Next day update? Can it be? It is!

When morning came, Kakashi was surprised to arrive at the Uchiha compound with no bloodshed. He instead found both brother's sitting by the dock with a plate of food between them. Kakashi did not miss how Sasuke's hand rested close to Itachi's leg, as if to grab him if he slipped into the water. Itachi's previous suicide attempt had never left the boy and it was obvious he was prepared for the worst. Even if Itachi was smiling at him and looking to be at eace with the world.

Sasuke wasted not time in telling Kakashi of his plan. It was a simple idea. But it was utterly brilliant. Both brother's would gain a power and neither would have to suffer the consequences. Itachi had spent the evening arguing with his brother over the idea of switching. Sasuke was stubborn however and told Itachi he would not take his eyes unless, Itachi took his in return.

Kakashi found the idea, pleasing. It would mean Itachi could gain back his independence and live his life once again. The three of them made their way through the village, Kakashi raising a hand to wave at Genma and Yamato who saluted back in greeting. They came to a stop near a field and the light wind had itachi looking younger Uchiha stopped, turning to look at his brother. It was at that moment he realized that he had finally grown taller than Itachi. He blinked at this discovery and looked over at the Copy nin who offered him a closed eye smile. The Uchiha returned his attention to Itachi who was facing him, awaiting him to say something.

"I need to talk to Tsunade." Sasuke firmly stated and Kakashi nodded in agreement.

"I'm sure she'd be all for it." He drawled, stuffing his hands into his pockets and lightly bumping shoulders with Itachi who furrowed his eyebrows at him.

"I'll be back later, okay? We'll go out to dinner." Sasuke turned back to his brother who nodded, offering him a tight lipped smile. Sasuke knew he wasn't thrilled with his plan, but what else could he do? This was their chance to gain back some normality in their crazy lives. Sasuke bid his brother and Kakashi goodbye and without wasting anytime took off towards the Hokage's tower.

"Kakashi?" Itachi began as they began to walk through the field, Kakashi holding onto his elbow as they passed by a bolder.

"Hmm?"

"Whatever happened with my brother and Naruto..." Itachi began and Kakashi shrugged before realizing Itachi couldn't see him.

"I honestly don't know what happened with that. Naruto didn't join Sasuke when he first went to hunt you down...and after everything since, they barely speak."

"This is my fault." Itachi muttered, shoulders seeming to diminish slightly. Kakashi reached forward, twirling a lock of Itachi's hair between his fingers.

"Your brother's a big boy. If he wants to talk to Naruto, he can. And if Naruto wants to talk to Sasuke there is nothing stopping him."

Kakashi leaned forward, pulling his mask down over his chin and gently brushing his lips over the Uchiha's. He felt Itachi tense in surprise, before quickly sinking into the kiss. The light breeze through the field had his hair ruffling and strands of it got caught in the Copy nin's mouth. He smiled slightly, hand moving to brush Itachi's hair behind his ear.

He lay back into the grass, pulling Itachi down with him. The Uchiha lay his head against the man's chest, listening to his steady heartbeat. Kakashi watched the clouds lazily roll by in the sky, hands gently stroking down Itachi's arm.

"You loved me even after you left for the Akatsuki?" He murmured. Itachi lifted his head towards Kakashi, mouth pulling into a tired smile.

"I never stopped." He admitted with ease, his voice barely audible. Kakashi's chest warmed at this. But curiosity ate at him and he took Itachi's hair in his hand, running his fingers through it.

"You loved Kisame." He noted and Itachi smiled against Kakashi's chest at the mention of his lover.

"I still do. He became my anchor and the one constant in my life." Kakashi shifted, pulling Itachi up against his shoulder.

"Do you miss him?" He asked. His voice remained level, but his curiosity was apparent. Itachi nodded, running his fingers through the grass.

"The Edo Tensei version has his body and his memories and personality...but it's not him. Not while he's under Kabuto's control. Without his freewill, Kisame will never be himself." His voice came out bitter. Angry that his partner was so close, yet untouchable. Hurt that Kisame was enslaved to the twisted ambitions of cruel men. He would free Kisame. One way or another.

"And...Obito?" Kakashi asked softly, suddenly feeling unsure. Obito had been his friend and teammate. And now he had become this...he had tried to avoid even thinking about the man, but Obito still haunted his dreams. Not as a child, half crushed and filled with fierce pride and loyalty. He was now appearing to Kakashi, twisted and cruel with no indication that the Obito Kakashi had known ever existed.

