AN: I could make an excuse why I've been updating this story so quickly, but the honest reason is, I have no life, and have crap ton of free time on my hands. So why not write? ;) This like that first chapter will be AU in age. Itachi killed the Uchiha clan at age 13, but here that won't be the case. I think he deserves more time to spend with Sasuke.

I hope you guys enjoy this chapter, and I'll see you soon.

Itachi: Age 14.

Sasuke: Age 9.

"Sasuke, please come eat."

Silence.

"Sasuke?"

Stillness.

"Sas-"

"Do you think Itachi's alright, mom?" The boy said as he continued to stare at the photo of his big brother, who was on a mission for the ANBU Black Ops, this would mark the fourth day of him not being here, not being home, not being with his otouto.

Mikoto's face softened at the worried question her son asked her. She walked over to him and placed a hand on top of his head. "I'm sure he's fine, Sasuke. Remember it's not a solo mission he was assigned, he has three other people looking out for him." The nine year old only gazed at his mother, still looking unconvinced, his eyes looking fearful. But he smiled at her regardless.

She returned it in an instant. "Now, will you please come eat? And afterwards-" Mikoto paused for a second, feeling as though she'd regret saying this, but the worried look on her son's face made her shove that thought in the back of her mind. "-I think you should go out and train." Sasuke gave his mother a look of surprise, eyebrows raising and eyes widening.

She winked at him. "Think of it as a surprise for Itachi. He'll be so proud to see that your able to hit all those targets you've got laid outside the Village, all on your own."

Sasuke's eyes brightened at that idea. He nodded vigorously. "Okay!" The trace of worry in his voice was gone now, sitting down at the table, he all but shoveled his food down his throat. Several time his mother told him to take slower bits, but he wasn't listening, his mind was set that after dinner he was going to go train. He was going to show his aniki how strong he is, that he was a good ninja too, even if he wasn't as good as Itachi. Sasuke was going to show his big brother that he could be proud of him too.

Slamming his bowl a little too hard on the table, yelling to his mother. "Thank you for the meal!" He dashed out of the room, making sure to grab a bag of kunai knifes as he went. The nine year old ran down the streets of the Village, greeting various people as he past by, and out it's entrance.

Making his way over to the clearing in the forest that belonged to him and his nii-san. He took in a few deep breathes before he got to work.

The sun was beginning to set by the Sasuke had almost pushed himself to his limit. His leg buckled as he fell on his knees, sweat trickled down his neck and forehead, he whipped it away, absolutely frustrated with himself. 20 knives. He brought 20 kunai knives with him and he missed them all, either hitting the tree trunks or zooming right passed it.

He clinched the last kunai in his hand, knowing he had to get home soon or his mother would worry. "Once...more. One more time." The younger Uchiha huffed out, as he stood back up. I will get it this time! I will! I can do it! Please... Just this once, let me do something right! Sasuke took aim, steadied his shaky hand as best as he could, and threw it knife at the target.

It seemed to happen in slow-motion. Everything was still and quiet as Sasuke stared at the target, his last kunai was right smack in the middle of it! The realization of what he just accomplished slowly made it's way to his brain, then after a moment or two, a huge grin spread a crossed his face.

The sound of clapping caused him to jumped out of his shocked state. He swirled around to see who was spying on him.

Nii-san. It was his aniki. He was finally back from his mission. Itachi wasn't wearing his ANBU uniform as he slowly walked closer to his otouto, as he too was grinning at what he just witnessed.

"Well done, Sasuke!" Itachi announced proud and excitement was obvious in his voice.

His little brother just gazed at him. "When did you get back?" If Itachi was surprised by the unexpected question, he didn't show it. "Just now." He answered simply. "I'm so very proud of you, I always knew you could do it."

The younger Uchiha huffed out a small laugh, as his smile was now directed to his brother. The fourteen year old then knelt down on the ground. "Well? You just going to stand there? Otouto?"

Sasuke ran forward. "Nii-san!" He exclaimed happily, jumping onto his big brother, arms wrapped around his neck. Itachi chuckled, and returned the embrace. "How are you? Sasuke?" He said softly as he hugged his otouto closer to him. His brother laid his cheek on Itachi's shoulder. "You were gone for four days, big brother! I was worried, and... I missed you."

