This one is going to be another AU with the age Itachi was months before the Massacre.

Itachi: Age 12

Sasuke Age 7

Warning: A very Saddened/Guilt-riddened!Itachi ahead.

"Mother?"

"Yes, Sasuke?"

"How come Itachi's been locked in his room all day?"

"...Your brother- He's very sad-"

"But why? Why is he so sad? He hasn't said a word on why, and he usually tells me what's wrong with him!"

"Sasuke, sweetie. Calm down. Itachi is going through a difficult time because-"

A pause.

"Because Shisui, your guy's cousin and Itachi's best friend is... dead."

That was when Itachi stopped listening to his otouto's conversation with their mother. Silently walking back into his room, he closed the door behind him and then slide down it.

He couldn't stand to hear those conversations. Word travels fast in the Uchiha Village so it didn't take long for everyone to know about his best friend's...passing last night.

The rumors on how Shisui passed were the worst for him bare.

He was taken out by a better Shinobi then himself.

An ambush against a rival village went wrong and Shisui was the only one who didn't make it out.

Or that he died protecting a family he never even meant before.

The twelve year old just wanted to let his stone-hard composure (that he built up when he was in public) fall and yell at everyone to just be quiet. That absolutely none of those rumors were true, because his cousin didn't die at the hands of someone else or by saving a family.

No, he committed suicide! Itachi screamed in his head, involuntarily reaching a hand up, he squeezed his chest, right where his heart was located. Laying his head against his knees he started crying again, losing count at how many times he's let the tears fall from his eyes since he's hidden away in his room.

"Your the only one I can count on, my best friend."

Why? Why did it have to be this way!? Shisui! I can't do this all on my own, my friend! He couldn't help but think. Even though he watched Shisui die with his own eyes, he just couldn't accept that he was truly gone. Shisui was always there, cracking a smile, laughing at Itachi whenever he was too serious about a mission.

Before Sasuke was born Shisui would constantly come by his house and play with him, he'd take the little Shinobi out and buy him dango sticks, whenever he'd get suddenly get hurt or have a afternoon nightmare the boy he'd look up too, would comfort him without any hesitation.

Shisui was to Itachi as he was to Sasuke. A big brother, one that cared. Like Itachi did for his otouto.

"Protect the Village and the Uchiha name as well."

My friend, I don't think I'll be able to carry out your will, not without you here to see it through with me... Did his cousin really put his trust in the right person? He was only a twelve year old ANBU agent, what could he possibly do to stop a coup? He wasn't Shisui, no where far as good as his best friend was.

And knowing that, he just knew this whole thing was going to end badly. In this type of situation, things would only get worse, either Leaf Village would get destroyed along with thousands of innocent men, women and children-

"Nii-san?"

Itachi jerked his head up at the sudden small, hesitant voice from the other side of the door.

"Big brother? Are you in there?"

Itachi didn't move or say a word. And in doing so, he felt his otouto's presence move closer to the door. He heard a faint sniffle come from Sasuke followed by his hitched voice.

"I'm sorry, nii-san. I knew you were sad but I didn't know why. And now that I do, I don't know what to say to make you feel better. Shisui-"

His little brother cut himself off as if the mere name of their beloved cousin hurt to much to say. "He was so caring to everyone, he made me laugh, he played with me, took care of me when you were too stressed with work or sick..."

Silence.

"Mother told me the only thing I can do for you was to be there for you- But your door is closed, how am I suppose to help you if you won't open your door!"

Itachi felt the door suddenly get slightly jostled, Sasuke's attempted to let out his frustration and hurt. "I've never seen you like this, big brother! It hurts! You miss Shisui, but your not the only one!"

Either the Leaf Village would get destroyed or the Uchiha Clan would get slaughtered, it would cease. Sasuke would cease, he would die. What would he do with himself, without his precious otouto? Who would he be if Sasuke hadn't come into his life?

That answer was clear. Itachi wouldn't know what it was like to be a nii-san. Like their cousin was to him.

...Shisui wouldn't want him to be isolating himself. He wouldn't want him to be dealing with his grief and pain on his own. Shisui would want him to grieve, as it is a natural part of life for however long it maybe, then wipe his tears away, stand up and get ready for whatever comes his way.

Because that was Shisui Uchiha.

Itachi bit his lower lip, heart aching from the guilt of losing such a dear friend and the burden that was thrusted upon him so suddenly. He couldn't take it anymore. Couldn't take being alone anymore.

Turning his body around, he slide his door open and wrapped his arms around the seven year old's neck and let everything out. He cried for the loss of Shisui, for his Clan and horrible things they were about to do, for the Leaf Village and for the people who would un-doubtfully lose their lives if the coup d'etat ended up happening, he cried for himself knowing that it was all on him to stop.

But most importantly, he cried for his otouto, scared to death he'll lose him too.

He felt Sasuke's short arms snake around his chest. "It's okay, aniki. I'm here for you."

Tightening his arms around the boy, he pulled him closer. "O-Otouto!" Unsurprised to hear his voice crack as his body began to shake. Now that he's let the dam crack and flow, he couldn't stop it.

Sasuke began rubbing circles on Itachi's back with his small hands, nuzzling his cheek against his nii-san's. As he too, let his sadness of losing his second older brother out as well.

God, please don't let him die! He's too young and innocent to have his life taken away from him so early! And... I need him too much, don't take him away from me, not how you took Shisui! Itachi pleaded to him, to anyone who was listening.

"Aniki?"

Itachi let out a hitched breathe. "Thank you, otouto. Thank you for being there for me when I needed comforting."

He could feel Sasuke smile as the tears continued to fall down their cheek, pressing himself further against his brother. "Your welcome, Nii-san. I love you."

Shisui... I'm going to miss you.

But...

He chuckled for the first time this whole day. Tightening his grip on his otouto just a little bit more. "I love you too, Sasuke."

I will try and carry out your will. I will save the Leaf Village and do my best to bring peace to the Uchiha Clan. And I will protect Sasuke from whatever tries to threaten him.

I will never forget you, Shisui.

Goodbye, my friend.

AN: Dem Shisui feels, though!

I love Shisui as much as I love Itachi, Sasuke, Gaara, Kankuro, Kakashi, Iruka, Neji and Kiba.

FOR ALL INFINITY!

Anyway, thoughts on this Drabble? Please leave them in a review and as always, I'll see you all later!