Sorry, people – but it'll have to go with the time skip. I really have NO idea what to write for Sasuke while he's still a cute chibi. I've seen everybody's comments but no two really have the same idea so I decided to go on with my personal decision. It may not be what everyone wants, but I've tried to do the best I can.

Last Chapter: It was nine years ago, ha, ha. Oh well, last chapter we introduced Yashamaru, who is officially Sasuke's teacher. I don't know why I chose the guy – but he does have that kind, young look, doesn't he? Hmm.

This Chapter: Itachi moves! Of course, we don't really see him talking and all – but he's made his presence felt, all right. The life of our favorite psychotic child is about to take a turn – but is it for the better or for the worst?

- - Itachi's Move Nine Years Later

Kakashi yawned for the tenth time that day. I shouldn't have slept so late last night…but it was that damn assignment report that idiot Kotetsu hadn't finished…

Life was much simpler than it was nine years ago. Kakashi had no more need to stay home everyday and stick himself to desk jobs that got him barely enough money to run his house. Now he could go on his assignments again.

Sasuke's condition was steadily improving. It wasn't much – but it was something. Megumi came to see him fortnightly and once in a while, Tsunade, Kotetsu and Izumo dropped in to see how he was doing. Sasuke didn't freak out at the sight of them – he had begun to accept strangers to a certain extent – and Kakashi was happy to know that the boy wasn't the same as he was nine years ago, although there was a reasonable similarity.

But the wound cut into Sasuke's state of mentality was so bad that it would probably take more than a decade for him to significantly recover. Still, Kakashi was patient and he let the youngster heal at his own chosen rate.

Sasuke had become the center of Kakashi's life. Before he had the boy living in his house, Kakashi only had himself to worry about – and nobody else concerned him – except his team when he was out on missions or whatever he did for the police. But now with a boy – a child in his house, Kakashi had to do something to keep that boy.

Sasuke was no longer a child – Kakashi knew that. But as far as he was concerned, Sasuke was still very much a kid. His body may have aged, but his mind still kept its innocent way of thinking, and Sasuke was still naïve to some extent.

Kakashi never left Sasuke at home by himself, of course. Yashamaru came everyday, except weekends and watched and taught him until Kakashi came home. Hell, Kakashi could never manage without Yashamaru around. The man could cook, and Sasuke was reasonably okay with him. Reasonable to the fact that he didn't freak out if Yashamaru was too close, or if Yashamaru looked over his shoulder to see what he was sketching. Sasuke did freak out – if outsiders did this or people he didn't really know or wasn't used to.

Izumo had once tried that, and Sasuke freaked out.

The boy barely freaked out nowadays, except only if something truly terrified him. He didn't mind Megumi being around him and asking him questions about his welfare, which he answered quietly and in his own soft, innocent way. But he minded if Kotetsu or Izumo became too friendly with him, or touched him. Kakashi knew that the boy had a constant fear of men, but that fear was not as strong as it was nine years ago.

A little upset could damage Sasuke's mentality and make it fall and crumble into pieces. Since Sasuke could not even stand being around a few adults, it stood to reason that he still hadn't attended school yet. Megumi decided that they should wait a bit more and maybe, one day, invite some kid his age to come over and befriend him, and maybe weaken Sasuke's claustrophobia.

On top of claustrophobia, there was agoraphobia, too. Sasuke never really liked going to the front of the house. If he drew or played, he would be in the backyard. He didn't like going out with Kakashi to the hospital or the mall, and he usually just cringed in Kakashi's shadow and hold his hand tightly and fearfully. For this reason, he usually remained in the house if Kakashi went out.

But this peaceful routine of life was about to be shattered that morning as Kakashi went to the kitchen and programmed the coffee maker to give him a double espresso.

Yashamaru was extra early that day, and he was already in there, making breakfast for himself and Sasuke. He had the keys to the house. Kakashi trusted the young man enough. He was now twenty-eight years old, and he had watched his student grow up. Yashamaru seemed to like Sasuke very much – and he had no other students besides the black-haired boy, who was probably in his room – awake but probably drawing something that could only be seen in the morning.

"Yashamaru? So early today?" Kakashi asked, finding the morning paper on the kitchen island.

"Yes," Yashamaru said, chopping something Kakashi couldn't see. "Um, I have something important to tell you today."

"Oh, what?" Kakashi asked.

Yashamaru abandoned his chopping and sat down on the kitchen island a little away from Kakashi. "I…I've been offered a teaching post in boarding high school."

Kakashi was silent. "Oh…?" was his normal way of response when big news came. But this time, he just kept quiet.

