Naruto seemed keen on dragging the Uchiha brother's on his adventures. He dragged them out for ramen and socializing even though both Itachi and Sasuke preferred to hide away from everyone. The blonde however remained stubborn on his quest to make Itachi his new best friend, claiming Sasuke was too cranky for the lies of him. Itachi was convinced that there was something deeper there that both boys refused to acknowledge. A few days later, Sasuke went on a mission, leaving Itachi to his own devices. This meant that Kakashi took it upon himself to drag Itachi out for some adventure. Might Guy and Genma joined in as usual. Even Aoba and Yamato joined the bought drinks, sniggering as they dragged Itachi to Kakashi's apartment.

"You ever drink before?" Aoba asked as he began to pour the glasses. Itachi sat by Kakashi, ankles crossed and expression calm. His lips tilted slightly.

"I spent much of my time either with Shisui or Kakashi, and you're really asking if I've drank?" He replied earning a chuckle from the man who shifted his sunglasses. He handed a glass to Guy.

"Touche."

Aoba handed Itachi a glass and sprawled out beside Yamato.

"Iruka coming by later?" Guy asked, twirling his glass. Yamato nodded.

"He mentioned stopping by."

"There goes the party." Genma muttered. Itachi sipped from his glass, feeling the familiar warmth of Kakashi's shoulder pressed against him. Genma pulled his senbon from his mouth and tank a deep swig from his glass. It clanked loudly as it struck the table.

"How goes Tsunade's mission to bring you back to legal age?" He drawled and Itachi glanced at him, eyes exhausted.

"Nothing seems to work." He admitted with a shrug. "I honestly think Sasuke would prefer to keep me as a child." Guy's brows furrowed at this and he shared a quick glance with Yamato.

"He's mentioned that..." Kakashi mused thoughtfully. Itachi watched him curiously as Guy rubbed his chin thoughtfully.

"I think he just enjoys being taller than you." Guy stated with a grin. Itachi's lips curled into a smile.

"He very well might have passed my adult height." He replied and Guy laughed.

"I don't know...was he that tall last time you saw him as an adult?" He glanced to Kakashi who sad somehow managed to finish half his glass without anyone seeing the bottom part of his face.

"Maaaa, I don't recall...I wasn't exactly focused on what Itachi looked like at the time." He glanced to Itachi who, feeling the fuzzy effects of the alcohol raised a thin brow.

"Kept you on your toes did I?" He replied cheekily and Aoba laughed out load while Genma leered at Kakashi. The Copy nin smiled slightly.

"I'm not ashamed. I'll admit you kicked my ass." He replied easily and Itachi nodded sagely.

"I'm sorry. I'll kiss it better later." Itachi teased and Genma promptly choked on his drink. Guy roared with laughter, roughly hitting Itachi's back.

"There's the usual Itachi style sass I've been waiting for!" Itachi was jostled but managed a tiny smile. Kakashi wrapped an arm around his shoulder, pulling him close and messing up his hair.

"Brat."

"Pervert." Itachi shot back, pushing the man away to fix his hair. Aoba tossed Genma a sealed bottle and the man leered at the sight. Kakashi's door cracked open and Iruka peeked his head in.

"Ahh you're all still conscious." He greeted with a little wave.

"Iruka!" Guy greeted happily. "Join us in our merriment and drinking!" He held a bottle out to the man who glanced towards Itachi.

"You're drinking, Itachi-san?" He questioned and Itachi shook his head.

"Never." He replied, downing the rest of the alcohol and ignoring the burning in his throat. Kakashi snickered at his side and took the empty glass from him. Iruka sighed, his own expression a mix between exasperation and amusement.

"He's technically underage." He pointed out and Genma waved his hand dismissively.

"He's fine." He defended Itachi who watched as Aoba stole a box of pocky from Kakashi's table. Kakashi swiped to away and waggled his finger in warning. Itachi caught Iruka's gaze linger on Kakashi, although the man did not seem to notice. Iruka's eyes trailed down Kakashi's face, his own expression softening. The Uchiha looked away and watched as Genma and Aoba argued over Aoba's crows. Itachi had barely listened, so distracted by the looks Iruka had given Kakashi.

