A/N: I moved to Texas where everything is big! The portion sizes for food are intense. A small update on why this chapter took forever.

Recently I got a review stating they liked the story but didn't understand how Sakura would change anything if her chakra is sealed? (I'm sure that is what they meant)

For the curious bunch, Sakura does not need chakra to change the past. Sure, it would make a lot of things easier, or harder to explain to people why a 13-year-old girl has the same amount of chakra as a jounin. Think about it, I'm not going to leave her hanging. Its apart of the story for now.

The soft patter of feet running through the house alerted the mother cutting vegetables in the kitchen. Laying the knife down Mikoto Uchiha wiped her hands cross a checkered apron hanging down her front before leaning back against the countertop. Hearing her younger son run around the living room then out another doorway brought a smile to her face. Mikoto was happy with her role as a mother. Though sometimes it could be hard.

"Stop running through the house Sasuke!" She yelled

"Okaa-san Itachi is chasing me!" The mother of two wondered if she misheard her youngest son. Walking outside the kitchen into the living room Mikoto watched the youngest flee from around the corner. Right on his heel was the towering form of his older brother who was careful not to make a sound. s

"Itachi-chan what are you doing?"

Itachi stopped long enough to appraise his mother with a nod, "I'm teaching Sasuke about stamina."

Rubbing the top of her forehead Mikoto pointed to another hall that led outside. The open concept of her house was not a playground.

"Please take your brother outside. Last time your father caught you both."

"He won't this time."

"Itachi-chan, the last time he made Sasuke stand on his hands for five hours."

"I will protect my little brother." Itachi uttered in finality. From the comment the room changed its simple but happy atmosphere. Mikoto sighed trying to express the worry collected on her face.

"Itachi, you won't always be able to protect him from your father." She didn't want to voice the elephant in the room. It was only true due to Itachi's career; unwantedly pushed into anbu at a young age and sent on numerous missions. Mikoto knew with time Itachi would be pushed outside the village for longer periods of time until he became Patriarch of the clan. In that time away Itachi wouldn't be able to protect Sasuke.

Uncertainty weighed on the matriarch for the unseen future of her household. Looking at her eldest son who should be carefree, relaxed, and happy - all Mikoto saw was a hardened shinobi unable to be open. Itachi even stopped confining in her about lingering thoughts or problems. It hurt Mikoto's heart to know she had a hand in the way things have turned out. Maybe if she wasn't so willing to please her husband or abide by century old rules then something could change.

Itachi weighed his next words with clarity. Words that he would not otherwise voice out loud with his father in the house.

"If I must I will leave this clan and take Sasuke with me. "

Mikoto stared for the longest time.

Itachi left his mother in living room not turning back when Mikoto fell to the floor in shock.

Running in the backyard outside Sasuke missed the exchange between his brother and mother. He knew by the time he was four adults in the household didn't want him around for serious conversations. Mostly his mother since his father always criticized him.

Stopping behind a tree before peaking out Sasuke didn't see anyone in the yard. A small tap on his shoulder made the child jump before a hand wrapped around his mouth. His muffled screams were shushed by the deep voice of the young man standing behind him.

"You shouldn't let your guard down little cousin."

The pale hand holding the young Uchiha's face was tugged away. Sasuke turned around pushing his eldest cousin with a frown.

"Shisui! Don't do that I'm hiding from Itachi!" He whispered harshly, the innocent portrayal of a child playing with his eldest brother long forgotten. His eldest cousin was always picking him. Sasuke didn't know when Shisui would grow tired of it but it wouldn't be for a long time.

The smile with darker eyes and a slight curl to his ebony hair laughed loudly. It alerted the birds in a near by tree as it did to some animals running away. Sasuke his Shisui in the arm to shut him up.

"Shisui this isn't funny. I'm trying to hide from Itachi!"

Shisui grinned looking at Sasuke then behind him, "I ruined your game."

Turning to face his eldest brother Sasuke pouted with wide eyes. Itachi stood in the opening of the trees spotting his family near the bush. Instead of running away again Sasuke threw a tantrum instead. With a point in Shisui's direction an inhale followed before the yell.

"It was his fault!"

Shisui displayed his dismay with a clutch to his chest and dramatic sighing about ungrateful children. Itachi resisted the urge to laugh at the both. It was becoming harder to hold his composer.

"How could you point your fingers at me? I practically led your capturer to you."

"That isn't how the game works!"

"Oh, do I sense uncertainty?"

"What-no!"

Walking closer to the pair Itachi ignored there bickering for what it was. They were his precious people out of everyone he knew. These moments were cherished more than they were a year ago. With stress looming in the background Sasuke and Shisui bickering over montane subjects calmed Itachi.

