Sorry I took so long with this update. Too much things going on in my life, and also I was procrastinating. Procrastination... is wonderful, but it doesn't get anything done. My brain has officially depleted into a giant lump of tofu, figuratively speaking. My brain really did not turn into a piece of tofu over the night. It'd be scary if it did. Yes, so here is chapter ten.

"So let me get this straight," Kakashi paced around the room, and then stopped in front of the dead corpse of the dog beast. "That thing attacked you last night." He pointed to the 'thing' on the floor. Itachi nodded from his seat on the couch, his face blank and indifferent. "And you want me to take it back to Konoha." A nod. "For dumping." Another nod. "So you dragged me from my warm, comfortable abode, my secure domain, my sacred haven, my palatial domicile..."

"Your house," said Sasuke leaning against the doorway, arms crossed.

"Yeah, yeah, whatever. So you dragged me from my house here just so you could dump this into my hands," stated Kakashi with an annoyed face.

"Didn't we go over this already," declared Itachi.

"Yes, but I don't see how that 'thing' attacking you is any of my business," Kakashi claimed.

"It becomes your business when you dispose of it for us," said Itachi.

"You know very well you can dispose of it yourself. Why not just bury it instead of taking it back to Konoha?" Kakashi stood looking at the man sitting calmly on the couch.

"Because it'll leave a stench," answered Itachi. "Besides, this matter does pertain to you in some sense. We killed it, but we didn't have to. We could have easily directed it to your house. It was hungry and could have attacked anyone. And if it did choose you, I wonder... Just how would you be able to fend it off?"

Kakashi opened his mouth to snap back, but nothing came out. 'Crap, I can't think of anything to say.' Closing his mouth and nodding his head as a understanding of being defeated yet again, he said in a cynical tone, "Fine, fine, you got me. I'll dump it for you."

Sasuke smiled from his place in the doorway. 'So like Itachi to use his tongue to manipulate people.' It was a lie of course. 'We had to kill the dog; there was no other way. We... he used the word 'we.' The word sounded strange to him, yet he felt that it belonged. 'But why wouldn't he use it. We killed it together, right? Heh, I'm acting stupid now.'

"But back to serious matters, that thing didn't hurt you, did it," asked Kakashi.

Itachi shook his head. "But it did a number to Sasuke."

"Damn. And here I was sleeping peacefully while you guys were getting mauled by some mad dog," said Kakashi while scratching the back of his neck.

"What interests me the most is how this dog can somehow turn into a mutated creature practically indistinguishable by anyone as to what it is," voiced Sasuke with a thoughtful tone.

Kakashi looked at the creature carefully, having the same thought as Sasuke on where this thing came from. "Mutated dogs aren't from around here. They can't be found anywhere. Something like this shouldn't even exist. I mean, look at it. What is that, spikes on it's back, knifelike claws, and not one, but THREE tails, and not to mention the size of it. And what the hell, FOUR eyes?"

This detail surprised the AIR. "Four? I thought it only had two."

"No, there's four. See, there's a small lining of what can be distinguished as two more eyes, smaller than the two that you saw. However, it could have been blind in those eyes so there was no use opening them. Add on the hair that's covering the eyes, I can see how you mistakened it to only have two," explained Kakashi.

"Regardless of how many eyes it has, I'm still wondering where it came from and how it got mutated. Dogs are not born this way," said Sasuke. He paused for a moment before saying in an uncertain tone of voice, "Do you think it came from Konoha?"

Kakashi looked at him with disbelief. "What are you talking about? Where can you find mutated animals... in Konoha..." This time, it was his turn to hold uncertainty in his voice.

Itachi lowered his head but it appeared as though he knew something. Kakashi chose to look away, not saying anything as well. Unlike Itachi, the white haired man held a look of sadness on his face. Sasuke noticed the change in mood but didn't understand what was going on. "What's going on?" No one answered him. "Itachi?"

Kakashi answered the question instead. He didn't meet the robot's eyes. "It may just be a rumor... to tell you the truth, I've only heard it from gossip... but... there's this place... it could be responsible for what you encountered last night... they specialize in things like that..."

