I apologize for being so slow with updates. My internet is up and down. I also started a doujin. Check out my profile for a link.

Chapter Four

In Truth

Itachi sighed as Aster shifted in the crook of his arm. The bed was soft, and the sheets were warm. His first thought was to curse the morning light, but that was a pointless thing to do and he dismissed the idea.

"I have to get there soon…" she mumbled against his chest.

"Another meeting?" he sounded exasperated, and was tempted to roll and over forget he had woken up at all.

She sat up and cold air invaded the space where she had been. The bed wasn't warm, Aster was. "I have to."

He nodded, slowly coming around. "Of course, I know that. It doesn't mean I enjoy having my bedside heater taken away every morning…"

Gentle laughter wafted him through the fog of weariness. "I'm the portable heater now?" She giggled again.

Itachi turned onto his stomach, still unwilling to wake all the way. "You're going to be late…" he muttered, not in the mood for a battle of the wits.

"Touché." Aster prodded him. "You need to get up as well."

"All in good time, all in good time…"

A wicked smirk came over her, and he didn't even need to look to know of its presence. "And the time is good now." She tugged at his shoulder gently. "Rise and shine, love; we have hell to face… again."

Sitting up, Itachi became even more acutely aware of the desire to sleep. "Rise and shine… What a bunch of crap."

Aster nodded, "That may be true, but I'd like to have our little talk before I have to go."

Our little talk… Why do I think this isn't so little? "Hm," he made the sound in acknowledgement as he dragged himself out of the bed to dress properly.

In a few minutes they were both ready to go. Itachi made his way toward the bedroom door, but Aster stepped in front, blocking him. He stopped, surprised by her actions, and even more caught off guard as she locked the door.

"I want to talk in here…" she read his expression. "Without interruptions…"

Itachi settled back on the newly made bed. "And what are we discussing?"

Leaning back against the door, Aster gave him a sober once-over. "Your training regime with Sasuke…"

Surprise was evident on his face yet again. It was the last thing he expected to be discussing at the moment. "What about the training regime?"

Aster began to back down, crossing her arms nervously. "I think…" she gathered her courage as she cleared her throat. "I think it's too intense."

"Too intense?" It was another curve ball in the long line she'd thrown him. "I fail to see what you mean…"

Itachi watched, completely captivated by the oddity of the comment. Not so long ago, she had begged for training of the same level, and now she was against it. Aster looked him eye, and he met her gaze, giving her a respectful amount of consideration. "Well… The both you... You and Sasuke look absolutely horrid. Neither of you appear to be sleeping right, and you're both half-dead and abnormally docile… In simple terms, I'm worried about you…" It all came out in a hasty flood, and she turned a deep red at the last admission.

He shook his head. "Those things aren't only because a merciless training schedule." Itachi pointed out.

Aster persisted, "But it certainly doesn't help to over exert yourselves.. You were the one who told me to take it easy before. We need to be ready for anything at any time. That means the training should encourage progress, but not tire and injure the trainee. You both have passed that border of safety, and you both need rest." She paused, trying to convey her seriousness with facial expressions. Grudgingly, she added, "Please."

Itachi sighed. "You have a point, but…"

"No 'buts'." Her crossed arms tightened across her chest.

It was far too early for him to be insistent and fully agrumentive. Letting his shoulders sag, Itachi gave in. "Fine. We'll pause until our bodies have recovered. But no longer."

Taking a deep breath, Aster knocked softly at the Hokage's office door and entered. It didn't surprise her to see Sakura standing beside the desk and Tsunade's back turned to her. It was still as she padded toward the pair. She stopped, leaving her gaze on the stained wood.

"Aster…" Tsunade spoke to her quietly as she watched a sleepy Konoha steadily come to life. "Today… I think it would be most important to cover what happened at Orochimaru's lair… and why you chose to do what you did there."

She tensed and then nodded. "I agree," Aster consented in monotone. "It is indeed important." It was a moment before she spoke again. "Tsunade-sama…" The hokage turned slowly. "We will need Itachi here with us… I don't know all of what happened myself."

Sakura's eyes went wide. "Why…?" she asked, unsure how to pose the question.

Pulling her gaze back to floor, Aster shook her head. "We went our separate ways… I don't know everything…"

Standing straighter and commanding her authority, Tsunade motioned towards Sakura. "Go and get both Uchihas. Aster and I will stay and continue or discussion."

"Hai, Tsunade-sama," she answered without hesitation. The door made a dull thump as it closed on her.

With Sakura gone, the hokage refused to waste time. She gestured for Aster sit, and Aster obeyed. "How were you mixed up with Orochimaru?"

