Sasuke ducked his head as he hurried through the village, keeping to the shadows to avoid being seen by any villagers out late. He had the hood of his cloak over his head, trying to keep his face hidden by anyone who might recognise him.

Standing in front of the village gates, Sasuke paused and stared up at them, tears forming in his eyes. Shaking his head, he cast them away and refused to acknowledge the mistake he knew he was making. I can't stay here... not anymore!

He adjusted the bag he had filled with not only food and weapons, but personal items he gained throughout the years and childhood memories from the Uchiha Mansion. When he was sure he had everything he would need and everything he wanted to do was done, Sasuke took one small step forward before taking a deep breath and lifting his head up high, each following step longer than the last.

o-o-o-o-o-o-o

Gai woke with a start, not sure why but feeling like something was wrong. He shifted in the uncomfortable hospital chair beside Kakashi's bed and rubbed his eyes, trying to banish the sleep from them. Wearily, he stood up and examined the pile on the bed. Eyes widening, Gai ran out of the room in search of the nearest doctor.

Kakashi was gone.

o-o-o-o-o-o-o

"Leaving already?"

Sasuke froze on the spot. He had only taken a few steps out of the village gates when the voice called out to him. He looked over his shoulder slightly, looking at the man from the corner of his eye.

"I have to go Kakashi... I can't stay here knowing the ones I love are in danger because of my brother. You of all people should understand needing to protect the ones you hold closest."

Kakashi pushed away from the wall he was leaning against with a grunt, walking towards Sasuke. "I do understand needing to protect the ones you love, what I don't understand is abandoning them with no explanation."

Sasuke looked at his feet before turning around to fully look at his sensei, the bright moonlight illuminating his features and making him look like he was glowing. "I'm not abandoning everyone, I'm protecting them. It's easier for everyone this way..."

"You're leaving in the middle of the night without any explanation. Seems to me like you're abandoning us. Stop running Sasuke, the only one you're making it easier for is yourself!"

Sasuke looked back down at his feet and kicked lightly at the dust around them. "Neji's in the hospital because of me, and so is Iruka-sensei. I'm sure you're supposed to be too but you're too stubborn to stay there. The only thing that I can give anyone is pain, and I hate myself for it. Why stay when you'd be better off without me?"

Kakashi took a step forward and ruffled the young man's hair, earning him a light smack and the typical Uchiha glare. "Sasuke, you're not a kid anymore. You need to stop running because if you leave here, you will leave behind a lot more pain and betrayal than you could if you stayed. Naruto and Sakura will spend the rest of their lives trying to find you because you're their team mate. Iruka-sensei and I would have to find you and bring you back home because we're your teachers and of course we care about you. Iruka especially as he was the one who looked after you. As for Neji, he'd have to be brought home unconscious because otherwise he'd refuse to come back until he found you because he loves you so much."

Saying nothing, Sasuke refused to lift his head, his eyes stinging as tears formed. Was he seriously going to leave without saying goodbye to anyone?

"KAKASHI!"

Kakashi turned his head to see Gai running towards him, a smaller person he presumed was Lee running just behind him. When the pair got close enough, Kakashi could see it wasn't Lee, but Naruto.

"Hey Gai!" Kakashi lazily waved to his long time friend, his eye curving to show his smile.

"Kakashi-sensei! What are you doing out here? Baachan's going crazy because you left the hospital and not only that, but Sasuke's missing too!" Naruto stared up at his teacher, his big eyes wide while his arms waved about to exaggerate his words.

"Relax Naruto! I'm fine and so is Sasuke, there's nothing to worry about."

"Bu-"

"I said, there's nothing to worry about!" Kakashi shot Naruto a look that said one more word, and you'll regret it!

Naruto glared at his teacher but when all he got was a blank stare in return, he huffed and looked away from the taller man.

"So my eternal rival, what are you doing out here?"

Kakashi said nothing for a few minutes, thinking about how to answer. "I needed some questions answered and I took a walk to try find them."

Gai grinned scarily wide and clapped Kakashi's shoulders, the silver haired man grunting at the force. "You should still be in hospital! Now come on, Hokage-sama is looking for you."

