Blood orange. Crimson red. Hot pink. Fluorescent yellow. The blinding colours of the fireworks shot up in the air, lighting the dark starry nights of Konoha ablaze. The rhythmic beat of taiko drums and melodious trill of the flute filled the streets of the main town square. Vendors of all sorts of delights vocally advertised their treats and paper lanterns brightly lit the market. The clack of traditional wooden sandals against the pavement drowned in the music. Women donned adorned kimonos and men sported yukatas, saved for the best of occasions. It was the night of the Cherry Blossom Festival, an important celebration of spring that annually took place in Konoha.

Shisui let out a melancholic sigh. He had somehow gotten stuck with being out on patrol for the Police Force, again. When Fugaku came to him, saying that he was short on surveillance numbers for the festival, he internally screamed. A wise saying from the Nara clan came to mind at that moment: 'what a drag.' Shisui had been glued to the same spot for the past two hours on the sides of the street, keeping an eye out for any fights that broke out. In all honesty, he wanted nothing more than to go home, take a hot bath and rest.

Shisui guessed that it was about 9pm. He had already broken up five drunken fights in the past hour. Unfortunately the culprits were not so well behaved and Shisui wanted nothing more than to beat their asses to a pulp when they cursed profanities at him over and over again for intervening. Another melancholic sigh escaped past his lips. The loud music was starting to irritate him. His mind drifted away, trying to drown out the sounds.

He wondered how Itachi's mission was going. The Uchiha was meant to be away for three days and Shisui wondered how on earth he was going to keep himself occupied. Three days felt like an eternity. He needed his daily dose of teasing Itachi. Realistically, he didn't have that many friends. Acquaintances and colleagues sure- but he didn't have as strong of a bond with anyone else except for Itachi. Knowing him, he would come out of battle unscathed but Shisui still felt a sense of worry deep in the pits of his stomach. A sense of foreboding. He shook his head in a futile attempt to drive off his negative thoughts.

He snapped out of his daze when all of a sudden, he noticed a young woman looking uncomfortable as a drunk man struck up an unwanted conversation with her. The man slowly inched closer and closer to her, a lecherous grin on his face. The woman stepped backwards, looking more and more distressed by the second. He grabbed her by the waist, attempting to kiss her while she struggled and resisted against him. The man furrowed his brow in anger and raised his hand against her when-

'Now now, sir. That's no way to treat a lady.' Shisui had teleported between them and grabbed the man's forearm just in time, preventing him from striking the woman.

'Wha- Where did you come from?' The man huffily demanded. The woman let out a sigh of relief.

'Never mind that. Do you know this young lady?'

'No but-'

'Then please refrain from inappropriately touching her.'

'Wha- Who the hell do you think you are, you bastard!?' The drunken man sputtered indignantly.

'Sir, walk away before this gets ugly.'

'You wanna go, you punk?' He uttered through gritted teeth. Shisui smirked at him, contemplating. He sized his opponent up. Alright, at least he'd be getting some action tonight, even if it wasn't in the sense he desired.

'Bring it old man.'

The man blindly charged at Shisui and the latter tutted in disapproval. Perhaps the man's disorientation was also due to his intoxication, but either way, it was clear that he had absolutely no experience as a shinobi. Shisui dodged his blind punches with ease. Even Sasuke fought better than this and he was twelve, for crying out loud.

Shisui indulged the man for a bit. He toyed with him like a predator toying with his prey before a meal. After a while, he had grown tired of the tomfoolery. Just as the man swung another countless punch at him, Shisui grabbed his arm and flipped him over his shoulder as if he was a sack of feathers. The man landed on the ground with a groan. He held the man's arms behind his back, making sure to twist them a bit.

'Run along now and stop causing trouble for your wife.' The man scurried off, disappearing into the crowd with his tail between his legs.

'Um… thank you very much for saving me tonight.' Shisui was almost startled as he forgot that the young woman was still standing there.

'No problem. Have a good night and stay safe.' Shisui turned to walk away, when the sleeve of his shirt was gently grabbed.

'Wait. Is there any way I can repay you?' A glint of hope glimmered in the woman's amber eyes as she batted her eyelashes at him. Shisui knew that look. Countless women approached him at taverns with that look. He simply smiled at her.

'I haven't done anything worth being repaid for.' And with that, Shisui walked away, crushing the woman's hopes.

'Alright Gai, I can take him from here.'

It was the crack of dawn when Team Ro finally reached the grounds of Konoha. Just as they had arrived at the gates, Kakashi had taken the slumberful Itachi onto his back. Gai's muscles burned with youth as he glided from branch to branch with the fast-asleep Uchiha on his back the entire way home. As Gai passed him over, the copy-nin put his ear to Itachi's chest, making sure he was still alive. The latter's heartbeats were quiet and faint and he was breathing slowly. Kakashi faced his teammates.

'Rest up. I'll report to Lord Sandaime at noon. Dismissed.' The silver-haired nin received two firm nods in response.

