I love how I originally came back to the Naruto fandom to fix some of my awful KisaIta stories from when I was a wee child and am now writing more awful KsaIta stories as a wee adult. Oh and look! I now ship KakaIta! Like god dammit Kakashi I don't have time for your smolder. Kisame's body builder charm was enough! Now I need to write enough Naruto stories to cancel out my awful high school ones...

Warning: Raunchy language in this chapter!

Sasuke was still under his hands. His breathing far too slow. Itachi placed trembling hands against the wound. His brother should not be like this. His little brother... Kakashi was not moving. Itachi forced himself away from his brother to check on his lover. he ignored his exhausted limbs screaming at him. He reached Kakashi and let out a breath of relief when he heard the Copy nin breathe. He placed a weak kiss against the man's temple before returning to his brother. Danzō was gone. To where Itachi did not know. Nor did he care. Itachi slumped against Sasuke's side, his limbs quitting him. His breath puffed against Sasuke's ashen cheek and he reached for his brother, stroking his fingers over the pale skin.

"Otouto..." Itachi managed. His eyes drooped and he fought to stay awake. Footsteps approached and Itachi instinctively curled around Sasuke as best he could. He felt a pair of hands reach for him and the motion had his head spinning. Whatever Danzō had done to his eyes had completely depleted his chakra. He had never felt so weak before. When Itachi realized he was being separated from Sasuke he began to struggle.

"Help...him...help him..." Itachi managed weakly. One of the figures moved away from him and towards Sasuke, while the other continued to work on Itachi. "Sa...suke..." Itachi's voice came out garbled and his little hand trembled in his brother's direction.. Obito clicked in tongue. He looked up from Sasuke and towards Madara who was lifting Itachi into his arms. Itachi gripped Shisui's eyeball desperately, suddenly afraid he would loose it.

"How bad is it?" Madara asked Obito without looking away from Itachi.

"He'll heal. The blood flow is slowing..." He trailed off as he looked towards Kakashi. He felt Sasuke move under him and focused back on the teen.

"Konoha nin are headed this way. Grab the brat and let's go." Madara ordered as he headed for the entrance of the destroyed hideout. Itachi blinked and tried to move against the man but Madara shushed him. Everything became hazy and soon block dotted his vision.

He was floating... The world above him slowly moved onward and he stared at the sky as it passed by. Madara gripped the Uchiha against his chest. Behind him he could hear Obito carrying Sasuke. He turned, facing his student, Itachi limp in his arms. One hand limp and hanging in the air and the other tucked in a fist against his chest.

"We will take them to the safe house. No doubt Danzō will return." His voice lowered at this.

"And when he does?" Obito asked, shifting Sasuke in his arms, careful to not disturb the wound. Madara smiled and began walking.

He never answered.

Kakashi awoke to urgent voices. Annoyance flared briefly as he just wanted to sleep and these voices were making it rather difficult. He opened his eyes blearily, noting Guy, Yamato and Genma were in the hospital room with him. Yamato was in the chair closest to him while Genma stood arms crossed by the windows and Guy sat in the other chair. They all looked to him and there was a moment of awkward silence.

"Morning sunshine." Genma finally managed, offering a little grin. He felt absolutely shitty about what had happened at the Akatsuki hideout. When Danzō had shown up and announced Jiraya's death of course he was going to head back to Konoha, but he had not even gone back for Kakashi...Guy too felt similar guilt. He should have stuck with Kakashi while he was facing Itachi. The Uchiha was dangerous even at that age...

"How are you feeling?" Yamato asked and Kakashi shrugged.

"Maaa, I've been worse." He shrugged, his head still aching. Had they failed to kill Itachi? "So if I don't recall much how do I report this to the Hokage and the elders?" He quipped and Guy rubbed his temple.

"We have Danzō's testimoney."

"Danzō was there?" Kakashi blinked feeling stupid.

"Yeah but you won't be able to speak with him for awhile..."

"Such a shame..." Genma replied airily earning a scowl from Guy.

"Danzō's still in the hospital..." Guy stated and Kakashi's brows furrowed as he tried to recall what had happened. He was met with a black spot where that day had been.

"Danzō? Why?"

"Itachi tore his eye out." Genma stated, his own eyes narrowed. Kakashi stared in disgust. Why did nothing that bitch do surprise him anymore?

