Warning(s): Okay people, this chapter is a bit of a doozy. Flashbacks to rape of a minor will appear in this chapter. There will be a suicide attempt. If any of these things are upsetting to you, I suggest you do not read this chapter.

It had begun to rain. The ground was slick with water as it raged through the village. The heavy down pour had sent many into their homes for the evening. But one boy ran. One boy dashed through the rain, mindless of the mud gathering on his legs. His chest burnt. With every ragged breath Itachi drew in. He gasped desperately but could not breathe. Tears blurred his vision and were mixed with the rainfall.

He ran from the Uchiha compound passed the various shops towards the forest. The trees overhead offered minor protection from the elements, but it offered a solitude Itachi had been denied and he dropped to his knees in the mud. He stared unblinking into the darkness. Freedom was so close. All Itachi had to do was run. He could sense shinobi near by but did not doubt he could take them down if necessary.

He slowly stood, legs shaking violently as he walked towards a denser part of the forest, approaching the tree he and Shisui had frequented several times. Itachi sat against it and wrapped his arms around his legs, burying his face in his knees. Sobs wracked his frail frame and he did nothing to subdue them. Whatever would father think?

In all honesty Itachi should not have felt as hurt as he did. Sasuke had already made clear on what he thought of Itachi, but Kakashi... It was not as if he had sometimes questioned Kakashi's affections for him. How the man seemed so patient with Itachi when the Uchiha had heard of his reputation. Had he just been biding him time? Bragging rights of being able to say you fucked the Uchiha heir were pretty hefty. But Kakashi was not the type to go around and boast? Was Itachi just another notch under Kakashi's already impressive belt?

The mere thought had more tears gathering in Itachi's eyes. Had he slept with the man? Kakashi had made no indication. Water ran down his face and he shivered, suddenly freezing. He couldn't go back. Not now. He couldn't deal with their hatred.

"Itachi?" A familiar voice called out in the dark. Itachi did not turn.

"Naruto." He greeted softly. He heard the blonde slowly approach and kneel beside him.

"I'm sorry for causing such a scene." Itachi managed hoarsely. Naruto snorted.

"You didn't cause a scene. Trust me." He glanced up as the rain poured down before looking back at the drenched Uchiha. "I like the whole brood in the rain deal you've got going, but you might get sick." He noted and Itachi was easily reminded of Shisui. He offered the blonde a weak smile but did not bother to move.

"I'll be okay." He replied, rain dribbling down his chin. Naruto rolled his eyes.

"As stubborn as you're brother..." He muttered. Itachi looked away at that and the blonde winced. "Look...Sasuke's my best friend but sometimes he's a bag of dicks. He..." Naruto sighed, wiping the water from his hair. He did not finish his sentence, unable to find words to defend his friend. Naruto spoke no more of what had happened and Itachi appreciated him for it. They sat in silence for a few more moments, Naruto noticing the slight tremors that were overtaking the Uchiha's body. Stubborn damn Uchiha indeed. The teen nudged the boy's shoulder and Itachi looked towards him.

"Let's go back to my place for the night. I have ramen." Naruto offered raising his eyebrows and after a moment Itachi offered him a smile and slowly nodded.

"Ramen would be great."

Night had fallen over the field and Kisame cursed softly as the first swear called out. He glanced around swiftly, relieved that no one could hear over the raging storm.

"Shut up, idiot." He hissed. There was a silence, then...

"Kisame?"

"Hey asshole, we're getting you out of here." Kisame greeted. He hears Hidan give a happy response. Zetsu helped dig the Zealot up and both realized they didn't have time to put the guy back together so they shoved his body parts into a bag. Hidan didn't even complain. Kisame was positive he was just relieved to be out of the damn ground.

"We've got much to tell you." Kisame heard one half of Zetsu's face state and Hidan replied that he didn't have shit to say. Kisame tied up the bag and threw it over his shoulder.

"Careful, asshole."

