Chapter 9: Sasuke's School Life

School was a breeze for Itachi but unfortunately the same couldn't be said for Sasuke Uchiha. Ever since he was enrolled in the Leaf Academy, the students and even the teachers started to compare Sasuke with his older brother. Was he as brilliant as his brother? Was he a prodigy too? Sasuke Uchiha couldn't be anything but a genius since he was Itachi's younger brother. Such things were being said left and right and center since the beginning. Needless to say, everyone's expectation of Sasuke was high. And damn the kid felt the full pressure of it. Despite putting up a nonchalant face in front of everyone, in reality, Sasuke always felt worried. Worried about not being as good as his brother. Worried about disappointing his parents and most importantly Itachi. That, to say the least, was like a nightmare for Sasuke. To have Itachi disappointed in him.

Even though Itachi had time and time again assured Sasuke that he had nothing to worry about. That Sasuke was in fact a lot like him and Itachi believed that his little brother would not only be as good as him but one day even surpass him. Itachi simply wanted his little brother to enjoy his school life like every other kid. And make friends too. Something he himself never could do. Itachi hated people comparing Sasuke with him. Hated it more when his own father sometimes did that. He feared Sasuke one day hating him for it. For unintentionally making his life so difficult. Itachi wished he could just tell everyone to shut the fuck up and let Sasuke be. But alas Itachi knew even shouting at them wouldn't stop people from ever comparing them. As it stood, it was up to Sasuke to not let himself get affected by it. But Itachi also knew that Sasuke was still too young to handle this well on his own. He tried to help as much as he could. But sometimes, it just didn't feel enough. Itachi wished that he could do more.

Anyway, if there was one thing that was common between both brothers' school lives, it was their fan clubs. Yes, Sasuke too got his own fan clubs. In fact, they were formed as soon as he started going to school. Unlike Itachi though, who never acknowledged his fans, Sasuke would get pissed off at them. He'd even react to them. Well Snapped at them to be more accurate. But it seemed that only gave his fans more spirit and determination. Well speaking of Sasuke's fans, two names must be mentioned here. Number one, Sakura Haruno and two Ino Yamanaka. They were crazy obsessed with Sasuke. Both fought over him as if the boy was some sort of a prize. Both girls knew Sasuke even before they became classmates in the Leaf Academy. Harunos owned 'The Haruno Pharmaceutical' and Ino's father had his own flower business. The two girls were best friends actually. Until both of them fell for Sasuke and became rivals instead. The three of them had met at many parties and events before; therefore, Sasuke had to put up with their craziness even before starting school.

In fact, Sasuke knew most of his classmates before starting his academic life. Hinata Hyuga from the Hyuga family. Choji Akimichi's family owned restaurants all over Konoha. Shino Aburame whose family owned research facilities. Though their research specialized specifically in insects. Somehow Aburames were well known in the corporate world. Then last but not least, is Naruto Uzumaki. Son of Minato Namikaze and Kushina. Minato was the CEO of Rasengan Inc. That company had the potential to surpass Sharingan and Byakugan Corp. but it hadn't yet because the company was still relatively new. Also, it was formerly known as Sannin Corp. That company was established by three partners- Jiraiya, Tsunade and Orochimaru. Sannin Corp. could have been the top company and ruled over others if not for Orochimaru's betrayal. He did something that the other two partners couldn't forgive. Orochimaru left and to this day no one knew where he was. Tsunade and Jiraiya couldn't keep the company going afterward. Tsunade withdrew her share in the company and established Sannin Medical Center. Jiraiya took to traveling around the world and writing books. Icha Icha was a series of best-selling novels by him. They were of course adult romance novels and not for everyone to read.

Sannin Corp. didn't disappear completely though. It was revived pretty soon. Jiraiya had bequeathed his share of the company to his adopted son Minato. The company was renamed Rasengan Inc. and only over a few years, it became a well-known name in the industry. People saw the company in the same league as Sharingan and Byakugan Corporation. That being said, Naruto himself was a goofy-looking kid with blonde hair and blue eyes. And he absolutely did not get along with Sasuke. Naruto considered Sasuke his rival. Someone he needed to surpass. Naruto would often challenge Sasuke and lose without fail. But the irony was, that he was the only one Sasuke interacted with the most in the class. True that it was to either insult the blonde or to argue with him. They fought too and competed against each other at every given opportunity, but Sasuke acknowledged Naruto which was kind of a big deal. Of course, there were other students in the class who Sasuke never met before like Kiba Inuzuka, Shikamaru Nara, and some other kids as well.