Kakashi took the man's hands off his shoulders and shook his head. "I can't go yet. I still have unanswered questions."

"Like where the hell Sasuke is!" Kakashi glared down at the blonde ninja, glad that even in his injured state he could shut him up.

"Don't worry Gai, I'm going back to the hospital after this. Even I know I don't have the skills to heal myself fully."

Gai nodded and said nothing more, trusting his friend. He turned on his heel and started to walk away, dragging a yelling Naruto with him by the collar of his jacket.

"You didn't have to lie you know." Sasuke parted from his sensei, surprised he wasn't seen hiding behind the man.

"I didn't lie Sasuke. I want answers and you still have to answer them. I'm going back to the hospital after this and so are you. You weren't looked over properly since we got back."

Sasuke took a step away from the man, hiding his face once again. "I'm still leaving Kakashi. There's nothing for me here."

"There's nothing for you out there!" Kakashi closed his eyes and took a deep breath, feeling guilty for yelling at him. When his temper was reined back in Kakashi opened his eyes again and saw the conflict flickering in Sasuke's eyes.

"I... I need to find my brother. I need to kill him so I know you're all safe. I need to kill him for killing my family all those years ago."

Kakashi closed the distance and crouched down so his face was level with the Uchiha's, ignoring the pain that spread through his body like a fire. "I know you want to get your revenge Sasuke, but if you found him tomorrow he'd kill you. You're not strong enough yet Sasuke. Stay here, let me train you."

Sasuke shook his head and looked up into his sensei's eyes. "I know you care Kakashi, but I can't. I can't risk it. I can't put you all in danger."

"We're leaf Shinobi Sasuke! We're used to our lives being put in danger but we always come through. This is our home and we'll never let anyone break that up. Not your brother, not Orochimaru, no one! If you leave, you're letting him break up the peace in our home. Don't do it Sasuke, don't let him win!"

Sasuke avoided his teacher's eyes again, knowing if they met he'd give in and return to the village. "I-"

"You... better not be leaving..."

Sasuke looked up at the sound of the voice that startled him, his eyes meeting with Neji's. "Neji I-"

Neji's breathing was heavy; obviously he had also escaped the hospital in search of Sasuke. "So. Are you leaving?"

Sasuke looked at his teacher then back to his boyfriend, a lump now in his throat preventing him from talking. Taking a step away from Kakashi, Sasuke walked over to Neji and wrapped his arms around the taller and buried his head on the others shoulder.

Neji returned the embrace and closed his eyes, his heartbeat slowing now that he knew Sasuke was safe.

"Come on. Let's get back to the hospital before Tsunade decides to come after us herself and kill us." Kakashi came up behind the two and walked behind them as they set of hand in hand, both using the other for support.

o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o

Naruto rubbed his head and tried to ignore the pain coming from it. Once again he had tried to get a date with Sakura, and once again, she hit him and called him an idiot. It was a sunny afternoon and they were on their way back to the hospital to see Sasuke.

"So Sakura-chan, where do you think Sasuke went last night? I saw him going back to the hospital with Kakashi-sensei and Neji but I don't know where they were."

Sakura looked at her annoying team mate and shrugged. "He could have gone anywhere."

"Do you think he... was trying to run away? And that's what Kakashi–sensei was doing at the gates last night?" Sakura shrugged again and looked at Naruto, smiling sadly.

"I hope not. Sasuke's a part of our team and we're supposed to operate as one unit. If he's not there, we won't work. If he's not here, we're not whole." Looking away from Naruto, she sighed and continued. "If any of us were to leave, it would be the same."

Naruto grinned at that, knowing he meant something to Sakura, even if it was only a little bit.

o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o

Tsunade crossed her arms over her chest and looked at the three ninja she had sitting on the bed, letting them think the worst was coming. "What were you thinking? All of you. Kakashi you're a jounin and even though I know you hate this place you should have more sense than to leave when you're in that condition."

"I know Tsunade-sama, and I apologise but I had my reasons for leaving. And I did come back. I even brought Sasuke to get looked over."

Tsunade looked at the other two and went on. "What's your story Neji?"

Neji looked up at the Hokage and then at Sasuke. "Sasuke."