Already shrinking in on herself, Aster breathed deeply, regaining self-control. "I went alone… In hopes of getting Sasuke back… Under the impression I could remove the seal on him."

Tsunade raised an eyebrow. "I've never heard of a way to release the cursed seal…"

"Not the cursed seal… The seal on his memories."

Sakura started at a trot, then fell to a fast walk, an amble, and now she was shuffling. The closer to got to what had become the new Uchiha house, the more apprehensive she became. I have to get Sasuke and Itachi… She thought, and then it dawned on her. The walk back to the Hokage's office was going to be very long.

Using the one-sided railing as support, Itachi made his way down the stairs. The more he thought about Sasuke, the more his head hurt. Tea… That and relaxation… Maybe Aster is right.

The time spent making his way into the kitchen and hastily preparing the soothing drink was almost not worth the suffering. But finally, he was able to sit at the table with a steaming cup of green tea. Being cautious of the temperature and taking a small sip, he let it warm his body from the inside out. Only seconds after, the pounding in his head began to recede. Itachi set the cup down again, letting his muscles fall slack and enjoying the morning through the window.

It was still early, but when the light from the window above the foot of Sasuke's bed managed his waist, he bolted upright. His gaze flew directly to rectangle of the woods barely visible. It was mid-morning, but a mist still hung in the air, making the light seem grayish-blue.

Training… Training! Why didn't someone knock on the door?! How could I oversleep?! The guilt trip and panic continued as Sasuke tumbled off the mattress and began wildly pulling on proper clothing.

The headache was finally gone, but Itachi still had half a cup of tea before him. He swirled the tea inside the cup and continued to stare out the window, purposely emptying his mind as a preventive measure. All of his effort fell to naught as the slam of a door echoed from upstairs. Moments later, Sasuke came barreling down the steps, looking distinctly like he had just woken up.

He stopped and his eyes went wide. "Itachi…" Tension left from the day before began to build, but Sasuke seemed to cast it off. "What's going on? Why did everyone let me sleep so late? What about our training? Where's-!"

Itachi put up a hand. "Calm down." Sasuke fell silent, suddenly awkward after his outburst. The elder motioned towards the table. "Sit down… Maybe you should have some tea as well. As for everything you asked about… Aster is with Hokage-sama, and I think we should have a short rest period."

"Oh." Sasuke stared, still reeling.

"Sit down," Itachi used a more commanding tone now, but concern still prevailed in his face. "I'll get you some tea." He added, getting back up. As he heated the water, he noted the absence of his headache.

The younger nodded, moving to the cushion farthest from his brother woodenly. From the moment he had awoken, adrenaline had been with him, and the side effects were becoming more and more apparent. He felt fidgety, but didn't dare give in to the urge. His mind was splitting more ways than he could count, and it became a challenge just to calm himself.

The wild mess inside his head was shattered and faded with the metallic sounding clink of a cup in front him. He looked up quickly, and then eyed the tea. "…Thank you…" Sasuke mumbled.

"You're welcome," Itachi replied without much thought to the words, but careful consideration of the person receiving them. Still watching Sasuke from the corners of his eyes, he slid back into his seat.

The younger Uchiha watched the drink suspiciously. He could have put something it… Poison, maybe? The thought was pure paranoia, and Sasuke knew it, but he couldn't stop the doubts from rising within. He lowered his head in shame, even though Itachi couldn't know his thoughts. I'm being childish… To prove his trust in his brother, more to himself to anyone, he picked up the glass and forced himself to sip the tea.

He was surprised to find how much he liked it. "You make good tea..." Sasuke blurted out quietly. His grip on the cup tightened, even though the warmth leaking through the ceramic was beginning to burn.

Itachi gave him a small smile. "Arigato."

His grip loosened. Sasuke looked up, and Itachi was staring out the window. He couldn't help but feel relieved that he wasn't being scrutinized. Relaxing just a fraction, he took another sip of the tea, letting it wash away the inner tension.

The room remained silent, save for the morning sounds leaking in through the window. Time was passing but neither of them was paying attention to it. Finally, Itachi swirled his cup, only to realize it was almost empty. He was beginning to feel awkward about the quiet between them. They were brothers. Didn't most brothers, even ones who hated each other, have something to talk about?

"Sasuke," Itachi caught his attention. He hesitated, not sure what to say.

But before he could come up with any conversation starters, there was a knock at the door. Both turned, surprise showing only mildly on their faces. Sasuke stood first, still jumpy.

"I've got it," He told Itachi quickly, hurrying to the door. Sasuke pushed it open with a clipped creak. Behind it, Sakura stared back, thoroughly shocked at being only feet away from him after the last two years. "Sakura?"

