Really quick update this time. Had a little bit of free time and inspiration. Those things don't often coincide. Kind of an important, yet bit boring chapter. Hope you like it anyway. Your reviews are much appreciated! Thank you!

Hello

Licking his lips, Naruto brought his arm back, gripping the shuriken too tightly. With a clumsy swing of his arm, he let go. The star sailed through the air, arcing too high and then dropping below the target. It stuck in the wooden post, missing the outermost red ring. Frustrated, he stamped his foot. A handful of other students glanced and snickered.

To his right was Ino, and beside her, Sasuke assumed a near perfect stance. With an uncanny precision, he threw the shuriken. His followed a straight path and landed almost dead center, slightly to the right. Disappointment made his fingertips numb as he reached for the next star.

"Woohoo!" Ino puked a fist. "Go Sasuke!"

At the left end of the line, Sakura blushed.

Naruto stuck his tongue out at his rival. "Whatever, I'd still be able to beat you in a fist fight."

Sasuke glared at him. "Try it."

Taking the jab as a challenge, he bum rushed Sasuke. Prepared as always, the Uchiha boy sidestepped the attack and stuck his foot out. Oblivious, Naruto missed his double armed grab and tripped. He tumbled face first. The other children laughed, while Hinata stood back and hugged herself.

"Hey, hey," Iruka scolded, sounding tired. "That's enough. You can spar later."

Gritting her teeth, Aster flipped the pages of her textbook, showing proper stances and trajectories. Her mind was unfocused and her hands shook. Slamming the book closed, she gripped her crossed ankles and rocked in the grass. She glanced back at the school building from the yard, wondering if it was too late to ask Iruka to cancel the whole thing. Standing up, she gathered her stuff. Before she could take a step, however, the school bell rang. Suddenly, her underclassmen were flooding out.

Stepping out of the red double doors, Iruka smiled and waved. In his left hand, he had Naruto by the back off his collar. A few other kids gathered around him. Steeling herself, Aster approached.

"This," Iruka pointed at her with an open hand. "This is Yuki Aster. She will be leading practice for the next hour."

Swallowing hard, she tried to look confident by planting her feet and pushing her shoulders back. The students looked at her with wide eyes, and as far as she could tell, they were none the wiser to her trembling nerves. "What should I go over today, Iruka-sensei?"

He beamed. "I think maybe some more target practice would be good for the class."

Aster nodded. "Of course sensei. I was just going over it again myself anyway."

Pushing Naruto forward, he grinned. "Off you go then!"

Shikamaru and Hinata followed Aster's determined steps. The second Iruka unlatched his hands from Naruto, the blonde was running. Gaping in unwarranted surprise, Iruka was dumbfounded for a moment as Naruto scaled the wall around the yard and disappeared.

"NARUTO!" Iruka's voice boomed. "You come back here now, or so help me!"

His captive already gone, Iruka was met with silence and stares from Aster and her pupils. Sighing in defeat and clenching his eyes shut, he glanced at them.

"Stay here and practice. I'll be back with Naruto." Huffing, he dashed off, not about to give up on the boy.

Walking the short line, Aster made adjustments to each child's stance. Quickly, she had realized Shikamaru didn't need her assistance. He simply was trying to skate by with doing as little work as possible. Every time Aster turned her back on him, he pocketed his shuriken and stood with his eyes closed. She wondered if he was actually asleep or just wasting time. Next to him, Hinata was trying her hardest. She wasn't doing poorly, but her form was off and it made her unbalanced.

Leaning in, she touched the girl's wrist. "Just widen your stance a bit."

Hinata looked up with fearful eyes.

Aster saw her reflection in them and shivered. "Ground your feet and let the power come from there. Trust your strength."

The little girl nodded and changed her footing. Pressing her lips together, Hinata threw another star with all her might. It landed dead center with a loud thunk. Shikamaru clapped and she blushed.

"Great job!" Aster squeezed her fists. "Just stand there and feel the stance, memorize it with your body. Eventually, you'll hit it every time." She winked.

By the time Iruka returned with Naruto in tow, the hour was over and all three of them were tired. As the class dispersed, the kyuubi boy grinned up at his sensei, knowing there was no longer a reason for him to be held hostage. Reluctantly, Iruka released him and he vanished again.

After all the students were gone, Iruka put his hands on his hips, looking down at Aster. "You did an amazing job today."

She flushed. "I learned a lot from them too."

"I know," he smiled. "I learn something new every day here from all of you. Even you, Aster."

She flinched at the use of her name. "I'm happy and surprised to hear that sensei."

Softening, he watched her retreat into herself at the compliment. "Just be happy."

