A few days ago a lovely young woman who went to high school and graduated with me passed away unexpectedly. We were not close friends or anything but we had always greeted each other in the hallways and shared smiles. She seemed to smile with her whole body and her eyes always were so bright and blue. It is hard now to think that those pretty eyes and sweet smile will never again grace her family or friends. That her two little children will never see their mama again. Twenty-two is far too young to be gone forever and the bitterness and sadness I feel over her death is deep.

It's unfair how one day someone can be alive and happy and the next gone and everyone around powerless to stop it. With this said I want all my readers to know that life is short and precious. That each day you have on this earth is a gift even if some days you don't see it like that. So please, wherever you are, enjoy life and don't take it for granted. Call your friends, spend time with your siblings and family and always know that no matter how far away you might be from a loved one that does not change how very precious and important you are to them.

Itachi had not emerged from the forest in sometime. Sasuke stood vigilant from where Itachi had left him, awaiting his sibling. At one point Madara had passed but Itachi had yet to return. He stared after the man for a moment, noting the smugness radiating off him. Finally, Sasuke was unable to wait any longer and went to find Itachi. The forest was eerily silent on this night. None of the usual nightlife ambiance made itself known. The Uchiha stepped over a lifted root and walked onward.

He did not have to look far, as he passed by one of the trees Itachi came into view, approaching slowly with Kisame's forehead protector wrapped around his arm. Sasuke smiled slightly at the sight of his brother and slowly made his way towards his sibling.

Itachi felt Sasuke approach and schooled his expression quickly. He offered his brother a small smile, watching as Sasuke looked him over in concern.

"Are you alright?" The spiky haired Uchiha asked, his voice low. Itachi shifted Kisame's forehead protector and slowly nodded.

"I will be." He stated. Sasuke looked unconvinced, his handsome face betraying his concern, but moved to lead his brother back to their shelter. Itachi followed silently, fingers tracing over the metal of Kisame's forehead protector.

Kisame did not have to die.

He could picture Kisame grinning at him. He could see their final moments together. Had Kisame known he was going to die? Had he stood his ground, knowing that it would be his final stand? All those stories of Kiri nin being unfeeling monsters...how false they were...

Kisame did not have throw his life away. Why would he kill himself? What sense was there in ending his own life? From what Itachi could remember of the Kiri nin he had always seen the mission as essential. Every aspect of his life was focused on the mission, whatever it may be...Kakashi had been there. He had seen Kisame in his final moments. What had driven him to suicide? Both Madara and Sasuke were so vague...These things Itachi wanted to know with pained desperation. The elder in his head had faded upon seeing Sasuke. He could not even turn to himself.

It was a lonely thought. It left his throat aching and his eyes stinging. How would his elder self react? Did he know of Kisame's death?

Was that why he had gone quiet?

The lights to the bedroom were off, casting the area in a soft darkness with only the light from the hall seeping in under the closed door. On the bed lay a young man, naked and smiling. His head was tilted to the side in amusement. His long dark hair lay fanned around him in silken waves. His gorgeous legs were tucked together in a teasing shyness.

"You're staring." Itachi murmured, his long lashes flickered to the man in front of him. He sat up, leaning back on his arms as he watched his lover.

"You're beautiful." Came the smug reply. Itachi laughed softly at this.

"So generous with your compliments, Kakashi-sempai." Kakashi smiled and leisurely began to peel off his forearm protectors, all the while staring at his lover. Itachi hummed and lay back on the bed.

Kakashi crawled forward onto the bed towards where Itachi lay, like a cat stalking their prey. His face was kept in a neutral expression but his dark eye was alight with mischief. He crawled on top of the Uchiha, both arms on either side of Itachi's head and he offered Itachi a teasing smile.

"Shall we?" He murmured and the Uchiha reached forward towards the man. His slender fingers trailed up Kakashi's shoulder and neck.

"This?" Itachi trailed a single finger down the mask of Kakashi's face. Kakashi nipped at the finger through his mask before removing it and gracing Itachi with his entire face. Itachi smiled and leaned up to place a gentle kiss against the man's chin. Kakashi's hand reached to cup Itachi's face, his thumb stroking over smooth flesh.

He slid into the Uchiha with ease, as if they were meant to connect to each other like this. As if they were born to be together. Itachi's breath hitched and Kakashi stilled as he awaited the Uchiha to be ready for him to move again. It did not take long and Itachi tilted his hips, Kakashi's name passing through his plump lips. Kakashi thrust his hips at a leisurely pace, the Uchiha's legs wrapping around his waist.

"What would your daddy think of this?" He whispered into Itachi's ear. "You under me, taking my cock..." He heard Itachi moan at this, his head tilted back. Kakashi chuckled and leaned forward, nibbling on Itachi's throat. It seemed these words only turned the Uchiha on, if the way his hips thrust against the Copy nin's was any indication.

