beautiful depths of dark sea and yet…he utterly loathed them at the same time.

He loathed on how distant they are, so far away, so blank, so dull, and almost lifeless. It's the sign…the sign of what to come…

…He was slowly losing his twin to hand of death.

With every sickness that inflected him, Itachi was getting weaker, physically and mentally, and those beautiful eyes were getting lifeless and lost the youth-ness each time the sickness came. Those eyes would have look dead, if it wasn't for the tiny spark of light was bury underneath the cover of death. The light of strength, his brother was still fighting…the light of hope, the hope he given to his twin was still there. Sometime, when he spend time with Itachi and amusing him, he could see the light in his eyes, more stronger breaking through the dark death veil, but then overtime, it dull back down to that tiny light. If by a slight chance, their uncle found the cure, the light will return in his eyes much stronger, along with life, happiness and the youth-ness would return.

It will be a miracle if their uncle does find the cure.

A soft low chuckle break him from his reverie and automatically he turn to the source of the stunning laugh, Itachi. He never notice his twin's eyelids were now parted, those pretty eye was now shining with that light full of mirth. So how long did he space out?

"No. Though now I sort of understand why you're so surprise," was the only justification for his chuckes as Itachi continue to chuckles melodiously and then slowly fade into the silence around them along with the light in his eyes. Sasuke savor the angelic sound, it was so soft, low and pure and the way his twin's eye sparkle with that light could bring the glowing sun setting in the background to shame, while a part of his subconscious recalled their conversation that he almost forgotten before he'd allow his mind to wander off.

Thank to his subconscious, he remember what they were discussing. "That's good…" he trailed off slightly as he scratches his arm, his kimono was irritating him again, glancing around the city noting there were a few peoples was in the town as his mind tried to form an conversation . After a pregnant silence, finding nothing else to say or an interesting topic to start with, he shifted awkwardly, yet subtly and starts resume his walking. He turns about to his brother for a minute and held his right hand out to him, his palm raise. "We should get going," he told Itachi, when he eye his hand blankly in silent question. Sasuke find it cute as Itachi gaze at his hand as if he never saw it before in his life.

Itachi look at his twin's hand in front of him for a few seconds. And as he lifted his left hand daintly, gingerly pressed it on his brother's open palm, Sasuke enclosed his fingers around it; he felt a tingling shock through his fingers and up his shoulder, it wasn't painful…more alien sensation. He has to wonder if his twin felt it too as Sasuke led them through a more secluded part of the city to their destination. Although from the way his brother led him in a leisurely pace and his feature look undisturbed by anything, it was highly unlikely his brother felt it though.

Itachi glanced down at his hand idly, that was clutch in his brother's grip. Sasuke was showing another display of brother's affection, unaware of his action he wasn't sure, his twin can be quite an enigma when he want to be, as in right with the way his eyes harden, he couldn't read him easily as often he'd usually does. Why was his defense so strong suddenly? Sharply, the older twin swept his gaze from one civilian to the next, he's mentally prepares to hear the whisper and feel the disgust look shot at them if they saw the display of affection between brothers, it possible they know Sasuke and him are brother, their almost similar feature give it all away. But much to his conceal astonish, there was none only a few curious glance here, there and soft smile from a elderly couple he caught as he and Sasuke walk past them, whispering to each other that they never seen two brothers holding hands, it's very rare for a male, known to be very prideful and have reputation at stake, to show fondness to anyone, especially to another male.

'It is rare,' Itachi thought mentally to himself as he cast a quick glance at his twin before bringing his eyes back on the road, while he listen to his brother talking about Naruto obsession with ramens and why the dobe find it's delicious and appealing was a mystery, to him, Sasuke, he see it more as a bunch of golden worms in a boiling hot steaming water. He adored moments like this just listening to his twin's deep and silky voice as he speak, his mere presence beside him, he wouldn't denied he cherish his twin and would do any thing for him. Sasuke was his brother, someone whom he trusts with all his heart and give him strength. He knew he couldn't live if Sasuke wasn't with him, didn't want to live any more than he have to if something happen to his brother, actually how could he anyway without the source of hope. Sasuke made him smile, a real smile only to him he did, he made him chuckles when he did something amusing to get that frown off his feature, and he made him appreciate the moments they spend together, day in and day out, because he fill them up, give them deep meanings.

Such as now, Sasuke was talking to him, while holding his hand and a while earlier he'd give him the stuff panda bear. These moments will forever be printed in his heart and memory…

… because he surely know that he won't be alive very much longer no matter how much he want to live with his brother, and see their distance future on the horizon.

Itachi cast his gaze to the ground, holding the cute panda to his chest in some sign of comfort.

Why was his destiny so different from others? He hadn't done anything wrong, or he'd did something wrong in the past and the past before that, and this was his punishment?

Still, it was all just a predestined catamity, and he wish that sickness wasn't a part of him, wasn't born within him. It hurt to know, he will leave his brother, if there no cure to heal him soon. As far his body was telling him, he was getting weaker everyday and then he will be gone… Everything in his life was fading… fast beneath his fingertips, rushing away from him so unattainably, never receiving it again. It was his life, isn't? He supposed to have complete control over his existent, but now, with the curse sickness, he doesn't even have control over his own existent.

His upcoming tragedy coming closer and he doesn't know he even have the heart to stop it.

And now, as he catch the eternal sun glint off the building, when he and Sasuke strolled past, glow in the distance, he'd sense the feeling of dread increase slowly in his chest at the warning by the woman had told him. Something going to happen, something's after him, he could sense evil in every corner, and he unconsciously grip his twin's hand tighter, afraid if he lighten his hold, Sasuke would be harm and it will all be his fault. He won't tell his twin what the woman told him as she said, if he tell his brother, whatever is after him would come after Sasuke. He would do anything just to keep his twin safe; he would allow them to harm him as long his brother is away from danger. It didn't matter if they are going to kill him or whatever plan they have for him, he's going to die one way or the other…

As he and Sasuke continue to walk in silent and round another corner, this time a faster pace, the sun already set, the civilians left home to their family and town is so quiet when this afternoon it was buzzling with excitement. With the city's lanturn creating odd eerie shape reflecting on the gloomy, dark building complex, with the soft howling of the wind, with the haunting glow of the silver full moonthat illuminate the path ahead of the them, made him feel he was in a horror movie which he, Sasuke and theirs parents watch daily in the evening, when they around eleven year old. Itachi looked upward to the full moon that hangs in the pitch black sky as dark much unseen thin crisp of cloud dance across it. 'Another full moon,' he noted, bringing his eyes back to the shadow moonlit road as he listen to his and Sasuke's footsteps echo in the quiet city--so, soundless, so hush bringing the tangling feeling that someone is watching-- .Wasn't yesterday night the full moon? He question himself, shivering and holding the panda bear closer to his chest, when a chilling wind brush past them. He wince when something sharp--hard--slash across his right cheek and immediately a stinging pain numb that specific area. He starts to move his hand to his cheek only to jerk forward when Sasuke came to abrupt stop.

"Let go of my hand." was the sudden, quiet, alarm order. Itachi blinked at his brother, who wasn't facing him, his head was lower so he couldn't see his expression of the sudden request why he stated that, still he slowly slip his hand free…

Just as his hand slip sluggishly away its was suddenly and quickly caught back in his brother's hand, and slightly confused of why Sasuke stop him, he look up to his twin as Sasuke turn around to face him, and for brief moment his brother's appearance change in front of him. He wasn't sure if he was seeing things or it might be the golden light coming from the lanturn that hung on a building pillar that was behind his brother, it was unclear, but the sudden strange change that caught his eyes was Sasuke's own eyes. It wasn't the normal color onxy orbs, his eyes change from black morping into reddish gold color. Those golden eyes were cold which contain fathomless to the brink of point in that golden shaded red sea. Those eyes was not the only tranformation, his hair was also. It more longer then usually than Sasuke allow it to grow, the short bangs that hung against his twin's fringe, now sway with the light wind in front of those cold golden red eyes. Though the coldness didn't last as this person look at him, that golden jewel lost its fridge- ness as the persontited his head to the side, his bangs sway and brush against his eyes, offering him a small, sad smile. And then unexpectedly sudden great pain echo in his heart as he saw that smile, a great disturbance within told him he seen this unknown yet familiar person before, so long ago. His heart cry with old anger, bitterness, sadness and distant longing as the familiarly continue to vex him. His eyes ache when he realizes he hasn't blink for the wholetime and he give into it tempation, and slowly he close his eyes for a second despite his heart cry him not to.

