Outside, Madara stood waiting patiently. His body was relaxed and this instantly put Itachi on edge. Madara was the type of man who found the most relaxing thing in life was discourse. Obito had mde several mentions to the man's metal state being fragile at best. Madara sighed, leaning his head back to observe the moon. Itachi followed his gaze.

"He will come for you." The man stated softly and the boy's hand moved to brush his hair from his face, expression blank as usual. Madara was no doubt speaking of Danzō.

"I know."

"He is growing desperate. The two Uchiha brothers together? He fears what that can mean."

"When will I return to normal again?" Itachi suddenly asked. Madara looked away from the sky to look at the boy.

"You wish to return to your normal age?"

"I am in the dark here. I feel as if I am drowning." Itachi muttered bitterly. He leaned against the mouth of the cave, arms crossed. Madara released a hum.

"It is just as dark when you are an adult. Even more so." Madara stated cryptically. The boy stared hard at the elder who began a leisurely walk away from the shelter. Itachi fought the urge to follow the man and demand an explanation. Instead he watched as Madara vanished from sight, wondering what he could possibly mean.

Itachi returned to the cave, approaching the spare bedroll. He sat down and pulled his hair from its ponytail and allowed it to flow freely. Sasuke was silent in sleep, his arms flung about as he seemed to be trying to take up as much room as possible. Itachi smiled at him. He moved to lay on his own bedroll when Sasuke moved in his sleep. His eyes opened blearily and he stared at Itachi.

"Why are you up?" He mumbled and Itachi's lips twitched. Sasuke's eyes were tired, his expression lax.

"I'm just going to sleep now Otouto." Itachi replied, laying down to placate his sibling.

Sasuke leaned over sleepily, and reached for Itachi. he grabbed his around the hips and dragged him close. Itachi stared in surprise. The spiky haired Uchiha let out a sleepy grumble and buried his face into Itachi's hair. Itachi sighed and relaxed in his brother's grip. Some things never change. He allowed his eyes to fall shut, leaning into the warmth Sasuke provided. It took no time at all for Itachi to fall asleep, lulled by the sound of Sasuke's healthy heart beating steadily against his ear. Like a song, it lulled the smaller Uchiha away, his eyes drooping and his body relaxed.

Danzō rubbed the side of his head wearily. He could barely focus on the paperwork in front of him. His fingers drummed on the desk in agitation, his eyes narrowed in annoyance. His hand suddenly tightened into a fist as he stood, his hip smacking the desk as he moved. the old man cursed in pain and moved around the desk towards the door. He threw it open and charged out of the office, his footsteps loud on the cold floor. The hall was for now thankfully empty.

He had barely made it halfway down the hall when he felt the shaking begin. It started out small and for a moment Danzō thought he had been imagining things. However, it returned more violently and the old man could hear crashing in another room. He fell backwards, his back striking the wall loudly. Doors burst open as people began to investigate the violent movements. Danzō's eyes focused on a nin as he made his way out the door.

"What is happening!?" He demanded, grabbing onto the man's arm and yanking him back. Another nin who was passing by stopped quickly.

"You there!" Danzō barked. "What is going on!?" The rumbles were getting louder.

Another explosion sounded and the building began to crack on its foundation.

"We're under attack!" A shinobi shouted. "The Akatsuki are here! We're under attack!" Danzō cursed and shoved the man forward.

"Go help the civilians!" He ordered. "Get them to safety!" Danzō swiftly made his way outside, watching citizens run for cover. He grit his teeth, his eye frantically searching for the Akatsuki. He could see several young shinobi make there way by, including the Kurenai's team. He wondered briefly if the Akatsuki were here for the Uzumaki brat but did not have long to consider it. One mother and child who were rushing by stumbled and he swiftly approached to help them up, ordering them sternly to follow the Genin to safety.

Whatever the reason they were here...it would not end well.

Meanwhile Pein stood watching the village. He silently surveyed the chaos surrounding him. He did not smile for what he was going to do. But war meant death and Pein was not one to shy away from it for any sake. He inhaled, eyes falling shut. He was a God. And he would rise.

Morning came far too early and neither brother were willing to ruin the peacefulness that they were both experiencing. Madara was still gone as were the rest of the Akatsuki. It gave them a much needed reprieve.

"Have you eaten?" Sasuke asked, glancing towards his brother. Itachi shook his head, staring out to the entrance of the cave with a peaceful expression on his face. Sasuke stood slowly and approached, taking a seat next to the boy. It felt like he was a little kid again in the presence of his otherworldly elder brother. It seemed that physical age meant nothing to Sasuke, because he still felt that child like admiration while watching him. Now however there was that almost painful need to protect mixed in. He could look up to Itachi as an older brother. That would ever change. But Sasuke doubted he would lose that protective edge even when Itachi returned to normal. Perhaps it would be stronger, if Itachi was at an age where he could more readily and willingly defend himself. This Itachi was too broken. He had no time to heal over his losses.

Reaching forward, Sasuke brushed a strand of dark hair from Itachi's face. Itachi turned and smiled at him, his gaze warm.

"Your friends must miss you." He noted and Sasuke blinked once before shrugging.

"They might." He muttered in disinterest.

"What about Naruto? He was not with you when you went after me."

"He stayed behind." Sasuke murmured, staring at his hand in Itachi's hair. Itachi nodded, seeming to understand.

"I hope you can reunite with them again." He stated. Sasuke did not respond. Moments later Madara entered the cave, face impassive as he approached the brothers. Sasuke stood, eyes narrowing at the man. Madara regarded his for a moment, his eyes activated as they always were. Itachi stood as well, gauging Madara's facial features.

