Disclaimer: Don't own Naruto. Enough said.

Author's notes: Took me a while to get this up... Don't kill me?

-Chapter 4: Don't Leave Me...-

When Sasuke woke up, he sleepily glanced at the empty space beside him. He didn't panic and neither did he worry. He could still feel the warmth of the person he slept with. It mean that the other boy had recently just got out of bed. The sound of the shower running confirmed it. He shamelessly inhaled the scent from the pillow and smelled a hint of cinnamon. He wondered briefly where the prodigy got it from.

He felt a bit freer now. He was feeling much better after letting it all out. He had thought about his situation with Itachi for three days and was happy with his decision. He truly did want to feel what it was like to be loved by the person he loved most. The older raven-haired boy made him feel so many things at once – love, thrill, passion – and last night was no exception. He wasn't going to run anymore. He was content just being right where he was now. There was no need to think about duty. There were no obligations except to himself and Itachi – being a good lover. He sighed and got off the bed, padding towards the bathroom. Thank god it wasn't locked.

He grinned as he spied a naked prodigy under the shower's spray, eyes closed. He slowly and quietly crept into the shower and wrapped his arms against the older boy's waist and leaning against the other's back. This earned him an amused chuckle that sent shivers down his spine.

"I was wondering when you'd decide to join me."

Sasuke licked the small of the prodigy's back. "I was wondering if you'd let me."

The genius turned around. "Of course I would." He leaned down until their lips were almost touching. The younger Uchiha could feel the other's breath, his own lips slightly parted. "I'll do anything you want, Sasuke," the older Uchiha whispered before sealing their lips together.

Their kiss was not as wild and desperate as the previous times but it still held the same passion and intensity. It still took his breath away. There was no way to fully describe Itachi's kisses. It was simply perfect.

When they broke away, Sasuke sighed contentedly. They washed each other slowly, exploring each other as they did so. Then the prodigy moaned as the younger boy held his manhood with his hand, teasing the older Uchiha with light and gentle touches, watching the play of emotions on the prodigy's face. The Uchiha heir found that he liked watching the older boy as he pleasured him. Itachi's eyes fluttered. He bit his lip, a moan escaping him every now and then. The prodigy's hands would clench and unclench at his sides as if to keep himself from reaching out and dragging the younger Uchiha against him. His entire body was trembling in need. Sasuke thought that the genius wouldn't be standing had he not been leaning against the tiled wall. It made him hot all over just thinking how much power he had over the other to affect him that much. He mischievously grinned and stopped his ministrations, drawing a groan from the very much aroused older boy.

"You liked that?"

Itachi didn't reply as he crushed their lips together, pressing Sasuke against him, making the younger Uchiha feel his need pressed onto the younger boy's stomach. Perhaps... that was the answer. Sasuke felt himself smile as they continued to meld their lips together. The older boy broke their kiss long enough to whisper in Sasuke's ear, "Sasuke, you little tease." Then he captured the younger Uchiha's lips once more.

The young heir wasn't aware that somehow, the prodigy had turned the shower off and got them out of the bathroom until he found himself lying in bed, pinned by the older Uchiha's body. Their bodies were moving frantically against each other in disjoined unison, panting and moaning in lust.

And when it was over, they laid there spent with Itachi still on top of him, breathing into his ear as they tried to catch their breaths. Sasuke stared up as the canopy still a bit dazed as the prodigy kissed the side of his neck. "Was is really that good?"

"Hmm?"

"In the shower," the younger boy clarified.

"Hmm..." The genius nibbled at his ear. "It was better than good."

The younger raven-haired boy sighed contentedly as the older Uchiha lavished attention to a spot just below his ear, his hand at the back of the other's head as if to keep him there. Then the genius pushed himself up onto his elbows and ran a teasing finger down Sasuke's nose.

"We need another shower."

"Really?" The younger Uchiha sounded so eager that it elicited a chuckle from the S-ranked criminal.

"Yes, we do," Itachi said as he carried the boy back into the bathroom, where he soon had the younger Uchiha pinned against the wall under the shower with the Uchiha heir screaming his name as he put his mouth to good use.

It was a while before they got out of their extended shower but Sasuke didn't mind it at all.

-----

Itachi sighed happily as he and Sasuke walked around the small town near where they were staying, their hands laced together. The town was out of place and far from other towns and villages, which was good since they wouldn't recognize them. The Uchiha heir had requested that they got out of the mansion and go somewhere else.