She seemed skittish, but quickly found strength in manners and formalities. "Hello, Sasuke-kun. Um, the both of you have been summoned to the Hokage's mansion…"

His eyes widened and he exchanged a puzzled look with Itachi. "Okay…"

Itachi stood up, not wasting time. "We should get going." He added, startling Sasuke out of a shocked stupor.

The younger nodded. "Of course." And with that quiet exchange, all three left towards the Hokage office.

Tsunade sighed. "And that's all you can tell me?"

"Yes." Aster answered tersely.

The blonde drew another tired breath. "Well… It appears as though the rest of the story has arrived."

A knock rang through the still room and the door slid open slowly. "Tsunade-sama, I'm back, with both of them…"

"Good."

Itachi entered first, Sasuke sulking warily behind him. The older spoke first, not as cautious as the other. "If I may… Why have you called us here? Not that there aren't obvious reasons for it, but you haven't made a point to have our presence before."

Tsunade nodded in acknowledgement. "Yes, that's true, but…" she paused for emphasis. "It appears I can only hear so much of this without you two. I think it's time extend this discussion party." Standing more confidently, Aster took her place beside Itachi, who nodded in agreement.

Naruto stirred his ramen lazily. It wasn't like him to let it sit to so long before wolfing it down, but the chef and his daughter knew better than to ask about it. By now, it was common knowledge that the Uchiha clan had returned to Konoha, and of Sasuke's involvement with Akatsuki, however short-lived it may have been. The disappointing end of Naruto's quest for his closest friend was no secret.

He stared at the broth, watching it mix and steam as he guided it with his chopsticks. Betrayal twisted in his stomach and he fought to put Sasuke out of his mind. But it was a task much easier said than done, especially after two years of vigilance. Sighing, he took a bite and wondered where his appetite had gone. It seemed that not even ramen appealed to him anymore.

As he set the chopsticks down, ready to leave, Naruto heard the shuffling of feet behind him. He turned to see Hinata ducking into the small restaurant. "Hinata?" Raising an eyebrow, he watched her blush.

"N-naruto-kun… H-how are y-you?" she stuttered, twirling her fingers.

How was he? It was tempting to blow her off with a sarcastic remark, but he couldn't find the cruelty to do it. Not wanting to be completely honest he settled for, "Okay, I guess. How about you?" He motioned for her to sit at the stool beside him and Ayame left to the back of restaurant.

Hinata seemed taken aback and thoroughly shocked that he was talking to her, not to mention inviting her to sit with him. If not for the circumstances, it would have been like a happy dream. "G-good." She paused. "I-I've been t-training a lot…" Hinata ventured.

She noticed Naruto's face harden. A lot of good training does… He thought bitterly. In desperate need of the distraction small talk would provide, he tried to veer the conversation to a safer topic. "What have you been doing, besides training?"

"N-not much…" Hinata was suddenly at a loss for words. A lot of her time was taken up with missions and volunteer work. Her only other frequent past time was day dreaming about Naruto, which she would never admit to. Not wanting to let their time together end, she fumbled for a better response. "W-what about y-you?"

His eyes widened. He hadn't been doing much but sulking lately. It suddenly dawned on Naruto that he needed a better hobby. He looked at Hinata again, and remembered the way her voice had sounded in the hospital. Why was she at the hospital then? Hinata had been at his bedside more than anyone else, but that may have been due to the fact the rest of team seven had been in the same beaten state. Either way, it was beginning to seem she'd been around him a lot, and he'd just never noticed her. Maybe it was time to pay her the attention she deserved.

Naruto caught her eyes. "Hinata…" She struggled to keep eye contact. "Maybe… Maybe we could spend some more time together." It would be good to be with someone, someone outside of team seven. And it looked like she could give him just the change of pace he needed.

Itachi continued, purposely avoiding Sasuke's penetrating gaze. "I never actually fought Sasuke. It was Kabuto the entire time… After I activated the technique, I let my guard slip and he got away from me." He looked thoroughly mortified for a moment, and Sasuke had to fight the urge not to gape.

"That's a pretty powerful technique," Tsunade commented. "Making another person look like yourself, forcing your own skills upon them, and fighting through them… It's the ultimate manipulative jutsu." She gave Itachi a distrusting look.

He appeared not to notice it. "I was able to copy it from one of the higher ranked members of Akatsuki… His name is Pein," Itachi paused, feeling Aster shift beside him. He moved closer to her, taking her hand discreetly. "The Akatsuki are no small matter." Itachi was tense. "If we want to get rid of them, we need to move quickly. It would be best to operate under the assumption they already know of our betrayal." His eyes narrowed and his stare fastened itself on Tsunade. "I'm done taking unnecessary risks."

