Chapter IV

"You're healing very slowly. It's rather pathetic," I tell my brother. I put food in front of him. "Eat," I command. Itachi does not move to do so. Only sitting in the western style bed that is in our newly found base. We only arrived here two days before. The base is in a thick forest, carved into a mountainside. The cave like entrance is hidden and blocked. Even if you are able to enter, first you will only see an average cave. Until you journey in further and there are natural hot springs, next to them a man made staircase. It leads up higher into the mountain, and there are many rooms carved out. Some of the rooms have balconies that were built on, out of wood, hardly noticeable behind the trees; and they give no good view. However they let in a lot of sunlight. I have claimed one of these balcony rooms for myself. So has Suigetsu, but only because Karin had wanted it. All the doors in the half natural and half man made building are in a traditional Japanese style. Wood frames that slide, with patches that are filled in by paper.

It is a very luxurious place. Not to mention that artificial plants of all sorts of colors, and scroll paintings hanging from the cave wall surround the natural hot springs. Also the slights hint of light shines in from an opening above the hot springs, that cause the stair case leading to our living quarters to be hidden. Lone stands with candles also surround the hot springs. I have yet to indulge in them but I plan on doing so eventually.

"Are you going to eat?' I sneer at Itachi, as he continues to ignore my gracious offer of food. I get slightly angry as he ignores me. "Are you doing this just o aggravate me? So you can't get any of your strength back. Starve yourself? I'll be damned if I'll have you killing yourself like that," I say, still I get nothing. Irritated I reach for Itachi's foot and pull him down so he's not leaning on headboard anymore. Then I quickly pin him down, tacking the chop sticks lying next to the bowel. I pick up a strip of pork and place it in front of his lips.

"Eat damnit," I hiss out. He stares at me with those half-blind eyes. The sharingan that use to be present at all times, as faded, leaving only red, and mediocre eye site. Itachi doesn't open his mouth as I press the meat to his lips, causing some sauce to stain his white skin. I take my hand and wrap it around his jaw squeezing and forcing him to open his mouth, then I place the food into his mouth.

"You're completely childish, have you lost the last piece of dignity you had?'

Itachi looks at me and he chews, and then swallows. "Wouldn't that please you? Is that not what you want? To keep me caged, to treat me like a worthless piece of trash. Trash should not have dignity," he says in a cold tone. I get angry though I don't really understand why. I get off the bed, tossing the chop sticks back on the tray.

"Feed yourself," I tell him giving him a glare. "When I come back that bowel better be empty," I hiss out.

I slam the sliding door shut behind me as I exit the room. "Trouble in paradise?' Suigetsu's voice questions. I glare at him. "Why not just kill him. You never kill anything." I say nothing just start to walk down the hall. The hot springs seem to be calling me, and it would be rather relaxing to soak in them. Keep my mind off my infuriating brother.

"Well at least rough him up a little bit," Suigetsu calls.

Behind a room divider I slip out of my cloths and wrap a towel around my waist. I walk towards the pools of hot water. The thought of entering the spring seems to have a soothing effect of it's own. I sink into the comforting liquid and let my tension float away. I sit in the water for a long time, washing myself wetting my hair, letting it calm me. However I remember that I need to check up on Itachi.

Reluctantly I get out of the bath, and spot Karin behind one of the artificial plants, "Are you planing on taking a bath?' I ask her so she knows I am completely aware of her. She lets out a surprised squeak and straightens up from her crouched position, pushing her glasses up at the same time.

"I..I was just…Contemplating if I should or not..I didn't want to disturb you after all," She stutters, I do not respond, just simply go behind the divider to change cloths.

When I hear footsteps coming towards me I quickly pull on my cloths and step out, before the female can peek.

I slide open the door to my brother's room, he is sitting on the bed, and staring at he wall in front of him. I don't say a word as I step up to his bed, to see if he followed my orders. I give him a tired look.

"Do you honestly plan on starving yourself?" Itachi's red eyes look at me; there's no life behind them, no emotion. Most of all he's looking at me as though he doesn't see me. I laugh a little.

"I understand, you can't see where the food is," I laugh again to mock him. "You really have become a disgrace already," I coo out with a smirk, taking pleasure in the fact that my brother is so helpless; so dependent on me. I take the bowel of food and chop stick, and place them on his lap.

