Insomnia for the win. Thanks bipolar. Just some more character building here. Hope you enjoy.

Empty

Weaving in and out with his hands hanging at his sides, Sasuke dodged Naruto's succession of punches. However, the blonde was closing in, reducing the space between them. Waiting for his prime moment, he saw an opening. With one swift kick to the stomach, he sent Naruto tumbling.

Stepping in, Aster waved her arms in an 'x'. "That's match!" She helped Naruto to his feet. "Great job, both of you. Naruto, you need to be more careful about your guard. And Sasuke," she turned to the Uchiha boy, "you didn't even try to guard. You just relied on our speed. That won't work against every opponent. You should have taken the match more seriously."

Sasuke nodded, smirking at the other boy as though he hadn't been scolded. "Yes, senpai."

"That's it today then," she put her hands on hips. "You can all go."

The class dispersed in record speed. Only Sasuke remained at the entrance, looking up and down the street.

Aster frowned. "Is your brother late again?" She asked.

Face breaking into the largest grin she'd seen, Sasuke yelled back. "No! I see him coming!"

Together, they entered the street as Itachi reached the school. He waved and Aster waved back. Dashing to Itachi, Sasuke leapt into his arms. Itachi caught him and hoisted him onto his shoulders.

"Bye!" she waved again and started to turn her back.

The boys exchanged looks. 'Hey, senpai!" Sasuke shouted and she stopped. "Wanna hang out with us for a bit?"

Her heart skipped a beat. Her days were long and lonely with no friends or family. Now a ray of hope showed through. She wondered if she could bring herself to accompany them. "Um…" She teetered, not sure what to say. "Maybe next time. I'm busy tonight."

"With what?" Itachi shot back sauntering over. "Too busy for some snacks and a walk?"

She glared at his forwardness. "Y-yes, I am." She stuttered. "I have to get home."

"Can't you come hang out with us?" Sasuke pleaded. "You can bring your brother."

Itachi raised an eyebrow.

Aster turned white. "I … I can't." Composing herself, she continued. "Some other time, I promise."

"Okay then," Itachi conceded as Sasuke groaned. "If you change your mind tonight, just let us know. You've done me a huge favor by helping with Sasuke. I'd like to treat you."

But her back was turned and her form already receding. If she heard his invitation, she gave no heed to it. Itachi watched her as an unconcerned Sasuke jabbered in his ear about Naruto. Why is she so reluctant?

"Are you even listening?" Sasuke folded his arms on top of Itachi's head.

He reached up and pinched the boy's cheek. "Of course I am."

Aster's eyes went wide and she hesitated before holding out her hands. Smiling across the table, Iruka opened a drawer and pulled out a bundle of fresh white envelopes, tied with a beige string. He grasped the bow on top and set it in her open palms. Her lip trembled and she closed her fingers around the pile of report cards.

"I trust you not to peek," he winked at her. "There are addresses on each envelope. I ordered them for you so you won't be back tracking. Just go down the stack."

Nodding, Aster swallowed hard. "Yes, sensei."

Holding the kunai with an expertise beyond his years, Itachi twirled it in his palm just to see Sasuke's face light up. His brother grinned and picked up his own blade from the porch. Mimicking Itachi's movements, he clumsily turned the weapon with his fingers. Suddenly it slipped. Panic filled Itachi's eyes as the blade fell. Sasuke was quick enough to move his foot and the point stuck in the dirt with an audible thud.

"Ouch," Sasuke held his hand as blood dribbled over his wrist. "It cut me."

Relieved, Itachi sighed. "Yeah, it's sharp. You should be more careful."

The younger boy glared at him.

"Let me wrap that for you." His older brother pulled a small roll of gauze from the pack on his hip. "Here, sit with me." He patted the spot on the wooden back porch next to him.

Both boys were quiet, Sasuke watching with rapt attention as he worked on the shallow wound. A gentle breeze rustled the trees and brushed their cheeks. Dappled sunlight lined the grass-covered yard. There was the soft chirp of birds and one flew high over head, circling.

"Nii-san…" Sasuke pulled back when Itachi finished. "Thank you."

Beaming, he replied softly, "Of course. Anything you need otouto."

Stopping for a moment, Aster caught her breath. It was a long flight of stairs for her first delivery. Naruto's apartment was the one at the very top of the building. Gently adjusting the envelope with her thumb, she knocked on the door with her free hand. There was rustling and then a crash and more scuffling noise before the door opened.

Naruto appeared, face puffy from sleep, in wrinkled pajamas. "What do you want so early?"

She bit her cheek at his rude address. "It's noon…" she tried to hand him the letter. "I'm delivering your report card."

His eyes lit up with distaste. Stepping back, he slammed the door. Startled, Aster jumped. Indecisive as to knock again or walk away, she settled on sliding the delivery under the door. Standing back up and turning away, she paused when she heard the sound of tearing paper. Looking over her shoulder, she saw the envelope slid back, but now in two jagged pieces.

