"I…can't." Itachi's voice was brittle and barely audible. Genma stared in confusion. He reached out for the Uchiha, pulling the blanket more securely around him.
"C'mon Itachi. You can do it." Genma stated, sounding optimistic. "I don't want you passing out on me." He gave Itachi a little shake, hoping to get him to look up. Itachi was far too pale and it scared Genma
"I don't have it."
"Have what?" Genma murmured, encouragingly rubbing a shoulder and trying to keep Itachi talking. Itachi lifted a hand from the confines of his blanket and indicated to his face.
"There's…there's nothing there." Itachi managed, brows furrowing into a distressed frown. It took Genma a moment to realize what Itachi meant and he leaned back on his heels.
"Shit." He breathed, shaking his head as he stared at Itachi.
Sasuke tore through the tree line, breathing sharply. He could hear Kakashi just behind him. They did not speak to one another and Sasuke doubted he would even be able to form a sentence at the moment. He skidded through the mud, silently cursing the weather. Finally he came to a clearing where two shinobi pointed west. Sasuke barely spared them a passing glance, rushing ahead as Kakashi gave a nod of thanks.
Sasuke spotted Genma ahead, kneeling in the mud. Blocked by the man, Sasuke could see wisps of dark hair.
"ITACHI!" Sasuke screamed and Genma turned to him, revealing Itachi who lifted his head. Genma moved aside just as Sasuke slid through the mud and into his sibling. Itachi had no time to react before he was yanked into Sasuke's arms. The teenager burying his face into the crook of his neck and releasing a dry sob.
"Otouto…" Itachi murmured, his free hand reaching to cup Sasuke's cheek. Itachi's fingers were icy. Sasuke pulled away to look his brother over. He stared at the blanket Itachi had wrapped around himself and lightly pulled at it, spotting his brother's bare collar bone.
"Where are your clothes?" The younger Uchiha questioned and Itachi self consciously pulled the blanket tighter.
"Madara took them away." He replied softly. Rage flared in Sasuke's chest and he squeezed his eyes shut.
How dare he…
Itachi leaned against the body heat Sasuke offered, his eyes falling shut. Sasuke glanced over his shoulder at Kakashi who stood at Genma's side watching the exchange. Kakashi approached and knelt next to Sasuke, eyes fixed on Itachi.
"He needs medical attention." The Copy nin stated and Itachi's eyes slowly fluttered as if wishing to open them. The skin around them was raw and a deep pink color. It was obvious they had not been removed surgically. Madara had simply torn them out.
Sasuke moved his hand to Itachi's back to help him stand when the elder's back arched and he released a gasp of pain. Sasuke pulled away, glancing bewilderedly at Kakashi who watched Itachi in silent trepidation. Sasuke quickly pulled at the blanket, ignoring Itachi's attempts to keep himself covered. Kakashi and Genma politely turned away as Sasuke pulled the blanket aside and look at Itachi's naked back.
Sasuke sucked in a sharp breath of shock and his fists clenched over the blanket. A large fresh wound marred the one flawless skin. What looked like several tomoe were carved into the skin of Itachi's back. Dried and fresh blood clung to it. It had beed cut with precision and delicacy. Again Sasuke had to fight down the white hot anger that threatened to consume him. Itachi swiftly pulled the blanket back up around his shoulders, his face flushed in humiliation. Sasuke helped him with the blanket with an apology.
"Let's get you somewhere warm, Aniki." Sasuke finally murmured, brushing strands of Itachi's damp hair from his face.
He slowly stood, taking Itachi with him. Itachi leaned against his brother, unwilling to allow Sasuke to carry him. Sasuke wrapped an arm around Itachi's shoulders, careful to avoid his wounded blanket was drenched and muddy and mud clung to Itachi's bare feet and legs.
Genma walked ahead while Kakashi fell in step just behind the pair, his eyes fixed on Itachi's hunched shoulders as he slowly moved forward. The walk back was slow but Sasuke was patient, not pushing Itachi to move faster and he allowed Itachi to walk, rather than humiliate him further by carrying him. One hand was wrapped around itachi to support him while the other was clasped with Itachi's own cold hand.