"Now eat," I tell him plainly. He looks down at the tray, and his hand rises up reaching for the chop sticks. He misses by a centimeter and is forced to try and relocate them. I lean back slightly on the headboard enjoying the view.

"Have you gone completely blind?" I ask in a condescending voice. Itachi doesn't answer me. I glare at him, as he stops trying to find the eating utensil and pushes the tray away in defiance. Simply to annoy me; a wordless retort to my insult. I attempt to calm myself, however Suigetsu earlier suggestion about 'roughing him up a little' sounded very reasonable at this moment. I tell myself that I will try one more time, to be somewhat civil and have him eat—after all I do not want him laying around in bed all day and have to nurse him. I want him to be at his full strength and then I'll display my dominance, my power over him, show him that I hold his life in my hand, and there's nothing he can do. Even when he's completely healed, he'll still be weak, I'll control every aspect of his life. I'll slowly crush him, bring him hope and then take it away. I'll have him begging for me to kill him, and I'll draw my sword teasingly but will never cut him down. He will suffer in his blindness, he will suffer from the emotion of love he claims to have towards me. I'll make sure he's tortured, broken.

I push the tray close to him again, "This is the last time I'm asking nicely, eat," I hiss out. He doesn't move. I take him by the shoulder and slam him hard against the headboard, he doesn't even flinch.

"You will eat, and if I have to force it down your throat I will," I tell him, my voice all to calm, not befitting the aggravation he's causing. Itachi just looks at me, I glare before taking the food once again and shoving it into his hands.

"I am not hungry," Itachi dares to whisper out. He's challenging me, as if he doesn't believe I'll carry out my threat. Annoyance rages through my blood, the blood that is streaming down to my right arm. With said arm I through my brother on the floor harshly. I take the food and pin both of Itachi's hands above his head, while picking up a piece of food using the chop sticks with my other. "Open your mouth." I command, obvious that I have no more patience for him.

Itachi closes his eye for a moment, and right when I'm about to yell at him again, he opens his mouth. His eyes stay closed, as I feed him. I relax a little, as I see that I've won. I keep feeding him, putting as much food into his mouth as I can, shoving the chop sticks far down into his throat and chuckle when he coughs and gags.

Itachi turns his head away from me, still his eyes remain closed. He continues to cough for a minute, but then stops. His breathing is rapid and shallow. I eye him suspiciously, but occupy myself with the task at hand. There's only a small amount of food left, and I pick it up with the two sticks. I hold it in front of my brother, but he turns his head away farther, still breathing heavily.

"Don't give me that shit again," I say with warning. Itachi seems oblivious to my tone, so I dig my fingernails into the skin of his wrists above his head. My nails dig in so deep I can feel small drops of blood trying to make their way out. Itachi moans. I drop the chop stick, and distance myself from my brother. Itachi doesn't move from his position on the floor, or even opens his eyes. I inspect my brother, and my eyes widen a little more, I feel sick, and cover my mouth.

"You're disgusting!" I spit at him. "Do you like being treated like that? Your sick!" Still my brother seems unfazed. Another wave of nausea comes over me, and I get to my feet, wanting to exit the room at all costs.

I walk out of the door, just as the sound of Itachi getting up graces my ears. That's the last time I'm ever taking any advice from Suigetsu again.

I walk to my own room, running my hand through my hair; trying to keep my mind off what just occurred. Though the feeling of wanting to throw up doesn't make it easy for me to block the events out. I do not understand Itachi, not that I care to. His confession, those words he spoke, the obsession he claims to have for me. It was all proven, if I ever doubted those words, now I'm sure. To get aroused by the way I was treating him…the pain prehaps..it's disgusting. Unnatural. There is a reason so many societies look down upon incest, it's because it's disgusting, and usually leads to inbreed children who can't properly care for themselves. Not that Itachi ever was the type to conform to rules, or expected behavior.

I enter my room, and walk onto the man made balcony surrounded by trees, all tinted blue by the night sky and moonlight. I let myself lean against he railing. Tree branches are a simple leap away, I can almost touch their outstretched leaves. I try to reach out for a piece of the foliage, as if capturing it would release my mind from it's thoughts. Release me from my brother.

