Chapter XII

There is dust. So much dust that it consumes the color of nature and turns everything a gloomy gray. My hand rests on a familiar door, and I look out at the familiar garden. The bamboo spout doesn't' work anymore and that rhythmic click doesn't reach my ears as it did in my childhood. I look down the open hall, and see Itachi standing in the door way, the double screen doors pushed aside. I brush some hair out of my face before taking a step towards my brother. An image flashing before my eyes; this is the same path I took only to discover my parent's dead.

I approach my brother silently, he doesn't move. I reach out for his shoulder, touching him slightly. His hand shoots up, grabbing my wrist, as he turns, blind eyes staring at me.

"Sasuke…" he mutters out and then lets go of my hands.

"I'm sorry I surprised you."

"I should have been more alert…" He says softly and look back into the room. I look over his shoulder and see the stain of old blood on the floor where my parent's body was.

"They didn't' bother…" Itachi says with slight disgust. "They only cared about their position…they didn't bother to clean. They made a show of the crime scene, of the tape…acting so surprised. They didn't bother to clean..." Itachi says in a low voice.

"How can you tell?" I ask, wondering how he's aware of the stain. He lifts up his hand and rubs his fingers together.

"I can feel it…I felt where the dry blood ended, and the wood floor began."

"Are you surprised?"

Itachi seems to almost laugh, he turns towards me. "Our father deserved it…" he says quietly.

My Aniki starts to walk away but I hold on to me. "I still don't understand you," I tell him.

"All he wanted was power, he didn't' care who's life he used, or ignored," Itachi's empty red eyes look at me with some struggling emotion. "Greed….in any form is a sin, Sasuke." He says simply and his wrist slips from my grasp.

"Where you greedy?" Itachi stops. "For peace?"

"Perhaps…I'm no saint, but I believe in what I did. You know that Sasuke. Maybe I could have done it differently, however if I could go back, I'd do it all again. If Konoha hadn't chosen who was to die in the name of peace, then it would have been Uchiha who slaughtered all those in their way to get to the top. Get their throne. We're not like them…despite our name."

"What makes you believe in Konoha, and not our family."

"Because …maybe Konoha was fearful, and also greedy like Uchiha, to keep their power...however Konoha's solution did not shed as much blood as our clan's plan would have. Konoha had some foresight…and for that I thank them."

"But, they still hate all Uchiha. They—"

"You can't judge everyone on the thoughts of their clan. If so, I would have never turned my back on mine." Itachi says plainly.

"I still don't believe you should have been so open. Konoha should find their own clues, I didn't want to become part of their drama."

"It is in our best interest to help them. Other wise we would not be able to stay here." I don't respond to him, knowing that he's right, but still hung up on my point of view.

"Why don't we go to bed for the day? I'm sure that Tsunade will be calling for you in the morning, to take advantage of your offer," I tell my brother.

"Perhaps, and then how will you occupy yourself?"

"I'll be with you,' I say with slight surprise.

"I don't' need to be watched over, brother, I'm not a child. Besides you have you're other companions to tend too."

"Yes, but those companions can see perfectly well."

"Do you want to be my seeing eye dog?" Itachi questions with a slight smirk.

I glare at my brother with annoyance. "I don't' feel like playing with you right now."

"What a shame…" Itachi mutters out. He lets his hand glide onto one of the pillars. He guides himself down o sit on the wood floor, his feet resting on the grass.

I sit next to him, "How's your health."

"Fine…you worry to much," Itachi sounds slightly annoyed but I ignore his tone.

My hand rest on his head, to check for fever, before gliding down to cup his cheek. "I'd feel better if I could go with you every time you speak to Tsunade." Itachi doesn't' respond, he simply stares out into the garden.

"Itachi?" He closes his eyes, and I feel insulted; is he tuning me out? "Ita—"

"Fine," he says softly.

I smile. "Good I'll go with you tomorrow if she calls for you. In the mean time Karin and Juugo can clean this place up a little."

"In which room will they be staying?"

"Juugo is in the guest room, while Karin has claimed my old room." Itachi nods. "Let's got to bed," I say softly.

"Will you let me sleep?"

"Yes," I say, kissing my brothers neck.


There is a knock, "Sasuke." I open my eyes to be greeted by an angelic face. Slowly Itachi's eyes open, as once again Karin calls my name. I get up leaving my brother behind in our shared bed. I slide open the door.

"What is it?"

"There was a messenger here just a minute ago, he says you and your brother where called by the Hokage."

"Already…" I mumble to myself with slight disappointment. It seems Konoha doesn't want to waste any time, and get all the information they can on Akastuki. I don't blame them, however it is still annoying to be woken this early in the morning; the sun has barely come up!

"Don't worry about it Karin, go back to sleep," I tell her and shut the door. I turn to my bother that has obviously over heard the conversation, seeing as he's already starting to get out of bed.

"What are you going to give them?"

