Breathe in, and then breathe out… It should be easy, right?In our current situation, however, there was a small catch which made inhaling and then exhaling far more difficult than it should be – our favourite Sasuke Uchiha was under water or was currently getting sucked into an endless ocean of… blood?

Sasuke's eyes shot open. He opened his mouth, wanting nothing more than to scream. Unfortunately nothing but bubbles erupted from his torn lungs and even though they reached the surface, they did not go further than a certain dark shadow's ears. Said shadow chuckled deeply and directed his red eyes towards his victim.

Sasuke gasped as his lungs started burning. His eyes widened. He began coughing as the oxygen in his lungs dissipated. Soon his eyes started drooping and darkness surrounded him completely. He was just about to succumb to the need to sleep when the figure appeared in front of him. Dark eyes widened in fear and anger when they saw it. Immediately all sense of self preservation and desire to surrender left him. The only thought that was running through Sasuke's mind was revolved around the being in front of him and the unexpected want to just lunge forward at him, wrap his hands around that ghastly purple skin, dig his nails into it and choke that monster to death. However, there was one fault in the plan Sasuke's natural reflexes had concocted – he could not kill what was already dead.

Suddenly the creature did exactly as Sasuke wanted. Unfortunately, he dug his nails into Sasuke's pale skin, not his own disgusting one. Coughing, followed by choking, then suffocating filled the bloody ocean. Dark eyes rolled back, while pale skin turned into ghostly white with the exception of the redness of Sasuke's neck where the nails were drawing out what would make a fantastic first course of a meal for the monster.

Just as Sasuke's eyelids were about to close forever, he was brought back to the surface. He stood on his knees, hands wrapped around his neck protectively as he tried to ascertain what exactly was going on. He was just about to look up and meet the creature's gaze when he was thrown several feet away from the monster. Sasuke gasped and then moaned when the water cut through his skin, drawing out more blood. As time passed Sasuke managed to regain his balance and he ended up landing on top of the water. He stood on his knees as he breathed heavily, trying desperately to regain his normal breathing pattern once more. He glowered when the shadow chuckled darkly at him, as though the creature were mocking him for his own mortality and lack of power to do anything to it.

Perhaps it was right that to some extent Sasuke was to blame for it, but now he should not focus on blaming himself or showering himself with hateful words or spiteful comments. That would, after all, make the monster stronger. No, instead of making his predicament even worse, Sasuke had to force his entire being into thinking of one thing only – how he could escape from the shadow's clutches, even though he was clearly at a disadvantage here.

"Tsk, tsk, tsk, little Sasuke, I am hurt, I thought you would've been happy to see me." The monster said as it draped an arm around his heart and rubbed the spot, as though he were wounded and was currently trying to relieve some of the pain.

Sasuke simply glared at the monster, not wishing to fulfill its desire and reveal that he truly was not the least bit glad to be here. That would, after all, only to serve to make the beast even cockier and that was something Sasuke did not need.

The shadow became serious and all of a sudden everything about the scenery changed. Sasuke was no longer standing over a bloody ocean with burning skies grazing the top of his head. No, right now he was on the surface of a beautiful lake the water of which was crystal clear. Trees in full bloom were surrounding said lake. Dark eyes traced every movement the rose petals made and followed them until they fell on the ground. Sasuke closed his eyes for a second, enjoying the small breeze that danced across his healing skin. He then reopened them and looked up. His eyes widened – the sky was blue, so blue with white fluffy clouds moving slowly in a mesmerizing dance. Sasuke could not believe that he had been saved once more.

"Sasuke." A figure in a white cloak called out to him.

Sasuke looked down and met the eyes of his older brother. Itachi had kneeled down in front of him and had extended one of his hands for Sasuke to hold. He was currently smiling warmly at his younger brother, as though nothing had changed and nothing had happened at all; as if their world had not fallen apart; as if there was no demon or as Sasuke liked to call him shadow standing behind them; as though it were still just Itachi and Sasuke.

"Everything will be fine, Sasuke. Just take my hand and I will help you return to the real world." Itachi said in a soothing tone.

Sasuke's eyes widened slightly again and a nostalgic smile appeared on his face. He could not believe how much he had missed it. Not just the normally calming and healing voice of his older brother, but everything – the warmth his form always exuded, the safety his presence always provided, the smile that would shine brighter than any problem or worry, the gleaming eyes that always promised one thing – you need not worry for I will protect you. Oh, how much had he missed it all!

"Sasuke, is there something wrong?" Itachi asked, his eyes changing from black to slightly red before he added in a deep growl, "Did he hurt you?"

