A/N Well finally another Itachi chapter…it's about time!

Chapter 38

Itachi's POV

I was not looking forward to this day. I had put the whole thought right to the back of my mind, I had found it rather easy having Sasuke to concentrate on. Even though it had been four years since I even last spoke to her I still couldn't fight that aching feeling in my heart. I hated my father now, after what he had done to Sasuke…I was surprised myself that I had even left him alive but I assumed that having him alive was better to me than dead. I couldn't risk becoming a suspect on a murder case; at least with blackmail I wouldn't get caught. I couldn't hate my mother, I was a little angry at her for leaving Sasuke all alone but I guessed that she never wanted to hurt him. Still, I knew my brother had a lot of respect for the woman and she was ever so kind to use when we were children. That much I can most certainly be grateful for, so I can mourn her with sincerity.

I sighed running a hand through my tousled hair straightening it out. I had already picked out my suit, it was slightly more formal than my usual style and looked more colour appropriate for a funeral. The last funeral I went to was during my time in ANBU when our old leader Sarutobi died announcing me the new leader in his will. The event was very grand, of course very secretive the only thing I can vividly recall was the man's grandson crying so hard that his eyes went bright red. He was the only one to cry, although I didn't expect other members of the Black Ops to shed tears after all we were all pretty cold emotionally in our own ways. Maybe if I had shown some weakness then Madara wouldn't have wanted to recruit me…

CRASH

Sasuke? I jumped hearing the loud crash coming from his room feeling my heart building up for a sprint. What happened? Was he ok? I felt a million questions buzz through my mind in a split second. I worried so much about the kid that it sometimes surprised even myself. I raced out of my room and into Sasuke's regrettably letting the door slam the wall I little too hard.

"What's going on? Sasuke are you ok!?" I shouted impulsively looking down at the figure on the bed hunched over and staring sadly at his hands. He was clenching and unclenching his fingers which worried me he was attempting to frustrate his frustration and was clearly failing at it. I didn't want to see him get any more upset with himself; I noticed the lack of a lamp on the bedside table and the shade that had rolled all the way over towards the other wall. I instinctively strode over to the bed and climbed on gracefully I was surprised that Sasuke hadn't reacted to my presence but he looked so deep in his own thoughts. I rested my hands on top of his trying to stop the movement, wanting to comfort him. I hated seeing him stressed, someone his age shouldn't even be feeling emotions as strong as this, he should be worrying about teenage things, yes maybe Sasuke's version of teenage things but teenage things nonetheless. I want to see the day Sasuke is worried about a guy who is crushing on him or the day he's cramming for an exam or even just complaining about homework. Sasuke deserved a normal life just as much as any other teenager and I swore I'd give him one no matter how long it took.

Sasuke looked up at me with teary eyes; my heart turned to glass and cracked inside me. Why couldn't I just rid him off all this sadness? What kind of big brother am I, if my little brother still cries? There were still so many pieces that needed to be mended within him and I wasn't sure how long it would take me or how many of them there were. Still, it was my duty to find and repair them.

"I'm so sorry Aniki," he whimpered, his voice breaking mid-sentence. It bothered me why he still felt the urge to apologize to me, he was frustrated I could see that, and more than anyone else I could understand that. So what if he had to break something to vent it, I'd rather that than to have it build up inside him like a bomb. I pulled him towards me feeling him curl into my embrace like a small child, I ran my hands down his back softly trying to relax him the best I could. Sasuke always had a habit of calming down when I touched him and I felt proud of my ability to do so.

"It's ok; I should have known you would be very sensitive today," I replied softly not wanting to show any kind of anger in my voice at all. Today was our mother's funeral, of course Sasuke would be torn up about it, maybe I shouldn't have let him sleep alone…I shook the thought off. That may have been more awkward for him; it wasn't like we were kids anymore we couldn't get away with that kind of thing anymore.

"We need to get ready, the funeral is in two hours," I breathed relocating my hands into his messy spikes, oh how I loved his spiky hair, even in the mornings it was always so perfect and adorable. I hated reminding him of the even we were to attend but it was important. I felt Sasuke shift in my grip, "Itachi…I've never been to a funeral before, I'm a little afraid," he admitted. I felt myself smile a little at his honesty towards me; it was a big thing for an Uchiha to admit fear, knowing that he felt comfortable around me made me feel warmer inside. At least him telling me this then I could do everything in my power to make sure I kept him as reassured as possible.

