"Monsters are real, ghosts are real too. They live inside us and sometimes, they win."
Itachi: Age 10
Sasuke: Age 5
"Otouto?"
No response.
Itachi took a few steps forward, towards the boy laying on the grass. "Sasuke?" Looking at the child curiously.
His brother's chest rose and fell but he didn't say a word.
Itachi smiled fondly, making his way over to the five year old and laid down next to him. He gazed at the dark, nighttime sky above, watching the black clouds slowly go by them, closing his eyes, he took in the calmness of their backyard.
A light breeze blew through the area, brushing his face and making him inhale with contentment.
I wish I never had to leave this peacefulness.
"Nii-san?"
Itachi felt a chubby hand hold his own.
"Hmm?" The older Shinobi hummed out, black eyes still closed.
Silence.
The chubby hand gave his own hand a squeeze.
Itachi squeezed back. He then felt a pressure on his chest, making him open his eyes and gaze down at his otouto.
Sasuke's head was no longer resting on the grass now it was resting on his nii-san's chest. The boy nuzzled the side of his face against his big brother, as he gripped the front of the older Shinobi's shirt with his hand.
Itachi's arm went around his otouto immediately, pulling Sasuke closer to him.
"I wish you didn't have to go." The voice was a whisper, a silent plea for things not to change. Itachi tightened his arm around Sasuke.
"I know." He stated a frown appearing on his face. Itachi would be going away with his father on a weeks journey, to 'Learn more about being a Shinobi.' as Fugaku informed him. "But I don't have a choice, otouto." A week would be the longest the two of them will have ever been apart.
His little brother's body began shaking, sensing his otouto's sadness the older raven-haired boy wrapped his other arm around Sasuke reassuringly. "I'll be back before you know it, Sasuke."
Sasuke sniffed noisily. "Aniki-"
"-Itachi!"
The two boys jumped at the sudden gruff, demanding voice calling for the older Uchiha. They both looked upwards and saw their father, Fugaku Uchiha standing by the backyard entrance.
Fugaku crossed his arms over his chest. "It's late. Go to bed now. We have a long journey tomorrow."
Itachi sighed, giving Sasuke one last squeeze before letting him go and standing up. Sasuke, who had adjusted himself to where he was on his knees in the grass, gazed at his nii-san intently.
Laying his hand on Sasuke's head, he ruffled it and smiled. "It'll be alright, otouto."
And with that, he followed their father into the house.
...
He felt a hand grasp the back of his head, pulling him forward just a tad. He felt something lean against his forehead.
"Sasuke." The voice echoed around him, holding warmth and love. Sasuke smiled, he knew that voice.
"Itachi!" He said, cheerfully. Opening his eyes he saw his aniki's kind face staring at him, a loving smile a crossed his features. Raising his arms up, he gripped his older brothers sleeves and leaned in further.
"My otouto."
Sasuke grinned, blushing with embarrassment at his big brother's words as he looked down at his shoes. "Nii-san.."
"You don't ever have to forgive me."
Huh?
He lightly felt his brother's hand brushed away strains of his black hair then felt a gentle peck on his forehead.
"I will love you always, Sasuke."
He was about to ask Itachi what he was talking about when suddenly his aniki's presence disappeared from in front of him. Sasuke jerk his head upward and saw that the older Uchiha was slowly fading up and away.
"Nii-san!" He yelled out to the most precious person in his life. "Come back!"
The younger boy took several steps forward, reaching out a hand he tried to grasp his brother's own transparent one. Getting the thought in his head that if he did just that then he could stop Itachi from going away.
"What are you talking about, nii-san? Why are you saying such things, big brother!? I don't understand!" He cried out tears falling freely down his face as he could do nothing but watch.
"Why are you leaving me!? Please! Please, aniki! Don't go! Don't leave me all alone!"
Itachi reached his hand out to Sasuke and only smiled down at him when their hands passed through each other's. The expression, the smile held sadness but it also held a touch of relief.
"Thank you, Sasuke." The elder stated as he continued to fade. "Being able to live as your big brother, being able to be loved and adored by you made me so happy."
"Aniki!" The child bellowed. His nii-san just shook his head. "Goodbye, otouto."
Heart constricting at those two words, he leaped forward to try and embrace the other Uchiha. But ended up falling flat on his hands and knees to the ground as Itachi, his older brother, his best friend, his whole world vanished in a glowing ray of light.
He just stayed there on his hands and knees, he didn't move, didn't get up from where he was on the ground, like a statue he just remained there.
Itachi was...gone. He was no longer here, no longer with his little Sasuke, the two were no longer together as brothers. Sasuke's lip began trembling uncontrollably. "No!" He sobbed. "No! No! No!"
Why? Why did this have to happen!? Why did he leave! Itachi said he'd never leave me! "Nii-san! Aniki! Please, come back!" Falling to the ground, forehead resting on the dirt he curled into himself. His tears dripped from his black orbs as he continued to sob.
"I need you, aniki!"
Come back! Come back! Nii-san!
"ANIKI!"
Sasuke jerked awake, letting out a choking gasp as he jolted upright. Shaky pants and gasps left his lips as sweat fell down his neck and back. The nightmare he had just experienced was still fresh in his mind, making his entire body shake.
He wildly looked around his bedroom, it was morning. Eyes widening in realization, it was the day that Itachi was ordered to go on his week's journey with their father.
Shooting up like a top he bolted out of his room and down the hallway. He needed his aniki. Sasuke had the overwhelming sensation to get to his big brother, find him and beg him not to go, to stay with him. Not caring in the least what his father will think of him and his actions.
Sasuke just wanted his brother, he wanted him to stay and not disappear like he did in his nightmare.
Making his way to his elder's brothers room he jerked the door open.