Sasuke's eyes widened before they returned to their normal size. He had forgotten the intensity and power Itachi's gaze held. Even if it was locked with yours for only a second, you would still be able to feel either rejuvenating warmth or paralyzing coldness course through your body.

"No, he did not hurt me." Sasuke explained before he looked at the demon and added, "It seems that I can still control him, though it is only if you are present I am afraid."

Itachi bowed his head down before he looked up again and locked eyes with Sasuke. His expression was gravely serious and all of its intensity fell directly on Sasuke's shoulders, making him sink slightly. Itachi immediately grabbed Sasuke's shoulders and pulled him up. He tensed once he heard the shadow behind him chuckle and make a step. Anger and frustration coursed through the Uchiha's veins before he turned slightly around, lifted his hand up and spoke in a dangerously powerful tone:

"Creature of hell be gone!"

Before the shadow even had a chance to make some snide comment or emit some sort of unidentifiable sound he disappeared. Itachi's posture immediately relaxed afterwards. It seemed that not only did the creature's absence make both Uchiha brothers feel safer, but it also managed to make the scenery even more beautiful – the birds started singing, the sun was shining brighter than usual and it seemed that the water and sky were even clearer, if that was possible. All in all, it seemed like paradise. Almost, but it was not. It was simply an illusion created by Sasuke's mind, depending under whose influence he was. For example, if it were the demon, the scenery would be all dark, black and red, sometimes gray, while if were under his guardian angel, Itachi Uchiha, it would turn into what it currently was.

A sigh from his brother Sasuke back to where they were. The younger Uchiha looked straight into his brother's eyes and immediately regretted it. He resisted the urge to growl or groan. He would not grumble either. He knew it was futile because no matter how much he wanted to avoid a certain topic of conversation, his brother had the innate ability to always, always bring it up somehow. To say that Sasuke despised yet admired that ability would be an understatement.

"Sasuke, we need to talk about this." Itachi said calmly as he regarded his brother's posture carefully. He noted the tenseness in his shoulders and the slight bags under his eyes. Though they were barely noticeable, they were still there.

"Have you been drinking into stupor again?" Itachi suddenly asked as he reached out a hand and put it on his brother's forehead.

Sasuke's eyes widened. He was about to protest and deny it, but was silenced once more by Itachi's next statement.

"It seems you have a fever as well. Sasuke, have you been taking care of yourself like I told you last time or have you disregarded my warning once more?"

Sasuke wished he could lie. He wanted to possess the ability to lie to anyone and anything at any given time, but the truth was that no matter how hard he tried, he just could not mislead his brother. Damn Itachi and his perceptiveness!

A shake from Sasuke's head was enough for an answer. It was soon followed by a disappointed sigh from Itachi. Sasuke narrowed his eyes. He felt a pang of guilt. All his brother ever wanted was for Sasuke to be healthy and live a semi-happy life and here Sasuke was doing anything but that. What was wrong with Sasuke's situation again? Ah, yes, he was a selfish and stubborn idiot that would do anything in order to keep his brother as near as he could even if it meant destroying his own body with his own two hands.

"Sasuke, we have been through this time and time again. You should not drink every time your memories of the accident come back and you should not push every single person that comes into your life and wants to help you. And most of all you should stop drowning your heart and mind in such negative emotions. Sasuke, please, you know better than me how much damage sadness, anger and hatred can do to you. Not to mention guilt, agony and misery." Itachi lectured before he moved slightly forward and placed both of his hands on Sasuke's shoulders. He then brought his head forward and leaned his forehead against Sasuke's. Worried dark eyes gazed into empty black ones before they closed and a weary sigh came forth. It mingled with Sasuke's shallow breaths, sending a wave of warmth towards Sasuke's strangely cold body.

"I cannot keep coming like this, Sasuke," Itachi began before he opened his eyes for an added emphasis as he continued, "I cannot save you from your demons forever, Sasuke. You will need to learn how to control them on your own."

"Easier said than done, Itachi. I can't just snap my fingers or pray and hope for them to go away." Sasuke replied with a humorless chuckle.

Itachi clicked his tongue in slight disapproval before he responded:

"No, but you can start by doing what you previously did."

A groan was all he got as an answer. Itachi returned the favour by growling and scolding:

"Do not glower or grumble at me, Sasuke. You have an incredible gift and you shouldn't waste it because you are afraid that you would not be able to see me."

Sasuke's eyes widened. He thought that Itachi would not be able to figure it out, but seeing as it had been seven years since Sasuke last helped a ghost, he should not be too surprised.

"I thought it would take you more time to reach the true reason. It seems that you are as perceptive and intelligent as always, Nii-san." Sasuke uttered.

