Wow, this update was faster than the one before. I'm improving (hope so)

Disclaimer: I don't own anything from Masashi Kishimoto, if so I would own Itachi! I only own my ideas. W00t! Itachi is (bringing sexy) back again!

Otouto – Sasuke's comments

Otouto – thoughts (mainly Itachi's and Sasuke's)

Chapter 10 – Memories: The two scars

"Where do you want to go now?" Itachi asked them since he had no idea of good places.

"RAMEN! Ichiraku's Ramen!" Naruto answered with unbreakable enthusiasm, making his teammates sigh out in annoyance.

"Then it's decided." Without any further agreement of the others he went ahead along with Naruto. The two sighed out once more, holding their head in disbelief.

- At Ichiraku's –

The owner of the stall greeted them warmly welcome. Naruto grinned, ordering his favourite meal. The old man smiled and started to cook the meal. Itachi decided to eat something as well because he had to take a journey and probably without any stops and with nothing to eat. Sasuke sat down on a free chair and just did what he usually did: sitting there without any interest for anything. Sakura blushed, holding back a crumble from being heard and ordered herself a light meal. When they all had their food Naruto already had his second round and wasn't even full.

"Nee, Itachi-sensei. What will we do tomorrow? A super cool mission, a powerful training or something else?" Naruto asked with his mouth full of noodles. He gulped them down and took a great sip afterwards.

"Something else. You will get another Sensei instead of me." Itachi stated, carefully eating his noodles. Everything fell silent and the prodigy wondered if he said something wrong but then a loud 'ehhh?!' broke the silence.

"What do you mean by that?! Why aren't you our Sensei? Was this just a game?!" The blonde wasn't very pleased with the answer, he thumped the table and rose his voice. Sakura tried to silence him but failed. It was then when Sasuke took over the conversation when Naruto sat down again and listened.

"Why are you running away? Why do you want to leave us? Was this really just a game of yours or is something else behind it?" Sasuke asked calmly but held his usually dark tone. Itachi finished his soup, setting it carefully down and thanking the elder man for the great food.

"I've got a mission just this morning. Therefore I have to leave for a few couple of days and that's why you will get a Sensei who will train you while I'm away." He answered monotone and stood up. He felt an uneasy feeling at his chest but couldn't show any signs while he was still around his students. He paid the owner for all the debts and intended to leave.

"And before I forget it: Sasuke, you are the offical leader of your team. You have the responsibility for your comrades. Don't let them down and take care. Your Sensei is there for you but when you are alone or seperated you have to take control over everything. Is that okay with you all?" Sasuke gave his mutely reply and Sakura squealed in happiness. Naruto growled and wanted to protest but held it back, mumbling a quiet 'got that'.

The Uchiha said his goodbyes to his students and quickly headed ahead, waving his right hand for a moment. Sasuke followed him after, feeling that something was wrong with him since he seemed to be in a hurry.

What's with him? Like there is something, somewhere waiting for him.

- Uchiha's house, hallway –

"You are in a hurry that's not like you. Where are you going Itachi?" The said person stopped walking down the hallway, thinking for a moment before answering.

"To the bathroom. I have to go to the next mission and before it I have to prepare a few things and…" He trailed off and could feel Sasuke's curious stare on him, urging him to finish his sentence.

"And take care of my wound. This mission is like any others very important and I'm not allowed to let my guard down because of an open injury. I know I should take care of you instead, you are my team but I have to do this for the sake of Konoha. When I come back we will train but until then you will practice a bit with another Sensei."

Without further waiting for a response he opened the bathroom door and disappeared into the room, closing the door behind him. The prodigy took off his shirt and unwrapped the dirty clinging bandage around his torso. His face was blank as he watched himself in the mirror before him, lost in thoughts.

"What's the matter, Sasuke?"

A gasp of surprised could be heard as Itachi turned around and the said person stood now before him. He seemed to think of words but came up with nothing. A few more seconds passed then when the elder sighed barely audible and went on with his own business to do. He took a cloth into his hand and cleaned the remaining dry blood from his skin. He was very careful with this and Sasuke watched his every movement in silence. It was then when Itachi grabbed the new bandage when his sibling took it from his hand without uttering any words.

"What are you doing, Sasuke?" The emotionless voice rang through the room as he asked his question in his usually tone. His eyes fixed his little brother who was looking away, thinking. He was acting strange all of a sudden. Itachi got no answer and tried to ask his actions once again but was cut off before so.

