車輪の兄弟

Sharingan no Gokyoudai

-Brothers of the Sharingan-

Summery: In which, Itachi has been captured and is being held in Kumogakure. Sasuke must travel to see him, in the hopes of bringing him back to Konoha, or gaining information about Akatsuki. Having to visit the man in his holding cell, with the Raikage refusing to give over the Uchiha murderer, will Sasuke find he still holds a bond with his brother?

Disclaimer: This product is meant for entertainment purposes only. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental. Some assembly required. Batteries not included. Use only as directed. Flammable.

A/N: Here we are, the second chap. I do apologise if the story isn't terrible eventful at this point - but I really am trying to move things along and still touch on important aspects of the storyline. In any case, please let me know what you think, and enjoy.

Chapter 2: Kumogakure

The rocks under his feet shuffled angrily across the ground, the sound as they were stampled into the earth reflecting the tension of the boy himself, while his breath came in pants and growls. The ANBU surrounding the group moved in a protective formation as the Konoha ninja made their way towards the Lightening Country, and to the state's hidden shinobi village - Kumogakure.

With Kakashi to his right and Tsunade running to his left, Sasuke was aware that the formation created as they ran was one which protected him in particular. One would think that Tsunade, as the Hokage, would be the one the group should be most concerned about protecting - but the fact of the matter was, she was stronger than all of them - and this suggestion, once voiced, would immediately be shot down. It was Sasuke, as the youngest and least powerful, as well as being the brother of the man they were seeking and sole survivor of the Uchiha clan, who was the most susceptible target of the group. And so, Kakashi and Tsunade ran in the middle of the group, with Sasuke between them.

They had been travelling since early that afternoon, having left only shortly after the meeting in Tsunade's office, during which she had announced to them the reasons for why they were leaving. The conversation, although not terribly in-depth, had haunted Sasuke's mind ever since.

'Itachi...' His inner voice provided the name against his will, 'He's finally been captured...' Sasuke found himself unable to comprehend these words, to accept it as the truth, despite the fact that he was travelling to see the man as he thought it. Even worse though, he found his heart leapt in unexpected anxiety every time he thought of how he would be seeing his brother.

It had been so long.

Kakashi noticed his student's apprehension as they ran, and the boy's troubled expression as he seemed to be thinking over the details of what would happen when they arrived at Kumo. The Jounin made an effort of sounding casual and unperturbed, though, as he told Sasuke confidently;

"We will be in Kumo soon, Sasuke." His one visible eye curved in the suggestion of a smile, "The negotiations should only take a while, so don't worry, ne? We'll be back in Konoha by tomorrow."

Sasuke knew the man was only attempting to ease his nerves, and nodded calmly in response - making an effort to seem as though he was not worried at all, although he knew he could not hide the uneasiness in his eyes.

Kakashi seemed to let it go, though, and they continued on, with Tsunade muttering under her breath about the trouble of it all and the impertinence of the Raikage.

Soon enough, and certainly more quickly than Sasuke had expected - having been too consumed in his troubled thoughts to notice the passing of time - it was sundown, and they had reached the gate entrance to the hidden village of Kumogakure.

A group of ANBU greeted the group, their proud hitai-ates boasting the symbol of Kumo, and they bowed as the Hokage approached.

"Hokage-sama." The captain of the group greeted, "Raikage-sama awaits your presence in the village hall." He informed Tsunade, as she nodded, slightly irritably.

"Hai, hai," She waved a hand dismissively at the group, "Will you lead us there?" She asked shortly, obviously wishing to get proceedings underway as soon as possible.

Sasuke found himself rather agreeing with her. The sooner they began, the sooner everything could come to a suitable conclusion - and Itachi could be brought back to Konoha, where he would finally be brought to justice, after all these years. Or at least, that was all Sasuke could envision to happen at that point in time.

"Hai, Hokage-sama." The ANBU captain bowed once more then, before quickly straightening and turning the group to follow him inside the village.

Walking through the gates, with fire torches lining the gate surrounding the village and placed on the walls of the buildings they passed, Sasuke found the village to be quiet and content as the sun went down and darkness overtook the streets. There seemed to be one great road, wide enough for several carts to travel across at the same time, and paved with red bricks to accentuate its presence, which ran the length of the entire village. Kumogakure was on a slant, running up a great hill, and as one entered the village it would become a walk up the mountain it was based apon, climbing higher to reach further into the village. The village hall, where Sasuke found himself and his fellow Konoha travellers following the Kumo ninja towards, was located at the top of this large mountain - the very end of the village, where the protective wall ended.