"Well, Uchiha here can change into a crow!" Aoba suddenly gestured to the Uchiha who blinked. What was that?

"Can I now?"

"That's what Kakashi told us after one of your battles. You changed into a flock of crows! Once you're an adult again we'll have to see who handles it better." Aoba teased and the Uchiha nodded.

"I'll have to ask Sasuke's permission. You know how possessive he gets if I speak to others." He replied lightly, Aoba sighed in understanding. Sasuke had quite the reputation when it came to being overprotective of Itachi. Genma laughed, throwing an arm around Itachi's shoulder.

"You're alright." He mused and Itachi's lips tilted into a smile.

"That's a relief." Kakashi handed Itachi the pocky and the boy rewarded him with a little smile. Iruka sat beside Aoba and took the beer offered to him.

For the next hour it was lighthearted banter and flirtation. Itachi had forgot how much he enjoyed being around his comrades. Fugaku had never approved of him having friendships outside the clan. The man had always been very strict about who the Uchiha spoke to. He trusted no one. Iruka was a very friendly man. Even if every so often he would look at Kakashi with those doleful eyes of his. Itachi managed to ignore that for the most part. Eventually Aoba and Guy called it a night and left, telling Itachi once he was back to his regular age they would have to take him out for a real adventure.

When Iruka left sometime later he had smiled and bid Itachi, Genma and Yamato a goodnight, his eyes lingering on Kakashi for a moment before he too was gone. Yamato wandered off to the kitchen as Genma sighed dramatically and tilted his head back to stare at the ceiling.

"I suppose I need to head home..." He drawled out lazily, eyeing the other two. Itachi crossed his legs and ate at the pocky and Kakashi casually stretched out and lay his head on the boy's lap. Gemna waggled his brows playfully, his dark eyes amused.

"Once you're an adult again I'm sure we can arrange a three-"

"Goodnight Genma." Kakashi drawled, swiftly cutting the other man off before he could finish his sentence. Gemna snickered and stood, lazily saluting the two on the couch.

"See you losers later." He waved and headed out the door, leaving the couple alone. Itachi absently ran a hand through Kakashi's silver hair as Kakashi nearly purred at the contact. They could hear Yamato rummaging through Kakashi's kitchen and the man cursed and something fell off the shelf.

"Yamato's raiding your kitchen." Itachi murmured and the Copy nin chuckled, the noise reverberating off Itachi's thigh.

"Course he is..." Kakashi reached up and lightly ran his fingers down Itachi's face. "You alright?" He asked and Itachi kissed the man's fingers, smiling down at him.

"I think Iruka likes you." He stated and Kakashi blinked.

"Why's that?"

"He kept on giving you looks." Itachi mused, twirling the man's hair between his fingers. Kakashi hummed in response. The Copy nin watched Itachi fiddle with his hair, enjoying the attention.

"Well...we were together awhile back..." He admitted and Itachi fought down the bubble of jealousy that bloomed in his chest.

"For a long time?" He managed lightly and Kakashi clicked his tongue and shook his head.

"Less than a year." He replied, looking up at Itachi to gauge is reaction. Itachi however gave him none. His face still in that placid state as usual. But Itachi's mind was reeling. How had he not known about them? Was he so unobservant? They were together for a year! And Kakashi just brushed it off...

Longer than us...

"Did you love him?" Itachi asked curiously and Kakashi sighed. Itachi was desperate to know. It was greedy of him thought, wasn't it? Hadn't he fallen in love with Kisame? Why couldn't Kakashi do the same?

"Itachi...why are you so curious about this?" The Copy nin asked. Itachi shook his head.

"I'm not upset Kakashi. Truly. But I noticed how he looked at you and you seemed to avoid his gaze..." Itachi murmured. Kakashi looked away, his expression tense. Itachi's eyes fell closed and for a moment he did not move. Had he angered the man? He hadn't meant to pry. Finally the Copy nin sighed.

