Note: To JigokuShoujosRevenge, I do hope they did accept the mission too. I never considered writing that part but now that I think about it, I now got an inspiration for a future chapter. And thanks for your continuous reviews. They actually motivated me to write more.

Warning: Incest.

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or the Uchiha brothers. Do support Masashi Kishimoto and the official anime/manga releases.

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Chapter 8: Attention

Every child seeked attention especially from one they admired. Thus, it was no surprise that Sasuke worked long and hard to draw Itachi's attention. Every tests were done with perfection. Every shuriken thrown were done with precision cultivated from harsh training pressured by his own expectations. Yet try as he might, Sasuke never got what he wanted. Itachi was rarely around and his family was never satisfied.

If his perfection was never enough to meet the standards set by his brother, then Sasuke tried other means to draw attention. Throwing tantrums and being a pestering menace, Sasuke waited for his brother to turn to him. Instead, he got a scolding from his father, grounding from his mother and silence from his brother, simply silence as the older sibling retreated to his room and never once looked at Sasuke.

But Sasuke was persistent, stubborn like his father. If his hard work and naughtiness work, maybe clinginess would. However, nights were lonely as his brother was rarely home and even as Sasuke clung to his brother's waist, Itachi always found a way to break free and speedily leave. Just once, his brother's eyes lay on him. A chuckle could be heard. A light pat on his head. Slowly, Sasuke let go the arms that wrapped around his brother's leg. One step and then another, Itachi left the compound, disappearing as the door was shut close. Sasuke was alone again but it did not matter for that day, Itachi had not ignore him. Seeing his determination bare fruit, Sasuke grinned in glee. He wondered what he should do next to get his brother's attention. How about presenting one of those sickly sticky dangos to his brother?