A/N: Thanks for reviewing everyone! I posted chapter one of Fallen so for those who can't wait for it, read! I posted the first one as a slight teaser! I removed Konoha High, Haplos and Rainy Days because my brother needed those three stories for a fanfiction book here in the Philippines. Anyway, here's chapter 5!

Cold

He sighed and pocketed his phone again. Everyone looked at him as Naruto just shook his head while the rest turned back to the subject. "So, did he say anything?" Hinata asked, wanting to get rid of the awkward silence. Naruto only looked up and turned to the somewhat look-alike of Sasuke. "You've got some explaining to do."

"I will tell you the whole story but I want my brother to be here to hear it."

"I don't think he'll stay to hear it," Kakashi said, crossing his arms and leaning back on his chair. Kurenai stood beside him like a guard, Naruto sat beside Hinata and Itachi stood in front of the desk of the silver-haired man. "Knowing Sasuke, I think he'll just look at you then leave."

He narrowed his eyes at the older man. "It wasn't my fault Kakashi, you among others know that fact very well." Naruto gulped at the tensed air. "What do you mean by Kaka-san knowing about your disappearance weasel, I mean… shouldn't you have at least called or left a note for teme?"

"Idiot," the older Uchiha murmured. "I would have if he didn't threaten to kill my little brother."

"Who?"

"The snake-eyed bastard," he answered. "The one who was responsible for mom and dad's strange behavior, the one who is feared by many," he paused for dramatic effect. "Orochimaru..."

Chapter 5: Brothers Unite

Sakura wasn't so sure about the whole idea of them going to SS HQ, she thought it would only make Sasuke miserable or worse, colder, if he were to see his brother again. She only sighed and zipped up her top, put on her shorts and skirt, attached kunai and shuriken pouches and strapped on one katana that had the Uchiha emblem attached at the end on her back. She still wondered why Sasuke gave her one of his weapons even if he had two. To her, she still had no right to use it but since he insisted, she might as well.

From the corner of her eyes, she watched as Sasuke finished getting dress after putting on his black trench coat. He had an emotionless face on and it sort of gave her the creeps despite both of them being killers. Lastly, he loaded his guns and secured them onto his holster, took his other katana and strapped it around his waist and looked down on his table, eyeing a silver tag that was attached to a silver chain. It was what identified him as an SS member, like soldiers in a battle had dogtags, two or more classifies you as a higher ranker and such. As for the SS, it was somewhat similar but quantity didn't matter. It was how new it still looked that told others how good you are at killing and making sure it doesn't get scratched. In short, it was the quality that mattered.

"Sasuke,"

He blinked and turned his head to her.

"Will you be okay?"

It was an important question to her and she needed a sure answer from him. To be honest, he didn't know if he will be fine, he just decided things too hastily and now, he's beginning to wonder if going to HQ to see his supposedly dead brother was a good idea. Sighing, he took the necklace and put it on around his neck, turning around to face her and giving a nod.

"Yeah, I'll be alright."

She doubted his answer but she knew it wasn't wise to argue, so she only dismissed the topic and waited for him to finish. "I still have a bad feeling about this..." she thought, following him outside his room to head for SS HQ. "I just hope he can at least keep things at peace."

"Think fast."

"Huh?"

A black tinted helmet was thrown at her and she caught it just in time. Blinking, she raised a brow and saw Sasuke put the same headgear on and mount his black and blue bike. She put hers on and got behind him, wrapping her arms around the boy as he inserted the key and started the ignition. "Ever ridden one of these before?" he asked as they got out of the Uchiha compound. "Um… no…" she had a vague feeling that he smirked at her and she so wanted to whack him on the head but that could cause them a fatal accident so she suppressed the urge to do so. "I guess you get to do a lot of first times with me."

"What does that mean, exactly?"

