A/N: Hey guys. You wanna know something. I didn't want this to be so long so you know what, here you go! This chapter might break your heart and the next one I swear will make up for it. It's slightly happier but still has that misery in the end. But at least it won't be as much as this chapter.

I do NOT OWN ANY of the Naruto characters or the story itself. I just make up the fanfics and promote my favorite pairing. Kishimoto is still on my good side and I give full rights to him. I just hope with all of my heart that Sasuke and Itachi will continue to get along as well as they are now. Thank you all for those who have reviewed and please keep them coming! I love them all and they encourage me so much! I'm almost done with my WWYDN,S chapter so you may see that tomorrow or just some time soon. Thank you and enjoy!

Ch. 19: What Have I Done? Pt 2

To say that Itachi was furious would be the last understatement you could ever make in your life. Right now the older Uchiha is waiting impatiently in his uncles' living room while Sasori and Deidara are examining Sasuke in the other room. He's at the point where if Kyuubi was here, he would know it'll be wise not to mess with him right now – and he's usually the one who's always looking for a good bloodbath. He would take just one look and then make sure Naruto stays clear of Itachi and to keep his mouth shut if he could. Not even his uncles think it's wise to go near him right now. They can just see him planning several ways on how to make his father pay for what he's done to Sasuke. They can also see that Itachi is thinking that he shouldn't be here right now. He should be going to the police and turn his father in, or go to a gun shop and shoot the bastard's head off, or he should be with his little brother, comforting him. The boy was pretty frantic when he was told he had to let go of Itachi so Sasori could examine him. He was screaming, kicking, scratching, and crying. All of his cries were nii-san over and over again. It was heartbreaking and it made the anger in Itachi intensify.

After rescuing Sasuke from that house, Sasori drove to Madara's and Izuna's house. Even though it'll be the first place Fugaku would look as soon as he gets out of that room, where else could they go when the red-head needs to examine Sasuke as soon as possible to know what's wrong? Maybe Madara's and Izuna's house wasn't the best idea. A hospital would've been better since Sasori only knows medicine as a second major. However, taking Sasuke to a hospital, Fugaku still has legal ownership over him. He could go to the hospital and just take the boy away. But he needs all the medical attention he can get. It's that word 'away' that made the final decision in Itachi's mind. At a hospital, Itachi can't trust them. He can trust Sasori and at least in his uncles' home, even if he does have to wait in a separate room, at least he knows he's not that far away from his little brother if he needs him.

Right now, it's just him, Madara, Izuna, and Kimimaro with Juugo since they live close by to the uncles. The others are still on their way. After Deidara called Madara to tell him what happened, he reported the happy news of the rescue mission accomplish to the others. However, he did give them all the warning of what might have become to the young Uchiha. He gave that news as a precaution but after seeing how Sasuke reacted when he had to separate from Itachi, his worst fears became realized. Right now, Izuna is sticking to Madara's side, like he's yearning for comfort, and Kimimaro and Juugo look extremely worried for the young Uchiha and his older brother who's still sitting on the master's couch, plotting and his patience wearing thin.

Then it became too much. He growls and decides to sit up from the couch to head straight for the door. Instantly Madara reacts towards him.

"Itachi, listen to me. You need to calm down," he tells him, approaching his nephew and leaving his little brother's side. But when he grabbed his arm, Itachi does stop but yanks his arm away from him.

He snaps, "Don't you dare tell me to calm down!" In his eyes, they're just wild with rage and he truly looks like someone ready to kill his father and anyone who dares to get in his way. No one has ever seen him look this angry before. Izuna actually feels fear just by looking into those demon like eyes while Madara is pretty speechless himself. Kimimaro and Juugo look like they don't know what to do but stand there and hope nothing bad happens.

Then rushing footsteps can be heard from the hallway outside. Madara's and Izuna's home is an apartment after all. So the next thing that comes after those footsteps, sounding like they came from more than only one or two people, the door is suddenly banged on.

