Chapter5 Recall:

Sakura has a new group project, a visit to Kizuna University's cafeteria, meeting Ino's ex (you all know who he is by now), an unexpected request and an intimate playtime with Itachi.

Chapter6 – Itachi's Decision, Sasuke's Feelings

Slipping into her loafers, Sakura did a mock salute at Itachi, who was stationed by the living room entrance to see her off.

"I'm leaving, Itachi-san- I mean, Itachi," Sakura corrected herself with an embarrassed grin.

"Take care, Sakura." He nodded his regards and her heart did a little leap at the intimacy (she was still getting used to being called Sakura) and genuine concern expressed. Things between them changed since that faithful evening spent by the magical stream.

At least Sakura was certain things definitely changed, when she found herself sneaking more than an occasional glance at him, stuttering whenever he asked her a question, and being unable to fall asleep that night, as though suddenly aware of his prominent presence and proximity to her. She even had a crazy notion she might have a crazy rough dream and would tumble on top of him. That effectively prevented any sleep till it was nearly five.

"Oh, I won't be home till five; I have a project meeting after school so… 'Fraid I can't have lunch with you, Itachi…" Sakura regarded Itachi pensively.

"I see. Don't worry about me; I can settle my own meal. I know my way around," Itachi ascertained Sakura, though she was still unconvinced by his last claim. After all, Konoha should have changed since the last century, right? He detected her disbelieving eyes and felt a smile tugging at his mouth.

"Sakura, there's really no need for your worries. I have already found my way into the future; what more just within Konoha. I can even summon my crows to guide me if you're-"

"EEE! Not the crows please! Alright, alright I trust you… I'll buy back dinner then!"

Catapulting herself onto the road to stop the bus, she managed to catch the last bus that would send her to school on time. Their earlier conversation had eaten into her morning routine and she had to dash all the way to the bus-stop.

"Gosh, why is it always this crowded?" She was having a hard time weaving through the crowds while holding her breath to block off the wrath of the perfumes.

"Good morning, Sakura-san," Came a polite greeting beside her.

"Oh! Good morning Gaara-san! I didn't see you," She breathed out, flashing a surprised smile. "Hey, you looked washed out." Sakura noticed the dark circles and slight sallowness in his complexion, and her smile turned into a concerned frown reserved for her patients.

"I did not sleep well last night," he replied simply, but his blasé expression belied his troubled eyes; Sakura was certain it more than just a matter of amnesia. Considering their (undesirable) environment and the (shallow) depth of their friendship, Sakura figured that the bus was hardly a place for opening up and sharing feelings, assuming he was troubled and was willing to confide in her. It was also her turn to talk, and with each growing seconds the silence between them stretched on uncomfortably.

"Er, Gaara-san, I still heaven asked what made you decide to come study in Konoha? And during the final year…" She was trying her best not to sound too nosy or unwelcoming, but with Gaara staring ahead and deep in thoughts, it hit her that it might be a personal question and she could be putting him in a difficult position. "H-hey it's okay if you don't feel like answering… Sorry about that, Gaa-"

"I came here for a woman." He answered eventually.

"Oh, that's ni- you WHAT?" Sakura was prepared for a nod of gratitude for her kind understanding and maybe even a "tell you next time," followed by a rare showcase of a Gaara smile. She even went as far to assume that it might be Kizuna's reputation that attracted an outstanding student from Sand to ditch his land's school last minute. Anything could happen right?

She just did not imagine Gaara to be the type to leave everything behind for a woman. That lucky lady must be something.

"Wow, what did you do to drive her all the way over the desert to Konoha? She must be quite upset eh?" Sakura replied jokingly.

"I guess it's partly my fault. I've been so busy with school that I left no time for her and didn't even realised she's sick; now she's having treatment here since there's nowhere more renown than Konoha in terms of medical expertise." Sakura gasped when she realised the sacrifices that Gaara made for the unknown lady. She pulsed her lips shamefully at her earlier assumption that the lady actually scarpered off in a fit of anger, as though someone as placid as Gaara could infuriate any girl.

"Gaara-san, I'm sorry to hear that; is she doing better here?"