He smirked behind the tinted helmet. "Well, I was your first kiss, you were the first one to ever use the Uchiha blade even if you're not a family member, it was also your first time to dance in a party for rich people with me, it was your first time to wear a fancy gown and you were with me, it was your first time to sleep with a guy who happens to be me, I'm also the first guy you ever had in bed and didn't kill, it's-"

"Okay, knock it off, I get it!" she cried out, blushing furiously. "You didn't have to remind me everything…" she muttered.

"Why not? I'm sure you enjoyed what we did last night-"

"Shut up..!" she said, using ever ounce of self-control she has left. "Okay, I admit I enjoyed it but stop talking about it in public!"

"Like anyone can hear us."

"Just… drop it!"

Sasuke laughed a bit and didn't bother to annoy her again. "Whatever you say…"

They finally arrived at HQ and both went inside the building, stopping by Kakashi's office door and neither made a move to knock or just enter. Sasuke stood still and eyed the door, his hands clenched into balls of fists and he was slightly shaking. Sakura, on the other hand, wasn't so sure of the whole idea so she just waited for him to knock or say anything. "Can you… knock..?" he asked and she gave a nod, raising her fist and giving three knocks. Kakashi's voice called out, telling them to enter so Sakura turned the knob of the door and opened it.

Right before them was Naruto and Hinata, seated on one couch, heads bowed down and not meeting their eyes. Kurenai only glanced at them then back at the floor while Kakashi just waited for them to enter. The other one, who was standing before SS's leader turned around to face the two and Sakura knew who it was just by looking into his eyes.

"Sasuke," came his voice. "You finally arrived."

He didn't say anything when he saw him, his older brother, the on he idolized, the one who didn't return the night he had accidentally killed his parents, the brother he had missed, the man who was considered dead, the Uchiha who he no longer knew.

"And you are?" Itachi directed the question to his little brother's companion and Sakura snapped from her train of thoughts and spoke out loud. "Haruno Sakura." The older Uchiha nodded and turned back to Sasuke who kept a stoic face. "I think you should know why I didn't come back soon," he began. "You see bro, I-"

"I don't want to hear it." Came his reply. "And don't call me brother, I don't know you anymore." So he turned his back to them and left without saying anything else. Sakura reached out to stop him but Kakashi stopped her from doing so. The silver-haired man got up from his seat and went out the door, telling everyone that he'll go and talk to him for he already knew Itachi's story.

"Sakura, come in and have a seat, you should know what's going on as well." Kurenai said and the pink-haired assassin gave one last look at Sasuke and Kakashi before entering and closing the door behind her to hear what Itachi has to say. "I knew it, Sasuke would definitely walk out…" she thought and sat down beside Hinata. "Alright Itachi-san, please start."

He opened his eyes and closed them again when the sun's rays stung his onyx orbs. Raising a hand to block the light, he finally managed to get a good look of his surroundings without the evil sun interrupting his vision. "Why am I here again?" he asked himself, looking around, feeling grass underneath him, hearing a few kids playing. Sitting up, he realized he wandered off to a nearby park and lay down on the green patches, trying to calm his anger. Seeing his brother made him angry at the same time, give a relieved feeling, knowing he was alive.

"You know, that was really a bit rude of you."

Sasuke looked up to see Kakashi there, standing beside him and reading his porn book. The young Uchiha only looked back straight, not really minding the presence of the other. He sort of expected him to follow, he heard Sakura call him but he just continued to walk away, he even heard Kakashi saying he'll be the one to talk to him.

"What's up?"

"I'm not ready to see him, after all these years…"

"I see," was the older man's reply. "May I?"

A nod was enough to make him sit down beside the young assassin. Kakashi closed his book and leaned back a bit, hands supporting his whole body. "You know, when I was still a kid, I always wanted to have an older brother, unfortunately, my mom gave birth to me first, and a few months later, died from an accident. My dad was killed in a mission from SS when I was still seven, so that left me living alone for years, why else do you think I knew how to raise you when you were still a child?"

"And your point is?"

