Nearly four years later

Epilogue

I never did forget, but I wonder how long does a princess have to be locked up until she gives up some hope. I finger my locket, opening and closing it, until finally looking at the pictures it holds inside. I was surprised when my bedroom door opened and a voice greets me.

"Come on Sasuke don't ditch prom! Why not take that girl Sakura?" Naruto tells me making himself at home on my bed. I give him a bored glare, which he only grins at. "Or I can always hook you up with Hintata's cousin," he chuckles.

"I don't think so," I mumble. Naruto is taking a friend of his named Hintata to the prom, on the count that the poor girl almost fainted when she asked him, and he had no one else to go with. Me on the other hand…I don't want to be around a bunch of young couples that take their partner for granted, or that are simply dating the week before the prom so that they are assured they have a date. I'd rather sit here and wait for something, anything to happen, wait for any sign of a dark knight in black armor. All I've been focused on is getting excepted into a college not finding a date for the prom.

"Sasuke, the prom will be great! I mean what are u gonna tell your kids later on in life? Oh, I never went to the prom at my school, so I missed out on the best and probably last activity of my teenage life." The blonde went on. I ignored him, for years now Naruto's been trying to get me to lighten up. To focus on a social life, which seems to be so important. It's not to me, only one person is important….I don't need a large group of friends. Naruto is still in the dark about me and my brother, he's never really brought Itachi up, no one has really. It's as if he never even came into our lives, but I know better, and I won't forget. I tuck my locket under my shirt to rest on my bare chest, and turn to my friend.

"I just don't want to go to the prom," I tell him.

Naruto saddens and gets off my bed, " Come on, just take Sakura or that blonde chick…Ino, I think. It's just a prom date it's not like it's a commitment, just go and have some fun." With that Naruto leaves, to let me think about the proposal. I really don't wish to go, how would I have fun with those two mindless girls? I thirst for an intimate conversation, only Itachi can give me. A light knock sounds through my room and this time I come face to face with Kakashi. I've stopped hating him, being the bigger man I put myself in his shoes. His passed actions were executed out of love and protection, so I suppose I can't hate him. It could just be my imagination, but Kakashi when he looks at me always give me a sort of apologetic look. He's seen how I've changed ever since Itachi left, and I had no chance to say goodbye, I wonder if he regrets it all, if he understand me just a little better, or at least attempted to. But then again it's to late isn't' it? I have no clue were my dear Aniki is, or what happened to him, or if he's moved on…

"Sasuke there's a letter for you. It's from some corporation. Maybe they're inviting you to become an apprentice or something," He tells me handing me the letter. "I think it would be better for you to go to collage instead of learn to work right away." I take the letter from him, and he leaves shuffling through other pieces of mail. I look at the envelope. Why would a business be interested in me? I open the envelope and pull out the letter inside. On top of the letter was the company's name.

It read:

Akatuki Inc.

And a red cloud was next to it. I've never even heard of such a business, but I go on to read the letter.

Dear Sasuke,

Four years were lost, a period of darkness. But in that darkness there was light, which needed to be built up, though I wonder if you saw that light. But I've built a situation of hope that shines to reach out for you. Have you forgotten? Do you honestly think I would leave you behind?

Akatsuki, a company that produces environmentally friendly products. Such as cars and fuel, you won't believe how profitable the business is. Though I'm not the soul owner of this business, I do have a very good income. By now you are looking at colleges are you not? I am not here to discourage you from that, actually I wish for you to go to a college just as I did, though I hope you do not struggle with student loans and part time jobs as I did. But that you are put threw college comfortable, and that instead of a dorm you choose to come and stay with me. I do not live to far away from the State College, which I'm sure you have applied for.

Akatsuki Inc., is only going to continue growing as the fear of global warming and the impact we are having on the environment rises. We have hardly any competition, and have made a name for ourselves. I will be able to support us both for the time you are in college no worries. I hope to see you again my little brother. And I can't help but wonder how much you have grown, and how sharp you've become. I must admit in the time apart, I have become bored, and fallen into a routine, only longing for you to come break it. Yet I was patient and waited. Have you waited for me as well? I have no doubt in my mind you still were that locket around your neck. I wish to talk to you in person, and give you my address once we meet. For I cannot be sure if indeed you got this letter or if it was kept away from you. So meet me in front of the public library on Saturday at noon, and shall we spend the day together? I will be in town for a short time, so I hope to see you there.

