A series of ItaSasu fluff drabbles. Can also be viewed as a kinda long oneshot. May or may not be incest. Ages altered so it can be viewed as an AU. Child!Itachi and Toddler!Sasuke moments.

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#7 - Flaw

The clock read 9 in the evening. Sasuke had been pacing around for the past 20 minutes, abashed and worried that his brother hadn't arrived yet. Today was the 7th day, and Itachi was scheduled to arrive 3 hours ago.

Mikoto had prepared some tea to soothe both her Sasuke and Fugaku's spirits. She herself had taken 4 cups of tea already. She was more than concerned; she was scared, because Itachi was never, ever late.

Fugaku's brow was furrowed as he sat grimly on the tatami mats. He stared at his youngest son who was currently walking back and forth, face contorted into a nervous scowl. As the man of the house, he sighed impatiently and said in a strict voice, "Itachi will be home soon. I'm sure he will be safe."

Sasuke stopped pacing and nodded despondently, taking a sit beside his mother. Mikoto poured herself her 6th cup of tea.

After 17 more excruciating minutes and 4 more cups of tea, there was a knock on the main door, and Sasuke raced towards the entrance and with a smile on his face, he opened the wooden door.

"Nii-san, I missed you!"

But he was greeted with an injured Chuunin who only shook his head dismally at him.

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#8 - Responsibility

"Sasuke, do you want some more tea?"

Mikoto frowned even more when her son sniffled and the tea cup lay untouched in her hands. It truly was saddening, to find out that Itachi took it upon himself to stay with the enemy while his comrades escape to Konoha and tell them of what's happened.

Sasuke had burst into tears once the Chuunin had told the family of the news. It had taken 3 cups of tea and a hug from his mother to keep from going over the edge of depression.

Fugaku was conversing seriously with the Chuunin, curious about what had happened to his son.

"The captor told us that if we don't come back with the specified amount of money and weapons within 3 days' time, he'd kill your son," the Chuunin said. At this, Fugaku told him, "Do me a favor and call a meeting with the Hokage and the Head clans of this village. Please tell them immediately."

The Chuunin left in a wisp of smoke and Sasuke and Mikoto looked expectantly at Fugaku.

All Fugaku could do was shake his head as he stood up and told his family to get some sleep. Mikoto obliged but Sasuke wouldn't budge from the spot where he was sitting.

"Sasuke, please, you look very tired, please get some sleep."

"Tou-san, is nii-san going to be okay?"

"… Sasuke, get some sleep."

At this, Sasuke ran off to his room, sobbing softly as he knew that there was no point in arguing with his father. Mikoto sighed and patted Fugaku on the back. Both had strangely felt their eyes prickle.

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#9 - Silence

Sasuke kept perfectly still in his bed, tears still flowing from his obsidian eyes. His parents had gone on that meeting of theirs, and he had been left alone to sleep.

He was aware that his brother was in danger. He knew that it would be a long time before he would see Itachi again. He wished he didn't have such an analytical mind at a young age.

"Nii-san, what are you doing right now?"

He fell asleep a few minutes later.

When he woke up, there was something wrapped around his waist. He raised his head and glanced at the wall clock which currently read 3:30 in the morning. His tears had already dried up and he was about to pry his mother's arm off his body when suddenly he noticed that the figure hugging him smelled faintly of blood and sweat and was unusually lean and muscular.

He turned around rapidly and found himself face to face with the pale face of his older brother, coagulated blood still present on his brow.

"Nii-san, is that you?"

Sasuke reached up to touch Itachi's cheek and he did so with fervor. It was warm and cold at the same time, and Sasuke couldn't help but pinch the skin so he could reassure himself that this was not an illusion or a dream.

Itachi flinched and he cracked open one eye.

"Sasuke, what are you doing? Let your brother sleep for a while, I just got home half an hour ago," he said monotonously, yawning quite widely.

Sasuke kept quiet and slept comfortably that night.

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TBC

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