"We were involved. We broke up awhile before you returned. I thought he had moved on." Kakashi replied. "I know I have." He smiled tenderly at Itachi who weakly returned it. The uchiha pressed his lips against Kakashi's hair. When the clock chimed Itachi released a weary sigh.

"I should head home."

"You need me to walk you?" Kakashi offered, pulling off Itachi's lap. The Uchiha shook his head, slowly standing.

"I'll be fine. You will stop by tomorrow?" Itachi asked as Kakashi walked him to the door.

"Wouldn't miss it." Kakashi reached out and brushed Itachi's hair from his face, smiling slightly.

"Goodnight, Kakashi-semapi." Itachi teased.

"Goodnight, Itachi." Kakashi smiled back and pressed his lips against Itachi's for a quick kiss. The two separated and Kakashi smiled at Itachi as he headed out the door.

The night air was cool and Itachi basked in it, closing his eyes and the air nipped at his nose. It was late. No one else was outside and most of the lights were out. Itachi slowly began to head down the path, pulling his light jacket over his shoulders.

"Itachi, wait." A voice called out and Itachi turned.

"Oh, Yamato-san..." The man came to stand at his side, hands shoved in his pockets and his expression troubled. He stared at the night sky for a long moment as Itachi patiently waited for him to speak. Finally the man released a sigh and brushed his hair from his face.

"I believe you need to know the truth, and that you were not alone in facing Danzō's...preferred abuses." Yamato spoke softly, but quickly. As if forcing the words out before they could hide away. The Uchiha's eyes widened.

"You..." He began and Yamato shook his head, dark eyes narrowed in thought.

"It was not often. Only twice in fact, but know that you have people here that understand how twisted that man was."

"I'm sorry." Was all Itachi could manage.

"Don't apologize." Yamato sighed. "I wish I had...perhaps it was just wishful thinking or ignorance on my part, assuming I was the only one. I had never thought he would dare touch you. Not with your brother...it only goes to show how very little we knew about the psyche of the man. He boasted and strove to protect the village, yet had no qualms with taking advantage of those who lived in it." His voice was low and bitter. Itachi understood him perfectly. He closed his eyes for a long moment, taking in the news Yamato had willingly given him. So Danzō had a history of sexual abuse...it made sense. The man was in such a position of power that he thought himself above scrutiny. He was a man desperate for power and he took it from those too small and too young to fight back...

"He would not have gone after regular children...he would go after those who were separate or different. Those who did not have the support to stop it. When I began spying for the clan...I lost their protection and he used that to his advantage." Itachi's brows suddenly furrowed. "You don't think he harmed Naruto, do you?"

"Naruto would have been a perfect target." Yamato murmured. "No family and no support, but once he joined team 7...he gained the protection and Danzō would not have dared touch him." He looked down, face grim. "I remain unsure about Sai though. He has given no indication...yet neither had you or I."

"And we'll never know in any case." Itachi stated bitterly. "He ensured that."

"There were probably more victims then us..." Yamato muttered. "They would never come forward. Even with Danzō dead."

"Thank you...for telling me." The Uchiha murmured and Yamato nodded, his expression suddenly warm.

"Thank you for listening." He replied softly. Itachi turned away again, looking towards the night sky.

"My brother should be back from his mission by now. I'd like to see him."

"Go on then. I'll let Kakashi know you made it home."

"Thank you." Itachi nodded once. Yamato waved and headed back for Kakashi's apartment.

"Sleep well, Itachi-san." Yamato called over his shoulder.

"You as well, Yamato-san." Itachi replied and took off for the compound, leaving Yamato smiling slightly at his back.

The next few days passed in monotonous routine. There were missions. Itachi would meet with Tsunade, sometimes Sasuke would accompany him, usually Itachi would go alone. During these times, Tsunade would speak to Itachi bluntly. She did not tip toe around topics, but she still understood when the boy grew uncomfortable. It ate at the Hokage, knowing that the elders had put so much weight on a young boy's shoulders. She could not even imagine what hardships he had faced during those eight years as a missing nin.