"Madara, open the door!" That's Naruto it sounds like.

Hearing his voice, Itachi turns his raging, deadly glare to the door as if it suddenly became his worst enemy than his pathway to going on a full on killing spree. Madara's guard is raised all the way up and looking between the door and his older brother determining, Izuna finally decides to go to the front door and open it. What comes storming in, is not only Naruto and Kyuubi but also Suigetsu, Kisame, Orochimaru, and Kabuto. All of them look frantic and worried, some more than others, and they look sweaty and out of breath like they didn't wait for the elevator and just ran up sixteen flights of stairs to get here. However, those with sharp eyes instantly gain fear when they see Itachi as the first person they see. Izuna got out of the way and sort of hid behind the door since he knows how they would enter his home.

Naruto, not one of the sharp eyes, looks at the two Uchihas before him and asks breathlessly after a few pants, "Where's Sasuke? Is he alright?"

It's wasn't a surprise that he would ask about him as soon as he came in. Sasuke is his childhood friend after all. It's only natural to be worried to death over him, especially after everything else that happened. However, when Itachi heard those questions, it just made his rage worst. He looks down to the ground, his bangs covering his eyes, and his teeth are fritting against one another in pure rage. He's close to acting like a ferocious animal right now and the air has suddenly turned to the very heat of his anger like it's all just pouring out of his pores.

Alright? After everything he's seen, how can anyone classify Sasuke as 'alright'?

"I'll kill him," he mumbles, softly but just loud enough for everyone to hear him. "How dare he…that man…" And by far the scariest thing anyone has ever seen appears on the Uchiha's usual impassive or kind face. His eyes, revealing every spec of anger he has raging inside of him, are wide, his pupils are small, his nostrils flaring, and his teeth bearing as if he were an animal. Then with a voice so deep and so demonic, anyone right now would think that Uchiha Itachi has turned into a true rampaging demon. "…doesn't deserve to live!"

Everyone goes into cautious mode. Just in case Kabuto and Kisame put their hands on their lover's shoulders and Juugo not only grasps Kimimaro's hand but also has his arm around his waist. Kyuubi would have done something as well to protect his little brother but Naruto, being one of the dense ones, would start asking questions and just annoy the infuriated Uchiha even more. Although, he is shocked to see such murder intent in the Uchiha's eyes. That's at least something he's not oblivious to. No one has ever seen Itachi act like this before. Not even Kyuubi reached this maximum rage.

Madara and Izuna probably would have done something as protective as that, however it's Madara's who's close to the long-straight haired Uchiha and thus he must be the one to calm him. Before the younger Uchiha in the living room even thinks about taking a step towards the door, the oldest Uchiha tries to tell him, "Itachi, seriously I need you to calm down."

Being the only brave soul to talk to him and the one to say those words, Itachi directs his anger to his first victim. All he can see is red and almost all he can think about is killing. However, he still has some bit of sense left to not kill his uncle so rash.

"Why should I! While that man breathes-"

"We will get him," the man interrupts. "I swear to you, your father will pay dearly for what he's done. You're not the only one who's upset right now. But if you go back to that house and take that man's life, then you might as well give up any chances of HELPING your brother!" With those firm words, he's got him. Itachi's eyes widen again with surprise mixed in with his anger and his mouth forms a straight line. Just to be cautious, Madara takes one step closer to him. "You left Sasuke once already because of that man. Are you going to leave him again by taking your revenge?" He dares to stare deep into Itachi's eyes, being the brave soul to dare go into the lion's den and tame the beast. Everyone is practically holding their breaths now. Rather they know exactly why Itachi is angry or not, their only prayer while still living their last moments on earth is they're saved.

"Wait, hold on! What are you guys talking about?"

Well almost everyone.

The two Uchihas look at the spiky blonde who spoke and he looks a little annoyed himself for being ignored the first time. "Where is Sasuke?"

