The Confession

Itachi was leaning on his car with his arms crossed over his chest. The watch on his wrist indicated it was a few minutes over five in the evening. The dark haired teen was standing in front of Konoha Academy, waiting for his younger brother to end his detention class. He stood there for a few more minutes when he finally saw someone getting close to the main gate of the school. Itachi immediately recognized it was none other than Sasuke.

The nineteen-year-old was about to lift up his hand to let Sasuke know that he came to pick him up, but he stopped in mid-air when he noticed his brother was walking next to a silver haired man. His eyes met with the man, but the stare didn't last longer than two seconds, since the man who was with his brother turned around rather quickly and walked back into the campus.

As soon as Kakashi turned around, Sasuke turned to Itachi's direction and jogged towards him, only stopping to look both ways before crossing the street. "What are you doing here?" the younger brother asked as soon as he stood in front of the older Uchiha.

"What does it look like, little brother? I came to pick you up." Itachi said as he reached for the younger teen's bag. Sasuke let his brother took his bag off his shoulders. But he was a little surprised that Itachi came to pick him up that day since Itachi would usually be with his college fraternity friends on Fridays. "Get in." Itachi said with a smile as he opened the back door to put the bag and then he hopped onto the driver's seat.

Itachi was about to start the engine but he stopped abruptly as if he suddenly remembered something. From the passenger's seat, Sasuke noticed that his brother was not acting like himself. "What's wrong?" Sasuke asked with a frown.

"Who's that?" Itachi asked with a suspicious voice that matched his face, his hand on the car keys.

The tone was didn't go unnoticed by Sasuke and with his frown in its place, he asked, "Who?" Sasuke's eyes followed Itachi's and saw that the man behind the wheel was Kakashi.

The long haired teen observed the reaction of the boy next to him from the corner of his eye. It was not hard for him to know that Sasuke got nervous, even though the younger boy could disguise it well. But Itachi knew him better than anyone else. "That's…" Sasuke started, trying and failing to buckle his seat-belt, "one of my teachers." He finished without giving too much detail and pretended that the question wasn't important.

Kakashi drove next to them and waved at them with his normal laid back attitude as he went by. Looking at the reflection of the black car on rear-view mirror with narrowed eyes, Itachi spoke once more, "I've seen him before."

"Well, you drive me to school on a daily basis and in case you haven't realized, when I told you he's my teacher, it means that he works here." Sasuke rolled his eyes and replied with a fake mocking tone, while praying fervently that he sounded convincing enough for Itachi to drop the subject.

The prayer must have got lost somewhere, since Itachi shook his head, saying that was the first time he saw that man at school and he would remember if he had seen him at school before. He insisted that he must've seen that man from somewhere else. "No matter, it will come to me eventually." he finally added before driving off. Sasuke just shrugged to keep up with the facade that the subject was not of his concern.

"Where are we going?" Sasuke asked when Itachi made a turn in the opposite direction of their house.

"Well, I thought you may be a little hungry. So, I'm going to treat you a burger. Or tacos if you want." The older brother said, smiling.

Sasuke raised an eyebrow suspiciously at the other teen. Something was wrong. First of all, his brother came to pick him up on the day that he would usually spendwith his college friends. Secondly, he was going to give him a treat at a fast food restaurant? Itachi hadn't stepped a foot into one of those restaurants since he was sixteen, thanks to a documentary that showed how fast food restaurants prepared their food and he was always trying to convince Sasuke to stop eating that junk. "Why?" He asked with narrowed eyes.

"What do you mean 'why'? It's been awhile since we last hang out. You don't want to spend some quality time with your Nii-san?" Itachi said while he stopped at ared light, and took the opportunity to give his little brother a fake pout. Sasuke rolled his eyes in response.

"Fine," Sasuke agreed, still wary that there was something else that his brother was not revealing, "but I'm not really hungry, let's just grab some coffee. I want regular coffee, with caffeine."

"Sure." Itachi said with a smile as he made a U turn to go to the coffee shop they just passed by.

"What the hell is going on, Itachi?! And don't tell me 'nothing' because you know damn well that I am not allowed to have regular coffee in the evening. You also know that mom and dad would know because the caffeine makes my pupils dilated." Sasuke yelled.

"I'm buying time for dad to calm down." Itachi said while eyeing the confused teen next to him that didn't seem to get the hint. "Besides, I wanted you to have a last outing before you get grounded for life." Itachi finally said as he parked his car in a parking space just in front of the coffee shop.

