Warning: There will be mentions of sexual abuse in this chapter.
The tea house was fairly empty which was exactly how Genma preferred it. There was an elderly couple in one corner, a small group of Genin in another and Kakashi and him on the other side of the cafe. Kakashi was enjoying his tea and seemed at ease with the world. Genma grinned at his friend and stretched out dramatically, not glancing at his own tea. Genma used to hit on Itachi. Mostly to annoy Kakashi but also because he thought the kid was absolutely gorgeous. What's life without a healthy dose of rivalry between friends? He could remember one such conversation he had with Kakashi years before.
"Hey, Hatake." Genma greeted from the rooftop late one evening. Kakashi looked up and gave a lazy salute.
"Yo." Genma made his way down from the rooftop and hit the floor. He glanced towards Kakashi.
"You still on for tonight?" He asked and the Copy nin nodded. Genma grinned cheekily. "Shisui's coming...and you know that means Itachi's going to be there." He pointed out and Kakashi tilted his head. Though his expression was lax it was clear to see that this news pleased Kakashi.
"Good to know." He replied flippantly and Genma's grin was almost shark like. As the two headed down the street, Genma nudged the man to gain his attention.
"Oh? You know...I was hoping to ask the Uchiha on a date." He stated casually and Kakashi shrugged.
"I'm sure Shisui will be thrilled." He replied evenly and Genma laughed.
"Not that Uchiha. Itachi." Kakashi blinked once at this. His expression however remained neutral. He shrugged as if Genma taking Itachi on a date was not something to worry about.
"Really." It was not a question but Genma treated it as one.
"Yup, I have a thing for pretty boys." He winked at Kakashi who shrugged again. He walked ahead seemingly mulling over Genma's words. He let out a dramatic sigh and shook his head.
"I don't think you're Itachi's type." He stated almost sadly.
"Oh? And why is that?" Genma teased.
"He likes his men attractive."
Good times.
As he sat across the Copy nin enjoying some tea, he considered what harm would there be in reviving their playful rivalry? He leaned into his chair, his arms behind his head as he looked towards the ceiling.
"Hey." he stated catching the man's attention.
"Hmm?"
"So Itachi's single now, right?" He did not look at Kakashi but could fee the Copy nin's eyes on him.
"I assume." Kakashi replied after a moment and Genma nodded.
"I think I might ask him out." He stated lazily finally looking towards Kkakashi who had whipped out a book and was reading it.
"You can try." Kakashi replied, genially. Genma cocked his head.
"Try?" He prompted and Kakashi turned a page.
"You heard me."
Sasuke stared at the pile of dango Itachi had consumed and quickly glanced at his brother's stomach.
Nope, still flat.
Where did it all go? Did Itachi know some jutsu that kept him so tiny? He glanced back at Itachi who yet again offered him one and Sasuke shook his head.
"I'm good." He replied and headed towards the door, smiling slightly. When he approached his room he found a tomato sitting on the floor. For three days Itachi had left him a single tomato and Sasuke would be lying if he did not feel all warm and giddy knowing that Itachi was in his own way still trying to take care of him. The suicide attempt was in the front of his mind and he refused to let go of the image of Itachi's lifeless body dangling in his arms or how he had screamed and struggled against Sasuke's grip as he attempted to end his life. Sasuke would never forget.
He picked up the tomato and brought it to his lips.
Later he observe how rigid Itachi was as they walked towards Danzō's office. Before the suicide attempt Sasuke would not notice and even if he had, he would not care. But now he noticed and focused on these things. The way Itachi's lips tightened as they moved closer. He thought to ask but if Itachi was anything like him, he would receive no answer. Danzō was an asshole. Sasuke did not doubt this. So he used this time to distract Itachi and would talk a bit about his time on Team 7. Itachi would smile that same smile he used when Sasuke was telling him about how his day had been at the academy.
Itachi in turn would tell Sasuke about some of the missions he had been sent on that as a child Sasuke had been so curious about but Itachi would never tell. They did not mention their parents. They did not speak of Kakashi, although Sasuke knew he was going to have to face the man. When they reached Danzō's office they stilled.
"I'll be right outside alright?" Sasuke stated, feeling uneasy about leaving Itachi but Itachi offered him a kind smile and nodded.
Danzō was at his desk same as always, his back to Itachi. He turned slowly, face devoid of emotion as he came to face the Uchiha. He nodded gravely and motioned for Itachi to sit.
"I take you have have healed completely." The man stated and Itachi nodded.
"Yes, Danzō-sama."
"Good. I was quite worried about you. You had been my best operative and to hear you had nearly died...it was most unsettling." The man sat at his desk and fixed Itachi with a pointed stare. Itachi gazed back, expression perfectly blank. This seemed to please Danzō who smiled. It was a bitter smile and Itachi fought not to look away.
"You seem tired, Itachi." Danzō suddenly stated, voice almost bored. Itachi closed his eyes for a moment, considering his options. Lying was not one of them.
"Yes, Danzō-sama. It has been a trying last few days." He admitted blankly and Danzō nodded.
"Understandable. I assume you will be more cautious from here on out?"
"Yes, Danzō-sama."
Danzō leaned back in his chair, his fingers interlocked as he studied Itachi.
"You must be aware Itachi that the memories you lost may one day return to you. You must remember your training and know that you were once one of my men. I expect your loyalty." He spoke casually and watched as Itachi nodded slowly in understanding.