"I did this. I opened your wound through my punch. And now I don't want to be in your debt. When I help you with this then we are even again, right?" He asked while watching his brother's expression through the corner of his eye.

"Right. But even if you don't do this then we are even as well. You don't have to."

Sasuke fell silent and put the beginning of the bandage on the center of Itachi's torso.

"I know but my Uchiha pride is telling me otherwise." He clarified and began with his wrapping. Itachi was falling back in his thoughts, thinking about his mission he has to do, planning his preparations. What he didn't notice was that his brother took his time with the first layer.

Sasuke's POV

His wound, I mean, his wounds. The first one is this…

My hand dropped to Itachi's abdomen, like a feather touch I traced the scar with my finger. It was a horizontal wound about three inches long which could be seen clearly due to the different skin colour than the rest of this area had.

It was back then when the Uchiha slaughter happened. I was alone, everyone was already dead. I came into the living room and saw our parents lying dead on the floor. I screamed for Itachi, wanting to know if he is alive because I couldn't see him anywhere. A really haunting memory but more haunting was the next scene: My instincts told me to look to the right and then I spotted him – sitting against the wall. His lower half was covered in red, a hole visible in the center of his abdomen, blood was gushing out of it. He was unconscious. That was everything I can remember because after this sight I fainted. Now this wound is nothing but a remembrance of this night, a remaining and lingering scar.

When I came back to reality I let my left index finger gently ghosting over this place.

I could forget this night but never Itachi. He still bears the outcome of this fight. But the most irritating thing is: he HAS forgotten about it. He remembers nothing execpt for the only thing that he got stabbed from behind. Strange, isn't it? Maybe he was just in great shock because he saw our dead parents? But Itachi in shock? This sounds just unbelievable to me.

I asked him about that night after it but everytime I did he only looked away and changed the topic. He has a secret, but what could it be?

That's simple, well now it is. He made it a secret because he knew more than he claimed. But of course he didn't tell anyone. Why would he? He is a big brother. Big brother's always keep their secrets for themselves. That's just how it is.

I shook my head in a light motion. When I thought this scar and the night is irritating then how do I explain his new not-yet scar? With my right hand I still held onto the bandage on his middle as my left traveled upwards to the right side of his chest – the new wound he has to take care of. Itachi has already cleaned off the annoying dry liquid and now I could see what was underneath it: a red cut. It was still fresh, the new skin was torn open during our fight which proves that it's not older than a week.

But when could it have happened? He was on a mission til yesterday morning. He came back the day we graduated. It must have happened on this mission. That's strange. He never came back with scars and now he has one. Both are on his torso which are only proving his carelessness. Itachi and careless? Since when? I knew it… he is not the genius he claims to be.

I felt a smirk tug at my lips. He is not as strong as everyone thinks. He can get careless and he CAN get scars.

So much for being perfect Itachi.

Itachi never was perfect. He is as human as I am. But I always thought he was perfect because he seemed so… untouchable. For everyone, even for me. As a brother and as a shinobi he always seemed so out of reach for me. It scared and angered me at the same time. I was afraid to lose my brother and I was afraid that I could never catch up with him in skills. I always admired and envied him. But I think now only bitterness is remaining in my heart. What else should be there? Maybe hatred but I don't know for sure.

As I let my fingers run over his new wound I felt the still open cut under my touch. He must be really deep in thoughts to not notice my movements. Although I was only concentrating on this sight before me I never forgot about the bandage I still held against his middle. My mind was floating away and I was swimming in confusion. This wound was really confusing me. I already said that it was caused during his mission but in my more inner thoughts I doubted that. Somehow I had the feeling that there was more behind it than it revealed to be. It wouldn't be the first time he is hiding a secret. When my head was about to ache due to my intensely thinking a simple thought entered my mind: why not asking him? And before I even knew what I was doing I already began to voice out my idea.

"Say, what caused this injury?" I asked bluntly, fixing my gaze on the damaged skin before me.

It seemed that I pulled him out of thoughts because it took him a few second to recover and meet my gaze. He then noticed that I haven't even begun to wrap the bandage around him though I took over this action before he could even begin.

"A kunai." He said plainly and sighed softly.

"That was not what I wanted to hear. I wanted to know how someone could do this to you? Aren't you a genius or something like that?" If it weren't for Sasuke's cocky tone and his smug grin on his face he would have actually believed that his brother worried about him.

"It happened due to a carelessness of mine. And it will never happen again because I learned my lection from this. I will never again."

Never again. Never again I will show that much of weakness. I will never do this again.