"Depends on what they ask," I growl a little, just not being able to let go of this bitterness I hold towards Konoha.

"What does it matter, Sasuke. Akastuki is our enemy as well. Unless you see Madara as our kin..."

"He is," I snap at my brother. "However, that doesn't mean I trust him."

"Then I will arm Konoha with my knowledge so Madara will not burden us."

"Madara will 'burden' us no matter what. I just know he will, how can you be so sure he'll just forget about us and go after Naruto? What makes you believe Naruto will let himself be caught. He won't and once Madara's tired of chasing after him he'll come after you—" I notice that I sound protective of my brother, and I look at the floor.

"Me?" Itachi drags the word out. " He's more interested in you, little brother, don't worry about me." He whispers out in his soft reassuring voice.

"He wants us," I mutter out, looking at my brother.

Itachi is quiet for a moment. "Do I have clean clothes to wear?' He questions drooping the subject.

I let out a sigh, "I'll run you a bath and lay out your clothes."

With unease I guide my brother to the Hokage building. I keep my eyes open fearing that I might bump into a familiar face. However the streets are still empty. It's to early for some to be out of bed yet, suddenly I feel grateful for Tsunade's decision to call us in this early.

We enter the Hokage's office, the building is silent, and Tsunade herself seems barely awake as well.

"Thank you for coming, you two. Sasuke," she pauses a moment with a smile on her face. "I'm sure Naruto and Sakura will be happy to hear that you are back home, and I—"

"I don't want to see them." Tsunade seems surprised by my response.

"They've never…" she pauses with slight aggravation. "Sasuke they've been looking for you so long, I know you realize this. I will not refrain from tell them that you are here, especially Naruto."

"It you wish to do that, that is your business, but I doubt anything can be the way it was." I tell her bitterly.

"Naruto may think otherwise," she smiles softly. "Well, if you will excuse me and your brother."

"I wish to be present during this conversation."

"I'm sorry, but this is between me and your brother. See, I would have welcomed you into the village easily…however I must be sure about Itachi."

"But—"

"I'll be fine, little brother," Itachi says softly, but sternly leaving no room for argument. I look at him and then at Tsunade, before turning on my heal and leaving the office to stand outside the door.

I let my mind wonder to the though of my old teammates. I don't really care to see them, mainly because it would be so awkward. I don't know why Naruto hold on to me, we are both not the same. We where so different to begin with, I'm sure the gap has only widened over the years. We've faced different situations, and most of all we've grow up. Nothing is the same anymore, and I don't believe it can go back to the way it was. I can't ignore the actions I took that lead me to this period of time, and I can't fool myself into believing I wasn't bitter and angry with Naruto. I wanted to leave Konoha...I wanted to leave him. I wanted to become my own man, and I saw no opportunity for me to do that in this village. I wasn't going to let anyone hole me back, including Naruto. I abandoned him, and yet he still thinks of me.

I let out a sigh, and lean against' the wall. Maybe it wasn't such a great idea to come back…


I look up at the sky, the familiar sound of childhood filling the garden. The bamboo taps on the rock, I couldn't help but fix it. The sound soothes me, along with the occasional birds that pass by. Itachi has been silent ever since we left Tsunde's office. It's because I've asked him about their conversation. I'm not surprised that he won't tell me.

Juugo is still cleaning, I've thanked him for his help, while ignoring Karen's cries for attention. She's cooking right now, again another attempt to impress me. She's even asked if I would show her around the village, I told her bluntly that I'd rather not.

Soft footsteps reach my ears. I look up to see my brother coming towards me. I watch him as his hand reaches out for the pillar next to me, and he lowers himself down on his knees, looking into the garden that he only his mind. I'm glade that he is so familiar with these surroundings, that way he can be a little more independent.

"I would like to learn Braille," Itachi muses softly.

"I could read to you."

"I'm not a child."

"I wouldn't' even know who could teach you let alone, if they have any Braille books in Konoha." I explain emotionlessly.

"There isn't much I can do to entertain myself, Sasuke," he explains softly. It must be boring for him, his lack of sight handicaps him if he wants to admit it or not.

"Tomorrow we can go into town."

"I though you were avoiding someone," Itachi smirks knowingly.

"Well if Tsunade is going to tell them of my presence then I'm sure they will come to visit today. Then we can go shopping tomorrow, to buy some entertainment for all of us," I sigh out.

I take Itachi's hand, and pull him closer to me. "I still feel like a child." I mutter out.

"You are still a child, little brother," I say comfortingly. "It is hard to find yourself…especially when you had to grow up so fast."

"I feel like there are something I should know…like my feelings. How is it that my emotions still confuse me, and then I give in without knowing how I got there."

"Are you unsure about us?" Itachi asks softly.

"No...not us," I say kissing him softly. "I was...for a while, however not anymore, you should know that."

"Then what is on your mind?"

"Naruto...Sakura…I don't' understand them, and I don't want to see them."

"Are you afraid?"

