Happy holidays and thanks to you all who reviewed and read it, my story that is. And… now Itachi is dead in the anime too and the Manga is… totally screwed up. Please Itachi: Stop Sasuke from the nothing he has become…

Disclaimer: I don't own anything from Masashi Kishimoto, if so I would own Itachi! I only own my ideas.

Otouto – Sasuke's comments

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

I don't know if it's worth it but… Warning: a bit Yaoi

Chapter 11 – Memories: Following you

- In Suna, two days later –

Suna: A large desert within the great world of shinobis. Sand everywhere. The heat almost unbearable and no water was found near the town ahead of five ninjas. All five of them were ANBU and the one walking ahead of them was the leader. They went into the town, through the busy streets. It was strange for a desert but Suna-Gakure was the capital of the county - that would explain the mass of people walking around. A few of them stopped when they saw the forehead protector: Konoha. They were whispering to each other, especially about the leader of the group.

The one in charge had black hair tied back and shining blood red eyes which were in contrast to his pale but creamy skin. His bangs were perfectly framing his delicate face. His body was well shaped, a slender hip and a well build torso. Through the armor you could imagine his muscular chest. The wind blowed through the street and his hand held the strays in their right place.

He walked his way down to the biggest building in the center of the city: the Kazekage building. Passing the guards he entered the sand made house and stood now before the door to the office. He just wanted to knock on it to announce his presence but stopped before so when he heard two voices, speaking with an amused tone. He couldn't fully catch what they were saying but he swore they said something like this:

"You have permission to 'test' him, Uchiha Itachi that is."

"Hai, Kazekage-sama. Let's see what this Uchiha is made of and if he can take a little bit 'close contact'."

"Do as you please with him."

"I will."

The last two spoken sentences made Itachi freeze on the spot, a frown appearing on his face as he bit lightly on his lip to regain his usual composure.

What are they planning to do? It almost sounds like… I shouldn't think about this. I have to carry out my order and nothing else matters now.

After a second of recovering and one more intake of breath he decided to knock on the wooden door, no longer wishing to hear any more of the conversation. Though his thoughts didn't want to leave his mind he was calmly waiting for his answer. His Sharingan faded from eyes, revealing his obsidian shade. For a matter of politeness he always deactivates his Bloodline Limit when he is talking to someone. When he heard his awaited "Enter" he stepped with his four mates into the middle of the room and immediately bowed down on one knee.

"Kazekage-sama. Me, Uchiha Itachi and my four comrades are here to escort your representative as told." He spoke in his polite voice as he fixed the floor beneath him.

"Uchiha Itachi. Get up." Came the command through the thin curtain. A man stepped out of it but stayed against the wall. "You may leave and hopefully come back with pleasant news. Don't disappoint us." The Kazekage said and Itachi nodded, leaving the room.

The representative followed close behind and as soon as they were outside the building he instructed himself. "My name is Takeru Kageyoshi." The Suna nin had blonde spiky hair, his face was as stoic as Itachi's but had a grin plastered on it when he eyeballed the prodigy. "So you are the famous Uchiha Itachi? I am very pleased to meet you."

For a moment Itachi looked at him confused due to his grin but then he brushed it off and shook the awaiting hand before him. "Hai. Nice to meet you Kageyoshi-san."

"Can I ask you something?" He asked with an more lower voice, almost purring. "May I call you Itachi-kun?"

The Uchiha stared at him, still wondering about his strange behavour but immediately pushed it aside again. He has no time for that kind of thoughts and most of all isn't allowed to doubt his clients. "Sure." He replied in his calm tone.

"Good. You can call me Takeru if you please."

There was it again. Again he was drawing out the word 'pleased' with that grin on his face. Itachi wasn't feeling uneasy though he felt a shiver ran down his spine. Something in his mind told him to stay alert and keep an eye on him.

"Hai Takeru. We will now heading for Konoha and no matter what happens we will protect you. My guys and I won't leave your side." Itachi assured him and Takeru nodded with a sly smile.

"I'm sure you won't." He grinned.

The group went through the streets and Itachi glanced one last time at the city with this pooling feeling in his stomach that something is about to happen on this mission. The Sharingan appeared in his eyes and together they vanished with the blowing desert wind.

