Disclaimer: Naruto is not under my property. Fortunately, the plot came from in the inner sections of my brain. Mwahahahaha!

CHAPTER 17:

WALKING UNDER THE NIGHT BREEZE: SIBLING CATASTROPHE


He was now carrying the basket I was earlier clutching. With his left arm holding the parasol, my right hand was entwined in it. We were walking under the stormy sky of Konoha. The wind was cold enough to freeze someone, but it was different in my case.

Itachi's hand was keeping me warm partially. We were both quiet in the middle of the loud crashing of the water coming from the sky. I was looking at him. His eyes were different from the first time I saw him. He was gentler and more peaceful now. I suddenly realized his hardened heart was now shattered, making him more vulnerable and maybe emotional. Oh well, I really don't know if my deductions were true. I guess…

I was looking at his dress code. He was just wearing his normal ninja suit. I suddenly remembered Sasuke in his dress. He wasn't wearing his hulking Akatsuki jacket and his weird forehead protector. I smiled. He looked at me and noticed strands of hair fallen in my eyes. He gently tucked in those strands to my ears. He noticed my peculiar smile.

"Why?" He said.

"Uh… your outfit. Where did you get that?" I asked.

"This? Its my old clothes."

"Old, I see."

"Why?"

"Your clothes remind me of Sasuke."

"My little foolish brother?"

I looked at him with my eyebrows knitted. He knew that I didn't like him hearing such words about his brother. He personally knew it despite that I was away from him that long.

"Subaru…"

"Yes…"

"Do you want to ask anything first?"

"What do you mean?"

"I really would like to talk with you about a very important matter. So, if you have any question that bothers you throw it to me."

"I understand. Why did you come here, Itachi?"

"I would like to know the reason why you wanted this…"

"What do you mean?"

"Tell me, do you love me?"

The question shut me up. Itachi was very straightforward. I knew he was emotional, and I didn't know the reason why. He was never been this worried and emotional. I decided to be honest. That's all I can do. Also, if I kept this feeling again for a long time, it will surely slowly kill me.

"I do… and, I don't know why."

"Love… someone told me before that it doesn't need reasons…"

"…For love is the reason…"

Itachi suddenly laughed. I pinched his biceps to make sure that he'll notice who I was irritated for his reaction.

"Ouch! Subaru, what is that for?"

"You are laughing!" I pouted.

"I see. I just noticed what you said. I'm happy to know that you feel the same way. I thought you'd never do."

"How do say so?"

"You always tell me how you hated ninjas and the same kinds. I see how you can be so sadistic and revengeful to them. However, you've changed."

"Itachi… you've changed me."

"I hope so… and so you did."

"This is too mushy."

"Why did you have to perform the reverse Jutsu?"

Silence suddenly covered my face. I suddenly remembered my decision. Saving Konoha and sacrificing my life for it… I suddenly remembered the pain that Naruto, Sakura and Anko-sensei have shown me earlier this afternoon. Their fear of losing someone close at their heart. And the hardest part was already here… Itachi was now showing that he would not lose me.

"Itachi…" I said, but he interrupted.

"Whatever your reasons are, I understand. But, why you didn't tell me earlier about this?"

"Stupid! You are in the Akatsuki headquarters, and I'm here!"

"You're the one who's idiot, Subaru. You don't have to sacrifice your life with this. I left you here to survive, and not to die!"

"I'm going to die too! Not in war, but in guilt!"

We both stopped screaming. The rain came falling very hard from the sky. Just like the tears coming out of my eyes. My sight was being blurry. But, I can clearly felt that Itachi's eyes were also burning to cry. His hands slowly wiped my tears away. He suddenly lost his clutch to the parasol and the basket and embraced me tightly. Like, he will never embrace me again.

"I don't want to lose you… I don't want to be alone again…" Itachi whispered.

"You won't be, Itachi. I promise."

I slowly tiptoed and gently kissed his forehead. I smiled at him. He smiled in return.

"Subaru-chan!" A loud voice came from the background. The voice was familiar. I suddenly turned around and saw Naruto and Sasuke running towards my direction.

"Naruto! Sasuke!" I yelled.

Naruto came closer, but Sasuke stopped halfway before he even reached my position. Naruto noticed his sudden stop.

"Hey, Sasuke! Why did you stop?" Naruto asked.

"Uchiha… Itachi…" Sasuke muttered.

I turned around to see Itachi. His face stiffened in authority. I still remembered how Sasuke hated his brother, and now they came again… face-to-face.

"So, it is my foolish little brother." Itachi said.

"Wait… how did you enter here?" Naruto asked.

"It is easy. But, since the security is much tighter than before I have to take off my Akatsuki uniform and decided to wear my old ninja outfit."

"Subaru-chan, go away now. Sasuke and I will take good care of this." Naruto said.

"Naruto… it's not what you mean! Itachi…" I was interrupted by a mysterious sound.

A sound of chirping birds and the crackling of light from Sasuke's hand disturbed me. Can't be! He'll use Chidori to attack Itachi! My eyes widened as Sasuke was stepping to attack Itachi. But, I know it'll be no use.

Sasuke suddenly ran fast and easily charged Chidori to his brother. I buried my face to my hands in not witnessing the fight or anything gore. When the sound disappeared, I slowly looked at them. Itachi was fine! And Sasuke was sitting in the ground. What had just happened?

"I'll never hurt Subaru, Sasuke." Itachi said. "… I love her and care for her very much. I came here to Konoha to visit here. I've learned that she already laid her life to save Konoha from Makoto's plans. Yet, I have so much to say to her. Please, give me a chance to talk with her. She's important to me."

"She's… also important to me. She's like a sister to me. That's why I want to protect her like there's no one could. It hurt so much to see her suffer… to see her decide like that." Sasuke uttered.

The words that passed through my ears made my tears fell. Both frozen hearts were melted by the piece of shattered soul. I placed my hands in my heart. I felt them beating so alive. I never thought that somebody would love me the way my family did before. Here's Sasuke. Someone I didn't expect to say those words. He was so little for words. But, here he was. Talking to his brother… pouring his heart out.

"Neh! I also care of Subaru-chan! So, if you ever hurt her, I'll surely kill you." Naruto yelled.

"Enough." I said. "There's too much pain being spill with the rain."

"And the rain is getting heavier…" Itachi said.

"We better go home, Subaru-chan." Sasuke said.


A/N: Chapter 17 is quite mushy. It's funny how Sasuke told what he feels. So, I was yawning. Sorry, this one is too short! But the next chapters will be longer than this. That's a promise! Also, after this fiction… I'm planning to write another one for Kakashi. It'll be Kakashi/OC story. Anyway, thanks for reviewing the previous chapter and don't forget to leave a review after reading this. Thanks! Nice day ahead!