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"You don't look surprised to see me." Kakashi stated, voice low. Sasuke remained sleeping, drained from the events of the day.

"I'm not. I knew you would come eventually." Itachi replied from the bed. He glanced to where Sasuke sat fast asleep. Kakashi followed his gaze. They stared at Sasuke for a moment before Kakashi spoke again.

"You tried to kill yourself." His voice came out smooth but Itachi knew Kakashi enough that it was the voice he used when he was trying to put up a wall.

"That is correct." The boy responded. He slowly looked back towards Kakashi who stared at him with that same cold expression. Kakashi remained by the window, his breathing level despite the growing heat in his stomach. He crossed his arms over his chest and leaned against the window sill staring at the boy. Itachi. The Uchiha fought the urge to stand and approach his former romantic partner. Instead he watched as the man fought an internal conflict. He knew Kakashi's father had committed suicide. He knew how this had effected Kakashi. How the man's views on suicide were harsh... so he was not surprised by the bitter smile that curled Kakashi's lips.

"Why am I not surprised." He hummed. "You would try to take the easy way out." Itachi tries not to flinch at this and closed his eyes. He listened as Kakashi slowly approached, Sasuke remaining fast asleep. The man sat on the edge of the bed and studied Itachi. Itachi opened his eyes and stared at Kakashi.

"Sasuke brought you...unconscious to the hospital. Naruto and I thought you two had got into another fight...but I should have noticed something was off. He was panicking, chest heaving and eyes blown wide. He was holding you like...like he was trying to shield you from the world." Kakashi looked back to Sasuke.

"I've never seen him like that." He mused and Itachi bit his lip, guilty at what he had put his brother through.

"I thought..." He began, voice steady and light. "That it would be better for everyone if I was dead." Kakashi stared at him. Part of the Copy nin wanted to gather the Uchiha in his arms and dismiss his fears. Tell him how important he was. How Kakashi could not imagine a world without Itachi alive in it. He wanted too declare his love for the Uchiha, he wanted so much...

Kakashi was never very good with emotion. Never had been. Perhaps it was part of his charm...

"True, but that wasn't for you to decide." Kakashi shrugged and Itachi's lips curled.

"Why the worry Kakashi?" Itachi sneered. "It's not like you care about me." His words were bitter and Kakashi fought not to deny them.

"Also true, but did you even consider Sasuke? I know the effects of suicide." He pointed out, his father's lifeless corpse flashing through his mind. " It's a cowards way out. I thought you were better than that."

"Obviously not." Itachi replied coldly. "Tell me...is this about your father offing himself or is this more abut your obsessive need to control everything around you? I know it has nothing to do with me anyway. You never loved me. I doubt you even understand the emotion."

Ouch.

That hurt. Kakashi however was talented at hiding his emotions and managed to look non pulsed. It was not an easy feat but Kakashi had always been good at it. He tried to pretend that the Uchiha's words were not like a punch to the gut. Kakashi would show him emotion!

Never loved Itachi? Who was Itachi to say he knew him? He had left. He had killed everyone and ran away! And now he had tried to...kill himself! It was the easy way out! They way his father had taken! And for Itachi to flippantly bring his father up? How dare he!

"Love is trivial! You were nothing more than a challenge that I wanted to conquer." Kakashi hissed, glaring at the Uchiha who stared back blankly. "Your death has been long in coming you fucking brat. But once again you walk away with your life and act as if no one else matters! Sasuke has suffered enough because of you. And because of that, Sakura has suffered watching Sasuke walk his path. Naruto has suffered feeling as if he failed someone! You want to die? Fine, but the least you could have done was actually succeed." Kakashi spat and instantly regret it at the expression on Itachi's face. Itachi looked away, towards Sasuke who remained asleep. He nodded, face closed off.

"Very well, I'll keep that in mind...in any event Sasuke needs sleep."

