Updates are pretty slow, eh? Will try to step it up.

With the sun rising over the treetops, a single person stood alone on the dusty road, watching as the sun peaked over the horizon. Naruto Uzumaki blinked as the warmth touched his face. He smiled slightly, closing his eyes and quietly enjoying the warmth the sun offered. When he heard footsteps approach he did not move. "I figured I would find you here." Sakura's voice suddenly spoke up and Naruto tilted his head back but did not open his eyes as he answered her.

"Sakura-chan." He greeted, listening as the girl approached to stand at his side. Sakura shuffled, eyebrows pinched.

"Tsunade-sama told me that Itachi was here." She began slowly. "And the truth about the massacre." Blue eyes slid open and Naruto looked to the girl, gaze fixed on her. He silently attempted to gauge her expression. Her own expression was tense and unsure, but there was no anger in her eyes. There was only that underlying confusion. Naruto looked away again, back towards the tree line.

"Sasuke knows the truth. He's going to want to find Itachi." The blond stated. Sakura hummed, eyes far away as she considered what Naruto had said. The news had come as a shock, and she was still not sure what she should think. Was this going to leak out to the public? Would everyone find out the truth? And Sasuke…

"He won't blame Itachi for everything?" Sakura asked and watched as her teammate bit his lip thoughtfully. He continued to watch the sun as he mulled over Sakura's question. After a moment, he shook his head.

"I don't know…I don't think he would. He'd want to know Itachi was alive."

"And you're going to tell him?" Sakura stated, brushing her hair from her face. Naruto sighed, looking down at his feet and kicking the dirt.

"He deserves to know." Naruto argued and Sakura nearly scoffed. She shookher head, hands balled into fists.

"He'd tear apart the village to get to his brother. Don't be stupid Naruto." Sakura scolded softly. The blonde narrowed his eyes.

"Stupid? Because I think Sasuke's been through enough? I'd rather you call me stupid then keep secrets from him." Naruto stated in annoyance and Sakura opened her mouth to retort.

"Maybe I can point something out?" Another female's voice hesitantly spoke up. Sakura turned in surprise.

"Karin?" She murmured in surprise as the girl approached, a coat pulled securely around herself. The redhead had been freed from Ibiki days ago and had spent most of her time out of sight. Now, it seemed she was finally coming forward. Her eyes were shadowed and her skin ashen. She did not seemed overly surprised to hear about Itachi being alive, her mouth was pulled into a thin line and her eyes narrowed.

"Itachi's alive." She noted. Naruto nodded, slowly relaxing as the young woman came to stand next to him and watch the sunrise.

"He is." Sakura murmured, watching the other girl move closer to Naruto as a gust of wind ripped through the street.

"Sasuke's not going to target his brother." The red head muttered. "Think. His whole world revolves around Itachi. If he found out Itachi was alive and in…this condition…he will be livid, no doubt…but Itachi will be his priority. He will drop everything else in favor of protecting his brother." Naruto nodded in agreement while Sakura bit her lip to keep from speaking out bitterly. How did this girl know Sasuke so well? What was she to him? Naruto's attention was focused on the young woman, blue eyes nearly black as he stared at her hopefully.

"If I went after him?"

"Bring proof." Was all Karin could think of, red hair billowing behind her.

Three weeks later, Itachi still did not wake. He remained hooked up in the hospital, wires in his arms and an oxygen mask over his face. His fingers were limp and frail against the stark white sheets.

Naruto and Kakashi took turns with watching over the Uchiha. Very few were allowed in the room and it was heavily guarded with several jutsus. Itachi was like a broken doll on that bed. His hair was losing it's luster. Limbs were like slender twigs and face far too gaunt, yet holding hints of the man he had been once upon a time.

Naruto found himself feeling helpless with Itachi. There was no signs of him waking up…but Tsunade had…why couldn't Itachi? He didn't want to tell Sasuke that his brother was alive, when Itachi was in this condition. He wanted Itachi to be awake. To be able to greet his brother. This wasn't fair. Sasuke deserved better. Itachi deserved better.

Itachi deserved better than to just lay on this hospital bed, wasting away. He was helpless to the world around him. Helpless to reach his brother and protect him. Naruto only wished he could find some peace.

Kakashi brought flowers.

Every time he visited, he would leave flowers by Itachi's bedside. Like when he would go to visit his old teammates, those flowers were like a silent apology. Naruto wondered why Kakashi was apologizing to Itachi. What secrets did Kakashi-sensei hold when he looked at Itachi. As he sat across from him in Itachi's hospital room, he would find out something about his sensei.

Kakashi was aloof as usual, nothing able to snake that incredible calm. Sakura was checking Itachi's vitals, her expression mixed between tenderness and wariness as she looked to where Itachi slept. Kakashi was leaning back in his seat, holding up a flower to looking at it closely.

"He always liked these little flowers." Kakashi mused, holding the tiny blue flower close to his face. "He would never admit it, but he loved to make little crowns when he was given the time…."

"Crowns?" Naruto blinked while Sakura smiled at the thought. She took the seat next to Naruto as they watched their sensei. Kakashi hummed, studying the flower.

"Yeah…you know how Shikamaru cloud gazes and you garden…Itachi liked making crowns. Would cover Shisui in them…I think Shisui enjoyed it though." His eyes crinkled slightly in the corners, and for a moment he was transformed. It was a small change. Barely noticeable, but Naruto and Sakura both saw it. There was raw adoration in Kakashi's visible eye. Naruto and Sakura shared quick glances, both unsure on what that look meant. And as quickly as it had appeared, it was gone and Kakashi was once again closed off.

