A big thank you to everyone who is reading this! So we're getting down to the wire for Itachi here. He's going to have to run soon. No doubt this is going to cause some angst for Sasuke. But what is Sasuke without angst? I don't know how to explain the whole Danzō Itachi thing. While reading the manga, Danzō creeped me out. I guess something about forcing a child to do your dirty work is sort of off putting. I've always headed cannoned Itachi as a submissive person. Sexually or not. He's very self sacrificing and giving and Sasuke has always struck me as the dominating force. He wanted and he took. So I write their personalities as such.

Anyway, much thanks! On with the story!

It should have only been expected that the pervy sage and the nin that read porn in public would meet up for a day of frivolity and general tomfoolery. Jiraya made a point of after traumatizing Naruto and Sasuke to waltz off and find Kakashi and invite him out for sake. This led to the two walking down a long stretch of road, chatting and having a grand old time until the old pervert got distracted. Jiraya laughed and nudged Kakashi's arm before pointing to Sasuke and Naruto. Kakashi followed the pervert's pointed fingers and his eyes settled on his two students who stood, shoulders brushing against the tree. The copy nin fought down a smile and turned to the Sannin who looked incredibly pleased with the two boy's relative closeness. He crossed his arms over his powerful chest and offered Kakashi a grin.

"Should have known those two had it in deep for each other." He mused and Kakashi nodded in agreement. The continued to watch the pair who were blissfully ignorant of the two men watching. At least, until Sasuke lifted his gaze and glared at Kakashi for a moment before grabbing Naruto by the arm and dragging him out of sight. Kakashi snickered while Jiraya shook his head.

"Kids these days..." He turned to look at the Copy nin. "Speaking of which I heard from Tsunade that a certain Uchiha was back in the village and thirteen years old." Kakashi kept his face neutral as he looked towards the Sannin.

"Yes, Itachi." He watched the older man nod.

"Dangerous kid that one. But still...it seems weird that he would just snap one day. Tsuande tells me he's incredibly sweet."

"He is." Kakashi said quickly in Itachi's defense. Jiraya nodded thoughtfully.

"So are the rumors true?"

"What rumors?" Kakashi questioned airily.

"That you and Itachi were one...involved?" Kakashi snorted at this.

"Hardly. Yeah we were...together but it never became something sexual."

"You were waiting for him to be old enough." Jiraya stated, smiling.

"I'm a pervert. But I'm not a rapist." Kakashi countered as they took a seat on a nearby bench. "Itachi had too much on his plate already. He needed at least something to save." He leaned back and looked towards the sky hearing Jiraya hum approvingly. Sasuke had approached him earlier sharing similar concerns with the Copy nin of Itachi's behavior recently. Something was upsetting the Uchiha and both wanted to find out what.

"That right there..." He trailed off and Kakashi eyed him.

"What?"

"That comment just proves that you care for him." Kakashi's lips twitched at this and he returned his attention to the clear blue sky, watching a crow circle by.

"I guess it does..."

Meanwhile, Sasuke dragged Naruto down an alley, frustrated at being spotted by the old and even older pervert. Naruto seemed non pulsed and continued chatting happily as Sasuke released him and stepped back. He glanced around, finally realizing that Sasuke had dragged him into a deserted alley and scrunched his nose up.

"Why are we here, Sasuke?" He asked and the older boy crossed his arms and leaned against the stone building.

"Change of scenery." He shrugged, eyes locked intently on the blonde who blinked.

"Huh?"

"Damn you're dumb."

Before Naruto could respond to the jibe, Sasuke grabbed him by the arm and swung his around. Naruto blinked in surprise at the sudden motion and attempted to speak but Sasuke erased whatever words he could think of by slamming his lips against the blonde's. The kiss was quick but was obviously intentional. Sasuke kissed Naruto like he wanted to pour all his regrets and frustrations into it. He kissed like a man drowning in desperation. His hands tightened on Naruto's arm and he swiftly pulled back, eyes shadowed in what Naruto recognized as an attempt to hide. Naruto Uzumaki however was not having it. He pushed forward, gripping Sasuke's collar and returned the kiss just as desperately. The Uchiha wrapped an arm around the blonde drawing him as close as possible.

