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Sasuke was the first to wake up the next morning, and this gave him the chance to sneak away to see the hokage. Well, it would have given him that opportunity had Itachi not still had his arms over the younger. At the moment, Sasuekd didn't care that his movements were restricted. The feeling of his brother's limbs holding him snugly made him relax; something he could not do in years.

Instead of trying to move and risk waking up the elder, who stayed up far later than Sasuke in order to make sure he was calmed, the youngest Uchiha tried to come up with a plan to see the hokage. It wouldn't be simple; Itachi was an extremely perceptive man and could easily overpower Sasuke if necessary.

In his mind, Sasuke started to carefully think up his escape plan. He started with how to initially get around Itachi's watch; that would be the hardest part. Then, it came to him. The only time that Itachi couldn't be hovering over him was when he went to the bathroom. From there, it would be simple. Sasuke could just rush off to the hokage's office; Itachi would pursue him, but it would at least give him a chance of reaching the woman in charge. Sasuke had to admit that it wasn't a great idea, but with little time to strategize, he couldn't come up with something better.

Itachi finally woke up and realized that he had been keeping Sasuke from moving. He scooted away before looking at his brother. "Did you sleep okay?"

"Yeah, I did. Thanks to you." Sasuke added, it pleased him greatly that his brother was so caring.

"Good... Well, I'm going to use the bathroom." Itachi said and got up. Sasuke wasn't planning on having to execute his plan so soon; he was still in his pajamas, but it may be his only chance for a while, so he had to take it.

As soon as the door to the restroom sealed, Sasuke bolted out the door and raced to the hokage tower. He got some strange looks since he was not properly dressed, but he just ignored them as he had far more on hit mind. He reached Taunade's office and stepped inside.

The hokage examined him. "I'm guessing that Itachi doesn't want you to be here?"

That much was obvious through his appearance. "He's probably going to come here when he sees I'm gone. We need to do this quickly."

"Right," Tsunade said recognizing their lack of time, "the best way to do this is rather simple; you need to go speak to Danzo in the Root building where no one else is around. You need to provoke him, so bring up Itachi in order to make him angered. He will most likely try to attack you. All you have to do is dodge the attacks; only use self defense. Do not take the offensive. I'll be nearby, so when he becomes violent, I can catch him and remove him from his position. Do you understand?"

"Yes," Sasuke said as he took it all in, "should I come here before going to see him?"

"Meet me here at six o'clock tonight. We will depart shortly after you arrive."

Sasuke nodded and started to hustle out of the building. He thought it was strange that Itachi hadn't come after him yet, but that feeling left when he noticed someone out of the corner of his eye. Itachi was standing directly outside of the building, waiting for his younger brother. Sasuke slowed before halting several feet in front of his brother.

"I figured there was no point in going in there, so I decided to wait for you out here." Itachi stated. "We're going back, now."

He didn't look at his younger brother as they walked. It angered him that Sasuke left, but there was nothing he could do about. Since the younger was going through a rough time, Itachi didn't want to scold him again.

The whole journey back to the apartment was awkward. Sasuke wanted to say something, but didn't know what he should say since he didn't feel that an apology was necessary. Another several hours of silence ticked by, and finally, Sasuke felt as though he had to speak.

"Are you mad at me?" He asked innocently.

Itachi thought about the question for a minute or so before answering. "No." His one word reply was not sufficient for his younger brother.

"Then why aren't you talking to me?"

Another moment of silence passed. "I'm not in the mood to speak."

"What is that supposed to mean?" Sasuke questioned further.

Itachi made eye contact with the other for the first time in a while. "Look, Sasuke, I don't know what to think. I'm trying to keep you safe, but you're acting like a fool."

"So you are mad at me?" Sasuke asked again.

"I'm not mad at you; I'm mad at the situation and disappointed in your actions." Itachi revealed.

"I don't know what you want from me; I can't let you think if me as a burden forever. I need to do this so that we can both live somewhat normal lives again." Sasuke stammered.

"You're not a burden to me; you would be a burden if I didn't care, but I have given up everything for you and won't let that go to waste."

"And I want to repay you for your suffering; if it weren't for me, this would be so much easier for you."

"You're right," Itachi said to Sasuke's shock, "but you are here, and I can't change that nor would I want to. You mean so much to me; I can't let you risk yourself for my sake."

"I've already made up my mind." Sasuke said.

"And I've made up mine." Itachi repeated his words back to him. This conflict was going to have to be resolved by six o'clock, or the plan would fail...

"What do you mean Danzo's not in the village?" Tsunade shrieked towards Shizune.

Shizune cowered before her boss. "According to all of my sources, he's not here right now."

"Well where is he?" She shouted in anger.

"I don't know! Kotetsu and Izumo said he left through the main gate early this morning. His whereabouts are currently unknown."

"Put together a team and send them out. We need to find that old creep before he does something else!" Directly after her statement, she sent Shizune out to form a tracking team.

"It's certainly been a while since I last saw you..."

"It has been," Danzo replied, "but I didn't come here to reminisce; I have a favor to ask of you."

"Why should I do anything for you?" The other male asked.

"I know you want Sasuke Uchiha... This will aid you in getting him."

Next chapter: who is Danzo speaking with? You'll find out soon!