As they approached this great building, resting right atop the mountain in accentuation of it's importance, the proud symbol of the Kumogakure Raikage made prominence on the wall. The ANBU which led their group walked straight into this building, and the Konoha-nins followed their lead easily enough.

Once inside, it was merely a matter of walking up the spiral steps to one side of the building, up to the highest level of the building, and there was a door open, as if waiting for them. 'Raikage' was written, rather plainly, apon the wood, signalling this as their destination. The ANBU captain knocked only once, before pushing the door open wider to reveal the man who awaited them inside.

The Raikage stood in front of his desk, his long wispy beard reaching down the man's chest in a somewhat withering manner, his squinty eyes crinkling at the sides of his aged face as he smiled at them, appearing welcoming enough, as he gestured widely with his hands.

"Welcome, Tsunade-sama, Konoha-sans." He greeted the Hokage somewhat casually, his tone warm although raspy, as the ANBU of his village closed the door to the room once all were inside. "Welcome all of you, to Kumogakure."

Sasuke found himself staring at the warm fire which burned in one corner of the room in near mesmerisation - as the flames rose to lick at the wooden logs, and clenched his fists in waiting for some kind of conclusion to what was expected of him. After a long trek to the Lightening Country with only his mind to torment him over the purpose of this visit to Kumo, the young Uchiha suddenly felt himself impatient.

Kakashi looked to Sasuke with a slight frown, although it of course went unseen. He knew the boy must be thoroughly frustrated with the day's proceedings by now, and no niceties given by the Raikage would appease his apprehension over his brother's capture - especially when this was the man who refused to give over the eldest Uchiha.

"Takasugi-sama." Tsunade replied tersely, her words polite, though she did nothing to hide her slightly hostile tone.

The Raikage seemed unfazed by her less-than-friendly attitude though, as he resumed his honored seat behind the large wooden desk that dominated the room. Smiling easily at the group of Konoha ninja, he addressed them with an easy tone.

"You have travelled far," He nodded to himself, "Yes, no doubt you are tired. Is that not so, Tsunade-sama?" He asked with slight humor.

Tsunade glared lightly, but responded with a clipped tone; "Hai, Takasugi." She then squared her shoulders as she told him, "We should begin negotiations tomorrow, when I and my party are rested."

The Raikage seemed to immediately take to this idea, "Hai, tomorrow then!" He announced, standing from his desk once again, he gestured to the one of fleet of Kumo ANBU standing around him, "Taro will show you to your rooms, as you will be staying here for the night."

The man named Taro stepped forward obligingly, bowing to the Hokage before he straightened and gestured to the door. "Hokage-sama. I will show you each to your rooms."

Tsunade nodded, seeming to like the idea of retiring, with Kakashi turning to follow her, before Sasuke found he could no longer hold his tongue.

"I want to see him now." Sasuke announced, not moving from where he stood, as he looked demandingly to the Raikage, "I would rather not wait until morning."

In truth, Sasuke knew he would not be able to sleep before dealing with this matter first. He had waited all day, travelled across countries, to arrive here to talk to his brother. If it was required of him, then he wished it done with.

The Raikage seemed genuinely surprised by this, though. "Uchiha-san." He addressed Sasuke for the first time, "I understand you wishing to see your brother-"

"That is not it." Sasuke interrupted him harshly.

Before the boy could promptly snap at the honorable Raikage, though, Kakashi took it apon himself to step in - as he could see by the slowly developing smirk on Tsunade's face that she would not.

Kakashi's eye curved in his familiar suggestion of a smile, his tone appeasing and apologetic, as he told the Raikage, "Please excuse him, Raikage-sama." He gripped Sasuke's shoulder to restrain the boy from stepping in, as he asked on the Uchiha's behalf; "But he simply wishes to get his meeting with Uchiha Itachi done with. Could it not be organised?"

The Raikage hesitated for a moment, before frowning slightly, "Of course, it can be organised Hatake-san." He then turned to another of his ANBU, "Yamada will accompany you and the young Uchiha-san to see the criminal if you wish it."

Yamada stepped forward to bow, as Kakashi nodded happily. The Jounin turned to walk out of the room, and patted Sasuke's shoulder in a fashion which suggested the matter was dealt with. Sasuke couldn't help but feel appreciative towards his sensei in that moment, though the way the Raikage had said 'criminal' when referring to his brother had brought forth a strange and unfamiliar twinge in his chest.