"I'm not sure… Even though she claimed to be feeling fine, her face has become paler and she lost so much weight… I don't- Sorry Sakura-san, I shouldn't be telling you all these," Gaara offered an apologetic grin at her, none of it reaching his jaded eyes.

"Hey, it's okay, you saved me the other day on the bus remember? It's the least I can repay your services by lending a listening ear," she replied while giving a consoling tap on his solid shoulder, eyes softening at his show of vulnerability. He meekly nodded before straightening his back, replacing on his regular mask of impassiveness. That was clearly the end of topic.

"So, how do you find your geog group mates?" They have just alighted a few metres away from Kizuna High, and apart from a few students, they were the only ones strolling along the pathway. Gaara burrowed his brows at her question.

"I don't think Kiba likes me a lot, and Hinata is really soft-spoken and quiet. But I think we get along just fine," Gaara concluded, though Sakura felt that that sounded far from fine and was only for the benefit of her doubt.

"Well… I'm glad to hear that, Gaara-san!"

Classes whirred by in a blur and soon it was lunch time.

"Hey guys, shall we head to U's cafeteria?" Sakura causally suggested. She had spent the sleepless night thinking, trying to dismantle the bomb Itachi dropped on her. If the normal route could not cut it, then she had to take extreme measures. She needed to talk to him.

"Again? Didn't we just go there?" Ino pointed out, to Naruto's confusion.

"What? You guys went uphill without me? What kind of friends are you!" Naruto protested loudly.

"Sorry Naruto, it was a last minute decision and you weren't around… Come on Ino, I'm er, craving for that western store..." Sakura lied, since that was the only valid reason that Ino might buy for her insistence to visit there.

"Y-Yes, their bento sets tastes good too," Hinata injected, and at that moment Sakura could not love Hinata more than anyone.

"Alright… I'm only agreeing because of the fabulous vi- I mean food of course."

The wafts of the various delicacies teased at their olfactory senses and made their climb worthwhile. While it was packed as usual, there was no escaping the jocund atmosphere of the U's cafeteria and being wrapped into its effervescence.

"I still can't believe you guys came here without me…" Naruto grumbled while doing his signature pout and puffy cheeks effect that Sakura adored, and she could not stop the laughter which slipped through her mouth at his wind tousled hair. Sometimes he could be such a child, but his tall and built physique would jump out at her and reminded her that they were of equal seniority.

Sakura volunteered to chomp their seats, and took the opportunity to scan the vicinity for her target. Though it was easier than searching for a pin in the ocean, it did not make her task any easier with the constant activity and non-stop chatters. If anyone could get her the documents she needed, it was him.

"Looking for me, Ms Haruno?" There came a booming voice behind, causing Sakura to jump out of her skin and knocking her knee against the timber table.

"W-Wa! You scared the daylights out of me, Dei! Please don't do that again!" Sakura chided as she rubbed at her sore knee.

"As welcoming as usual, hmm. Finally decided to come to terms with your feelings and confess your undying love for me? You can always call, you know, hmm."

"You wish. And you wouldn't pick up even if I call, so why bother." Sakura replied pointedly, remembering the last twenty missed calls she had left on his phone when she needed his help with a broken sink. When he finally called back two days later, she had already hired professor help and was ready to kill him for breaking his promise of "being there for her".

"Tsk, you might be the only girl who bears grudges against me, you know? I have already explained that I was working on my sculpture and forgot about my phone – heck I didn't even change my clothes for the entire week I was working on it!" Deidara confessed in an effort to mollify Sakura.

"Dei, you do realise that's kind of gross yea? I sincerely hope not all artists are like you!" Sakura exclaimed as she let off a series of giggles at Deidara's pouty expression of what's wrong with being me.

"Okay, I better leave before things gets awkward." Sakura knew that by awkward he was referring to Ino.

"Yes, do come by again. If you don't mind, bring along your friend Guts."

"You're so mean, Sakura, hmm." Sticking out her tongue at his laughing retreating back, she decided that she needed to do something for Deidara. She could no longer stand her two bosom buddies acting like strangers anymore.