"Itachi-" Kakashi began but Itachi's attention was now on Sasuke. Now desperate for a distraction against that pain in his chest that he came to associate with Sasuke and Kakashi. Itachi tucked the blanket around Sasuke's shoulders and closed his eyes.

"He has not slept much and he's...he's a growing boy." Itachi rambled in a low voice.

"Itachi, please-"

"I don't want him to wake up."

"I'm sorry-"

"Please Kakashi," Itachi whispered, voice cracking. "Just go." Kakashi slowly stood, face pained as he stared at the Uchiha. He fought the urge to reach for him and walked towards the door. He stood at the entrance and turned back to Itachi, mouth open to say something but no words came out. He stared at Itachi's hunched form. The boy was still, eyes closed and breathing even as if all was fine with the world. Kakashi wanted to apologize. He always fucked things up when it came to emotions. He wanted to fix this. Instead he walked away, leaving Itachi alone curled in that hospital bed wishing he had succeeded.

Morning came with a dreary haze. Sasuke awoke and Itachi was not in his bed. Instead the boy was at the window, gazing out with a blank expression. His scrawny legs reminded Sasuke of twigs. He was startled by the sudden desire to cover Itachi with a blanket...or ten and brushed it off as just being tired. He watched the Uchiha in silence for a moment before sighing.

"Itachi," He croaked, stretching and wincing at the ache on his back from sleeping in the chair "How are you feeling?" He asked as Itachi turned to face him.

"I'm fine. He replied, glancing at Sasuke with a raised eyebrow. "Are you alright?" He questioned and Sasuke nodded, rubbing the side of his head.

"We need to talk when we get back to the compound." Sasuke stated as he studied Itachi. The boy nodded and looked back towards the window.

"I know." He heard Sasuke walk around the room.

"I'm going to see when you can leave. Wait here okay?" He looked towards Itachi who nodded and tiredly sat down on the bed. Sasuke walked from the room, fighting the urge to look back over his shoulder. He headed down the hall and towards the lobby where two nurses stood. One spotted him and a smile curled her full lips. Sasuke fought down the eye roll that ached to make an appearance and approached the women.

"When can I take my brother home?" He asked and the nurse who motioned for him to follow her to the front desk. He awkwardly stood by the desk as the nurse flipped through her file and found Itachi. She glanced up at Sasuke.

"He's breathing fine? No complications?" She asked and Sasuke nodded. The woman looked back down at the file. "Alright just sign here and I will have a doctor approve." She handed him the file and Sasuke took a pen, eyes scanning the page. Tsunade had been true on her word that Itachi's suicide would be covered up. Instead it was written that he had fallen in the water and hit his head. The approving doctor...Tsunade herself. Sasuke signed his name. As he turned to return to Itachi the nurse called him back and handed him two envelopes to give to Itachi. Sasuke took them without a glance and headed back to Itachi's room. The Uchiha passed Tsunade on his way and she gave him a stiff nod. He found Itachi pulling his long hair back into a ponytail, ready to leave.

"Good, you're almost ready." Sasuke muttered, watching as Itachi brushed his bangs from his face and adjusted his shirt. Itachi glanced up at him, a twin expression of discomfort on his face.

"Yes. Tsunade was just here."

"I saw..."

"Oh..." They stood in awkward silence for a moment, neither looking at each other before Itachi found his voice.

"She gave me my file." He murmured, lifting it for Sasuke to see. The Uchiha nodded absently, unsure on where to go from here. When Itachi turned he found his voice and stepped forward.

"Oh, these were left for you at the nurses station." Sasuke stated, handing Itachi two envelopes. Itachi took them in surprise, thanking his brother who nodded saying he was going to sign Itachi out. Itachi opened the first envelope and his brows furrowed when he uncovered a very old leaf that was obviously being kept together by some jutsu. He gently set the leaf down and looked at the note that came with it. It was very short.

I never stopped.

