Hi all! I know it's been a while since I've uploaded, and I'm sorry. I had an idea for another story, and I just had to start writing it. And then it was finals week. From now on, this fanfic is my first priority! This chapter may be kind of lame and short, but here it is! :)

Mikoto hummed lightly to herself as she watered the plants outside the house, her back facing her eldest son. Itachi was propping himself up on his hands, his legs stretched before him, as he watched his mother. On a day like this, he felt he would usually be bored. But the feeling of peace never left him.

There was, however, another lingering feeling. A feeling of loss. Like he were missing something. The feeling had faded more and more over time, but it never quite left him.

"Mother," Itachi finally spoke up.

Mikoto turned around and smiled cheerfully at her son. "Yes, love?" she said.

"Do you ever feel like you're missing something?" the young man asked hesitantly. "Like you left something important behind?"

Mikoto turned to fully face Itachi, a thoughtful expression on her face. "Why, yes," she said, as though a faint memory had crossed her mind. "I think I remember that feeling when I first came here."

Itachi crossed his legs and sat up straighter. "Yeah?" he said with interest.

"Yeah," Mikoto confirmed. "I think it was because I had left you and Sasuke behind after I had passed."

Itachi hung on her every word, feeling a tiny twinge in his heart when she mentioned her death. He had been the cause of that.

"Don't take this the wrong way, son," she said in a motherly tone, "but the feeling went away. Quickly, I might add. It was just my time to move on, and I knew I would see you boys again someday." She smiled at Itachi. "I never lost hope for you, though. I always knew that you were doing the right thing for you. But I'm glad you can finally rest in peace."

Itachi frowned. "How vividly did you remember everything from when you were alive?" he asked. He could hardly remember anything- of course he remembered Sasuke- all he remembered about him was how he had loved his brother, and a head of spiky, black hair. And he remembered Hinata- similarly, he remembered that he had loved her very much, and her long, dark hair and pale eyes. But that was about it. And these feelings were also fading. Somehow, that didn't bother him.

"Not very," Mikoto admitted. "Like I said- it was just time for me to move on. Itachi," she said lovingly, "don't worry about these things. They'll fade from your mind, but it doesn't mean you'll forget. They'll simply be lost memories that will still be with you."

Itachi nodded. "Interesting," he muttered.

"It won't even bother you after a while." Mikoto beamed at Itachi before turning to continue watering her plants.

Itachi didn't say anything else. He was content with simply watching his mother and letting the old memories fade into the back of his mind.

xXx

Sasuke's knees crashed onto a mound of dirt, beneath which his brother was buried. Grass and wildflowers were beginning to spring up from the dirt, but Sasuke was determined that this grave wouldn't exist for long. At least not for his brother.

The young Uchiha panted with anticipation, ready to sacrifice his life to save his brother. He felt a bead of sweat dripping off of his chin and onto the dirt below him. Drip, drip, drip...

A gust of wind blew, cooling his bare back and tossing his messy hair about. He felt exhausted, ready for it to be over. Yet, he was nervous- he'd have to face Itachi again.

More than nervous, he was excited, anticipating seeing his older brother again. Even if it were only for a moment.

The way this jutsu works, Sasuke thought to himself, is that the person being resurrected must be convinced. Itachi won't be convinced easily, but I have to bring him back. And I will. He didn't deserve to die.

Sasuke looked up at the now dark, cloudy sky. A raindrop fell from the clouds and landed underneath Sasuke's left eye with a soft plit and slid down his cheek.

"I deserve to die."

The young man took a deep breath as the pace of the raindrops quickened, drenching his clothes and hair. He thought of Konoha, and all the friends he had made. He thought of Hinata, carrying his nephew, and how Itachi would finally have the happiness he deserved with her. Then, he thought of his best friend.

"Forgive me, Naruto," Sasuke breathed to the sky.

"Forgive you for what, Sasuke?"

The all-too familiar voice caused the Uchiha to whip around, scrambling to his feet. As an automatic response, Sasuke reached into the pouch on his hip, pulled out several shuriken, and whipped them gracefully at his "attacker."

"WAAAH!" Naruto cried, dodging them in a clumsy, yet swift manner. "Sasuke! What the hell was that all about, eh?!"

Sasuke frowned, still tense. It had been so long since he had seen his friend, and he wasn't sure what to say to him. Should he apologize? He felt that he should, but he was still a bit too proud for that.

Naruto didn't seem to care for an apology, anyway. Forgetting Sasuke's attack, he smiled softly at his friend. "Hi, Sasuke," he said.

"N-Naruto..." Sasuke stuttered, trailing off. Why did he feel so awkward? He couldn't remember a time when he had ever felt so uncomfortable.

Naruto kept smiling at his friend, as though the two of them had just gone out to tea the day before. "No time to lose, Sasuke!" Naruto said energetically. "We gotta get Itachi back!"

Sasuke's eyes widened. "How did you...?" he trailed off.

"It doesn't matter," Naruto said. "But I can't let you die. If you're going to do this, then you need help."

"Tch," Sasuke scoffed, his feelings of discomfort turning to annoyance. "I can do this myself. It doesn't matter what happens to me."

"Don't be stupid, Sasuke! It does matter! What's the point of bringing him back if you're not alive with him?"

"Hmph," Sasuke closed his eyes, unwilling to admit that Naruto was right. "If you join me, you'll probably die too. We wouldn't live unless there were several other ninja working with us."

"I'm not an idiot, Sasuke," Naruto said, flashing another toothy grin. Before Sasuke could retort, Naruto turned to face the forest. "Guys!" he yelled.

With that, several familiar faces appeared from the shadows. All of his old comrades from Konoha were there, walking towards him. Some of them didn't look so happy to be there, but here they were, ready and willing to help Sasuke.

As they came forward, Sasuke took a step back. He felt like he were being ambushed somehow. None of them were here to attack him, but he still felt like he should be on his guard. Just in case.

"Sasuke, together, we'll bring Itachi back," Naruto said with determination. He walked forward and placed his hand on Sasuke's shoulder. "Just tell us what to do!"

Sasuke looked into Naruto's bright blue eyes. He looks so happy to see me...

"Why..." Sasuke's voice shook. He wasn't sure what he was feeling.

"Because, Sasuke. You're my best friend. And our comrade. Whether you like it or not. We're not going to leave you. I'm not going to leave you." Naruto's eyes glowed with fierce determination. The look that Sasuke knew so well.

The Uchiha drew in a sharp breath at Naruto's words. "Naruto..." he murmured, looking at his best friend. How could he be so... forgiving?

Naruto smiled. "Ready, Sasuke?"

Still shocked by Naruto's acceptance of him, Sasuke slowly nodded his head.

Okay! Sorry if it seemed a bit rushed- I know I had said that this chapter would be good, but that'll actually be next chapter. I'll get that one up ASAP- stay tuned! :)