"I understand Danzō-sama." The boy stated and Danzō watched as if a weight was placed on the boy's chest. Anyone who was not Danzō would have missed it. But he has watched this boy. He knows this boy intimately. In a way that fool brother of his will never know. In a way Kakashi could only dream of. He has seen this child been made undone and it was glorious. He considered how the fool younger Uchiha would react if he admitted that he had fucked his brother. When he later called Sasuke into his office he wondered how enraged he would be if Danzō pointed to every surface he had taken the boy. How Itachi had been bent over the desk Danzō sat at or the chair Sasuke slumped in. It would prove to be comical. He would finally see how much of Fugaku Uchiha existed in his wayward angry youngest son. But now was not the time.
Best not.
Instead he discussed Itachi with the irate Uchiha. Asked about his well being and Sasuke would respond with hn's or other short answers. Danzō however, did not miss the spark in the teen's eyes. Different from before. Before there had been the hatred, the anger at the very mention of Itachi's name. Now there was still the possessiveness, but it intermingled with that determined need to protect. Much like Shisui's eyes when he found out what Danzō and Itachi had been doing. He dismissed the brothers and did not miss the suspicious glare Sasuke shot him over his shoulder. Things were moving along quite nicely.
"What was with him?" Sasuke asked as soon as the building was out of sight. Itachi glanced up at his brother with furrowed brows.
"Danzō-sama?" He asked and Sasuke nodded still looking put out.
"Has he always been so...?"
"Cold?" Itachi supplied and Sasuke nodded not sure if that was the word he would use. Itachi nodded. Itachi offered his sibling a slight smile.
"You've never been a fan of authority." He pointed out and Sasuke offered a smile of his own.
"Only yours." He replied and Itachi rose a brow, clearly amused. They entered the Uchiha compound and walked down the dusty street. The comfortable silence had become thick and awkward as they stared down the long strip of land that once was bustling with life and was now a ghost town. Sasuke glanced towards Itachi who was staring at the compound with a deeply troubled expression on his face.
Sasuke nudged Itachi and the boy glanced up at him. Offering Itachi a weak smile Sasuke motioned to the gates.
"Let's go. I have somewhere we can hang out."
Kisame could not contain the impatient sigh he had been holding when Madara finally called for him...or was it Obito? Honestly Kisame didn't care. The masked Uchiha had called him to the office for a reason and Kisame hoped it was the reason he suspected it was. He sat by the desk, nonchalant as Madara studied him. They sat in tense silence for a moment before the Uchiha let out a low sigh and shook his head.
"We will not be going after him."
"WHAT!?" Kisame was suddenly on his feet, bearing down on the masked man. Madara/Obito lifted a hand to calm him.
"We cannot just rush in unless we have a plan of attack. You wouldn't want Itachi getting caught in the crossfire now would you?"
Kisame was reluctant to agree but he slowly sat back down, body tensed. He stared unhappily at the Uchiha, wondering if snapping his neck would be appropriate.
"What is it you're trying to do here?" He growled and Madara/Obito scoffed.
"I'm trying to keep this quickly dwindling organization afloat, while you Hoshigaki are thinking with the wrong head." He fixed the Kiri nin with a blank stare. "We will go after Itachi, when the time is right." He stood and fixed Kisame with a slight smile that the guy could not even see. Kisame nodded, still looking displeased but left the office. Obito stared after Kisame before sighing.
"You can come out now." He stated and Zetsu swiftly appeared. "Is Hidan healing?"
"Quite well. He's already threatening to sodomize everyone."
"Excellent." Obito glanced at Zetsu. "Keep an eye on Kisame. Madara will not be pleased if he runs off to play hero." Zetsu nodded before disappearing into the earth again. Obito removed his mask and fought down a groan. Just one day or normality. Was that too much to ask? His remaining family was so fucked up.
Sitting on the Hokage's head, the two brothers overlooked the village. The sun was low and cast a brilliant orange hue. Sasuke sat close to Itachi, chin resting on his knees as he stared out at the treeline. He imagined life beyond the village. For over two years he had traveled outside its boundaries and he would be lying if he said he did not miss it. Besides his obsession with Itachi, he had found he enjoyed the freedom he was given.
"This village bores me." He muttered and Itachi glanced at his brother, head tilted as he waited for him to clarify. "I've been all over and now...I don't know what to do." He watched the boarders of Konoha almost hungrily and Itachi offered Sasuke a slight smile.
"You're young. You'll find your way." He stated in that normal understanding voice of his. Sasuke glanced at Itachi curiously.
"What did you want, Itachi? If you could be or having anything in the world, what would it be?" The Uchiha stared at his brother who gazed at the village, eyes dark and pondering. Itachi motioned for Sasuke to come closer. The teenager did so curiously as Itachi leaned forward.
What secrets did Itachi have?
What was he going to say?
Was this some life changing information that Sasuke was privy to?
Poke.
Sasuke blinked. And blinked again. He lifted a hand to touch his forehead where Itachi had poked him. The smile that spread across his lips was almost painful with how large it was. Itachi smiled back, eyes closed. They returned their gazes to the village and watched as the sun began to dip down below the buildings. Itachi kept his eyes closed as the sun warmed his face. He felt Sasuke shift beside him and lay down on the rock.
"…You're my best friend and the only one I can count on… Protect the village… and the Uchiha name."
Itachi's eyes shot open and he turned looking for the source of noise but Shisui was not there. It was only him and Sasuke. He continued to look around, almost hoping that his friend would make an appearance. He never did.