"Konohagakure has been attacked." Madara calmly stated. Sasuke blinked and Itachi stared, his hand reaching to grip the cool rock of the cave.

"Attacked?" Sasuke questioned, voice betraying nothing.

"The Akatsuki managed an attack and the village was...destroyed." Itachi's mouth went dry and he looked to Sasuke. Sasuke continued to stare hard at the elder.

"Naruto?" Was all he said and Madara shrugged.

"Unharmed from what I know. Perhaps he was not even in the village...with Jiraya's untimely death-"

"Jiraya's dead?" The spiky haired Uchiha demanded, his body tensing. Madara regarded Sasuke lazily.

"Why yes. Shortly after you left news reached the boy...so unfortunate." Madara tutted. Sasuke looked away, teeth gritting. He could not explain the feeling in his chest. Sasuke had taken so many with him to track Itachi down. Had Naruto had anyone when news reached him? Was the Dobe even safe? What about Sakura and everyone else?

"There's more." Madara drawled and Sasuke's eyes narrowed further. Madara looked hard at Sasuke.

"What!?" He snapped. Madara tutted, his spiky hair whipping around as he began a slow pace around the cave.

"The fifth Hokage was wounded during the attack and is currently indisposed." Madara looked between the brothers. "A replacement had to be named."

Itachi felt his knees weaken at this. The elder Uchiha pursed his lips thoughtfully, his eyes cold. He looked to Itachi who desperately tried to regain his bearings. Sasuke at his side continued to stare at Madara, waiting for him to continue.

"Shimura Danzō has been elected the sixth Hokage during this crisis." Madara stated and Itachi shook his head.

"No no...not him..." He murmured, voice weak. Sasuke shot him an apprehensive glance and reached out to steady him. Nausea rose in his stomach at the thought. Danzō was the last scum he would want in power.

"And of course...there were many victims during this battle and it just so happens..." Madara was obviously amused by this. Sasuke looked to him sharply as the man walked around the cave. Itachi barely heard, staring dully at the cave wall. Danzō was Hokage...of everyone worthy enough for the role...it had to be Danzō...

"Knowing that both of you knew and were close to him..." Madara drawled on and Sasuke's eyes narrowed while Itachi blinked. Madara studied both boys for a long moment. His eyes landed and remained on Itachi as he spoke.

"Hatake Kakashi was among the casualties during the attack."

A ringing entered Sasuke's ears and he fell back. His back hit the wall and he leaned heavily against it unable to move. Itachi stood very still. He stared at Madara, waiting for the man to laugh it off. However, the Uchiha continued to gaze at Itachi. Itachi closed his eyes and let out a low breath. He took a step back. Then another. Madara watched as he backed away from his brother and mentor. Sasuke continued to stare blankly into space. Itachi lifted his head, eyes suddenly perfectly blank. He stared up at his Madara for a long moment before turning on his heel and slowly walking out of the cave, each step weaker than the last.

His feet led him away from the safety of the cave. He walk unsteadily towards the riverbank and sank down before it. He stared into the water in silence for several moments. His hands remained limp at his side. He felt no strength to move. His chest burnt. Memories flooded him. He was not ready for this.

"It's cold out tonight, Itachi."

"Is it?"

"You're hardly dressed warm enough."

"It's fine." The boy replied, voice soft.

"You've always hated the cold."

"That's very true." Itachi admitted.

"Is it okay if I sit with you?"

"Please."

"Did I tell you I loved you? Before I did it?" Itachi asked suddenly. Desperate to know. He stared at the nin and Kakashi did not look up from Itachi's hand. He stroked small circles on his wrist before bringing the Uchiha's hand to his mouth and placing a gentle kiss on the side of his slender wrist. Itachi's heart fluttered and a warm heat filled his chest at the feeling of those lips on his skin.

"You did." Kakashi finally admitted. Itachi smiled. "And I didn't sat it back..." He released Itachi's wrist and Itachi pulled back with a small nod. He was not disappointed. He did not deserve this man's love.

"I don't think I could have stopped," He murmured. "No matter why I left...I don't think I could have ever stopped loving you." He whispered against Kakashi's lips.

"I love you." Kakashi blurted out, desperate for the boy to know. Desperate for him to understand that he always had. Itachi offered Kakashi a smile, and if there were tears in his eyes, the rain washed them away. He reached for Kakashi again. This gentle soft hearted shinobi. This boy who deserved the world but was blotted from it instead. Itachi pressed his lips to Kakashi's forehead.

"Perhaps in another life I could have made you happy," The Uchiha's voice was shaky, his hands on either side of Kakashi's face. "Maybe we could have had a happy ending...but not in this one. I've ruined those chances...and I'm so sorry. Maybe one day I'll find out why I did it. Maybe one day you will forgive me." He pulled the Copy nin in for another kiss and Kakashi returned it as if it were their last, as if to make up for the last time they kissed before everything burned around them. Itachi pulled away again, his lips laying a final gentle kiss on the side of Kakashi's cheek. "Forgive me, Kakashi-sempai..."

"The east side of the hideout is clear for now. Go." He nodded once, the cane sounding louder. Itachi blinked.

"Kakashi-"

"Go." Kakashi whispered, his expression going blank. Itachi offered the man a weak smile before bolting down the hall and out of sight.

That had been the last time he had seen Kakashi. And like with Kisame there were so many things left unsaid. Kakashi had allowed Itachi to escape, despite his status as a missing nin. Itachi had ran. He had never said goodbye.

And Itachi began to cry.

Hello everyone! Hope your holidays were good! Updates will be hopefully speeding up again!