"Shut up." Kisame sneered. Zetsu and Kisame began to trudge off through the field, Zetsu walking ahead. Kisame turned at the last moment and stared out into Konoha. Itachi was out there somewhere...he was so close...all Kisame needed to do was give Zetsu the bag and go find his lover... he would have Itachi back. He would wake up beside him, protect him. He had known he was sending Itachi to his death on that day, but fate obviously had different plans for the Uchiha. Sasuke had, had his shot. He had failed and Kisame wanted to take Itachi back. He wanted to hold his hand, marveling at the size difference. He wanted to kiss his shoulders, feeling the young man shiver under his touch. He wanted...he wanted to love him again. To keep him safe. Damn the Akatsuki. Damn the mission. Damn everything that wasn't Uchiha Itachi safe and happy in his arms.

"You coming?" Zetsu called and slowly Kisame nodded.

"Yeah, I'm coming." Reluctantly, Kisame turned his back on Konoha. On Itachi... He followed Zetsu out into the trees, Hidan snoring in the bag and Itachi somewhere behind.

Itachi did not return to the compound for three days. Instead, he spent it at Naruto's. The blonde teen offering him a safe place free of prying eyes. It was not hard to realize that Naruto was rather lonely. He lived all by himself and although he had friends it had not always been the case. Itachi knew that the Kyuubi was sealed in the boy. He wondered how cruel life must have been to the teen. Having Itachi around seemed to brighten him even more. It was obvious he cherished the people around him in his own loud abrasive way. Itachi found that Naruto reminded him of a louder Shisui.

They did not speak of Sasuke. They did not mention Kakashi. Instead they just enjoyed each others company. Naruto readily finding a friend in the more pleasant Uchiha. Finally one morning, as Naruto and Itachi sat on the Hokage mountain, Itachi relented that it was time to return to the compound. Naruto offered to take Itachi back and the Uchiha accepted it.

Karin and Suigetsu were the first to see Itachi return, they had been getting ready to sneak out for a lunch...date, when they spotted Naruto and the younger Uchiha approach. The four shared quick glances and had a silent agreement to speak nothing of it. Juugo had waved awkwardly when he saw the two and pointed towards the main house.

Inside, Sasuke was raging. Kakashi sat at the table, tea and book in hand. He was half listened as Sasuke stalked around the kitchen. Any animosity that could have lingered between the two was quickly shoved away from their minds. This was Itachi's fault after all. When Itachi had not returned the first night, Sasuke had thought nothing of it. Let the little fucker sleep in the rain. The second was met with eye rolls, fucking drama queen. The third was met with anger. Sasuke knew Itachi had not left the village. What the fuck could he be doing for three nights? Knowing him, probably seducing another adult figure in Sasuke's life. Iruka maybe. Ibiki? Now it was the fourth morning and his anger was quickly turning to rage. Why should Itachi be able to run from his problems?

Kakashi seemed unconcerned either way. His anger towards Itachi was on the colder side. While Sasuke's was blinding white hot rage, Kakashi was cruel cold aloofness. He turned a page in his book, humming at something Sasuke said when the teen turned eyes narrowed.

"He's here." He sneered stalking towards the door.

"How nice." Kakashi sighed and closed his book before following after his former student. They found Naruto and Itachi outside. Naruto shooting Sasuke a scathing look which was ignored.

"Where were you?" Sasuke demanded, staring at Itachi who wore a matching look of disgust on his face.

"None of your concern." He coldly retorted. Sasuke made a step toward Itachi while Naruto attempted to block him, but Itachi also took a step forward, eyes narrowed in mocking challenge. Kakashi sighed.

"You should know better than to just rush off." Itachi turned to Kakashi a sarcastic laugh erupting from his throat.

"Oh I'm sorry Hatake, were you worried?" He asked, voice mockingly sweet. Kakashi's expression was as cold as Itachi's. Itachi looked back to Naruto and offered him a light smile.

"Thank you, Naruto-kun." He stated softly and Naruto smiled back. He vanished like he did that night and Naruto shot both Kakashi and Sasuke looks of contempt.

"You're both so fucking full of it." He snorted. Sasuke turned to him.

"Was he with you?" The Uchiha demanded. Naruto scoffed, almost tempted to tell the two assholes that he had found Itachi bawling alone in the forest. But Itachi deserved better than that. So he snorted.

"Duh."

"And what?" Sasuke snarled. "You didn't think to let me know."

"Why? So you can continue to treat him like shit? No Sasuke, I'm not into abuse." Kakashi let out another long suffering sigh and it grated Naruto's nerves.