"Why don't I remember anything?' He asked and the scowls he was met with before deepened.

"Itachi used Tsukuyomi on you before Danzō reached you." Guy stated softly and Kakashi closed his eyes.

"Of course he did. Anything else I missed?" He noticed the glances his friends were shooting each other and he stared in dread. "What happened?" Guy looked towards his friend, thick brows furrowed as he fought the urge to reach for the Copy nin's hand.

"...Jiraya's dead." Guy finally stated softly.

Kakashi stared. It was like icy water had been poured on his head.

"What?" He managed, voice softer than Guy's. He suddenly looked much younger than he was. More like a little kid, faced with the harsh reality. His bruised face was suddenly open and lost, something Guy was no used to. He looked to Yamato who looked at his friend sadly.

"He faced off with the Akatsuki leader, Pein..."

Kakashi closed his eyes tightly. He should have been here...he should have gone with Jiraya... He opened his eyes and forced his voice to come out calm.

"How is Naruto handling it?"

"Rough." Yamato stated, his dark eyes deeply troubled. "Your return has only made it harder." Kakashi blinked and looked towards his friend who suddenly looked away. There was more they were not telling him. Genma was suddenly admiring the view out the window and Guy was studying his shoes. The Copy nin stared.

"Mind telling me what else I missed?" He did not leave room for argument. The three shinobi looked up, faces severe.

"Well..."

Sasuke had been awake for hours. He did not know where he was. He was alone as far as he could tell and his stomach was tender to the touch. He lightly touched the wound, startled by it before remembering a child's scream and the agonized pain that accompanied it.

"You're awake." A voice called from the dark and Sasuke looked up sharply eyes narrowed as Tobi slowly approached the bedside.

"Hn."

"Cheery too." The masked man quipped. Sasuke swung his feet over the edge of the bed, only for Tobi to move forward and push him back down.

"Easy killer. Can't have you opening up for stab wound again."

"What happened?" Sasuke scowled, batting Tobi's hand away from his shoulder. Tobi pulled away and paced around the dark room.

"You recall Danzō stabbing you." He stated casually. Sasuke's face pulled into a disgusted glare.

"Yes."

"Good...well that's really all that matters for you right now."

"Why is that?" The spiky haired Uchiha ground out. Tobi flopped in a nearby chair. He faced the teen and Sasuke was once again disturbed by not being able to read the idiot's expressions.

"Danzō has returned to Konoha and has officially labeled you a missing nin. He claims that you turned on him when he arrived during your battle with Itachi. That you were so obsessed with killing your brother that everyone became a target." Tobi stated, arms crossed. Sasuke stared.

"Bullshit." He stated coldly. His voice echoing across the room. "Danzō's lying."

"I know."

"He tried to kill me and Kakashi," Sasuke hissed. "He showed up at the hideout and tried to kill us."

"I know, kid." Tobi stated softly.

"What about Kakashi?" Sasuke suddenly asked. "He's not dead is he?"

"Hatake is alive and kicking." The masked man sighed, voice somber. "Now what do you remember?"

"I don't remember much... Danzō went to Itachi and Itachi fell. I couldn't hear what they were saying but Danzō started to strangle him..." Sasuke trailed off. Tobi sighed and leaned his head against the chair.

"There are a lot of things you're ignorant to...and for now you will stay that way." Sasuke opened his mouth and Tobi looked to the door. "Your brother's been visiti-"

"Wait, Itachi's here!?" Sasuke leaped to his feet and as Tobi had hoped, completely forgot about Tobi's earlier comment. The masked man nodded.

"Mhm, his throat's pretty much healed but his chakra's not exactly spiffy at t-where you going?" He called as Sasuke rushed out, his stomach wound completely forgotten.

In another room, Itachi sat cross legged on his bed, reading. He did not know what else to do with himself. He had already been to see Sasuke and he was too tired to explore the new hideout. When a knock came to his door, the boy lowered the book just as the door swung open. Kisame peeked his head in and Itach's shoulders relaxed.

"Hello Kisame." He greeted as the Kiri nin looked towards him, face lighting up. He slowly made his way into Itachi's room. He took in the boy's haggard bruised expression and felt as if he had been punched in the throat.