When he reopen his eyes, that person was gone and in its place was Sasuke looking at him in confusion as he comment that he looked like he'd seen a ghost and he was saying something else, but by that time Itachi couldn't hear him as his mind drift to other matters.

That's a reasonable statement. What he'd just seen, actually? Was it a ghost, illusion or it maybe he think way too much, making him going crazy with the event going around him, his sickness and the woman's warning can be the cause leading him to have hallucination.

Was it? If it a hallucation why does the familiarly tell him he'd seen that person before. He really is bemused…

"Itachi, are you listening to me?" his brother's deep voice snap him from his thought, and he swifty looked up at his twin form, never knowing why his head was lower in the first place, and than for a second he was half-expecting that Sasuke would morph into that person, but he didn't. Sasuke was still Sasuke, his brother, who was looking at him in an awaited way waiting for him to say something. Than it clicks him as disappointment in himself strike him, he wasn't listening to his brother during the time Sasuke talk to him. What kind of brother he is…

He touched his cheek absently when that stinging pain was inflicted on it before, as he circle his fingers around that area, he noted that there were no scatch mark or wounds where it just slash across it. Was it only the wind or? Shoving those thoughts deep into his mind, he replied to his twin, keeping his voice emotionless, not showing any sign that something is bothering him. "Forgive me, Sasuke. I was lost in thought, can you repeated what you said if you don't mind." Though why would Sasuke bother to repeat it since he wasn't listening to his brother from the start.

He saw his brother's eye narrowed as those wonderful eyes scan him over, study him. Likely there was nothing to study about, his voice and feature was impassive, although he was grateful when Sasuke stop trying to read him, he didn't ask what make him lost in thoughts. "A minute ago I felt something or someone grab my left hand wanting to pull me away and I told that something 'to let go of my hand'," Sasuke told him, releasing his brother's hand hesitantly and rub his thumb on the palm of his left hand, his brow burrow in thought as he contemplated over the manner, his finger trailing over his left clod palm. "It felt…strange and cold…I mean the grip on my hand doesn't felt human at all."

Itachi gazed at his twin unblinkingly, he'd realize what Sasuke meant; though he hope it wasn't that case. Though it was possible, they're the only one here in this dark city, alone. "What'd you mean, Sasuke?"

Letting his left hand drop to his side, his brother wave his hand dismissively and shot him a fake smile. "Forget it, it might be the wind or something," he offered the same smile on his countenance with a tint of uncertaintly hidden underneath the façade. Itachi know that his twin is trying to make him believe it was nothing including himself, but in reality he know it wasn't the wind, it was something phantom, nonexistent, a something that don't belong in this world. And from the way Sasuke's eyes harden in thoughts, his jaws muscle contract beneath the moon's milky light, and his body stiffen in conceal concern underneath his apparel, he realized it to, it was something he couldn't just brush it off. Grasping his hand again and tighten his hold on his hand, his younger sibling walks forward. "Let's go, home."

Itachi nodded slowly and tighten his grip on Sasuke hand in return, as he allowed his twin to guide them to their home.

Sasuke didn't release his hand for a few seconds as they begin walking, even they exit the city and Itachi didn't mind at all.

To them, it was clear as the sliver moon hung above them, as it glow its radiant light…

…They didn't want to let go of each other anytime soon.

"So…uh…I was thinking we could just forget about what happen yesterday…at the park, do you think we should?" Sasuke asked his brother waiting for his opinion, while his eyes trailed to a bunch of fireflies flutter around them and listening to the soft chirping of crickets, as they walk the moonlit stony path leading to their home. What start the conversation was Sasuke decide he and Itachi need to discuss about the incident at the park yesterday before he completely forget it again. He doesn't want that little incident to harm their bond with one another. And of course, he doesn't want Itachi to get the feeling he's 'in to him' because he wasn't. In all honestly, there was another reasons of why he brought the subject up. 1. He needs to forget what happen earlier, and 2. He wants to break the silence between them and need to talk. Normally he wasn't the one that talk a lot, he seemingly find talking is pointless in his point of view aside from swearing, but whenever he's in his twin's company he'd felt the need to say something, something interesting and witty to get him amused. Sometime, he felt stupid and childish once he couldn't find any things to say, so he keep rambling on and on about boring things to keep his brother interest perk up, but when he saw that beautiful smile on his brother's lips it was all worth it.

He turns to his brother and saw Itachi was nodding, his bright red ribbon bounce with the movement, he was not looking at him either more focuses ahead. Therefore, taking that as a confirmation, he starts another topic as he uninterestedly glances around at the fireflies dancing around them. "Hmm, there a lot of fireflies tonight… aren't they?" he asked waiting for his twin to respond, and he certainty did get one…of some sort…a nod. Just like before, Itachi did not look at him and kept walking next to him. The young teen cannot guarantee if his brother heard him or not, but either way, he was growing suspicious, and somehow annoyed. Therefore, he comes to a decision to test his brother if he was listening to him. "Hn, I always think Naruto is an idiot, don't you?" if he knew his twin very well, Itachi will not agree with him, and surely he will defend Naruto in every given time. In addition, much to his amusement and satisfaction that his suspicions were confirmed Itachi nodded once again. Okay, unless he doesfind Naruto an idiot, he has not been listening to a word he said. Coming to a stop on their trek to their home and making Itachi stop in turn .Only than, after a few minute it suddenly dawn on him that he hadn't release his twin's hand yet. Tentatively, he let go of his brother's hand and his suspicion laced with worry get stronger as Itachi was still composed than ever, didn't react even when he let go of his hand. At this point he was expecting Itachi to ask him what's wrong or why did he stop, but his brother didn't, he was holding the panda bear he'd given to him to his chest and staring ahead, "Itachi."

His named been called does the trick. Itachi snapped out of whatever he's thinking and look at him in surprised as if he just realize he been talking to him for a while. Thanks to light of the full moon, he notices how his twin's eyes were glaze filling with worried. He must be immersed in thoughts, perhaps that the reason why he was not focusing on him and out of it. The surprise look and worried was gone as instantly as it came, as Itachi regained his stoic demeanor and replied. "Forgive me, Sasuke, I was lost in thought. What did you said?"

Sasuke eyes narrowed in confusion as he walk up to his twin so he was standing directly in front of him, blocking him from escaping if he tried to that is, while not responding back. There was something wrong; it was not likely for Itachi to daydream or space out. Hell, he is not the type to daydream. Only he'd fit that category, that constantly stare off to space and the only simple way to snap him out from his daze was a loud voice yelling into his ears and a shake to his shoulders. Now, not once but three time his twin wasn't listening to him and paying attention, the first time at the city he let it go, but now he want find out what's going on that make his brother lost in thought, and what's bothering him. Wait a minute, now he thinks about it, his brother been acting like this when the woman, Itachi told him about, appeared.

"Cut the act, you've been acting strange today ever since you met that woman," he said quietly combined with a serious tone. Itachi's eyes widen a little at the unexpected statement, "there's something bothering you isn't it? Are you giving me half of the info? Did that woman tell you something?" He slowly reach and grab his twin's shoulder, being careful not to startle him, pull him slightly close to him and look deeply into those solemn dark ocean, glittering with the angelic light of the moon reflecting on them, wanting to coax him into saying what's on his mind by his own eyes. "Tell me what's wrong. Let me share your burden. I can see in your eyes seconds ago, which guard is usually up, that there's something bothering you!" Sasuke did not realize his voice rose up a notch at the end as he question his twin, all he could think about was his brother, this beautiful creature, who he adore above anything else.