"It's ok, there's nothing to be scared of we're just saying goodbye, I'm sure our mother would finally be able to be at peace with us besides I'll be right there with you for the whole time, I'll even hold your hand if you want me to, like in the hospital if it hurts you can squeeze my hand," I told him. I liked holding his hands; they were so warm and soft. Mine were so much bigger and I loved how his fitted perfectly in my grip like they were meant to be together. I pulled him away wanting to look directly at him, hoping that he had calmed down a little from before. I slid my hands down his shoulders relishing the feeling of his skin under my fingertips. He looked up at me with eyes that directly reminded me of a puppy's that it was scary and I smiled at him considerately showing him that I was here if he needed me.

"Thank you," he replied quietly, I felt his fingers dig into the fabric of my loose shirt as he looked over the side of the bed towards the scattered shards of lamp. He was upset that he broke something I had given him that much I knew easily. In all honestly, I couldn't care less about that lamp, I cared about nothing other than my precious little brother.

"Don't worry about the lamp Sasuke; stop torturing yourself, whatever you're thinking right now, it's not true. Trust me. Though I may invest in getting you a punching bag that way there would be less mess to clean up, you could even stick a picture of my face on it if it made it easier," I joked trying to cheer him up. It wasn't like to make jokes but for Sasuke I would at least try. Although, I hoped he wasn't planning on putting my face on a punching bag, I have only just gotten over the shock of all those pictures of me. Damn that toilet one still gets me.

I noticed the grin spread itself across Sasuke's face, looks like my humour wasn't so rusty after all.

"Now that face is much better, I like it a lot more," I complimented ridding the stray tears with my thumb. One day I will make all his tears disappear, I want to see that smile, that beautiful smile. I looked to his side spotting the roll of bandage splayed out on the bed next to him. I lowered my eyebrows wondering why he had taken them off.

"You took off your bandages?" I questioned unable to hide the frown on my face, he hadn't healed that quickly…I lifted up his shirt surprisingly not his protest to take a look for myself. Thankfully none of his wounds had re-opened, they were still red and clearly sore but I was surprised to find how quick they had begun healing.

"You're healing well, do you want me to re-bandage them?" I asked letting go of his shirt and letting it fall back into place.

"No." Was the simple word I heard coming from him. I didn't like the idea of leaving them out like this but he seemed pretty adamant about it. Maybe it was somehow psychologically helping him cope; there were always some parts of Sasuke's mind that I couldn't quite understand. I nodded at his request.

"Well I shall leave you to get changed, unless you want my help," I raised my eyebrows in a suggestive way, why I did that I had no idea. Maybe just the thought made me feel somewhat dirty; I had already seen him undress in front of me. It was a sight that I wasn't going to forget anytime soon.

Itachi, one word: brother. Not to mention the inappropriate time.

"Itachi, I'm not that much of an invalid," Sasuke exhaled rubbing his eyes, I realised how tired he looked. I couldn't even comprehend the kind of nightmares he probably had last night, maybe I should consider sleeping with him, just to make him feel safer of course. I'm sure that his appreciation towards the idea hadn't changed that much since we were younger. I flicked my attention back to the conversation, knowing where my trail of thoughts was heading.

"I don't remember seeing any suits in your clothing; do you want to wear one of my old ones? They might be a little big but it's better than attending in your usual jeans and hoodies, can you imagine the scolding I would get if I let you attend in something like that?" I smirked, it was true. Even in death I'm sure my mother would find a way to punish me for letting Sasuke attend in such inappropriate clothing. I got to my feet; I had an idea of what I could give him as I knew he would look more than sex- I mean smart in it.

"Fine," Sasuke muttered and I smiled to myself.

I left his room only to return a minute or so later with a box which contained one of my old suits. I placed it on the bed taking out the garments and laying them on the bed.

"I thought this one would suit you," I commented, I knew it would suit him, it's not like I had never pictured him in these kinds of clothes before. Sure, I liked his current style it was cute and gave him this rebellious look that was just delectable but a formal look, now that was something special.