"I've been meaning to ask you. Where did you get the cinnamon scent from?"

The prodigy smiled. "I suppose I got it from the incense I keep burning. I think I've been overdoing it these past few days though."

"Incense?"

He shrugged. "It helped me keep calm when I thought of you."

"I like it. Where did you get it?"

The older raven-haired Uchiha chuckled. "Curious aren't we? I got it from a shop in this town. There's a nice old lady who sells it and a couple of other things, too." He led the younger boy towards the said shop and entered.

The old woman behind the counter looked up and smiled. "Ah, Itachi-san, you're back." He peeked at the younger Uchiha hiding shyly behind him. "And who's your friend?"

He drew Sasuke forward and placed an arm around the boy's waist. "Obaasan, this is Sasuke."

She chuckled. "Oh so you're the boy this young man's been talking about. You're lucky since you're all Itachi-san could talk about."

Itachi scratched the back of his head, embarrassed. "Obaasan..."

Sasuke smiled then grinned mischievously at him. "Oh really?"

The prodigy felt the blood rush to his face. He knew his face was probably as red as tomato. The old woman laughed.

"So what brings you here? Surely not for incense." She sounded very much amused.

"Well, actually, I wanted you to meet Sasuke."

"Hmm..." the storekeeper moved around the counter to scrutinize the younger boy more closely. "Hmm..." She tilted the Uchiha heir's chin and smiled before commenting, "My, my, you two look so much alike that I do believe you must be soul mates."

At that, Sasuke smiled at him and he smiled back. It was a light and giddy feeling, being in a place where no one knew who they were and could condemn them for what they were doing together. If only it could lasf forever... but it wouldn't. It couldn't. He had seen the healing wounds on the younger Uchiha's body. It would take only a few more days for al of them to heal, a week at most. Then he would have to take Sasuke back and they would have to part ways... possibly forever.

Itachi mentally shook himself. This was not the time to entertain such thoughts. What mattered now was to make most of what precious little time they were going to have together.

"Oh really? He did?"

"Yes. He brought them just the other day."

The prodigy raised a brow. He had spaced out for a considerably long amount of time and now he had no idea what they were talking about. "What are you two talking about?" he voiced out.

They both stared at each other then at him and chorused, "Hibiscus tea."

The genius reddened at the mention of the tea. There was a grin on the younger Uchiha's lips. The older raven-haired boy could practically see the wheels turning in the boy's head. It most likely included the use of the aforementioned tea and a bed, not that he was averse to the idea.

"You didn't tell me you bought something like that."

"Well, I... Sasuke, I... Err..." the older Uchiha stammered.

"Oh, don't tell me you haven't even used it yet," the old woman said.

"I..."

"I suggest that you two young ones go back to your room and try it out. Come back when you get results," she said as she winked.

Sasuke turned pink while he turned as red as humanly possible. The old shopkeeper laughed as she shooed them away, which is how they ended up sitting down on the floor, drinking tea beside the younger boy's bed with the younger Uchiha sitting between his legs with his firm rump pressed against he older boy's crotch. Itachi felt his nose threatening to bleed as Sasuke's scent assailed his senses coupled with the fact that the Uchiha heir's body/back was pressed against his front. Perverted thoughts flitted through his mind. At this rate, de didn't need to drink the damn tea.

"This is nice," the younger raven-haired boy remarked, pertaining to the tea.

I could think of nicer things... Itachi thought. It took a lot of effort to keep his free hand and the hand holding the cup from dropping everything else and just molest the younger boy right then and there on the floor. He held on tightly to his control and simply drank the warm liquid, his grip on the porcelain cup was so hard that if he placed any more pressure, he feared the cup would break. Sasuke remained oblivious to his internal battle, simply sitting back and savoring the reddish liquid. Then the younger boy shifted, his ass brushing more against his sex. Itachi bit back a moan. Keeping himself in check was getting harder as the minutes passed, just like another part of him that he was trying to ignore at the moment.

"Itachi?"

"Hmm?"

"Do you want to?" The younger Uchiha placed his cup down and looked at him, cheeks tinged pink.

The older Uchiha felt the blood rushing to his face, a bit lightheaded. "I... Ah... No?"

Sasuke smiled and turned around. "Really?" he said teasingly.

