In the end, Itachi couldn't give Sasuke the support he wanted. Homosexuality was still a touchy subject in Konoha. The majority felt it went against what nature had intended. Anyone who came out would be ousted from their family and friends—the Uchiha clan was no different. Itachi knew his father would disown Sasuke at the drop of a hat if he heard he was gay. The last person who came out in the clan was driven out of the village by his father. Itachi didn't want that for his brother. He told Sasuke to wait before he did anything rash, but the younger raven stormed out of the room shouting a string of the most profane words he had ever heard. It was a good thing their mother wasn't home.

Since then, Itachi spent the remainder of his vacation in his room, only leaving it to run errands for his busy parents. It was lonely in the house without Sasuke around to bother him like he did when they were younger. He was out either training or on missions. It's not like Itachi didn't do the same, but now that he finally had time for himself he sorely missed his younger brother and the way things used to be.

But thinking about his boredom never helped. Itachi got up from his bed and walked downstairs to the kitchen. Perhaps a cold glass of water would shake him out of his lethargy. He turned on the tap, watching the water fill his cup when he heard footsteps outside.

It sounded like someone was brushing up against the wall outside the kitchen. Whoever it was, wasn't trying to be sneaky.

"I'll have you know," Itachi said taking a swig of his drink. "my parents wouldn't like you chipping off the paint, especially my mother. If you think I'm scary, you'll be in for a rude awakening when she comes back."

"No, please don't tell Mikoto!" said Shisui, poking his heading out the kitchen window, "I was only trying to be funny."

"You better not have done anything to the wall, though. My mom will have me repaint it and I don't want to walk all the way to the hardware store tonight."

"Why? Are you busy or something?

"No."

"Then?"

"What brings you here Shisui? You never come here unannounced."

"Nothing gets past you does it? "he laughed, "I thought we could go out and watch the meteor shower together. You've been cooped up here forever. Even I feel sorry for you, man."

"My apologies, I've been so busy with missions that I forgot what it's like to have a life. But I'll go if you want," Itachi said coolly.

"Yes! And while we're there we can pick up the ladies. Girls love stargazing. With you around, they'll flock over to us. But don't worry, I'll be there to keep them in line," he winked.

"No woman is ever going to fall for that."

"Hey, it could work," he shrugged. "So meet me outside the compound at ten."

"Yeah…"

Then, Shisui was gone before Itachi could blink.

Back in his bed, Itachi thought about what he was going to do tonight. It had been months since he properly talked to Shisui or anyone his age that he felt a bit out of place. No one he knew personally was out on S-rank missions as often as he. This unfortunately made him the center of attention, if only for a while. It happened several times before to not notice. People liked to ask questions, even praise him, about his work. But if they really knew him, they'd know he'd rather observe than be in the spotlight. So tonight he hoped Shisui would keep everyone in line enough for him to enjoy his time out.

Itachi heard his parents come into the house. He walked back downstairs to and saw his father resting on the living room couch and his mother already preparing dinner in the kitchen.

"The meeting was a tough one, I see. I would have gone if you had let me," he said, taking a seat on the couch opposite his father.

"No, you need your rest," sighed Fugaku, "It's the council. They want the police force to hire new members not from the Uchiha clan. They think we have too much power."

"Perhaps if we gave in to their demands the council will trust us more. It's not like we couldn't use more shinobi," Itachi said matter-of-factly.

"Son, there's no one in Konoha stronger than the Uchiha clan. That's why the Second Hokage gave us the police force: to watch over the shinobi with our powerful eyes. There's no reason to not trust us. Instead, they need to worry about the keeping the village safe."

"Your father's right, dear," called his mother from the kitchen. "The Second Hokage said it was a sign of trust between the Senju and the Uchiha. The council should honor it."

"I understand, but—"

"Look," said Fugaku, "we have nothing against the other clans, but they need to leave the big jobs to the tough guys. It's also easier for me to handle if everyone in the force is an Uchiha."

Itachi felt the conversation was heading nowhere. He ran his hand through his hair and sighed. "I hope you're not wrong, father."

Fugaku eyed him warily. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Nothing. Forget I mentioned it." He headed to the kitchen.

"Don't worry," reassured his mother, "Your father would never dream of leading us into trouble. We're just talking things out with the council."

"Sometimes words are the match that lights the fire."

There was a pause and then his mother stopped cleaning. Just when he thought the tension couldn't get worse, she said, "Where's your brother? Has he come home yet?"

"He's out with his friends probably training."

"I miss him. Tell him to train over here sometimes." she said and resumed preparing dinner as if nothing happened.

Itachi chuckled. "Sasuke is at that age where home is the least interesting place to hang out not to mention train in."

"Oh, I can imagine. You were never home."

"Mother, times were different. We were in a war."

"I know, but still. You missed out on a peaceful childhood, one that could have earned you extra friends and maybe even a girlfriend by now." she sighed sadly.

"There's no use dwelling on that. What's done is done. I'm just happy I get to live a better life even if it's a quiet one."

Mikoto turned to face her eldest child and smiled. "You really are a sweet boy." She patted him on the back, getting soapy residue onto his shirt, but she didn't seem to notice and Itachi didn't care.

"I'm going out tonight," he said not wanting to seem like a hermit. This joke of him not having a life was getting old fast.

"With who?" said Fugaku, following the scent of steaming vegetables and fish.

"Shisui. We're going to watch the meteor shower together and maybe even hang out with other people there."

"That sounds fun. I haven't seen Shisui in forever. What's he up to?" Mikoto piped up.

"Trouble," Itachi joked, "What else?"

"Don't stay out late," Fugaku said gruffly, "There's a board meeting tomorrow that I want you to attend."

Itachi nodded. His father held a meeting with the captains of each squad every month. They would go over mission successes and failures, the state of the clan, and sometimes other shinobi (those who demonstrated suspicious behavior.) It was utterly boring and Itachi would never go if his father didn't insist.

"If you'll two excuse me, I'll be go—"

All of a sudden, they heard a crash coming from outside.

"Nevermind. Sasuke's here." said Itachi nonchalantly.

"What did I tell that boy about the shed?!" said Fugaku, slamming his fist onto the counter.

"Mind your temper, dear," said Mikoto, "or you'll hurt yourself. He must have had a bad day."

"You baby him. He's 17 years old and it's about time he acts responsibly."

"He does. You just don't see it," said Itachi. "I'll go talk to him."

I think I said in the previous chapter I'd write a longer chapter, but this isn't long enough for me. Don't think I've abandoned this story or anything. I'm honestly busy finishing my art portfolio so this is taking longer than expected. I must admit this isn't easy. So please have mercy! And as always, please critique or review. Your input helps me.