"I figured blazers weren't really your thing so the waistcoat would suffice," I remarked, besides waistcoats clearly suited Sasuke better than a blazer.

"It's really nice Itachi," he replied running his fingers over the silk tie which he seemed to really like. It pleased me to see his face light up slightly, I wondered what he was thinking about.

"Ok I'll leave you to it, be careful of the broken shards I'll have to clean them up later when we get back," I warned not wanting him to hurt himself, I didn't have time to sort out the mess as being later to a funeral was more than disrespectful. I left the room leaving Sasuke to get changed.

Entering my own room once more I began to get changed, slipping on tailored black trousers and doing up the buttons. Maybe I should adopt a more laid back style sometime, like maybe wear jeans for a change, I had been wearing suits for far too long and going to a gay bar shouldn't be my only excuse to change. I slipped my pyjama top over my head and chucked it onto my bed, this was a tad messy for me but I did feel a little all over the place right now. I looked at myself in the mirror, I looked more stressed than usual and it made me look older, I seemed to have lost my sheen. I wasn't that surprised, my life was stressful I was just good at putting it to the back of my mind but that didn't stop my physical appearance from taking some collateral damage. I heard a knock at my door that snapped me out of my thoughts. I smirked, I knew Sasuke was going to need my help, the stubborn idiot just didn't realise until he got to the buttons. I made my way to the door and opened it casually looking down at Sasuke whose shirt was hanging wide open while he held the rest of his clothes over his arm. I raised an eyebrow proceeding to not look at his bare chest, "need my help after all then?" Sasuke eventually nodded in defeat as I stepped away from the doorway letting him into my room.

"I can't fasten the buttons, my cast keeps getting in the way," he told me scanning my room; it wasn't often that he came in here; I assumed that he respected my personal space. No matter how much I loved the kid there was still times I liked to be left to my own thoughts. I took the clothes off of him laying them over the bed stand getting them out of his way. I then kneeled down in front so I could easier reach the set of buttons. Not to mention the view was rather pleasant too, if only that bastard hadn't hurt him, bruised and cut his beautiful skin. I clasped hold of the buttons near his collar leaving the top set undone knowing full well Sasuke would undo it himself afterwards. I brushed my knuckles against his pale skin trying to get to the buttons, wishing I could run my whole hands down his torso just to feel him. He was holding his breath as I noted that his chest didn't move which made me wonder that maybe I was making him feel uncomfortable. I felt a little disappointed finishing off the buttons knowing I had no excuse to even be touching him anymore so I moved on to slipping his waistcoat on and then his tie.

"There, all finished. You look smart and very attractive," I complimented, meaning it a little more than I should have done. I ruffled his hair simply to annoy him. Well what can I say? If Sakura and Ino were here they would have been having some violent nosebleeds. Sasuke proceeded to look at himself in the mirror; he seemed to like what he saw. His lips curved up in the corners which he didn't seem to notice and I saw this shine in his eyes however it only lasted for a moment.

The car journey was quiet; I tried to start a conversation with Sasuke to take his mind off of things but each time he ignored me and stared gloomily out of the window. The weather wasn't that great either; I hoped it wouldn't rain while we were standing outside I didn't want Sasuke to catch a cold. He was already in bad enough shape that I didn't want to imagine how bad simply catching a cold would get for him.

"We're here," I indicated pulling the car into a parking space. The place was quiet, I knew this was going to be a bare funeral, we didn't have much family, let alone an extended one and we were never the most social of families. I got out of the car after turning off the engine off, the air was cold and bitter; maybe I should have brought a coat for Sasuke. I looked around at the rest of the cars spotting instantly my father's. I knew he would turn up, why? His motives were still unclear to me but either was I was keeping Sasuke away from that monster.

"It seems Fugaku is here, stay close to me Sasuke I don't want you anywhere near that bastard," I growled unable to hide my anger for the man. How can a parent beat up their own child? I didn't want to even imagine every injury that Sasuke had received from our father because I knew that I would just want to kill him even more. I walked towards the church making sure Sasuke was following close behind; I was on guard although I knew I had to keep cool.