Kakashi laughed, this was Sasuke, always straight to the point. "What I'm trying to say is, I didn't raise you to be a total heartless killer, and I'm glad that you found happiness in Sakura, that you even became friends with Naruto, that you learned to love again, maybe Itachi's disappearance has a really good explanation, maybe he couldn't come back soon even if he wanted to, I'm just giving a sort of, fatherly advice, I may not exactly be your real dad, but I'm close to being one, give Itachi a second chance, everyone deserves it, even you do."

"I'm not sure if I can…" he said, looking down. "I'm afraid of loosing another family member." He sighed. "I almost lost Sakura in the mission, that's why I'd much prefer doing a solo mission, but then, having a partner also gives you the strength to fight like you never had." He told Kakashi. "But still, I'm… not over the phobia of loosing someone important…"

"I know that," he said. "That's the whole reason why you became an assassin."

"And I don't know if he's innocent or responsible for the whole incident…"

"Sasuke," he turned to face the Uchiha. "Your brother is more than ready to explain and ask for a second chance, listen to what he has to say, there may be a clue as to who really is the one responsible." He stood up and stretched his arms. "I'm going to the mini mart to get some refreshments, want anything?"

"No," he smirked. "I think I'm still satisfied with last night."

"Whoa Sasuke, you're younger than me and you already have experience." He chuckled and waved. "Tell me the details when you have the time then, ja!"

Watching his tutor walk away somehow made him smile slightly. It usually meant he was going to leave him alone to think or just because he gave up from talking him into doing something he didn't want to do. However, Sasuke was more than willing to do it, except, he was just a bit scared of what Itachi has to say. Sighing, he got up and pocketed his hands, turned to the direction of SS HQ and began walking there. Perhaps Itachi did have a good explanation, and as his only brother and the only living family he has, he might as well.

"Alright bro, let's hear it." He said, taking a seat beside Sakura as Itachi sat down across him, thinking of where he should start. "I just need to know three things, one, why didn't you come back until now; two, where have you been and three, why did mom and dad try to kill me?"

Itachi sighed and looked at him. "All of your questions are somewhat connected. I didn't come back because I was given a threat that if I did, they'll kill you. I was taken captive by another assassin who wants to overthrow SS. His name is Orochimaru and he's after you as far as I can remember." Sasuke raised a brow at him. "You're the top assassin here in SS. I retired long ago, so you took my place. Orochimaru knew about my job here that he told mom and dad about it and they were afraid that you might become one so they tried to kill you, don't get them wrong but the reason why is for them to also prevent Orochimaru from taking you away and training you to become a killer. They wanted to take you to another country to escape but the snake has lots of connections so they had no other choice."

"…they should've just killed me in my sleep."

"No, mom and dad were expert assassins too and didn't want us to be like them. But Oro managed to find out and told them about my secret of joining SS. He also threatened to kill you if they didn't let you become an assassin. They weren't aware that it was all a trick, a plot to make you have a cold heart and become a killer. So far, Orochimaru succeeded in his first plan. I was able to escape and get back here, but I have a feeling that he'll be able to track me down. He was planning to use me to lure you to him, so I had to escape."

"So, all this time… that bastard took you as his prisoner, as bait to lure me to him…" Sasuke clenched his fists at this. He hated guys who used other people to get what they want. He uses his looks to get information, so he can also be called a user but at least he doesn't use another human to get what he wants, right?

"Yes," Itachi sighed. "I can't really say if I'm safe now or not, he could be looking for me right now." He looked at Sasuke. "Be careful, that's all I have to say, I'm sure that he has something up his sleeves." Sasuke nodded and Kakashi came back, carrying a bag full of drinks and chips. "Naruto, how's your mission going?" he asked, sitting down on his seat and tossing a few of the canned drinks to each individual inside, along with the snacks.

Naruto sighed and shook his head. "Still nothing, we've been trying hard to get information about it but… nothing." Kakashi nodded and turned to Sasuke. "I have another mission for you Sasuke, are you up for it?" Sasuke nodded and Kakashi returned the gesture. "It seems that Izegawa's death led to two of his friends suspecting you and/or Sakura." He eyed the woman at this. "Do you mind doing another joint mission with my Shadow Assassin?"