"What do you mean," asked Sasuke with a serious expression.

Itachi spoke this time. Some things, he had to explain himself. "Konoha is home to many different advancements in human history. Many things have occurred there for the benefit of society, or that's what they say. But perhaps it is true to some extent. I specialized in robotics, as you know, when I still lived in Konoha. But money wasn't only invested in electronic components and cyber-kinetics. There were other things going on... Never mind. Maybe I shouldn't say it."

"What is it that you can't say," Sasuke inquired.

Itachi glanced at the robot as soon as he realized what the AIR was doing. 'He's doing it again, making me recall past memories, prying with his constant reminders of my old life. Maybe if he hadn't asked I wouldn't have had to remember... But it's already there inside my mind. I can't get rid of it now so might as well tell him... If he wants to know it all, then I'll willingly tell him.'

And Itachi spoke, "Although many people believe it is just a rumor, I can tell you that it's more than just gossip run amok. This place mentioned earlier... it was a lab for testing and experimentation on biological forces. In other words, they conduct experiments on living creatures, mostly animals. However, there has been word of actual humans being test subjects in there as well. There is no evidence to back that up so far. These... experiments do have the ability to mutate and utterly deform normal animals into distorted, grotesque images of their former selves. In addition to exposing organisms to radioactive and toxic genetic mutators, I believe they... have also performed vivisections without anesthesia, froze and amputated limbs, even left some to unfreeze and thaw to study the effects of the resultant untreated gangrene and rotting. But vivisections were usually performed on the subject after they had been exposed to a deadly disease. They've removed organs to study the effects of the disease and sometimes reattached the organs to another part of the body. Sometimes they..."

Kakashi interrupted him, "Wait, wait, back up for a minute. How do you know all of this? The rumors don't go that far... unless... Don't tell me you used to work for the..."

"Don't even think about suggesting it," snapped Itachi to Kakashi. "I would never do such a thing." His eyelids lowered, giving him a stern look as he spoke with a slight acidic tone. He was serious. About now, Sasuke and Kakashi were giving him curious looks, demanding an explanation. Sighing, Itachi continued, "I've been in there before, and not in the way you think. I was a technology specialist, and I did have to make a living before. The experimental labs had an accident and their machines were badly damaged. They hired me to fix it. I spent four hours in there. Only four, it would have been longer, but I left before I could fully fix the damaged mechanisms."

"Why'd you leave without finishing the job," asked the robot. 'He's letting me in on his past. His walls are slowly falling.'

"I learned a few of their experiments from, accidentally, skimming through their data contents. At first, I didn't believe it. But after peeking in on an experiment in session, I had to leave."

"What happened," inquired the white haired man.

"I vomited," said Itachi, in simplest terms.

Two pairs of eyes bulged and since it was not crimson, you could obviously tell whose eyes it was. Kakashi's mouth dropped and although he tried to say something, he couldn't sound a single word. Sasuke, thankfully, could, "Are you serious?"

"Yes, I'm serious," answered the slender man. His facial expression remained the same throughout his quiet confession. "I walked in on scientists surgically removing a stomach and then attaching the esophagus to the intestines. Then they injected some black substance into the main aortic valve. It swelled up and looked as though it was about to burst. I vomited, and then left. Thankfully, no one noticed my absence and they only assumed I didn't know how to repair the devices so I didn't have to go back there."

Sasuke and Kakashi's mouths were totally sunk to the bottom of their jaws. 'HOW CAN HE SAY ALL THIS WITH A STRAIGHT FACE?'

"It was a long time ago, I got over it," added Itachi, seeming to know what they were thinking of with their flabbergasted expressions. 'He's saying all of this without even having a bit of remorse for the test subjects. Normally people would be traumatized after encountering an incident like that; how can Itachi not be affected? Is he really all that uncaring and indifferent? No, Itachi's not that kind of person...' thought the robot.

Sasuke knew not to doubt his understandings and deductions of the seemingly apathetic man and he was right. Itachi was not that kind of person. And what the AIR heard next only stronger supported his opinions.