The church was…eerie. I never liked churches; the thought of death was too haunting. I recognised everyone in the church, but not by name as that was information I simply couldn't care less about. I had no interest in the rest of the family; I wasn't ever that close to my mother or father for that matter. Sasuke was the only one I ever felt close to. Fugaku sat at the back, part of me had somewhat hoped that he did die from his injuries but as long as he stayed away from my little brother I wouldn't confront him either. I lead Sasuke up front as far away from our father as possible to minimise any risk. I could sense that Sasuke was anxious about being in such close range of him. What kind of teenager is afraid of their own father? It wasn't fair that he had to feel like this it was just unnatural and it damn right pissed me off. We sat down together in perfect view of the open casket in front. I had no intentions of looking inside, I didn't want to see my mother dead, it was an image I would rather not have.

"Don't worry Sasuke, this will be last time you will ever see his face," I stated, I generally hoped to God that this would be the final time that we had to see that freaks face.

"We are gathered here today to commiserate the passing of Uchiha Mikoto loving wife and mother," the priest started, I found it hard to pay attention as I was too busy thinking about the man at the back. I couldn't feel calm with him there knowing how vulnerable Sasuke was even with me here.

"Mikoto was a wonderful woman whose passing was such a great tragedy to us all, she loved her husband very much and both of her sons, it's a great shame that we have to say goodbye so early," I watched Sasuke closely, his hands were shaking as the gripped hold of the material of his trousers. His eyes were solely focused on the priest that he looked lost entirely. This whole thing must have been breaking his heart, yet he was holding himself together so strongly right now. It wasn't the same for me; I had broken my bond with her a long time ago that even though the idea made me feel empty I could not cry for her. I wasn't sure if that made me heartless but there was nothing I could do about it. I had never been very strong on emotional attachments unless the attachment was solely to my Otouto.

"Her husband Fugaku has a few words to say," he announced. I felt a trigger of rage in my veins; I turned to Sasuke to check if he was still ok and in my sight. Fugaku did not meet my eyes as he made his way to the podium; I hoped that he was scared of me. I wouldn't hesitate to kill him if the situation came to it. He wasn't my father at all.

"My wife Mikoto was a kind and gentle woman; she valued other people's feelings above her own. She cherished and loved our sons up until they day she died and I'm sure she will keep watching over them even in death," he started, I felt myself tense up listening to his words, how he dared to even speak about my mother in such a kind way when he clearly didn't mean the words himself.

"I loved my wife dearly, she was so important to me just like my boys, I wished she could still have been here so we could have been one big happy family," he carried on, his words were poison and I hated it. I heard Sasuke's deep breaths next to me as I gazed over I could see the frustration. He was close to the end of his seat and I realised exactly what his next move would have been. I laid my hand on top of his to help calm him down and to silently tell him that would hold him back if wanted to go and do something stupid. I was already fighting my own urge to punch him myself but I had the restraint not to, if I were to get into trouble then Sasuke would be all alone again.

"It's not worth it Sasuke, just leave him to his lie," I whispered to him running my thumb over knuckles, feeling how pressed up against his skin they were. It wasn't worth him getting into trouble for something like this, the man was a demon and he would eventually get his punishment.

"There now shall be time for you al to say your separate goodbyes before the burial," the priest declared leaving the building letting a mild wave of chatter fill the once quiet air. I had zoned out of my father's speech concentrating on Sasuke and his warm skin underneath my touch.

"Aniki, if you don't mind I would like to say my goodbyes in private," Sasuke spoke, his voice was sombre, his glazed eyes looked up at me. I didn't like the idea of leaving him alone but it wouldn't be fair on him if he didn't get chance to say his goodbyes. This moment was more important to him than it was to me and for me to hold him from making his peace would be more than cruel. I didn't want to be that kind of big brother. I nodded at him watching as everyone started making their way outside for some fresh air, I waited to make sure father was no longer in here.

"You must be Itachi and Sasuke Uchiha," a young Uchiha made his way over to us. He must have been in his late twenties at least.

"I'm Obito, Mikoto's nephew, so your cousin. I'm sorry for your loss, must be hard, she was your mother after all…do you mind if I speak to one of you for a moment, I'm sorting out the headstone and wanted to know if there was anything you wanted me to have written on it," he asked. I guessed this would be the perfect opportunity to leave Sasuke alone for a while; I didn't have much to say of what I wanted on her grave. But being her son did give me a responsibility to sort it out.