Gai and Hayate disappeared, leaving behind white clouds of smoke. Kakashi drank in the stillness of the village early in the morning. He loved that sense of peace, almost as if time had momentarily stopped. He twisted his neck around to peer at the Uchiha on his back. The silhouettes of an endearing smile made its way onto Kakashi's navy mask as he shook his head out of fondness.

'Second time in a row you get chakra exhaustion, huh Itachi?' He did not receive an answer.

Kakashi agilely jumped from rooftop to rooftop, making his way to the centre of the village. Thankfully the Konoha Hospital ran 24/7 as injured shinobi made their way in and out the doors non-stop. He walked through the glass doors and was greeted with the familiar face of the receptionist, Shizune.

'Good morning Shizune-san. I'd like to admit Itachi Uchiha please. Seems like chakra exhaustion.' Shizune's brows shot up in surprise.

'Again? Isn't this the second time it's happened in two weeks?' Kakashi chuckled sheepishly.

'Seems like he wasn't performing to the best of his ability this mission. His chakra exhaustion is most likely related to that.' Shizune quickly scribbled something down on a clipboard.

'Left wing, room 6-A. I'll get Tsunade-sama to take a look at him later, see if there's any serious damage.' He nodded in acknowledgment.

Kakashi made his way to the left wing and nimbly opened the door of Itachi's assigned room with his leg. He unceremoniously dumped the Uchiha onto the stark white sheets, his limbs splayed akimbo. The copy-nin adjusted his position, propping his head up on a pillow and tucking him in. Kakashi drew the curtains shut and walked out of the room, quietly closing the door behind him.

The fresh, crisp morning air nipped at Shisui's bare arms as he walked through the marketplace. The aroma of freshly baked bread wafted through the Uchiha's nostril, putting him in a pleasant mood. Carrying a wicker basket in the crook of his elbow, he inspected various vegetables, picking them up and lightly squeezing them in the palm of his hand, eyeing the colour carefully, humming all the while. His fridge was running on empty and he desperately needed some vitamins in his system. After completing his purchases, the familiar silver bush of the village's copy-nin caught his attention. Shisui furrowed his brow in confusion.

Kakashi was standing in front of a collector's edition promotion poster for one of his 'books' a few feet away from the Uchiha. The man watched with slight disgust as the silver-haired nin made some excited noises and gestures. But besides that, he was puzzled. Not because Kakashi was being a major pervert in public (that was normal) but because his team weren't meant to be back so soon. Was Itachi alright? He hadn't notified Shisui that he had arrived. Usually after completing missions, the two would drop by each others' homes to greet each other and then maybe go out and have a meal together. The flame of foreboding began flickering and crackling in the pits of Shisui's lower abdomen.

'Good morning, Kakashi-san,' Shisui greeted, bowing slightly. There was a certain edge to his tone that didn't go unnoticed. Kakashi briskly cocked out his two fingers and saluted Shisui, his usual greeting.

'Yo Shisui. How are missions going? I heard you've become the Police Force's newest slave,' he chuckled in amusement.

'Unfortunately. But I do it out of respect for Itachi's father, he puts his heart and soul into the clan.' Kakashi nodded. It was widely known that Fugaku Uchiha was the most respected Uchiha in the village.

'Speaking of Itachi, where is he? I thought the mission was meant to last three days? How come you're back so early?' A mischievous smirk danced on Kakashi's lips behind his mask.

'Oh, Itachi? He's in hospital right now,' he casually said, flipping through his erotic book nonchalantly. The Uchiha's eyes widened the size of saucers.

'What!? Is he okay?'

'We're unaware of his current condition. Tsunade hasn't consulted with him yet. We only arrived at dawn, at most a few hours ago.' The copy-nin's tone was laced with gravity. Shisui envisioned Itachi getting his arm cut off, his Sharingan being gouged out, multiple kunais and shuriken ripping through his torso. His heart dropped.

'He passed out shortly after the mission.'

But by the time Kakashi had finished his sentence, the Uchiha had frantically run off, leaving a trail of dust in his wake. The silver-nin closed his book with a 'snap', satisfied with the situation he had just created. Itachi would have to thank him later.

'Itachi Uchiha! Where is he?! I need to see him!'

Poisoned needles were suddenly flung at the Uchiha as a fight-or-flight response. He reacted quickly, dodging just in time as one particular needle grazed his shoulder. Shisui had quite literally used his shushin jutsu to teleport himself in the reception of Konoha Hospital.

'A more civilised entrance would've been appreciated,' Shizune said as she sat back down at the reception, trying to steady her manic heartbeat. She sighed, crossing her legs and flipping through administrative papers.

'My apologies, Shizune-san. It's just, Kakashi told me Itachi was hospitalised and-'

'He's fine. He's sleeping as we speak.'