"Dobe." He muttered against Naruto's lips and the blonde let out a low laugh, nipping the raven's bottom lip.

"Teme." He shot back, eyes alight with challenge. It was a game to them. A challenge. Both wanting to beat each other. They were desperate for it. So like all their challenges, neither would back down and they were once again kissing each other hidden in the dark alley.

Danzō had not called for Itachi since giving the order. These last few days were for Itachi. He appreciated the man for it. Even though it filled him with utter disgust for feeling like the man had given him a gift. And just like he had managed eight years ago, Itachi acted as if nothing had changed. He allowed Karin to braid his hair and murmur happily about her budding romance with Suigetsu. They sat outside, Karin cross legged and smiling slightly.

"Not that Sasuke-kun is incredibly handsome...but a lady can only wait so long." Itachi fought down the urge to point out that Sasuke's romantic interest was certainly not a lady. He watched Suigetsu and Juugo train, feeling like those two teens brought out something good in his brother. Itachi helped Sakura do her shopping and when the pink haired girl had offhandedly murmured about Sasuke, he had deflected her attention to the attributes that Lee possessed.

"But Sasuke-kun..." She trailed off, brows furrowing as she thought about Lee. "Lee is very kind... and funny...charming in his own way..." Her lips twitched into a smile and she looked towards Itachi. "You and Ino have both said I should give Lee a shot...I think I will." Itachi offered her a slight twitch of his lips and nodded.

"I think you just might make his day."

As Danzō had predicted the memories for the days leading up to the massacre raced through his mind. His body was tried as it had been then. Madara and Obito appeared before him in preparation for his deed. Suicide was on his mind just like it was in the last. He couldn't do it...he couldn't kill his family...perhaps he could end his life when it was all over...but Sasuke would still be alive. And if Itachi was dead, who would protect him from Danzō?

At night his eyes began to ache and when he went to rub at them he would realize he was bleeding. He had no doubt that this meant the Mangekyou sharingan was nearly ready to rear its ugly head.

He was running out of time...

The next morning, Itachi quietly padded into his brother's room. The older boy was still asleep and Itachi hesitated to disturb him. However, his days with his brother were very limited and he wished to make the most of the time he had. So like Sasuke used to do with Itachi during thunderstorms, Itachi slid in the bed beside Sasuke and curled against the warmth he offered. Sasuke's eyes slowly flickered open and he lay very still for a moment confused.

"Itachi?" He muttered, feeling itachi's soft hair brush his nose. Itachi hummed, face pressed against the teen's neck. He felt Sasuke relax against him and a hand lightly brushed through his hair.

"You're very warm." Itachi stated and Sasuke snorted.

"And you're freezing."

Itachi's lips curled into a smile and he curled under the blankets while Sasuke snorted in amusement. Itachi turned and buried his face in the crook of Sasuke's neck. He felt the older boy tense up in shock before hesitantly wrapping his arms around Itachi. The taller Uchiha lay his cheek against the top of Itachi's head and closed his eyes, holding him close. It would be their final embrace.

At a peak of a lone mountain, Kisame Hoshigaki faced the sunrise. He watched it creep up, eyes narrowed. Behind him, ready for his signal stood Hidan and Zetsu. Obito sat lazily on a nearby rock, foot jiggling. Kisame turned back to observe the three.

"We infiltrate at nightfall. Our orders were to grab Itachi and go. As much as I enjoy killing, Itachi is our priority here. If I see a single scratch on him I will cut off your dicks and shove them up your asses." He stared all of them down, watching Zetsu frown.

"You kinky fucker." Hidan whispered in awe. Kisame turned away.

"Let's go."

For nearly seven months Kisame and Itachi had worked together. One would think that after nearly seven months the two would begin to form some sort of understanding. But nope. Kisame hated Itachi and Itachi was indifferent to Kisame. Usually when Kisame disliked a partner as strongly as he did Itachi they would simply...disappear. But Leader-sama had been smart this time Despite his appearances, the Uchiha was easily the more powerful of the two. Kisame would be a fool to claim otherwise...

