Disclaimer- Don't own Naruto.

Author's Note- In this story, Kakashi is about 6 years older than Itachi.


Three

-

Falling

Sakura and Sasuke sat on the porch of the Uchiha mansion, both looking extremely bored. Sasuke fiddled with a kunai while Sakura yawned excessively. Up above, the sun began to set. Mikoto peered out the kitchen window and her face softened at them. Itachi went on a mission about three days ago with their father and was supposed to return today- and so far the Uchiha siblings had seen no sight of their aniki or otou-san.

"Sakura-chan, Sasuke-chan," Mikoto said, "Why don't you guys come in?"

"No," they yawned, "We wanna be here when aniki and otou-san return…"

"Alright…" Mikoto's face softened. Then, she got an idea. The Uchiha matriarch disappeared in the mansion for a brief moment before reappearing with a blanket in hand. She gently wrapped it over her children's' shoulders.

"Thank you mommy," Sakura smiled.

"What she said," Sasuke yawned.

Mikoto smiled and cast one last glance at them before going back inside the house.

A few hours had passed and it was now nightfall. Sasuke had fallen asleep on Sakura's shoulder and she too felt exhaustion slowly begin to take over her small body. Just as her eyelids began to droop, a pair of footsteps echoed down the road. Sakura snapped upright and scanned the area. Was that…?

"Aniki!" she yelled and bolted towards her brother. Sasuke grunted as her sudden movement caused him to fall back and hit his head.

"Wha-?" Sasuke rubbed his head.

"Come on!" Sakura pulled him up, "Aniki is back!"

Itachi was literally dragging himself towards the Uchiha mansion, along with his partner, Hatake Kakashi. They had just returned from an A-Class mission and were worn out. Fugaku had decided to report to the Hokage before returning home. Suddenly, they heard two pair of footsteps bounce up to them. Itachi felt something clamp down on his leg. He looked down.

"Sakura-chan?"

"Hiya!" she grinned, "How was the mission?"

"Who's that?" Sasuke cocked his head at Kakashi.

"This is my partner," the elder Uchiha explained, "Hatake Kakashi."

"Yo," the silver haired boy warily lifted up two fingers. Sakura stared at him. He had tousled, silver hair and a mask pulled halfway up his face, concealing everything but his eyes. His forehead protector was also positioned in such a way that it covered his left eye.

"Kakashi, this is my imouto," Itachi introduced them, "Sakura. And this is my otouto: Sasuke."

19 year old Kakashi couldn't help but smirk at Sakura. She was so cute! She had a little button nose and the biggest green eyes he'd ever seen- along with an adorably wide forehead. She blushed and hid behind Sasuke.

"Come on," Itachi grunted, "We can talk when we get in the house." The others nodded and headed towards the Uchiha mansion, Sasuke and Sakura at their heels.


Mikoto nearly had a heart attack when she opened the door and found her eldest son covered in cuts and bruises, along with his partner. She quickly ushered them in and ran to her medicine cabinet, pulling out everything that could be of use. Itachi never really liked going to the hospital and dealing with all those nagging nurses while they drooled over him. Kakashi and Itachi both took a seat on the sofa, with the younger Uchihas questioning them on what happened during the mission.

"How'd the mission go?" Sasuke said.

"It was great," Kakashi smiled through his mask, "Your brother Itachi here kicked some major butt. Man, he's really powerful you know." Suddenly, Itachi's face darkened as his fists clenched. That word echoed in his head. Power…

Suddenly, a knock from the door caught their attention.

"Oh?" Mikoto put down her medical supplies and stood up, "That must be your father." As she opened the door, Mikoto was surprised to see none other than Uchihas Yashiro, Tekka, and Inabi at the door- they were part of the Konoha military police force- and top ranking officers at that. "And to what do I owe this honor?" Mikoto bowed lightly at her guests.

"Konbanwa, Mikoto-san," Yashiro bowed, "We are here to question your son, Itachi."

"Really?" her brows furrowed. In the background, Itachi tensed and Kakashi noticed.