Ignoring the sudden animosity he felt for the state leader of Kumogakure, Sasuke kept close to Kakashi as he followed the Jounin and the ANBU named Yamada out of and away from the Raikage office. Tsunade nodded to Kakashi covertly as they left, and Sasuke knew she might as well have said to the Jounin that he was to keep a watchful eye.

"Please understand, Konoha-sans, that the cell in which we are keeping Uchiha-san is not considered a prison," Yamada was informing them, and his tone surprisingly sociable and friendly considering the egotistical and untactful behaviour of the Raikage. The ANBU's footsteps where light as he led them onto the village streets again, and continued to explain, "The holding location for Uchiha-san's level of criminal activity is an independent holding cell, where we keep only S-Class Bingo Book missing-nin from other countries. He is supplied with most comforts that the state can provide for him, and is merely detained."

"And, exactly how many Bingo Book ninja does Kumo detain in its holding cell?" Kakashi asked curiously, unknowingly voicing one of Sasuke's own questions.

Yamada seemed surprised for the interest in the matter, but continued to lead them through the streets and answered easily, "Only eight, Hatake-san." He told the Jounin, who nodded encouragingly all the same, "Uchiha-san is the only ninja we have ever detained from Konoha, however, he is also one of the most dangerous. Although..." The man then hesitated, as if he was thinking over he should touch on the subject, glancing to Sasuke.

Kakashi was quick to reassure, "Anything that can be said on the matter is best said in front of him." The Jounin told Yamada, while Sasuke stared expectantly at the ANBU.

Yamada nodded in decision then, and informed them, "The ANBU squads who intercepted and captured Uchiha-san were expecting great force from an Akatsuki-nin," He told them, "However, when they were closing in - they found minimal resistance. Not at all up to his... reputation." The man shrugged.

"He was easily beaten?" Sasuke asked in confusion, his eyebrows drawing together suspiciously. What could have caused such a situation?

"He was injured." The ANBU answered in a manner which suggested it was the only explanation, "And further impeded by our ANBU. In fact, we should be lucky if you are able to extract any response from him at all - he has been sleeping since he was captured."

"Oh, I don't think Sasuke will have any trouble getting a reaction." Kakashi answered grimly, a slight frown in his voice that Sasuke adopted in his expression.

The younger Uchiha wondered what could have been so severe as to stop the unrelenting force that was Itachi. What good luck of his could have brought the eldest Uchiha to the outskirts of a major shinobi village, hurt and alone? No matter though. All that was important was that he was here now, and the matters revolving the Uchiha murderer would finally be resolved.

Eventually, the group came to a large gate, dark and shrouded, as it stretched high to protect the building which resided behind it.

"This is the criminal holding location," Yamada spoke then, turning to look at Sasuke as he placed his hand apon the dark metal of the gate - which immediately swung open as if in remembrance of him. "I am one of only a select few who may come and go from this place, so please remember in the future to ask for me if you wish to return." He told the boy, not unkindly.

Sasuke nodded after a moments hesitation, in which he wondered why on earth he would want to come back. He was going to be leaving tomorrow, wasn't he? And Itachi was going to come with them.

Not that he needed anything from that man, anyway. Suddenly then - as they walked towards the ominous building shrouded in the cover of night, and Sasuke felt Kakashi walk closer to him - the Uchiha wondered what he would even say to the man that had once been his older brother. He swallowed past a lump in his throat, following Yamada with fast feet, hi mind frazzled and in peril.

"Yamada." A guard at the entrance to the building greeted their ANBU guide casually, "What's this, then?"

Yamada stood straight as he replied evenly, "The young Uchiha," He motioned to Sasuke, "Wishes to visit with criminal nine."

'Its that all he's known as here?' Sasuke wondered then, in almost distaste.

The door guard seemed to stop and consider Sasuke for a moment then, thoughts obviously filling his head as to the boy's reasons, although none were voiced as he nodded his approval of their entrance, and merely stepped aside.

Yamada led them inside the halls, which were what appeared to be the only lighten part of the building. Immediately, the walls were lined with cell doors - very widely apart, Sasuke thought - showing dark rooms behind them.

"The cells are large," Yamada informed them both, as though he were skipping ahead and answering what must be a common question, "And they are provided with comfortable living spaces. This is provided in an attempt not to simply control the anger of a criminal - as prisons do - but to easy such anger and hostility to a point where dangerous and unstable criminals are more easy to deal with."

"Hn." Kakashi voiced, nodding his head. Not that the man could ever picture Itachi loosing his calm demeanor, but such precautions were no doubt appropriate for the ex Konoha-nin, to keep him docile and co-operative - it could only increase their likelihood of extracting information on Akatsuki.