"Sasuke?"

"Yes. Sasuke was my reason for leaving last night. He wasn't there when I woke up and I went looking for him."

Frowning, the Hokage looked to Sasuke. "And what about you?"

Sasuke said nothing but looked at the floor, the silence stretching and seeming to last a lifetime.

"Well?"

"I... I was leaving..."

Tsunade looked at the young boy, baffled. "Wh-why would you be leaving?"

"Because I don't want to endanger the lives of those here. I wanted to leave so I could kill my brother for what he did to me."

"Sasuke you know if you left this village you would be declared a traitor to the village?"

Sasuke stayed silent before replying quietly. "I know."

Tsunade sighed deeply and looked at Kakashi. "You need to sort things out Kakashi. Tell him if he needs to know but fix this; don't let him do something he'll regret." Without another word Tsunade left the room, leaving the three on the bed in silence.

"She's right Sasuke. I need to fix this. I'm your sensei and I need to be the one to lead you."

Sasuke shot a look at the man and when nothing was said he spoke himself. "What did she mean when she said 'tell him if he needs to know'?"

"It doesn't matter yet. You'll know when the time is right."

Sasuke glared at the man and without another word hopped off the bed and walked over to the one beside it, lying on that one instead. Tsunade had looked him over and found his injuries. He had not only some external injuries from his run in with Orochimaru but some internal ones too, not forgetting the damage done to his body before then. No one had noticed his injuries before because not only was he holding back any signs of being in pain, he healed them to the best he could and then covered the rest.

Neji looked up at Kakashi and mouthed at him before walking over to the third bed in the room. Thank you for stopping him.

o-o-o-o-o-o

Naruto bounded into the room, closely followed by Sakura who was trying to get him to be quiet and failing badly.

"HEEEEEEY!" Naruto's face dropped when he stopped bouncing around the room and finally felt the tension hanging in the hospital room. Looking at Sasuke, Naruto could tell that was the source of the icy feel in the room.

"Hey Naruto. How's it going?" Kakashi smiled at his student and silently watched him, wondering how he'd react to his team mate being back and being a silent pain in the ass as always.

Naruto ignored his teacher and kept his eyes locked on Sasuke. "Where were you last night?"

Sasuke looked back at the blonde, looking into his eyes and trying to read the emotion lying deep in his eyes. It was like the look that he felt in his heart. He looked away from Naruto and huffed, mumbling out an answer. "I was out."

Naruto's eyes narrowed with suspicion. "Out where?"

"Out for a walk Naruto! Not that you care. I thought you didn't like me now because I was gay and going out with Neji! When did I suddenly become someone you talked to again?"

Naruto looked at the floor, shame taking over the look of betrayal on his face. "I got over that a long time ago, I thought you knew..." When Naruto looked up to see Sasuke simply glaring at him, he continued.

"I heard Baachan talking to Gai-sensei. Gai said that you were at the gates last night with Kakashi, even though we didn't see you he knew you were there. Then Tsunade she... she said she was worried you were going to leave the village. That you were going to run away and find your brother. Is it true?"

Sasuke looked from Naruto to Sakura and judging by the look on her face, it was her first time hearing about it. He looked over to the bed beside him to Neji and smiled sadly, knowing the teen in that bed was the only reason he was still in the village.

"Yeah, it's true Naruto. I was going to leave."

"Why?" Sasuke's eyes widened, surprised and a little afraid at the speed that Naruto leapt at him, pinning him to the bed.

"I-"

"Naruto! " Sakura walked up to the blonde and smacked him on the back of the head, pulling him off the raven and giving out to him. "Sasuke's injured. He'll tell us when he's ready why he was going to leave but until then, leave him rest!"

Naruto pouted but left Sasuke alone. Scuttling over to the bag he had dumped on the floor when they entered, Naruto rooted around the bag and pulled out the surprise he bought for the injured ninjas. "Ramen! And it's the good stuff too. Best there is! Except for Ichiranku's of course."

Neji watched silently as Naruto shared the noodles between the three, thanking the blonde. As he followed the blonde move about the room with his eyes, talking happily to his three comrades, Neji couldn't help but feel a deep longing for that kind of companionship with his own team; with anyone. The only person he'd ever felt close to, was lying too far away in the bed beside him.

o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o

"Sasuke, I'm not four years old. I'm not doing it!"