It took a second for Sasuke to understand what was going on. Then his eyes went wide open and he felt something heavy sinking in his stomach. The electric feeling didn't take long to travel up the younger Uchiha's spine. "YOU TOLD HIM?!" Sasuke screamed so loud that Itachi flinched. "WHAT THE FUCK, ITACHI? Why did you tell him?"

"Them, mom was there too." he corrected his younger brother calmly while he stepped out of the car. Before he shut the door, he added, "And don't count on her to save your ass, she's pretty upset too." Leaving a fuming Sasuke inside the vehicle.

After five minutes, Itachi was back with a small cup of hot coffee with cream and no sugar for Sasuke, and a medium size iced Mocha Latte with sugar and whipped cream on top for himself. As soon as he opened the door, his younger brother started to demand his answer for his previous question. But Itachi just ignored the angry teen as he drove with no specific destination around a few blocks, until the teen stopped yelling and cursing at him.

"Why did you tell them?" Sasuke asked once more while sipping at his coffee. This time he used his normal tone, knowing that Itachi wouldn't acknowledge him when he believed that he was acting like a spoiled five-year-old brat. But he still showed that he was angry.

"If we didn't tell them and they found out, things would have been worse than it already is. Besides, this isn't something trivial that I can cover you, like I did when you and Naruto-kun watched that PG13 movie when you were eleven, Sasuke."

"They won't find out." Sasuke retorted with gritted teeth.

"And what makes you believe that?" Itachi taunted as he licked some cream from his beverage.

Looking through the window, Sasuke said stubbornly, "I just know." Itachi then made a joke about the school being involved in some sort of plot to prevent their parents from finding out about the fight, which made Sasuke smirked and sarcastically replied, "What can I say? They did succeed in not involving them in the meeting."

"Well, maybe your school won't say a thing, but they will find out eventually. Or do you think our parents aren't going to notice the huge bruise on your eye, or the broken lip. Or you thought that they would believe that the red stains on your shirt are ketchup?"

Sasuke knew that Itachi was right, he had already figured out an excuse. He was going to tell his parents that at the end of school, he and his friends were hanging out when a group of teens started a fight and he just defended himself and his friends. The older brother chuckled at the ridiculous lie, and simply said that he preferred to be safe than sorry.

"What difference will it make? I'm going to get my ass whipped when we get home anyway?" Sasuke huffed.

"Well, you will, not me. If I hid this, there would be two sore asses." Itachi said with a tint of guilt. Of course Sasuke didn't care to notice that, since he was fuming in anger once again, and the said teen was not shy to let his brother know how he felt.

"I can't believe that you threw me to the lion's pit to save yourself!" Sasuke accused the other teen, feeling betrayed.

Itachi knew how his brother felt, and that didn't make him feel any good about it. In any other circumstances, Itachi would have done the opposite of what he haddone that day. As a matter of fact, he got into troubles while covering up Sasuke's mischief before. However, he couldn't bring himself to do so that day. And it still pained him. He hoped that his little brother could understand him when he told him why. "I finally convinced father to let me travel to Kiri with the rest of Akatsuki for this year's winter break." He said with an apologetic smile. "I'm sorry."

Sasuke's anger was subdued somewhat. Itachi had been longing to do this trip with his college fraternity for about two years now. They both knew well that if Itachi did something to anger their father, their old man would not hesitate to punish him with what hurt most. And taking away that trip would definitely be a big blow to Itachi. Sasuke understood his older brother perfectly; after all, travel around the world was his dream.

"You don't have to apologize. I'm the one who should say sorry. It's not your job to cover up my screw ups. I'm sorry." It was only then that Sasuke realized how unfair he treated Itachi and he felt guilty for it. Itachi merely smiled in return. Then a comfortable silence filled the vehicle.

Itachi drove for about fifteen minutes more, and they ended up in a small park with a relaxing view of a lake. The sky was colored with the sunset hues and the brothers were sitting on a bench, each lost in their own thoughts as the sun disappeared behind the horizon.

"So, are you going to tell me why you got into a fist fight?" Itachi asked as soon he thought it was the right time, as he played with the straw of his coffee.

Sasuke stiffened at the question. It was inevitable that his father was going to ask the same question. 'Damn it' he thought. He would have a hell lot more to explain to his parents than to Itachi.

