Oh wow! I am loving the feedback! Seriously, guys this is great! Well I couldn't leave you hanging after last chapter and so...here it is!

Sasuke stared uncomprehending at the boy in front of him. He stared at that round bloodstained face, into those large doe like eyes with their long curly lashes. Eyes that now glowed bright red and held none of the warmth Sasuke was become associated with. He opened his mouth to speak but no noise came out. The smaller Uchiha stared on back, expression cold and uninterested. The spiky haired Uchiha suddenly shook his head.

"No." he spoke with a finality as if that one phrase would change Itachi back into his soft hearted kind eyed brother. The Itachi thing tilted his head, an elegant eyebrow risen in clear amusement.

"No?" He prompted, voice void of emotion. Sasuke shook his head, eyes clenching shut for a moment.

"No," He began again. "You're lying. This is some trick. Aniki...Nii-san..." He stared at Itachi, silently begging for the boy to offer him a smile and laugh it off as a joke. Itachi never did though. He merely watched Sasuke with that same damned expression he wore eight years ago. It was not his Itachi staring back at him. It might be that same baby faced, doe eyed boy but it was not him. Not anymore. Anger gave way to hysterics and the taller Uchiha slowly shook his head. He took one step back, and then another.

"So that's why you've been acting so off these last few days, huh?" He barked. He had been such an idiot! he had thought Itachi was stressed or being hurt by Danzō. But the truth was much darker. How long had Itachi been regaining his memories? Had Sasuke been so blinded by his adoration for the boy that he missed what he really was? Sasuke shook his head again. "It was never Danzō. It was your memories returning." He watched Itachi tilt his head up.

"Indeed," He replied evenly. "My memories were slow in returning. But in the end..." He trailed off at this, his red eyes staring lazily into Sasuke's. "You should have killed me when you had the chance." All around Itachi, lay the ghosts of the family he slaughtered. Like the eyeless Shisui, they lay like marionettes cut from their strings. Broken and bloody and only Itachi could see them.

Sasuke's back stiffened, his hand gripping the hilt of his sword.

"I'll kill you now!" He unsheathed the weapon and charged at his brother who lazily turned the Mangekyō Sharingan onto the taller boy.

"You never learn do you?" Itachi easily evaded the katana and pivoted on his foot, roughly kicking Sasuke in the gut and thrusting him backwards. Sasuke caught himself and without hesitation leaped forward, activating his eyes. They met blows and blocked any contact, Itachi quick on his feet against Sasuke's violent tactics. The parried for several moment, leaping onto rooftops and skidding across the dirt path, billowing dust. When several chakras suddenly appeared Itachi quite nearly rolled his eyes. Sasuke snarled at them to back off. That Itachi was his. Itachi could faintly feel Obito's chakra and hoped that he would appear before Itachi would need to defend himself. With the Mangekyō Sharingan, he did not doubt that he could defeat many of them. But he wanted desperately to avoid it.

There were so many of them. Naruto and Sakura stood grimly on the roof. Guy and Asuma's team on the ground. Kurenai's and several ANBU behind them. Kakashi stood at the head of them, arms crossed lazily over his chest as he regarded the expressionless Uchiha.

"My, my Itachi," Kakashi hummed. "You're in quite a predicament." Genma shifted in his spot, eyes narrowed at the Uchiha. All around, shinobi stood ready to spring forward. Itachi slowly smirked eyes narrowed.

"Oh?" He mocked. "I see no predicament." He could sense Obito moving faster, the man would be there soon. Kakashi let out a cold brittle laugh, pulling down his mask to activate his eye.

"Then you are more blind than expected." He snarled, utterly enraged over what had transpired. He had been blind again. He had missed Itachi's change, again! If Itachi was not on such high alert he would have felt more guilt for hurting the man he cared for so deeply, but now weariness filled his heart. He had broken the man's heart before. Doing so again should not hurt as much as it did. This pain was not foreign. He had dealt with this pain before. Kakashi launched himself forward at the same time Sasuke did, both activating Chidori and filling the area with the shrieking birds. Itachi's attention focused first on Kakashi and as quickly as he could trapped him in Tsukuyomi as soon as the Copy nin had looked in his eye. Kakashi went down hard and Sasuke let out a scream as he advanced on Itachi. Before he could make contact, an arm swooped down and grabbed Itachi dragging him back.