Twice, Itachi stumbled and when his legs finally collapsed under him, Sasuke knew he would not be getting back up. Sasuke waved Genma on ahead and knelt across from Itachi. Kakashi stood close by, but allowed the brother's their privacy.
"Can I carry you, Itachi?" Sasuke asked, both hands resting on Itachi's shoulders. Itachi turned his face away, his mouth pulled into a thin line. When he nodded it was with great reluctance. Sasuke was as careful as possible wrapping one arm around Itachi's wounded back and under his legs, scooping him up as if he were still thirteen years old and tiny. Although he was taller now then he had been, so was Sasuke and Itachi weighed very little even now. Itachi rested his head against Sasuke's shoulder, consciousness fading as they approached the village.
"Itachi, I need you to stay awake okay?" Sasuke prompted softly as he felt Itachi sag against him.
"I'm so tired…" Came the feeble reply.
"I know…I know, and I'll put you in a nice warm bed with a bunch of blankets and pillows, but first we have to make sure you're okay." Sasuke stated, fighting down the hitch in his voice. Kakashi watched the exchange, expression never changing. He came forward until he was walking side by side with Sasuke who glanced at him.
"Itachi?" Kakashi called.
"Hmm?"
"What would you say if I told you that I wanted to grow a beard?" Kakashi questioned and Sasuke nearly faltered, eyeing Kakashi in silent questioning. Itachi's brows furrowed.
"That would be incredibly stupid." He stated finally and Sasuke's lips quirked slightly. He walked around a puddle and shifted Itachi in his arms.
"Maa, I think I would look quite dashing." Kakashi replied and Itachi tilted his head back slightly.
"Why would you want a beard? What possibly purpose could it serve?" Itachi asked wth a little more strength on his voice and all at once, Sasuke realized what Kakashi was trying to do. Keep Itachi awake and keep him occupied. He allowed the pair to speak back and forth, shooting scathing looks at Kakashi when the older man started with the cheesy pick up lines.
But they seemed to keep Itachi sleepily amused, so Sasuke silently bore with it. They took the back way into the village, managing to avoid the crowds and meeting up with Naruto near the hospital entrance.
Sasuke carried Itachi through the doors that Naruto and Genma opened for him,motioning to the front desk. A group of medic nin were already waiting with a wheelchair and Sasuke was reluctant to release his sibling.
Finally, he set Itachi down in the wheelchair and allowed the medic nin to roll it down the hall, keeping pace with them so Itachi was always in his sight. He was stopped at the door to the hospital room and moved to shove the medic nin aside when a hand touched his shoulder.
"He's in good hands, brat." Tsunade stated, patting the teen's shoulder. Sasuke scowled and reluctantly stepped back. He watched Tsunade to walk through the doors, catching a glimpse of his brother being lifted into the hospital bed, his body completely limp and frail. The door swung closed and Sasuke lost sight of him.
Naruto and Sakura did not leave Sasuke's side throughout the wait. Naruto sat at Sakura's side, hands clasped on his lap, watching the Uchiha from the corner of his eye. Sasuke paced the room, unable to sit. His eyes would dart to the clock every now and then, hoping that those doors would open.
"You're going to wear a hole in the carpet." Sakura murmured softly, brushing her hair from her face and watching Sasuke who did not spare her a glance. Kakashi was leaning against the front desk, watching the medic nin work with a bored expression. If it were not for the tenseness in his back, Sasuke would think he was uninterested in being there.
When the door finally opened, Naruto jumped to his feet and Sasuke's head swung to face her.
"How is he?" Sasuke quickly asked. Kakashi pushed off the desk and approached the Hokage. Tsunade was wearing a pair of scrubs rather than her normal outfit. She motioned for the group to follow her. They walked down the hall and Tsunade opened the door to Itachi's room. Sasuke had to fight the urge to shove her aside to reach his sibling.
Itachi was hooked up to several IV'S, his eyes bandaged. He had been dressed in a medical gown and Sasuke was mortified by how he could clearly see Itachi's collar bones. A blanket had been placed over him but Sasuke did not doubt his ribs would be poking through his skin. Tsunade stepped aside so Sasuke could approach his brother.
