So, like an idiot, I forgot to mention a few things in the first chapter. This story takes places as though the Uchiha massacre never happened. Sasuke is also closer in age to Itachi. Itachi is about 18. Sasuke is 16. Shisui is 19. Sasuke is a chunin and soon to be promoted to jounin. He is not able to join ANBU because he lacks the skills needed. Itachi has worked in the ANBU since he was 11. Shisui has worked in the ANBU since he was 15. SORRY. Here's chapter 2!

As hard as it was, Shisui stayed completely away from the hospital. He figured if there was news, good or bad, he would be informed. The silence that he received the next five days only caused him more worry and more hope.

He instead dove into investigating the attack. The evidence was all pretty week. There was so much damn blood at the scene that if the killer had lost any, they wouldn't have had a clue since all the blood had mixed together. Other than a few discarded kunai, which Shisui believed belonged to a member of Itachi's team, there was really nothing. Whoever had done this, had done it well.

Shisui attended the funerals for both the men on Itachi's team. He stood silently among the rest of his ANBU teammates and silently thanked whatever God there was that it wasn't Itachi they were placing in the ground. After the funeral had come to an awkward close, the crowd dissipated. People were worried. Whatever had happened to these men was traumatic and they feared for their safety. The Hokage assured them that the attacks were under investigation, and there was nothing to worry about. But, Shisui knew that was a lie.

Shisui was heading back to the compound, still wearing his ANBU mask and a tailored suit. His mind danced around what he knew from the attacks, but like always he couldn't make sense of anything. He suddenly stopped dead in his tracks.

Mikoto.

She was standing a few feet ahead, tears pouring out of her bright eyes. Shisui felt his body go numb as he removed his mask slowly, making eye contact with his aunt. She held a handkerchief in her hand and dabbed her eyes as Shisui finally closed the gap between them.

This was it.

Itachi had died.

Shisui felt sick as he waited for Mikoto to gather the strength she needed in order to speak.

"The doctors… they say that it's his time." Her eyes fluttered shut as if by closing her eyes, it would all go away.

"They said to prepare for the worst."

Shisui's mouth fell open. This couldn't be true. This couldn't be how Itachi died. Horribly beaten and then falling into a coma only to not wake up. No, not Itachi…

Shisui tried to say something. Anything. But all he could do was let out a pained moan. Mikoto turned away.

"Come say goodbye."

The hospital was crowded again with their family members. All dressed in pure black suits and dresses. They all gave Mikoto words of apology. They poured sympathy over her as she made her way into the hospital. Many of his family reached out to him as well. Soft pats on the back and the word "Sorry", echoed in his ears.

The room Itachi was in was surrounded by only Fugaku and Sasuke, who were both in tears. A nurse stood by with a sadness on her face. Apologizing for everything. The words meant nothing, Itachi was doomed.

"Has everyone seen him already?" Was all Shisui could think to ask.

"Only close family will see Itachi off." Mikoto said, giving Shisui a sad look.

Shisui normally would have felt honored that Mikoto included him in a "close family" situation, but not under these circumstances. A doctor soon appeared at Itachi's door with a pained expression. He explained Itachi's condition to them, but Shisui wasn't paying any attention. All he could think about was how he had failed to protect Itachi.

The family decided that they would go in separately and say their own personal goodbyes and then be in there together as the doctors pulled the plug.

Fugaku went first. He sat near his son, cupping his hands and cried. He apologized for pushing him so hard. He apologized for being so hard on him when he was in school. He even apologized for the time he didn't buy Itachi a balloon when he was a child. Mikoto was next. She sat by Itachi, brushing the hair out of his face. She sobbed and told him how proud she was. She laid her tiny hand on his cooled cheek before she was overwhelmed with sobs. Sasuke then went. He said no words, just sobbed into Itachi's small chest. When it was Shisui's time to go he felt sick.

The room Itachi was in was large. It was painted an off-white and had yellow details. It was overly cleaned. Something Itachi probably would have appreciated. This was the first time Shisui had seen Itachi since the attack. Itachi's beautiful face was marred with bruises and scratches, His body was heavily bandaged. He looked so tiny. So frail. Shisui couldn't find words. Even when hanging in the balance between life and death, Itachi was beautiful. His long eyelashes kissed his cheeks and his pink lips were parted. Shisui stared at those lips. He had never confessed to Itachi that he loved him. He didn't want to burden Itachi with this. Itachi was tough enough to get close to. Tell him that he loved him might cause Itachi to drive him away. But, in that moment, Itachi's lips seemed to make the most sense. If he could just…

Shisui ducked down and captured Itachi's lips with his own. They were cold, but Shisui let all the love and admiration he had for Itachi drain into the kiss. After a moment he pulled away.

"I'm sorry." Was all he could say.

Shisui then stood, tears pouring out of his eyes when Itachi suddenly groaned. Shisui jumped at the sound. He whirled around to see Itachi's face contorting and his body shifting under the blankets. An alarm from one of the machine's hooked to Itachi went off and almost instantly the doctor burst into the room.

"What's happened?" Shisui asked, almost afraid of the answer.

In the doorway, the head Uchiha family stood, eyes wide and scared as the doctor and nurse examined both Itachi and the machines.

"What is going on?!" Shisui nearly screamed.

The doctor rushed to Itachi's side, hands glowing green as he prepared to start healing. He glanced up for a moment, with a smile.

"Itachi i waking up."