- Two days later -

Itachi and Takeru were walking in the middle, surrounded by two ANBUs in front of them and behind them. It was Itachi's favourite tactic. With that he can easily take care of his patron while having his mates around him. In an emergency case he could quickly made the best decision to protect everyone. Itachi's policy was simple: accomplish the mission with no sacrifices. The worst for him is when he has to decide between the life of his teammates and the mission. He would rather choose to risk his own life than letting his comrades die or disgrace the village. That's why he is called a genius: Itachi carried out many mission and everyone who accompanied him came back alive and mostly healthy. But he himself was never injuried, only dirt and blood clung to his clothes and his smooth skin. Besides the fact that he became ANBU squad leader and that only at the age of 13 he is now 17 and possess the reputation of being the strongest shinobi in Konoha-Gakure next to the Hokage.

- With Itachi's team, somewhere -

Forest. The team just reached Konoha and it would take two more days to arrive at Konoha-Gakure. Six ninjas were dashing through the trees, brushing the branches every now and then. The sun was slowly setting down, causing the blue sky to shine golden. Suddenly Itachi stopped the rest of his group for a pause. They landed on the ground and the four ANBU went to the river to refresh themselves a bit. A cool wind brushed by and cooled down the skin of the Uchiha as his sweat glistened in the bright colours.

"It's really quiet out here." Takeru stated simply.

"That is what worries me. We haven't been attacked yet. It's too quiet but I can sense no trap around us, no Chakra sources." Itachi looked around assuring himself once again that there is really no one surrounding them.

The Suna nin gazed into his Sharingan eyes, smirking. "Your eyes are really beautiful." He smirked more, looking up and down on Itachi, eyeing him closely. "And really a beautiful body, well trained and shaped. I wonder if someone had ever the chance to hit you or to… touch you?" Takeru purred, stepping a few steps closer to the ANBU captain.

What is he talking about? His words sound so…

"If I remember right until now no one could ever lay a hand on me. My first and most important rule is: Never let your guard down, never."

The man chuckled lightly, smirking at him. "Really? Even though your body is tempting and seducing to be touched? Never has anyone touched that skin of yours?" He purred, coming closer to the Uchiha.

"Hai?" Itachi said hesitated and stepped instinctely backwards.

But as soon his back meet bark, he noticed that he was trapped against a tree which automatically ended the game – for Itachi. Takeru stood in front of him, leaning his hand on the wood next to the almost equal man in heigh before him. His few strays strays veiled his eyes as he let his head drop down to the same level as Itachi's.

"What a shame, Itachi-kun. What a shame that no one ever has. But now it will change – for good." He purred, tilting the prodigy's chin up to force his empty yet uneasy stare to meet his.

Takeru drew closer to him, so close that Itachi could see his own reflection in the other's eyes. His heart was beating faster, pounding against his ribcage with more force. His breath touched his lips, his whole form was upset like a sting of poison was in the air.

It's my mission. It's my order. It's my duty. I have to do everything to carry out this mission perfectly I musn't disappoint the ones who trust me. And now I get what they meant with 'close contact' and 'do what you please'. But no matter what I'm not allowed to fight back. No matter what he is going to do with me: I have to take it.

The man's face was only an inch away as he used the hand on the chin to pull Itachi against him. The Uchiha's eyes widened when his lips were crashed against the other's.

The contract would be destroyed if I push him off me. I have to let him have his way with me.

Itachi tightened his hand to a fist, hating himself for not doing anything but let it happen. Takeru rubbed more against the unmoving lips, taking them almost harshly. But this wasn't enough for the Suna nin - he wanted to deepen this moment even if Itachi didn't response. His cold hand slipped from the chin down. He passed the armor as he went lower, stopping when he reached the hem of the black pants. The prodigy's eyes widened more, he knew what would come next or better said in the next moments. So he closed his eyes and just waited for it to be all over soon.

Sasuke…

The kiss got more aggressive and had more pace as the men put his other hand on the back of Itachi's head pulling him impossible closer. He was forcing a response out of him or at least a reaction. But the Uchiha remained silent, fisting his hand tighter until a trail of blood leaked between his fingers and dripped onto the ground beneath them.

//"You may leave and hopefully come back with pleasant news. Don't disappoint us."//

Minutes passed by, this it what it at least seemed to Itachi. In truth it were only seconds, a minute. He tried to block out anything to keep himself from doing what he would regret later. The wind brushed, the bushes rustled, the air changed.

Something, anything, before I…

Something cold made Itachi snap out of his thoughts. He realized quickly that it was Takeru. His hand that was before on the hem of his pants has now slipped inside, touching the skin underneath, stopping before his real destination. Uneasiness flickered in the black eyes but the Suna sadist just smirked into the kiss, flipping the waistband of the boxers against the delicate skin, letting the Uchiha know what he will do next.

Before I will make him stop by myself.