"Unfortunately, we bear some bad news," Inabi said, "You might want to have Sasuke and Sakura leave the room."

"Don't worry," Kakashi's only visible eye crinkled, "I'll take them." Though still bruised and exhausted, Kakashi scooped up both the Uchiha siblings and headed up the stairs. Itachi was the only one left.

Uchiha Tekka nodded and delivered the grave news, "Uchiha Shisui… he… he was discovered dead yesterday night in the Nakano River."

Mikoto gasped as her hands instantly flew to her mouth. Shisui was one of the clan's renowned members- and was a best friend to Itachi. In fact, Itachi even considered him a big brother. "H-How… How did this happen?"

"Evidence points to suicide," Yashiro's voice was deadpan, "But we believe it to be a murder."

Instantly, it clicked. Mikoto stared at them as if they were crazy, "So… you're going to ask Itachi if he killed Shisui! Why- that's absurd! Itachi would never do such a thing!"

"Mikoto-san," Inabi lectured, "We'll need to continue this with your son." Giving off a huff, Mikoto reluctantly let them in. Tekka advised Mikoto to refrain from adding in any comments during the interrogation.

"We'll ask you this straightforward: Did you kill Shisui?"

There was a paused before Itachi answered, "No." As always, his voice was deadpan and face remained as stony as ever. Being as emotionless as he was, it was always hard to tell what was going through his mind.

Inabi, Yashiro, and Tekka frowned. Mikoto bit her lip.

"Why would I kill him?" the thirteen year old continued, "He was a best friend to me."

"And yet you seem unaffected by his death," Tekka commented.

"Ninja never show emotion." Itachi glanced at him.

Up on the second floor, Kakashi pressed his ear near the floorboards and tried to listen in on the concentration. He tried transferring chakra to his ears, but decided against it because Itachi or the others might sense the extra flow of chakra and know that Kakashi was listening. He could hear little blurred snippets, but not enough to weave together a full conversation.

"Hey," Sasuke said, "What are you doing?"

"Sleeping." Kakashi stated bluntly.

"Nuh uh!" Sakura frowned, "You're awake!"

"I'm sleeping with my eyes open."

"But you're talking."

"I talk in my sleep. Is there something wrong with that?"

"Liar!"

For some reason, Kakashi felt he would hear those words more often in the future.


It was lunch time at the academy and the kids were currently buzzing around the lunch area, looking for places to eat and searching for their friends. A certain pink haired girl caught sight of two familiar blondes. "Ino!" Sakura shouted, "Naruto!"

They looked over, "Ohayo, Sakura-chan!"

Ino and Naruto grinned and plopped down next to their friend, followed by Sasuke. "What's for lunch today?"

"Bento," Sakura grinned and popped an umeboshi in her mouth.

"Hn." Sasuke said and scooped up some rice.

"Oh yum!" Ino stared at it with a watery mouth. She shamefully pulled out her onigiri and leftover grilled fish. She took a glance at Sakura's Onii-chan. "Ne, Sasuke-kun… would you please give me a little of your bento? It looks so good."

He glanced at her. "No."

"Onii-chan," Sakura tugged at his shirt, "Can I have your umeboshi?"

"Yes."

Ino growled inwardly. If only she got the same attention Sasuke gave Sakura.

"Well I've got ramen!" Naruto grinned and slurped up the noodles.

"You always have ramen," Sakura stuck her tongue out and ruffled his hair. Suddenly, she caught sight of two familiar Hyuugas sitting under a tree. They looked lonely… just sitting there and eating their lunches in silence. Sakura frowned. She didn't like people being lonely- if others were sad then she was sad. She'd have to fix that problem.

"Be right back, "Sakura said and picked up her lunch. Ino took this chance to scoot closer to Sasuke, who took the chance to scoot away from her. Naruto… well, he was waiting for another bowl of his ramen to cook. Sasuke narrowed his eyes as he saw his sister approach his rival: Neji Hyuuga.

"Ohayo!" Sakura grinned and plopped down next to Neji and Hinata.

"Sakura-san," Neji nodded and sipped his soda.