Settling a hand on Sasuke's shoulder Itachi poked him in the forehead with two fingers with the other.

"We will finish this game next time. "

"But we never get to play it…" Sasuke looked at the ground kicking a leaf in its place. Shisui lost some of the dramatic flare watching the two. He hated when these conversations started. Maybe he was grateful to be the only child in his family.

"There is always tomorrow. Shisui and I need to attend a meeting." Itachi said bending down to Sasuke's level. He tried conveying through his eyes what he really wanted to say. Sasuke wouldn't be able to tell from the way he was still looking at the ground. Sniffing the smaller sibling walked around Itachi back towards the house.

"Spending time with Sasuke could help you."

"Not as much with how I'm trying to build his confidence."

Shisui scoffed folding his arms. Itachi stood up looking as Sasuke walked into the yard.

"That is not building confidence. Its breaking down trust and dependence on his older brother."

"If I'm not here he won't be able to depend on me Shisui."

Shisui scrutinized Itachi trying to read his actions. He knew the clan was brewing something akin to a revolt. There was more to the story than Itachi secluding himself from the clan and his family. Itachi had a plan whether anyone knew it or not.

"Do you plan on leaving?"

"Would you come with me?"

A question with a question, something Shisui expected but not the question itself. Instead of answering he asked another of his own.

"Where would we go?"

"Konoha. We would leave the clan completely."

"Being here wouldn't make it easier. How would you explain this to Sasuke?" Shisui never raised his voice. There never was a reason other than taunting someone. Otherwise he would not feel the need in that moment to slap some sense into his little cousin. It made him feel uneasy. How long had Itachi felt this way? He never voiced anything to him about his discomfort to the clan.

"How can I explain to him that his clan are proud selfish people who only care about power?" Itachi said with conviction, as if he already made up his mind. It was a done deal as to how far he would go to keep Sasuke out of harms way. If it meant leaving his mother behind to fend off their father by herself because Mikoto won't stand up to him, so be it.

Looking at his hands Itachi saw the cuts from handling multiple weapons on his palms. Nothing has changed the way they look since he was three years old. His father would train him day and night until he passed out. Even then Fugaku Uchiha hounded him until both hands bled from overuse. Itachi didn't want that same future for Sasuke. He knew their father disregarded Sasuke as a nuisance, someone who will never live up to Uchiha standards. Itachi saw differently. There was an innocence, a hidden strength, Sasuke possessed with the potential to change the clan for the better. Unfortunately, Sasuke was only six years old with no experience in clan politics or how to maneuver the clan elders. This didn't dampen Itachi's view of his brother. It sharpened his view of how things could turn out if he protects Sasuke.

"Do not shelter Sasuke. He's smarter than you think." Shisui cut through Itachi's thoughts returning him to the present conversation. Facing his eldest cousin Itachi sighed rubbing a hand through his hair. He was serious but could always be himself around Shisui still.

"Then what do you purpose I do?"

"Tell him the truth. He is younger than you though far from naïve or stupid. I do not expect him to save the world, but it could alleviate stress where it isn't warranted. You might think of another idea other than leaving everything behind."

"What if it comes to that?"

"Then I will come with you." A final answer the question that was nagging Shisui's younger cousin. He wouldn't let Itachi walk this path alone.

"Plus, I'm sure the Hokage wouldn't mind giving us protection from the clan." Shisui mused making Itachi smile. He knew Hiruzen didn't like the Uchiha's eventual plans to overthrow Konoha. If the Uchiha clan lost both heirs there was a possibility of them pivoting their plans until all got sorted out. Granted, Itachi would not go back once it was done. Fugaku would shame them, disgrace their very presence until the end of time, but nothing would change Itachi's mind.

"He would not mind sending my father on his way."

"And your mother?"

"She will follow my father. Nothing is different in her routine." The lingering bitterness from those words didn't pass Shisui. He knew Itachi's disappointment in his mother was sometimes greater than the hate for his father. Mikoto meant well unless it meant watching the father of your children beat them senseless without a word of challenge or upset. She never raised a hand for Sasuke and Itachi or against Fugaku for them.

"Whether it all turns out good or bad, when should I expect this to happen?"

"A few months. "

"What about the meeting you and I have?"

"It was lie."

Shisui blinked and Itachi blinked back. Clutching his chest in despair once more Shisui conveyed a man of hurt. His voice deepened adding drama to his fake tears.

"Why do you do this to me!? I have wanted nothing but truth and honesty!"

Rubbing his forehead Itachi resisted the urge to roll his eyes.

"Shut up Shisui."

A/N: I'm bringing a few aspects to the story (mostly conversations) I think were happening before the Uchiha massacre. Still trying to decide as a writer if I want that to happen in this story. Ya never know!

Enjoy.

- NuteWelt01