Sakura shook her head. "Same as before, the two guys who Izegawa was with in the club you went on your first night have a son and a daughter. These two hang out in a club and are merely close friends. Using your best weapons, get some information from them and see if they have connections with Orochimaru. Anything that has something to do with drugs leads us closer to the snake. I expect this mission to be executed perfectly, kill if you must, am I clear?"

"Hai." They replied.

"In the meantime, Itachi, you'll be safe here in HQ, I'll have Hyuuga and Nara stay here." Kurenai turned to Kakashi. "I also have Ten-Ten and Ino available if you want." She said and Kakashi thought for a while before nodding. "Alright, as for you Naruto and Hinata," the said two looked up at him. "You will be assisting Sasuke and Sakura, since Orochimaru is involved, we'll need the top assassins in getting a closer look into this snake, I'll have Shino and Kiba on stand-by if ever you need back-up." All four nodded at this. "Mission will commence tonight, get ready for it."

"I'm not sure if I can do this Sakura…" Hinata said meekly as she eyed the piles of clothes Sakura placed on the bed of the guest room in the Uchiha estate. She blushed when Sakura held up a tube top in front of the Hyuuga and grinned. "Sakura, no…" but her friend only smirked evilly. "Come on Hinata, this is a mission, plus, you'll get to catch Naruto's eye." Hinata turned beet red. "H-How did you..?" Sakura waved her hand. "I have my sources." And she looked at the set of clothes on her bed. "Now let's see, I think this purple tube top will go well with this white jacket, oh, and this denim mini skirt will complete the look!" Sakura handed the clothes to Hinata and ushered her in the bathroom. She looked for some footwear that would go well with the outfit. "Kurenai-san always said that our black combat boots go well with almost anything." She snapped her fingers and looked for some clothes she could wear.

Sighing, she couldn't decide so she knocked on the bathroom door and told Hinata she'll be back. She ran out the door and knocked onto Sasuke's room who opened it and raised a brow at her. She looked at him to see that he was wearing a white long sleeved shirt and blue denim pants and white socks and he was staring at the 3 sets of clothes she had on her arms. His brain clicked and he shook his head but she kept pleading and begging until he gave in and allowed her to enter his room.

"Where did Naruto go?"

"Out to get some ramen." He answered and sweat dropped when Sakura giggled, taking her pick on which of the three she should try on first. "What is it with girls fussing over what they should wear…" he muttered and took a seat on his computer chair and resumed his search about anything that was closely related to their real target, Orochimaru. Sakura locked his room door and began to change. "Well, you see, we girls have it hard because unlike animals, we have to be the ones who are attractive to ever catch a guy's eye." She giggled inwardly when she saw him tighten his grip on the poor mouse. "Someone's jealous." She thought.

"And plus the fact that I have to use my body to get some guy to talk." Sasuke's mouth twitched and his left eyebrow followed suit. "I mean, it's not hard when you dance for them but the clothes add to the touch, especially if they are revealing outfits." Sakura continued to talk while he was gritting his teeth, planning to rip the head of any guy who ever dares to touch, grope or whatever, his, that's right, his Sakura.

She looked down at what she was wearing and turned to Sasuke. "Besides, what all guys are after nowadays are the package of the girl and not the-" he stood up abruptly and faced her. She was a bit startled when he gazed at her intently. She laughed nervously. "See what I mean?" but he lowered his head lightly so his bangs can shadow his eyes as a knowing smirk tugged at his lips. Sakura sort of took a step back when he did the opposite.

"You know, you're right, especially if you plan on wearing that attire." He said, still not showing his onyx eyes. Sakura gulped. What was wrong with wearing a red spaghetti-strapped top and a black mini skirt that hugged her hips and thighs tightly? He walked closer to her until he had her backed up on the wall, looking up at him with wide eyes as he trapped her there, placing his hands at the side of her head and still smirking. "Sasuke… what are you planning..?"