"He's safe, that's the important thing."

That wasn't any of them.

Turning around to the sound of that voice, they see Sasori at the entry way between the hallway and the living room and he looks both serious and grave. Seeing him is almost like a breath of fresh air, for the Uchihas and especially Itachi. Only some of his anger turns into worry and concern as he wonders what Sasori has to say about Sasuke's condition and for that tone and look on the red head's face. The rest is locked up for now, ready to burst as soon as he hears what is exactly is his little brother's condition.

But in all honesty, he's a little afraid to what he does has to say. Gulping the lump in his throat first, Itachi asks, "How is he?"

Sasori looks at him directly and only at him for a moment before his eyes close to arrange his thoughts properly and say the right things. He heard the commotion and one word and more than just half the room is going to go on a rampage. "Physically, he'll be fine. There are no breaks or sprains. Only a few bruises that tell me that he was struck a few times."

For those who have just arrived, they're surprised. Even Suigetsu and it really takes a lot to really surprise him, unless you know what to surprise him with. Naruto is the first to ask, "Sasuke was beaten?" flabbergasted by this.

The thing was…Sasori wasn't finished talking. Before someone starts bringing in the deadly plaques of the world, he says, "Yes, and I would appreciate it if I am not interrupted because that's not even half of the list."

Half…of the list?

"We removed his clothing and there are signs of malnutrition. I would estimate his last meal would be two days ago. A small meal, and the time before then might have been a meal just as small three days before then. Checking his lungs, there may have been possible cases of attempt drowning. And the red marks on his neck…" Looking at everyone again, Itachi mostly who is taking everything he says in, Sasori tries to look as dead serious as he can when he delivers, "As I suspected, they're self-inflicted. He may not be bleeding but there are skin cells under his fingernails. They're also some wounds that are not fresh. I would say the most recent would be around the time you came to get him, Itachi."

Self-inflicted? Sasuke was trying to hurt himself? If he had really caused himself to bleed, then that may as well be considered as a suicide attempt. Realizing that, there is nothing more that can surprise the youngest Uchiha in the living room right now. It has gone past that limit and he just feels so…so…so broken. Like every injury he learns that his little brother, that head-strong tough teenager with his foul snappy mouth, went through and did to himself, is a wound inflicted onto Itachi's heart. It hurts him greatly to hear that his father, their father; a man who is supposed to raise and teach them of right and wrong, did this to someone Itachi cares greatly about. And it hurts him more when their mother, the very woman who gave them life, allowed this!

As for the rest of the living room, they're almost past their limit of being shocked out of their wits as well. At least, Madara, Izuna, Kimimaro, and Juugo had time to let it sink in that Fugaku did something to Sasuke that made him go on an emotional turmoil rampage. It also took longer still to hear that Mikoto allowed this to happen and tried to cover up for her husband. Madara and Izuna know her. She would have never allowed anyone to lay hand on her children, even if she was beaten too. So then…what happened to her?

As for those who just entered, they're close to being shocked out of their minds. Thoughts like 'Sasuke was abused?' and others like that run through their heads. They're all wondering right now what could have happened to have drive Sasuke to an option like suicide. They know him! He would never choose such a thing.

Izuna, the first after the long stunned silence, asks "Why would Sasuke hurt himself like that?" But when those words are said, the red-head spares him a moment glance before casting his eyes down to the ground in shame and pity. That startles Itachi and it makes him more afraid with the thought of why Sasuke did that and what he Sasori said before.

"Sasori, what's the rest of the list?"

Sasori still looks at the ground but his hands at his side became tight fists and in his mouth, he bites his lip. In a way, he didn't want to tell them. It'll hurt them too much but what other choice does he have? He needs to tell them. With a heavy voice and a heavy heart, he replies, "Your brother is extremely mentally unstable."