"You can't be so careless, Naruto." He chided and Naruto whirled on him.

"Uh, no. Fuck you Kakashi. You're suppose to be the adult and you go and talk about using a kid for sex. What the fuck is the matter with you?" Naruto snapped and Kakashi could suddenly see his own sensei glaring back. "I told Itachi if either of you pull anything he can come back to me. And if you come looking for him I'll kick both your asses, Sharingan or not!" He cast dubious looks between the two. "Grow the fuck up." Were his parting words, before he too vanished. Getting scolded by Uzumaki Naruto. It was like a slap to the face.

The next couples of days were incredibly awkward. Kakashi did not come over again and Itachi and Sasuke spent most of their time avoiding each other. As such, Sasuke did not notice the shadows under Itachi's eyes. Or how he wasn't eating or sleeping much. When he did sleep, the Uchiha had violent night terrors. He could hear his mother calling to him but could not find her. He could hear his father but he too was lost.

Shisui would appear before him, and something was always off about him but Itachi could not figure out what. His dreams continued and he would see people he did not recognize. An angry young blond man would be snarling at him. A blue haired woman would offer him a sad smile. The blue man would always be there, reaching out and smiling and Itachi...Itachi would want to go to him. Something about that man screamed safety. But the man would always vanish before Itachi could reach him.

The times where Sasuke and Itachi did meet often ended in fighting. Itachi, actually fighting back just as viciously as his sibling. He never ran away again though. He was too tired to run. Sometimes he wondered what would happen if he pushed Sasuke too far.

The meeting with Danzō had begun to...change. The man was more forward. His reservations fading. Itachi's dreams began to take form. He had been working for this man. He understood that, but the dreams frightened him. He would feel rough hands on the back of his neck, snaking up his shirt and he would be suddenly shoved against Danzō's desk. Then he would feel the lips descend upon him. One morning, the buzzing in his head began again. He had been sitting in Danzō's office when it happened. The high pitched buzzing, his vision blurred around the edges and he watched as Danzō shoved him against his desk and kiss him. He watched as the man pulled down his pants and how he had not even struggled. He had accepted what the man was doing to him in silence, the only proof of his discomfort being the tightening of his lips and the tears glazing over his eyes. He watched as Danzō forced himself inside Itachi. Itachi's back had arched, eyes widening in pain, staring at the ceiling. Danzō's hands grabbed Itachi's legs, spreading them as he forced himself deeper. Itachi's eyes clenched shut, blood dribbling down his chin as he bit his lip. One leg was placed over Danzō's shoulder. The man slapped the other, ordering Itachi to spread it back...and he had. Not a word of protest, he spread his legs to this man, allowing him to violate him. Danzō chuckled.

"Good boy." He cooed, biting Itachi's neck and running a hand down Itachi's chest and flicking a nipple. Itachi gasped slightly and the man laughed again "So sensitive, my beautiful boy." He stated, looking oh so pleased. Itachi let out a weak moan and Danzō looked pleased.

"That's right boy, you're mine. Your pain, your pleasure. You...are...mine." He bucked his hips forward roughly, sneering against the boy's throat.

"Uchiha, scum..."

"Uchiha." Danzō called and Itachi blinked as the vision faded. He apologized quickly, lowering his eyes and the man chuckled. "Quite alright. I was ready to dismiss you anyway." His gaze trained on Itachi's throat and the cold fear crept up Itachi's spine. It now occurred to him that there was a high possibility he had not been dreaming or imagining things. That his leader had actually... that would explain the fear he always felt around the man. Or why Danzō's eyes were always glued to him, as if wanting to devour him. Why Shisui had always placed himself slightly in front of Itachi when they had to meet him. He must have seen the hungry looks and had been trying to protect Itachi... And how had Itachi thanked him?

Itachi was silent as he followed Sasuke back to the compound. Sasuke did not even look at him.

Itachi wondered if he would even care.