Aster nodded and walked past him, exiting the yard. As she turned the right corner, she noticed a mop of dark hair. Turning on her heel, she noticed a boy from Naruto's class sitting on the bench to the left of the exit. He had wide innocent eyes and his hair framed them. He stared at his dangling feet, not acknowledging her. Aster frowned and sat on the bench beside him. Startled he looked up.

"You okay?" She kept her face blank.

He gave her a sullen look. "Yeah, I'm fine."

"Did you sit here all afternoon?" Aster gripped her knees.

The boy's gaze drifted back to his feet. "I'm waiting for someone."

Aster glanced at the darkening sky. "Well… looks like they are late."

"Yeah," his frustration colored his voice. "They're always late."

"You know," she pushed his shoulder gently. "You could always join the class."

He gave her a furtive look of surprise. "Really?"

"Of course," she smiled. "Hey, what's your name?"

His face went white and he looked ashamed for a brief moment. Reluctant for the reaction he expected, he didn't meet her eyes when he answered. "I'm Sasuke… Uchiha Sasuke."

"Uchiha, eh?" she rolled her tongue in her mouth. "Sounds familiar, but I can't place it. So you want to come train here too... Sasuke?" She tried out his name.

Suddenly it dawned on him. She did not know who Itachi was. An unbidden wave of relief swept over him. His demeanor changed and he grinned up at her for the first time. "Um, yeah. That'd be cool."

"Well then," Aster extended a hand. "Did you need someone to walk you home?"

Both of them looked at the graying clouds.

"Hey, Sasuke!" A voice called.

They looked to the left and saw a young man with a blue shirt and long hair tied at the base of his neck approaching. Aster jumped up and wrapped her arm around Sasuke's shoulders. The boy turned red.

"Hello," she shoved her hand in front of him. "I'm Yuki Aster. I'm the after school senpai." She pulled Sasuke to her hip. "I take it you're a relative of Sasuke?"

Giving the boy an apologetic look, he introduced himself. "I'm his elder brother. Uchiha Itachi." Gingerly, he shook her hand.

No recognition or smile crossed her face. "Well, Uchiha-san, you're awfully late to pick up your brother." She admonished him.

The brothers exchanged a look of surprise that Aster missed. Grasping her hand more tightly, he shook it again. "Yes, I'm sorry."

She frowned. "You shouldn't be apologizing to me- apologize to Sasuke."

A smile crept up on both boys faces. Aster pursed her lips in confusion. "Yes, of course. I'm sorry I was late-"

"Again," Sasuke interjected.

"Yes," Itachi bowed his head. "Again."

"Well," Aster still didn't release Sasuke, wary of the older Uchiha. "If it's no trouble, he can always stay after with the other students and train with me. And I'm more than happy to see him home any time."

Itachi smiled in earnest. "Yes, I'll make sure he has time to study with you. But I'll also be sure to be here on time going forward."

Finally, Aster's arm retreated. Sasuke took Itachi's hand and waved. "It was nice to meet you Sasuke!" She called as they disappeared.

Once she was out of ear shot, Itachi hoisted Sasuke onto his back. "So, is your new senpai nice?"

Sasuke grinned and rested his chin on Itachi's shoulder. "Yeah, I guess so. I like her."

Thinking back to the blank look on her face, he felt relieved to not be recognized. "Yeah, me too. Hopefully we'll be seeing her often." Itachi pictured her wide blue eyes and shy smile. His heart beat faster and he swallowed the emotion rising in his chest.

Sitting on the stoop, the high moon threw sharp shadows over him. Reaching into his pocket, Itachi pulled out a kerchief. Grasping the blade's handle, he gently rubbed away sticky, drying blood. His clothes were spotless and his mask still hid his face. Unbuckling the sheath from his shoulder, he put the sword away.

It was quiet. Even the birds were silent, as though they knew what he had done. Itachi held the weapon in his lap for a moment. Weary from the world, he lifted the mask from his face. It made a gentle click as he set it next to him on the wood porch. His skin was smooth, fresh with youth, but his eyes were hollow and haunted. Savoring the solitude, he waited before standing to come inside.

The dining room was open to the entryway and front living room. The shadows almost completely obscured the figure that sat cross-legged at the table. But Itachi was perceptive and didn't miss a beat.

"Was your mission a success?" The head of the Uchiha clan asked gruffly.

Itachi bit his lip, bitter and not sure how to measure success anymore. Finally he replied without making eye contact. "The target was neutralized."

"Good." Uchiha Fugaku stood. "Impressive as always."

Not trusting the compliment, he didn't respond.

His father faced him now. "Hone those skills. You never know when the clan will need you. It may be sooner than later."