The blonde Hokage nodded and relaxed. "It's settled then." She stood, making her way toward the door to release them. As she pushed open the door, she looked the threesome over one more time. Tsunade set her face as she once again eyed Itachi. "You," she motioned towards him. "You will head a six man team." The older Uchiha barely kept the surprise from his face. "I will have them ready to go in one month's time. I want you to lead our movements against Akatsuki."

He nodded, unsure what to say. Sasuke was the first to make for the door, with Aster pulling Itachi behind him, clearly wanting to question him. "Wait," He told her quietly. Itachi dragged her back into the room.

"Tsunade-sama," Sakura called softly as the Hokage took her place at her desk.

"Let's get this done with," Itachi whispered to Aster, flushing slightly. It was a moment before she realized what he was referring to. Sasuke, who had been in the hall, returned to the door frame, impatient for his older siblings.

"Yes?" Tsunade crossed her arms. "I thought we were done here until next month."

For once, Itachi seemed lost for words. He gripped Aster's hand tighter, trying to make a point with actions rather than speech. Swallowing his anxiety, he straightened up, pulling her beside him. Clearly hand holding wouldn't convey the message he needed it to. "Hokage-sama," He started out respectfully, everyone in the room watching with hostile curiosity. "What steps would be taken to officialize a marriage?"

Tsunade stared, surprised and slightly confused at the question. Behind them, Sasuke's eyes went wide and he froze in a rigid position. It was Sakura who brought a halt to the growing silence. "Erm…" She stepped forward sheepishly. "Aren't most marriages in churches…? With… well, you know… A ceremony and a reception, and…" She trailed off, puzzled.

This time Aster made her voice heard. "I don't think a public wedding would be a smart thing to do, considering our situation. The quieter things are kept the better." She held her head high, showing that she was more than willing to follow at Itachi's side.

As the shock subsided, Tsunade nodded slightly. After a moment, she shuffled through her desk drawers. "A ceremony and reception are rather superfluous at this point… Simply signing a marriage certificate would suffice…" She emerged with a small stack of papers. Still trying to keep with some kind of tradition, she offered, "It wouldn't be hard to arrange for the two of you to exchange vows quietly…"

Aster smiled, becoming more at ease. "That sounds nicer than I thought it would be." She glanced to Itachi for approval.

"It does," he nodded in agreement.

Rubbing her forehead, Tsunade handed them the necessary paperwork. "Have it back as soon as possible." She gave them a wary look. "Time is short."

They both murmured in agreement before turning to leave.

Sasuke waited until they had returned home and he was alone in the living room with Itachi. The older Uchiha sighed, letting himself sink into the small couch. Sasuke stood nervously at the other end of the sofa. "So…" He began, getting Itachi's attention… You…" He paused awkwardly. "You're really marrying nee-chan?" The question came out as more of an accusation. He was stunned, but upset for not seeing it coming and not being told.

"Yes." Itachi answered simply. He held himself with anxiety, but he seemed content. It was more emotion than Sasuke had seem from him in a long time. Suddenly, he turned to fully face his little brother. "You seem upset about it."

Sasuke jerked slightly, thoroughly unnerved by the way Itachi read him. It was too late to lie, so he settled for honesty. "Nobody said anything…" As much as he hated the words coming out his mouth he continued. "If Aster becomes your wife… She's really part of the family… She's really my sister. It would have been nice have known before the people taking care of the paperwork- to be treated like family." He looked away, not entirely sure where the conversation was going to go.

"Hm." Itachi considered his words for moment. "I'm sorry." He appealed Sasuke in earnest. "I didn't think it would matter to you."

Itachi was getting up from the couch, approaching him, but the whole thing was now slow motion for Sasuke. He turned away, and fought to keep from running. I didn't think it would matter to you. The words replayed again and again in his head like a broken record stuck in the same spot. All at once, he was at his bedroom door and slipping inside. Itachi hadn't chased him all the way up the stairs, and he was thankful for it.

Sasuke cringed as soon as he shut the door. Itachi thought he didn't care. That had been true not long ago. He couldn't find it in himself to love his brother, but the hatred was fading. Slowly, it was becoming more and more important that he was reaccepted by Itachi. Their conversation had only confirmed the ever-growing gulf between them.

The door clicked quietly and Itachi sighed. It was as if anything out his mouth upset Sasuke. He was beginning to wonder if they had any hope of ever being anything like brothers again.

Well... Now that whole thing with Tsunade was rather abrupt.. And Sasuke seems to be changing for the better. I want to elaborate on Itachi's side of things more... He wasn't trying to be cold or unfeeling towards Sasuke, in fact, it was just the opposite. Don't worry, it'll make more sense later. Jeez I keep saying that. lol I apologize for slow updates. Please read my doujin, and don't forget to review!!