"O-Oh-hayo…" Hinata blushed and shrank in her jacket.

"Mind if I eat with you guys?" Sakura said.

"N-No," Hinata shyly nibbled on her ohagi.

"Go ahead," Neji sighed.

Sakura cheered and started stuffing her face. Hinata smiled slightly at the cheerful girl and her friendliness. Normally, only Neji ate with her, but that was mostly because he was her family member and she was the only girl who didn't swoon at sight of him. So having Sakura around for a change felt weird yet comforting at the same time. Neji glanced at Sakura and felt a little blush tinting his cheeks.

"Ne," Sakura stopped and looked at Neji, "Where's your lunch?"

"I'm not hungry," he said.

The pink haired girl frowned, "But everyone's got to eat! Kaa-san says that eating right makes a strong ninja."

"N-Ne," Hinata stuttered, "I w-wouldn't f-force Neji-s-san to eat if he d-doesn't w-want to…"

Sakura ignored her and scooped up a bit of rice and meat. She then shoved it in front of Neji's face, "Eat."

He glanced at the spoon and then her face, and then back at the spoon. "No."

"Yes," she glared.

"No."

She gave him a puppy dog pout.

He opened his mouth.

"Yay!" Sakura cheered. Hinata blinked. That girl… Sakura… she actually got Neji to listen to her? Of course, Hinata had met Sakura before during one of those Hyuuga-Uchiha integration party things, but never before had she seen Neji interact with a Uchiha. Well, hospitably of course. Could that mean that Neji held Sakrua in a different light? Could that mean that he…?

Elsewhere, Sasuke clenched his chopsticks so hard that the poor wooden twigs threatened to break. Well, they were pretty much in the process of doing so. Sakura was feeding Neji? His sister? And his rival? Oh, that just made his blood boil. Without a word, Sasuke finished up his lunch and briskly walked off.

"Hey!" Ino protested and raced after him, "Sasuke-kun!"

"Oi," Naruto frowned and slurped up the last bits of his ramen, "Wait for me!"


By the time Itachi came home, it was about midnight. Yes, it was a bit later than usual but Yashiro and the others had caught up to him again and questioned him more on the case of Shisui. Again, Itachi told them he had nothing to do with the murder/suicide. By now the elder Uchiha was exhausted and wanted nothing more than to go to bed.

A familiar raven haired woman went down the stairs and caught sight of her son. "Ah," Mikoto said, "Itachi, you're finally home."

"Hn."

"Always training, I see," she smiled, "Always my powerful little shinobi."

Suddenly, he froze and his face darkened.

Powerful…

Power…

Over and over those words echoed in his head.

"Dear, what's wrong?"

Slowly, Itachi turned and gave his mother a sadistic grin, "Powerful is what you want me to become, isn't it?"

"Hm?" she blinked, "Itachi is everything alright?"

"Power… father makes such a big deal out of it. Always telling everyone how powerful I am. I wonder if he'd like me to show them a first hand demonstration of my strength." He grinned maniacally and flexed his fingers.

"W-What are you saying?" Mikoto backed up to a wall, Itachi stepping dangerously closer.

"That's what father always talks about." Itachi ranted, his eyes widening slightly, "I have potential- the greatest anyone has ever seen. Shouldn't I go farther?" He then grasped his mother's shoulders and slammed her up against the wall, "SHOULDN'T I?"

"I-Itachi!" she managed to choke out.

"Think of the possibilities!" he said with a malevolent twist in his eyes, "I can go so much farther- become something greater." A light ball of chakra formed in his palm, "So much stronger…" He then turned his gaze towards Mikoto- eyes now tined Sharingan. Mikoto felt fear and apprehension rise form deep within her throat.

"S-Stop! You're crazy!"

"Am I?" he mocked.

"Stop!" Mikoto clasped her hands over her ears and shut out her son's rants. She shook her head feverishly as a few tears escaped down her cheeks.

"Itachi, Mikoto, what's going on here?" a deep voice said form the top of the staircase. It was Fugaku. Behind him, Sasuke and Sakura sleepily leaned on his legs.