"Look, there they come. The famous Uchiha brothers." Both brothers heard those murmurs and not-so-low whispers as they walked down the hallway together. Both Itachi and Sasuke were used to people talking about them. Especially when they were together. They acted unaffected. And Itachi really was unaffected by it, but unfortunately, Sasuke wasn't entirely immune to it.

"They look so much alike. It's so adorable, isn't it?" That definitely came from their fangirls.

"Have you heard, the younger one is apparently as dumb as a rock compared to his older brother." Was heard among the many voices.

"What! No way! The kid's top in his class."

"Well, he may be smarter than other kids but he surely doesn't hold a candle to his older brother." Itachi knew Sasuke heard that just as he did. He glanced at his little brother and just as he had expected, Sasuke looked absolutely miserable. Though the boy was trying his best to look normal. But Itachi wasn't so easy to fool. The older brother quietly gritted his teeth. Sasuke didn't deserve to go through this. And it was all his fault. No one could convince Itachi otherwise.

"Maybe he needs more time." The whispers continued.

"Or maybe he's just not good enough."

"Sasuke!" Itachi said his brother's name a little too louder than necessary. As expected, everyone stopped talking among themselves and strained their ears to listen to what Itachi had to say. Undoubtedly it was annoying but at least it got them to shut up which was what Itachi wanted.

"Don't forget what I always say to you. You're a lot like me. There's nothing you need to worry about. Please believe your nii-san and don't listen to anyone else." Itachi's voice was almost pleading.

"Of course, I believe you nii-san," Sasuke said, flashing Itachi a smile. The smile wasn't fake but it surely didn't reach Sasuke's eyes. Obviously, the kid was feeling a little down. Itachi wanted to cheer him up like he always does but there just wasn't any time. Their classes would start soon.

"Say Sasuke, I was thinking about paying a visit to the Town's Garden after school. Would you like to join me? I hear the tomatoes look exceptionally juicy this time." Like Sasuke would ever say no to tomatoes. And hearing that Sasuke's mood immediately did a one-eighty degree. He smiled widely at his big brother.

"REALLY! Of course, I'll go big brother." Sasuke said excitedly.

"Very well then. Wait for me at the cafeteria. I'll come and get you once I'm done with my classes," said Itachi. Afterward, the brothers shared a hug before parting their ways.

"Ahh brother's love. It's really too adorable," was the last thing Sasuke heard before he entered his classroom.

As soon as Sasuke walked through the door he was greeted by a blonde ball of energy.

"Sasuke-teme. I challenge you to a hundred push-ups." Naruto yelled out loud.

"Get lost dobe." Which was Sasuke's usual response to Naruto.

"Don't call me dobe," Naruto yelled at Sasuke. The Uchiha however started to walk towards his seat without sparing the blonde a single glance.

"Hey don't ignore me," Naruto yelled after him. Before he could go up to Sasuke and annoy him some more, the Uchiha was grabbed by a pink-haired monster.

"Good morning, Sasuke-kun. You look very handsome today. Not that you don't look handsome every day." Sakura said blushing brightly. A vein was threatening to pop on Sasuke's forehead. Heck dealing with Naruto was much better than dealing with this. Speaking of Naruto, the raven heard the blonde whining not far away. After all his crush Sakura was all over Sasuke. How could Naruto possibly not whine?

"Hey, I noticed how handsome Sasuke looks this morning first," Ino said out loud angrily as she approached Sakura. The pinkette glared at her ex-best friend. Ino on the other hand smiled at Sasuke shyly.

"Sasuke-kun please sit with me today." She requested hopefully.

"Hold it right there. Why would Sasuke sit with you?" An objection was immediately voiced. This time it wasn't only Sakura but some other girls as well.