"That is Madara's doing." Itachi murmured. "But he's not who you remember Kakashi. Please don't do anything foolish if and when you face him again." Kakashi closed his eyes, biting back the argument that no was beyond saving. That Obito was still inside that man somewhere. But one look at Itachi's bandaged face, and any argument Kakashi could have presented faded away.

Itachi moved suddenly, surprising Kakashi as he straddled the man's lap and cupped his face in the palm of his hands. The Uchiha kissed him deeply and Kakashi clutched onto his waist, tongue running over Itachi's bottom lip. The Uchiha's lips parted and they battled for dominance. Kakashi smirked into the kiss, flipping Itachi over so he was laying on his back with Kakashi on top. He took both of Itachi's wrists in his hand and pinned them over his head. Itachi released a breathy moan as Kakashi ground his hips against the raven's. Itachi pulled a hand free and moved it up Kakashi's chest, gripping at his collar.

They parted slowly, both panting. Itachi sat up slowly, running his fingers through Kakashi's silver locks.

"I wish I could see you." He muttered softly. Kakashi's smile saddened and he ran him thumb down Itachi's lip.

"You will," He offered tenderly. "Sasuke's going to Tsunade right now about the switch, and you know she will agree to it."

"I was hoping Sasuke would change his mind." Itachi replied with a shake of his head. The Copy nin smiled again, his eyes fond.

"You know him better than that." He chastised the Uchiha. Itachi looked down, smiling weakly. His fingers continued to stroke through the man's hair.

"It will be nice to see again," Itachi admitted, tilting his head as his hair fell over his shoulder. "I miss seeing the stars." He spoke softly, with a touch of nostalgia. It seemed Itachi's love of stars had not faded when he aged.

"Once your eyes are all fixed, I'll take you out to look at the stars." Kakashi swore to the Uchiha.

"So romantic, Kakashi-senpai." Itachi released a light laugh. "You're making me feel all fluttery."

"Soon, I'll make you feel all sorts of things." The Copy nin leered and Itachi pressed his forehead against the man's.

"Please do." He teased. "You did promise me that you would do whatever I wished when I aged again." He reminded the Copy nin. Kakashi chuckled and slowly stood, helping Itachi to his feet.

"You remember that?"

"Of course. I expect full payment." Itachi replied with a casual shrug of his shoulders. Kakashi pulled his mask back up, waggling his brows.

"Good to know. First, let's get you home before Sasuke comes back looking for you." He placed his hand on Itachi's lower back and led him through the field towards the village.

It seemed Kakashi was right about Tsunade's decision, because two days later both brother's were to report to the hospital to have to procedure done. Naruto nervously paced down the hall, eyes darting now and again to the door. Itachi was already in the hospital, having his lungs checked over by Tsuande. Kakashi lounged in one of the chairs, ankles crossed, eyes following the teen. Finally, Sasuke strode through the door and his eyes clashed with Naruto's.

"Usuratonkachi." He greeted voice low. Naruto grinned at him, but it seemed to lack that carefree mischievousness it usually held.

"Teme." He shot back, but it lacked the usual bite.

Both seemed unsure on what to say next and Kakashi leaned back to enjoy the show. Naruto scratched the back of his head.

"Goodluck."

"I've got to go."

They spoke at the same time and Kakashi's brows rose at them. Sasuke blinked once, and turned towards Kakashi who folded his hands on his lap, studying his students.

"Itachi's here?" Sasuke asked and Kakashi nodded, indicating down the hall. Naruto shuffled, looking ready to speak. The Uchiha looked away, expression pinching before bidding the pair a swift goodbye and making his way down the hall and out of sight.

Wow.

Things were worse than Kakashi had previously thought. He watched as Naruto slumped back in his seat, expression morose. He didn't even seem to notice Kakashi watching. Lost in his own thoughts. Usually it was so easy for Naruto to talk to people, but Sasuke had always been the exception. It was like they were walking on eggshells around each other and Naruto hated it. He knew things wouldn't magically get better when Sasuke came back...but this...they treated each other like strangers when they were once so close. Naruto was grasping at straws at this point, unsure on what to do to reach out to the Uchiha.

"You seem lost, Naruto." A voice drawled to the blonde's left and the boy turned. Naruto blinked in surprise, looking at his sensei who casually crossed his arms over his chest, watching him, closely.

"What?"

"I was simply curious about you and Sasuke...you two have seemed pretty distance recently..." He noted and the blonde looked away, brows narrowing.

"I don't want to bother him..." Naruto began and Kakashi shot him an unimpressed look, shutting him up.

