Important note!! Please read!!: Please bare with me. For those people who have read my other stories you may have noticed that sometime I stop writing out of sickness. Well it's about time I explain that because sometimes when someone says 'I'm sick', people think it's like a cold. I have chromic Gastritis, which basically means I have a lot of stomach issues and pain. It comes and goes it gets better then worse. I have my good days and my bad. Ontop of that because of earlier sickness in my past my immune system is crap, and I catch colds very easily, and a lot of food upsets me very easily. Also recently I've been having some mental health issues I've been working out.

I don't' want to abandon my readers, but please understand that with school and up flares that sometimes I do not have the time, motivation, or will to write. So every so often I need a break. I'll do my best to update whenever I can, thank you.

Chapter XI

"You've become so curious," Itachi whispers out. I don't answer, instead continue to taste his sweet flesh. I woke from a dream only ten minutes ago. A dream of my childhood, a reminder of who my brother was, and still is. I still worry, especially now that we are so close to Konoha. I know the truth about Itachi, and I've never felt such deep affection and admiration towards him. However with every taste I feel dirty. I suppose I fear judgment...from Konoha. In their eyes I'm a villain…but they are the evil ones. Forcing my brother to become a monster and hide from me. Or maybe it's divine judgment I fear. Itachi...with his blood stained hands, is still a saint. His motives where noble...his desire sinful. Maybe that is his punishment, loving me. I feel like I'm corrupting him. First I was disgusted of the though that Itachi was attempting to seduce me, now I believe I'm seducing him.

My motives weren't noble…I've hurt many people, yet I was reward with the return of my Aniki. What punishment is waiting for me?

"S..Sasuke…" Itachi sighs out, as I tease a nipple.

Have I grown up? Or am I still a child? Is that why I'm so 'curious'? I am still a child, but I want to grow, mentally, and in strength, so that I can care and protect my Aniki. I don't ever want to lose him again. I have followers now, and my path affect others. They depend on me…even Itachi. I want him to depend on me, to follow me, just like I followed him. We've always been connected but never this close.

"I don't' want to let go," I mutter out and bring my lips back up to meet his. His skin is soft, and I can't help stroking it. My hand wants to venture lower but a deep respect for my brother stops me for now.

"Do you plan on keeping me up all night? I am tired," Itachi whispers out.

"We'll be enter Konoha in the morning," I say softly.

"Yes I know." I push myself of, and lie down next to my brother. "Are you second guessing yourself, little brother?"

"No, but I can't help wondering what sort of welcome will be given to us."

Itachi turns his empty eyes towards me. "Sleep." He commands and lets his own eyelids slide closed.

I watch my Aniki for a while, I enjoy gazing at him. He's still such a mystery, even though I feel like I know him well. I know he hasn't changed...it's me who's changed, and maybe that's why I feel like Itachi is still an enigma. I sit up and look at the trees above us. Just a few feet away there is a dying fire, which is where Karin and Juugo are sleeping.


I walk towards the pile of ashes, where my followers still sleep. Itachi softly walks up behind me, also ready to face Konoha. His confidence never seems to fade, and I want to feed of that confidence so I can face my old village. However I do fear being separated from my Aniki again. Who knows if I won't be taken into a jail, or if Itachi will be executed? After all what right do we have to come back? Konoha has tried so hard to get rid of our kind, only to have us return.

"Juugo, Karin," I say in a low tone, hoping that it's enough to wake them. Karin mumbles and rolls over, before her head pops up.

"Oh Sasuke!" She yelps suddenly. "Is something wrong?" She mutters out in a groggy voice.

"Yes, I would like to keep moving, but you're still on the floor." I say. Juugo, gets up, he's at peace, his face blank. I wonder how he will react if we are met with any hostility from Konoha. I wouldn't be surprised if some one would end up dead before I can calm him.

We start moving Karin lags behind, Itachi is just a few steps behind me, and after him comes Juugo. The birds in the forest seem to be in a hurry and they fly in the opposite direction. I try not to take it as a bad omen, but it seems all the birds are black…crows. I glance over my shoulder, Itachi is completely calm, most likely focusing on the sound of my feet so he can follow. He moves like a ghost, and his slow and almost sketchy steps still worry me, and I wonder about his condition. Is he just walking oddly because he's still copping with his loss of sight, or is he still weak…he hasn't coughed up blood lately, but that doesn't mean anything. I can only hope he gets better.

Suddenly Juugo approaches me. I turn my attention to him. "Something wrong?"

"What is Konoha like, how will they treat us?"

"I don't think we have anything to worry about. If we're not welcome there, then we'll simply leave. However I have a suspicion they would feel much better having me in the village, so they can keep an eye on me. We might be treated as second class citizens, but it's a sanctuary, a temporary place to go, until I can think of something more."

"You are not burden by us?"

"Not you," I assure.

" What about Suigetsu?"

"He's taking a different path," I my eyes glide over to examine Juugo. "Why?"

"I just wonder...it seems so different." Juugo closes his eyes. "I feel more at peace, I feel safe and secure with myself knowing you are near me. Still I can't shake my old thoughts, sometimes I even scare myself. I would have never guessed I would leave my cell, now I'm out here walking to different places. It just seems out of place, and I wonder how long I can handle this before I crash. Worst of all…Orochimaru he…" Juugo pauses and for a moment his calm eyes filled with rage. However it wasn't from the curse seal, and there was no blood lust in his gaze.

"He tricked many people, he didn't value anyone's life but his own. You may never be normal, but you're not the only one," I say softly touching my own curse seal.

"So...how can we go into a village, and plan to hide out there, with our past?"

"Don't worry about it, just follow me," I say plainly, wanting to end the conversation. I don't need more doubt entering my mind. Besides Konoha is no better then Orochimaru...picking and choosing who should live and who should be executed. Konoha is the village that produced Orochimaru after all…it's not without sin. Who are they to judge us? To judge me?