The bushes rustled more, as if something was in the midst of the green leaves. Itachi hoped, no, wished that it was an enemy. His sharingan swirled, his mind wandering around, his body gaining some strength, his heart waiting for the man to stop.

The world seemed to stand still, time frozen as they stood there. And then he stopped. He retreated his hand from inside of Itachi's pants and parted away from the kiss. His lips leaving red, swollen ones behind as Takeru turned around, his face glowing with anger.

"Come out, whoever you are!" He demanded, pointing with a kunai to the bushes. They rustled in response and slowly something came out. Shadows lay over the human who has stepped out, making it impossible to catch the face of the 'intruder'. Itachi couldn't see him clearly except for the chakra coming from his body. But his heart was beating faster all of a sudden.

"Who are you?!" He asked with an angered voice.

"Who I am you ask?" Came the answer formed as another question. The shadows disappeared as he took a few steps closer to the two men.

This voice… could it be…?

Itachi's breath was caught in his throat as he recognized the person, his heart now beating strongly against his chest. His lips moved, trying to formulate a name but failed.

"Uchiha Sasuke." He introduced himself with an absolutely indifferent voice.

The sun shone down on his face, revealing him completely. Sasuke's expression was impossible to make out as he looked at them, noticing the position and the state they were in: Itachi was leaning against the tree, surprise clearly apparent in his emotionless expression. Takeru was only an arm length away from the Uchiha, his expression was a mixture of surprise and displease. But then he he crossed his arms and smirked.

"What are you doing here kid? Where is your Sensei?" He had a smug smile on his face as he arrogantly eyed him.

"My Sensei you ask? Well… exactly next to you. My Sensei and big brother at the same time: Uchiha Itachi." Sasuke contered as arogantly as Takeru, smirking as well.

The man gasped lightly but then smiled. "I'm sorry, I didn't know you were the little brother of Itachi-kun. And I'm sorry to be in the way. I will leave you two alone so you can talk a bit and repair your broken family bond." He took one last glance at Itachi and Sasuke and then turned off to leave them alone.

Itachi hasn't said a word, he stared for a moment at the leaving Suna nin and then at his brother before falling back into his old, usual state of emotionlessness and departed himself from the tree behind him.

"Itachi." Sasuke uttered as his brother walked past him, not even caring to explain something or ask him why he is even here. "Would care to explain me one thing?" He asked, turning around to see that Itachi has already stopped.

"What were you two doing that close to another?" Something was odd in the tone the younger Uchiha had. Why would he even care what Itachi and this man did?

A very strange feeling was forming in my stomach. Something out of place. How should I explain this feeling? I don't know. Maybe something like feeling out of place? Yeah, there was something telling me that I missed something, some act between the two of them. That's why I asked him to explain himself.

After a long uneasy pause the older Uchiha spoke up, not even looking at his brother.

"Only if you answer me this first: Why are you here? Didn't I told you to train with your Sensei and wait until I come back?" Sasuke growled at the tone the elder held against him, it was calm and monotone, yet it sounded so cold. The young Genin crossed his arms, hissing at his questions.

"First of all: Why should I wait until you come back? Kakashi's training was not only boring but lame as well. So I decided to change it into more of fun and action by coming after you. And by the way… you didn't tell us to not follow you. I see nothing wrong in the decision I made. If you had expressed yourself better I wouldn't be here." He finished with a smirk waiting for an answer. But it faded when Itachi turned around, gazing intensely into the obsidian eyes of the younger one with a face that wasn't betraying any emotion.

Sasuke was used to this very calm behavour of his brother but somehow he felt uneasy when he looked into those blood red eyes. A shiver ran down his spine and he had to avert his eyes to ask him again what he and this man did. "I hate to repeat myself but would you finally explain me why this Suna guy was that near to you and why you were leaning against the tree without any signs of self-defense?"

It sounded and looked obvious what happened though I didn't see it happening. I somehow knew what it was but I wanted to hear it from Itachi himself.

"Sometimes you have to make sacrifices to accomplish a mission and sometimes you have to give in for the 'right success'. For some missions you need not only physically strength but mental as well. And for that there are only a few fitting... the ones who are ready to take without fighting back."

A deep sigh was let out. "Not that crap again. I wanted to hear an answer that is to the point and not your riddle of nonsense."

Another sigh followed, this time from the elder Uchiha. "We can talk about it another time if you like but now is not the time for it. I have to finish this mission first. My comrades are waiting and my client as well. So let's go and continue to head for Konoha."

