Pumping them out. I like this chapter more; it was an easier and more fun write. Enjoy!

Tomorrow

Catching herself holding her breath, Aster exhaled as quietly as she could. Meditation was going well; everyone, even Naruto, was still and silent. Glancing at the sun, she knew their hour was done. Shadows were beginning to stretch away from the seated pupils and the light was tinged orange. Dark, purple clouds hung on the horizon.

Turning to her small class, Aster addressed them, "Okay, everyone… Come back now."

Slowly three of four pairs of eyes opened. Either Shikamaru was deep in meditation or deep in sleep. Naruto giggled and the Nara boy opened one eye.

"It's time to go," she told them. Naruto was already on his feet. "Today's training is over."

Hinata and Shikamaru left, going opposite directions. Naruto dashed ahead of them. Only Sasuke stayed behind. Aster glanced towards the entrance of the school yard, surprised to see Itachi waiting. He waved a lazy hand and Sasuke smiled back.

"Well, I guess we don't get to hang out today," she crossed her arms. "Your brother is here on time for once!" She heard Itachi chuckle as he approached.

"Nii-san made me a promise." Sasuke put out his hand. Hesitant, Aster took his small fingers in her palm. "Today you are coming to hang out with us."

She flushed. "Oh, I can't. I'm sorry. I have to be somewhere."

Itachi raised an eyebrow. "We can come with you."

Pressing her lips together in a thin line, she made it clear she didn't appreciate him inviting himself. "No, actually I have to go alone."

"You are alone." Itachi let the words fall like rocks in a river.

The elder Uchiha's words startled her. How much does he know about me? Is it a statement or a threat? At a loss, she didn't reply.

"Please," Sasuke drew the word out, "C'mon, please nee-chan!" The honorific slipped naturally, even though the boy had not intended to use it.

Blushing, Aster sighed. I'm trapped. "Maybe I can make some time. Just for a little while."

Jumping, Sasuke whooped and Itachi grinned. "I think all this training has earned us a snack. I want dango. What about you, Sasuke?"

"A tomato!" he cried.

Aster frowned. "Dango and tomatoes? Boy, you two sure are a pair."

His attention turned to her. "And what kind of snack does the senpai want?"

Another wave of redness crept up her cheeks. "Oh, I don't need anything."

"You'll get a tomato then," Sasuke interjected.

Aster blanched.

"He's right," Itachi nodded very solemnly. "If you don't accept my offer to treat you, I'll be very offended. And if you don't pick something, I'll be forced to give you a tomato."

Shyly, she replied, "I guess I'd like daifuku…" Her mouth watered. Living off the food coupons given to her hadn't allowed her much besides chicken, rice, and occasionally some modest vegetables. Sweets were a luxury. "It's my favorite," she added.

Th small plastic bag rustled as Aster opened the front door. One daifuku was left, wrapped neatly and waiting. She had insisted that Itachi not buy her more than two. They had argued at the counter, even though she didn't have any money to pay. Vividly in her memory of the day was Sasuke watching them bicker while munching his tomato. She giggled.

Crossing the empty living space, she opened the refrigerator, intending to put the snack away. Instead she paused in front of it. It will get hard and taste weird if I try to save it for tomorrow… Fingers tingling, she unwrapped the treat and sat on the floor where the table had been.

Looking around, she could see the place where each of her family members had died. The first had been Idate at the foot of the stairs. Then her father just a few feet in front of where she was sitting, and her mother had followed behind her near the sink. Just before the entryway, the wood was still noticeably discolored if you knew where to look. Hikaru had left a stain, unlike the others.

"I can't stay here…" she mumbled to the empty air. "I hate this village." Holding the daifuku, she looked at her lap. "Tomorrow isn't promised." Aster bit into the snack, letting sweet azuki bean fill her mouth. Staring at the front door, she ate the last daifuku slowly.

Marching forward and keeping his eyes ahead, Sasuke led the way down the path to the dock. Following him was Fugaku. The dirt was packed hard and dusty on the path. Above them, the sun pushed its way through gathering fluffy clouds. As they stepped onto the wooden deck, the water sparkled.

They were silent. Anticipation felt like bricks in Sasuke's chest. His father's judging eyes weighed heavily. Inhaling deeply, the boy fumbled with a series of hand signs. It wasn't as smooth as he had practiced and his resolve failed. Trying to save face, he blew the air into his curled hand. A small gust of fire puffed out the other side.

Fugaku grunted. "Maybe next time." Without waiting for a response, he turned away and walked back to the house to retire to his office.

Ashamed, Sasuke clenched his fists. A cool, refreshing breeze came off the freshwater. Only when it touched his cheeks was he aware they were burning red.