"You can talk to me, my brother wants some time alone saying his goodbyes," I responded watching Obito nod, I really didn't want to leave him alone…I hated him being out of my sight.

"I'll give you ten minutes then I'm coming back for you," I told Sasuke deeply. I might have seemed to be overprotective but with what he had gone through the circumstance called for it more. I regretfully left Sasuke in the church as I followed Obito outside back into the cold atmosphere.

Being outside made me realise how stuffy it was inside the church, the air felt colder now. Obito lead me a decent way outside the church so we could talk more privately. I could still see the church and hear what was going on inside as I didn't want to leave Sasuke too alone.

"So is there any particular message you want carved into the headstone, you must have known her better than I did," he inquired. He seemed to be a little awkward talking to me, maybe he was a little intimidated by me. He seemed rather pleasant for an Uchiha but he was on our mother's side of the family after all.

"Honestly, I haven't spoken to my mother in over four years but I want nothing to do with my father on that stone, forget he even existed," I told him darkly. I didn't mind what kind of message was left but Fugaku had no right to have anything on there. Even in her memory I didn't want his tarnish besides he had a part to play in her death so in some ways he was a murderer.

"I see then I shall just put something nice for you to remember her by so when you and your brother visit your memory of her will be good," he explained. I had made a promise to myself that I would visit her grave every year on the anniversary of her burial just out of sheer respect.

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRGGGH!

A pained scream echoed inside the church.

"What was that?" Obito asked furrowing his eyebrows and looking towards the church. My eyes widened…Sasuke? I felt panic rip itself a hole in my chest and this blazing heat burning inside me. I took off, sprinting towards the entrance of the church. I hoped that I was just hearing things or that even Sasuke was just overreacting about something. But I knew that wasn't true when I saw the figure standing over mother's coffin pinning MY little brother down. I growled tensing all over, I felt all my anger seethe into my fists and my teeth barring like an animals. That fucking monster! I rushed towards the bastard to his complete ignorance and clawed my fingers into his shirt ragging him away to his surprise. My anger was at its peak, I HAD to release it.

"Itachi?" My father trembled out; I scowled darkly at him not even opening my mouth to speak to him. I dragged him towards the open room behind the church away from Sasuke; luckily the priest was not in it. I slammed the door behind myself watching the frame shudder before throwing Fugaku into the room. He landed awkwardly unable to use his hands for support leaning heavily on his elbows.

"I TOLD YOU TO STAY AWAY FROM SASUKE!" I shouted lifting my foot up and kicking him in the side to turn him onto his back so I could see his disgusting face. I slammed my first into the stone wall besides me, if only I could kill him! Fugaku looked at me with wide eyes as he covered his face protectively with his casted wrists.

"Can't you see Itachi? He's manipulating you against me!" My father argued, was he really that fucking stupid? How could he tell so many lies about Sasuke? I growled again storming over to him on the floor and stomping my foot on top of his chest making him gasp. I heard his ribs crack again; I knew they weren't fully healed from before, hearing this I dug my foot deeper into his chest cutting off his oxygen. I watched him writhe beneath me and it made me smile.

"How can you say that?" I barked, "You are cruel and disgusting, you are no father of mine, I despise you," I spat digging my heel into his sternum making him spit blood. He deserved death, I had killed people that didn't because I was ordered too, he was one of the only people that I wanted to kill for my own revenge but I couldn't. I couldn't risk losing Sasuke again, even if it meant this bastard had to live. I took my foot off his ribs letting him catch his breath only for a second. I lurched into a crouch, seizing Fugaku by the collar of his shirt and pulling up to face me directly.

"This is your last warning, you dare touch my little brother again and I swear to you that I will rip your head off, are we clear," I snarled never breaking my eye contact with him. I waited for a second for him to nod his head silently; I pushed him back onto the floor, hard.

"I want you out of here, now!" I demanded pointing towards the exit away from Sasuke, Fugaku crawled to his feet and stumbled out of the door looking somewhat afraid. That asshole.