Itachi did not reply and look away from those penetrating gaze emitting from those stunning onyx orbs as the wildlife around them, the crickets stop chirping, grow eerie silent. He knows his brother want to know, he want to tell him so much, but he could not. His twin's safety is on the line, and he could not risk that, while feeling something is watching him in the dark, in the silence, wanting him to give in to Sasuke's interrogation, he'd certainty won't and never let it have that satisfaction. He closed his eyes so those alluring eyes, and somewhat his twin's gentle voice will not tempt him.

Those lids quickly parted when Sasuke grip his chin and make him look back at him. His heart thudding in his chest at the close proximately they were in, he could feel his brother's warmth emerging underneath the kimono wafting toward him and his fingers underneath his chin, coaxing him to tell. 'Sasuke…I want to tell you…but how can I?'

Sasuke continue to stared at those blank eyes, it was so blank and distance, and he want nothing more to have them reveal those emotions, he saw before, want to read him like an open book. 'I feel like I'm talking to a large stone.' he said mentally to himself. He unconsciously runs his fingers over the soft expanse of skin before he caught himself, and slowly placing them back onto his twin's shoulder. "Tell me, Itachi."

Itachi shaked his head, not trusting himself to speak as he briskly avert his eyes from his brother's trap gaze, while pulling himself away, it was difficult since he was holding the panda bear, but it was useless. His brother's grasp is strong, not allowing him to pull away, and leave until he answers him. "Sasuke, let go. We have to go home," he said coolly, attempting to change the subject, however, his brother will have nothing of that as he forcibly grab his chin with a strong grip and make him look into his eyes, while his other hand wrap tightly around his waist, pulling him closer. It was highly uncomfortable for Itachi to be this close to his brother, reminding him about the episode at the park, while it is hard to look into those eyes and exquisite moonlit feature up close to his own, so close he could feel his brother's cool breath caressing on his cheeks and he was losing control, physically and mentally. 'I cannot…I cannot tell him.' "I'm not letting you go until you tell me…I'm your brother… let me help you…why won't you tell me?" Sasuke soften his voice almost to a whisper, but strong in tone, he needs to know.

Heart thud softy against his chest underneath his silk clod kimono and he could swore his twin might have heard it, they were so close to each other after all, as Itachi parted his lips, excitement and relief pump into his veins. Was Itachi going to tell him? Going to tell him what is bothering him. His heart quickly and abruptly dull down to its normal rhythm as a frown spread on his lips, his eyes widen in shock, not receiving the answers he want. "I think it's fair that I shouldn't tell you since you're hiding something also." his brother told him in an even, gentle tone. That sentence was simple, but it manage to shock him, shock him that he unconsciously release his brother's waist and chin, given Itachi the opportunely to slip away from him, brush past him and walk--glide-- ahead to their secluded home as his arms fell to his side, his head lower, staring at the stone cover pathway.

Itachi was right. No matter how much he want to go after his twin and persistent him until his brother finally crack under the pressure, telling him what bothering him, Itachi made a valid point. He has no rights, no rights whatsoever to demand his twin to tell him, while he, himself, is hiding something from Itachi too. He possesses little patience, while Itachi is bless with patience, if he continues to force his brother to answers him, it will only create a friction between them and he absolutely want to avoid that.

Sasuke let out a hollow sighed, running his fingers through his midnight spiky locks briefly, as he swirled about and follow his brother, he have to protect his brother like he promise himself. Just go with the flow, he said to himself, maybe one day Itachi will tell him, and he hope if that day come he'd wonder if he have the courage to tell his twin also.

No sooner than later, he reaches his home and quickly found his brother sitting on the flowerbed on the right side of the manor. His twin's form was illuminate by the light of the lantern, hanging at the side of the manor, his legs tuck underneath him, his left hand holding the panda bear on his lap as his elegant right hand play with a little pink rose that bloom on a lefty vine plant next to him. In addition, Sasuke think, as he walk to where Itachi was, his brother should not look so feminine, it was making his emotion run wild in him again, and beside Itachi was making the, which was very professionally maintained, garden look ten times more beautiful than before, including himself by simply sitting there. Now wonder everyone is attracted to him, from males, women's, children's, sick pervert old men's(Orchimaru- an ex-gardener at their mansion that was fired by his deceased father ), even animals. Though he knows, the real reason why Itachi did not accepted the marriage proposition from those women and men's. Reason 1: He was young, Reason 2: Itachi didn't want to break their promise, there's no doubt if Itachi choose one of them; the person certainty will take his twin away from him to god-no-where, some of the suitor's didn't reside in Konoha! Beside if Itachi does marry them, he will not agree to it. He will not allow anyone to claim his brother, and he was not being overly possessive, its brotherly protection.

Itachi looked up at his twin upon Sasuke approach, offering him a soft smile, receiving an 'Hn' from his brother in return as his fingers gently caress the pink flower delicate petals. This flower was filling with life, fill with hope, and fill with promise, not yet tainted by the polluted air of death that flow like a life stream in this world. This world, which he wishes it, was not the real reality that holds his tragedy. The older twin shook his head mentally, 'I need to stop thinking like that, and there is still hope…'

He heard his twin's kimono sleeve flutter in the wind, and he quickly look up as Sasuke settled himself gracefully beside him, while muttering, 'Wish uncle give us a spare key.' He brought his gaze back to the young flower cradle tenderly in his palm, as he slowly stroke the tender petals, blinking when his twin's hand move into his vision, and join his stroking task. Sasuke is using his right hand, he observed, does that mean his left hand still bothering him?

"Sasuke," he asked softly as he turn his head around, blinking suspiciously when his twin franticly dart his gaze from him to the flower that his slender fingers was stroking the petals next to his own. The older twin did not say anything of why his brother was staring at him instead of the flower, "How's your hand?"

"It's better," The young teen respond bringing his left hand up to inspect it and test his hand by flexing his fingers and relaxing them. He found it odd that it was stinging; maybe the wound is in the process of sewing the skins back? "It still stung a little." He watched his brother nod to his reply content his hand feeling better and return his attention back to the flower. As soon Itachi went back to gaze to it, he was overwhelm with jealousy, but he hastily crush that feeling into mini dust. It quite hilarious how it make him get jealous over books, and now flowers, wonder what he'd jealous over next…

A cool wind ruffle his bangs, making him blew those bangs away from his eyes. And the spiky haired teen noticed how Itachi shiver, the way he tense up, when he'd release the flower and instead hug the panda bear closer, pulling his legs out from under him and hug them to chest, and the way how his twin shook surreptitiously, it was very visible but he seen it. His brother always been very sensitive to the weather, he could get easily sick by the slightest of wind, rainfall, snow(Which is rare to have snow in Konoha, Itachi have to bundle up with the thickness fur coat, scarf cover almost half of his feature when he have to go out. Sasuke would have thought it was funny to see Itachi bundle up like a puffy giant if his twin's health condition was not so serious.) Right now he need to keep his brother warm and comfy before his heath become much more severe, the silk kimono wasn't doing the best job of keeping his brother warm, and neither of them don't have the key to the manor…there's were only one possible way…

Hearing the soft rustle sound of silk and realizing his twin stand up for some reason, Itachi look up to his brother only to shift his eyes to the ground, when he saw Sasuke start undoing his sash around his waist and shrugged his kimono off himself, including his inner clothes revealing moonlit skin. "What are you doing, Sasuke?" he question softly, flickering his eyes back to his twin, not showing any sign he was bother that his brother was half-naked in front of him on his feature.

"Taking my Kimono off," was Sasuke plain reply, feeling relieve that the kimono was no longer on him so he did not need to scratch every given time. He kneels beside his brother and places the kimono around Itachi's silk cover shoulder.

Itachi look at the kimono on his shoulder idly before making a move to remove it give it back to Sasuke, but his brother halt him.

"Wear it."

"But…"

"You'll get sick if you don't. You know how sensitive you are to the weather, you need to be warm."

Itachi stare at his twin stubbornly, although, for a moment he was no longer try to remove the kimono. "Sasuke, I'm not cold."

The younger twin share the same stubborn gaze as he direct it to his brother. "Of course not," he said sarcastically, which made the older twin narrow his gaze. "Than tell me why were you shivering?"