"But despite everything, the memories don't go away, no matter how much you want them to..." said a soft, seemingly sad voice. Itachi had added the last part more so to tell himself. He had hoped that the two other occupants couldn't hear him. And with the soft voice he had used, it would probably have been inaudible to the others, if it wasn't for the fact that one was a robot. Kakashi didn't hear it, but Sasuke did. He heard the last part, added with an air of sorrow, laced delicately a ribbon of sadness. And he couldn't help wanting to sit down next to the now silent man, to comfort him, to tell him that it was okay, that it was alright to let go, and that no matter what, he wasn't going to walk down the tormented, melancholic road alone.

Sasuke gave a small smile to Itachi after taking a seat next to him, hoping that it would comfort him. In a situation like this, perhaps the only thing that could be done was to smile and hope that everything would turn out okay. 'But I want to do more. I want to do so much more. But I also don't want to chase him away; I don't want him to go back into his shell. Taking things quickly isn't going to do any good. I want to find out his past and help him, but it's hurting him just to tell me something like this. He may have said it with a straight face, but it's obvious his heart doesn't feel the same. He's not made of stone; he has feelings, even if they're locked deep inside, away from outsiders prying hands.' "Forget about the dog thing and everything related to it. Kakashi's going to get rid of it right now, so don't think too much," comforted the AIR with a kind, gentle voice.

Kakashi heard the robot's comment and argued, "Hey, I'm not going to Konoha now. It's already too late. If you want it gone, you'll have to wait until tom..."

He never got to finish his sentence because Sasuke cut in with a menacing tone, "You will get rid of it today, right now, this very second. If not..." The AIR held his fist up and smacked it against the palm of his other hand. His face turned mean and vicious looking.

Again, Kakashi gulped and sweatdropped. 'I feel as though this is not the first time he's threatened me...' Another malicious look from the robot and Kakashi immediately sped out the door saying, "I'll get my car! Just don't hurt me!"

Smiling at his victory, Sasuke turned back to Itachi, face all soft and gentle. Itachi just kept on staring at the robot, watching his little escapade with Kakashi, taking in how the robot was hostile and demanding one minute and softhearted and sweet-tempered the next. Sasuke noticed the stare and asked, "Is there something wrong?"

Itachi was not one to dodge around subjects he really wanted answers to. He would be bold and bland without hesitation. This situation was no exception. "Do you get mood swings?"

"Huh," was all the robot could say.

"Nothing, never mind," said Itachi hurriedly, shaking his head. This was not the time to ask about mood swings, especially when Sasuke's swings would come out unexpectedly. Itachi didn't want to have to deal with a malicious robot at this moment. What he wanted was to close his eyes, relax, and forget about everything he had said today. Past memories brought back painful feelings he didn't want to deal with. 'I'll have to ask him one day. Got to remember that... Try to understand his mood swings.' Unbeknownst to him, it was very easy to understand Sasuke's mood swings. You just had to look at the person, not the place, time, or atmosphere of discussion. Perhaps Itachi didn't notice this little factor.

At about this time, Kakashi entered the room and stated, "I got my car. It's outside. Now can you at least help me get this thing into the back. I doubt I can lift it myself."

Itachi made a move to stand up but Sasuke grabbed his arm gently and said, "Let me do it. You stay here." The long haired man decided to listen to the robot this time so he leaned back into the couch, watching as Sasuke got up from his seat next to him. The AIR went to the dog and lifted it up, grabbing the front paws and using it to hoist the rest of the body up onto his shoulders. He left the room with Kakashi trailing behind.

The crimson eyed man sighed and then shifted his position on the couch, changing from sitting to lying, body taking up the whole of the couch. He laid on his back and rested his arm on his face so that it successfully covered his eyes. He was drained, not physically, but emotionally. The robot had again caused him to remember something bad about his past. Although this had nothing to do with him creating the façade and isolating himself from others, it was still pretty mind-traumatizing and scary to deal with and recall. 'Sometimes I find I don't want the robot here. Yes, he did save me, and for that I am grateful. But having to deal with all the constant reminders that he's unconsciously giving off, it's hard. I can feel myself changing back, back to when I was innocent and ignorant to all the darkness in my life. I'm retrogressing, but I don't want this. To know I might face the same things all over again, it scares me. Why must my life turn out like this?'