I snort loudly, and loosen my grip on Itachi. "Hardly. I just find them a bother. I can't be as happy as them, and sometimes I don't' want to deal with the bright sunny blond." I say slightly bitter.

"Sasuke, everyone has pain, they just deal with it in other ways. I'm sure if you took the time you could relate to them again."

"When did you become so wise?" I ask with a slight hint of sarcasm, wanting to teas my older brother. He doesn't answer, and only leans against my chest. I run my hand through his hair, before resting my chin on top of his head. I listen to the sound of the taping bamboo, and close my eyes.

"Sasuke! " Karen runs into the hall. She looks at us for a moment a slight tint pink coming to her cheeks. "Um, someone claming they know you is at the door. I let them in, should I tell them your busy?"

"No, I'll be coming shortly." I sigh out.

"You where right," I my brother announces and pulls away from me.

"It seems that I can't have a moments peace when I'm with you." I say slightly upset. It seems every time I'm close to my brother, holding him, kissing him, we always get interrupted, or something hinders us.

"We'll have plenty of time together," Itachi erasures me. I kiss him again, wanting some of his strength before I face my old teammates. I reluctantly retreat into the house, leaving Itachi alone by the garden.

"Sasuke it's really you! You came back!" Sakura announces and throws herself at me. She hugs me tightly and I can feel her sobbing slightly. I look at Naruto, who as a confident smirk on his face. I feel slightly uneasy.

"I didn't expect you'd come back on your own, I though I'd have to drag your ass back here," he chuckles. However there was hardly any humor behind that laugh. Sakura lets go of me, looking me over as her hands remain on my shoulders. I aver my eyes.

"I'm so happy to see you again," she whispers out, before taking a step back. She seems at a loss for words and starts to cry yet again. I ignore her over emotional state, and it seems Naruto is as well.

"Akatsuki is still after you aren't they?" He asks me seriously.

"Are they still after you?" I retort. Then silence.

"It's good that you came back. I knew Tsunade would let you return. Itachi is with you isn't he?" I glare at Naruto. The question grabs Sakura's attention and she looks up at me wiping a tear from her cheek.

"Yes, why do you care?" I hiss out dangerously.

Naruto shrugs nonchalantly, before his eyes look me over with slight pity. "I thought—"

"Plans change, not that it's any of your business," I snap out quickly.

"Sasuke.." Sakura asks weakly, reaching out in a motion to calm me. I step back so she can't touch me.

"Not even hear for two days and already your back to your old bitchy self," Naruto says, again with no humor.

"It won't be the same."

"Yeah, I know, you've already decided that."

"Naruto, Sasuke, this is suppose to be a happy reunion, why are you to so upset with one another?" Sakura ask with slight announce.

"I know I don't understand why you did it Sasuke, I know you think I won't. But, a lot has happened. Your back in Konoha, ok, can you stop being an ass for on second?"

"You're the one who's bitter." I point out.

"Well, hell Sasuke, excuse me for having emotions, not everyone can be as stoic as you." Naruto snaps. Silence, Sakura looks between us. Naruto looks down, his blonde hair falling in his face, his fist clenching. "I missed you." He whispers out.

"I know...you don't care…but Sasuke you where a friend to me, at least in my eyes. It hurt when you left, when you just shut me out, expecting that I didn't even care to understand you. Damn it, I've been waiting four fucking year to yell at you, you bastard!" Naruto look as me with sadness, relief and anger.

"Every time we found you, our meetings where so short, I always tried to get you to follow me. Now, now that you're here, there's so much I want to say. I want you to realize that me and Sakura really did miss you. I know you think that's selfish of us, but Sasuke," Naruto looks at me seriously. "You where selfish too."

I let Naruto's worlds sink in. In a way I feel the same. I know I was partially selfish...I've realized how…how selfish it would have been to kill Itachi. I realized how it wouldn't have changed a goddamn thing if I killed Itachi. I know now that I love my brother, and that I couldn't kill him, that I only needed someone to blame for all my pain, rather then dealing with it myself. I've grown, but still I don't' feel like I can face Naruto, and answer all his questions. I really don't want to. I don't' want him to push me around and force me to speak, just like he would have forced me to come back to Konoha. Maybe I'll be able to have a serious conversation with him on day, but not today. Will be like the way it was…but I suppose I can open myself up to my two former teammates, and talk to them. It that will bring them closure, then fine, it won't bother me. However, I will tell them on my own time. When I feel like talking, when I fill like giving them a little of my pity.

"I'll talk to you Naruto, and even you Sakura, but not today. Let me rest and get use to these surroundings." I tell them sternly. Sakura nods, Naruto's eyes study me for a while before he too nods. I gesture for them to leave, and slowly they do so.

Once the door closes, I let out a sigh of relief. Again my body feels relaxed, while my mind once again questions if it was a good idea to return to Konoha.

"Who was that girl?" Karen questions with narrow eyes. I simply walk past her.