'Wha- But I thought he was severely injured?' Shizune gave him a look of disbelief. Itachi was hospitalised twice, maybe three times a year. It was widely known inside and outside the village that he was untouchable on battle. He was known as 'The Angel of Death' because he was otherworldly in battle. Maybe a handful of shinobi lived to tell their experiences of encountering the Uchiha.

'Itachi's been hospitalised as a result of chakra fatigue. He's sleeping right now. Tsunade-sama is scheduled to consult him tomorrow morning.'

Shisui felt his cheeks flare up in embarrassment. He rubbed his face self-consciously. Ugh, I'm such an idiot, running over here as if I'm his lover or something. As well as wanting the ground to swallow him whole right then and there, that heavy feeling of anticipation and worry lifted off of Shisui's shoulders. He felt unbelievably relieved.

'Room 6-A, left wing. You know the visiting hours,' Shizune non-committedly stated as she continued going through administrative papers.

'Thank you.'

The elder quietly swung open the door of Itachi's assigned room, appeased to see his familiar form sleeping peacefully, propped up on a pillow. His sharp features now formed a more tranquil expression compared to his usual poker face. Shisui quietly pulled the stool sitting in the corner of the room to Itachi's bedside.

He sat and observed how Itachi's raven, silky hair fanned out around the pillow, like a seamless waterfall. Shisui had to admit, he had a slight obsession with Itachi's locks. No woman in Konoha had hair as beautiful as Itachi's. Whenever the light would hit it during the summer, a beautiful blue hue would shine through. It hypnotised Shisui. Or when the breeze would gently blow through it and the younger Uchiha's features would peek through, like his defined jaw, reminding Shisui that he was strong and resilient despite having a slightly feminine appearance. Itachi mostly kept his hair tied with a tatty red ribbon. In fact, Shisui had gotten him that ribbon as a child when Itachi first began growing his hair out. It was a birthday present.

''tachi why do you still use that shabby thing I gave you? I'll just get you a new one, it's too ratty.' Shisui, splayed on Itachi's bed, watched through the mirror as the latter tied the ribbon around his hair, his fingers deftly gathering his silken locks together. Itachi pouted.

'Because I value it. After all, you gave it to me and I trust you with my life.' Itachi wisely explained.

'But I can buy you as many ribbons as your heart desires, in as many colours as you'd like!' Shisui childishly exclaimed. A big smile erupted onto Itachi's child-like features as the two made eye contact through the mirror.

A smile creeped onto Shisui's lips at the fond memory. He sighed wistfully, a sweet yet bitter feeling radiating through his chest. He gently picked up a lock of Itachi's silken hair and wrapped it around his forefinger poignantly as he recalled another memory, stowed away deep in the back of his mind.

The summer of four years ago. Shisui was sixteen at the time and Itachi must have been fourteen. Shisui was spending the night at Itachi's as his parents were away on a week-long mission. During that week, he saw many sides to Itachi: a more spoiled and indulgent Itachi, a huffy Itachi, a joyful Itachi.

Shisui recalled one particular afternoon where Itachi was lazily napping on the tatami by the garden, curled up like a cat. Itachi's complexion had turned darker and more olive from all the time the two spent in the sun, playing by the river. Shisui could still recall the disheveled yukata the younger sported that day as he dozed off. The way the cloth creased and folded, revealing his bare chest and upper legs. The way his chest rose and fell with every breath he took. The elder Uchiha had never seen a sight like that before. It felt… intimate, like he had seen something he shouldn't have.

Shisui remembered feeling puzzled at the feelings the sight evoked within him: hot flashes, goosebumps and shock. He remembered his initial reaction upon seeing his best friend like that- his heart skipping a beat. This instinct suddenly welled up in him as the only thought going through his mind in that moment was 'kiss him'. He feared Itachi would awaken as he knew he was a light sleeper. The blood thumped in his ears as he slowly leaned closer and closer until he innocently placed his lips upon the latter's for a few seconds. After realising what he had done, Shisui had gone as red as a tomato. He had just shared his first kiss with his best friend. He ran into his shared bedroom and hit his head against the pillow multiple times, mortified at what he had just done. He remembered avoiding Itachi like the plague for the next few days.

Bringing himself back to reality, Shisui felt himself burning up as he glanced at Itachi's sleeping face. He put his head into his hands, heating up out of shame. I can't believe I remembered that. A goofy grin made its way onto Shisui's lips at how unbelievably innocent he used to be. Even as a child, he was instinctively attracted to the man in front of him. He sighed gloomily, knowing his type of 'love' was different from Itachi's love for him. Shisui was aware that the younger Uchiha looked up to him in a brotherly sense and he didn't want to shatter the latter's idealistic image of him. Frankly, it was becoming increasingly difficult for Shisui to keep up this brotherly, heroic façade.

Shisui sat by Itachi's side throughout the night as he bittersweetly recalled memories between the two. The last thing Shisui remembered was the pale moonlight shining through the window, illuminating Itachi's silhouette before he too, passed out.