"I'm--"

"I made my point, wear it."

"You need to be warm also," Itachi gently said. Even though he was grateful by his brother's concern, he could not be selfish and allowed his twin to be cold because of him.

"Itachi," Sasuke respond staring at his twin with a firm look, "I don't need to be warm; I'm more concern about you." Itachi stop protesting and freeze as those gentle words flow into his ears. "Stop being stubborn about this," Sasuke said as he slowly get up from his kneeling position and walk to the cherry blossom tree.

The younger twin settled himself beside the cherry blossom tree, leaning on the bark as he watch his brother, if Itachi going to remove the kimono or not. It seem those words does the trick, his twin was not taking the kimono off himself only staring at the flowerbed ground. Still, as he perpetually study his brother's form, despite he was cover by his kimono, Itachi was still shivering underneath the layers of clothes as another particularly wind blew pass them, making the cherry blossom petals dance in the dark, moonlit night. He need it do something and it will be drastic action to take. "Itachi," he called softy, he did not need to be necessary loud since he near him after all.

He observed the way his twin shifted at his named being called and bring his gaze to regard him in mute confusion, his brother was shivering badly as he pull the kimono he give to him tighter around himself, to find some warmth. A solemn frown made onto his face, he chewed his bottom lips roughly as he beckon Itachi to come where he was at, when his twin didn't said anything. "Come here," he said lightly after a moment of deliberation, getting off the ground incases he have to make a move to his brother direction if his twin did not comply.

It took seconds for Itachi to register what his brother quietly said, and he shook his head in a defiance way, as he stare at his twin with guarded eyes, hugging his knees closer to his chest as if he was in another different dimension with a sex-crazed person that he worriedly need to protect his un-tainted innocence from. "I rather not, forgive me, Sasuke," he told his brother quietly, shivering again and holding the Panda bear closer to him as another strong breeze came.

Still, when his twin close the distance between them and grab his hand, grip it tightly, he allow Sasuke to pull him up and let him be led by his brother in blind fashion without protesting, they sunk onto the ground where Sasuke sat at by the tree. Without hesitating on his part, the younger twin arrange his brother position so he was sitting between his bent legs, his brother's left cloth shoulder against his exposed firm chest, his head tucked underneath his chin. Sasuke wrap the kimono around his twin's slender form tighter, and than let one of his arm wrap around his brother's hip. He know this is a very awkward position, but truly he did not really give a damn, his twin's health is all that matter to him. Is it wrong to share body heat with another male, when that person is in need of help?

He shivered when his brother's hair and bow tickle his chest as he shift and maneuver his head away from the naked skin. "Sasuke, you don't need to do this," was the soft mumble. It was so soft and stains as if he was made of broken glass.

The young teen look down and met a pair of dark eyes gazing up at him before he respond he took his time in study his brother's feature, his twin's face was glowing with the light of the full moon, his eyes remain blank and Sasuke find Itachi once again beautiful in this night, like a dark frail angel. "I want to, you're my brother," he responds voice genuine and he mean it, staring at the dark beauty in his arms without blinking a bit. "I know it's awkward for you, but this is the only possible way of keeping you warm."

His brother's feature remains stoic under his inspection, although his eyes soften as he study him. "Sasuke," his brother begin slowly, "…I'm thankful to have you as my brother." Itachi smiled gently and before he could say anything, his twin places his head back under his chin as he continues sleepily and with an exhale of breath, his brother went completely lax in his arms; Sasuke did not need to panic since Itachi was actually sleeping from his rising back.

Sasuke brushed the soft bangs that fall onto his brother face, and tucked them behind his twin's elegant right ear. He emitted a low sigh and reclined against the trunk of the cherry blossom tree, staring at the large full moon above them in the dark mix with shade of purple sky, the cherry blossom and fireflies dance in his vision, along with the sound of soft chirp of crickets, and the waterfall behind them, it make this night extremely enchanting. "I don't know what to do without you either, Itachi," he admitted to night sky. The moon, the waterfall, the fireflies, the wind, the flowers was the only witnessed to hear those words coming from the indifferent, Uchiha Sasuke. Really, if someone knows him well enough would never think he was a softie in heart, well more a softie to his brother, actually. Those word drift into the air and quickly mold into nature, the nature around him seem like a dream.

He rest his head against the bark of the tree as he shifted his vision to his brother, his eyes were about to closed, but he stop them. He could not sleep, did not want to sleep when his twin is in his company in this haunting night.

If he could help it, he wants to watch Itachi for all eternity, sleeping next to him. His warm breath caressed his skin, his soft hair tickling across his chest, as he would shift briefly, his addicting scent flow into him like an alluring air that he desperate need. Assuring himself he was there next to him, wanting to know his brother wouldn't leave him behind should he blink, wouldn't vanish into the empty air never to fill his sense forever…

Moreover, it scared him if he does…

…No terrified…

…It was his strongest fear…

With the way Itachi slept peacefully next to him, the light reflecting on his face, his long lash rest gently against soft, porcelain high cheek bone, he certainly find Itachi is pure and unearthly, like he always seem to be a dream, a part of a figment only solely living in their promise. In addition, it terrified him so much, dream were after all a figments of imagination it can easily be gone, taking his brother along with it.

Sasuke released a choked sob, bringing his shaking hand to his cheeks to wipe the tears that were slowly making it way down against his will, his eyes shut shortly as overwhelming harsh realization crush him again, saying his twin will not live very long. His brother was his strength to go through odds, his sun, to see him smile, and the light in his eyes and his demure personality mean so much to him…

He cherished Itachi more than life itself…want to protect him…and that would never be a lie…

It was difficult concept to grasp, he did not know if he could live anymore if that tragic day comes, his brother disappear from him for all eternity by that dreadful disease. Losing a twin is like losing half of your soul, lost the half of yourself. What is the point in living anyway if you are just an empty shell, with no emotions, no thoughts, and a torn heart?

…The answers is simple none.

Though he knew as his heart twist with gut wrenching fear, they really will not be together forever; as much as the positive side of him motivates him into believing…

But still, he want Itachi to be real to him, want shred the real world into pieces and replace it with their world, their promise, wanting it turn from a dream into reality.

He does not want to lose another cherished one…

Staring at the moon above them, the tears no longer falling as his face and eyes fill with determination, while his swirling thoughts concentrating on his twin. He would protect his brother by all cost from his nightmare and the disease from becoming true.

He will not let his Itachi go anytime soon, and he will not allow anything tearing them apart from each other…

"…Sasuke, why are you crying?"

Startle at the gentle voice, and tearing his gaze away from the moon, staring dumbfounded to find his twin looking up at him half awaked with sleepy, yet alert eyes. He was so lost in thoughts that he was not even aware that Itachi woke up. He watches as his brother gaze up at him, his eyes losing the sleepiness in them. Moreover, those gorgeous eyes began to search his face of whatever is bothering him to make him cry, waiting for him to give an answers.

What Itachi did not know is that he was the reason he was crying for…but he could not tell him that, could he?

Sasuke allow a small smile grace his feature, taking a few second to recover from his shock as he wipes away the evident tears from his cheeks roughly. "I'm not crying, some dust went into my eyes that's all," he muttered nonchalantly with a tint of hoarseness embedded in his voice from the crying he done earlier. He hates crying, it makes him feel weak as he cried over the simplest things, although he would not call Itachi simple and plain though. He sense that his brother was not assure of what he said and he hastily diverged away from the subject so his twin will not question him any further. "Are you warm, Itachi?" he asked, pulling the kimono around his brother form tighter when it is about to slip.

Itachi nodded as his eyes lid droops down again, but he musters his strength to stay awake. Sasuke look at his brother when he finishes fixing the kimono.

"You should continue sleeping."

The older twin shook his head. "I don't want to," he protests sleepily, pulling himself away a slightest bit from his brother, and straighten himself so they were sitting in equal height. "I want to hear you talk."

Sasuke raised an elegant eyebrow. "Why?" He was interested why his twin chooses to listen to him talking over a decent rest.