"And I…I feel that it's in my best interest to go and teach there, because that school has been a school I wanted to teach in since I started my career," Yashamaru said. "Don't get me wrong, Kakashi-san. I really like teaching Sasuke-kun, and I really like what a joy to teach he is. But…I can't stick to this forever…I really want to meet other kids, and change other kids' lives. I know it's a selfish decision on my part, but I can't help it. I really want to teach in that school. I hope you understand, Kakashi-san."

Kakashi thought for a moment and laughed. Yashamaru stared at him in surprise. "You had no need to apologize, Yashamaru. You see, I knew for a long time that you really couldn't teach Sasuke forever and ever. He has to go to a proper school one day anyway…but really, you shouldn't hold back on your dreams just because of us. You have done enough for the both of us, and we're really grateful for it. I am…Sasuke doesn't show it, but I know he does. He allows you to hang around him, and he seems to lower that protective barrier of his whenever you are around. Of course your leaving will cause complications in our routine of life, but don't hold back just because of us. Ne, Yashamaru-kun?"

Yashamaru looked relieved. "You…you don't mind if I go?"

"I can't stop you even if I wanted to," Kakashi replied pleasantly. "Just go, Yashamaru. If that's what you really want – teaching in that school – then go."

Yashamaru smiled. "Thank you so much!"

"Of course," Kakashi said. "Now…could you watch Sasuke for me? The usual? You know, breakfast and blab and then you can start the lesson. I'm going to work a little late today…I have to edit my assignment report."

"The one you stayed up all night for?"

"Yeah…a headache, but it's my job," Kakashi said good-naturedly and went flamboyantly up the stairs."

--

"Kakashi-san! There's a strange letter here!" Yashamaru shouted up the stairs.

Kakashi looked up from his computer and went down the stairs in surprise. He saw Yashamaru standing at the foot of the stairs, a slip of paper and an opened envelope in his hand.

"What's that?" Kakashi asked, going down the steps.

"I have no idea," Yashamaru said, handing him the items. "It's too late for mail and this arrived right in front of my eyes. Some guy delivered it. There's a signature, but I can't read it. The message itself is awkward."

Kakashi looked at the slip of paper and froze. The blood went still and his heart stopped beating.

I know where you are, my foolish little brother.

At the end was some extravagant, loopy signature – but Kakashi recognized it too well. He spun on Yashamaru. "Who sent this? When did they send this? How did the guy look like?"

Yashamaru was shocked. "I-I don't know…I was watering the plants outside and then I saw this guy in a cloak. He covered his face with a hood, but I saw that he had long black hair, and black eyes. I saw a bit of his face. He looks…a lot like Sasuke-kun. He just came and put the envelope into the mailbox and he left again."

"That…that man – did he look familiar to you? Did he resemble any criminal?" Kakashi demanded. "He looked like Sasuke…did he have lines on his face?"

"Yes…two unparallel lines," Yashamaru stuttered. "Why? Who is he?"

"He knows where we are," Kakashi muttered. He turned back to Yashamaru. "Yashamaru, I'm begging you. Stay here and don't go anywhere. Don't even think of leaving the house, please. Where is Sasuke?"

"In the living room," Yashamaru said. "He's drawing."

"Look after him," Kakashi said. "I need to go to the police headquarters now. A criminal just walked past our house and he knows where Sasuke is…I need to inform the Chairman and ask for reinforcements. Our coordinates have to be changed…Yashamaru, please! Just stay in the house and if anything happens, don't fight back. These people are armed, they're a vicious lot. I know that fellow isn't alone…he can't have figured out where we are!"

With that, he flew out of the house and to his black Mazda 6.

--

When Kakashi reached police headquarters, he stormed straight to the receptionist and demanded to meet with Chairman Kinomiya Takao.

"I'm afraid the Chairman is holding a conference with some very important guests," the receptionist said.

"This is important," Kakashi growled angrily, slamming his hand on the table. "A boy could get killed any second now. I need to speak with the Chairman!"

The receptionist sighed. "Fine, I will ask someone to get his consent for his meeting with you. Name?"

"Hatake Kakashi."

"Oh," the receptionist raised an eyebrow. "Is this concerning Uchiha Sasuke?"

"Like hell it is," Kakashi growled, his patience running short. "Of course about Sasuke! And he's going to die if I don't have reinforcements at my house this instant!"

"What happened?"

"That…that murderer knows where he is!"

The receptionist's eyes became cold and steely. "Captain Hatake, I will arrange for reinforcements and a meeting with the Chairman for you immediately."

--

Kakashi was told to go to the Chairman's office at once. Kinomiya was waiting for him.

And sure enough, the familiar man stood in his office with a mixed of expression of happiness and seriousness.

"Kakashi! Good to see you again!" he greeted.

"Sir, we have a very tight situation," Kakashi said.

The Chairman was nothing but business now. "What's happened? Has that blasted murderer showed himself again?"