Warm sunlight sat in a puddle on HInata's desk and a breeze lifted her curtains. She sighed and closed the book on her finger to hold her place. Looking out the window, she couldn't see a cloud in sight and the quiet chortle of birds beckoned her. Decided, she stood and hugged the book to her chest, still marking her place. Her bare feet made almost no sound as she scampered down the stairs.

The back door was slid all the way open and waiting. Hinata stepped out and breathed in the smell of the grass. Settling with her legs dangling from the porch, she sat beside the steps. Finally relaxed, she reopened the book and followed her finger over the page.

Crunching of the fresh grass reached her only moments later. Expecting Neji, she glanced up. Instead a small form and fiery red hair met her. She looked again.

"Senpai?" She gasped softly and jumped to her feet. Glancing at the page number, she set it aside and dashed up tp Aster. Only then did she notice the stack of envelopes in the older girl's hands. "Report cards?"

Smiling slightly, she nodded and handed Hinata hers. "I'm sure yours is stellar."

Blushing, she smiled back, and then turned quickly and dashed inside. Muffled by distance, Aster heard Hinata call for her mother. The smile stayed, but a heavy sadness rested in her shoulders. She knew other children often grew up like this, but she had never had anything but vicarious bites of this life. Shrugging off her sorrows, she left unnoticed to give them privacy.

The next house was perched atop a flower shop. It was brightly colored and a floral display emerged from the door as though it had grown to break free. Taking a deep breath, Aster marched forward and rapped on the door frame. A lanky woman in a green dress with brunette hair held up in a red tie, stepped around the counter.

"Oh," the woman smiled. "Are you looking for your mother?"

Startled, Aster froze. "Um," she held the report cards against her stomach. Suddenly it dawned on her the woman had assumed her to be the child of one of the women meandering inside. "Well, no actually. I'm here to deliver something."

Her voice was warm and gentle. "To who?"

Straightening up, Aster grabbed the envelope on top and glanced at the name. "It's school correspondence. For … Yamanaka, Ino?"

The woman tilted her head. "You're in the right place then. Ino is my little girl."

"Oh, that's great." Aster handed over the report card.

"Thank you." Mrs. Yamanaka smiled again. "You have a nice day. And be safe."

FInally returning the smile, Aster stepped back from the door. "Have a nice day. Thank you- I will."

A two-story brown house greeted Aster at the end of the next path. All the windows were open and white-laced curtains fluttered in the frames. A dirt pathway led to wooden steps. The house looked a lot like the one Aster lived in, but the touch of despair didn't cling to the air. Instead, a muted joy was exuded; her knuckles tingled with it as she knocked.

Footsteps tapped in an even time and the door opened. A blonde woman with a pastel green shirt to match her eyes stood. The woman looked confused, but not unkind.

"Can I help you?" The woman frowned slightly.

Swallowing her embarrassment for interrupting their day, Aster shook her head. "I'm here with a delivery."

Running feet thudded again the wood inside and pink-hair girl came skidding around the corner. "Aster- senpai?" Sakura came to a sudden halt and grasped her mother's skirt. "Report cards?!" Her eyes went wide.

A little more at ease seeing the student, Aster grinned. "Yes. And I have yours here."

Mrs. Haruno patted Sakura's back and urged her forward. Nervously, she snatched the mail. "Thanks!"

Nodding, she waved as Sakura disappeared inside.

"Yes, thank you." Mrs. Yamanaka flashed another smile as she shut the door.

Unable to reply, Aster struggled with the breath they seemed to have stolen when the door closed. All these happy families… Is Iruka trying to test me, or is he trying to get me to give up again? Looking down she saw she had gripped the remaining report cards so tightly that her fingernails had left crescents in the paper.

Walking back down the path of the Nara residence, she could hear Shikamaru's father call for him, clearly displeased. Unpleasantly, her own father's yells echoed in her head. Biting her lip, she paused to clear her head. The two sounds were almost nothing alike. Her father's voice used to tremble with a cowardly rage that fell into deep disappointment. Despite the anger, Shikaku's yell was tender at the edges with love.

Steeling herself for the thousandth time that day, she realized there was now only one envelope in her hand. Iruka's scrawl was clumsy, but clearly legible. Uchiha Sasuke. She pictured his eager face and then his brother's smile flashed on the back her eyelids. I hope Itachi isn't there. Her heart fluttered like the Haruno's curtains.

By the time she reached the Uchiha compound, the sun was beginning to fall from peak noon. Aster walked slowly, sticking to the shade as much as possible. Thankfully, a cool breeze had kept her comfortable all day. Stopping at the gates, her stomach dropped. Something about being there felt like the end. It's the end of your route, stupid. She glared at her feet. Balancing the precipice between her past and future, Aster took a wide step forward and entered.

No one looked twice at her as she made her way to the back of the compound. There was bustle matching the town center. I didn't know there were this many Uchiha… A sea of faces swam by her and she kept walking, determined. Finally, a large house on a hill overlooking a small lake was visible. Passing a small dock, she began to ascend.