Then he felt his phone vibrating inside his pocket and used that as a brief escape. His phone just notified him, that Sai posted a picture of what looked like a messy wood-shop on facebook, with the captions 'Cleaning Dad's workshop, thnx Sasuke Uchiha.' His eyes twitched in annoyance, then he remembered the excuse Sai gave to their classmates.

Itachi's eyes never parted from the boy next to him. When he saw how his little brother went from being nervous to angry and finally a smirk on his lips, he marveled at the many emotions that the younger Uchiha displayed in such a short time span. When his baby brother finally told him the reason for the fight, Itachi narrowed his eyes. He was somehow offended that Sasuke was taking him for a fool. "That doesn't match the scarce details of what the other boy and you said back then in the principal's office." Itachi's tone was stern with a pinch of concern, and Sasuke could decipher the unsaid warning: 'You better not lie to me again.' that was written in Itachi's eyes.

Sasuke let out a frustrating growl, deep inside, he knew that Itachi was not going to buy it - he was a genius after all. Beside, the look Itachi gave him at school that afternoon meant that the interrogation was going to happen whatever he liked it or not.

"Why do you want to know anyway?"

"For starter, I'd like to know the reason why I was pulled out of my class to save you."

"You didn't save me." Sasuke snorted, even though he knew that Itachi did more than just saved him.

"I saved you from what could be the most embarrassing moment of your life by showing up and not getting dad at the station." Itachi assured him, and Sasuke raised an eyebrow in disbelief.

"Arcade. A year ago. On a school day." Itachi hinted to make him remember.

Yes, he remembered. By far, the most embarrassing day of his life was when he let Naruto convinced him to skip school and play at the new arcade at the mall. He never knew how his father found out, but the problem was that his father did find out and he dragged both Naruto and him out of the arcade by the ear.

Wincing at the painful memory, Sasuke blushed and said, "I'm sorry you have to save my ass, but not everyone is such a goody two-shoes like you who don't get into any trouble."

Itachi let out an audible chuckle at the way his baby brother described him. Him, a 'goody two-shoes'? Right. After all, college parties weren't the same as your first party in middle school, where drinking soda after nine pm was the spotlight of your weekend. Shaking his head and decided against going into details of his activities with the teen that just entered puberty, he said, "Being smart enough not to get caught doesn't mean I'm a goody two-shoes." He paused to put aside the joking matter, but still in the same playful tone, he asked as he poked Sasuke on the knee, "So, are you going to tell me what really happened?"

"Why should I tell you?" was the words that came from the younger boy, his eyes fixed on the horizon. Perhaps this was the only way to stay strong.

Indeed, Itachi mused. Why would he? He just admitted two minutes ago, that he couldn't risk giving their father a reason to call off the trip. Even if the trip wasn't on the line, the most reasonable and mature thing to do was to tell their parents about the meeting at Sasuke's school. He didn't even want to think about what kind of punishment their father would come up with if they hid it and he found out. Still, Itachi couldn't push away the bitter feeling that, in some ways, he did betray the trust that the younger boy had for him. It hurt him. So he decided to tell Sasuke something he vowed not to tell until the right time comes.

"This trip to Kiri," he started, "isn't a vacation. Akatsuki is going to Kisame's hometown. It's a small village, very rural and suffers a lot of scarcities. The reason why we're traveling there is to do a community service, by tutoring kids, making some workshops and such. Deidara is going to teach the villagers how to mold mud. We also raise fund to buy school supplies, clothing and food for the orphanage." He made a pause to examine Sasuke's reaction, just to find the confused frown that he expected to appear on the young teen's face. "We're actually doing that kind of stuff here in Hi, in Konoha. Yahiko-senpai and Nagato-senpai are starting the process to form a non-profit organization that I plan to join as well."

Sasuke was still confused; he didn't understand what was the purpose of his older brother's sudden confession. Sure, it was somewhat shocking to find out that Itachi and his college friends were 'helping the needy', but at the same time, it didn't surprised him to hear that Itachi cared about other people's suffering. What he couldn't comprehend was why Itachi would hide the fact that he was doing something to help the needy? What was wrong with that? Even their father donated to charity and he also offered free classes at the Uchiha Dojo.

However, Itachi was Itachi, and he never did anything without a reason. "Where are you going with this?" Sasuke asked and cursed at himself for sounding like a jerk, but Itachi saw beyond his harsh words and offered a kind smile.

"After I'm done with my two year college degree, I'm not going to enroll to the Police Academy. I'll become a teacher. To be more specific, I want to teach at lowly neighborhood." He finally said after a brief silence. Then he went on to say half jokingly that he didn't want to handcuff a fifteen-year-old for stealing, he would rather teach and inspire a fifteen-year-old to not go down that path.