Itachi's heart swelled with warmth. "I'm sorry, dear otouto. The last thing I ever wanted was to worry you. I missed you too. I promise, no more long term missions." Itachi said honestly. He had missed Sasuke, he missed him dearly. Through out the entire mission, other then his goal for the ANBU, all that was on his mind was his otouto. As the mission was completed, Itachi made a promise to himself, he was never staying this long away from his little brother again.

Sasuke looked up him, surprised and hopeful at the same time. "Really?"

"Really."

They held each other. For what seemed like hours to them, but really was only six minutes. "Aniki?" Sasuke whispered.

"Hm?"

A minute passed by before the nine year old even voiced his question. "You don't have to go anywhere, or do anything with the ANBU or for father, do you?" Black shy, scared eyes looked into his own.

Itachi hesitated. "...Actually father told me before I left that when I returned from my mission that he had another one for me to go on."

Sasuke bowed his head, looking sad and disappointed. "Oh." His face scrunched up as if he were about to cry. Itachi gently pushed Sasuke outward so he was looking at his face.

He put a hand to his brother's cheek. "But I don't have to go if you don't want me too." Apart from the mission, the two Uchiha brothers barely get a chance to spend hardly anytime together anymore. Itachi with the ANBU and their father and Sasuke with the Academy, it was a miracle they were able to still have this close of bond with one another.

Between Itachi and him alone, he only did the missions for Fugaku to keep him from yelling. The Village and the Hidden Leaf came second. Sasuke came first. His otouto would always come first, above all else. And if his brother just told his aniki not to go, he would listen. Because Sasuke is the only one who can change his mind, make him stay, so that his brother keeps that innocent smile on his face.

But Sasuke never did. Sure, he complains that his big brother never has time for him anymore, Complains that he says 'Next time' and 'I'm sorry, Sasuke.' and never really means it. But he's never flat out asked Itachi to stay home, and not go on the mission he was assigned too. Because he knows how important being an ANBU member is and also because he doesn't want to be a burden on his nii-san.

The boy gaped at Itachi, eyes widening in shock. "But won't father-"

"I can make an excuse to father later on why I decided not to go." Itachi reasoned.

Sasuke looked unsure, suddenly getting very nervous. "But it must be an important mission if father-"

"Otouto."

He snapped his mouth shut at his Nii-san's firm, but gentle voice. Sasuke looked into Itachi's kind, soft, bone tired eyes. "Do you want me to leave?"

"...No"

"Do you want me to stay here with you?"

Sasuke lower lip began to tremble ever so slightly. "Yes."

Itachi nodded his head, as he smiled. As he laid his forehead against his little brother's and closed his eyes. "Then I'll stay."

"For me?"

"Always for you, otouto."

The nine year old smiled. His black orbs beamed with happiness behind his closed eyelids. Reaching up he put his small hands on Itachi's cheeks, remembering that his nii-san always did it for him when they were younger, when things were simple, and they could spend as much time together as they wanted.

"Thank you, big brother!"

Itachi laughed at his brother's kind gesture. Mimicking the boy, and placing his own hands on Sasuke's cheeks.

Knowing that he'll never have these moments with Sasuke again, that he will never again see his smile, hear his laugh, be able to hug him or poke his forehead in affection and love, made his heart ache and his eyes sting.

He shook his head mentally. No! There's another way! He will not kill his brother, he refuses too. The mere thought of it made Itachi want to throw up. He would save Sasuke from the rest of the Clan's fate! He would! He wouldn't stop until he did. There was still time. The Hokage would find a way to help.

"Your welcome, otouto."

AN: I'll be honest, I'm not to sure about this drabble. I don't know what it is, I am just not fond of this one and I have no idea why. Meh, maybe it's just me and my low self-esteem that only seems to appear when things such as story writing seems to be concerned.

What do you guys think? Thoughts? Please leave them in a review, and as always my dear, fellow authors, I'll see you guys soon!