And that did it. Forget it about Itachi already being past his limit of being more than shocked. With those words, he's now at the limit of being more than broken.

"As I said, your brother would be fine physically. Put him back on the regular diet and care for his bruises with some cream we can find in a drug store; that's all we need to do. The real problem lies in his mind set." Facing everyone again, he looks only at Itachi again and asks, "Of all the years I've know him, I have never seen him like this before but as someone who knows him more personally than any of us, was Sasuke ever afraid of something?"

Itachi couldn't respond to that and really, he didn't have to.

Naruto bursts in, unable to take it anymore, "Sasuke afraid? I've known him since we were in diapers! Teme was never afraid of anything. He was always the brave one when things were scary for me!"

For Itachi, his brain couldn't function properly anymore. He just lost control over everything.

"Because I don't want you to leave."

Not even his memories.

"You're right I can take care of myself just fine but that's only because I knew if I was ever in trouble…if I ever needed someone to be there for me…I could always count on you to be that person. As long as I had you, I don't need anything or anyone else."

No one paid attention right away but Itachi is holding his breath, his thoughts are going hay-wired in his mind, his emotions are visible for anyone to see, his heart is pounding at an incredible rate and it's just ringing in his ears. It's a surprise that the ringing isn't canceling any sounds out. His ears are still open to hear everything and anything else has to say about anything.

Immediately responding to the blonde, Sasori explains, "I only ask to know if he ever showed signs of having a phobia before."

A phobia?

"A phobia can occur in a person at a young age from the time they were a child but there are cases in which phobias are caused in a teenager life. They can be genetic but there are usual causes of the subconscious mind, absorbing the fear from the environment or their living condition, or even experiencing extremes of pleasure, shame, guilt, or fear."

Crack

Something begins to break inside of Itachi when he heard that.

"For him to have gotten this bad, I assumed it was something that happened in childhood and after the events that occurred in the last couple of months, it's only now taking extreme levels."

Crack, crack

"But if he has never showed signs of this then something must have really given it a good start."

Itachi is about ready to shatter. Already he has taken several small steps back but no one seemed to have noticed due to their intensively listening to everything Sasori has to say. His body is shaking as the pieces are slowly being put together in his mind of the real reason why Sasuke is like this. It's not his father's fault. It's…

Then Madara calls, "Sasori…what is his phobia?"

Just by looking at his face, anyone, even Naruto, can tell that the red-head really doesn't want to say this for he knows everyone's reaction once he says it. Taking a deep breath in and out of his nose, he tells them, "Isolophobia; the fear of being alone."

Fear of being alone?

"Okay, now that's just ridiculous!" Suigetsu snaps before Naruto could. Shoving Kisame's hand off and taking a few steps forward, he asks, "How the hell can Sasuke have this isolo-whatever? I may not know him as long as Naruto has but I at least know that the guy loves to be alone. Hell, he preferred it! What on earth would make you think that he's afraid of being alone?"

Crash!

"Eyyya! Someone help me!" That's…Sasuke.

In a split second after the shock of hearing the Uchiha's voice scream like that, Itachi is on automatic. He sprints running, pushing Sasori out of the way so he could run into the hallway and down to the last door on the left, which is where he knows his little brother is and is slightly opened when he arrives.

Madara called for him, "Itachi!" but he didn't hear him.

Itachi quickly opens the door right when a book was thrown and it hit the wall right next to his head. It literally flew an inch away and he felt the wind and the bam of it hitting the wall snapped in his ear upon impact. He stands there, frozen in surprise as he sees the teenage on his knees on the bed he was being examined on and he's still holding two other books in his hands. Itachi saw a moment of complete fear on the boy's face before Sasuke saw him and he relaxes a bit back on the bed on sight.