"Mama?" Sasuke yawned, "Aniki? What's with all the noise…?" Sakura took a huge gulp of air and rubbed her eyes. Fugaku tensed a bit at the sight. Itachi looked flustered, while Mikoto was backed up against a wall and crying.

"N-Nothing," the Uchiha matriarch breathed, "Just send Sakura and Sasuke back to bed."

Fugaku raised a brow, "Aa… But afterwards you're telling me what's going on." Mikoto nodded and Fugaku scooped up his two younger children. Sakura and Sasuke protested, wanting to know what was going on.

"Why is Mama and aniki shouting?" Sakura said.

"And why is Mama crying?" Sasuke yawned.

"I'll explain later," Fugaku trailed off as he neared their rooms.

As soon as they were out of earshot, Mikoto turned to her son. "Itachi, listen to me. I forbid you to think such thoughts. You have two younger siblings who look up to you- what would they think when they find out that you thought things like that."

"Otouto andSakura-chan won't mind. She accepts me as I am- whoever I am."

"Stop talking like that! Just go back to your room and forget we had this talk."

"Why?" he pressed.

Mikoto was taken aback. "I'm your mother," her voice shook as more tears streamed down her face. By now she was on the point of begging, "Itachi… please, listen to me. Don't say stuff like that. Your father and I love you- I'm your mother. I know what's best."

"Do you?" Itachi grumbled before racing up the stairs.

"Itachi!" Mikoto shouted after him. She sighed when she heard a door slam roughly. She collapsed in a nearby chair and rubbed her temples. What has gotten into that boy lately?


The room was dark and illuminated only by the faint silver sliver that shone through the window. A shadow was hunched up in the corner of his bed, fiddling with a kunai. He traced it over his skin just as he did all those nights before. Suddenly, Itachi stopped and heard a light pair of footsteps near his room. Slowly, the door creaked open as a familiar pink eight year old poked her head in.

"Itachi-chan?" Sakura whispered and groggily rubbed her eyes. Even though Fugaku had put Sasuke and her back to bed, Sakura had managed to sneak out. "Are you awake?"

"Hn."

"I can't sleep," Sakura lied, "Can I sleep with you tonight?" Truth is, she just wanted to ask him what was going on about an hour ago."

"Hn."

Sakura smiled and hopped on his bed, snuggling under the covers and cuddling up next to his side. Itachi's face softened as he glanced down at her. Without a word, the elder Uchiha bent down and caught her tiny waist in an embrace. He buried his face in her cropped tresses and inhaled deeply. Sakura gasped slightly.

"You're the only one who understands me, Sakura-chan," he whispered.

Sakura pouted and hugged him back. Something was troubling aniki. She could feel it. "What's wrong?"

Itachi blinked. He couldn't exactly explain to his imouto what the problem was- heck, he didn't even know what was wrong with him. Silently, Itachi scooped Sakura up and felt her tiny fingers wrap around his neck. He went over to her room and gently set her down on the bed.

"Sakura-chan," he cupped one of her soft cheeks in his calloused hands, "Do you love me?"

"Huh?" she flushed and fidgeted with her fingers. As said before, she knew it was normal to love your sibling… but whenever she said she love or showed affection to her brothers, she always felt something more. "Well, um… yeah, I'm your sister. Of course I love you!"

"Would you still love me even if…even if I did something bad one day?"

Sakura blinked. Being the naïve little girl she was, she had not yet known the horrors of the battlefield or what real ninja like Itachi faced. Her idea of bad was Sasuke ripping off her doll's head.

"Would you?"

Sakura grinned and hugged him, "Mhmm! I'd still love you."

Itachi's face softened as he hugged her tighter. Sakura felt hot, salty drops of water touch her skin as her brother's shoulders shook slightly. "Thank you…"


ITAI! Sorry for long wait! My computer broke down and the monitor burned out so I was forced to leave it in the shop and wait for it to get fixed. In the mean time, I was stuck using my brother's lap top, but I couldn't write any chapters from there. Well, now that I have my computer back I can update! Wahoo!