"This, sir," Kakashi passed the slip of paper to the Chairman. "The homebound teacher I arranged for, Sabaku Yashamaru, said that he saw a man who resembled Sasuke putting this in the mailbox. Personal mailing. Moreover, mail time was already over."

Kinomiya read the paper and frowned. "This signature is definitely his."

"Agreed," Kakashi said. "This is serious, sir. He knows where Sasuke is. It's impossible…he must have gotten help."

"Yes," Kinomiya said. "But we cannot make assumptions. Too much is at stake. I hear Jodi has already prepared reinforcements for you. Is there anyone at the house, besides Sasuke?"

"The homebound teacher, sir – Sabaku Yashamaru," Kakashi said.

"Can this guy be trusted?"

"With my life, sir."

Kinomiya frowned. "We have to move you and the boy. You can't stay in this town. Any suggestions, Hatake?"

Kakashi frowned and thought.

"I…I've been offered a teaching post in a boarding high school."

High school…high school…Kakashi looked at the Chairman with a strange twinkle in his eyes. "Actually, sir – I might have a reasonable suggestion."

--

As Kakashi and the Chairman sped back to the mansion, they found police all over the house, and Yashamaru was waiting at the door, looking impatient and flustered. Kakashi quickly went to him.

"Kakashi-san! Who are all these people?"

"Reinforcements," Kakashi said. "They're here to keep us safe."

"But they've freaked Sasuke-kun out!" Yashamaru exclaimed, waving his hands to emphasize the point. "He's in his room now…he's scared and doesn't want to come out."

Kakashi bit his lip. "Anything else?"

"Yes – that man came by again!"

"What!" this time Kakashi shrieked and Kinomiya, who was nearby, spun on the young teacher.

"That man? As in Uchiha Itachi?"

"Who?" Yashamaru asked.

"Never mind – but Yashamaru – that same man who dropped the letter?" Kakashi exclaimed.

"Yes – he went to the backyard and when Sasuke-kun saw his face, he screamed and ran behind me and pulled me back into the house and then he fled up to his room and slammed the door shut," Yashamaru said. "It isn't locked, but I wouldn't want to intrude on his privacy. Kakashi-san, you better go see to him."

"I will," Kakashi said. He turned to the Chairman. "Sir, I have to go for a while."

"Do what you must, Hatake."

Damn right I will.

--

Sasuke was a shivering ball leaning against the headboard on his bed, blankets around his body as he clutched the sides of his head, tears streaming down his pale, angular and too-thin cheeks.

Sasuke had grown, Kakashi knew. The change was more obvious now than ever. Once, a boy who couldn't even reach Kakashi's knees sat on the bed. But now was a teenager who was too small and too thin for his age.

It wasn't that he wasn't fed properly. Sasuke refused food very often, and he took small portions of his meals only. He never got hungry, as far as Kakashi was concerned. Once, Yashamaru had gone on a holiday and Kakashi trusted Sasuke to make his own meals but Sasuke fainted on the third day. He hadn't gone to eat at all.

His features were more defined now, his cheekbones high. His soft ebony locks graced his face, and his hair could reach his neck. It was usually spiky at the back, with the help of a bit of hair gel. His skin was as fair and pale as ever, and his onyx eyes were gray and deep, innocent and telling so much of his sad story.

Now he was dressed in a white shirt with a hood and gray shorts that rode high above his knees. He hugged himself and trembled horribly.

"Sasuke," Kakashi said gently, moving to touch the adolescent's shoulder. Sasuke flinched and froze out. His head jerked upwards and then he stopped cringing, noticing that it was only Kakashi. "Hey," Kakashi said softly. "What's wrong? Stop crying, Sasuke."

"H…h-he's h-h-here," Sasuke stuttered in a barely audible tone. "H-he's…c-c-coming…"

Kakashi stroked his hair for a moment. "He isn't coming anymore."

Sasuke shuddered as Kakashi pulled him into a gentle embrace. "He isn't coming anymore, Sasuke. He's gone. He won't come."

"…r-really…?"

"Of course," Kakashi said gently. "I'll chase him away…he's gone. Alright?"

Sasuke's shaking lessened somewhat. Kakashi moved his hands up to rub his shoulders gently. "It's alright now, Sasuke…it's going to be just fine."

Sasuke nodded into his shoulder. Then, Kakashi said, "Can you stand? We have to go downstairs. We're moving, Sasuke. We'll go to someplace safer, nicer."

Sasuke slid off the bed and Kakashi let the boy cling onto his hand as they went downstairs to the living room, where the Chairman waited with a grave look.

--

"Moving? That's impossible," Megumi snapped. "The state of his mentality – and you decide to move him to a school? He is no longer a child, Kakashi. You should understand that." She tapped her foot impatiently. "If he is moving to a kindergarten or even elementary school, I have nothing to say. But this is high school. Teenagers. Drugs. Influence. Must I emphasize?"