"What you nodding your head at, Sakura? Your forehead too heavy?" Ino teased as she pushed a plate of lasagne towards a determined Sakura.

"Hey you're back! Oh wow thanks for the food. How'd know I wanted this?" Feeling impressed by Ino's display of understanding towards her, she was even more resolved to unthaw the cold war between her and Dei. It was the least she could do.

"What are you saying? Didn't you tell me your order just now? Weirdo Sakura…" Ino murmured under her breath, before shaking her head and diving into her grilled salmon.

"Hey guys, I'm going to look for a friend at the U campus; why not you all go back first?" The last thing Sakura wanted was to raise any suspicions and to entertain any questions so it was safer to carry out the mission herself.

"Friend? Since when you have a friend at Uni?" Ino remarked incredulously and Sakura felt slightly hurt at her curtness.

"W-We met at Konoha Hospital and I want to ask some questions about the entrance test," Sakura fibbed, hoping that would suffice for now.

"What's the rush? Why not just wait till you see her at the hospital and ask?" Ino countered, as though set to ruffle Sakura's feathers. She felt her patience waning, but fortuitously, her sweet o' best friend Hinata came to her rescue.

"I-Ino, it must be an important question. We know how much this test means to Sakura-chan so let's just head back for now, ne?" Sakura could see that Ino was swayed by her explanation, and did a mental victory punch.

"Alright, we'll see you in class, Sakura-chan!" Naruto, who has been keeping quiet all this time, suddenly chimed in, and all the more unusual was the lack of protest from his part. Sakura was pleasantly surprised; maybe he was finally growing up?

"Sweet! See ya!" After sending some muah-muah in their direction, she vamoosed from the cafeteria.

"Bye bye!" Naruto waved her off energetically.

"Sweet, so what do we do now?" Ino scowled as she folded her arms.

"L-Let's go ba-" Hinata began before she was rudely interrupted by Naruto.

"Isn't that obvious? We're going to follow her!" His revelation was immediately followed by an evil snigger.

"Naruto, you can't be thinking…?" Ino trailed off, finally realising where this was heading.

"I think Sakura-chan is hiding something from us and this is the only chance to find out what!" Naruto birred triumphantly, showing his front teeth and sniggering away at his brilliant plan.

"Now that you mention it, Sakura does seem to be acting weird…" Even Ino had to admit that she was excited by the prospect of tailing Sakura and to get a heads up on her mysterious 'friend.' Besides, it would be a downer to just return to their classroom when they already made an effort to visit the Uni compound.

"Hinata-chan, you are joining us yea?" When there was no response, he started to poke at her cheeks.

"Y-Yes Na-Naruto-kun! I'm coming with you guys…" Her face turned so red that for a moment Ino was worried that she would pass out. She prayed that Hinata was not crushing on Naruto.

They began tracking her footsteps, finally catching up to her and followed the steady movement of her back, taking care to keep a cautious distance away from detection. She made a beeline for the middle classroom block and vanished behind the staircase.

"Quick we're losing her!" Naruto dashed across the atrium and beckoned the ladies to the base of the steps, while his astute eye was locked onto Sakura's back. Naruto's enthusiasm was infectious; even Hinata was into the moment! Ino knew she could always count on this rambunctious kid for a dose of ecstasy.

"Whe… Where is she?" Ino huffed out.

"She made a right turn on the third floor. Let's hurry!" The three stalkers sprinted up the stairs in record time and screeched to an abrupt halt at the T-junction at Naruto's hand signal. He dared a peek beyond the edge of the wall, and motioned for the ladies to join him in his surveillance.

"Target confirm; hundred metres ahead stationary outside Class 3C-04. Looking uncertain yet cute aww! Why did you hit me Ino?" Naruto twisted his head to glare at Ino.

"Er hello? We are right behind you – there's no need to report her whereabouts you idiot!" Ino upbraided in a hushed whisper, and Naruto could not help but wonder if it was his compliment that irked her. Hah, that's too bad for her! Sakura is wayyy cuter and nicer than Ino anyway.

"L-Look! I think that's her friend!" Naruto and Ino immediately stopped their skirmish and directed their vision towards a silver-hair senior who was having an animated conversation with Sakura. Judging by their body language, they were well-acquainted.