Was all it said. But Itachi recognized the writing and after a moment recognized the leaf. A smile slowly curved over Itachi's lips as he stared down at it. He brought the leaf absently to his lips before sealing it back in the letter. He looked towards the next letter and found he did not recognize the writing. He opened it and gently pulled the letter from the envelope and unfolded it.

Itachi-san,

I was told about your unfortunate accident. I do hope you will be more careful in the future. It is very unlike you to be so clumsy. I suppose we all have our days though. I do hope that rope did not leave bruises on that lovely ankle of yours. Warm regards and I look forward to our next meeting.

This note was unsigned.

It did not matter.

Itachi knew who wrote it and the chill that ran down his spine was violent. The room suddenly spun and he stumbled back. He moved towards the bathroom as fast as he could reaching the toilet just as vomit coursed its way up his throat. How could he have known? Tsunade had ensured very few would know! Spies! His damn spies! He shook violently, eyes clenched shut. Why was he so weak!? Why was this happening?

"Itachi, you're free to..." Sasuke's voice trailed off as he made his way into the room and found Itachi.

"Itachi!" He managed and rushed forward, reaching for Itachi before hesitating and pulling away. He waited until the heaving passed before speaking. "Do you need to see the doctor?" He asked and Itachi panted and swiftly shook his head.

"No...no I'm fine." He managed in a weak voice. Sasuke stared at him with a troubled expression. Itachi had just been puking. He obviously was not fine. He hesitantly reached for Itachi and allowed his fingers to brush over his back. Itachi tensed slightly at the touch but looked back at Sasuke, looking so old and yet so incredibly young that it left Sasuke dumbfounded.

"Can we go home?" He asked, voice still small and expression still raw. Sasuke could do nothing more than nod.

"Yeah...let's go home."

The walk back was tense. Itachi really should not have been surprised. All the frustration Sasuke felt was beginning to boil over. They barely looked at each other, barely spoke. Both too focused on making it back to the compound in one piece. As they entered the house, Itachi wanted to do nothing more than run to his room but Sasuke blocked his path.

"We need to talk about this." He stated firmly. Itachi knew he was being a coward, but he did not want to speak of it. He wanted to pretend it had never happened and things could return to normal. Sasuke hating him and Itachi silent. Now things have changed. With Itachi's failed suicide attempt, things can not go back to the way they were.

"Can't we do this later?" He muttered and Sasuke shook his head.

"We're talking about this now." He is the older brother now. He is the adult and Itachi, the younger. Itachi will listen and he will answer. Itachi stared at Sasuke, face guarded as he waited for Sasuke to speak. Sasuke seemed at a loss and Itachi closed his eyes.

"Didn't we go over this last night?" He asked tiredly and Sasuke looked away.

"Barely." The teenager muttered and Itachi sighed in annoyance.

"I tried to kill myself. You stopped me. End of story." Itachi stated, fixing Sasuke with a weary stare. "Why dwell?" He tried to walk passed Sasuke, but the teen grabbed his arm stopping him. He stared down at Itachi, his expression torn between annoyance and fear. Itachi's own annoyance spiked at Sasuke gentle touch. Kakashi had already made his view clear. Why was Sasuke acting like he was suddenly important? He pulled away and Sasuke let him. Itachi made a move towards the door but stopped, hands lifting to grip at the wooden frame as he stared down at his feet. Sasuke stared after him, that same child like lost expression on his face. And it hurt. It hurt knowing that he had effected Sasuke in such a way. That Sasuke was still his brother under all the cold aloof detachment. It burnt at Itachi who needed to lash out. To push Sasuke away while he still could.

"You can;t act like nothing happened-"

"Why are acting like this!?" The Uchiha snapped, spinning around to glare at Sasuke. Sasuke blinked in surprise and Itachi was once again painfully reminded that this was his little brother! "You don't care about me. We're enemies remember? What could you possibly gain b-"

"BECAUSE I NEARLY LOST YOU!" Sasuke screamed and Itachi stared wide eyed. Sasuke shook his head, eyes clenched shut. "I nearly lost you..." Before he realized what he was doing, Itachi was walking forward towards Sasuke who stared at him. Itachi was suddenly reaching out to his brother who swiftly and tightly wrapped his arms around him, pulling him close and burying his face into Itachi's hair. He clenched his eyes shut and inhaled sharply.