"Megumi has a point," Tsunade, who was also present, said. "He still hasn't recovered much. Yes – the difference is there – but it isn't enough."

"Then what? Is there anything else you want to suggest?" Kakashi said snappishly. "There isn't anywhere else to go. Besides, a school is an excellent suggestion. It's well-known that Uchiha Itachi doesn't go for crowded areas where many lives are at stake."

"He definitely didn't put that on his mind when he slaughtered the clan," Izumo mumbled.

"The clan was a different matter altogether," Shizune, who was present as Tsunade's attendant, said. "But in the past nine years when he has moved with that organization of his, they have only done individual assassinations. And the venues weren't highly populated. Chances are that if Sasuke is moved to a much more populated area, Itachi might not strike rashly.'

"That puts restraints on Sasuke's life," Kotetsu commented. "Not being able to go out – all of that."

"That doesn't bother Sasuke-kun much," Yashamaru said helpfully. "He doesn't like outdoors much."

"Whether he likes it or not doesn't play much of a part here," Megumi had to have the last word. "A school is not where you should move."

"Then where?" Kakashi scowled.

"Find a peaceful place in the countryside and employ another homebound teacher," Megumi said.

"At this rate, Sasuke will never get better," Kakashi sighed. "Besides, living in the countryside or the outskirts of town has its disadvantages. Sasuke never comes in contact with many outsiders and plus, if that murderer finds out where we are again, next time we might not be so lucky. Sasuke was at home alone with Yashamaru! He could have gotten killed! He could have died! What the hell would I do if he dies?"

Everyone was silent for a moment. Then, the Chairman cleared his throat and spoke up.

"So we have two opinions to choose from," Kinomiya said. "That of an experienced psychologist, and that of the man who knows Sasuke best. About moving to the school…how can we cover up then?"

"Give them the truth," Izumo shrugged. "Say the truth. Sasuke is the last survivor of the Uchiha clan. That's the truth. And cover up for Kakashi as an officer…tell them the truth and ask them to help him cover up. After all, Kakashi does have a nice string of university degrees, doesn't he? He can undercover for a teacher."

"Doesn't anybody think of what might happen to Sasuke?" Megumi said irritably. "He's claustrophobic, agoraphobic and next we'll have him terrified of a human being!"

"He can't stay cooped up here or anywhere else forever," Kakashi objected. "Somehow, we have to do something now. Nine years he's been here living a peaceful life – he has to accept some things that have to be changed. He can't live on like this forever. It's not right. Sure he's learning and all…but I'm starting to think that being away from society might have a negative instead of positive impact on his healing rate! He's still scared, he still freaks out, he still has relapses – when is it going to end?"

"You have to be patient!" Megumi snapped. "Just be patient and let him recover at his own rate! No rushing, no forcing!'

"This isn't force!" Kakashi snapped. "This is our desperate situation! That murderer is out that somewhere, probably laughing his head off at our indecisiveness! We have no other choice right now but to go to that school Yashamaru is teaching in. Besides, Sasuke is used to Yashamaru. He should be able to…somehow adjust himself."

"My…one of my family members studies there, too," Yashamaru put in. They all looked at him. "His name is Sabaku Gaara. He has two siblings, Temari and Kankurou. They're my brother's children."

"That simplifies the situation…somewhat," Megumi muttered.

"We have one month before the start of the term," Yashamaru said. "I'm sure Sasuke-kun can take that one month to his advantage and somehow adjust himself. Somehow, accept things."

"Megumi?" Kinomiya turned to the psychologist.

Megumi sighed. "I suppose one month should amount to something. Right now, I also believe that we should prioritize Sasuke's physical safety. The other aspects can be considered later on, I believe."

"Are you sure about this, Megumi?" Shizune asked.

Megumi sighed. "A time like this has to come one day. Nine years is just too long. Perhaps today is the day."

"Where is the boy, Kakashi?" Kinomiya asked.

"In the living room," Kakashi said. "I managed to calm him down somewhat."

"Bring him here," Kinomiya said.

"That wouldn't be a very good thing to do," Yashamaru input. "Sasuke-kun doesn't like meeting outsiders after he has a relapse of sorts."

"All the more reason for him to leave before that jerk shows up again," Kinomiya said. "Hatake, I've asked Ashitaka to prepare air tickets for you and Sasuke." He turned to Yashamaru. "Would you like to tag along with them?" Yashamaru nodded eagerly.

"It's in my best interest to help Sasuke-kun, since he has been my student for nine years," Yashamaru smiled.

"Very well – I'll arrange for one more ticket," Kinomiya said. "And Ashitaka will inform the school beforehand. What's the name of that school again?"

Kakashi frowned a moment. The name rang a bell. He looked at the Chairman.

"Konohagakure High School."