"Itachi?" A voice brought the said man back to his senses. Peeking from under his arm, Itachi's eyes landed on the robot's form hovering above him with a concerned face on no less. The AIR asked worriedly, "Are you sure you're okay?"

"I'm fine," answered Itachi, crushing any thoughts otherwise of the robot. He sat up before asking, "Is Kakashi gone?"

"Yeah. He kind of complained a little while we were outside. Had to have the body stuffed into a garbage bag no matter what. Probably didn't want others to see him dragging a dead corpse around the streets," replied Sasuke as he took a seat.

"You didn't have to make him. That body could have stayed here for another day," stated Itachi.

To this the robot retorted, "But getting rid of it sooner is better than later."

"I guess you're right." Recalling back to the previous night's attack, Itachi reiterated the AIR's earlier question to him, "Are you sure you're alright? The dog did hurt you badly. If you feel something weird or abnormal..."

"Are you worried about me?"

This question cut through to Itachi. He paused before answering, choosing his words carefully so it wouldn't give the notion that he was getting fond of the robot. That was impossible. 'I would never let myself get attached... right?' "You got hurt just because of me. I should take responsibility to..."

The robot cut him off again. "These wounds were not inflicted because of you, so you shouldn't feel guilty for me getting hurt. I decided that course of action last night. It was purely my choice. So if anyone should be blamed for these wounds, it'd be me." "And also the dog," he added.

"But I still can't help thinking that it was my fault. It wanted me, you just got drawn into the fight," said Itachi.

"Whether it wanted me or you, I would have still chosen to fight either way," the robot claimed. 'I would have still fought to protect you. Because frankly, you're the only thing worth fighting for. You're the only thing worth getting hurt for.'

Too bad Itachi was not a mind reader. Such a sweet thought was buried deep into the AIR's mind, without the said person who those thoughts mostly consisted of ever knowing of how the robot truly felt. Itachi looked up at the robot and met his eyes, looking deep into those obsidian with his own crimson in contrast. About a week ago, he had been scared to look into those eyes, in fear of all those emotions the robot held. Such strong emotions, he didn't know how to deal with them. It confused him as to what the robot was trying to convey; it surprised him; it scared him. But now, he could look into those eyes while keeping his composure. He was used to them, used to looking up into those eyes and seeing the vast expanse of vibrancy, so unlike his own dull blank orbs. And most of all, he was beginning to be able to distinguish those emotions held in those charcoal eyes. They appear during different times, materialize in inconsistent intervals, but Itachi was certain they did arise at some point during the robot's stay here.

Anger... Disturbance... Sadness... Sympathy... Rage... Protectiveness... Concern... Happiness... Joy... Satisfaction... Warmth... Most of all, Sensibility...

'But I believe I've forgotten something: there's another thing in his eyes. I see it continuously, repeatedly. Not a day goes by where it doesn't flash by his eyes at least once. Sometimes it's so exposed, yet at others it's completely hidden. I can't name what it is. I just can't place it. How could one robot hold so much emotion inside him? Robots were created as an exact imitation of humans, but... Is it possible? Could that emotion that I keep seeing be...'

Itachi left his thoughts there because something caught his eye and interest more. A small scratch on the robot's cornea. Unable to hold the question in, Itachi voiced outloud his thoughts, "Has that always been there?"

"What?" Sasuke saw how intently Itachi was looking at him and wondered just what the slender man was talking about.

"Wait here," Itachi ordered as he ran out of the room in a hurry. He came back holding a monocle like device. It certainly looked like a monocle with the circular frame of glass but it was thicker and the edges were lined with gears and small little levers as well as tiny turning knobs. "Open your eyes wider." The AIR obeyed. Itachi kneeled on the couch and, holding his body upright, brushed back Sasuke's hair from his eye and forehead. He held the small device up to his eye all the while turning the knobs and occasionally pulling a lever, adjusting the contrast and magnification. And soon enough, in the background of glassy black, a scratch was evident.