Sasuke! Dammit! I needed to see if he was ok. Making sure that Fugaku was nowhere to be seen I rushed back into the church hall. I felt my gaze soften in sadness seeing Sasuke arched over shaking violently; I could hear his sobs all away from over here. I ran over to him dropping to my knees, I cupped hold of his face making him look up at me. His eyes were red; his cheeks were soaked with tears and he had blood running down his chin. I hoped that it was nothing serious then saw the cut on his lip realising he had bit himself. I wiped the blood off of his chin with my sleeve getting a better look, I was right it was just from the cut. I should have been more attention, I should have noticed father walking into the church, how can I have been so stupid? I promised him I would look after him and that I would never let anyone touch him again! How could I trust myself to promise something like this again? Why couldn't I protect him!? Why did Sasuke have to suffer!?

"Sasuke, I'm so sorry that I couldn't save you from that sooner," I sorrowfully spoke; I felt my own soul ripping into shreds. His tears tore me to pieces, I could feel the armour around me chipping off and evaporating into the atmosphere around me, "I should never have left you." Sasuke looked up at me with a distressed eyes, I could imagine his skin cracking like a broken porcelain dolls.

"Aniki…he-he scares me s-so bad," he wept, I had never heard him admit his fear like that before, I had never seen him so fragile and petrified. That man was a curse, and illness, that just tore at Sasuke like a savage beast.

"I know Otouto, I know…" I pulled him into a hug gripping hold of him tight. There was no way in this world I was going to let go of him again. He dug his fingers into my blazer, clinging to me like I was the only thing that could save his life.

"I-I thought it w-was over...b-but it still h-hurts so much," he stuttered hiding his crying face against my shoulder, even like this he still had his pride even if he couldn't hide his emotions. If only I could take him away from all this…

"It's ok little brother, big brothers got you now, he can't hurt you anymore just calm down and relax," I soothed gliding my fingers across his back. He was breaking my heart so much that I was exhausting all my self-control to not cry myself.

"Let me look at you," I stated trying to prise him off of me only to have him react by clinging onto me even firmer. I wanted to see if he had any wounds, but I guessed that he couldn't have been that badly hurt if he could hold me this hard.

"I just w-want to stay like this…" he mumbled, I couldn't deny his request. If he just wanted comforting then I was willing to do it.

"Do you want to go home or do you want to finish the funeral?" I inquired quietly. He tensed up in my arms, his nails digging so deep that I could feel them even under my blazer. I knew exactly what was bothering him, but I had taken care of that problem.

"Don't worry about him he most certainly won't be coming back," I stated trying to supress a growl, even just thinking about him gave me images of tearing his throat out or stabbing a knife in his filthy mouth repeatedly watching him choke on his own blood.

"Iwanftofnishthafooneral…" Sasuke mumbled it wasn't hard for me to work out what he was saying. It amused me a little at how funny it sounded with him talking like that.

"Ok, we better join everyone else outside the burial starts in ten minutes they'll be coming for our mother any time soon," I explained, "can you stand?" Sasuke nodded at me while reluctantly letting go, I would have loved to have continued to hug him but we had to move. I sprang to my feet letting him pull himself together before holding my hand out for him to take. He laid his hand in mine and I pulled him to his feet. I was surprised to see him balance rather quickly. He brushed the hair out of his eyes and I smiled at him encouragingly.

"Let's go," I urged, I watched Sasuke having a funny feeling platy in my stomach as he took his first step. I saw him flinch forward and instinctively grab hold of his lower back. Before he lost his balance I caught hold of his shoulders holding him upright.

"Still a little wobbly, eh? Want me to carry you again?" I mused a little on the humorous side it was a great way to check how he was feeling by his reaction. I felt a sigh of relief when he pulled away shouting, "no way!" He had his attitude back even if it was just a little.

I smirked, "I didn't think so, maybe I should try giving you a piggy back ride again sometime," the thought pondered around my mind. He would be easier to carry on my back besides he was hardly heavy at all though he would hate it entirely.

"I think I'm a little big for that," he said lowering his eyebrows.

"You'll never be too big Sasuke besides you're still smaller than me," I replied mocking him slightly. He was and probably always would be smaller than me. There was still a good few inches between us that he still had to look up to me a little when we were talking.