"Naruto, Hinata, any idea who is that?" Ino whispered.

"I-I think he's the senior who failed four times for the High School final exams!" Hinata informed, equally bumped by the knowledge as her companions.

"W-what? Is that even possible? Is that even allowed?" Ino asked disbelievingly, threading between whether to be in awe or be appalled by his record.

"Yea! Who's that guy and why is he talking to Sakura-chan?" Naruto remarked quizzically. Guess there is someone worse than me after all…

"But he does look kinda cute, even with the glass-"

"H-He's taking her somewhere!" Hinata's words caused Ino to lose her balance and she went collapsing onto Hinata. Caught off guard, she failed to support her weight and went diving onto Naruto's back. Like a domino's effect, they went dropping onto the main corridor, piling on top of one another with grunts of agony.

"W-what happened?" Naruto groaned while sandwiched between the dusty tiles and the ladies.

"Argh, I-I think I sprained my ankle!" Ino squeaked painfully as she peeled herself off Hinata, one arm extended to pull the puzzled girl up. Between the grunts and pain, they failed to notice that they have caused a spectacle and everyone in the corridor and those behind the classroom windows were gaping at the trio with startled and incredulous expressions.

"This is so embarrassing…" Naruto mumbled after thanking Hinata for helping him up.

"Come on; now isn't the time for speaking the obvious; let's go," were Ino's explicit orders which Naruto and Hinata happily obliged, given the impressive first impression they made in their future institution's corridor.

"Wait, what about Sakura? We don't know where that guy is bringing her-"

"Naruto, we'll just ask Sakura later alright? It's too late to turn back now, right Hinata?" Hinata was too distracted with sending prayers that word of their commotion would not get to Neji nii-san, or she would not know how to face him when she reached home, ever.

Sakura swallowed a gulp of courage, slatted on some confidence and took purposeful strides towards Class 3C-04, trying her best to ignore the curious glances of her seniors. She slowed her steps and hesitated at the entrance, wondering if she should proceed with this rash decision. After all, what she had in mind was hardly normal and far from legal, and what if he rejected her request?

"Hey, are you looking for someone?" Sakura snapped out of her thoughts and came face to face with a cute senior, who was offering an inquisitive grin down at her. He was over a head taller than her, with chocolate brown hair and sharp jaws but what really pulled at her was the bubbly aura emitted from him that instantly eradicated her earlier concerns and feelings of incongruity. She returned his grin with her grateful one.

"H-Hi! Yes, I'm looking for Yabushi Kabuto? He's from this class," Sakura added lamely.

"Ahh, Kabuto-san. And you are?" The cute senior prodded.

"He'll know when he sees me, hopefully."

"Being mysterious eh? I like girls like you. Give me a sec?" He took a couple of backward steps into the class, and that was when Sakura felt like she had a fever – her cheeks were burning and she felt giddy from the unexpected compliment. She felt slightly ashamed that she would turn into a tomato after hearing a patronising praise from a complete stranger, albeit a cute one. She quickly straightened herself and resolved to strengthen up her immunity.

"Hey, Kabuto-san! A cute girl is looking for you~!" The cute senior shouted and sent a wink in her direction, and Sakura's earlier resolve dissolved in an instant.

"Sakura-chan? Fancy seeing you here! Is everything alright?" Kabuto enquired with concern.

"Hi! Yes everything is alright, why would you ask that?"

"I mean, you took a sudden leave, and a week long for the matter! That isn't your style, Sakura-chan," he pointed out and she immediately felt guilty for not informing him about it, or even offering an explanation.

"I'm so sorry Kabuto-san, I should have told you about it-"

"Hey, you don't have to apologise, I mean I'm not your Dad! Anyway, it's only when you're gone that I realised the amount of workload that you handled is nuts! How did you do all that and still have energy for classes?" Sakura was flummoxed by his comment, when things clicked in her mind.

"Oh you mean… You took over my entire week worth of working shift?! On top of yours?" Kabuto nodded sheepishly at her expression.