Brushing his bangs aside and wrapping his arms around the panda bear, Itachi regarded his twin, passively. "I want to hear you talk because …" he closes his eyes momentarily before reopening them, "I like the sound of your voice, its very deep and soothing to me," he stated emotionlessly, though he was smiling lightly.

The younger twin feels his cheeks heat up at the pretty smile and shifted his eyes away from his brother unnerved how calm his twin is, staring a lone pebble a few millimeter away from him. 'Curse you blush, stop betraying me. Is it healthy to blush this much?' Seriously, he envied how Itachi was not blushing and still remains stoic even he just admitted to him out loud he find his voice attractive. It was totally beyond him. Now that he thinks about it, earlier yesterday morning he actually did saw his twin's blush a little and he have to ponder if his brother was aware he was doing it, or his body just reacts against his will. "I'm not very talkative, Itachi," he finally mumbles, turning his gaze back to his brother.

"You're talking right now," Itachi, point out. Carefully, he get up from his position between his twin's legs, so he doesn't hurt him, and settled beside his brother next to the cherry blossom tree, his legs tucked underneath him, one of his hand lay demurely on his lap, while his fingers softly trailed over the panda bear ear sitting on his lap.

Sasuke lean against the truck more comfortably, his hands intertwining together be hide his head as he stare at the leaves above them, swaying with the wind, trying to find an interesting topic to start with, and suddenly looking pass the leave into the dark sky, he certainly found one. "Hn…fine. I'm confused." He said rather bluntly.

There is a shifted beside him meaning that Itachi was turning in his direction. "About…" his twin offered, urging him to continue what is on his mind.

His hair sway with the wind, some strands fell into his eyes which he brush them away, and he hesitant, shifting his vision from the dark skies to the giant full moon that hung in the dark sea like a silver mirror.

…Which could create illusion…?

…that holds life all together…

That captive everybody attention when they look upon it…

…He does not find it beautiful at all though…

He was not a Jackass as Naruto oh-so-nicely said, mind you. He know beauty, beauty that take his breath away, make the excitement boil inside of him and gain his undivided attention, the moon doesn't fit the description. Sure, it is stunning, but it is not heavenly and wondrous as the divine Sun. To him, the moon is enchanting, but more duller, haunting, and plain than the sun, it make him feel empty and dark as he study the moon, his head cocked to the side, somehow he feel connected to the moon as if he share a similar sentiment with the white gem. Moreover, than he realized slowly the moon remind him of him.

The moon was a shadow to the sun…

…Liked he was a shadow to Itachi…

"The moon," He continues after a moment of silence. The young teen remove his hands behind his head and place on the ground, his fingers tug on a overgrown grass as he turn side way to regard Itachi with blanks eyes. "Itachi, tell me. I want your honest opinion…Want do you see in the moon. What's so special about it?" He wants to know. He and Itachi share different perspective, and therefore his twin will give him the right answers, even though he does might not share the same belief.

Itachi turn to the look at the moon also, his brow knitting in thoughts. "I find the moon to be very beautiful. It has a mystery, dark element surrounds it as if it a puzzle not meant to be solving, it can create illusion and destroy the mere illusion with out blinking eyes, and it can create dreams." There was a pause as the older twin turn to Sasuke. "And in all honesty, Sasuke, I see the moon is a light of hope."

The younger gaze at the bright moon intensely as he mulled over what his brother said. "Hope?" He inquired uncertainly, at the corner of his eyes he saw Itachi nodded slowly.

"Yes. I see the moon is the light of hope in the darkness, even the darkness surround the moon it has not penetrate into it. Furthermore, more importantly, without the moon in this world there will be no imagination. The moon inspire imagination to us, and without imagination, we, humans could not invent anything what we have now. That's what so special of the moon," He said smoothly, Sasuke was awed how his twin's voice remain detached yet surround with strength of comprehend as he given him a clearly provocative explanation. "But that's not all. You see, Sasuke, the sun and moon are very different in their own attribute, but there is a balance between them, morning and dusk and they must maintained that balance as the moon inspire imaginations, whereas the sun--"

"Cultivates self-control," Sasuke interjected gently without being rude, he hesitantly turn to look at his brother and continue on when Itachi inclined his head, "If by under questionable circumstance the sun is weakened, disappeared or lost, evil will be born taking over the hearts of man. There will be more crimes and murder, plants and crops will die out. Netherless to say war and chaos will pledge into this land if the sun is weaken," He finished solemly. Thank to his twin he understand what is so special of the moon now. The sun, self-control… it resemble his twin personality, that strong willpower. "Do you want to know what I see in the sun, Itachi?" he asked lowly, but loud enough for his twin to hear him as he mentally wince when a sharp pain latch onto his forehead, and his vision star to blur with dark shapes, his fingers flex and clutch the grass, tearing them underneath his palm.

Itachi turn to his brother, not noticing his twin's change, "Can you tell than." It was not a question.

Sasuke smiled was dim, as he pull his knees to chest and rest his chin on them, his narrow hard eyes was fix on the moon, although it look like he was staring right past the white mass, Itachi noted as he listen to his twin reply in a cryptic meaning. At this moment, his brother seems different, different from the normal Sasuke usually talk. "I see the sun is unreachable. Humans and birds can never touch it, now matter how hard they tried; we could never reach it either. Even the moon could not meet the sun anymore. The moon and sun are forbid of meeting each other that's way they're divide in different part of the sky, although they may only allow to meet each other during the solar eclipse which happen once a year, where the moon block out the sun light causing the world to be enshroud in darkness. You know, I have a strong belief that the moon misses the sun that's why it does engulf the heavenly gem."

As his brother said this, he had now turns to look directly at him and those sudden, fathomless eyes caught Itachi radiantly by the moonbeam, with his own, mystifying dark sea clashing with haunting dark sea. In fact, by the way Sasuke turn to stare at him seriously with no joking matter in his demeanor, he was not sure if he was truly referring to the sun at the end of his speech. What does his twin meant? What he said does not resemble the legend of the Sun Goddess Amaterasu and Moon God Tsukiyomi. He want to ask what he'd mean, but couldn't, couldn't while those sharp eyes, portraying a wounded soul, was penetrating through his being, making him go mute, won't allow him to voice his thought. Minutes pass by with the surreal silence it was merely interrupted by the waterfall clashing against a slope on the small riverbank, the cricket no longer chirping, during the minute lapse he and Sasuke have not break their eyes contact. It was when two fireflies flutter between their lines of vision and pink petals of cherry blossom reflecting the moon bright light twirling with the fireflies; it was broken along with an unexpected loud shout that shatter the sound barrier.

"Sasuke-kun… Itachi-kun… I am here!"

Sasuke turn his head jerkily around, startled to find his uncle standing in front of them with a large grin holding a bag in his hand, seemingly appear out of thin air. While Itachi slowly and elegantly blink, not even looking at all surprise at their uncle sudden appearance before lowering his gaze to the panda bear in his arms, his fingers trailing around the cute chubby face idly as the sentence his twin uttered resound in his mind. What his brother had said was so different from the usual Sasuke…it was alien to him. However, what make draw his attention the most was those eyes, eyes flood with coldness and fathomless, although there were no malicious intent look in them, it still give him a sense of balefulness of high alert, to be careful around him, this person was not Sasuke. Itachi mentally shook his head as a frown marred his face. Perhaps, he was imaging and seeing things abnormal after all, as in right now, when he secretly look at his brother, Sasuke's eyes was back to it normal dark orbs and when he was about to scowl at their uncle, give him the feeling of comfort. This was his brother…

Meanwhile, the younger twin scowls and glared after getting over his shock and forgetting, temporarily what he and Itachi were discussing about, what were they talking about before Madara came? His mind had gone blank for a moment, as annoyance overcomes him. "Where've you been and what with the bag?" he question coolly.

Madara, unaffected by the fiery glare and wisely not asking why his nephew is half-naked knowing it going to led him to have another swollen eye by his nephew's temper issue, smile secretly as he absently glance at the bag in his hand before walking. "It's the items that I've purchase and I also rent horror movies for us to watch along the way!" He said cheerfully. "We will have a great night watching it!" Moreover, with that he hurried off, presuming heading to the front of the manor, the young teen think.