"It's your fault why you turned me on." And he kissed her aggressively, nibbling on her lower lip and demanding that she open her mouth or he'll force her. She found this side of him intriguing so she did what he wanted him to do and gave him entrance to her mouth, sucking her tongue as she did the same when he allowed her to. Getting heated up, he tore away from her mouth and hungrily kissed her neck, licked it and sucked on it, making her moan and grip onto his shirt tight. "You're mine, you hear me?" he said and she uttered a weak yes and he smirked for being dominant once more. "Whoever takes you away will die in my hands." And he pulled her away from the wall and forced himself on top of her when she fell onto his bed for the second time perhaps.

His hands clasped onto her wrists, not granting her wish to take control, yet. He wanted to be in command for the time being and if he doesn't lose it, he'll let her switch places with him. In the meantime, the Uchiha must prevail over the Haruno, she did win their bet so he might as well win this one. She tilted her head to the side and he marked her where he had missed. His left hand held onto both of her wrists above her head while his right began to slowly undress her, making sure that he won't tear her clothes. He unzipped her skirt, expertly removing it and slipped one strap of the red top off and did the same to the other while still having a lip lock with his girl. Sakura moved her head as he parted away, looking at her questioningly.

Sasuke got off of her when she sat up and eyed him. "You know," she said and he raised a brow. "I have no idea how I'll be able to cover these marks for the club tonight, and how will you even take my shirt off when you have my hands above my head?" she giggled when he blushed, finally realizing how stupid he was. "Okay… so I made a mistake…" he murmured and smirked when he pinned her down again. "But that doesn't mean I can't learn from it." And he nibbled at her ear, blowing onto it as she giggled. "You owe me," he said, getting up and fixing himself as she did the same. "I'll wait for you here after the mission." He said, walking towards his room door.

"H-hey, wait a minute!" She yelled and he stopped and turned to her. "You still haven't helped me decide on what to wear!" Again, he gave a smug smirk and she glared at him. "I like what you're already wearing." And he stepped outside, closing the door behind him and pocketing his hands, going down the stairs with a smirk still on his face.

Sakura blinked at the blue door and looked down. She blushed furiously and yelled: "Uchiha Sasuke! I'm so going to kill you!" What she was wearing was… well… what was left of what she had on was her red top, but the straps were off and only in her underwear. Wei, who was in the kitchen, fixing a cup of coffee looked questioningly at his young master who sat there on a chair, snickering. Wei sighed, "The Youths today…" and he smiled.

Naruto soon came in, hearing what Sakura yelled and he turned to Sasuke with a raised brow and put down the cup of instant noodles. "Did I miss anything?" and his best friend only continued laughing like an idiot, shaking his head and all Naruto did was sweat drop at his bizarre behavior. "I never thought that he can laugh like a fool…"

To be continued…

Next on Cold: Chapter 6: User

"Will you stop it with your sympathy? I don't fucking need it!" he yelled all of a sudden, not knowing that he had activated his sharingan and was glaring at the least person he expected to glare, Sakura. She was taken aback by his sudden outburst that she looked down and narrowed her eyes, gripping tightly onto the sheets of his bed. She only came here to treat his wounds and to see how he was doing. "I never thought you'd be like that," she said and looked up at him, matching his glare. "And here I thought I would be the one to make you feel better, thinking that you actually need me, but I guess I was wrong." And she stood up, walked pass him, leaving him in his room and staring at where she once was. "Sakura," she stopped but didn't turn to him and when he didn't say anything, she just continued to walk away, walk away from him and he hated it, more over, he hated himself for letting another person walk out on him.

A/N: Lucky for those who hate cliffhangers, I have no idea on how to end this. Besides, I'm saving most for future chapters. Again, I don't like this chapter much but I did enjoy typing it. I don't know when I'll update again but I will soon when I get chapter 6 done. Next chapter will have NaruHina, I promise! Crap, I was reading Yakuza 'coz I missed it, then I re-read the reviews and said: "What the heck, I'll post chapter 5 of Cold to not keep them waiting." So here it is! I was supposed to post it on Saturday or Sunday but... yeah... you reviewers make me happy so, might as well make you guys happy!