The arm wrapped around him, squeezed gently and Itachi met Kisame's eyes. The Kiri nin smiled at him, obviously relieved he had reached him in time.

"Well well well. Itachi-san, you have quite the following here." Kisame stated, offering the boy a toothy grin. Hidan and Zetsu stood close behind, Hidan waggling his eyebrows mockingly at Shikamaru and Chouji. Kisame's smile turned sad as he took in Itachi's bloodied face. Itachi blinked once at the large man before looking towards Tobi who stood arms crossed and regarding the small Uchiha.

"Hey brat." He greeted with a wave. "Ready to fly?"

"Like hell he is!" Sasuke snarled and Tobi cocked his head at the enraged teen.

"Temper, temper." The man chided offering Itachi another look. "Did your mother teach him no manners?" Itachi did not answer Tobi and instead watched Kakashi struggle to his feet with Naruto's support. The blonde looked towards Itachi, expression pained. Itachi's heart ached at the sight. Kisame took Samehada and studied the surrounding shinobi. Karin, Juugo and Suigetsu had managed to regain consciousness and stumbled out the door. Sasuke barely spared them a glance. Karin stood tense by the house, watching the situation unfold while Suigetu and Juugo came to Sasuke's side.

Before the shinobi or Akatsuki could react, several ROOT agents leaped from the roof, surrounding the group. Hidan cursed and lifted his scythe to swat at the first nin.

"I would not suggest that." A new voice rang out and Itachi closed his eyes. ROOT agents blocking their only exit. So the man had betrayed him after all. Tobi suddenly laughed, shoving Itachi towards Hidan who gripped his arm. The masked man then faced Danzō.

"Danzō, Danzō, Danzō," Tobi chided in an amused tone while Itachi stared at the ROOT leader blankly. "You play a dangerous game." Danzō smiled blandly, his eyes never leaving Itachi.

"I could hardly allow a traitor to escape." Danzō let out a weary sigh. Itachi's stomach dropped at this. After all that he had done to assure this escape...and Danzō had smashed it. "I had seen the signs of his returning memories but...I was too late to stop them." Kakashi blinked at this, realizing that was why the man had been acting oddly. Itachi had played them for fools.

"Yes, well we can't have traitors about can we? But I suppose the question is...what do you have planned for my little bird?" Tobi shot a glance at Itachi who had not looked away from Danzō. It was obvious to Obito that the way was disturbed by something. He did not doubt that the old bastard had returned to his...less than kindly ways. Danzō caught the boy's stare and he fought down a sneer. This boy had failed him already. The old man looked back expression disappointed. At the mention of the old man's name Kisame slowly faced Danzō. His grin turning feral.

"Shimura Danzō. I've been wanting to meet you for some time." The kiri nin greeted and moved forward. Ahhh yes. Danzō. Itachi had told him so much about him. During their first night together...how Itachi had violently flinched away, looking far more frightened than Kisame had ever seen him before. This man had desecrated his lover. A wild fear flew through Kisame's mind that he had been doing it still, if Itachi's slightly hunched shoulders were any indication. It was like a punch to the gut. This man needed to suffer. Kisame could ensure that happened.

"Down boy." Tobi chided, smacking Kisame's arm with a half hearted scowl. Kisame hardly heard him. His blood roared in his ears as he finally met the man who tormented his lover's nightmares. He gripped Samehada and kept his eyes glued on Danzō.

"Hidan, get Itachi out of here." Kisame ordered softly, not wanting Itachi to witness this. The Jasin saluted with a leer and turned to the Uchiha.

Hidan moved to scoop Itachi up but the boy suddenly spoke.

"Touch me and you will lose that hand." Itachi coldly stated, not looking at the Jashin.