Apparently while Itachi and Sasuke are just staring at each other for a moment, Deidara is on the ground in the opposite corner of the room and besides the shards of broken glass all on the floor, he's bleeding from the side of his face as well. He's conscious but he is dealing with some serious pain and he was curled into a ball to avoid any of the books coming at him. After Itachi came in, Sasori comes rushing in as well. He slips past Itachi from behind and instantly arrives to his lover's side at the corner.

"N…Nii-san…" The books slip out of Sasuke's hands and he just sits there now with his hands up, fingers spread apart and shaking, and his eyes are starting to glossen with tears.

Is this what Itachi has done to him? Has he made the boy more violent and an easy crier?

The others coming running in now but unlike Sasori who had to slightly push Itachi out of the way to get in, they just stand in the hallway and try to see over the Uchiha's shoulder. This time, Kyuubi keeps Naruto back from just barging in. They all heard the 'crash' after all and if what Sasori says is true, he doesn't want his little brother to get hurt both physically and mentally about the boy's new behavior.

"Deidara, are you alright?" Sasori asks, examining the head injury. The blonde would have usually responded with a 'does it look like I'm alright, danna? I'm bleeding, un' but with everything going on, he doesn't feel like being his smartass self. "What happened?"

The long-haired blonde responds, "I swear I was only gone for a moment, un. I just went to go refill his glass and when I came back, he was shaking from head to toe, sweating, and he kept mumbling to himself, un. When I tried to ask him what was he saying, he just became really scared and acted like he didn't know me, un. He started throwing stuff out of self-defense, un. Danna, I'm fine." He says the last part because he can see the extreme worry and panic in the red-head's eyes; even when it's really not much extravagant compared to people like Naruto, Kyuubi, and Kisame.

"Nii-san…"

The two of them turn to look and they see Sasuke this time reaching for his older brother with teary eyes. For others that can see or barely can, they're shocked by the youngest Uchiha's new behavior. Sasori really wasn't lying about his condition then.

"It's too dark," the teenager mumbles with a whiny voice. Then a weak small smile appears with his wide terrified eyes. "It's been dark for so long. But nii-san is my light, right? My light, my light, my light…"

Seeing him like this, hearing his words, it's breaking Itachi's heart more than anything ever could. He knew there would've been consequences for doing what he did but he never thought such a thing would really do this kind of damage. Maybe the silent treatment for months and the cold-shoulder even longer but never this. Never like this.

So Itachi approaches him. He fast walks to the bed and even though some others called for him, he didn't listen or bothered to care who called to him. All he cared about was the boy reaching for him with such a desperate look on his face. He grasps his little brother's hands as soon as he arrived and he gets down on his knees to at least be on the same level as the bed.

"Otouto," he calls, softly and tenderly but filled with so much guilt and shame. Releasing one hand, he hesitantly reaches for the teenager's face. He almost pulled his hand away before he did that, thinking he didn't deserved to, but if the boy's calling for him then who is he to deny him anymore? He cups the boy's cheek and uses his thumb to stroke his skin. "I'm sorry," he says. At the moment, what else could he say? "I didn't mean for this to happen. Forgive me, please."

Sasuke's eyes calm down a bit and they narrow down half way for a softer look. "Nii-san…" Raising his free hand to Itachi's face, the others begin to relax a little. Has Sasuke finally calmed down?

Then in a blink of an eye, Sasuke's expression becomes that of rage and the utmost hatred before his free hand grabs Itachi's neck and in his moment of surprise, his other hand is freed and he uses both to grasp the older Uchiha's neck and push him down from the force; him coming down with him. The others gasp and froze for a second when he did that and now with him sitting on top of Itachi's chest, he starts strangling his older brother in an extremely tight grip and he yells, "What the hell does nii-san mean 'forgive me'? FORGIVE ME FOR WHAT? FOR LEAVING ME AND LETTING ME ROT IN THAT FUCKIN' HELL HOLE?"

Itachi tries to grasp for air but Sasuke's grip is extremely tight for someone who supposedly hasn't had a solid meal in days. He can't breathe. He can't speak. He tries to pry the boy off him in reaction but that only causes Sasuke to tighten his grip.