Itachi chuckled before he replied:

"That or you are as obvious as always, otouto."

Sasuke glowered when his brother had the nerve to actually laugh at his face, but Sasuke could not help but agree with Itachi. He did find it hard to hide what he felt or thought sometimes. That was the reason why he even soon followed and laughed with his older brother. That was something that he missed doing as well. Laughing with Itachi was an entirely different experience than laughing with his friends or parents or past boyfriends/lovers. Itachi had something about him that always managed to help Sasuke relax and just follow what was currently controlling his heart. It did not only happen when laughing was involved. Whatever the emotion or thoughts were Sasuke could express them freely in front of his brother because more often than not Itachi would either agree or simply listen. There were times when Itachi believed in something entirely opposite, but even then, he would not judge Sasuke or lash out at him for daring to think in such a polar way. He would only remain silent and actually listen. Did Sasuke mention that he missed that, too?

"I am afraid our time is almost over, otouto. Tell me, is there anything else you would like to discuss with me? That boy, Naruto, for example?" Itachi suddenly asked, making a faint blush colour Sasuke's pale skin, which only served to make Itachi laugh once more.

"He will be eighteen soon." Sasuke defended, knowing full well that Itachi knew about the kiss. He did watch over him during the day and night after all.

"Is that the only thing that stopped you from ravishing him that night? The fact that he is not of what is considered to be legal age?" Itachi questioned.

Sasuke scowled when his brother dared to laugh at his misfortune once more. Sasuke huffed when Itachi's body shook with mirth. The younger Uchiha rolled his eyes and found himself chuckling as well. After all, who was he to blame for his feelings? He had not asked for that boy to enter his life or to affect him this way, had he? Had he expected any of this happening, he would have fled this city sooner, but he now had a contract with that school for one year and he could not just leave unless he was fired which Sasuke was not planning on happening, despite his strangely stupid and audacious hormones.

"My final advice is this – follow what your heart tells you, Sasuke. Don't fight against your feelings. You do remember what happened the last time you pulled a stunt like that, right?" Itachi asked.

Sasuke sighed, but nodded, nonetheless. He recalled his last relationship and cringed when he realized that he could sum it up with two, maybe three words – betrayal due to alienation. He had distanced himself from his partner far too much and in the end, his lover ended up finding somebody else that would give him the warmth, trust and openness Sasuke could not display. With a pang of guilt he remembered his fatal mistake which drove his boyfriend to another person's arms, while Sasuke was still with him – no matter how much devotion and love he had felt inside, he had not shown an ounce of it on the outside, thus making his partner think that Sasuke did not wish to be with him anymore.

"My thoughts exactly." Itachi suddenly said with a grin.

Sasuke glared at his brother before he growled, "Itachi, I thought I told you to stop reading my mind the last time we talked."

"You did. I just decided not to fulfill your request and technically I haven't read your mind. Considering we are currently residing in it, I should be able to hear every delicious secret that runs through it, don't you think? And let me tell you, you have one dirty mind, otouto. I should feel pity for the poor boy." Itachi replied.

"N-nii-san! That's private!" Sasuke protested, glaring in vain at his chuckling brother.

"Whatever you say, Sasuke. Now, I fear it is time for me to leave and for you to wake up and face a very angry Naruto." Itachi said before he snapped his fingers and disappeared from Sasuke's mind.

"What?" Sasuke whispered as he felt a strong pull before everything went black again.

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

A/N: Thank you everyone for reviewing, following, favouriting and reading!

Now a response to the reviews of the previous chapter:

Guest – Thank you! Thank you! I can't thank you enough. You seriously made me wonder whether I should make it a supernatural story as well and guess what? Thanks to you I did!

P.S. I would not say Sasuke's cursed…. He is more like repeating the same mistakes over and over again and he does it, despite knowing that he is doing it. You will find out what I mean as the story progresses.

alesfan – Hah, glad I could surprise you. I hope you liked this chapter!

The Secret Sal – Sorry for making you sad( wasn't my intention or was it? *insert wicked laughter here*). He will pull through if not for Naruto or Kakashi or Itachi, then for himself at least! :D

silverheartlugia2000 – sasu yesssss! He is doing exactly what I want him to! Isn't that great? Also, thank you for the constant support. Couldn't have come this far without you!

The same goes for everyone! You have no idea how happy and giddy it makes me to open up my e-mail box and see that someone has followed, favourited or reviewed this story (or any of my other stories). Seriously your thoughts and support are what keep me going so please don't stop.

Please tell me what you think of this turn of events. Good? Bad? Interesting? Confusing? Your call!

Until next time wonderful people,

~ QueenofRhymes ~