"We're getting close," Karin announces while jogging up closer to me. It seems like I'm being surrounded, like everyone here is leaning on me. I can feel the pressure however it doesn't scare me only adds to my determination. I'm no sinner, nor a saint, however I've made something of myself. I don't need Konoha, I was able to break the ties I had to this village, and grow. I became more aware and stronger, and I'm choosing to come back.


The two men outside watching the gate become stiff. They lean forward as if to try and make out who's approaching their village.

"Halt," They finally say once we are but three feet away from them. Their eyes study my form, and I brush back a strand of hair, just in case it was blocking their view. Then their attention turns towards Itachi.

"We only want shelter, we mean no harm," I say suddenly, in a defensive tone. I feel relief when both pairs of eyes look at me again, and not my Aniki.

"Are you-"

"Uchiha, yes," I murmur simply. "This was our village once too." I say in an attempt to justify our presence. The two men look at my two followers. "These our my companions, and I assure you they are no threat. They are my soul responsibility. We only want shelter," I repeat.

One of the men turns towards the other and mutter out, "Inform the great Hokage."

I say nothing in return, and I feel Itachi's slender fingers curl around mine from the back.

"So civilized," He speaks softly. "Let's hope we are greeted with the same civility."

"I wouldn't count on it...though they owe you much.." I mutter out.

"The shinobi is never rewarded with much…especially one such as me. However the female Hokage may have pity on us. Should we offer information on Akatsuki? I'm sure they would be delighted to hear about them."

"Let's see what they give us, then maybe we will offer some help."

"I wouldn't depend on their kindness, little brother," Itachi says in a cold voice. It may come to us having to offer information in exchange for letting us stay. However first I would like to negotiate, maybe threaten to expose some of Konoha's darker secrets. In my eyes we have every right to be here, and in all honesty I don't want to think about Akatsuki. I don't want to get in the middle of the fight Konoha has picked.

"Follow us, the Hokage will see you," The man speaks suddenly and I hadn't even notices that his earlier companion had already return. We are guided down the dirt streets of Konoha, and everything seems so familiar, it is almost depressing. I can't help but let my eyes scan over the many faces watching me, wondering if some where among them is Naruto. A sinking feel enters my stomach, and I don't want to think about the blonde...he's selfish...yet something about him. I think I will always consider him a friend…he has the capacity to forgive so many things, and he still holds on to me.

We walk into the Hokage's office, the busty blonde women seems a little surprised when I first walk in, but soon hides her emotions. My small group of companions follows me into the office as well, and the two gentlemen that lead us here close the door behind us.

"I would have never thought to see you here," Tsunade says with a smirk on her face, and a hidden laughter in her eyes.

"I hadn't plan on coming back, but things change," I say coolly, and the Hokage's eyes travel towards my brother. She seems to frown for a second, but then her face because blank once more. The unreadable face of a leader.

"I see,' She says plainly. "So what brings you here."

"I believe that me and my brother are entitled to stay in this village, there is someone seeking us out. I doubt that this person will cause you anymore trouble then he has already planed on."

"Who is this person?"

"He's part of Akatsuki," I say plainly not freely given out any information.

"But Itachi, aren't you part of Akatsuki?"

"I'm sure as Hokage you know and understand why I decided to partner with Akatsuki." Tsunade didn't even pretend to be oblivious, she just sadly nodded her head.

"It's easier said then done, giving you shelter. Letting you stay here. I doubt the villagers would like it. They don't see you as one of them."

"I suppose they never did," I say bitterly. Tsunade catches my meaning, and her eyes dart to the side for a moment, to avoid eye contact.

"What will you give Konoha in return?"

"Don't you believe that Konoha owes our clan!?" I snap at her. She narrows her eyes. "Let us stay and the truth about the massacre will be hidden."

"How do you intend to do that. People will question Itachi's presence!" Tsunade herself is aggravated.

"Simple, I killed for my own reason, Konoha finds my exile for the past years to be punishment enough. Ontop of that I've agreed to give you information on Akatsuki."

I glare at my brother, I really don't want to get tangled up in this fight. Konoha can gather it's own knowledge for all I care. They didn't seem to care about my clan, so why should I care about them? It would serve them right if Madara killed them all. His motives are still not fully understood by me, but maybe he still holds a seed of anger towards Konoha.

Tsunade seems intrigued. "Akatsuki seems to be a threat to both of us, it would be in our best interest to work together, and help one another." She nods to herself, and then she looks at me again. "You may stay in the old Uchiha district of the village. You may walk around as you please, but know that ANBU will be watching.

I wasn't surprised, of course we wouldn't be welcomed with open arms. I just nod, and thank her. Though she didn't show us much kindness, I'm still grateful that we are allowed to stay.

"Oh are those two staying as well?"

"Yes, they are some companions of mine, no need to worry about them, they are loyal to me and won't cause any trouble." I assure her, and Tsunade waves us off, a sign to take our leave. We do so, and I feel much better once I'm out of her office.

I turn to my brother and let out a sigh. It was sound enough to tell him what sort of expression is on my face; one of disappointment. Itachi smirks, and lets his eyes close.

"You must learn how to negotiate, sadly not many people in this world have morals, and do things out of pure kindness."

"We could have thought of something else, you shouldn't have offered your help so freely," I say slightly annoyed.

"What else would we have done? You are right Sasuke, Konoha is really the safest place to be right now. Madara won't bother with us, I'm sure the nine tales is a little more interesting."

My heart stops for a moment, and Itachi moves his head towards me aware of my stiffness, yet he keeps walking, swaying in that elegant way of his. He says nothing but he knows everything.