Note: This was inspired by another fanfiction I had read but it was a long time ago so I forgot the name unfortunately. I hope my portrayal of Shisui is acceptable and not too OOC. Anyways, I hope you all enjoy this chapter.

Warning: touch of incest/overprotective Itachi, OOC, fluff, Everyone-lives AU

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

-xxx-

Chapter 10: Weakness

It was rare to see one of the genius brother in a state of weakness. For one thing, they were prodigies placed high on the pedestal. They were the pride of the Uchiha Clan. And they are quite prideful, trying to avoid showing their flaws. I blamed their father for that though. The way he would lecture them about being strong and sorts. It's a wonder how they ever got any fun out of life.

But as their best pal, I could see the way Itachi's eyes darted to the entrance of the compound every so often. His tea needed constant refilling as he drank them over the few minutes we spent sitting in the living room. I don't blame him being nervous, I was fidgeting a lot too. Night was approaching and Sasuke has yet to be home. Last we heard, he went off to play with Kakashi's mutts, especially the ugly small one. That pug has some really nasty bite. Back to Sasuke, I knew the boy was somewhat of a stickler to rules. Missing curfew was not something the boy would do. A sudden movement broke me from my thoughts and my attention returned to the brother that was with me.

"I'm going to find Sasuke," Itachi spoke as he immediately left the compound.

"I'm coming too," I said, not that the teenager would hear me since he had already left.

When finding a missing person, specifically a soon-to-be ninja, there wasn't much that could hold the boy back from reaching home. Unless he is: (a) kidnapped or, (b) ran outside the village, the only place the boy could possibly be missing at would be the few forest that remained in Konoha. Well, one forest was definitely out of the question considering it was fenced off but there was a large one near Kakashi's place….

I might not be the best at guessing, considering how my pencil dice never gave me the correct answers for those surprise test during my Academy days. I'm glad I still managed to find the boy, although surprisingly before Itachi did. However, I'm not too sure how to handle this situation.

Sasuke was squatting by a tree. His arms around his knees and his face hidden in them. His shoulders trembled as the muffled sound of sobs broke through. I crouched beside the smaller boy and wrapped my arms around him.

"It's okay, Sasuke. Everyone gets lost at least once in their lives."

"Even Nii-san?"

"Yup, even Itachi. In fact, he got lost in this forest but he played it cool, saying he was just taking a stroll. It wasn't convincing with the way he clung to me when we walked back home," I chuckled at the memory.

Ah crap…. "Don't tell Itachi I told you that. He'll have my head if he finds out. Anyways,... don't go chasing dogs again. Not even Kakashi's mutts."

"H-How did you know?"

"You and Itachi can be way too alike. Or I should buy a leash for Kakashi's dogs with how they can lure kids into forests this easily."

"I'm not a kid!"

"Not when you'll get scolded like one once we get back home."

I mean even if Sasuke did not get scolded by his probably-fuming father, he would get lots of lectures from his worrying mother and have 24/7 surveillance for a month from his equally-worried brother. Honestly though, why do the brothers have to chase dogs into the forest? Is there a tradition I'm missing out in?