This chapter is dedicated to Meda Princess, who is one of my favorite people. You have followed my story since the beginning and continue to give me faith in my writing skills. I hope you continue with me on the currently three year journey of finishing this story :)

Disclaimer: I do not own the characters of Naruto, I am only using them as my puppets.

The warm moment was everything Naruto could ask for. Sasuke's laughter was a rare thing, and therefore it meant even more that Naruto could be the cause of it. The little blonde was loving the warm and fuzzy feeling of sitting next to Sasuke on the bed while the brunette read out loud his picture book. Even though Naruto missed the name of it, he just loved the adventurous tales of pirates, he didn't even mind that the end was plain and simple. To Sasuke this book meant a lot to him. This was his favorite book that Itachi would read to him as a young boy. Growing up, all Sasuke had was Itachi and Kakashi, though Kakashi was rarely there and still finishing up his teaching credentials, Itachi was never further than an arms reach. Itachi was his everything, the only thing keeping his young mind sane after the loss of their parents.

"Sasuke, come help your mother out with the groceries, will you?" Mikoto Uchiha, the woman of the household, was the kindest and most wonderful mom to both of her boys. Sasuke, being only the age of 8, left the dining table littered with paper and crayons. Itachi also got up to help them out, then only being 12. It was a light drizzle out and the two brothers kept amused during the chore by trying to dodge the wet spots on the ground.

"True ninjas can walk on water, ma! Aniki told me so!" His large smile with two front teeth missing made his mom giggle sweetly.

"Oh did he now? And what else did your aniki tell you, hun?" Sasuke took this invitation to explain her the new drawing technique he had learned not twenty minutes ago. Inside of the house a young Kakashi Hatake was having a calm conversation with Fugaku Uchiha.

"I hope the kids weren't a nuisance during your studies, Kakashi-Kun. Speaking about your studies, how has college been to you?" The deep rumble of Fugaku's voice was soothing and gave the feeling of 'safe and security'.

"Oh sir, you know your children are always well-behaved. School has been ok, I have been thinking about it and I want to go into teaching."

"You can do anything well, my boy. I am proud you chose your career." The small smile that found its way was a peculiar thing, so was the gesture of Fugaku's hand on Kakashi's shoulder, though Kakashi felt pride swell up inside. Not growing up with a father and hearing those words meant a lot.

"Sasuke! Itachi! Don't you dare look inside that bag!" Mikoto's giggles and the sight of the three of them running through the front door made the two men chuckle. Mikoto finally caught up to the two mischievous children and snatched the bag away.

"There is no way you two are going to sneak a peek at your christmas presents! I swear the two of you will be the death of me." she said fondly. Mikoto checked her wristwatch and gasped at the time. "oh Kakashi-kun, when did you have to get back to your campus? Its nearly 9:30! We must be on our way, come now Dear, lets drop him off." Kakashi tried to deny the offer, though Mikoto's look silenced him. Fugaku grabbed the car keys after checking to make sure all of the groceries were put away and the presents were safely hidden. The three adults left, but not until Mikoto gave kisses on both of her boys foreheads and given Itachi orders to put Sasuke to bed.

None of them knew that the sprinkle would become a downpour, or the fact that a truck driver had drunk too much at the local bar. None of them knew that the intersection light blinking red would make the truck driver speed on, hitting the front of the small car. None of them knew Kakashi would be the only one to survive with the loss of an eye and scar to tell the story. None of them knew they would never see Mikoto nor Fugaku again.

Sasuke didn't know that he would have to go his first christmas without his parents. What he received from his parents, though, was a small picture book telling the tales of pirates. On the top left corner was a small note, expressing the love of Mikoto and Fugaku.

Itachi would read his little brother that book every night. Itachi never cried in front of Sasuke about the loss of their parents. Itachi was always with Sasuke.

The memory passed through his mind, that last night of his parents, as he turned the last page of the book, revealing another little note. 'Goodnight Sasu-chan' in loopy and definite feminine handwriting. He sighed then moved the sleeping Naruto onto the pillows and covered him. He hadn't thought of it, not for a while now. It was hard. Sasuke survived nearly nine years without parents, and the thought hasn't terribly pained him since he was 12. He was 17 now, and despite not having his mom or dad he was doing ok with life. Sasuke was wide awake thanks to the deep thinking and he decided to head to the living room.

On his way through the long hallways all he could see was dark shadows, the dark furniture, plain white walls with no pictures or decorations. The white walls reminded him of the hospital they stayed at for Kakashi, the black furniture reminded him of the black clothing they wore for the funeral. He became dazed, in a trance as the many voices passed through his head.

"Mikoto was such a wonderful woman."

"Fugaku was a very successful business man, as well as a father."

