The Top-Secret Mission
Itachi spent the next few days with his guard up, worried that his father may begin to divine his secret. He hadn't needed to worry, as Fugaku was kept busy day and night by the rising tension within the clan. He saw his father for only a few minutes whenever he came back to eat, which was less often than usual during those days. His free time was cut short by a summon from Lord Third, the last thing he had ever expected.
"How have you been, Itachi?" The Hokage asked as Itachi entered his office.
"Well enough, sir," he responded politely.
"What of your little brother, Sasuke?" Sarutobi asked.
"He's been well. A bit frustrated with the lack of time he gets with our father and myself, perhaps," Itachi said, Lord Third being one of the very few he felt it safe to lower his guard a bit around.
"Hmmm," Sarutobi was quiet for a moment as he thought over Itachi's words.
"I think I may be able to help a little with that, actually," the Hokage said, much to Itachi's surprise.
"How so?" He asked.
"How about I assign you a 'special' mission?" Sarutobi asked cryptically.
"Special how?"
"A training mission. I hear your brother shows a lot of promise, trying his best to fill your shoes. Take him out of the compound for a few days so you can focus on helping him hone his talents," the Hokage said with a slight smile.
Itachi thought about the Hokage's offer for a moment before responding. He had hoped he would be able to visit Shirohime and Karasu, but he didn't want to risk that secret being exposed just yet. He decided that given time, he would trust Sasuke with his secret. He couldn't fault the Hokage's logic on the suggestion; it would be a great way to spend time with Sasuke and be able to devote the time the boy needed to improve his skills.
"How long would the mission last?" Itachi asked.
"You can take up to a week, maybe more, if you like. It's a matter we can negotiate on. The mission will be kept a sealed secret, nobody will know the exact nature of it," Sarutobi replied.
"I think a week would work, maybe an extra day or two," Itachi said, hopeful that the Hokage would agree.
"That's fine. I'll give you a two week window to 'complete' your mission. You can return any time you wish within that time," Sarutobi said as he pulled a blank scroll from his desk and began writing.
"Just keep this with you until you return. As an assignment directly from me, I'm the only one you're to turn this scroll over to when you get back. This will be classified as a 'secret' assignment, to avoid any meddling," he continued, finishing with a sly wink.
"Thank you," Itachi said as he accepted, sliding the scroll beneath his shirt to keep it safe.
"You can leave tomorrow. That way your brother can pack appropriately," Sarutobi said before dismissing him.
Itachi went straight home to get Sasuke, eager to get some time with his little brother. He found him in the courtyard behind their house, practicing his kunai skills. Sasuke didn't notice him at first, his full focus on the targets set against the logs.
"Pretty good," Itachi said as Sasuke's thrown kunai hit all but two targets in their centers, making his little brother jump.
"Itachi! You're back already?" Sasuke exclaimed, surprised to see his brother so soon after being summoned for a mission.
"Yep," Itachi replied plainly, much to Sasuke's irritation.
"So when do you leave?" The younger Uchiha asked with a disappointed huff.
"Tomorrow," Itachi said with a wide smile.
"What?" Sasuke asked, leaning away from his brother.
"You're coming with me," Itachi said bluntly, leaving Sasuke wide-eyed with his mouth hanging open.
"Really?" He asked excitedly.
"Yep," Itachi replied, calling him closer and poking his forehead with the first two fingers of his right hand.
"Yay!" Sasuke exclaimed as he jumped about, making Itachi laugh.
They went inside to share the news with their mother and prepare for dinner, staying up later than normal to pack. Sasuke rose before everyone else, anxiously waiting for Itachi by the door when his older brother woke up. Itachi prepared and they set out, Sasuke's excitement making Itachi smile the whole way as they went out into the forest surrounding the village.