Sasuke asked, "What do you see?"

"A scratch on your cornea. It's shaped like a... 'D'..." Itachi trailed off there. He lowered the magnifier. There was nothing more to see, nothing more to confirm.

Sasuke watched Itachi lower his face and cast his eyes aside. Sensing the somber atmosphere, he questioned, "What is it?"

"The D-shaped scratch. From what I remember, it represents... one particular thing. Only assigned in a specific circumstance..." Itachi said no more, recalling what the mark symbolized in Konoha.

This worried Sasuke. He could tell Itachi was troubled over this scratch. "I don't know what you're talking about. Can you speak more clearly?"

Itachi shook his head. "Forget it. Let's just drop the subject."

"But..."

"Please..." said Itachi, more of begged than said. Sasuke noticed the tone and nodded his head in understanding. If Itachi didn't want to talk about it, he had no right to make him. 'But what is it that troubles him about a simple scratch? It's barely noticeable, and it doesn't affect me in any way. Sometimes I wish he would just... tell me... To know that he still doesn't trust me enough to open up... That I'm still walking this little distance from his side... With an invisible but tangible wall between us... Separating us so that I can't reach him...' Sasuke thought as he closed his eyes and balled up his fists.

This feeling of rejection... It hurts...

Again, Sasuke found himself staring at Itachi again. He was doing it regularly now, but that didn't bother him. It didn't unnerve or discomfort him to realize he was getting a bit too attached to this alluring creature next to him. When he had let the dog bite him just to protect Itachi from harm, he didn't have any second thoughts during the course of action. He didn't care about himself; his mind had been on only one person. His response had been automatic, an instinct, an impulse. Perhaps this impulse had been built into him when he was made. Perhaps Itachi added it in when he fixed him. Or perhaps it had developed slowly itself. AIRs had an ability to learn and absorb information. Habits aren't present when humans are born, they establish themselves through experience and maturation. It is feasible that robots could have inherited that trait from their creators.

Itachi noticed the robot's eyes fixed on him. And it slightly unnerved him. So, to counter the stare, he used one of his evasive moves. Bring up another topic and hope that all will be forgotten. "I... believe the wounds on your hands have closed up by now. It... would be best... to remove the stitches..." And with that the crimson eyed man got up and sped out of the room in a quick second.

Slowing his pace as soon as he was out of the AIR's sight, Itachi began to cogitate at what he was doing. 'He obviously knows I'm keeping something from him. I'm deliberately avoiding it, but I can't help it. How am I supposed to tell him... yet me refusing to tell him is just making things worse. I'm certain I saw a flash of hurt in his eyes. And it makes me feel... terrible. But why am I so affected by this? We're not THAT close. I mean, I saved him, he saved me. He needs a place to stay, I'm giving him that. Purely out of the kindness of my heart, and nothing else. Yes, we did... hug, but if it wasn't for that, then I would have died. And last night, when I was dressing his new wounds...' Itachi recalled that moment when he had his forehead pressed againstSasuke's back. Now looking back, this action greatly disturbed him. Why, because first of all, it didn't bother him in the least bit. Usually, he would stray away from close contact with another. Yet he had been the one to initial the motion. 'Perhaps the fact that I almost could have died added with the fact that Sasuke did get hurt to protect me caused me to let go of my defenses. I had felt really grateful, and perhaps much relaxed. And that was to thank him... so there's nothing else. There's nothing between us, there never was, and there never will be. And once he leaves...' Itachi narrowed his eyes at the thought. 'He's not going to leave... is he?' And that was the problem.

Returning back after getting the scissors and forceps, Itachi composed himself and sat back down next to the AIR. "Your hands," he asked as he extended his own out. The robot willingly stretched out one first and Itachi grabbed it gently. Turning the hand over and inspecting the bandages, he carefully cut the strips of cloth and unraveled them. As he worked, Itachi couldn't help noticing how small and dainty his hands were compared to the robot's strong, bigger hands. Eyeing the AIR's muscular frame, the long haired man thought to himself, 'He's probably strong enough to kill me with one blow, depending on where he hits. I wouldn't even be able to retaliate or fight back if he was to attack me. I doubt he would now, but... Later on, who knows. And considering the scratch, or seal, I should call it, perhaps all this will change once he does remember everything. That seal is only assigned in the most severe of cases.'