"Your parents were loved by everyone."

Then he remembered the words that were said when they thought he wasn't listening.

"This child won't survive long."

"Little one only has a brother, what a pity."

"What do you think the fortune left behind is?"

"He'll want to pay back his dear aunt after we win custody, I just know it."

Sasuke wouldn't talk to any of the other family. He knew they were traitors and lusted after the money he would receive once he reached 18. All he needed was Itachi and Kakashi. All he wanted was Itachi and Kakashi, but did they know that when they went off to college and started working nonstop? Did they know what he felt when he didn't know who to talk to about puberty? He had to go talk to Itachi's friend, Kisame, about that subject!

Maybe that's how Itachi realized I was gay. Kisame had to tell him.

Whenever Itachi would come back from work early enough to have dinner it never lasted long. The silence was deadly, and their looks only reminded each other of their mother.

So that's why we don't have any pictures in here. Every picture we have is with our parents, or we have features of our parents. I can barely look at myself in the mirror. What does Itachi feel?

Once Sasuke finally reached the living room, he was greeted with the dim light of the tv and a shadowy figure on the couch.

Itachi.

"Its rather late, otouto. Shouldn't you be in bed? It is a school night." The monotone voice sounded.

Instead of listening to Itachi, Sasuke did the unbelievable. He sat next to his brother.

"I'm sure I am able to stay up, Itachi." Sasuke gave the other a side glance, begging him to say something back.

"Of course."

The two of them sat quietly, neither watching the show, only looking in that general direction. Once again Adventure Time was playing. It seemed as if the channel was not changed since the boys left to the room.

"Naruto seems like a good kid." Itachi broke the silence.

"He is really...something. I can't really describe him."

To this Itachi gave Sasuke a questioning look. "How's that?"

"I don't know much about him. We met only friday, and he is one of the most annoying things in the world."

"Annoying because he is simply irritating, or annoying because you are feeling something for him?"

Sasuke stayed silent.

"You know, otouto, you can always talk to me. I know I am not around as often anymore, but you have your cell phone and I come home every night. I make it a point to be here every night, though sometimes it isn't until midnight."

The younger Uchiha couldn't reply. Words choked him, making it impossible.

"Naruto talked to me earlier today, and he seems to know things about you that I never did. He watches things, he somehow fathoms it in such a different way. Do you know what he told me today?" Sasuke gave a look that asked 'what'. "He told me you don't talk to many people at school. You only talk to Sai, and now him. Why are you so closed off?"

Sasuke could only shrug.

"I heard you did good on your presentation, congrats."

Still he remained silent.

Itachi banged his fist against the now-clean coffee table "Dammit! Why won't you say something!" His eyes looked hurt. "I am trying." His voice took a whispered hush "I lost everything you did, otouto. I was there for you. I remember the way you used to look at me, like I was your hero. What happened to that? You don't even call me Aniki anymore."

By now Itachi was standing, trying his best to look Sasuke in the eye. The other was trying his best to not look at him. Even though he tried, Sasuke looked up and noticed, with only the dim light from the tv, a single tear fall down one of Itachi's stress line and onto the floor. This made his chest pain, made him breathless and his mind foggy. If you asked him why he said what he was about to, he would blame the daze he was in before he reached the living room.

"I'm sorry, Aniki." It was only a small whisper, but it was all Itachi needed. A smile broke free, along with a pained chuckle. He had to look away and his eyes landed on the tv. He let his head fall down into a hand, finally letting go of the pain. Letting go of the pain that built up across the years. He cried for his mother, his father, his little brother that lost all innocence and was plunged into the cold world too early. He cried for the loss of his own childhood. His shoulders sagged and suddenly he felt so much older than 21. He snapped up his head when he felt someone patting his shoulder. Across from him stood Sasuke, who looked awkward as hell, until he noticed the streams of tears.

"I miss them, Sasuke. I miss them so much. Why can't things go back to the way they were?" Sasuke pulled Itachi into a hug and they both silently cried together.

"We still have each other, but sometimes it doesn't even seem that way either."

The two sat back on the couch after calming down. Only their puffy eyes betraying the fact that they shed all their pain. They fell asleep next to each other on the couch, Sasuke's head falling on Itachi's lap and Itachi in the corner, propping his feet on the coffee table. It was a sight to behold, one that Naruto wouldn't ever forget as he gave them both blankets.

No one knew that he had heard them.

"Aniki..." A tired sigh passed through Sasuke's lips.

This would be their little secret. The love of brothers.

Welp, that is an emotional chapter. I wanted to make at least one longer chapter since its been so long since I update. Once again I would like to thank everyone who has followed this story. You all have made me very happy! Happy holidays everyone.