"Pleeeeease." Sasuke pulled on Neji's sleeve, standing on his toes so their foreheads were touching and their lips were almost touching.

Feeling his resistance crack, Neji brought his lips to the Uchiha's in an attempt to shut him up and just when he smiled into the kiss thinking he had won, Sasuke pulled away and began pleading once again.

"Why not Neji? You can't say you're not curious! And it would be a challenge to your skills!"

"Sasuke, you're talking about THE Kakashi Hatake. He could kill us with one move if he wanted to! I'd rather not get on his bad side just because you want to see his face."

"You won't be on his bad side for a while just yet Neji, you're the only reason I'm still here and he feels like he owes you."

Neji stopped walking, ignoring the confused look Sasuke was giving him and the people pushing past him, all probably rushing home to loved ones after a long days work. "You... you never told me I was the reason you were still here."

Sasuke looked at the ground and looked up again bashfully, his hair falling over his eyes. "I didn't want to tell you because I didn't know how you'd react. It doesn't matter anyway because I will leave here Neji. I have to find my brother; I have to get my revenge."

Neji looked up to the darkening sky and hearing a low grumble, he put his hand to his stomach and grinned. "Come on, let's go home and eat, I'm starving. We'll talk about you not leaving later."

Sasuke frowned, but quickly let it fall away and nodded. They ran home hand in hand, weaving through the busy village streets. They had been out of the hospital for three weeks now and since Sasuke was living at home alone, Neji moved in to his apartment with him. But over that course of time, not once did Neji notice the dreams that plagued Sasuke's sleep, or how distracted he would get deep in thought, thinking of that strange night.

A storm is coming. Get out before you suffer the consequences.

By the time the two ninjas had sat down and started eating, the sun was fully set and the rain had started to lightly fall. But in the small, warm apartment where the sounds of laughter floated from the small kitchen, a dark figure was about to join them.

Feeling an icy shiver run down his spine, Neji turned around and let out a soft gasp before being struck and being sent across the room from the force of the blow, his head smacking into the wall. Staring up at the dark figure with cold eyes, Sasuke stood where he was, determined to get some answers.

"Who are you?" Sasuke stood his ground, boldly staring at the figure, refusing to let any fear or emotion slip past his wall of defence.

"Some would call me a demon. Others a monster." The dark figure had a haunting voice to match his appearance, something seeming oddly familiar about it to Sasuke.

"Why are you here?"

"I told you to get out but you didn't listen. I'm here to show you the consequences to your disobedience."

"I tried to leave, but that was harder than I thought it would be."

"You failed."

"And so did you!"

The figure turned away from the youngest Uchiha and turned towards Neji, taking a few steps forward before stopping at the shouting coming from Sasuke.

"Itachi! If you even think of hurting him, you won't live to regret it and I swear, this is no empty threat!"

Itachi smiled darkly and pulled the hood away from his face, revealing a pair of red eyes. He took a step towards Sasuke again and stuck his hand out, ready to catch the weapons he knew were about to be thrown. "How did you know it was me, baby brother?"

"Easy. You came back with Kakashi and Gai a few weeks ago, I heard them talking about you when they thought I was asleep. I know you hate our family and want me to suffer, so you wanted me to leave in search of you and be declared a traitor to the village. It was a good plan I'll admit, up until your timing. You managed to escape your ANBU imprisonment and came to me in the hospital with Neji in the hopes of scaring me out of the village. And you did, I was leaving. Only when you went back, you expected me to leave straight away. I didn't. So when you snuck into Kakashi's room and told him I was gone, expecting me to have been gone ages, Kakashi left the hospital in search of me and guess what, he found me. You told him too early brother, and that, was your only flaw."

Itachi glared at his younger brother, cursing quietly to himself. "It makes no difference. I tried to get you out of here, tried to protect you. Now I'm going to have to kill Neji here and you're the only one they can blame."

"Just try it Itachi, see what will happen to you!"