Staring at his lap, Itachi avoided his father's penetrating gaze. The sun was setting and backlit his father through the window. A low wooden table separated them and they sat on cushions, a deep purple. A bookshelf and a tall filing cabinet the wall to Itachi's left, and another bookcase was to his right with the open door behind him.

Their conversation had been sparse, but it felt too long. Finally, Fugaku broke the long silence. "If you have something to say to me, say it, boy."

Itachi's response was too quiet. His mumbled words were short and jumbled. Still, he didn't look up.

"Say it." He pressed harder, irritation coloring his voice.

Itachi swallowed hard. "You're too hard on him."

"On who?"

He clenched his fists. "You're too hard on Sasuke."

"I expect nothing less than absolute excellence." Fugaku sat straighter. "Your brother is capable. He can rise to meet my expectations, just as you have."

Shamed, Itachi didn't reply immediately. It was a moment before he could gather himself enough to answer. "Excellence and what you expect are two different things. Sasuke is already excellent."

"Sasuke wouldn't survive a real battle." He crossed his arms.

Itachi raised his gaze to glare at his father. "Hopefully he never has to fight one. He's seven."

Unflinching, Fugaku held his son's eyes. "You saw battle as young as four. Seven is old enough."

Itachi glanced away again. There's no reasoning with him. Why do I bother?

"Do you have something you want to say, Itachi?"

Hanging his head, he muttered, "No, father. Nothing."

"Good," Fugaku pressed his palms to the table top. "I expect silence and obedience then. No more wasting time playing games with Sasuke. You are the biggest asset this clan has. Act like it."

Arms crossed behind his head, Shisui sauntered beside Itachi. The sun was bright and high, fluffy clouds dotting the sky. The Uchiha compound was bustling, but Shisui didn't shrink away from the chaos of pushing and shoving. Others made space for him.

Aggravated, Itachi sighed. "How long do you want to stay out in the forest anyway?"

"The forest of death, cousin." He grinned. "At least a two days. It'll be fun. A short survival game."

Rolling his eyes, he crossed his arms over his chest. "Fine. Unless an emergency comes up, I have next weekend off."

"Sure you won't be busy?" He winked.

"What?" Itachi frowned. "What do you mean?"

Shisui laughed loudly. "What do I mean? Do you think I'm stupid?"

"Well," Itachi shrugged. "Sometimes, yes."

He chuckled. "I saw that cute little redheaded girl at the house a few weeks ago. And then I saw you three at the sweet shop."

"You mean Aster?" Shock played over his features as he struggled to put the obvious pieces together. "She's Sasuke's after school senpai."

"Oh-ho!" He jumped in front of Itachi, smiling like a maniac. "So the cute girl has a name! How well do you know her then?"

Puzzled, he stopped. "Well enough. I trust her with Sasuke."

Raising his eyebrows, Shisui's face almost broke with the grin he was wearing. "You trust her to take care of Sasuke? You must be really head over heels!"

"What?" Itachi glared at him. "Head over heels?"

"She's very cute and she has a sweet looking face. Good job."

"Good job?" His questions came through gritted teeth.

"I thought you'd pick someone more hardened or brooding. That girl - Aster - she seems soft and kind." He winked again.

"How can you possibly know anything about her? Have you even met her or did you just spy on us?"

"Oh, I know these things," He jabbed his chest with his thumb. "I'm quite the ladies man myself. I know all about women."

Disgust played on the younger man's face. "Don't talk to me about your relationships. I don't want to hear your lewd stories."

Shrugging, Shisui gave him a wry smile. "I'm just saying, I never pictured she'd be a girl like Aster - your first girlfriend, that is."

"What?" Itachi snapped. "My girlfriend?"

He giggled. "Yeah, don't play coy. I didn't know you had a soft spot for redheads. They can be hard to come by."

Now he glared at him. "She's not my girlfriend! We're barely even friends!"

"But you trust her with Sasuke?"

Itachi reddened. "Well, Sasuke likes her a lot, and sometimes he can be hard to get to open up. Obviously if Sasuke likes her, she must be a good person. He's an uncanny judge of character for a kid."

Turning his back to him, Shisui resumed his pose and pace, all humor leaving him. "Well, if she's not your girlfriend, maybe you should think about it. It'd be a shame to let the person you're describing get away."

Both brothers sat cross-legged on Sasuke's bed, facing each other with cards in hand. The clouds on the horizon had arrived. It was mid-summer, but an uncharacteristic rain poured down anyway. The pounding on the roof and patter on the window were the only sounds as Sasuke deliberated.

Suddenly, he held up a three of hearts. "Do you have a three?"

Itachi shook his head. "Go fish, kid."