"Itachi," Kisame breathed, he approached the boy and knelt at his side. Itachi blinked tiredly, looking at Kisame with hooded eyes. The Kiri nin took the boy's hands in his own and pressed them against his cheek. Itachi watched him and attempted to offer him a smile.

"I'm sorry." Was all he could manage and Kisame scoffed, kissing Itachi's hand.

"Don't you apologize." He firmly stated. "You have nothing to apologize for. I shouldn't have left like that. I could have waited outside the hideout...you could have been killed and I would have been too far to stop it.

"Kisame it's not your fault." The Uchiha admonished softly. He scooted over so the Kiri nin could sit with him and their shoulders brushed. Kisame sighed, shaking his head.

"It's been a long day, kid. But I heard what you did to Danzō...good job." He nudged the boy who's lips twitched as he nudged back. Itachi watched Kisame with a faint smile. The man was touching him as he would a lover and the older Itachi hummed in pleasure. Itachi closed his eyes.

"Does it bother you at all?" He asked and Kisame frowned.

"Does what bother me?"

"That I am Itachi but am not... your Itachi."

"It took years for you to become mine." Kisame offered a grin. "I can wait." He pressed a light kiss against Itachi's temple before bidding him a goodnight. Itachi closed his book and set it on the side table, just beside the little box that for now housed Shisui's eyeball. He nearly smiled at this. he had stolen Shisui's stolen eyeball...Shisui would have gotten a laugh out of that... Itachi lay back on his bed, ready to go back to sleep. His eyes were heavy and he drew the blanket around his shoulders. He would visit Sasuke in the korning and check his bandages...they probably needed to be changed...

It was not five minutes later that the door burst open and Sasuke charged through. Itachi leaped from the bed just as Sasuke reached him and slammed him against the wall. Itachi's head smacked sharply against the rock wall and stars burst before his eyes. Before the boy could utter a noise he was thrown bodily across the room. He hit the ground, his arms unable to stop his fall. Sasuke swiftly bared down on him, grasping him by his hair and yanking the smaller Uchiha to his feet. Itachi's eyes prickled at the sharp pain of his hair being pulled and he lifted his own hands to struggle against his brother, refusing to use his eyes.

"Fight back dammit!" The spiky haired Uchiha snarled.

Everything had gone to hell. Danzō had turned on Itachi. Everything Itachi had striven for had burned and now slipped through his fingers like ash. Why fight now? The voice of the older Uchiha was soft in his head. He whispered as if afraid of being overheard.

"Danzō has shown his hand and he shall pay dearly for it. But Sasuke is in danger...Danzō will go after him..."

Itachi gripped Sasuke's arm, pushing him away and the older boy sneered, his eyes were bright with the Sharingan. There was a frenzied insanity in his eyes, mixed with desperation. He had no weapon on him and in his present mind he could not gather the concentration to perform a jutsu. He opted instead for lunging forward and tackling Itachi to the ground, hands wrapping around his brother's still bruised throat.

Itachi's knee jerked forward, striking Sasuke in the groin. He had originally aimed for the stomach but with the older boy still healing...The taller boy grunted, falling back and giving Itachi enough time to shove him away. He was on his feet in an instant, rushing for the door and scrabbling for the handle.

"Itachi!" Sasuke snarled just as Itachi managed to open it.

Sasuke was on his feet in an instant, chasing after his brother who raced down the hall, looking for Madara or Kisame. He recognized the base as the one he had woken up in when he first was deaged. And just like all those months ago Sasuke was chasing him down. He opened hos mouth, prepared to childishly scream when the taller Uchiha reached him. Sasuke grabbed a hold of his hair and when he brought his hand close to Itachi's face the boy instantly bit down hard. Sasuke yelped in pain and yanked back.

"Fucking cunt!" He managed, glaring from his hand to Itachi. Itachi's lip curled in disgust as Sasuke's words but said nothing. "You bit me." He moved forward once again and Itachi swiftly met him half way, and roughly kneed him in the crotch. Sasuke went down like a rock, groaning in pain. Itachi backed away, body tense. Sasuke scowled at Itachi.

"Fucking hell..." He stumbled to his feet, forcing his hands away from his aching balls. He glared at Itachi who lifted his chin, expression cold.

"Children, children!" Tobi called out as he exited one of the rooms. The two brothers stepped away from each other and Tobi looked towards Itachi.

