And... ...we've returned to fluff! I guess I wrote this because recently, our weather has been quite similar: when you look outside, the sun is shining or at least it's just a bit cloudy, and the next time you look outside, it's raining like hell! I don't mind, however - we've been having a couple of thunderstorms! :) Looks like Saint Pete is doing his job properly for a change ;) (I just like bad weather...)

My uncle from America will arrive tomorrow, so I don't know how much time I will be able to spend writing - or rather, gathering ideas. But I'll try to get back to this as much as possible with only one more week of vacation left.

So, now that all that has been said, enjoy the new chapter!


Prompt #40: Fear

"Sasu-chan, we should get going! Bad weather is approaching," Itachi said, looking up at the skies above. The day had started out fairly sunny, and that was how it should have stayed according to the forecast, which was why the two brothers had decided to go for a long walk. Now it was late in the afternoon, and dark clouds had appeared on the horizon. Fast-moving dark clouds.

Sasuke was in a field and chasing a pair of butterflies. As usual when he was totally wrapped up in an activity, he was far from paying attention to something as trivial as the weather, and so it was with a small, adorable pout that he temporarily gave up the pursuit to turn to his older brother.

"Nii-san?"

"You heard me. Come now, otouto." Itachi saw a flash of light in the distance and added: "A storm will most likely soon be upon us, and I know you're afraid of storms."

Sasuke threw back his head, and his eyes widened when he saw the darkness above them, confirming that his aniki had spoken the truth. Immediately forgetting the butterflies, he ran back to the dirt path, grabbing Itachi's hand as soon as he got there. The elder smiled warmly and gently patted him on the head before he continued to walk back to their village.

Just five minutes later, lightning flashed again, this time noticeably closer. Since he didn't need to look at the sky to have seen the light, Sasuke whimpered and tried to get even closer to Itachi while they kept on walking.

"Nii-san, I thought haha said that it would be sunny today…"

"That's what the forecast predicted, yes, but sometimes nature proves them wrong, and that can happen very quickly," Itachi told him. The thunder had yet to be heard, but it could only be a matter of time. Itachi knew that they wouldn't make it back before–

Drip. Drip. Drip.

The rain began to fall before he even finished that thought. Great. It wasn't as if he minded getting caught in a storm – in fact, he liked them – but Sasuke sure did. Plus, the little one had never before been outside during one, and this would be ten times worse for him than when he was in the house…

A bolt of lightning struck, and the thunderclap that almost instantly followed made Sasuke blanch with fear, and with a louder whimper than before, he tried to bury his face in Itachi's trouser leg.

"Nii-san, I'm afraid…!"

"I know, otouto, but we mustn't linger here. We should at least seek refuge in the woods. I'll even carry you, if you want." He made this offer because he knew that when Sasuke was scared like this, he tended to freeze, too afraid to move. The proposal elicited a nod from the younger Uchiha, and so Itachi got ready to give him a piggy-back. Sasuke protested:

"But nii-san, what if I get hit by lightning? You wouldn't notice if I'm on your back where you can't see me!"

"I'd notice that anyway, Sasu-chan, but if it makes you feel better…" Itachi sighed, then picked his brother up bridal style and carried him to the woods. The rain beat down harder, and every time thunder sounded out anew, Sasuke tightened his grip on Itachi, nuzzling his neck while closing his eyes tightly.

As Itachi carried him home, he couldn't help but smile – he didn't necessarily like seeing the other being so afraid, but he thoroughly enjoyed the moments in which he was Sasuke's sanctuary and could hold him tightly like this…

(word count: 800)


Please review, peeps! Oh, and if you have a request, do tell me! It would be my pleasure to try and grant your wishes! :)