"Gettin' kinky already princess?" Hidan teased but backed off. The Uchiha looked towards Kisame and the two stared intently at each other as if having a silent conversation. Sasuke tried to struggle to his feet. Kisame frowned as the boy shook his head once. Kisame's grip tightened for a moment, desperate to disregard Itachi's request. But the sooner he got Itachi out of here the better. Kisame sighed and shot Danzō a disgusted glare before backing off. Itachi glided by, back straight and did not look back towards Sasuke who stood his ground, glaring after him. He did not need to look at him to address him.

"It was foolish for you to allow me to live." He began, eyes on the moon. "You are still so weak. It is laughable." He turned his gaze towards Danzō, looking like he wished to speak but instead he lifted his chin and in an act of defiance offered the man a chilling smile.

"You've shown your cards Danzō-sama. Shall I show mine?" He asked softly. Danzō paled slightly, his visible eye narrowing. Itachi looked away.

He never would betray him.

He was bound to silence to protect this village. To protect Sasuke. No matter how much he wished to run into Sasuke's arms and reveal everything he never could. Shisui did not die for their clan's name to be ruined. He could recall his parent's parting words. He would honor their last wishes and look after Sasuke. He would be stronger. He would bring honor back to the clan. Sasuke had not suffered for nothing. Itachi had not been defiled to just be captured before Sasuke could kill him. Obito seemed to understand this as he casually moved forward, teasingly petting Itachi's hair as he passed while Sasuke stared at him with narrowed eyes.

"Not that this hasn't been a pleasant get together, but we must be off." He lifted his hand to wave and Sasuke snapped.

"HE'S NOT GOING ANYWHERE!" The Uchiha screamed, his curse mark activating. Before anyone could comprehend what had happened, Sasuke shoved passed Tobi and approached his brother. A sinister aura surrounded the teen and he lifted his eyes to stare at Itachi who gazed back calmly.

"You're going to die, Aniki." Sasuke sneered as his skin began to change. Kisame stared at Itachi, waiting for his next move. The boy was so calm. As if nothing could shake him. The surrounding nin backed away from the enraged Uchiha while Naruto tried to push passed Kakashi to get to the teen. Itachi closed his eyes.

"Not today, Otouto. Perhaps another time." He whispered and Sasuke snarled at this. How dare he say that. How dare he!

Realizing the danger, Sasuke posed to everyone in the area, Kakashi darted forward, Sharingan swirling and Sasuke turned on him.

"Sasuke, stop!" Kakashi shouted as Sasuke roared. Juugo and Suigetsu jumped in to help Kakashi. Sasuke swiftly turned on the Copy nin, teeth barred and his eyes darkening. Danzō smiled slowly at this and looked towards the smaller Uchiha. Itachi was staring and Kakashi and Sasuke int tense silence. Sasuke's rage now focused on the man who put himself between his revenge. The two clashed and with them distracted, Hidan grabbed Itachi and darted for the trees. Itachi did not struggle. The fight having been washed from him. Yet he could not help but a quick glance over his shoulder, eyes bright with concern as he stared at Kakashi subdue Sasuke. Sakura's hands glowing as she went for the teen. Naruto briefly met the boy's gaze and lowered his eyes quickly. He could not look at Itachi. Not now. Itachi stared back as long as he could, until the compound and his brother were left in the distance. He tightened his grip on Hidan's arm and clenched his eyes shut.

This was for Sasuke's own good.

Sasuke would get stronger.

It needed to happen.

No matter how much it hurt.

"After them!" Danzō ordered desperately. ROOT sprung into action, Sai looking torn on what to do. Ino gripped his arm, keeping him at her side.

Sasuke had not moved from the street, still kneeling in the dirt and staring into the distance. Slowly, Naruto approached and knelt at his side. He did not touch the Uchiha. He did not dare. Kakashi, Genma, Guy and several shinobi stood behind watching the teen. Sakura moved forward, hands clutching the forehead protector Itachi had lost in the fray. She held it out to Sasuke who stared at it uncomprehendingly. The lost expression slowly faded away and in its place ...The expression on Sasuke's face was terrifying. A hatred that Naruto had never seen ever before, blossoming across Sasuke's handsome features.