When it comes to simpleness Itachi is one of the masters. His answers are always plain and to the point - but only if you view it without his lies. I didn't even realize that he was telling me only the half of the truth. But when I think about it I never knew when he was lying.

I thought about it for a moment, trying to drain out the truth of his words. But somehow it didn't bother me if he lied or not because he already proved me what I needed – that he is not perfect. I smirked to myself and finally began my wrapping. Even though I don't care about his health and well being I made sure that the bandage was neither too tight nor too loose. You could explain this action with 'Uchiha's and ultimate perfection'.

Itachi's POV

As usual, it was difficult to understand his action. He seemed friendly and yet provoking at the same time. It was hard for me to say what his motives were. And I couldn't even read him. His eyes were fixed on his work and his face was blank. But though he seemed to do this only to show me my weakpoints I enjoyed it nonetheless.

He was standing right in front of me with a little distance so that his body wasn't touching mine in any way. I felt his warm breath on my bare skin and his hands were brushing my sides everytime he passed them by. He finished with the middle part and decided to put a few layers over my shoulder to avoid any sliding off from the white fabric. It was then when he slowly rolled it over my shoulder when he met my empty onyx eyes and stopped for a brief second. I averted my gaze from his and he continued.

I was content with just what he did. It was the first brotherly act he made ever since that day. I wish I could understand what caused his change. We were really close back then but now he is fading from me more and more. It hurts deep within me, deep in my heart where I locked this sinful feeling which is always present. I'm not sure how much longer I can hide this feeling I have for him... I love him.

Ever since he was my 7 years old baby brother… I love him.

Ever since he started clinging onto me… I love him.

Ever since I realized my feelings weren't one of brotherly affection… I love him.

Ever since that day we lost our whole family I stayed even more at his side.

Ever since that day my wish to make him happy has grown stronger.

And ever since that day… I am no longer his brother.

And ever since that day… he started to hate me.

I don't know what was the source for your hatred but I vow by the big brother I am that your suffering will end someday. Someday when you fulfilled your goal.

"It's done." He stated and I came back to reality for the second time today. He stepped a few steps backwards and then left the room. I stood there wondering and then decided to brush it off and instead put my shirt back on. I completed my usual ANBU outfit and filled my pounch with shuriken and two scrolls just the usual equipment. I was ready for the mission but had yet plenty of time. So I took my Konoha headband and bound it perfectly around my forehead with my strays lying over the metal plate.

Almost done and I still have time left. It would be best if I…

Normal POV

Itachi walked down the hallway to his room and took out a few maps and papers. He took a red pen and drew a few lines on the map. It was the route to Suna and back. The way to Suna would take two days without taking a pause. And the way back would last four days. Sounded stupid but that was his plan. It would take double of the time because he picked up a safer route to avoid any fights. He didn't want any troubles when he is escorting someone. But when they are alone they can take the more dangerous route to buy time for the way back. Itachi isn't the prodigy for nothing, he has planned out everything perfectly. He sighed out, content with his work and then smiled at the hawk sitting on the desk next to him. He brushed its feathers and let his thump run over its cheek.

"I still haven't given you a name. I will think of it while I'm on my mission." He uttered softly, gazing the animal into the eye and it rose his head in question, letting his feathers stick out of his body. Itachi watched it a few moments more until he closed his eyes and sensed something.

"Sasuke." He suddenly announced the presence of his brother with his montone voice and turned around, waiting for his reply.

Sometimes I think it's scary that he always knows when I'm in his presence. He always seems to feel it when I'm standing behind him even though I don't make any sounds. Another instinct a big brother has.

"What exactly is this for a mission? You prepare it so well it must be very important, right?" He crossed his arms, making his brother sigh mentally. Sasuke can be really curious. But in truth he wasn't curious he just needed a good answer why his brother is about to leave again.

"I was told to go to Suna and escort an representative. Konoha wants to sign a contract but before so someone has to check out the demands and bring them back to Kazegae-sama. I have to escort him the whole time being and do everything for his sake or the contract will be declined. One mistake and the attempt of making an alliance is destroyed and that will be bad for us. Suna is one of the five great nations, we need their alliance." He explained and from the look in Sasuke's eyes you could see understanding, at least halfway.

"Well, good for you. But why you out of all people? Right, you are always the only one fitting for every mission, isn't it?" A hiss in his voice as he averted his eyes from his older brother. The bitterness of feeling overpowered clearly apparent in his eyes.