Sasuke knelt down next to Itachi and listened to him breathe. He took a slender hand into his grip and clung to him. He heard Naruto shift behind him and shuffled, motioning with his free hand for Naruto to sit next to him.
"His…eye sockets had an infection starting in them, no doubt because his eyes were not properly removed." Tsunade began and Sakura winced at this, horrified at the idea. Sasuke gave no physical reaction, merely continuing to hold Itachi's hand.
"The carving on his back has been cleaned, but it will no doubt scar. Madara wanted to send a message to you as well as ensure Itachi never forgot what was done to him." The Hokage continued. Kakashi crossed his arms over his chest and watched Itachi.
"His eyes….can you heal them?" Sasuke asked and Tsunade glanced towards Itachi, who remained asleep.
"I don't know what good it will do him."
"What do you mean?"
"Even with the eyes, he's blind." Kakashi stated solemnly, Tsunade quickly glanced towards him. "I saw them at the mountain hideout. He was completely blind." The Copy nin explained.
"But how did he manage to still take the whole place down?" Sakura asked, blinking and Kakashi smiled slightly.
"Because he's Itachi and blind or not, he's going to win." He spoke with the pride of a ANBU captain who once had Itachi working with him.
"He's blind either way." Naruto muttered and Kakashi narrowed his eyes in thought.
"Wait. I have an idea." Kakashi suddenly spoke up. "You mentioned how Itachi intended for you to take his eyes so you could achieve the Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan?" He looked to Sasuke who narrowed his eyes at his sensei.
"What are you suggesting?" He asked slowly. Naruto looked away from Itachi to glance at Sasuke.
"You take Itachi's eyes and we give Itachi's yours. You have the Mangekyo. You'll receive the eternal as will Itachi, along with his eyesight." Kakashi softly pointed out and Sasuke blinked, leaning back to glance at his brother.
"Both of us?" He murmured, thoughtfully. He had not even considered the idea. Itachi's eyes were his own. The thought of taking them was horrifying, but if he traded eyes with Itachi, there could be hope. They would become powerful enough to stand against Madara and Obito, and Itachi would see again. Sakura shook her head, standing up from her chair.
"You can't perform surgery now. His body is too weak to handle it." Sasuke eyed the pinkette who faced him. " You need to give him time to recover enough strength." Tsunade watched her student, the heaviness in her chest growing.
"He will be fine though?" Sasuke roughly asked. "He'll recover?" Sakura glanced to Tsunade, a smile on her lips. It faded away at the expression on Tsunade's face. Sasuke stared at her, coldness falling over him.
"What?" He asked softly and Kakashi eyed the Hokage.
Tsuande rubbed her temples, brows furrowed. For a moment she looked much older than her actual age. She released a low sigh and met Sasuke's eyes.
"We discovered something else." She murmured bitterly and the excitement Naruto had felt was sucked out of him. Kakashi blinked and faced the woman. What else could be wrong?
"There is a disease eating at his lungs. I cannot even figure out what it is, but it is progressing. And very quickly." She stated and Sasuke's hands tightened around his brother's.
"What do you mean?" He asked. This couldn't be happening. Not to Itachi. Not after everything!
"Your brother is very ill. And has been for sometime. He must have been self medicating to keep it at bay, but I'm not sure what I can do for him." Kakashi shook his head at this. That could not be true. Itachi was so powerful as an adult. They had faced each other as adversaries and Itachi had easily overcome him.
"That's ridiculous. Itachi never gave any indication to-"
"He was coughing up blood." Sasuke spoke up suddenly. "During our final fight at the Uchiha Hideout…I didn't think anything of it, but now…he was very sick when he last faced me." Dread settled in Sasuke's chest and he looked over at his brother, reaching to stroke his cheek.
"Is he going to die?" He croaked, fighting back traitorous tears. Itachi's face became blurred and the boy blinked.
"Not if I can help it." Tsunade firmly replied, eyes fixed in the Uchiha brothers. "We can still help him, Sasuke. I will make sure of it."
Short chapter! Alas! Give me feedback, kay?