"Don't worry about it, I know what I can handle-"

"No, I feel so bad now, Kabuto-san! That is so irresponsible of me! Shizune-san should have phoned me if the hospital is short of staffs…" Sakura smacked her forehead self-deprecatingly at her flippant attitude towards her future career. She was going to be a god-damn Doctor for goodness sake!

"Sakura-chan! If you really feel bad, there is a way. You know the saying, 'The way into a man's heart…"

"… Is through his stomach. Alright then I shall whip up something worth your taste buds!" Emboldened by his trust in her culinary skills, she was determined not to let herself down this time round.

"Speaking of which, why are you looking for me? It must be urgent for you to come all the way up here from your campus ne?" Kabuto reflected.

"Oh that's right! When I start to talk, I tend to overlook the objective…" She looked up feeling abashed, but Kabuto remained unfazed and urged her on with his eyes encouragingly.

"Actually, you see." She toned her voice down several notches before continuing, "I need you to help me duplicate some documents." There. The cat was finally out of the bag.

"Duplicate? Wouldn't any printing ma- Oh, you mean duplicate," Kabuto's voice lowered dangerously, and Sakura felt an involuntary shiver ran through her spine. The earlier carefree and affable Kabuto was gone; this Kabuto meant business.

"It's dangerous to talk about this here, let's go somewhere quieter." He did a subtle swipe of their surrounding before gripping Sakura by her wrist. Leaving no room for negotiations, he escorted her, fine, pulled her, towards the end of the corridor, and led them behind the door leading to the various University club rooms.

"Okay, Sakura-chan, tell me what you need."

"Kabuto-san, I need you to forge an identification card and a certificate," Sakura supplied simply. He crossed his arms and thought for a moment.

"I suppose these ain't for you?" He finally responded.

"No… This is for a distant relative of mine, who recently came to Konoha from a rural village to live. The place he came from is going to be demolished by the local government due to its decrepit houses, so he… Contacted me and I offered him my space…" Sakura recited out the cover for Itachi which she had painstakingly revised and rehearsed before she confronted Kabuto. It was the only way to gloze his anonymity.

"So he escaped from his homeland? And entered Konoha through the backdoor?" Sakura nodded her head. She thought that Kabuto's conclusion was near the mark of the actual scenario, but naturally she could not reveal that.

"He's… He told me that he practised as a ninja apprentice…" Shit, why did I say that?

"Which explains why he could bypass Konoha's security," Kabuto continued for Sakura as she meekly nodded. She could not believe her luck – Kabuto actually believed her!

"Ninja huh, how interesting…" Sakura knotted her fingers in anxiety, certain that request would be denied the moment she mentioned the N word but Kabuto appeared to be intrigued.

"I get why he would need an ID card, but the certificate?"

"You see, he's coped up in my house the whole day and I thought it would be better if he could enrol in a Uni, where he can make friends… He's twenty-one. But you see Kabuto-san, the registration fee isn't exactly cheap…"

"And you figure that he could use a cert to be granted scholarship to solve the monetary issue, am I right Sakura-chan?"

"I-I know this is a lot to ask for, and I may not be able to pay you off till I graduate and get a job, but I really hope you can help me in on this one!" Sakura beseeched. Kabuto remained still for a considerable period of time, the deafly silence slowly suffocating her. She lowered her head and squirmed on her feet to embrace for the worst.

"… It can be done, but on one condition," his gravelly voice cutting through the wall of silence, causing Sakura to jump slightly. She spun her head up, not quite registering his words.

"Y-You are willing to do it for me? Really?! Oh my god thank you so much Kabuto-san! One condition? I would agree to any number of conditions!" Kabuto's eyes softened at her perkiness and smiled at her.

"Yes, Sakura-chan just one. That would be to take over my entire week of shift for next week." Sakura froze in her victory dance.

"That's it?" Her eyes were searching his for a hint of deceit, eschewed by the breeziness of the condition.

"That's it. So now, would you stop looking at me like that and give me his particulars? Kabuto ascertained, obsidian eyes twinkling.