Sasuke rolled his eyes at his uncle's unnecessary ecstasy, as he get up from the ground and give a stretch, five familiar crack rung through the silence, making him lightly wince as the bone snap into place with a sicken crack. After satisfied his back was no longer feeling stiffen, he turn about and help his brother up. He shook his head when Itachi handed back his kimono as they begun walking. "Keep it…it look better on you anyway," he calmly muttered. As he told his brother this, he was very calm on the outside surface, however in the inside was a different cases. He couldn't believe he'd said that and how bold he have sound, though he didn't want to take it back, his twin does look stunning in gray as he far could tell the color in this night. He furtively swirled his gaze to his brother next to him as the silence eat away at him, his stomach fill with butterfly fluttering around, and saw his twin looking calm as ever striding soundlessly next to him. Not looking affected of what he'd said as though he find a brother saying he look nice in a kimono was particularly normal to him. What does it takes to make Itachi be work up, do he needs to announce he was in love with him? Not that he will or never would say. Where that thought came from anyway? Still he would love to see his twin's calmness characteristic break for a while so he could witness that change. It will not be easy though, however he was stubborn as a brick wall he would look forward to a challenge either way.

"I have to wonder what kind of movie uncle rents for us, will there be horror?" his twin's deep voice mingling with softness flow into his ears, and he inwardly smirked as his mind begin plotting while half-listening to what Itachi was saying . Was there a tremor in his brother's voice at the end or he was hearing things? Either way this is his chance and he would not miss the opportunely that present itself like this one…

Not giving any thought on what he was doing, Sasuke swing his arm casually around Itachi's shoulders, and at the same time, halting his twin's speech and pulling his brother flush against his side. He smirked deeply when Itachi tense quickly at the soft impact of their body meeting each other before slowly relax and didn't pull away or shrugged him off. "Awww…don't be scared Itachi. I will protect you from the monsters," he cooed teasingly, as they walk in equal, slow stride to the entrance of the manor, the light of the design lantern bounce on their form. At this, his twin looks at him as best as he could through the dark, his eyes radiantly with that tiny light once again, but this time the light was increasing more in that dark sea.

"Sasuke, I'm not scared," Itachi, remarked blankly, his voice was void of emotion as he stares at his twin wanting to get the message through before turning his head stiffly away, faintly realizing this was Sasuke from the way he'd talk. He was not that person, or perhaps, he was accurately hallucinating, hearing sentence that his brother was not saying. A deception of believing sentence that is not there. Sasuke, on the other hand, was mildly disappointment that his twin was still calm as ever and how that light, in his brother's eyes, dim down, and returning back to the dull, empty shell. Regardless, it did not work from achieving his goal the young teen will not give up that easily in any rate.

Sasuke, release his brother's shoulder, and instead permitted himself to flick the soft, long bangs of his twin, making it gradually flutter in the wind before falling back to it rightful place. This time he did receive a reaction, and he grin smugly when Itachi turn to glared at him softly. "Whatever you say, princess," he quip, putting emphasis on that certain word, and marveling how his twin eyes sparkle with that light again immediately. It's was definitely stunning sight.

He admits he have some skills, he was not an Uchiha for nothing.

Itachi frowned lightly and quickly turn his feature away, his long bangs obscured his face, hiding the frown from his brother view, as his unlocked emotion was making his nerve on edge. "Don't called me that,"He told his twin, making a move to walk ahead but a hand latch around his wrist dragging him back to his twin's side. He could hear the smirk in Sasuke's voice as he wraps his arm around his shoulders once again, and Itachi vaguely realize they stop walking, from where they were at; he could see their uncle standing in front of the manor.

"Why won't you allow me to call you that?" Was the slight serious question, Sasuke's voice was low enough so their uncle will not hear them, as he unconsciously tuck the long bangs behind his brother's ears that flutter into his eyes, and than without thinking trailed his finger to his cheek. When his fingers touch the soft skin his wrist was quickly caught by Itachi's hand, the way his twin look at him suspiciously and thoughtfully make realization crush down on him like thousand bricks crash on his skull, and he hastily, yet tenderly withdrew his left arm back. The butterflies in his stomach tickle him further, and he step back, looking down at the ground, and close his eyes, inwardly scolding himself for touching his twin without his consent and when he was aware. However, he could not help it, could not stop his arm moving on its accord, to touch that soft hair and equally fragile soft skin. The sweet scent that he adored the most. That scent was making his emotion gone haywire remained him of fresh, refreshing earth, blooming flowers, fruits, sunray, a hint of wind, and the sweet aroma of saccharine strawberries, had attracted his sense with the way Itachi had been so close to him. Nothing in this world smells so sweet and beautiful, he knows for sure. And this was coming from him who hates sweets.

Realizing he need to rectify his actions as the silence continue to stretch, he open his eyes, and nibbling his lips in nervousness he started to say something only to be politely cut off.

"Sasuke, you know I dislike it when you always treat me, and refer to me as a woman," Itachi calmly muttered, bring the subject back of their conversation. His voice is calm as the ocean as if nothing had happen between his brother and himself. Sasuke admired how his twin remain stoic even from what just happen by his sheer idiotically, and slowly he was more comfortable as a smirk worms its way on his elegant feature, regaining his cool composer, and forgetting what'd happen, although it will always be a part of his memory. On the other hand however, there was a jumbling in his stomach and it is not the butterfly, he felt…disappointment? That his twin did not want remember what happen like it is not worth remembering like he didn't care at all. Sasuke inwardly scowl with mix emotions of confusion and another unidentified emotion, and dismissing the jumble in his stomach as hunger. Like it was mention before at the city just because he will not ignore those feelings that does not meant he have to interpret their hidings meaning every time they pop up whether he likes its or not.

"You know that's untrue," Sasuke defend himself, his face taking a fake hurt expression, though the smirk was still in places, and throwing his arm around Itachi's shoulders once again, as they begun walking. His twin was not listening to him, he was staring the panda bear in his arms apparently lost in thoughts. In someway in the back of his head in his memories of long ago, the younger twin figure out that there's another reason why Itachi dislike being refer as 'Princess' but as in right now he didn't give it much thought. Than, as in an afterthought, "But I came to a realization that you secretly like to be call princess, Itachi. You were not complaining earlier when I hold you either, safe and warm. You like it, don't you, princess?" he teased, his arrogant smirk grew bigger threatening to split his face apart when his twin turn to glared fiercely at him, that beautiful light, sparking in his eyes which look like thousands stars, was back in those eyes had make him recalled the episode at the 'Sakura Garden', although, as in right now that light was far more intense, outshining the heavenly sun itself.

He is so amusing to rile up…

…And he loves every seconds of it.

Though the young teen did not love it when there is, a swift, yet light jab to his stomach quickly follow by a sharp pain that knock the breath out of him and wiping the smirk off his feature, making him kneel down on the ground, clutching his stomach in slight agony. Forget Naruto's punch being very brutal, this little elbow to the gut put it to shame, it hurt, but wasn't painful enough that it could send him to an emergency's room, its lucky for him that his brother had the strength to control his force, and perfect accuracy, to not accidentally hit his ribs in this barely lit night. Frankly, Sasuke know his twin doesn't have the heart to hurt him intentionally, and if he did, by accident, he'd be fussy over him, his brother was too gentle, who dislikes violence very much, but if he was provoke, well…that would be a different story. In his shock and not sufficiently pain state he manage to catch the satisfied smirk on Itachi's glowing feature, smirking at his winded expression, and gracefully walk--float like a ghost--ahead to their manor leaving him behind to suffer by his hand. Despite he was in slight pain, there was a hidden grin playing on his full lips. He couldn't help feel prideful that he was the only one who manage and finally crack that remote barrier of Itachi even it's was for a few minutes.

The pain was no biggie. It wasn't something he couldn't handle as long he could catch that cool mask melt a little.

The things he'd do to see an emotion evoke from his brother even it end up in pain in his end. He really is desperate.