Still there had to be other way to dispose of the little shit. Kakuzu had even had the audacity to ask him if he was going soft on the brat! Soft!? Kisame Hoshigaki was not soft! His eyes drifted to his silent partner as the crested a hill. Itachi's face was impassive as it always was, his eyes activated. Kisame sneered and glanced back at the notes for the mission they were given.

It was the ever so easy sneak in, assassinate some uppity asshole and sneak back out. He briefly considered how easy it would be to break the kid's ankle while he was distracted and leave him to the fury of his victims...better not. In any event the mission had turned out as easy as he expected. Kisame had killed the guy, unnoticed y his body guards and the two were able to make their escape into the night.

However, they were spotted on the boarder of the village and were quickly pursued by eight henchmen. Kisame was seen as the bigger threat and so six of the nin went for him while two focused on Itachi. Kisame swung Samehada, laughing as he took down two nin with a single hit. It was child's play. Kisame had thought this as he spared a glance at Itachi who gracefully seemed to dance around the field. His eyes glowed eerily in the night. Suddenly another six nin leaped down from the trees. Itachi eyed the situation.

"Kisame we have to go." He advised as he came closer to the Kiri nin, fighting off a hulking man. Kisame laughed.

"Getting nervous Itachi-chan?" He leered. Itachi ignored the jibe and ducked under the nin's attack, kicking him back.

"Kisame, we are outnumbered." He stated through gritted teeth. But Kisame continued to laugh. He was in his element here, he was high flying, he was- The kunai howled through the air and struck him directly in the back. Kisame faltered, stumbling forward and Itachi was quickly there to grasp his arm and hold him upright. Kisame grit his teeth and pushed the boy away from him.

"I'm fine." He grunted. Itachi quickly took down the remaining nin and moved to help Kisame but the man roughly shoved Itachi aside. He managed to reach back and yank the kunai out of his skin and tossed it aside.

Several more kunai soared through the air, this time with Itachi as their target. Without thinking Kisame moved forward and pushed Itachi aside, taking at least two more hits. One to the arm and on to the leg. His grip on Samehada slacked slightly. He grunted, teeth bared from the pain. he felt Itachi move beside him, gripping his arm. Feet rushed at the pair and Kisame attempted to fight on. He made it two steps before crashing to his knees. No doubt the brat was going to cut his losses and run. A ringing noise echoed through his ears and before he could move again, the world went dark.

He awoke sometime later in a cave. His cloak and shirt were gone and he could smell the familiar tang of salve. He tensed as his arm was touched and looked towards Itachi who met his gaze for a movement.

"You're awake."

"Obviously."

Kisame grit his teeth as Itachi applied the antiseptic. He fought the urge to smack those little hands away. He scowled at the teenager who methodically wrapped his wrist before moving onto his back. Kisame tensed as Itachi's fingers lightly brushed around the wound.

"You're lucky it didn't hit your spine." He commented as Kisame scowled. He slowly sat up, batting Itachi's hands away as he did so.

"You shouldn't move too much. You're still healing."

"I'll live." Kisame grunted and a spark entered Itachi's eyes. He closed his eyes for a moment and breathed slowly.

"You're at risk of infection out here. We're a two day journey from the hideout." He spoke calmly.

"Ohhh, Itachi-san." Kisame mocked, batting his eyelashes. "I didn't know you cared."

"I do not care for you. It would simply be undesirable to explain to our leader why you died." Itachi replied evenly and wiped his hands on a rag. Kisame's lips curled into a leer as he stared the brat down.

"That's a relief. We already know what happens to people you get close to." Kisame spat back. The boy turned away, expression once more closed off. His back stiff as a board. There was a moment of heavily silence.

"Get some rest. We leave at dawn." Itachi walked away.

Kisame stared after him and could not explain the sudden guilt he felt. Must be blood loss...

Obito trailed behind the group, humming softly as he walked. Kisame walked with such purpose. Obito grinned at the Kiri nin's back before looking towards the sky and watching the sun.

"Hope you're ready Itachi-san." He mused. "We're coming for you."