Her friends were giving her the eye and she immediately smelt something fishy. As they spotted Sakura entering their classroom, they reverted back to staring listlessly ahead, backing up her theory. She stood beside her desk and ruffled Naruto's tousled blond hair in an attempt to 'wake' him up.

" Narutoooo, I'm back." Though he remained motionless, she saw his arm twitched involuntarily, holding back from acknowledging her. She spun her body around to look at Ino and Hinata, where they quickly looked away, caught red-handed at eyeing Sakura. She sighed dramatically; she hated to be in suspense.

"Naruto, you can ask me anything you want so quit your sleeping act." His head shot up with enough force to dislocate his neck bones, and squinted his eyes disgruntledly at her.

"Sakura-chan, who's that four-eyes?"

"Naruto! You're not supposed to ask like that! S-Sakura, is there something you are not telling us?" Ino baited with a saccharine voice.

"Sakura-chan, did he do anything to you? If he dares to hurt you I'm gonna beat him into a pulp-"

"NA. RU. TO," Ino warned with a deadly stare before continuing," Sakura, you've never mention you have a thing for our seniors-"

"WHAT?! Sakura-chan actually likes that glasses guy?!" Agitated, he shot to his feet, ready to prance onto anyone braved enough to step in his way.

"G-Guys, please calm down…" Hinata pleaded helplessly.

"What about Sasuke-kun?"

SLAM. Their embarrassing altercation was cut short by Sakura's resounding palm slam on her desk. Their raucous exchange revealed enough for Sakura to have an urge to grab the desk and hauled it through the window, followed by the chair, and Naruto. However, that might startle Gaara, and she was not going to risk destroying their precious friendship built over the bus ride because of her stalker friends.

"You guys tailed me?!"

"Sakura, we are concerned about you-"

"Yea! We even made sure not to be discovered by you…" Naruto coaxed, and Sakura heaved another sigh at this meaningless quibble.

"That's not the point! Ok, you want to know who that is. His name is Kabuto. As I mentioned before we met at Konoha Hospital and the reason he brought me to the stairs as you observed, was to have some privacy and not obstruct the traffic. Satisfied?" That effectively shut them up. After a few peaceful seconds of self-reflection and wallowing in deep regrets, Naruto was the first to speak up.

"So does that mean he's not your crush, Sakura-cha- AWWW! Why did you hit me, Ino!"

After school, Sakura, Naruto and Sasuke decided to conduct a field trip to Yonder Forest to collect data as part of their Geography research. After an unfruitful bus trip, they have arrived at the Gate next to Haruna Residence.

The ground was slightly damp from the short drizzle an hour ago, and their displeasure was clearly conveyed by Naruto's on and off bemoaning along their way as they took turns stepping on and splashing mud to the person behind.

"Watch your step, douche-bag."

"Shut your trap, Sasuke-teme! Can't you see my shoes AND pants are dripping mud?" Naruto retorted, and Sakura just shook her head. While it was not exactly desirable to be getting soil stains on her loafers, at least it was caused unintentionally by Sasuke. She was not going to cause a ruckus over petty affairs.

After getting their shoes suitably soiled, they redirected their focus to their surrounding grandeur. Sakura caught her breath at the resplendent ceiling sheltering them from the relentless sunlight; between the interlocking branches and leaves were interspersed with specks of lights peeking at them. As they made contact with the droplets on the leaves, they radiated pulsing glows that echoed the stars. The result was a daylight celestial of dancing stars, teasing and grinning at her.

Reaching for her bag, she withdrew a piece of paper and pencil, and began manually capturing this scene. A few feet ahead, Naruto was picking through the leaf litter, scaring the wits out of the dozing insects, while Sasuke watched her. He hated to admit it, but seeing her expressing an outright fascination and enamour to the forest pulled at his heart.

He was always under the impression that girls were more interested in themselves and impressing boys to bother with their surroundings, let alone the forest. When he was younger, Itachi would secretly bring him to the forest where they would ascent trees and race through the dense woods during summers. They would end up bedraggled and enervated, but contented. Even as their Mother reprimanded Itachi for making a mess of themselves, he would maintain his grip on his hand, locked his eye on his and slipping an assuring smile that it was all worth it. Since then, the forest was a sacred place for him, filled with tender recollections of their happy times.