We took our places on the outside seats ready for the burial, Sasuke and I stood at the front while the rest of the guests further to the back. Fugaku wasn't in my sight; at least the bastard wasn't suicidal enough to challenge me even further. I laced my fingers into Sasuke's knowing he was going to need my support although watching our mother being lowered into the hole made me need the support to. I had still lost my mother, I was solely alone now. Sasuke was my entire responsibility now and there was no way I could ask my mother for help. She was so good at handling us when we were younger but I had to bury all those memories when I left. I felt Sasuke squeeze my hand and I repeated the action finding that my gaze was glued to the coffin. I couldn't get her smile out of my mind and that light giggle she had when Sasuke and I would come home all muddy after playing out in the park. I felt my grip tighten as my mind trailed off into memories.

"Rest in Peace Uchiha Mikoto," the priest uttered, he walked around carrying the box of soil for us to throw into the coffin. He stopped in front of Sasuke and I, we both took out a handful. I didn't let go of his hand as we walked towards her coffin and he didn't let go of mine.

"Rest in peace mother," I whispered throwing in the dirt. I had to say it, she deserved it. Even if I couldn't cry I was going to miss her somewhere deep down.

The service ended shortly after as they began piling the rest of the soil on the open ground. I took Sasuke back home, again the ride was quiet. But this time even I didn't want to speak. I was glad of the drive home it gave me time to think to myself, to remember my mother and then to lock away the memories in a special chest within my mind. We both sat down on the living room sofa, we were silent for at least half an hour, drawn into our own thoughts.

"I can't believe she's really gone…" Sasuke sighed breaking the silence between the both of us. I was glad he did because I don't think I could of.

"Do you mind if I take a look at you now?" I asked changing the conversation. I didn't want to think about her anymore, if I did I knew it would just dive further into my childhood memories. Sasuke raised an eyebrow at me as if he had forgotten.

"I mean, did father hurt you anywhere?" I re-established scooting towards him on the sofa. I gripped hold of chin exposing his neck. I had caught sight of the bruise forming on the way back from the church. The bruise was nasty, covered in many burns like some rough material had been scraped across his neck.

"Your neck is pretty badly bruised and scratched," I observed frowning; he must have tried to choke him with his cast, "anywhere else?" I asked letting go of his chin and pulling my hand away from him not wanting to panic him with too much concern.

"My lower back is sore…" he admitted looking towards the floor, I noticed him flinch. He looked lost in thought.

"Can you turn around a little so I can take a look?" I inquired, watching Sasuke turn around though still looking distant. I pulled up the back of his shirt seeing a dark purple bruise score his back, it looked so bad that it seemed close to bleeding. I brushed a finger over it wanting to know how sore it was. Sasuke hissed which told me it was bad, it needed something on it. I couldn't even imagine how hard it would be for him to sleep on.

"That looks pretty sore, maybe we should get something on that, how did you get an injury like that?" I asked curiously, it wasn't like any mark he could give him. I let his shirt fall back into place and he turned back around to face me. He looked me in the eyes before I saw them beginning to water. Shit, I didn't want him to cry again!

Please don't cry Otouto!

"I…I was trying not to fall in…" he started, his shoulders tensed and hunched slightly forwards, I noticed the quiver run down his arms and into his hands.

"What do you mean?" I queried, I wasn't sure exactly what happened at the time as I just saw Fugaku and flipped. Maybe I should have paid more attention but what use would that have been?

"The coffin Itachi! He had me pinned against the coffin, forcing me down! But I didn't want to fall on her, she's my mother!" Sasuke yelled blinking a tear down his cheeks. I flinched.

No please Sasuke stop crying, you're making me want to cry too!

"I just- I just-" he stammered reaching up to wipe the flowing tears from his eyes.

You're killing me Sasuke, I cannot watch this anymore! I love you.

I grasped hold of his wrists unable to bear this any longer; his sadness was stabbing through my heart setting my soul on fire. I instinctively did the first thing I could think of to stop his tears. I lurched forwards locking my lips against his. I felt his breath stop as I pressed my tongue across his warm bottom lip and his tears…stopped.

A/N Sorry if that was pretty bad. Itachi is still hard to write with but it had to be done. Another thing I have not read through this cause I cannot be bothered it puts me off. I will re-do them all one day but not now.

Thanks so much for the reviews :D I was surprised haha

Next chapter is already finished.

I'm gonna go for 13 reviews seeings as though it's the 13th today :P and then I shall update!

BTW next chapter is: MURDERBALL LOL