"Boss wants to see you." He stated casually and Itachi looked from Sasuke to Tobi, obviously suspicious. Sasuke too looked weired out by Tobi's sudden appearance. "It's about Danzō." Itachi nodded curtly and backed away.

"Hey!" Sasuke barked. "I'm not done with you!" He called out as Itachi trekked down the hall. Tobi grasped Sasuke by the scruff of his neck and pulled him back.

"Yeah you are." Sasuke rounded on the masked man but was shoved into the wall.

"What the-"

"Shut up." Tobi stated simply and Sasuke stared. The masked man looked down the hall, ensuring Itachi was out of sight. "I have things I need to tell you."

"I don't give a fuck."

"Wow you're an asshole..." Tobi hummed while the teen sneered. "But it's some information that you'll find useful."

"Useful?" Sasuke rose a brow. Tobi rubbed the side of his head, feeling a headache approaching.

"We're going to have to talk in private." Tobi stated, taking hold of Sasuke's arm. Sasuke glowered but did not struggle. His eyes narrowed as they were transported out of the hideout. When his vision cleared he was surprised to see they were back in the Akatsuki hideout.

"Why here?" Sasuke asked, a chill in the air.

"Privacy is pretty important for this." The man replied airily. "Luckily, Konoha has not started picking through here." Tobi stated as he walked around the damaged area. "Have a look around would you?"

"For what?" Sasuke asked, but when he turned Tobi was gone. The spiky haired Uchiha scowled and looked around the ruins. Most of the damage was to the front of the hideout. Many of the rooms towards the back were intact and Sasuke found himself going down the living quarters. The rooms were not marked. He would open each door and peer in before moving to the next. Eventually he opened the door and the lingering chakra screamed Itachi.

This was Itachi's room.

Slowly, Sasuke walked in and looked around. This was where Itachi had spent most of his teen years and his adult life. The room was clean, as was his room in Konoha. The desk was devoid of objects and before he knew it Sasuke began rifling through his brother's objects with malicious glee. The first drawer he opened was full of clothes, the second inks and scrolls. It was the third that piqued Sasuke's interest. There was two faded photos, hidden under a flap in the drawer. One was a family photo, the edges torn. Sasuke picked it up and stared. His mother and father gazed back, forever alive in this picture. He looked to his own young grinning face, avoiding the other boy in the picture. The next was of the two brothers. Sasuke was grinning cheekily at the camera with a very irate cat in his grasp while Itachi smiled slightly, just behind him.

Sasuke had forgotten about this...

Sasuke took both pictures and tucked them in his shirt, he continued searching. There were things Sasuke recognized from him. Things Itachi must have hastily packed before leaving Konoha...Sasuke glanced through them, finding two kunai, one of Kakashi's plush dolls sat on the dresser and this made Sasuke pause. Why would Itachi take this? Shaking his head, Sasuke kept searching. He found two notes. One was attached to a dried leaf.

I never stopped.

He recognized the writing but could not put a name to it. The Uchiha frowned. He placed the note aside and picked up the second.

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.

It was unsigned and Sasuke did not recognize the writing. The chill that went up his spine however was unpleasant. He sat down on Itachi's bed and reread the note. Was this referring to Itachi's suicide attempt? Who else had known?...Actually it had become common knowledge after awhile so really it could be anyone...but lovely ankle? Why would someone writ that to a thirteen year old? It certainly wasn't Kakashi. Kakashi wasn't the type to write some garbage like that. He took both notes and hid them away. He needed to speak to Tobi. He had a mission to complete and he was sick of all the people interfering.

Unseen, Obito regarded Sasuke in mild interest. He could clearly see the spiky haired Uchiha was troubled by what he had just read. He watched as the boy had read, and reread Danzō's creepy letter several times. The time for watching however had come to an end. It was time for the truth to be known.

Okay so the whole Kakashi and Sasuke part was a cluster. Originally I was going to have Danzō claim that Itachi used Tsukuyomi on Sasuke and Kakashi to make the two believe that they had imagined Danzō turning on them. Then I figured that Danzō would play it safe and just label the two as traitors to ensure they never got close to Konoha. THEN I realized it would be difficult to believe that Kakashi would betray the village so now I have Sasuke being relabeled a traitor and Kakashi being told he was under Tsukuyomi!