"Ugh," Sasuke drew a card. "No way. You're lying. Show me your hand."

"And let you cheat?" Itachi frowned. "I think not. If you win, it'll have to be fair and square."

"C'mon!" Sasuke stuck out his lower lip. "You're the cheater! You're probably just lying about what you have!"

Itachi splayed out the cards on the mattress. "Do you see any threes?"

"No," he replied sullenly. "Fine. You didn't cheat."

Bored with the simple game, Itachi stared longingly out the window. Raindrops streaked the glass and the world on the other side was gray. Decided, he stood.

"Where are you going?" Sasuke pressed. "Can I come too?"

"No, not right now." Itachi smiled gently at him. "I have to do something. I'll be back in a bit."

"You always say 'in a bit,' but it's always a long time." Crawling down from the bed, he crossed his arms.

"Don't worry about things that don't concern you." Itachi chided, "I always come back though, even if I'm late."

"Yeah…" Scuffing his foot, he sighed. "Okay, fine."

Standing in the town center, Itachi looked up at the sky. Only a handful of people were out in the poor weather, and many of the shops had closed for the day, expecting little business. The rain was coming down in sheets. It soaked him without a cloak or umbrella. Drops felt like gentle presses from a thousand fingertips. Cold seeped into his bones until he didn't recognize it anymore.

That was when he saw her. Her bright red hair was almost impossible to miss. He watched her from a distance, traversing the village with a gray shawl. The hood was down and partially obscured the bright blue snowflake on the back. A family crest? He frowned. I thought she had a civilian background. Shisui's words came back to him, and Itachi wondered if she truly what he had described. She's got secrets.

A compulsion took him. He was knew she would never answer his probing questions. He would have to work for answers if he truly wanted them. Before she glanced his direction, he leapt to the rooftops. Stepping quietly and slowly, he was careful not to slip. Aster didn't seem to be in a hurry, but she clearly knew where he was going.

The rain was relentless, but her hood stayed down. He knew if he was cold, so was she. Itachi liked the refreshing feeling of the icy water, but he couldn't understand why she had grabbed a cloak if she didn't intend to use it properly. They arrived at the memorial stone and he paused. Aster kept foraging forward, however. She soon disappeared into the graveyard, not even pausing at the memorial stone.

Itachi stood, frozen. He remembered Sasuke had asked about her brother. Was this why she was so hesitant? His heart dropped and guilt filled him. Why wouldn't she just tell me? I gave her chances. A different kind of cold settled in his chest. Suddenly, he couldn't bear the thought of her, alone in a graveyard, soaked through. The spell over him broke. He jumped down and dashed into the cemetery.

Aster was towards the back, with the fresher graves. The treeline was close by, but not close enough to provide her shelter. She was seated on her knees, with her back to him. He stood still, waiting to be noticed. Aster never turned back, transfixed on what was in front of her.

Haltingly, he approached. The sound of rain muffled and covered his footsteps. Finally, he was close enough to touch her. He could read the names on the stones. Three of them had the surname 'Yuki.' Her whole family? The death dates on the plaques all read the same. What could have happened to leave her like this in a single day? A grief unlike any he had known before filled him.

She still had not seemed to notice him. His spying felt like the ultimate intrusion on her privacy. Gently, he stepped up next to right side and laid a hand on her shoulder. Startled, she looked up, her eyes wet with more than rain. Her expression was unreadable and he looked away. He was hoping to show empathy, but maybe she knew he had been clandestinely following her.

It was a moment before she fixed her stare back on what was left of her family. He wouldn't ask, and she didn't yet have words to tell. Without looking back at him, she reach across her body and squeezed his hand. They stayed in the chilling rain, holding hands, losing track of time, and wondering about the futility of their actions.

Pressing his back against the hallway wall, Sasuke tried to hide. He didn't know what was being discussed, but he was sure it wasn't for his ears. Inside the dining room, Fugaku and Mikoto were sitting side by side and arguing softly.

"We have to." He whispered.

Mikoto frowned. "Can we? Can we do this? How can you be okay with this?"

Shaking his head, Fugaku responded harshly, "He won't be missed the way you think he will be. He's young. No one knows his name. No one here will miss him."

"What about us? What about me? I'll miss him!" Her voice broke on the last sentence.

He stood, glaring at his wife. "There is no option here. We must see things through and give them what they want. Saratobi cannot continue on with immunity. We need to show him actions have consequences."

Sasuke hadn't realized he'd be holding his breath and his chest hurt. Inhaling fresh air, he made more noise than he intended. Mikoto heard the sound and looked over her shoulder.

"We will discuss this later." Her command was cold and left no room for argument.

PlEaSe R&R

"Family First" by Woe is Me