(Edit) Revised June 25, 2005

A/N: -cheers- Final chapter to fix! Yay!

Disclaimer: I don't own anything -grumbles- wish I did though...

Pairing: Sasuke/ Itachi


The Bet

"The challenge? Tree climbing! The winner..?"

Sasuke's mouth twitched, threatening to make a smile as he thought for a moment what the bet could be on. Ignoring the harsh winds that swept against his body he looked around taking in all the surrounding area. What could he use? Something that he was good at yet, something that he wouldn't lose at. But, this was Itachi his brother and not only that but also his superior.

As he continued to think Itachi stood there calmly his eyes watching Sasuke's movements as he raised an eyebrow wondering what the challenge was actually going to be in the first place. He could see that his little brother was making a hard effort to think of it, but he also knew that he would win no matter what.

For Itachi never lost in anything. Nor did anyone beat him in anything. To the point that love was somewhat included in that. Considering Sasuke was his alone. Or at least will be.

"I propose.." Sasuke decided slowly as he eyed the trees around him. They looked sturdy enough. Not too long ago he had been training and had practiced the chakra tree climbing and was very confident in it, more so enough to perhaps surpass Sakura. Although he never really tested it but it was better than nothing.

This was truly his only chance at it.

The younger Uchiha stopped short at the tallest tree around them and jabbed his thumb at it. "Tree climbing...chakra style" Eyebrows rose at the unfamiliar way of climbing and slowly Itachi moved closer keeping his distance.

"Chakra style?"

"Yes it's simple we will both have a kunai" Sasuke said as he tossed one over to the bewildered Uchiha. He caught it with ease. "And we will control our chakra and walk up the tree and slice the part that we either break or fall off from" he explained while Itachi remained silent letting this information sink in. But even Sasuke could tell that his brother had a slight curved smile. Shaking his head though the younger Uchiha took out another kunai and clutched it tightly.

This was so simple. Just beat Itachi, no more harassing. Then train, train and revenge. Easy enough. That was not the case however.

"Sounds easy enough" How could Itachi be so calm? Sasuke wondered as he shuffled past his brother, eager to see how the other would do. Since Itachi was more experienced it didn't help to subside the horrible chills he was getting. Yet one thing Sasuke already knew.

His brother was the worst when it came down to chakra control. Just not in battle, because it served no purpose.

"I look forward to this Koi..." another twitch from Sasuke was all that Itachi received. The older Uchiha chuckled darkly turning his gaze to the tree, clutching the weapon in hand. To him, the kunai was going to win him his brother. Even if it meant cheating...

Oh yes, Itachi was a great in terms of sportsmanship and challenges.

Sasuke just glared menacingly at his brother. To think that he was putting a week of training into one simple little game! How disgraceful! Well, he couldn't think of anything else to do. And a week away from perverted Kakashi-sensei and annoying dobe, not to mention ugly Sakura would be a bliss.

Yet this was ITACHI! His brother for crying out loud! His enemy. Rival. Aniki. Oh he could go on and on about it but no, he had more important matters. Already his patience had been shattered from being touched by his brother. And why did he touch him like that? It was disgusting!

"Look stop staring at me!"

Indeed the older male was staring again. Sharingan eyes watching with an intense hidden flame. It was almost like a burning flame, a spark from something deep within. Setting off a bright lustful gaze. One Sasuke had seen Naruto giving Sakura much too often. Though the stupid nine tails boy might not have known what he had been doing. Regardless it was still there.

It was a look Sasuke often called an attraction. No, more than that. An obsession.

"Very well Koi.."

"Shutup!"

"Hai, Koi.."

An erupting sigh of defeat rose into the air. Yes Itachi was still winning. Maybe not in the bet itself but if he aggravated his little brother enough. It could be just enough distraction during the actual challenge itself. Turning his head Itachi waited. Out of the corner of his eye he could see anger evident in the body language that Sasuke used. How easy and fickle his brother was. An easy prey.

Rolling eyes followed the man standing like a statue. "Hurry UP Itachi I don't have all day" Sasuke announced kicking a pebble away from him. He was into the bet too. He wanted to see if he could beat Itachi. After all, if he could beat him in this. What would future battles mean? An easier chance? A sign, surely.