"Itachi!" He said loudly. Expecting to see him there, still asleep in his bed.
When he wasn't, the younger Uchiha let out a horrified breathe. They already left. "No!" He ran down the hall and out the front door not bothering to put his shoes on or answer his mothers concerned questions on where he was going.
The five year old just kept going, he ran passed the many houses and shops that were located in his Village, he ran out of the huge entrance leading inside the Uchiha Clan. He didn't stop, he couldn't. Not until he found his brother!
Then a mile away he spotted them. A mile away he saw his father and big brother walking toward where ever their destination was. Tears sprung in his eyes, there he was. Itachi was there. He was right there only a mile away from him. He hasn't faded away!
"Nii-san!" The boy called out. Nearly jumping with joy when he saw the form of his brother turn around.
"Otouto?" Itachi called back, confusion was crystal clear in his voice.
Biting his lower lip, Sasuke sprinted forward. "Nii-san! Itachi! Aniki!" He cried out, but the more he grew closer to his big brother the more his cries became less joyful and more painful sobs of desperation and petrifying fear.
Through his sobs and blurry vision he was able to make out Itachi running towards him, his face filled with deep concern.
"Sasuke!" The ten year old called out. Seeing his dear aniki making his way to him and not disappearing in a glowing white light, it made Sasuke fall the rest of the way into the elder boys waiting arms.
He gripped the back of Itachi's shirt with his hands, refusing to let go any time soon, he never wanted to release his hold ever again. Burying his face into the older Shinobi's chest, he let the dam break, like he did in his nightmare. "Aniki! Aniki!"
Itachi's arms went around the boy's back, pressing him closer to his chest. "Sasuke! What is it? What's wrong, otouto?"
His little brother just shook his head and continued to bawl, he felt Sasuke's legs gave way, the ten year old eased their way to the ground beneath them. Itachi would be lying to himself if he said he wasn't completely and utterly concerned for his precious boy in his arms.
"Itachi! We have to go."
At the sound of their father's words, Sasuke let out a choked wail, that was muffled against Itachi's shirt and tightened his hold. "No! Nii-san! No!"
"Sasuke! Let go of Itachi and go back home!" Fugaku demanded crossing his arms over his chest.
"Father.." Is this trip really more important then your clearly distressed son? Itachi looked at Fugaku Uchiha, then at his otouto. Closing his eyes for a brief moment, he made up his mind on what he was going to do.
Placing his hands underneath Sasuke's shoulders, he lifted himself off the ground along with his brother. The five year old immediately wrapped his arms and legs around his big brother's neck and waist, Itachi's own arms went around his little brother, giving his distraught boy a soothing hug.
He then, started walking back towards the Village.
"Itachi!"
He ignored their father.
"Itachi, get back here! That's an order!" Sasuke flinched, fearfully. Letting out another sob, he buried his face in his nii-san's neck. Itachi gently rubbed circles on his back.
"Fine! Go! I'll be back in a week and when I am you and I will be talking about you disobeying your father!"
The boy's body started to shake, Itachi placed a soft kiss on the side of his little brother's temple. "Shhh." He whispered comfortingly. Turning left he made his way toward the clearing where they would play together. He quickly found their tree, he gently sat himself down.
Itachi waited a few moments. "Little brother? What's wrong?"
"-You'll...only laugh at me, it's silly anyways."
"I wouldn't ever laugh at you or something that's obviously causing you this much pain, otouto." He whispered honestly as he waited patiently.
Sasuke hesitated. "I had a...night terror. It was- About you, Itachi! You were saying all these things about me not having to forgive you, and you being m-my brother made y-you happy and I tried t-to bring you back b-but you just d-disappeared, you left me all alone, w-without you, Nii-san! Please don't ever leave me, aniki!" Sasuke began sobbing uncontrollably, no longer able to form clear sentences anymore.
Itachi listened as best as he could to his little brother before he couldn't take it anymore, tightening his arms around the child. He couldn't stand seeing his dear otouto this way, it broke his heart.
He ran a hand through his brother's hair. "Shhh, otouto. It's alright, I'm here, I'm right here beside you. I'm not going anywhere, Sasuke. I'll always be here with you. The two of us will forever be beside one another. I give you my word."
Sasuke looked up at the older Uchiha, his black eyes pleading, begging for him to stay, to be somewhere his little brother could always follow. The five year old snuggled his face up against Itachi's cheek.
"Ita-nii?"
"Hmm?"
"Could... Could you sing?" Sasuke asked as a yawn made it's way out of his mouth.
Itachi chuckled. "Of course."
Leaves from the vine
Falling so slow, like fragile tiny shells
Drifting in the foam
Little solider boy come marching home
Brave solider boy
Comes marching home
At long last his brother had a smile on his face as he listened to Itachi's singing.
Those leaves did grow
From branches over grown
Drifting slowly down, resting on the loam.
Sasuke's eyes drooped shut. "I love you, Nii-san." His words were slightly slurred as he fell asleep. Itachi smiled lovingly. Even though his little brother's nightmare caused him to be so distraught, there was one thing it was right about.
Being Sasuke's older brother, seeing how much Sasuke cared for him, seeing how strong their bond was every day, did make him happy.
"I love you too, my sweet, innocent brother. Thank you so much Sasuke."
Leaves from the vine
Falling so slow, like fragile tiny shells
Drifting in the foam
Little solider boy come marching home
Brave solider boy
.
.
.
Comes marching home.
AN: Yaaaay! Got it done, finally! I hope you guys enjoyed it!
Yeah, the song in this Drabble is from Avatar The Last Airbender. I had it stuck in my head, so I wrote it in this. So the song is not mine, sadly.
So a penny for your guy's thoughts? Please leave it in a review and I'll see you all soon.