"I'm done."

Itachi rolled up his scroll and placed it down. He picked up the clothes he had gotten for his brother and approached the bathroom. Sasuke was already toweling himself off in his boxers. At least he got out without help.

"Here are your clothes. I will leave while you change."

"N-no. It is ok." Sasuke held his breath. He had to get better. Sasuke realized his new position after his attempt at the simple task of walking up the stairs. If he wanted to regain what he had lost he had to work on more than physical training if he could ever even do that. "Please stay."

The older Uchiha gave Sasuke a puzzled look. "I will be taking a shower while you get changed. If anyone knocks on the door just get me."

After saying this Itachi began to disrobe. He thought he saw Sasuke looking at him, but when he turned Sasuke was walking into the bedroom. Odd.

Xxxxxxxxxxxx

Itachi toweled off and wrung out his hair. He walked into the bedroom to see Sasuke nowhere in sight. Itachi tried to control his anxiety. If his stupid brother had gotten himself in trouble…

Sasuke suddenly stood up from behind the other side of the bed rubbing his eyes. "Brother?"

Itachi sighed and rolled his eyes. "Were you sleeping down there?"

"…yes…"

"Well, since you have been sleeping on that disgusting mat, the floor wouldn't be any better would it?" Itachi sat down on the bed. "I suppose not. You may sleep in my bed."

Sasuke shook his head. "I couldn't."

"You will." Itachi grabbed Sasuke and forced him under the covers. "Don't you dare tell me this isn't comfortable."

Sasuke's body tensed up. Sensing that Sasuke didn't think sleeping with his brother was comfortable, Itachi huffed.

"I have done so much for you and you don't even realize it. I just rescued you from your filthy cell, carried you to my lodgings, let you bathe and use my clothes, and now sleep in my bed, and you act so…so…augh." Itachi rolled over and pulled the blankets tighter around him. He had to calm himself if he would ever reach his goals.

Sasuke cried silently. He knew his brother was right, but it was his damn fault he was here in the first place. Reflecting, Sasuke came to the conclusion that if he ever wanted to leave he would have to get on his brother's good side. If he ever wanted to reach his goals he would have to try a little.

"Brother?"

Itachi glanced over his shoulder. "What?"

"Will you…hold me?" Sasuke reached out and stroked a piece of Itachi's hair. "Please?"

For a second Sasuke thought that Itachi was going to stay like he was forever, but then Itachi rolled over and cradled his little brother in his arms. Sasuke was both frightened and comforted by being held by his brother. To think that he swore on his life to kill the very man grasping him tightly was strange.

Xxxxxxxxxxxx

Sasuke yawned and scratched his cheek. That was the absolute best sleep he had ever had. Sasuke reached out for his headband on his nightstand to be touched by paper, not metal. Where the hell was his damn headband? Sasuke opened his eyes and failed to recognize his surroundings. Where the hell was he?

Itachi stepped out of the connecting bathroom. "Good morning, little brother."

Suddenly Sasuke's head began buzzing with the last ten months of his life. He was thankful that he was in a bed otherwise he would have fallen. "Good morning."

Itachi's eyes narrowed slightly as he observed his brother. He was different somehow…Itachi could tell.

"Yesterday I accidentally left some rice cakes in the-"

Knock. Knock. Knock.

"It's Deidara." Itachi opened the door. "With…rice cakes?"

"Yup! I felt bad about yesterday so I brought you both some rice cakes." Deidara scanned Itachi's room. "Where is he?"

Deidara's eyes landed on the bed-head of Sasuke and then the white sheets that lay across part of his body. "Oh… why is he in your bed Itachi?"

"Thank you for the rice cakes." Itachi grabbed the food and shoved Deidara's head out of his room before closing the door. "Are you hungry? I do not smell or see any poison. Should be safe."

"Uh…" Sasuke reached for one and scanned it over. He didn't trust that blonde one, Deidara, at all.

Xxxxxxxxxx

"Would you like to walk around today?"

Sasuke opened his mouth but decided shaking his head was the better approach.

"Are you afraid?" Itachi stared into Sasuke's eyes. "Are you afraid of seeing someone?"

"Yes."

"I will protect you." Itachi touched Sasuke's cheek. "No one will touch you."

"I…" Sasuke blushed. "Okay."

"Good." Itachi stood up like nothing had happened and pulled on his cloud-covered cloak. "Come with me."

The two Uchihas descended the flight of stairs with minimal difficulties and reached the third floor that held the common rooms.

"Stay by me."

"Ah, Itachi! You have to meet with Pain later for a mission about some-"Hidan stopped talking as he spotted Sasuke. "That thing! Why is he up here Itachi?"

"Because I want him to be. He is my prisoner Hidan. I let all of you have your fun with him and now I wish him to accompany me." Itachi placed a hand on Sasuke's trembling shoulder.

"This is outrageous! He is…he is… arg!" Hidan threw his hands in the air.

Itachi glanced at his brother. So far he was doing better than he imagined. "I will be there when I am needed. Right now I am busy."

"Busy with what? Your pathetic brother?"

"Sh-Shut up." Sasuke glared at the pious Akatsuki. "I am not!"

Hidan rose out of his seat and began to approach Sasuke.

"Stop right there Hidan. Sasuke will not be touched. You will not receive another warning." Itachi slightly pulled Sasuke behind him.

With a huff Hidan brushed past the Uchihas.

Sasuke looked up at his brother, thankful that that had went as it did, without him getting beaten for speaking out like that.

"I told you no one will touch you. Now I will escort you back to my room. I have to find Kisame."

Xxxxxxxxxxxxx

Author's note: Yeah I am sorry for cutting this short but I was stuck there for a while and I just wanted to post this chapter so I wouldn't have to look at it anymore on my desktop lol. I will write and post asap. Thanks to those who have reviewed and provided suggestions. Input is greatly welcomed!