"Someday you will understand. Sometimes you have to make sacrifices to accomplish a mission and sometimes you have to give in for the 'right success'. But you are too young for this, you haven't seen and experienced what I have. For some missions you need not only physical strength but mental as well. And for that there are only a few fitting... the ones who are ready to take without fighting back." Itachi's eyes remained empty, his voice stoic as his face.

"Right. Do I have to understand this bullshit of yours or are you finally done playing your act?" Itachi just simpered at his brother's insult as he meet him straight in the eye and nodded lightly, gesturing the young Uchiha that he can leave if he pleases. Sasuke didn't need any second hint and turned off to leave, going to his own room and throwing himself on his bed. He hooked his hands behind the back of his head and stared at the ceiling above him. He wanted to brush everything off but Itachi's words seeped through his inner wall and entered his wandering mind.

// Sometimes you have to make sacrifices to accomplish a mission and sometimes you have to give in for the 'right success'. And for that there are only a few fitting... the ones who are ready to take without fighting back.//

What is the meaning of this? It seemes that… something happened on one of his missions. Maybe on his latest one? Is it because of this why he is so strange all of a sudden?

If you really think about it you can understand his message. He had to makesacrifices and he had to take. Missions are no playgrounds, they are dangerous and painful orders which I had to learn the hard way. I've gone through very difficult missions and every single one showed me one only thing: you can lose your life every moment.

The time passed and for Itachi it was time to head for his mission. He put his pen aside and took the hawk into his hands, putting it on his bed and stroking it one last time. He left his room with a last glance at the bird and went to the front door. As he slipped on his shoes and was about to open the door someone called him.

"Itachi."

The said person turned around, meeting onyx eyes.

"There is something bothering you, isn't it Sasuke?" He asked, reading through his brother's mind.

"Who is this Sensei you were talking about?"

"Hatake Kakashi or Sharingan no Kakashi if this is more familiar with you. He is the last Sharingan user besides us." He said plainly and Sasuke's eyes widened in surprise.

"Impossible." He muttered.

"He is no Uchiha but holds the Sharingan nonetheless. It was a gift from Uchiha Obito to Kakashi-san before his death. And because he is not related to the Uchiha Clan he can't deactivate the Sharingan and has to use more Chakra. He is also famous with the phrase 'Copy ninja' and that's because he has copied over hundred of Jutsu. And before I forget it: You have to go to the training field number three, Kakashi-san will be there waiting for you. So call the other two and have a nice training lesson until I come back."

"Is there anything elso I should know?" Sasuke asked with mild interest.

"Yes." Itachi smirked lightly, turned off and left the house with an "He is always late."

The word 'great' in an sarcasm way writen all over Sasuke's face as he muttered something about the lines "This will be great but he can't be any worse than Itachi".

Jackpot, ne? An always late Sensei. But as I already said he can't be worse than Itachi, can he? No. He will be much better because: he has the Sharingan. So he will be a good opponent for me. Although I already had a good training season my body yearns for more fights. Am I a maniac or just driven by my thirst to get stronger? Driven by the urge to finally surpass Itachi? Both.

The young Uchiha gathered his ninja things together, slipped on his sandals and left the house as well. He went to Naruto's and to Sakura's house and then the three left for their training with Hatake Kakashi – who wasn't there yet.

- Training field number three -

"'tebayo! I can't believe it! First Itachi-Sensei has left for a really cool mission and then our Sensei in proxy is late! And I thought I was the latest one! Why did I even hurry up?!" Naruto was on the verge of going insane due to his impatience. He was pacing up and down making Sakura yell at him to stay quiet.

"Baka. Because I told you so." Sasuke said cocky as ever to the blonde ninja.

"Teme! Who said that you can order me around?!" He yelled at the Uchiha's arrogance and got even more angered when he saw him smirk that 'Because I am the boss' smirk.

"Itachi said that I am the one in charge of this team, remember?"

Naruto pouted, crossing his arms and growled a 'hmph'. "Whatever."

Sakura clapped her hands together and squealed lightly, mumbling something about "Sasuke-kun as our boss will be soooo cool!"

The Uchiha sighed, cursing god for making his life a living hell.

A living hell? This was NOTHING compared to the hell I have now, to the hell I've been through ever since I was born. But how should I know that the future will be so… painful?

AN: And with that lyrical phrase I will end this chapter. Was it interesting? Confusing? Boring? The next will be better, I swear (and I hope so) And everything that gives you question will be cleared as time passes by. In the end you will understand everything (even the comments of Sasuke.) This time I haven't forgotten about the hawk! (but almost) Well… see ya next chapter!