She discussed the jutsu that Sasuke had inadvertently struck Itachi with months ago. There was a way to draw the chakra from the jutsu that lingered in Itachi out. It seemed both brothers had mixed feelings about Itachi returning to his normal age. Sasuke was frightened. Frightened to face his brother as an adult and unsure on how to speak to him. Itachi did not hold fear but more of a concern on what he would remember and what he would not. Would he recall his time as a teenager again? Or would his memories be stripped from him.

Sasuke was nearly tempted to leave Itachi as a kid. Allow him to grow up normally and without the pain he had endured. Let Sasuke push away the bad memories of his teenage years and replace them with happier times.

It was not going to be be an easy task. It would take time. Each session was with a gentle push of Tsunade's hand resting on Itachi's forehead during the sessions. It was not a painless process...the first session, no one knew what to expect. Sasuke had stood leaning against the wall, while Tsunade and Shizune explained the procedure to the brothers. Itachi sat in the chair, his feet barely reaching the floor and his hands settled serenely in his lap. It was a sight that left a dull ache in Sasuke's chest. Itachi looked as professional and mature as always. Like the older brother he had always idolized. Yet the bottom his feet did not manage to touch the ground.

As soon as the soft golden light had touched Itachi's skin, he had gone very still. Sasuke watched silently, arms crossed. Silence hung heavy in the room. Itachi breathed silently, his eyes half lidded and his lashes fluttering over his skin, casting shadows.

The gold pulsated languidly, sparking over Itachi's face. Shizune glanced from the boy to Tsuande, taking in the look of concentration on the woman's face. The younger woman checked Itachi's pulse and felt it beat lightly beneath her fingers.

"Vitals are good..." She murmured, jotting down a quick not in the warn out book she had on her lap.

Itachi stiffened, his skin losing pallor. The Hokage frowned, amber eyes narrowed in concentration. At the wall, Sasuke watched, his own expression unreadable but his eyes fixed intently on Itachi.

He watched as Tsunade shifted her hand slightly to the right. The light suddenly pulsated and Itachi's mouth fell open. Sasuke's eyes widened as blood suddenly began to pour from his brother's nose, gushing down his face.

"STOP!" Sasuke screamed. He lunged forward just as Tsunade pulled away. Itachi tilted forward, his body boneless. Sasuke caught him around the chest before Itachi could face plant into the floor. The bleeding stopped immediately and Itachi shuddered, his face coated scarlet.

"WHAT DID YOU DO!?" Sasuke snarled.

"Calm down!" Tsunade snapped. "His chakra...it's as if he's depleted..." She watched as Sasuke gently sat Itachi back up, murmuring softly in his ear as the younger boy slowly came to. He wiped at the blood on Itachi's face.

"Sasuke..." Itachi blinked slowly and the other Uchiha grunted in response, earning a twitch of Itachi's lips. His eyes slowly focused on Sasuke who stared back with an unreadable expression. Yet his eyes spoke volumes. The spiky haired Uchiha settled his brother back into his seat before swiftly turning on the Hokage. Tsunade did not even spare him a lance, already going over her notes and muttering to Shizune about checking Itachi's chakra level. Shizune handed Sasuke a towel, which he took and gently wiped the blood off Itachi's face.

Tsunade walked around the room, deep in thought. Why had it backfired like that? It was as if Itachi's chakra vanished... she glanced at the siblings and released a weary sigh. Sasuke stared at her, eyes narrowed in obvious displeasure. Tsunade approached Itachi and checked his vitals. They boy allowed her to check him over in silence while his brother practically vibrated in anger at his side. Once assured he was fine, the Hokage pulled away and nodded to Sasuke.

"We'll try again next week."

And so they had.

For the next few weeks, Itachi would go in twice a week and each time he would leave weaker than the last. His body seemed unable to handle the strain. Finally, Sasuke nonexistent patience had reached its end. Itachi had vomited blood during the last session and Sasuke could not take it anymore. He demanded answers from the Hokage. She seemed as baffled as him by Itachi's sudden weakness.