The brothers clung to each other in silence, neither able to find the words to speak. Neither willing to break the peace that for the first time in years existed between the two.

"I lost you once," Sasuke finally muttered, pressing his forehead against Itachi's and staring into his eyes. "I won't...I can't lose you again." Itachi closed his eyes and buried his face against Sasuke's shoulder, allowing his brother to hold on to him. There was safety in Sasuke's arms. Safety he had never felt with mother or father. He clung to his brother, desperate for the family he had lost. When they separated, Sasuke cupped Itachi's cheek in his hand and stared at his brother like he was something precious. It was not a look Itachi was used to seeing.

That night, he barely slept. He sat in his bed, staring at the ceiling, unsure what to do. Sleep evaded him and his thoughts were too jumbled. His dreams were harsh. He dreamed of what he assumed was the future. The blue man urging him to wake up before he found out too much.

"But I wish to know..." He would murmur and the blue man would offer him a fond smile.

"You will soon Itachi-san. But not today."

"What is your name?" Itachi would ask and the man would shake his head almost sadly.

"You will figure it out."

When the first drops of rain fell he turned to the window to watch it fall. Feeling jittery, Itachi stood and silently made his way down the hall. Sasuke was fast asleep and Itachi wished to leave him that way. He knew he was pushing his luck when he left the compound, but he could not help himself. The rain called to him and he answered that call.

He barely made it ten feet out of the compound before the rain let up and he stared into the cloudy sky. How ominous. He began to walk, the drizzle ticking his skin. Itachi approached the bridge and watched the water below. He felt his throat clench as the memory of yesterday filled his head and he looked away from the water. Itachi kept walking, hair drenched and still feeling jittery. He wondered if Danzō had sent any of his spies out and was nearly tempted to call out to them to face him. Instead, he walked back towards the compound. He had not gotten far when he sensed a familiar chakra nearby. Itachi stopped walking and closed his eyes.

"Kakashi." He greeted. He felt Kakashi approach and slowly turned to look at the man. Kakashi looked as exhausted as Itachi felt. Dark shadows were under his eyes and his skin looked paler than usual. His damp hair clung to his face.

"You're out here by yourself?"

"No. You're here." Itachi replied and Kakashi chuckled tiredly at that. "You knew I was following you?"

"Yes."

"Maaa, I'm slipping in old age, I guess." Kakashi mused and Itachi brushed his hair from his face, and looked at his feet.

"I received your letter." He murmured and Kakashi fought down a smile.

"Oh?"

"Mhm. And the leaf..." He pointed out and the Copy nin almost looked excited before his expression returned to his regular aloofness that Itachi had fallen so hard for. The man regarded Itachi with amused eyes.

"Was it too much?" Kakashi asked, suddenly self conscious and Itachi tilted his head with a smirk.

"No. I found it incredibly sweet." He murmured and Kakashi scoffed.

"Sweet? Damn I am slipping." Kakashi muttered and Itachi laughed. Actually laughed. He looked towards the sky and felt the rain dribble down his face.

"I have to go back now..." He managed, voice tired. "I don't want Sasuke to worry." He glanced back to Kakashi, expression returning to its usual blank state. Kakashi stared at him, wishing to say something but as usual remaining silent. He walked forward, approaching Itachi and taking the Uchiha's hand in his own. Itachi stared as he brought it to his lips and placed a gentle kiss against his knuckles.

"I'm so sorry." He murmured against Itachi's skin. Itachi closed his eyes and focused on his breathing before offering a slight nod.