He placed the flower at Itachi's bedside and stood. He did not look at Sakura or at Naruto who were both focused on him, looking for another sliver of emotion. Instead, he turned on his heel and walked towards the door, opening it with steady hands and walking into the busy hallway. He does not look back as he softly closes it behind him, hearing the door latch.

The corridor echoed. It was dark and damp. Candles flickered lazily against the walls. Sasuke Uchiha turned slowly, taking in his surroundings. When had he arrived here? What was this place? It looked sort of like the hideout…but more ominous…

"Sasuke."

Sasuke turned quickly, hand reaching for his katata. That voice…he stepped forward, fighting the urge to call out to the voice.

"Sasuke." More urgent this time and not so far away. The Uchiha began to move forward, towards the source of the voice, desperation rising in his chest as he stared down the hall.

"Hello?" He finally calls out and is answered with a voice in his ear, whispering once more.

"Sasuke."

"ITACHI!" Sasuke's voice tore from his throat as he finally recognized the voice. He was suddenly sprinting forward, tearing down the hall as quickly as he could as he called out for his brother again.

"Wake up, Otouto." Itachi's voice whispered, still too far away. Sasuke skid around the corner, as he took down the next hall. His feet barely seemed to touch the floor with how quickly he was moving.

"Aniki?" Where are you?" Sasuke called out in desperation, rushing down the corridor. With each step he took, a candle would flicker out, darkening the corridor bit by bit. Itachi's voice was fading away and Sasuke began to panic. "Itachi!"

"Sasuke."

Sasuke turned on his heel, eyes wide as he spotted Itachi kneeling several feet away from him. His head was lowered and face hidden by his hair. A noise escaped Sasuke's throat. It was something between a sob and a sigh of relief. Sasuke quickly made his way towards his brother, kneeling down across from him as his brows furrowed in concern. All confusion on why his dead brother was magically alive were not present. Instead he reached out for his brother, hand lightly touching his shoulder. He had finally found him…

"Aniki?" He spoke up, uncharacteristically hesitant and soft. Itachi made no sound, not moving as Sasuke's fingers reached to brush his hair from his face. Itachi's hand shot up, taking hold of Sasuke's wrist and the younger Uchiha blinked in surprise, looking to his sibling in trepidation. Itachi's hand was like ice and far too frail. With the hand not in Itachi's flimsy grip he reached to touch his brother's face, fingers tracing over his smooth chin.

"Sasuke." Itachi finally croaked, voice garbled as if barbed wire was lodged in his throat. Sasuke's heart beat wildly in his chest. His mouth suddenly dry. He tilted Itachi's head up, desperate to look at his brother. Words of endearment were on his lips, ready to spill out.

Only.

He did not meet a pair of charcoal eyes. Instead two empty eye sockets stared back, on a face that looked far more ancient than it truly was. Any words Sasuke had prepared died in his throat as he stared at his brother in horror. Itachi's head tilted to the side, mouth opening. His lips were cracked and bloody, his skin grey. Itachi reached out, fingers touching Sasuke's forehead in a morbid mockery of the normal poke. Sasuke continued to stare, uncomprehending.

"Wake up."

It was tense in Tsunade's office. With whispers of battles and enemies looking closer, Tsunade was at her wits end. She sat at her desk, watching as Team 7 and several other trusted nin argued amongst each other. Genma stood by her desk, watching the situation unfold in interest. His senbon jutting from his lip. Kakashi and Yamato were leaning against the wall. Kakashi was tense and Yamato's eyes would occasionally drift to him apprehensively.

"We need proof Itachi's alive. Sasuke won't just take our word for it." Naruto spoke up as he recalled Karin's earlier words. Tsunade rubbed her temples, her elbows leaning against her desk. They had been going at this for what felt like hours…

"He won't come anywhere near the village." Sakura finally muttered, jade eyes focusing on Naruto. "How are we supposed to show him?" She watched as Naruto considered her words, mouth pulling into a thin line. Kakashi was watching him as well, arms crossed.

"…Bring Itachi to him." Genma piped up suddenly. The Hokage turned to the man, honey eyes narrowed in contemplation as Sakura blinked, unsure on what to say.

"What?" Yamato was the one to speak up, pulling everyone out of their stupor. Genma rubbed the side of his head, dark eyes meeting Tsunade's who nodded for him to continue.

"He's breathing on his own now. He can take the journey." The man mused and Naruto was quick to shake his head, looking despondent.

"And what, carry him to his brother and wave him around like some peace offering?" He muttered and Sakura winced at how that would look.

"It's our only chance of reaching out to him." Kakashi pointed out softly. It was clear he was not too thrilled with the idea either, but with the threat of war over their heads what choice did they have? Tsunade suddenly clapped her hands together loudly, startling the group who turned to her in surprise.

"It's decided then. Tomorrow morning, you and a group of trusted shinobi will take Itachi with you and reach out to Sasuke." She looked to each nin standing before her. "Naruto, you will need to be careful with this. You know you're their target at this point." She stated, drumming her fingers on the desk. The blonde nodded, expression determined.

"I will be." He assured the woman who stood, leaning her hands on her desk as she met Kakashi's gaze.

"What about you, Kakashi?" She questioned. "Are you on board?" The Copy nin nodded, expression closed off and almost bored. Tsunade brushed her hair from her face, clicking her tongue in acceptance. She would need to assure to Naruto's safety as well as Itachi's. He might no longer be hooked up to oxygen, but he was still no where near prepared to be jostled around and used as a bargaining chip. She didn't doubt that Sakura would be able to keep the Uchiha stable though.

"Get ready." She sighed finally. "You all leave at dawn."