"I will hunt him down." Sasuke began, voice rough. He took the forehead protector from Sakura and stared at it. Karin closed her eyes tightly. "I will find him." Neji stood tense, looking towards Hinata who shook her head slowly. "He will suffer for this." Ino and Chouji flinched. Shino slowly shook his head. "As he's never suffered before." Kiba nodded jerkily, expression hardening along with Shikamaru's and Genma's. "He will beg for death by the time I am through." Naruto shot Sakura an apprehensive look that was returned. "And he will die. Slowly and in agony." Sasuke suddenly grasped Naruto's arm, yanking him close. "It was you who pitied him," He snarled, eyes swirling. "It was you who made me soft!" Naruto roughly shoved Sasuke away.

"It was better than what you were becoming!" Naruto snapped back. Sasuke whirled on Kakashi.

"What about you Kakashi-sempai?" The teen spat. "It's obvious the Dobe doesn't want me going after him but what about you? Do your feelings for your ex lover blind your senses?" Kakashi's expression was unreadable.

"What I think means nothing. It is your choice."

"So if I return here with that bitch's severed head, you will say nothing?" Naruto and Sakura flinched and the Copy nin shrugged, unimpressed.

"Itachi was lost a long time ago. His husk is all that remains." With this said, Kakashi began to walk towards the entrance of the compound. The remaining nin parted for him, Guy and Genma sharing quick concerned looks. Before Kakashi was through the entrance he stilled. "I will help you in this. When you go after him, I will go with you."

"So will I." Sakura spoke up softly.

"And me!" Suigetsu declared with Juugo at his side. Slowly Kiba, Shikamaru, Neji, Sai, Genma, Guy and Karin voiced their support. Hinata and Ten Ten quickly refused. Ino at their side. Shino and Chouji also refused. Lee stared at Guy as if unable to understand the idea of going after a boy. No matter who it was. No matter what they've done. Sasuke looked to Naruto who slowly shook his head.

"I can't follow you on this Sasuke."

"He's not a kid anymore!" Sasuke sneered. "You know what he's done."

"I do. But I know what you've done too." Naruto replied, looking towards Hinata and Ten Ten who offered him weak nods. The blonde gulped and looked back towards his friend. "I hope you find whatever you're looking for Sasuke. I can't keep chasing you. Not anymore."

"Then you're even more of a dead last than I thought." The Uchiha spat. Sakura flinched at this. Naruto stared at the raven coldly.

"Better dead last then what you're becoming Sasuke."

"Oh? And what is that?" Sasuke asked.

"Your brother."

Sasuke charged forward, Sakura and Juugo grasping him to hold him back. Naruto stood very still, fists clenched tightly as his own chakra began to spill out. He breathed sharply to curb it. Sasuke glared at him with raw hatred.

"You fucking dare Uzumaki! He's a fucking monster! He has no fucking soul!"

"HE TRIED TO KILL HIMSELF!" Naruto screamed back, shocking those who had not known. "HOW COULD HE HAVE TRIED TO KILL HIMSELF IF HE DIDN'T REGRET KILLING HIS FAMILY! No one is born evil. How could he have changed in a week?" Naruto croaked and Neji frowned in thought. Sasuke shook Sakura off of him. He shot Naruto a withering glare.

"I will find Itachi," He firmly stated. "I will find him and he will die. No amount of your pity can help him now." He roughly shoulder checked the blonde as he passed. Kakashi stared after the Uchiha, eyes empty. Naruto watched him in trepidation.

"He's too far gone now." Kakashi murmured. "Itachi, what have you done..." He spoke this in disgust and shook his head. He did not spare Naruto a glance as he charged through the gate and was swallowed by the night.

Okay so the truth about Danzō will be revealed eventually. There needs to be some angst between the brother's for a bit. Anyway...so now Sasuke's back on avenger mode! That boy really needs a hobby... Thank you again everyone! See you next chapter!