That was the biggest shock Sasuke ever received in his life (not counting the time when he found about Kakashi). Konoha's police force was lead by the Uchihas since the foundation of the city. Every first born was expected to join the police forces. Itachi, of course was no exception. On the contrary, all their relatives were putting that burden on his shoulder since he was a young child, and everyone kept telling him that he would be, for sure, taking over their father's position in no time.

Their father would not like that his heir walked a different path that he had drawn out for him, no, not at all. For Fugaku Uchiha liked to have control over everything.

Sasuke opened his mouth to say something. Anything, but the words just didn't come. His mind was still busy processing the shocking revelation.

"You may be wondering what does this has to do with anything."

Sasuke nodded, still unable to speak a word.

"I choose Akatsuki as my fraternity because they were offering more than wild parties and superficial matters. It wasn't an elite society of rich snobs where you arejudged by how much green is in your bank account. The community services that they-, we do, inspired me to come to this decision. Going to Kiri is going to be the first step towards that goal."

Itachi turned his head toward Sasuke, and found that his brother was finally grasping the idea. They stood there for a moment in complete silence until Sasuke said in a low voice, "Father will flip up then you tell him."

"I know." Replied the older teen, "That's why I haven't told anyone about it. Not even Shisui knows about it. I'm waiting for the right time."

Another long pause descended between them, and Sasuke was the one to break it, "I know what you are trying to accomplish by telling me this." Itachi frowned at the tone that was spoken, for it was unreadable. Sasuke's face was blank, which made it harder for Itachi to know how his baby brother was feeling.

"But you didn't have to tell me," Sasuke said. "I understand and I know how hard it must be for you to confess your secret. I'm thankful that you trust me with it. But it's not that I don't trust you, I do trust you. But I can't say mine. I wish I could, it'd be a hell lot easier if you have my back."

"Then if you think I can help you, why didn't you come to me?" Itachi asked with concern and pain in his voice.

"Because it's not just my secret to share." Sasuke repeated Kakashi's words and found them rather easier to say than he expected, and he finally understood why Kakashi said it. It was an honest reply with so much meaning to it, without jeopardizing the truth to be revealed.

Itachi frowned at the reply, "Is this person making you to keep quiet?" he asked with a warning tone.

Sasuke shook his head, and had the urge to roll his eyes at how Itachi could go from a best friend role to an overprotective parent mode in just an instant. "It's more complicated than that." He said while tapping his knee with his index finger. "I just can't risk this secret to be out now. I will not be the only one who will have to face consequence. I'm still not sure what will happen, and I don't know if I want what I might lose. I don't want to find out that I do want it, once I can't get it. I'm still processing the situation that I am in. Sorry." His poker face was rapidly melting away, letting Itachi see how serious this subject was to Sasuke.

"I understand," Itachi said as he put his hand on top of Sasuke's to make him stop the tapping, to let him know that he could have the peace of mind that he could count on him. "If you ever change your mind, I'll be here, okay? No matter what, I'll have your back." Itachi promised but he added, "But promise me that if you really need help and if this situation is too much for you to handle, you'll come to me."

Sasuke nodded shyly. The comforting aura that Itachi radiated made him feel better. Without realizing it, his big brother pulled him to his feet. He didn't even notice when the older boy stood up. "We better get going, mom just texted me. They want us at the house in fifteen minutes." Sasuke sighed exasperatedly at what was inevitable while Itachi stifled a laugh which was silenced by his younger brother's glare. But there were no hard feelings. They were still holding hands, like they used to when they were kids, as they walked towards the car.

To be honest, they both felt better than they did before Itachi picked Sasuke up from school that day. Itachi finally got his deepest secret off his chest and Sasuke was grateful that his brother trusted him with it. One day, he hoped, he could share his deepest secret with Itachi too. And he knew that when that day finally arrives, he could count on his brother to have his back.


A/N: First of all, like always, thank you for all the reviw, fave, and fallows. Mayor thanks to my beta een nihc, really awesome person and beta, who helps me a lot, she made wonderful contribution to the chapter, including the tittle.

I'd like to specify that I'm using Japan's majority of age which is 20, with the exemption of driving which I'm going as the same as the U.S.A (16-18)

I you like Kakashi and Sasuke father/son realationship, visit my c2, you can find the link in my bio.

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