"Please Naruto...if you're going to lie to me you can do better than that. You've been chasing him for years trying to get him to return to Konoha. You didn't worry about bothering him back then...what's the deal?" He asked and Naruto's mouth pinched into a thin line, his brows narrowing in obvious distress.

"We're both boys sensei! And he wants to rebuild his clan! How can he do that if he likes me! I'm not a woman! He can't be with a guy if he wants kids!" Naruto stated in frustration and the Copy nin sighed. He moved from his own seat and plopped down next to the blonde.

"There are such things are surrogates, Naruto." Kakashi murmured, watching the boy from the corner of his eye. Naruto made a face, obviously not ready to even consider thinking about a romantic future of hand holding and children. He was seventeen. He was in the here and now. But he understood what Kakashi was trying to do and he appreciated him for it.

"I'll...I'll talk to him after the operation." Naruto stated firmly, nodding to Kakashi who closed his eyes as he smiled at the teenager. That was the Naruto he knew.

"Get him while he's too drugged to call you names, eh?" He prompted and the boy scowled.

"No! Don't be weird, Sensei!" He declared, sticking his tongue out at the man who shrugged, whipping out a book and burying his face in it.

"What about you and Itachi?" Naruto teased, elbowing the man. "Domestic life suits you." His mouth pulled into a wide grin. Kakashi reached forward, smacking the boy upside the head.

Hospitals had that distinct odor. Not something anyone could really place, but a scent that many could easily recognize. This smell was what Sasuke had woken up to after the massacre. A smell that to this day had him thinking back to opening his eyes and the bone crushing agony of remembering everything. It was weird, almost. How now Sasuke was walking through the hospital on the way to find his brother. A brother who for years he wanted dead and was now fighting with every fiber of his being to keep alive. Funny how things worked out that way. Sasuke found Itachi seated on the hospital bed. He was dressed in a hospital gown that hung off one shoulder. The elder looked up as he heard Sasuke enter.

"What did Tsunade say about your lungs?" The younger man asked, closing the door behind him. Whatever medication had been given to Itachi seemed to be helping. He had more color to him and he had more energy than he had on the mountaintop.

"She said they're looking better at the moment." He replied with a weak shrug. Sasuke took a seat next to his brother, taking his hand in his own and giving it a light squeeze.

"Are you ready?" He asked and Itachi shook his head. He didn't offer and explanation and Sasuke didn't ask for one. He was glad that he was even given this opportunity. That his eyes could help Itachi as well as giving them both of them enough power to face Madara on equal ground. Sasuke took his own gown off the railing and picked it up. The gown was flimsy and he refused to put it on until necessary. He pulled Itachi's gown back up to cover his shoulder and his brother offered him a weak smile, lips pulling up at the corners.

"You and Naruto seem distant." He noted and Sasuke blinked at the unexpected comment.

"What?"

"You and Naruto," Itachi slowly spoke. "I thought you two were close." Sasuke eyed his sibling who was now facing the ceiling, tapping his foot casually.

"Are you trying to see if I'm playing nice with the Dobe?" He deadpanned. Typical Itachi making sure his little brother was playing nice with his little friends.

"Or kissing him if that's what you prefer," Itachi airily stated, waving a hand in dismissal. "I'm not picky." Sasuke was now opening staring, mouth opening and closing in shock.

"You want to know if I'm getting laid?" His voice came out half mortified half awestruck. Itachi cast him a look that screamed annoyance and indignation. How rude to say such things!

"No, Sasuke. I want to know if you're still in love with Naruto." Itachi explained, reaching to flick the side of Sasuke's head. Sasuke scowled, rubbing his head.

"I'm not in love with Naruto." Sasuke argued hotly and Itachi rose a slender brow.

"You're also a terrible liar." Itachi hummed. Sasuke lightly nudged Itachi's shoulder in response, smiling despite himself. Both brothers looked up at the knock at the door to see Tsunade and Shizune at the entrance, Shizune gripping a clipboard. Tsunade looked from Sasuke to Itachi.

"You ready?" She asked and Sasuke nodded in confirmation while Itachi remained still. Tsunade motioned for Sasuke to follow her and the boy stood from the bed. He looked down towards Itachi and offered him a small smile.

"I'll see you soon, okay?" Sasuke assured his brother who lifted his head and slowly nodded in understanding. Sasuke reached out, taking Itachi's hand and linking their fingers together. He gave Itachi's chilled hand a reassuring squeeze, before slipping his fingers free and following Tsunade out of the room.