After a moment or minutes later to gather his breath back, the younger teen hissed lowly through each ragged pants at his twin, or more specific his brother's back. "You so sadist." he didn't get a reply, not that he expect to get one as Itachi continue walking, with graceful strides. Sasuke pretty much figured his twin didn't hear him since he didn't pause in his steps or turn around. Judging what just happen, perhaps his brother might still be angry at him for referring him as a female. Well, if that is the cases, why did it bother him so much? It's not like he see him weak or anything that need protecting from every predicament, treat him as a delicate ephemeral lone rose that could easily be crush underneath horde of feet's if weren't careful enough, and couldn't protect himself. Sasuke could understand that his twin want to be independent of himself, and he regularly have tried to be careful on not to be overly protective, which it doesn't actually work at all, instead it was more the opposite. Again something was nagging at the back of his mind, which he couldn't simply fathom, that there was another reason why his twin aversion of be referring to a girl. It was a memory. But why couldn't he recalled nor recollected that piece of memory? His mind end up blank when he tried to remember that event, it was so hazy and blurry, he couldn't comprehend what was going on, what was being said, couldn't see nothing. What's was wrong with him.

In the midst of his frustrating jumble thoughts of his sudden inability to reminisce about that day; his sense of hearing wasn't aware that there were soft footsteps heading to his general direction. It was not until a soft sigh was heard from above him and a shadow loom over his kneeling form that he raises his head swiftly up to looked at the most beautiful earth angel in this entire world.

Okay, that was a bit too overboard, it was just his brother. And he seriously found its funny that how he was giving that opinion on Itachi, while he couldn't even fucking recall the event that he desperately wants to figure out.

He didn't understand that. And it frustrated him so much to no end.

Really, what was his problem, and to be more exact what was wrong with his mind?

"Sasuke…" A gentle voice called, snapping him back to attention.

His eyes refocus exclusivity on his twin in front of him and making himself the picture of indifferent, while pushing his conflicting thoughts that were creating havoc in his head away; he didn't want to release his inner anger on his brother in some unexpected reason like yesterday…it was his mistake, and he still felt guilty about it…

"Hn," Was the monosyllabic speech. In all his years living with his brother, associating quality and memorable time with him, Itachi was quite proud of himself for translating his twin's uncommunicative speech from one syllable to another one very well. What's Sasuke's just said, if he mentally translated correctly to himself, was 'Yeah?'

"Did I hurt you?" Itachi asked his voice was void and soft but wasn't insincere, his eyes dissecting over his twin's lit lean form at one area than to another. To Sasuke, it takes all his self-control not to roll his eyes at his twin's chosen words. Really, Sasuke muse, if he wasn't hurt than why would he be kneeling on the ground than? But he didn't dare to voice that out loud, he utterly won't make a foul remark to his precious pure jewel, not while Itachi was worrying over him. Yes, his brother was silently worried about him; from the way those again dull eyes were examining his form from one place to another, even though his voice held none of it, the young spiky haired teen appreciate it. It doesn't matter to younger brother that his twin's tone held no sign of worried in them, because it was enough for him. It was enough for Sasuke to know that Itachi will always cared and accepted him, no matter how greatly he teased him, which was a lot, a little too much.

As he grabbed the offer hand when Itachi held it out to help him up, and was slowly getting up. A childish instinct want to take over, wanting to pull his brother down, perhaps falling on top of him, and catching him completely off guard for payback of that little pinch Itachi had did early that day and proving his twin isn't all that perceptive to himself and too Itachi. But instead of going through with that sly idea, he decides against it. After all their uncle was a few meter away from them, even its night, there was a slight possibility he could see him pulling his twin down, and landing himself and Itachi into another awkward predicament, he was half naked by the way, so he firmly change his mind sort of.

"It's alright. I been through a lot worse, you know," He assured his brother, getting up and was about to release Itachi's baby soft hand but instead he rapidly and a bit roughly, pull his twin against him causing Itachi to utter a sharp tiny gasp, which made pleasurable tingling shivers run down his spine, although that reaction wasn't the one he's looking for. And than to test his luck if he could evoke those emotions from his brother, he inclines his head to the side a little and whispered to his twin's ears, causing the long bangs to flutter with each passing breath. "Beside, you hit like a girl, Princess." It was totally untrue; he was actually lying to himself and to his recovering stomach. Itachi's jab was far being girly, but if he admitted the truthful way, it won't be fun now would it?

Predicatively, when he dub him as 'princess', his brother's pink luminous lips twitch with the tiniest of movement and that light in those eyes was slowly increasing, a sure sign he was getting annoyed. And Sasuke's eyes immediately were drawn to those lips as strange familiar impulse struck him, which make his skin tingle with flowing prickle heat. Surprisingly enough, that pulsing wasn't coming from his hormones, rather than it was pulsing directly from his own beating heart, which was beating like a rhythm drums. It took all his will power not to cross the borderline from simply teasing to do something to Itachi whom was a breath away from him nearly overpower his self-control, while distractedly pondering if his twin was going to react at all like before, as his eyes flicker back to his twin own.

He had to say he loved the way his brother's eyes twinkle brightly in a matter of seconds like stars dust scattered across the night sky. And, quickly following, to say the least, he did receive a reaction and a light stomp to the foot coming with it.

With that stomp, he hisses in pain and trying not to cries out--He still have his pride damnit! And damn his twin was wearing a geta -- Sasuke promptly let go Itachi's hand, and went straight forward to nurse his injured foot, it wasn't that seriously-- when he observed it-- that might involve with several broken bones, however it was slightly pink from the impact and ach a little but nothing worth life threateningly. Than, to wounded his pride, he heard chuckles coming from ahead of them, no doubt their uncle is laughing at his expanse of getting beat up by his non violence brother. Well, there goes his valued pride. While Itachi, this time, didn't ask his brother if he was neither okay nor apologize, and with a spurn of flowing dark hair, his feature went blank as a mask, he glided off to the manor with daintily quick strides, his twin's kimono flow loosely around his delicate form, while leaving one comment for Sasuke and not a single backward glanced.

"You never learn, do you, Sasuke?"

"…No…And I guess you would never learn from being a sadist ice princess, aren't ya, eh?" The younger twin grit out mockingly showing his surly manner and arrogances to the fullest, shaking his foot a bit to shrugged the effect off, and stalk after his brother. A triumph smirked bloom on his lips when he saw Itachi terse a little in his steps and slow down at the nickname, and he didn't say anything. He knew for a certain degree that his twin refraining himself from hitting him, killing him or something along that line. However, if by under some crazy circumstances, his brother has no option but to kill him, he, in all honestly, wouldn't mind dying by Itachi hands. Yes, he wouldn't mind at all, being killed by an angelic person and dying in that person's arms, it's the most pleasant death. Of course that was his secret fantasy; in reality he would never consider even thinking of dying or committing suicide when Itachi need him the most, he already promise him that, and he won't break that promise.

Catching up to his brother, he reached and grabbed his twin's left arm, spinning him around and gently pulling him so close to him, he could hear Itachi's heart thudding against his chest next to his own. At an instant, he came to a realization that he was no longer felt uncomfortable with Itachi so near to him, it's like…it was meant to be. Pushing that recognition aside deciding to left it alone so he can analyze it later, he lean down and just like before, whispered softly into his brother's ear not giving him any chance to say nor ask him what's he doing. "You do know I will get you for that don't you? He asked slyly, and hid his surprise when Itachi respond without bare moment of hesitation, a challenging smirk was evident in his voice, after he pulls away from him so they weren't so close to each other. For Sasuke, when his brother move away from him, he felt something pull at his heartstring, tugging and pulling forcefully, trying to draw him to Itachi like a bee flouting to a blooming flower. It take everything he got to not obey his body perplexing gravity force, to reach over and pulled his twin flush against him so their bodies could mold into one. 'Stupid body reaction, making me thinks strange thoughts.' The young teen mentally grumbled.

In his distracted hazy state of mind, he barely heard what Itachi had said. The key words was barely, but he did, and he couldn't help the excitement which flutter in his stomach and somehow the sight of that lovely placid smile.