"It's fine Kakashi-san," He murmured. The honorific was like a punch in the gut to Kakashi. "It's not important." He refused to look at Kakashi who after a moment of silence bid Itachi a goodnight. He listened as the man began to walk away, defeat radiating off him in waves. Hurt bubbled in Itachi's chest and he hated it. He opened his eyes and looked towards the man who should have been his lover.

"Kakashi!" Itachi called out, rushing towards the man. The Copy nin turned in confusion, head tilted.

"Ita-" His sentence was cut off as Itachi leaped into his arms, throwing his arms around Kakashi's neck and connecting his lips to the man's. Kakashi stumbled back, eyes wide ad the sudden kiss. He had certainly not been expecting that. Maybe a punch...Kakashi got over his surprise very quickly. He kissed back, hand gripping onto Itachi as the Uchiha clung to him. When they separated both were panting and Itachi offered the man a weak smile.

"I don't think I could have stopped," He murmured. "No matter why I left...I don't think I could have ever stopped loving you." He whispered against Kakashi's lips. He slowly pulled back, eyes half lidded. Kakashi smiled back. For a moment, for now...age meant nothing. It was simply Kakashi and Itachi. Kakashi was not the adult, Itachi not a child. They were not shinobi. They were simply two people who found each other in a sea of faces and felt the same pull. They were two people who found love in each other where they could not find it anywhere else.

"I should have helped you," Kakashi murmured, burying his face into the crook of Itachi's neck. "I should have been there."

"There was nothing you could have done." The Uchiha whispered back, his hair plastered against his face and neck. "My fate was sealed, no matter the reason."

"I love you." Kakashi blurted out, desperate for the boy to know. Desperate for him to understand that he always had. Itachi offered Kakashi a smile, and if there were tears in his eyes, the rain washed them away. He reached for Kakashi again. This gentle soft hearted shinobi. This boy who deserved the world but was blotted from it instead. Itachi pressed his lips to Kakashi's forehead.

"Perhaps in another life I could have made you happy," The Uchiha's voice was shaky, his hands on either side of Kakashi's face. "Maybe we could have had a happy ending...but not in this one. I've ruined those chances...and I'm so sorry. Maybe one day I'll find out why I did it. Maybe one day you will forgive me." He pulled the Copy nin in for another kiss and Kakashi returned it as if it were their last, as if to make up for the last time they kissed before everything burned around them. Itachi pulled away again, his lips laying a final gentle kiss on the side of Kakashi's cheek. "Forgive me, Kakashi-sempai..." He lips moved against Kakashi's ear, offering him a lovely smile and then he was gone. Running away from the Copy nin and towards the compound, Kakashi watching him go and feeling as powerless as he had the night Itachi left.

Above and unnoticed by either, stood two men. One wore an orange mask, the other a large cloak that he wore over his head. The man in the mask tuned to shook his head in amusement.

"I should have expected it from you Kakashi." He muttered before looking towards the cloaked figure. "What shall we do?"

"We simply watch, Obito." The cloaked figure stated softly. "Itachi's attempt on his life was most...surprising, so we watch very closely. If Danzō makes a move, we shall as well." The cloaked man turned on his heel and walked away from Obito who stared down at where Kakashi stood unaware.

"What should I tell Kisame?" Obito questioned without turning. "He has grown restless." Madara snorted at this.

"Tell him that he will see his lover again soon." He replied lazily. "As will I..." He chuckled at this and Obito fought down an eye roll. He tore his gaze away from Kakashi and looked towards his mentor.

"Yes, Madara-sama."

Hey everyone! Longer chapter, I know! I know, a lot of you were rather ticked with Kakashi, but he's not the villain here. He's not the hero either...but Itachi's got bigger fish to fry (Not Kisame) He has other plans for him ;) Oh and obviously I have take some liberties with the manga. Madara and Obito are allies in this and I have it so Obito and Itachi were the murderers of the Uchiha clan, with Madara as their...mentor. More will be explained in future chapters.