Itachi nodded. Gripping his sheathed blade a little too tightly, he marched to his room. His steps were silent and he melted into the darkness of the hallway. As he passed Sasuke's room, he stopped. His brother was fast asleep, lost in harmless dreams, full of hope. He said a prayer to the night that it would stay that way.

The next day after class Sasuke stayed behind with Hinata and Shikamaru. Naruto gaped. His face turned red with anger and he clenched his fists before pointing an accusing finger at the Uchiha.

"You don't need to be here!" He cried, outstretched arm shaking. "You think you're better than me?"

Sasuke shrugged. "Better at basically everything." He smirked.

Hinata frowned and toyed with her lip with her index finger. Shikamaru opened his sleepy eyes for once.

"Go home Sasuke, or I'll be forced to show you what a real ninja can do!" Naruto declared. "I'm gonna be Hokage one day, so you'd better respect me!"

"Tch," Sasuke chuckled. "You're out of your mind."

Aster clapped her hands as she approached and all four pupils turned. "Today," she announced, "We practice properly forming hand signs."

"Ugh," Naruto slumped over. "Really? We don't even get to do a jutsu?"

Chiding him, she wagged her finger. "How will you do ninjitsu if you can't form seals?"

The blonde acquiescenced and took his place between Sasuke and Shikamaru. The class went by faster than any of them expected. The sun was setting when Aster dismissed them. Naruto, Shikamaru and Hinata dispersed quickly, eager to leave for different reasons. Sasuke stayed behind though. Shielding her eyes from the glare, Aster looked up and down the road in front of the school.

"He's late." Sasuke said leadenly.

Aster sighed. "I'm sure he's on his way as quickly as he can."

"Senpai?" The boy looked up at her. "I'm hungry. Can you walk me home?"

She smiled. "Of course. I just hope your brother isn't too upset."

"Hmph," Sasuke crossed his arms. "He won't care."

"Oh, I'm sure he will," she laughed. "I get the idea he must care for you very deeply."

Startled, he looked back at her as he led the way. "What? Why do you think that?"

"Just the look in his eyes the other day." She winked. "We know."

"We?" Sasuke kept walking. "Do you have a little brother?"

Abruptly Aster's heart dropped and her mouth went dry. "I… I did." Suddenly, she realized how similar Idate and Sasuke had looked. The same spiky waves and narrow, little shoulders stood before her. Sasuke's hair was jet black, but Idate's had been silver.

Unphased and unaware, he continued. "Itachi is the best big brother. He's an amazing shinobi and I'm gonna be just like him one day. We're going to be the best and keep the peace in Konoha."

Shaking her head to clear it, Aster forced a smile. "I'm sure you're right."

"Hey," Itachi's voice broke their conversation and the spell the boy had on her. "I'm sorry, Sasuke." He rushed forward as they stopped at the gates to the Uchiha compound. "A mission ran late."

"Sure." Sasuke rolled his eyes.

"Are you okay to walk home from here?" Aster asked, feeling she wasn't allowed inside.

"Sasuke will be okay now that we've reached the compound." Itachi waved him. "But a young girl shouldn't be out alone after dark."

Aster blushed.

"Do you mind if I take Aster back to her home?" Itachi held Sasuke's eyes.

"Can I come too?" Sasuke pouted.

Itachi gave him a sad smile. "You've still got homework to do. I'll be quick."

"Fine…" he groaned and wandered off. "Bye senpai!"

The night air was brisk and they walked in silence for a while. The cicadas hummed and a gentle breeze rustled the trees. Finally, Aster could bear his quiet no longer.

"Why are you always late anyway?" She asked more bitterly than she intended.

He looked startled. "What do you mean? I'm very busy."

Aster sighed. "Too busy for your family?" She glanced at him. "You only get one brother. And he won't be so little forever."

Embarrassed, he looked towards his feet. "You're right. But I have a duty to Konoha."

"Hmph," she crossed her arms. "What could Konoha need that is so much more important than those you love?"

He snorted. "Do you know what I do?"

"Sasuke said you're a shinobi. I guess you run missions all day and collect a paycheck."

Now he glared at her. "I'm anbu. I protect you and everyone here from the worst kinds of people."

Aster turned red. "I'm sorry, I didn't know."

He chuckled. "No, that's okay. I'm sorry. I knew you didn't know."

She side-eyed him. "That's harsh."

"Well, so is what you said."

Sighing, she nodded. "Yeah, you're right." Aster looked up finally. "This is me."

Itachi looked around. "We're at the edge of the village. This is just forest."

"No, it's not." She turned her back to him. "I'll be okay from here. Please go home to your family."

Unsure how to stop her, he didn't. He wondered if he should follow her just in case. However, it seemed she needed her privacy. Before he could reply, she was gone.

"in the dark" by Bring Me The Horizon

PlEaSe R&R