With Regard, Itachi

I look at the letter unbelieving. I re-read it one more time before letting a small smile tug at my lips. It almost seemed like a miracle, but how could I have doubted that Itachi? I should have known he'd reach me some how. Even making sure to disguise the letter by making it look as though the company sent it out, and it wasn't personal.

I tuck the letter into a drawer on my night stand. Looking at the calendar there was no need to mark the date, I wouldn't forget it. This Saturday I'll see my brother again. I happily fumble with my locket and lay back on my bed just gazing at the ceiling. I try to recall what it felt like to be in my brother's nearness, but I'm sure my mind as made it ten times more exciting then it was back then. The few days standing between me and Saturday seemed like a long barrier I would not have any patience for crossing, instead wishing to get rid of it quickly.

My eyes open to behold soft light coming into my room. I turn and look at my calendar and decided that today there was a need for looking my best. After all today is Saturday and I have a date at the library, so to say. I walk up to my closet, and look at the many cloths I've come to own. I pull out a navy blue turtleneck, which had no sleeves, but a nice design of line woven into the material. I also pull out from my sock drawer a pair of wrist warmers, along with socks of course. My pants, pure white jeans that hung on me loosely but snug enough not to fall. Once I had pulled on all these cloths, I added one more accessory, a white tie that I loosely looped around my neck. A little silver tie clip in the shape or a small ghostly flame was also clipped on. Then of course my locket was tucked under my shirt safely resting on my chest.

I look at the clock in the hallway as I approach the staircase. I had slept most of the day away, and once I have breakfast I should start heading for the library, though I maybe a little early. I fell exited though you wouldn't be able to tell from my face expression. I calmly eat my small breakfast, while Kakashi was in the living room watching something on TV. Once I finish I rinse off my dishes, and grab my car keys before heading towards the door. I wasn't surprised when my guardian stopped me.

"Were are you heading to," he questions, just like anyone would.

"Just to the library," I tell him and he gives me a sound of approval. I open the door and walk up to my small car, which Kakashi had gotten me, I had promised once I can tap into my inheritance I would give him half of the amount of the vehicle, because I know he's not exactly a wealthy man.

I stood in front of the library, waiting. Like I predicted I got there just a little bit early. But it seemed like I was waiting forever, for Itachi to show up. Yet every time I looked at my watch it says only seconds have passed. I start to wonder if maybe I was suppose to meet him inside. I look at my feet, going over what the letter had said. He said meet me in front of the library, therefore the front would indicate outside. I reassure myself. I take out my locket and play with it nervously, looking at it, to try and calm myself down. I had fear that I'm not standing in a spot were I'm visible, thought that is ridiculous since I'm right between the two glass double doors that lead inside the building. But crazy thoughts seemed to be having there fun, making me nervous. As these thoughts ran threw my mind a pair of polished black shoes stand in front of mine. I look up and see familiar eyes, which held wise lines underneath them. There was a short moment of breathlessness.

"Itachi," I didn't hide my happiness. But I did refrain from hugging or kissing my dear brother. I didn't want to make a scene, and I was always against public displays of affection.

"It's nice to see you again, little brother." I looked him over he was dressed very nicly, yet casually. With a burgundy silk button up shirt, and black slacks. Of course his hair was in that familiar ponytail he always wore. It was almost unbelievable having him right here in front of me. My heart seemed to wrench in pain as if just now realizing how hard it has been waiting for him to come, take me away from my prison tower.

"I wish you wouldn't have just left. Without saying goodbye," I tell him recalling how I felt when I become conscious of the fact that my brother had left without a word; those many years ago.

"There was no need for good-byes. A goodbye signals the end of something."

The end

A/N: I wanted this prologue to be short, and kinda open. It was simply here to show that they haven't forgotten about each other, and that there's a happy ending. I also wanted to be able to put out a first chapter of a story along with this prologue. However that multi-chapter story turned into a oneshot. And I didn't want to follow this up with a one shot. However keep your eyes open for another up coming AU from me, with the title "The Crow's Crimson Aviary", which is not the one shot i had been woring on but rather a multi-chapter story (which is more to my liking. I just don't like to write oneshots that much)