When they returned to the house, Itachi's feet led him to the deck, needing desperately to breathe. He nearly tripped over one of the stone pieces that were sitting on the edge. He regained his footing, kicking away the various, ropes, and boxes that littered the area. Of course, Sasuke felt the need to needle at Itachi, but the younger was too worked up to give him the pleasure. They bickered and neither remembered abut what. Most of their fights started over the smallest of things...and to think, they had once been so close. Itachi had destroyed that. His dreams of the massacre, no matter how hazy were answer enough to that. He had done this to his little brother. He had destroyed him. He was tempted to have Sasuke just kill him. To push the Uchiha over the edge and have him avenge their famil-Sasuke's family. Itachi had no right to call them that now.

He should have died that night at the memorial. That day at the hideout. Why was he even still alive? Was this his punishment for him crimes? Sasuke's own friend was drawing away from him in favor of Itachi. Itachi was taking everything away from his brother and it disgusted him. Sasuke deserved a normal life. A better life. Itachi wanted nothing more than to give it to him, in hopes that one day that smiling little boy will return.

Sasuke glared at his sibling. They had just bickered but Itachi seemed to be distracted, barely giving Sasuke any response. As if Sasuke was unworthy of the great Uchiha Itachi. As childish as it was, Sasuke wanted a response. Itachi's placidity was too easy. When he fought back it was almost as if he was himself again. Sasuke snarled after Itachi but Itachi shot him a dismissive glare before looking away.

Itachi stood on the deck overlooking the water. He refused to look back as Sasuke stormed away. Sasuke swiftly approached the house, teeth bared as he fought the urge to turn around and beat Itachi within an inch of his life. He reached the door and placed his fingers against the wood, breathing deeply through his nose. He slowly shut his eyes, cursing under his breath. He could feel the curse mark aching once more and he desperately tried to dismiss it. He did not need it against Itachi. Not now.

'You are weak, why are you weak ? Because you lack hatred'

The Uchiha grit his teeth as the ghostly words passed through his mind. He silently cursed Itachi for making things so difficult. Sasuke turned back to the dock, expecting to see Itachi still standing there but found the area deserted. Frowning, Sasuke took a step forward and glanced around.

"Itachi?" He called out slowly. He received no answer. Where had Itachi wandered off to? He walked across the wet grass, feeling a sense of foreboding fill his gut. He walked forward, eyes narrowed. He glanced towards the and watched as a ripple shimmered slowly across the top of the water, the sun glinting beautifully off it. He stared, body frigid and one single air bubble reach the top of the water popping and fading away just as quickly. The foreboding turned into full blown terror as another followed soon after.

Sasuke was suddenly sprinting, desperately to the water and throwing himself under. He kicked forward, reaching blindly and activating his eyes. He had forgotten how deep the water hee was. How dark and cold... He could make out Itachi's shape under the murky water. He swam forward, quickly grabbing Itachi by the arm to pull him up, but something tugged the boy back. Sasuke glanced down to see a weight wrapped around one of Itachi's small ankles. The Uchiha moved towards the weight and untied it from his brother before grabbing the boy around the chest and kicking up to the surface of the lake.

Sasuke gasped for breath, air filling his lungs. He lurched towards the lake side, dragging Itachi with him. He made it to the land and pulled Itachi's limp form into the grass before dropping to his knees. Itachi was not moving...almost desperately Sasuke began to pump air into the younger boy's chest. He swore softly as he did so.

"C'mon Itachi breathe." He muttered. He continued to work at Itachi's chest receiving no response. "Dammit, fucking wake up!" The boy's lips were tinged blue. Sasuke let out a desperate noise as he stared down at Itachi. "Don't leave me like this!" He snarled, teeth bared.

All at once, Itachi's body jerked forward as the boy coughed up a copious amount of water. The younger Uchiha let out a ragged breath, body falling on its side. The boy lay gasping, painfully for breath, coughs wracking his body. Sasuke swiftly reached for the boy, ignoring the weak protests, and Itachi suddenly found himself tucked against Sasuke's chest as the other Uchiha cradled him.

"You're alright," Sasuke suddenly murmured, eyes burning from tears. "I've got you." Itachi shivered violently against the bigger teen, eyes wide. Sasuke continued to hold him as if he was the most precious thing imaginable. Slowly, Itachi reached forward and grabbed onto his sibling, clinging to the older boy like a life line. "I've got you..." Sasuke continued to murmur, rocking the boy back and forth. "You're alright, you're alright..."