Sasuke gave it a few moments to think about and had something else he wanted to know but Itachi already left, going ahead. He ranted inside his head but in the end followed his so-called brother silently.

It's strange. Something is wrong here. Why do I have this feeling that something is out of place? That something is missing?

Itachi was in deep thoughts, he couldn't shake off this feeling. He jumped from one tree to another, flying over the ground. They were still in the same position except for the fact that now someone else was at his side now: Sasuke. He was exactly next to Itachi who was now in the middle of the Suna nin and his little brother.

"Sasuke." Itachi called and used another tree to get some new speed. Sasuke turned his head to the left, facing his brother while moving at the same pace.

"Why did you follow me? I thought you hate it to be around me." He asked in his nonchalantly voice. Sasuke fell silent for a moment, averting his gaze off him and jumping off another tree. The sound of their movements could be heard again and the surrounding was passing them by in a quick pace.

"Because I no longer had the interest in doing something pointless."

- Flashback, 4 days ago, trainingsfield number three –

"'tebayo! I can't believe it! First Itachi-Sensei left for a really cool mission and now 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.

"And where the hell is our Sensei who should be here since god knows how long?! Naruto couldn't stop ranting, he was getting on the edge of endurance.

"I will go now and drag him here by my own hands!" He exclaimed and took a few pissed off steps ahead when he suddenly stopped.

A person came walking towards them. He had silver gray hair, wore a Jounin outfit and hand gloves. But the most strange part about him was that his face was half hidden by a mask and one eye was covered by his headband while the other eye was free, shining in a deep black shade. He then noticed the three Genin and grinned this stupid sheepishly smile. He lifted his right hand when he was standing before them.

"Yo." He greeted. "Sorry for my lateness but there was an old woman and I had to help her going home." The Jounin said with this silly but firm voice.

Late and stupid. Great, now I know two idiots who are calling themself Sensei.

He is strange and… old. I think I liked Itachi-Sensei more.

"That's really the lamest excuse I've ever heard!" Naruto responsed, pointing a finger at the man. The silver haired shinobi scratched the back of his head in a slightly nervous manner, making himself look even more immature.

"So you're Hatake Kakashi? I'm Uchiha Sasuke, the leader of this team." Sasuke said and stepped one step forwards, crossing his arms and carefully watching the man before him.

"I assume that Itachi-san told you this. You're his younger brother then. I know some things about you as well. He told me the basics about you three." He spoke calmy, looking into the eyes of the Uchiha.

"And what would that be?" He asked, crossing his arms, thinking of all the things Itachi could have said and scoffed in his inner.

Kakashi continued his stare and tried to remember, putting his hand on his chin to support his memories. "He said for example that Naruto is more the Kagebunshin and Taijutsu fighter, Sakura more the thinking one and Sasuke using Ninjutsu and Taijutsu in a good balance. That's what he said." He finished watching the expressions of the three Genin after the message registered in their mind.

For real? But I haven't done anything. I even fell for the Genjutsu and did nothing. Sakura thought confused by the seemingly compliment.

Dattebayo! I think it was a good one what he said. Wasn't it? Naruto nodded his head though he didn't know if it was a good or a bad one but in the end he didn't care.

For the first time Itachi said something right. I'm impressed. Sasuke thought sarcastically.

For real? With Itachi you will never know what he really thinks of you. I wonder if this was just an excuse or his real opinion. If it was real then I'm surprised. But when I really think about it then all makes sense. Itachi is always formal and that's why he said that, because it's the truth. It sounds arrogant but he knows what I'm capable of and what I lack and how good I am. What would I have said about him? Maybe that I hate him and that he is weak and so on. But inside myself in my deeper inner I know that this is a lie. After all the time that had passed by I finally see his strength. Maybe I will never admit it but I will always be aware of it.

"Now why I'm here." The Jounin started, getting their attention. "We will practice a bit before Itachi-san comes back, although it will take him at least six days for him to return. So let's start with your training. First we will do this: a few warm up lessons."

The faces of the Genin changed into something unpleased and in the next few minutes they found themselves surrounded by a field, killing the weeds.

"You can't be serious Kakashi-Sensei!" Naruto exclaimed, refusing this 'warm up lesson'. Kakashi had his arms crossed and watched him with an blank expression.

"I'm hundred percent serious about this. Did you always refuse your tasks? I feel sorry for Itachi-san. I guess he will have a lot of trouble with you." He sighed, looking into the blue sky.