Sasuke's heart jumped to his throat in sudden fear, the voice in his head yelling for him to keep himself under control and play down his anxiousness. He told himself that he could always run away - that he could leave right now and not have to deal with any of this. But he knew - he did have to, and he would.

"Sasuke-san." Yamada used his name for the first time, as he turned to the boy, "I will open this door and let you in," He told the youth assuringly, "And all you must do if you wish to leave, is push the red button on the inside of the door - I will open it immediately. But..." He looked to Kakashi then, as he informed them, "You must go in alone."

Sasuke stiffened in fear then, 'A-Alone?' He thought in shock, 'With him?'

"I cannot go with him?" Kakashi asked in slight disbelief, "Itachi is dangerous, to leave him in there-"

"Itachi has been quite docile." Yamada reassured the Jounin, although Kakashi still appeared incredulous, "He is also still injured. Do not worry, even if were able to cause harm against the young Uchiha-san, protective jutsus are placed on the room." Yamada made an effort of sounding friendly and polite as he informed them of this, and gestured to the door. "Only one is permitted at a time though, by law."

Kakashi hesitated, and Sasuke looked up to him then - determination reflected in the boy's eyes. "I can go alone, Kakashi." He told his sensei, swallowing the regret he already felt at those words. This courage would no doubt be short-lived, he knew.

Kakashi searched Sasuke's eyes for a moment, and found that the boy would not give up - he had made up his mind to go alone. The Jounin sighed, before nodding and looking to the patiently waiting Yamada again.

"Very well," The ANBU replied to the silent approval, "Please do not forget Sasuke-san, I will open the door when you push the red button." He reminded the boy.

Sasuke merely nodded, his heart thumping, breath coming short, staring straight at the large bolted door behind which he knew his brother - the man who killed his family - was residing.

The door swung open easily, despite how heavy the thick steel must be, and Sasuke did not look to either Yamada or Kakashi as the Jounin placed his hand on the boy's shoulder briefly, before the youngest Uchiha walked slowly forward into the darkness of the holding cell.

As he stepped forward he was hit by the cool air of the room, and knew immediately that a window must be open somewhere within - Itachi had always liked a breeze, and had left his windows open in his room at the Uchiha compound even in the winter, Sasuke remembered. The darkness of the room was deep, and it took Sasuke a few moments of simply standing in place before his eye's adjusted to the light.

He almost jumped as he heard the heavy door behind him close, suddenly sounding loud in the silent room. For a moment, Sasuke forgot who was supposed to be in here - letting his eyes roam the room, he spotted a low table to the right with two futon seats on either side of it, a bookcase was against the left wall, and another door which he assumed must lead to a bathroom was on the opposite wall of the room from which he had come, before his eyes settled on the bed to the right-centre of the room - and the figure which sat on it.

There was scarcely any light in the room at all, only that which was provided by the moon shining in through the barred windows, and yet Sasuke saw clearly the dark eyes that stared at him - their gaze penetrating and fierce.

Suddenly, all at once, thoughts rushed to Sasuke's mind - Why had he been so easily captured? Why was he sitting there so quietly? Why had he been asking for him? The youth's heart was beating in his chest and his eyes were wide, he felt crippled with terrifying paralysis - he could not move, he could not breathe. And as Itachi stood, Sasuke stiffened in readiness to fight.

As he looked, he found Itachi's face held an unknown expression - one Sasuke paled to realise he did not recognise, and as the eldest Uchiha started to walk very slowly towards him - his soft footfalls echoing in the quiet room .ominously - Sasuke was already reaching for the red button on the door behind him. He couldn't do this.

"Wait." Itachi's voice was soft - and Sasuke cringed at the sound of it, watching his brother fearfully as the man continued - more carefully - to walk towards him, trying to seem unthreatening.

Sasuke's breath quickened further and he knew he was terribly frightened, but he glared at his brother in an attempt at seeming tough. He would not allow Itachi to fool him, he would press that button in a second if the man tried anything.

But then Sasuke became confused, his heart almost stopping as Itachi walked within a meter of him, he saw the oldest Uchiha's expression - his eyes were dark, not in the Sharingan, reminding Sasuke of how the man had looked when he was younger, and his lips were slightly parted in wonder - the man was, Sasuke realised, surprised and awed at him.

In shock of the man's behaviour, Sasuke looked away, his heart still thumping against his ribcage although his breathing stilled as Itachi's voice carried to him;

"I did not know if you would come."