Itachi smirked at his brother, mocking him. "You couldn't do anything even if you wanted to all those years ago Sasuke, and nothing has changed. I'm going to kill your boyfriend, I'm going to leave, and you will either be arrested for murder or you'll run away. That's the way it has to be." To ensure Sasuke wasn't stupid enough to try and stop him, he used his unnatural speed to move behind Sasuke and hit him to the floor, Sasuke blacking out.

Itachi moved over to the Hyuuga who was lying unconscious on the ground. Crouching down, he lifted Neji by the shirt and was about to pull a kunai from his pouch when he realised he wasn't wearing one. Cursing again, he walked over to Sasuke who was beginning to wake up again. He took a kunai and was about to step away when Sasuke meekly grabbed at his arm.

"I... Mean it, Itachi. I won't, let you do this." Even though Sasuke was staring right at Itachi, the older could tell Sasuke couldn't focus properly after the knock to the head. Itachi simply pulled his arm free and went to finish off Neji but when he turned around, the boy was gone.

"What the-?"

Hearing a pop coming from behind him, Itachi turned to see smoke where Sasuke was lying not ten seconds ago. Shit! Itachi stood in the empty kitchen, searching for either boy's chakra. Finding Sasuke's, Itachi headed down through the apartment, into the bedroom. Seeing an open window he sighed. How could I have been so stupid?

Looking into the night, he could see the dark shadow of Sasuke running, Neji in his arms. He sighed again in frustration before following suit and leapt out the window, chasing after the two boys. It didn't take long for him to catch up to them, but when he went to grab them, a weight hit his side and he was sent crashing to the floor.

"You're an idiot Itachi. You tell me about your plan to make your brother leave, then you leave your cell again and chase your brother through the village. Are you asking to get caught?" Itachi tried to move, but the elite jounin had him pinned.

"Well my intentions were never to stay free Kakashi. You know what I wanted, I never told you but you know. And you also know it won't happen anytime soon so the plan changed a bit."

Kakashi stared into Itachi's dark eyes, knowing full well if they turned red he'd be in trouble. "You wanted Sasuke to kill you. And when you knew that wouldn't work out, you made a plan to get back here which went as you planned. And now, you're trying to hurt Sasuke even more before you die because you're finally sick of living with the guilt, aren't you."

"Sounds about right..."

Sasuke looked down at his brother, Neji stirring on the ground where Sasuke had placed him. Itachi caught sight of him and sighed impatiently.

"Didn't you leave earlier?"

"Clearly not!"

The brothers' eyes met and a strange emotion surged through Sasuke. He didn't want to kill Itachi. Staring into his brother's eyes, he could see the same emotion reflected there. Was this what normal brothers felt for each other?

"You know what Sasuke, do it. Kill me. Take your revenge."

Kakashi looked from Itachi to Sasuke, afraid the youngest Uchiha might take the offering. But upon seeing the boys face, he could see Sasuke wouldn't take it.

"No. You're already dying. I won't give you the mercy of a quick death. I won't offer you the pleasure of messing up my life again!"

"You're a coward Sasuke, you're weak! All your life you wanted to take my life and as soon as you get the chance to take it, you run away!"

Sasuke just shook his head at his brother, fighting back the happy childhood memories he had up until his brother turned into a murderous psychopath. "I'm not the one begging for his life to be taken because he can't deal with his worthless life anymore. You're the coward, you're the weak one. You're the pathetic one."

The Uchiha's eyes met and for a moment, Sasuke had over powered his brother.

"Sasuke take Neji back to the hospital, just to make sure he's okay. I'll make sure Itachi goes straight to the Hokage."

Sasuke nodded and picked up Neji again, the boy seeming to be fighting his way back to consciousness. Heading in the direction of the hospital, he didn't look back. He ignored his brother's cries to him, and he didn't look back.

-
A/N: Again, I'm SOOO sorry it took so long to update :x But it's hard to get in writing time Dx And when I can, I gets nothing :( And unfortunatley, the next chapter's the last :o I thought it was gonna be a bit longer than 18 chapters, but I guess not! And I know it won't get longer cause I already have the next chapter done, it just has to be edited :P So I hopes you enjoyed the chapter ^-^