What is it that I'm doing? How could I let my determination fall so far? Why did I not let him die..No I couldn't let him die, because I wanted to kill him. I wouldn't have felt satisfied if he simply collapsed of exhaustion, and peacefully passed after he had used me as a priest; as his confessional. But now…now when I think of killing him I feel no passion for it. All I think about is the years of blood that was spilled by the Uchiha…by Itachi himself. Should I lower myself to his level and kill without a second thought, just because I thought it would redeem something? Because I think it'll give me satisfaction. Unlike Itachi I will not play god..I've decided so a while ago..I do not want to continue taking numerous lives. I do not want to continue determining when someone should die. I have no right as a human to kill another because I see it fit, I will not become a lowly murder such as Itachi. I will not let my clan's story become a tradagy..or anymore of a tragedy then it already is..

Then I think of him…Madara. This mysterious figure, whom Itachi had followed, who helped him kill my family; our clan. He is part of use, yet he was never known to me. I do not care to know about him. I do not wish to find out what it is he's planing or stop him from doing so. I will be the one Uchiha who will not lose his sanity, who will not stain our family's name with blood.

I turn to the bed that resides within my room, and stride towards it. Feeling oddly tired; exhausted from the rush of thoughts and disgust that came over me. But now my mind wishes to rest, to enter a world of dreams. I cannot let Itachi's behavior disturb me. After all how will I ever avenge our clan if I retreat out of some sort of fear that he may attempt something? No, let him get excited if he wishes, but let him also know he can never have me. Because I hate him as much as the moon hates the brilliant sun that casts it's shadow over it.


"You really don't' know much about torture. Didn't Orochimaru teach you how to treat a prisoner?" Suigetsu nags.

"I don't want my prisoner to smell bad, for my own comfort," I retort.

"Ah, point well taken. But the hot springs? That's too nice. Why not just hose him down?"

"Well if you'd be kind enough to fine me a hose, yes please," I say sarcastically, seeing as the only sources of water around here for miles are the two hot springs down stairs.

"Well ok fine, but make it a really miserable bath for him. I know! Have Karin wash him, and talk to him and shit."

"I can here you fish boy!" Said girl calls from her room. The door of which is open.

"Let me handle Itachi how I please, he's not your enemy."

"Yeah but I like to hear about people being in pain," Suigetsu says with a grin, and trots off; leaving me alone in front of Itachi's door. I slide open the door, Itachi turns his gaze to me, though I know he cannot see me. I take two steps and then notice Itachi's smirk.

"I didn't expect you back little brother," he says quietly, turning his attention to the window in his room. If he is aware of the window I do not know. I've heard some blind people can see shadows, so possibly that is how Itachi located the window. However it doesn't explain how he recognized me.

"So sure that it's me?" I question.

"Your footsteps…" he explains plainly. I snort a little, not really caring that he has the skill to distinguish me by the mere sound of my footsteps.

"Get up," I tell him plainly. He turns his head towards me, tilting it slightly; a silent question. "Just get up," I order. Slowly my brother does as he's told. His right hand finding the edge of the bed first, and then he scoots slightly closer to the edge before swinging his legs over. He lets his feet touch the ground, toes making the first connection to the ground; but soon the rest follows. He stands up, looking somewhat dignified; though he's actually a disgusting creature mimicking decency.

I step up to my brother, his eyes following me as if he can still see. But they do not focus; just strengthening my belief that he has truly gone completely blind by now. Every time I think of this, I cannot help but smile. Because it is a tangible sign of his weakness, of the strength leaving him.

What is he without his sharingan? No threat at all, just a, "Pathetic worthless piece of trash." I find myself whispering out. Itachi acts as though he didn't hear me, but I do not egg him on. No, I have another humiliation for him. I leave my brother's side for a moment to see what my companions are doing. It seems that Suigetsu is arguing with Karin in front of her door. Juugo seems to want to pass by them, but is wary; after all with Karin's temper something may fly out of the room. I smile to myself, and leave the door open. For once the sound of argument between the two more immature people of the group is pure bliss.

I walk back to my brother, looking him over. I raise his arms for him, and he keeps them above his head, in a strange show of obedience. Possibly he's only cooperating because he doesn't know what I'm about to do. I lift his shirt over his head, and discard it onto the floor. Itachi turns his head to the sound of the garment hitting the floor.