Sasuke was still, he did not dare to move, and Itachi was moving closer -

"Stop." Sasuke halted him with a harsh command, unable to handle the man coming any closer to him. He gave Itachi a gaze which - despite his effort to glare - portrayed all too openly his fear, "Don't come closer."

Itachi did stop, and merely gazed at Sasuke, seeming suddenly unhappy - saddened by the boy's words. Though there was expectancy also, as he had obviously assumed Sasuke would be fearful of him.

Itachi's eyes held Sasuke's for a long moment, in which the elder's face was carefully blank and yet still held a great feeling of appreciation. He really had wanted him to come, Sasuke realised. Then, the Akatsuki-nin's eyes flickered down over Sasuke's body, summing him up it seemed.

Cold, deep black eyes met his once again, and Itachi spoke. "You have grown much." He told the boy, and what really surprised him was the faint smile which lifted Itachi's face at these words.

Sasuke did not reply, standing in shocked silence - perfectly still and staring. Where was the 'foolish little brother' dribble he usually spouted? Where was the anger, the hate, the disgust that usually shown in those eyes? Where was the blazing Sharingan to threaten and hurt him? This was not the Itachi Sasuke knew - it was one he remembered - and that scared him greatly.

Itachi reached out hesitantly then, slowly raising his hand, his arm stretching out towards the boy. Sasuke stiffened and his eyes widened, but he did not move - merely watching in fear as the hand came up towards him - and before long, he felt cool fingers lightly brush his arm. The contact sent tingling all through his body and Sasuke almost jumped with fear - expecting an attack, he pushed the red button his hand had been resting on without hesitation - and a sudden loud beeping in the room told of his actions.

The door immediately opened behind him, a light streaming into the darkness and for a moment Sasuke did not move - trapped by Itachi's gaze, as he starred directly at him. There was not hurt, or even anger reflected in his eyes at Sasuke's blatant rejection and obvious wish to escape his presence - only disappointment, mixed with a strange show of understanding.

"Sasuke-san?" It was Yamada's voice which called into the darkness of the cell, although the man did not dare intrude apon the brothers.

Sasuke stood still and did not answer, confused by the strange behaviour of the elder Uchiha. Itachi stood in front of him for a moment more, before taking a step back from the boy - a show of harmlessness, that he would not stop him from leaving.

Sasuke was only further confused by these actions, but finally broke the eye contact he held with the man and turned around, walking slowly to the door - using every sense in his body to walk carefully, should Itachi try to attack him from behind as he left.

It was when he stood at the door frame, almost out into the hall again, that the soft voice from his past caused him to hesitate, as Itachi called to him;

"Will you visit again?"

Sasuke stood still, his eyes peering into the light of the hall as he stood in the darkness, his brother's words echoing hauntingly in his head, and he mulled over answering the call - before the simply walked out, no words said - and Yamada immediately closed the heavy cell door after him.

Sasuke closed his eyes as he stood in the hall again, breathing deeply as though he had stepped into a place full of fresh air, and out of one that had been suffocating. His heart was beating madly, and his arm still tingled strangely from where Itachi's fingers had only but brushed it. The whole experience had been entirely overwhelming for the young Uchiha.

He felt a hand come to rest on his shoulder and jumped unexpectedly, before he was met with Kakashi's concerned expression.

"Are you all right?" The Jounin asked, and Sasuke's expression relaxed.

"Yes..." The boy replied vaguely, his voice quiet.

Then, before he even had time to think it over or process the thought properly, Sasuke found himself making a decision that would inevitably change the nature of the mission - words that he would later tell himself were borne of curiosity, and nothing more, though he knew he felt compelled to say them;

"I will return here tomorrow," The boy told his sensei, to the man's immediate and evident surprise, "Perhaps he will agree to discuss the Akatsuki... if I return." The boy offered as a weak explanation.

Kakashi stared at Sasuke for a long moment, wondering at this sudden announcement, judging the boy's decision and making his own choice whether or not to forbid it. In the end, he knew he could do nothing - and should allow Sasuke to make his own choice on the personal matter.

"Hai," Kakashi's tone was gentle, as he placed his hand on the boy's neck comfortingly, and Sasuke offered a slight smile in response.

There was nothing else to do. The decision was made.

Kakashi simply hoped it would not end in tragedy for Sasuke.

A/N: So there we are, the first meeting between Sasuke and Itachi - in this story Itachi is going to, of course, be somewhat OOC in comparison to how he is in canon, because his motives are completely changed. Anyway, hope that doesn't bother anyone, and I shall update soon with the next chap - if it's wanted.

-Emerald-