"We have all day" said Itachi with a smile passing his lips. Torturing his slave was going to be fun. But to do it so soon… "You're not going anywhere" it was said like a mere statement just as the ruffling of leaves reached his ears. It was like a actions of 'watch me'. A sigh slowly escaped him. Why was Sasuke so difficult? That boy certainly knew how to get into trouble. 'Yet leaving so soon? I think not'

"You have a bet to fulfill Koi" a growl followed his sentence.

"Stop calling me that!"

"Do you want me to call you something else? Very well 'slave'" lowering his head Itachi avoided the kunai aimed at the base of his skull. Such a temper Sasuke had, all the better to be as feisty. Enough was enough though. Itachi couldn't play with his prey for too long. It would become less fun when he did claim the young boy.

And win the heart that had ice frozen over it. Bit by bit. It would melt and beat again. Like his was doing once more.

The new goal in the older Uchiha was not to kill his brother anymore. Why waste such good blood? And raw talent that can only be acquired by being an Uchiha? If his brother died or he himself. The whole Uchiha clan would be nothing more than a memory. A mere succession clan that lasted a few centuries, soon to be a tarnished name because of him.

A traitor.

"Go!"

'Amazing, he snapped and I didn't say anything' wonders, wonders. Miracles he supposed could happen. Sometimes.

Gripping the kunai tightly Itachi rushed forward, his speed was immense yet he slowed down. Chakra control was the key to this challenge. Like fighting it required skill and determination and an unbreakable concentration. This was what Itachi was known for. But also his power and strength.

Running up the front of the tree was like learning ninjustu for the first time. It took a certain amount of balance to keep on task, without failing in mid try. His chakra was maintained at an easy level, just enough to stick to the tree and bark, but at the same time prevent from putting too much energy into it. Doing so would snap the bark and allow him to make a poor example to his little brother.

Almost halfway, Itachi was easy concluded knowing that as tall as the tree was, he might as well give Sasuke an easy attempt to beat him. Besides. It's not like Sasuke was going to leave his sight anyway. He was going to win either way. Might as well see how much Sasuke had grown. Feinting a mistake he snapped the bark using his kunai to swipe against the tree trunk.

There, now his plan was to be in motion.

"That's nothing!" Itachi's grin grew wider. How naïve Sasuke was as well "I could beat that with my eyes closed!"

As much as Sasuke could brag. It changed little to deter Itachi.

Sasuke however took his turn very seriously and with an impressive running start he ran up the tree, looking even more graceful in Itachi's eyes then ever before. Quickly the young teen had passed the halfway mark of Itachi's kunai and kept going at an incredible speed. Yet, the younger Uchiha could feel his limbs protesting, crying for relief as he kept going. Intending on making it to the top.

Down below Itachi raised his shuriken. The small weapon was one of his sharpest piece of equipment he kept around. Able to slice through solid rock.

The perfect cheating object.

"HA! I beat you Itachi!" Sasuke reached a branch in his way and leaped onto it but to his surprise it cracked before he could even station himself on it. 'What the...' stunned Sasuke didn't manage to hit the tree until he could somewhat regain his balance, but by that time it was too late. He swung just below Itachi's past cut.

A soft pat to the ground was the only sound that vibrated in the area. Already the decision was final, but how could that be? Sasuke wondered for a moment before he felt a hand fall onto his shoulder, digging into his skin. Though he didn't dare turn around, he knew if he did, he would see his brothers smirk.

"You lost Sasuke-kun."


Somewhere else...

Naruto lifted his head as he heard a long cry of 'NOOOOO!' echo from the forest and turned his head. Why did that sound so familiar? Ah who cares...

'I'll check after my fifth bowl of ramen' he smiled contentedly as he slurped. Instantly a smack connected to his head. A seething Sakura looming over him with a not so happy look.

"Don't be so rude!"

Naruto rolled his eyes.

Sasuke was better company sometimes. Even if Sakura was his dream girl.


(Edit) June 25, 2005

A/N: Fixed errors. Grammar stuff. And such and such. Doesn't it look better?