Itachi tried concentrating on his task instead of his slightly whimsical thoughts, but they were so hard to ignore. Jumping to conclusions was so easy; the hard part was to convince yourself that everything is just guessing after scaring yourself. 'There's something wrong with him. Now that I think about it, why hasn't anything about a missing robot come out yet? Why is his memories blocked? Is he hiding something? And what's going to happen once he remembers? Am I in danger? There's something about him that isn't right?'

"Sasuke..." Itachi suddenly says.

"Huh?" the robot replies, surprised by the sudden outburst. "What is it?"

"Answer this question: do you wish to go home?" Before the AIR has a chance to reply, Itachi continues, "Don't you want to regain your memories and go back to where you truly belong?"

"I do, but I'm not to the point where I'm desperately wanting it..."

"Why?" asked Itachi shortly after Sasuke gave his answer.

"I'd be nice to know and to find out who I truly am, but to be honest, I..." Sasuke paused, wondering if he should admit that he was happy being with Itachi and that he kind of didn't want to leave him. 'Maybe I shouldn't say it...' "I..."

"Yes?"

'Oh shit! Quick, think of something fast.' "I... want to repay you for saving me," Sasuke responded. 'Well, that's not technically a lie since I do want to return his kindness.'

"You already did, when you saved me from the dog," declared Itachi as he narrowed his eyes. "Now what explanation do you have to give me?"

"Well, I might feel as though it's not enough to fully repay you," the AIR replied lightly. Inside though, he could feel nervousness run down his entire body.

"There's another reason, isn't there?" Itachi carefully snipped away the strands of suture woven into the biological flesh. "Why you won't leave?" His eyes held suspicion in them. 'There's something wrong with him. That seal is evidence that I'm right...'

'He knows?' "No... of course not. Why would there be?" 'But there is... I want to stay, because not only do I want to thank you, I want... to be with you. You're the only one who can make me feel this... sensation. You calmed me when I was scared; you helped me when I needed it the most. You gave me a home, continued to care for me, and... made me happy. Even if I was to remember everything, I wouldn't forget you. I can't simply walk away just because I have another life somewhere else... I can't let go... I don't think I'd be able to let go... I promised to make you smile, and even if that promise is fulfilled, I'm not going to be satisfied enough to leave. I don't want to stay here only just to keep promises and repay kindness. I... want to stay because of you... I know you're not my creator and I know I don't belong here... But was it simply an accident that I would crash into your yard and meet someone as wonderful as you? I fell, only for an angel to take my hand and lead me back up to the light.'

'Can't you see, Itachi, how important you are to me?'

Itachi couldn't see it. He couldn't see how the robot truly felt. In fact, the only thing he wanted the most was for Sasuke to leave and get out of his life. His thoughts about the AIR were completely different. 'He's changing everything I worked so hard to build up: my isolation, my façade, my invisible barriers, and my past I had worked so hard to seal up. Each day, he's causing me to reveal something about myself. I try to keep it in, but it just seeps out without my control. I'm starting to get attached to him; I'm starting to grow fond of him. How could I not notice it: I'm slipping. My whole world is breaking down... I don't want that... I don't want to take the chance... I don't want to get hurt again. I hate what he's doing.'

'I want you to leave. I want you to get out of my life. And most of all, I want to forget all about you, Sasuke.'

It's so sad! Sasuke cares so much for him yet Itachi doesn't want him there. It's so heartbreaking. Anyways, I bet you all are wondering about the scratch. Well, it will all be explained in the next chapter so you're all going to have to wait. Yes, next chapter will explain about why Itachi's so paranoid and doubtful now.

July 23rd, yeah! Happy Birthday Sasuke! I'm sorry I got a dog to maul you in the story! Everything will get better, everything always does.

Review please. And thanks for all the reviews so far. They are so wonderful.