Naruto growled, fisting his hand. Clearly displeased with the situation he made a few shadow clones to finish his work. He gave a satisfied smirk and shouted out his joy that he was finished even before Sasuke. The Uchiha scoffed and made his fire technique to burn down the weeds. Naruto's smirk faded and now he scoffed at him. Their battle continued and Kakashi watched with a smile this childish fight while Sakura stopped and leaned back to watch them as well. She giggled, Sasuke was doing the work for her without noticing it. He was too concentrated into this fight of being faster and better than the blonde moron. In the end they had all fields done and it was evening. They panted from exhaustion and pointless Chakra use. Kakashi clapped his hands, smiling at them.

"You can stop now. We are done for today. Tomorrow we will continue this." He said happily and smiled this stupid smile all the time. Naruto and Sasuke were glaring at him, Sakura chuckled with joy. This will be a hell of six days for the Uchiha.

Kakashi said then his goodbye and disappeared with a puff. Sakura turned around with a blush on her cheeks, asking the Uchiha if they could walk home together but he immediately destroyed her hopes and walked home ahead by himself. She dropped her head in a disappointed manner, feeling a hand on her shoulder, touching her softly.

"Nee, Sakura-chan, I can-!" She interrupted the blonde before he could finish with a cold "No." and went home alone. Again Naruto was left by himself, turned down by his crush and beaten by the most arrogant Uchiha. He crossed his arms in pouting, mumbling a few incoherent words before he went home as well.

- At home, Uchiha's house -

It was dark outside now, all lights went on in the house as the young Uchiha walked through it. He stopped at the kitchen, staring with mild interest at the fridge before deciding to leave out his evening meal. He went to the bathroom, discarded his clothes and then stepped into the shower, turning the faucet on. Water cascaded down on his body, wetting his hair to stick against his face. He dropped his head back, looking towards the spray of drops. How he loved to have water running over his skin to clean him and to calm him down. The temperature was just right, enough to make him feel content. His day wasn't this hard but he loved the relaxation afterwards. All thoughts were floating in nothing but in ease as he closed his eyes to forget about everything. He just let himself coat in this mist of peace. But then his eyes shot open when one thing seeped through his mind: Itachi. How could he forget? Even if everything seemed to be fine there still was this person. Itachi was on a mission, far away to fight for the sake of Konoha and he himself was in Konoha, wasting his time with pointless actions.

There is one thing I had to learn: Itachi will never leave my mind. No matter what I may feel, whether if it's hatred or something else – I am not able to not think of him. Since I was young up until now he was always the center of my thoughts. Back then because I wanted his attention and surpass him and now because I want to overpower him and show that I am better than him. Strange how goals and hopes can change.

What am I doing? I'm wasting my time while Itachi becomes stronger and better. I can't let this happen, I have to do something!

He turned off the faucet, wrapped a towel around his hip and walked back to the kitchen. He opened the fridge and picked up a few vegetables to make a sandwich. He put it in his mouth and went back to his room, while taking a bite form his meal. In his bedroom he picked up some weapons and put them into the holder. He had a plan and this was going to be a successful one. He smirked to himself and dried his hair off, putting his clothes on and pulling his forehead protector together behind his head. He was ready, ready to leave and follow Itachi. Eating his last bite of the sandwich he opened the front door and disappeared into the dark night, which was illuminated by the bright full moon.

Wait for it Itachi. I won't let you get all the fun. And besides…

"You didn't tell us not to follow you." He smirked. Sasuke passed the Konoha main gate and speeded up some more, longing to get whatever his mind wanted to have oder see.

Big mistake Itachi. You never told me not to follow you. But maybe he didn't forget it? What if he wants me to follow him? Am I just walking in an open trap again? No, I don't think that he is that smart. Let's see what you are hiding from me out there.

- Flashback end -

"I see." Itachi stated, averting his eyes from his brother to the way ahead.

"Next time… I will express myself better." Sasuke felt a tug at his lips. He won. He won against Itachi and now he had the chance to see his big brother's real strength in fighting for the first time.

I'm looking forward to see your real skills. How much did you held back in our fight? I wonder. Let's see what you are really capable of, Itachi.

Sasuke smirked, now he was really thrilled and licked his lips in anticipation.

AN: This was a hard one and I think it's obvious what will happen in the next chapter. Phew… my first kissing scene and I hope I did it well. I think it was very obvious who would ruin the moment of Takeru and Itachi ne? Yep, obvious. Well I had no interest at the end of the chapter I just wanted to finish it and go on. Sorry if it was boring and sorry for… everything is boring? It will soon change. As I warned you (or not?) I will make an remake of this anime so it will be long and maybe sometimes boring. Anyway, see ya next chapter.