"Like I said early today, I would like to see you try, little brother," Itachi said calmly, turning swiftly around, which made his thick hair hover briefly, and stride soundlessly to the manor and to their still chuckling uncle. His voice sound serene with an overtone of challenge, rather wanting to see if Sasuke will go through with his words. He purposely, yet not harshly, refers his twin as 'Little brother', reminding him who was more dominant between them, in intelligent, and insight to fuel his brother's sense of confidence. However in different cases, he normally won't prefer to call his twin that, because there was no difference between them in their age, it didn't matter to him who's slightly older than whom, they were both wise and strong in their own rights even though Sasuke thinks differently…

Back to Sasuke, he wasn't affect when his twin called him 'Little brother'; actually he was smirking mischievously as his brain start kicking in gears, forming a devious plan. He definitely won't let his pride go down the drain with putting up a worthy fight, he's going to claim his beaut--err, victory, to get under his brother's skin, breaking the strong barrier and, perhaps make him screamed in horror in whatever he have planned for his Itachi.

He let out a low coughed so not to attract his twin's attention, and cleared his throat. For Itachi, not his, not his jewel, not his beauty, not his angel, not his princess or whatever named he come up with to represent the epitome of challenge, elegance, and beauty, Itachi.

Just his beautiful brother, not his Itachi.

Sasuke frowned lightly, eyes downcast and glaring at the innocent stone path walkway. It still doesn't sound right…

The younger twin growled softly to himself, his bangs falling over his eyes, shadowing his handsome angelic feature, as he follow his twin, with graceful steps, and after a few seconds he turn his head almost stiffly around, sending a sharp glared at his uncle, effectively silencing his laughter when he walk pass him, making him gulped nervously. Satisfied with that, Sasuke fixated his eyes exclusively at the direction onto his twin's walking form as his brother disappeared into the manor, and smirked when he was out his uncle's view and hearing range, he could already taste sweet victory at the tip of his tongue, and he couldn't wait to see Itachi's reaction will be of what he have in stored for him. Plus if he's lucky enough, maybe he can get a scream out of him or a cute yelp. Sasuke wasn't aware that his eyes flash bright red momentarily before returning back to dark orbs, as he strides into the manor, "This going to be fun."

And…he was certainly oblivious to the red symbol flashing and glowing brightly on his forehead, underneath thick layers of raven bangs…and if someone's notice, when they shifted their eyes to his left cloth hand, they might see underneath, or rather through the white cloth his palm was brilliant red…

Meanwhile, with Madara, he was walking into the manor and was just about to close the door shut when something caught his eyes as he pause mid-way. In the dark green forest surrounding his home, he thought he saw a shadowed figure there standing motionless, but he wasn't clearly sure, it was too dark to tell the shape of the body this far, than again it can be an animal, like dog and cats looking for some meal at night or a inanimate object, anyway no one should come across here with out his permission, the Elder Uchiha figure, not thinking anymore on that matter, closing the door shut and with a audible 'click' it was security lock tight.

What Madara didn't realize that he was quite correct, there was a figure standing in front of the forest. As the moon's milky light angle at the being's direction, when it's suddenly step forward, its appearance become much clearer. It was a little young girl her figure was short and slender telling the sign she should be around ten years old, hair dark as equally as the starless sky pulled up into a low bun, face pale as the large full moon hanging above, wearing a sweet smile on her face. To everyone's view, should one see her, she was just a normal innocent girl, naively trespassing and standing in the sacred property of Uchiha Madara.

But many should realize that mere appearance can be very deceiving to the human's eyes.

The girl may looked innocent if one only pays attention on her pretty face and the seemingly sweet smile while not looking at her eyes and clothes she wore on her figure, revealing the shocking and horrific conclusion she wasn't actually innocent at all from the start she'd made her presence known.

What deceive the young girl were her eyes that were aiming at the direction of the large Manor. Now, usually children's around her assuming age have eyes fill with life, naivety and innocent to the world around them, however in this cases for this unknown girl, her eyes wasn't the slightest bit portraying any innocence, it was hollow, empty black as death itself, fill with malicious intention and sinister promise, her body was cloth in a ancient white little Japanese kimono, torn in several place, one around the hem at the bottom of the silk fabric, and the other from the shoulder to the cuff of the kimono. If the appearance wasn't enough to destroy the picture of innocence, the voice which sounds like dead leaves that still the cricket's chipping, was able.

"…I see everything is slowly going according to plan…" The girl said to herself, as she continue to stared unblinkingly at the Manor, before she switch her eyes to the moon hovering on the sky. "…Chosen twin's, Sasuke and Itachi, you may manage to escape your fate before and yet lost something treasure at the same time…however this time it will be different, you won't be able to dodge away from your chosen fate. We will make sure of it…" She end her sentence with a dark childish giggle, and than turn slowly around, presuming to head to the forest, only to disappear on the same spot.

At the same time she disappears, she had left a question of some sort to linger in the air…

"Itachi…what would you do when the dearest person you happen to care and trust the most become your greatest enemy?"

"What should you do?"

"More importantly, what can you do?"

****************************************** T.B.C....

Wow, This such a looong chapter. I admit I got emotional while typing this chapter and listening to 'Moments' .' By Ayumi Hamasaki, by the way she have an amazing voice, the english lyric to this song is very beautiful, emotional and meaningful. So yeah, this story is inspire by 'Moments' and many other, normally my ideas is born by listening to songs and my own imagination. But don't worry 'Moments' won't give away what might happen later on and the ending of this story.

Oh, What happen to Sasuke at the end? You will find out soon... but I think you alreadly know what's wrong with him....

About the person Itachi saw, I can't tell, but the way Itachi see that person is familiar to him is a hint.

In this chapter, you could see Itachi is feeling very torn on the inside, He alreadly accept his fate that he won't live much longer beause of his illness, but he still want to stay with his brother, so their promise might come true in the end. Yep, that what their promise of 'being together forever' is actually truly about.

And in this chapter, I want to tell Itachi does have a illness, and that's the reason why Sasuke see him as a fragile person, and get very protective of him. And about Itachi's illness, it similar to the manga accept this illness only allow him to live for a short while, it will take him away when he turn 16. Of course there's another affect....which would be unknown as for now, but it center around that little moonflower, what is the purpose of that flower?

The panda bear is really cute, the way I picture it. Sasuke such a kind, short-temper, protective brother, isn't he? xD

I think this chapter is is quite fluffy when I write it, but later on it will be more angsty, and turn a little darker...I think. Itachi and Sasuke are Uchiha they should angst right? J/k XD

This story won't get scary yet, but it soon will be...

Review please, if you don't want to it's okay. Like I said before I will continue even if I don't gets review. Flames are welcome. ^^ I just don't want you to flame how OCC the brothers are...because it's quite my intention to portray them that way.

Okay Review Reply: ^^

shinobi89- Oh, thank you for your kind words. I'm glad you enjoying this story, and yes I hope I won't run out of ideas either. XD

deviline12.1-I glad that you like it!! I find it to be cute also. Yep, Sasuke is very brash lol and Itachi is a delicate being. Thank you for reading. I'm still in love with your story by the way.

Imayame21-YaY!! I update! ^^ I hope you update your's soon, but don't rush.

Moonlight ()- I'm glad this story caught your interest. ^.^

unknown light ()-I'm happy you enjoyed the chapter. Yes, the windmill part is quite scary, even I was scare lol. Yes, troubles will start brewing up.

Mia-I'm glad you find this story interesting, and yep the windmill/Sakura tree is quite scary to me also.

BlackBeta-Yes, fangirl's power lol. Ah, Madara, an pouting and annoying uncle, really funny, I really enjoyed portray him that way. XD And Itachi and Sasuke are twins, and really I haven't seen a story about them as twins at all, so I decide to start my own. Well, actually I have this story thought out for 2 years, than have the courage to post it, I'm glad I didn't forget how the plot go. Ah, and thank you for your kind words, I'm not great writer yet, I'm still a newbie ^^ Still, I'm pleased you enjoy this story.

Edit: I'm sorry I'm like reupdating...I went back to change a tiny sentence and a few mistake, I was in a rush before...