The others couldn't stand to see this. Madara goes darting in first, along with Kyuubi who pushed Naruto behind him so Kisame could grab him. He does and both Suigetsu and Naruto are struggling in his arms to go rush in and help. Orochimaru and Kimimaro tried to run in as well but both Kabuto and Juugo stop them with their arms around their lover's waist holding them close and in place. Deidara tried to get up as well but Sasori only pushes him back down to the floor. Izuna comes in since there is no one to hold him back and by then Madara and Kyuubi grab a side of Sasuke's arm and with their great strength pry Sasuke right off his brother. With his neck free, Itachi starts coughing, turning over to his side to try and breathe air back into his lungs by the time Izuna arrives by his side.

His younger uncle asks, "Itachi, are you alright?" He couldn't respond. Only cough and loudly pant to get air back in while Sasuke is struggling against his uncle and Kyuubi. Pulling, kicking, growling, and screaming groaning.

Deidara tries to get up again but Sasori pushes him back down again. "No," he orders, like the blonde is a dog. "You're hurt. I'll check on him." Then the red-head gets up and hurries to the older Uchiha's side. Deidara watches in total worry, his eyes implanted on Itachi's back. Sasori instructs, "Easy, Itachi. Easy. Not all at once. Take deep breathes slowly. Slow deep breathes."

"I won't forgive him."

Right as Itachi tries to take in slower gasps of air, Sasuke said that. The attention is turned back to him but he's still struggling against his uncle and the older brother of his best friend. Even Itachi tries to lift his head up to look at the boy and really, he wished he didn't. All of the anger and all of the hate in that boy's body is glared directly at him and only him.

"I won't forgive nii-san for leaving me! Why? Why did nii-san leave me! Why did nii-san leave me with that man? I'm like this because of nii-san! Everything is nii-san's fault because nii-san's a liar! Nii-san's a liar! A god damn, fuckin liar who doesn't care about anything but nii-san's self-righteous arrogant self! I hate nii-san! I HATE NII-SAN!"

Crack, crack, crack! Shatter!

And just like that, Itachi's world is destroyed. All of the pieces, broken like glass, is all scattered on the floor at his feet.

Kyuubi jerks Sasuke a little before telling him, "Sasuke, quit it! You don't know what you're saying!"

Bleagh

The three of them, yes including Sasuke, look back at Itachi and sure enough, he's the one who just vomited. Leaning over to the floor on his hands and knees, Izuna looks extremely worried by his side as his stomach clenches again and he pukes on the floor a second time. Sasori looks surprised and as Izuna makes sure all of his nephew's hair is out of the way and he starts rubbing his back to try and comfort him.

"Itachi? Itachi! What's wrong?" he asks, but the second youngest Uchiha doesn't respond. Only coughs and his arms are really shaky while sweat begins to appear on his skin.

Sasuke just froze. His eyes are wide and he's just staring as Sasori instantly checks his fever, his pulse, and takes out a little flashlight to try and look at Itachi's pupils while the guy now sounds like he's hyper-ventilating.

"He's going into shock," Sasori reports, putting his flashlight away. "He needs to lie down, now, away from this room." He lifts one arm up over his shoulders and starts trying to hoist the straight-long haired Uchiha up. The man didn't protest and Izuna comes up with him in case the need for extra support.

All is quiet and that's only because Sasuke doesn't look angry any more. Only shock and worried, seeing his brother hurt and in pain right in front of him. Is this what he wants? To see his brother in pain? To hear that he's going into shock because of him? To hear that he needs to leave him?

Once up, Sasori passes the suddenly quiet and empty man to Izuna. "Take him to a separate room to rest. I need to take Deidara." Without even waiting for a reply, he heads over to his still conscious, bleeding lover.