"I have to reach into his memories...but something is holding me back." Tsunade muttered. "His chakra had been rapidly declin-"

"Then leave him! We'll just...he can age naturally. If this could kill him I don't want him being worked on anymore." Sasuke snapped and Itachi remained silent. Tsunade watched him, noting that it seemed that Itachi had aged a decade within the desolate look in his eyes. Yet at the next moment it was gone and he was offering Sasuke a weary smile.

Three days later Sasuke awoke to the sunlight filtering into his room. His eyes cracked open and he blinked slowly. He sat up with a grumble, rubbing at his eyes as he tried to convince himself to get up. Finally he stood, his feet padding quietly across the wooden floors. He walked out of his room and passed by Itachi's. Itachi's door was cracked open and Sasuke slid it all the way, glancing around for his sibling.

They had argued yesterday. Or...Sasuke had argued and Itachi had listened with an eerily blank expression on his face. Sasuke wanted Itachi to stop going to Tsunade for the jutsu, claiming it was hurting Itachi. Yet Itachi seemed resilient on the topic. He wanted to age. He didn't. want to be stuck at an age where he was left in the dark.

Sasuke's nightmares were becoming more morbid. Obito's whispering in his ear, threatening to take Itachi away forever. Itachi was so stubborn. Why did he not understand that Sasuke only wanted to protect him!? Both had gone to bed frustrated, but with morning, it seemed they could talk it out as usual.

However...

Itachi was not in his room.

Sasuke would not have thought much of it expect with how spotless the room was. On the made bed sat a single folded paper and Sasuke approached it, wondering if Itachi had wandered off with Sakura or Kakashi as he was prone to do from time to time. He picked up the paper and unfolded it, sitting on the edge of Itachi's bed.

Otouto,

I am sorry you must find out about my departure this way. However, I do not believe I can face you with the truth. Let us not fool ourselves, Sasuke. I do not belong in Konoha. My time in the village has reached its end. My part in killing the clan included the stipulation that I never return. It does not matter that the circumstances of the massacre are not as clear as they were first presented. It only proves that I am nothing but a desperate child filled with fanciful hopes and dreams. You told me earlier how many would view my actions as heroic. That what I did would cause many to praise my actions. You mentioned all of those unknown people, but never yourself. What do you think Sasuke? You do not believe my actions were truly justified let alone commendable. I can see it in your eyes even though your lips speak other words. It was our family I slaughtered. I did not kill them just to gain a hero status while they were reviled. They were meant to be honored and I was meant to remain in the shadows as their treacherous murderer. Each time the Lady Tsunde used her jutsu on me, more memories came forth even if my body remained young. It feels as if I am nearly complete, yet stuck at thirteen. Memories have returned that made me realize I could no longer stay at your side.

I walked away from Konoha once, and shall do so again. Even if it breaks my heart to do so. Even if you wished me to stay. We cannot continue to play pretend when our whole family is now gone, because of my actions. I should have realized that it would never be so easy. The charade would have been over the moment I returned as an adult. In any event, I cannot stay where the ghosts of our clan haunt my every step. I am a coward to run like this, but my hope is that with departure, you will find yourself. Your own path is now clear ahead of you, and it is you who decide its course. Words cannot possibly describe how proud I am of you. Our last few months together have been the best of my current life. It is funny, really. You now the elder brother. For me, it is as if you were only just eight years old and so filled with childlike wonder and innocence. I'm sorry I took that from you. I'm sorry for a lot of things. Perhaps I will reach my true age someday and will take the chance to repent for my sins. Nothing turned out the way it should have. But just look at you now! My dear, you are no longer the little boy who raced after me looking for adventure. You found it yourself. You paved your own way and never allowed yourself to fall. You've grown up so much! Mother and father would both be so proud of you. My heart is light knowing that I have someone as wonderful as you for a brother. Please, live your life as you wish. Do what makes you happy. After all this time, you deserve all the happiness in the world.

With all my love,

Itachi

Hey everyone! Hope your holidays were great! Has anyone seen the Naruto filler episodes? They're filled with Uchiha ANGST! I highly suggest you all see it!