Their meal was quiet, aside from the trickle of noise from the surrounding bustle of life outside the house. Mikoto glanced at her husband through her long, dark lashes. He didn't meet her gaze, wear lining his face.

Oblivious to the tension between their parents, Sasuke scarfed his food. Abruptly pausing, he set the bowl down and grinned at Itachi with full cheeks before swallowing. Itachi tried and failed to keep a smile to himself.

Without looking up, Fugaku frowned. "Cut it out. Eat so you can back to your studies, Sasuke. Itachi, don't encourage him."

Hanging his head, Itachi continued to eat. Now sullen, Sasuke also continued to eat, but with less vigor.

Mikoto sighed. "I heard it's report card season." She waited for reactions.

Itachi looked up dutifully, but he had only eyes for Sasuke.

Pausing, Fugaku set down his bowl. "I hope to see some improvement this term."

Sasuke looked at his lap. "I've been training every day."

"Yes, I know." He answered. "Mostly with Itachi as I see it. You are old enough to understand he's quite busy and you're distracting him when he should be honing his own skills."

Disappointment weighed on his slim shoulders. Itachi frowned. "You know I'll always make time for you, Sasuke."

His father crossed his arms. "Your time can be better spent. Doesn't the academy have tutors?"

Sasuke's face turned an angry red with embarrassment. "I'm doing well. I don't need a tutor."

"Top of your class, last I heard." Fugaku looked at his young son as Sasuke gave him a wary smile. "But still in class nonetheless. You need to work harder and put the academy behind you. Itachi had graduated by your age."

Almost ready to cry, Sasuke looked down again, his long dark bangs hiding his wet eyes. Itachi clenched a fist under the table. Rage heightened his senses as he tried to stay composed. Suddenly, the sound of steps on the porch reached him. The rest of the family noticed it too.

"I'll get it," Itachi stood quickly.

There was soft knock, and Sasuke looked up. Without asking permission, he jumped up and followed his older brother. Hiding behind Itachi's waist, Sasuke peered out as the door opened. Aster greeted them with a wide smile.

"Special delivery." She winked at Sasuke and carefully avoided looking at Itachi.

Itachi's hand quivered and his fingertips were numb. "Report cards?" He asked already knowing the answer.

Aster met his eyes and an unbidden blush crawled down from her ears. "Yes, it is."

Snagging the envelope from Aster, Sasuke dashed back inside, leaving them to each other. Itachi looked over his shoulder, worrying tugging the corners of his eyes. Aster couldn't help herself and leaned in, curious about the ever mysterious Uchiha. It surprised her that they would have lunch like a normal family.

Finally, she looked back Itachi. He frowned at her and then stepped out to join her in the shade, closing the door behind himself. "Something wrong… Yuki-san?" The formalities that normally rolled from his lips felt wrong on his tongue,

Taken aback, she gasped. "Please… just use my name. Aster."

"You look upset," he pressed.

Her breath caught and at first she couldn't speak. "N-no," she stuttered, unsteady under his scrutiny. "I'm just tired."

"You took too long to answer." He gave her a wiry look of concern. "You're lying."

His easy manner with her made her more nervous. "No!" She shot back. "Why would I lie about that anyway?"

He sighed and debated taking her hand until he noticed her trembling. "Look, I'm not blind or stupid. You never talk about yourself, and that night…" He paused, letting her remember when he had taken her home. "You just disappeared into the forest. What are you hiding so desperately?"

She felt her stomach twist as she wondered if he was just too perceptive or she was that easy to read. "I… I'm not hiding anything."

Sympathy settled over him. "There you go lying again. Just…" He reopened the door. "If you're hurting, I'd like to repay you."

Aster blushed harder. "Repay me?" She couldn't help but think maybe he was hinting at feelings he wouldn't speak. "For what?"

"For taking Sasuke under your wing. He may not look or act like it, but he needs it. Besides," he added, "I don't like being in debt." Her face visibly fell. "What's the matter?"

Now she hurriedly pasted on a smile. "It's nothing, don't even think twice about it."

Itachi gave her an irritated scowl. "Don't be afraid to speak up; it's plain to see something is troubling you." Gently, he brushed some hair from her cheek. "But it's okay… You don't have to share until you're ready."

Her chest became tight with a feeling she couldn't remember. Words stuck in her throat, none of them the combination she was looking for. Her face flushed as he pulled back, suddenly aware of what he was doing. Turning away, he went in and shut the door behind him as she scrambled for her senses. The fading afternoon cloaked her and she pressed her fist against the beating of her heart.

I could never share this with you. You and your life are too perfect. I can't bear to bring the storm clouds.

Moving slowly, she picked up her pace as she descended to leave. Interia pushed her forward faster and faster until she reached the bottom and broke into a sprint. Weaving through the thinning crowds, she was a blur, hurtling towards an empty house.

"Every Time You Leave" by I Prevail (Feat. Delaney Jane)

PlEaSe R&R