It appeared that Sakura reciprocated that feeling, and Sasuke felt himself taking unconscious steps towards her, wanting to have a closer look at her.

"The forest, it does funny things to your brain, doesn't it, Sasuke-kun? I swear the canopy looks like it's shining stars!" Sakura announced exuberantly, jotting Sasuke back to the present, in time to retract his hand from touching Sakura's forehead.

"Hnn, I guess," Sasuke conceded begrudgingly, feeling flustered from his unexpected act. He hastily jogged ahead of her and knocked onto Naruto, muttering a sorry before disappearing around a bend.

Naruto spat out a mouthful of leaves and propelled himself off the ground to point vehemently at his direction.

"What's wrong with him?" Sakura merely shrugged, still drugged from the beauty of the natural woodlands.

What's wrong with me?

Sasuke recorded the various species of birds he spotted dotting across the forest, feeling disgusted by his lack of emotional control. He was angry at himself since his actions confirmed the incontrovertible fact he had tried so hard to suppress all these years – he missed hanging out with Itachi. He could never forget that faithful night which changed his world.

When Itachi declared that he was going to give University a miss to hit the stage and be a singer, Sasuke poured out laughing at his pathetic attempt at joking. He thought, singer, are you kidding me? Itachi was not even trying to be creative! Their parents, however, was taking his joke rather seriously.

"What do you mean University is of no interest to you? Furthering your studies isn't a choice, it's a necessity!" Their Father, Kanae Fugaku roared as he slammed his newspaper onto the coffee table and turned to glare at Itachi. Sasuke felt his skin jump and heartbeat accelerating; why was Father so agitated?

"F-Father, nii-san was just joking! Why are you so-"

"I have no intent following in your footsteps, Father. So what's the point in continuing this charade when the next course of action is so obvious?" Itachi rationalised in an eerily calm voice. Fugaku breathed out slowly, struggling to compose himself.

"I thought we've had this conversation, Itachi. I understand that you have reservations to taking over the company, but given your capabilities and outstanding performance thus far helping out at the HQ, I don't see what the issue is, "Fugaku reasoned. Sasuke felt overcome with dizziness. He spun his head to and forth his Father and Brother, wondering if they were teaming up to orchestrate this joke.

He dared a glimpse at Itachi, and felt his heart gripped with despair. Itachi was not joking. His usual teasing onyx orbs were replaced with glinting steel conviction, locked in an intense psychological war with their Father, a war which Itachi appeared to be winning.

"I am going to be a singer, Father." Itachi said.

Itachi was not joking.

Shortly after, Itachi left the house and began his career as a musician. From sitting on a long-legged chair singing to desolated souls in cramped hippy cafes, to being spotted and soaring into a mega idol within three months was no easy feat. Half a year after his departure from Kanae compound, he was already preparing for his first local concert.

With his earth-shattering good looks and sonorous and smooth voice, it was not long before he won over the hearts of girlfriends and mums. That included Kanae Mikoto, who shredded a tear seeing Itachi over the TV.

"He looks happy, Fugaku," Mikoto pointed out with a quivery voice. While Fugaku remained mum, Sasuke stared at the screen, helpless as a smile tugged at his corner. At least he's making other people happy.

But what about me? Why did he leave me alone, to bear his responsibility?

Sasuke missed his footing and went pummelling into the crystal-clear river. He gasped helplessly for air, grabbing feebly around for support. He fought against the gravity, but felt himself sinking and robbed of fresh air. His throat burnt and crawled at him to get out of the water, but his body felt like lead, consciousness slipping as he surrendered to the depths of the river.

He thought he saw Itachi smiling at him, reaching out to him like all those years ago, always there to pull him up when he fell, to watch his back even when back watching was unnecessary. Wasn't that what brothers were for?

Hi fellow readers! Sorry for the delayed update; I was facing zero motivation because I was having uncertainties to the progress of the story… Until yesterday, I had no idea how to pen out the hundred scenes I've painted out weeks ago. It was horrible. Fortuitously, I'm back on form so hope you guys enjoyed the little brother's flashback as much as I did!