"Kakashi..." The raven haired man moaned, his lips parted as he whispered the man's name. Kakashi's lips claimed the smaller nin's in a searing kiss. Itachi was so tight around him. Tighter than he could have ever imagined possible. His carded his hands through dark locks and Itachi met his gaze, mouth open slightly and so tempting.

"I love you." He whispered, his eyelashes brushing Kakashi's cheek as he leaned up towards the Copy nin. Kakashi kissed the Uchiha.

"I love you too." He replied easily, his thumb tracing down the raven's delicate cheek bone. Itachi smiled, his flushed skin shining. He reached forward towards Kakashi, and-

Kakashi's eyes flew open and he sat up with a start.

He had never dreamed of sex with Itachi as an adult. Or as a child to be honest. Sure there had been heav petting, but Itachi had been too young to go any further and as an adult, Kakashi had not paid attention to how utterly beautiful Itachi was. But to visualize that gorgeous body underneath him...ready and old enough to consent... The Copy nin dropped his head back onto the pillow with a groan. He placed his palm over his eyes and let out a low sigh.

His hand dropped to the erection sprouting between his legs and he breathed in sharply as he took it in his grip.

It was going to be a long night.

Sasuke refused to leave Itachi's side. It was like he was eight years old again, clinging to his elder brother. Itachi for his part did not seem to mind. In fact, he found having Sasuke nearby to be soothing. They spent the morning together, huddled away deep in the forest. Obito had left for Konoha to gather Sasuke's team. Zetsu and Madara had vanished and it left the two boys by themselves for the first time.

Sasuke was unsure on how to approach this. He was elated to have Itachi back but enraged at what his brother had been forced to go through. It ate at him like poison seeing Itachi now and recalling him as an adult. He wondered how he would act once Itachi was an adult again. Would the same bitterness sprout up that he had known before? Or would he instead feel the incredible need to protect his Aniki, even if he was an adult?

They sat before the fire, neither speaking but enjoying each other's presence none the less. There was no need for idle chatter and honestly, Sasuke and Itachi were so lost in thought that they doubted they could even form a conversation.

Itachi's thoughts were plagued by Kisame. Haunted by Danzo and by what now lay ahead. More than anything he needed his elder self to be there. To assure him that he was on the right path. That everything would turn out okay. Instead, it was as if the elder Itachi had never been there. Itachi was on his own.

Sasuke meanwhile was planning.

With the truth about the massacre now known to him, Sasuke was already plotting out revenge against the elders. There was a lingering, agonizing pain as Sasuke considered what could have happened if he had killed Itachi before finding out the truth. How many times had he come close to killing the other boy? If he had killed Itachi like he had intended to at the monument... Sasuke did not even wish to consider it. His brother was alive now. His brother was safe and healthy and Sasuke would ensure he stayed that way. No one would harm him again.

His eyes trailed to his sibling who was watching the flames sleepily. His thin arms were wrapped around his legs and his chin was resting upon his knees. The flames illuminated off his skin, casting him in an orange glow. The spiky haired Uchiha yawned loudly.

Itachi shot his brother a tired smile. He reached towards the teen and lightly touched his arm, catching Sasuke's attention.

"Go to sleep Otouto. You're always a terror if you don't get enough rest." He stated and Sasuke fought the sudden urge to stick out his tongue. He settled with a more mature scowl and lightly tapping his forehead against Itachi's.

"You too. Have you eaten anything yet? It's sort of cold tonight. Do y-"

"Go to sleep Sasuke." Itachi hummed in amusement, flicking the boy's forehead. The taller Uchiha rubbed his forehead.

"Fine. As bossy as ever." Sasuke stated before moving back and settling against the wall of the cave. He lay down, looking to the flames and watching the wood crackle with heat. The colors were mesmerizing and the heat comforting. His eyes slowly drooped and before he knew it, the fire had faded away. Itachi watched him sleep silently, his lips curving into a slight smile. Sasuke looked so young when he slept. His face, vacant of all worries. Itachi moved forward and draped a cloak over his sibling's shoulders. The boy did not move, his body limp with exhaustion.

Once Sasuke's breath had evened out with sleep, Itachi approached their belongings. He shifted through them until he found what he was looking for. Slowly he pulled it towards him, sitting cross legged on the floor of the cave. He trailed his fingers down the small box and over the words written on it. Kisame's handwriting was surprising neat. The Uchiha glanced once more at his sleeping brother before turning back to the box and slowly taking off the lid.

"Itachi." A voice called out from the dark. Itachi swiftly looked away from the box and towards Madara who stood arms crossed watching him. Itachi stood and Madara inclined his head. "Don't wake your brother. You and I have much to discuss." He stared at the boy who offered him a slight nod, eyes trailing to glance towards Sasuke. He strolled from the cavern and Itachi, after a moment of hesitation followed.

Hey everyone! To all my Thanksgiving celebrating readers, I hope you have a great holiday. Don't eat too much (you need to save room for dessert!)