"Sasuke-kun is mine. Back off Ino-pig." Sakura claimed forcibly; tightening her hold over Sasuke's arm as if that proved the point. It earned her glares from other girls but Sakura glared right back at them.

"Come on Sakura, what's so good about him?" Naruto whined from the background that everyone ignored.

"We'll see about that." Ino scoffed and immediately held Sasuke's other arm.

"Let go of him," Sakura demanded.

"You let go," Ino said back. A tug of war began between them which was the last straw for Sasuke.

"Let go of me, both of you!" Sasuke shouted and forcefully freed his arms from both girls. Then he strode away from them and took a seat in the front of the classroom. By then both Ino and Sakura had started yelling at each other. Accusing the other of angering Sasuke. Naruto stayed back with them as he tried to gain Sakura's attention. This fighting wouldn't settle down until Iruka sensei came and stopped them. Same old, same old. Every morning of Sasuke's school life had been like this so far. The boy let out a heavy sigh. School sure was a pain. But the thought of getting to hang out with his brother after school today brought a happy smile to Sasuke's lips. He couldn't wait for the last bell to ring.

As Sasuke was told to, he was waiting for his nii-san at the cafeteria after his classes were over. Naruto had stayed with Sasuke for a while. Mostly to challenge the Uchiha in different lame competitions. But then he had to leave as his ride home had already come to pick him up. At first, it was 'good riddance' for Sasuke but then when Itachi didn't show up for 20 minutes, the raven thought to himself perhaps the blonde dobe staying for a while longer wouldn't have been a bad thing. At least Sasuke wouldn't be getting bored then. Not that he would ever say it out loud. Anyway, the boy kept waiting patiently. Twenty minutes turned into an hour. Itachi still wasn't showing up and Sasuke was getting impatient.

"What's taking nii-san so long?" Sasuke asked out loud to himself.

"Otouto" A voice spoke up which Sasuke recognized immediately. He looked up and found Itachi standing at the doorway of the cafeteria. A smile immediately broke out on Sasuke's face. He forgot all about waiting for an hour. Itachi came. That's what mattered.

"Ready to go Nii-san!" Sasuke asked excitedly as he ran up to Itachi. Unfortunately, what Itachi said, sniffed out all the excitement out of Sasuke.

"Sorry, Sasuke. I know I said we'll go to the Town's Garden this evening but the project I'm working on is very important and I must finish it today. There's still a lot of work to do. We'll go some other time, okay." Itachi said with a gentle smile. Inwardly though, Itachi felt very guilty for making Sasuke's smile fall like that.

"But nii-san I was looking forward to spending some time with you all day." He had even waited an hour for Itachi. In the end, the elder came only to say that they wouldn't be going. That so wasn't fair. Sasuke pouted miserably. He was going to tell Itachi all about what happened in his classes today and what he had learned. Not to mention the other hundred things Sasuke had to share with his brother. And it really saddened Sasuke that all his hopes were crushed. Not to mention it was highly unlikely that Itachi would have time for him later that day.

"I know. Forgive me Sasuke. I promise I'll make it up to you later." Itachi poked Sasuke's forehead affectionately as he made that promise. Sasuke still wasn't happy at all. But he wasn't gonna throw a tantrum. He wasn't a kid anymore. Sasuke must understand if his big brother was busy and couldn't spend time with him. Surely if Itachi could he would've spent the entire evening with him. Sasuke needed to be considerate. Well, that was what the kid told himself but obviously, it didn't make him feel any less sad.

"Okay, nii-san. I'll go home then." All alone. Sasuke didn't say it out loud but his sulking face said it for him. Itachi could only sigh out at that. He didn't want to make his otouto sad. But he really couldn't leave school before finishing his work. Itachi led Sasuke to the car that was already waiting to pick him up and take him home.

"Thanks, Sasuke for understanding. I'll see you later otouto." Itachi said as he opened the car door for his little brother. The boy got in and Itachi closed the door. Sasuke glanced at his big brother once before fixing his gaze on his lap. A clear sign that he was really very upset. The car drove away with Sasuke, leaving Itachi behind to wonder how he was gonna make it up to his little brother. Little did Itachi Uchiha know that this incident was a spark that would become flames in the near future? And the bond between the brothers would be tested for the first time.