Izuna starts leading Itachi out and even though he's walking, the younger uncle can clearly see that his nephew is no longer with him anymore. "Let's go, okay? I'm right here, Itachi. Everything will work out in the end. You'll see." But none of his words seemed to have affected the Uchiha heir in any way. They sure don't work for him that's for sure. The others begin to move out of the way while Sasori has helped Deidara up and now they're all leaving.

However, that's when Sasuke starts struggling again; grunting and whining as he tries to break free and reach.

"C-Calm down, Sasuke!" Madara tries to tell the boy as he keeps his hold on him. Kyuubi does the same but the teenager didn't listen to him and the farther Itachi becomes to him, the more scared and desperate he becomes.

"Nii-san!" he cries. "Please don't leave me! Not again, PLEASE!"

Right when Itachi was going to pass the door frame, his hand grasps it and he stops walking.

"Itachi?" Izuna calls, startled when he did that. The others stop and they turn to look as well, curious to what he's thinking. But the low-ponytailed Uchiha ignores them all and looks over his shoulder at the pleading desperate boy behind him. When Itachi sees him, Sasuke is crying and tears roll down his face like a running faucet.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean what I said. I'll do anything nii-san wants me to do! Just please don't leave me again. Don't leave me in the dark! I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry…"

"Then yes, I am willing to do anything to keep you here, with me."

"How far?"

"As far as you want me."

Itachi didn't say anything. Just looking at his little brother, how can he forsake him when he's in such a pitiful state like this? Before today, when was the last time Itachi has seen him like this and since when did he ever leave his little brother to cry on his own when he's like this? Before ANBU university, since when has he ever abandoned him?

A hand grasps Itachi's sleeve and it's Deidara. He tries to tell him, "Itachi, let your brother rest, okay? Madara and Kyuubi will be here to accompany him, alright? Un."

"No, it's alright," Itachi tells him. The long hair blonde is startled to hear that, as well as everyone else. He pulls his arm away from his uncle and turns completely around towards the teenager looking at him now with hopeful teary eyes. He takes a few steps forward and says, "Uncle Madara. Kyuubi. You can release him now."

The older Uzumaki looks at him like he's crazy but seeing the state of Itachi and Sasuke, it won't be appropriate at all to ask him if he is. Instead he looks at his friend firmly and reminds, "He could attack you again."

"He won't," he replies, sounding sure in his words. "Not this time." Itachi stretches his hand to the boy, asking for his own and his voice is almost monotone but still with a bit of tenderness in his dead voice. "You don't have to do anything, otouto. I'm not leaving you again."

His words struck a nerve in Sasuke when he heard them. In a way, they made him happy but at the same time, they made him feel dirty for what he was doing only minutes ago and the red mark that begins to appear on his neck is proof that he couldn't control himself. He hurt his angel. His savior and protector. He hurt him.

Madara and Kyuubi look at Sasuke over once more to truly see if it'll be okay. Then they look at each other to see if the other is okay with it and seeing that it is, maybe, they very hesitantly loosen their grips and as soon as Sasuke is able to, he pulls himself away from them and quickly rushes to his brother. Exactly like how he just burst out of that room as soon as Itachi opened it, he just runs to him and then clings on to him like his very life depended on it. Everyone was on edge if Sasuke was going to do something or not but instead they see him act like a terrified little child grasping on to the only thing worth meaning in his life. His own lifeline. Itachi holds him back instantly but they both ended up collapsing to their knees on the floor; Itachi holding his little brother as close and securely in his arms as he possibly could while Sasuke is crying on his older brother's shoulder.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry…" the boy repeats, sobbing in his misery and despair.

Itachi coos, "Shhh, shhh, it's alright. I'm here, I'm here. And I'm never leaving you again. I swear it."

See? What I tell ya? Poor Sasuke and poor Itachi! But he did this to himself let's not forget. But how was it? Bad? Good? Horrendous? Let me know! Till next time!