"I'm home," Sasuke announced, and he dropped his house key onto a table in the entryway of his house. His backpack was heavy on his shoulder, and he let it slide to the floor as he wandered further inside, wondering why his brother hadn't answered.

"Itachi?"

From upstairs, the familiar voice he'd expected hollered, "Be down in a second!"

Taking a deep breath, Sasuke could smell garlic and pasta sauce, and knew his brother had already made dinner for him. That also meant that Itachi had classes tonight, and so Sasuke was going to be alone. Not that he would ever admit it, but his house was too big for the emptiness to feel comfortable, and since he'd thrown a fit when Itachi had mentioned selling it a few years back, fresh start and all that, he was stuck with the loneliness that came with it.

Sasuke wandered into the kitchen and found a bowl of spaghetti in the microwave, still warm. The burners on the stove were still cooling, and there was a pile of dishes left behind for him to clean. Itachi had also left some paperwork out - he probably hadn't completely packed for his lecture - and, ever curious, Sasuke plucked one of the papers up to read.

And felt the color drain from his cheeks. The shock was quickly replaced with anger, and he whirled out of the kitchen and stalked upstairs, and barged into Itachi's room, not caring that he was only half dressed and fresh from the shower.

"What is this?" he demanded, holding the paper up.

If Itachi felt guilty about Sasuke seeing it, he didn't let the emotion show. As usual, his expression was hard to read.

"It's a scouting assignment," Itachi answered dully. "Naruto's a good player. Are you really surprised that so many other teams want him?"

Sasuke made a good show of crumpling the paper and chucking it at his brother. "No, what I'm surprised at is that you're actually trying to get him to change schools. I mean, what's the point?"

Itachi gave him an irritated look before pulling a shirt over his head, and ducking into his closet to find shoes.

Sasuke followed. "I know you don't like him. But seriously, stop. I don't even know what you're thinking half the time."

"Believe it or not, I'm thinking about you," Itachi sauntered past, now fully dressed. He plucked the crumpled paper from the floor and grabbed a jacket from his bed, and started for the stairs, Sasuke trailing behind.

"How does Naruto switching schools help me?"

Itachi sighed as he descended the stairs, and went to the kitchen to collect his things. He was halfway through packing his backpack when he stopped and turned to look at Sasuke, who had his arms crossed over his chest, impatiently waiting for an answer.

Licking his lips, Itachi worked on uncrinkling the assignment that Sasuke had mauled. "Why does it matter if he goes to another school? He lives across the street. You're making it sound like you'll never see the kid again. I didn't even think you were friends with him anymore - you haven't even hung out with him in what, over a year?"

That was true. In middle school they'd been inseparable, but high school had changed things. Sasuke had his new teammates, and his brother's shoes to fill, and he and Naruto had just…drifted. He didn't like thinking about it.

"That doesn't matter. Our baseball team hasn't won in years, Itachi. Naruto can get them to finals."

Itachi paused and turned, giving his full attention to Sasuke. "There's a reason why no one knows about Naruto's father, right? Why he uses his mom's last name?"

Sasuke felt cold suddenly, and he frowned. "You know the answer to that, and obviously I do too. Why are you bringing it up?"

"I'm not afraid to play dirty, little brother," Itachi moved to finish packing, and zipped up his bag. "And if he won't listen to me, he'd better listen to you. Get him to switch schools, or his secret is out."

Sasuke stood, dumbfounded, as his brother headed for the door. "What?" he asked, his entire being shaken by the thought. "Why would you say that? Why would you threaten to do that?"

Itachi pulled open the door and gave one last look to Sasuke, his face half covered by the shadow of the doorframe. "Get him to switch schools, Sasuke."