"Don't get your hopes up, whore," I tell him, before he can mock me. Itachi lowers his arms, his face staying emotionless, and there's no response. For once I enjoy the silence. I rid Itachi of his pants, and other dressings. Then I shove him forward towards the door. "You're going to get a bath," I explain with another shove. Though Itachi hardly budges, and stands in his place. Obviously unwilling to leave. I do no blame him, after all he is fully exposed. I take him by the forearm and drag him behind me. After a few moments of struggle Itachi opts to act completely cold and uncaring about the situation. However I know he must own some modesty, and he will feel embarrass even if he shows no sign of it.

Before we exit the room completely I remember something. I push Itachi against the wall roughly. His face grazing against the stone.

"Almost forgot," I say softly, taking out the hair tie keeping his hair in a pony tail. I discard the ribbon to the floor, and drag him out of the room. It is considerably colder into the hallway then it is in all the rooms. Because sunlight doesn't reach it.

"Well Karin it's not my fault you're a—" Suigetsu stops his insult, and a smirk spreads across his face. "Now that's more like it," he says in a cocky tone; as if he believes he's the inspiration for this torture.

"What are you talking about dick fa—" Karin pokes her head out of her room. Her eyes widen and she gawks at my brother, as I drag him closer to the group. Seeing as that is the direction the baths are. Juugo steps out of the way, looking at the group. I pass by the teenagers.

And once Karin thinks I'm out of earshot she whispers, "If Sasuke looks anything like his brother under his pants then…ooooh," I could practically hear the shutter in her tone. I roll my eyes to myself, women like her are so mindless.

"Psh, mine's bigger," Suigetsu says proudly.

"Ewww! Didn't need to know that!" Karin yells and again the two start arguing.

All the while Itachi pretends to be unfazed, hiding the shame I'm sure he must feel if he is even partly human. I pull him down the stairs behind me. The sound of his bare feet hitting the stone steps echo's throughout the room. I shove Itachi harshly towards the spring. He stumbles only briefly before straightening out, holding his head up, and looking over his shoulder were he knows I'm located.

"Get in, I'm tired of smelling you from down the hall," Of course I'm exaggerating. Actually I cannot smell my brother at all. As far as I am concerned he has no odor at all. Itachi turns to look at the hot spring. Most likely being able to feel the steam that's rising up into the air.

He lowers himself down, letting the warm water and steam consume and hide his pale smooth skin. Skin that still has traces of our battle on it, marks; however all the bruises have healed. I step closer, taking a seat next to, and slightly behind my brother on the stone floor. He notices me, and his emotionless face suddenly seems to have a tinge of feeling. One that I cannot decode.

"Usually it is customary to parade your enemies severed head around. However I suppose if you enjoyed showing me off to your friends, it is all the same." Itachi says coolly, in his monotone voice.

I do not let the statement bother me, but simply enjoy the chance to retort. Adding insult to injury in a way.

"Your hardly a fancy to look at, Aniki," I draw the last word out in fake sweetness. "To skinny, to pale, not at all the body of a man, a warrior. Most of all you're damaged goods. You can't even see," I point of all his flaws, just to add more salt to the wound. However the statement holds truth, Itachi's body is slender and not at all as muscular as my own.

"We cannot all be an Adonis such as you, little brother," he says, and I can't decipher the tone he's laced into the words. Was it false flattery? I highly doubted this, and again I became sick at the though of my brother finding me attractive. Supposedly 'loving' me in a more then brotherly way. Though he's told me this. Though he confessed his sick feelings to me when he thought he was taking his last breath, it seems that only after what happened yesterday has it really sunk into my mind. Has it really begun to disturb me, and make me see how very twisted Itachi is.

I say nothing, simply watch my brother for a moment, before getting up to locate a towel. Once I find the fluffy white cloths I hear the sound of panicked footsteps coming down the stone steps. I look up to see Karin, worry and fear in her face.

"What is it Karin?" I ask her.

"Someone's approaching this hide out!"

"Who?" She steadies herself for a moment.

"The group that followed use during your search for your brother. Your friends from Konoha, with the dogs," She says, nodding as if to assure herself she's right.

"How far are they?"

"They haven't located our hide out yet, but they are coming rather close, just a little bet more to the west."

"I will go to speak with them. If you sense anyone coming dangerously close to the hide out, send Suigetsu to take care of them. I do not want this place to discovered. Do you understand?"

"Yes Sasuke!"

A/N: That's what Sasuke gets for being a meanie to his brother, now he has to go and deal with Naruto. Believe it!