"Sasuke, I don't think –" He was stopped when the Uchiha heir pressed a finger to his lips.

"You think too much," Sasuke whispered before sealing their lips together.

They took their time exploring each other's bodies, pleasuring each other with every touch just as they had done that morning, taking care to be gentle with their touches and caresses. They may make a mess on the floor later but it was worth it.

That stuff really does work. Itachi hazily thought later on as he stared at the ceiling with Sasuke snuggled beside him, spent and very much content.

-----

In a chamber in the village of Sound, Orochimaru threw his glass aside, letting it shatter on the far wall. This body was not as satisfactory as the body he wanted. Damn Tsunade for delaying the young Uchiha's arrival. His anger was compounded by the fact that the Uchiha's older brother had interfered at the last moment. He almost had Sasuke in his clutches!

He wanted to vent his anger at someone, something, anything! Had he known there would be such large setbacks, he would've killed the blonde bearer of the Nine-tailed Fox bac the Forest of Death during the second Chuunin Exam. It would've saved him a lot of trouble. Now Itachi was involved as well. He didn't know what the older Uchiha had done but the cursed seal on Sasuke's neck was getting weaker as if it was losing its hold over the younger boy. He could feel it. He had to do something to stop it from completely fading away.

Finding the boy was no problem but the prodigy was. He did not have the power to defeat the genius. Not even with Kabuto could he defeat the older Uchiha. There had to be some other way...

Then the door opened and Kabuto entered. "Orochimaru-sama, your former associates are here."

Akatsuki? "What do they want?"

"They say they want to make a deal."

"Hmm..." He contemplated whether it would be wise to make a deal with the people who sent that damn interfering prodigy to kill him. But they did have the resources to put the older Uchiha out of his hair for good.

Kabuto's glasses gleamed. "Should I send them away?"

The snake smirked. "No, there's no need. I'll bargain with them." Yes, he would strike a deal. Surely that organization could afford to lose one prodigy when they had much more at their disposal.

-----

Konohamaru found the red-haired ninja with Naruto quite weird. He had been following them with Moegi and Udon for hours now and the guy had yet to say anything unless spoken to. Even Sasuke spoke more. Compared to him, Sasuke was a chatterbox. Aside from that, they have yet to have a chance at sneaking up to the blonde since that weird Sand nin would always see them first, his frightening eyes telling them to buzz off every time. It was frustrating.

But Naruto seemed to do just fine around the guy, which was just strange. The strange and the weird, know the difference. Konohamaru thought to himself. It was getting kind of boring just watching them. Moegi and Udon were already complaining. He supposed it was time to do something else besides stalking the strange blonde and his weird friend.

If Naruto found this Sand nin okay, then it should be okay for now. He'll just have to reserve further judgment for later then.

-----

Shikamaru yawned as he sat beside the hospital bed as Neji slept. He had always been reluctant to leave the older boy alone even when the said older boy was asleep. It was totally unlike him to do this sort of thing. He was a lazy-assed shinobi for crying out loud. Now, whenever he met up with Ino, she'd take the opportunity to tease him. He could hear his reputation flushing down the toilet, not that it was much of reputation to begin with. It was all so troublesome. Girls and their bothersome propensity to be great busybodies... The thought was giving him a great big headache. He rubbed his temples. So troublesome.

His mother found it as some sort of great miracle that he was doing something like this instead of being prodded to do it. So he had a problem. No big deal.

The hell it ain't! his mind screamed.

Shikamaru sighed. Why do I even bother?

Because you like him? His mind offered.

Oh, shut up. You're giving me a headache.

You know that talking to yourself and telling yourself to shut up are very contradictory, don't you?

ARGH! Just shut the hell up and go away! It's too early to deal with something so bothersome.

Oh, hello...! I live here you moron. And it's already mid-afternoon.

Shikamaru sighed.

"Shikamaru...?"

The chuunin nearly jumped at the sound of Neji's voice. He looked up sheepishly, feeling silly at being caught arguing with himself even if it was a silent one at that.

The older boy slowly pushed himself up with his good arm. "You're back early," he stated in a matter-of-fact manner.

Shikamaru snorted. "It's all because my old man decided that throwing himself at my mother's mercy wasn't as troublesome as training me." He sighed. "I personally think that he's crazy when it concerns her. Dealing with her is like throwing yourself into the jawas of hell."

"Uh... Shikamaru..."

"It's suicide, I tell you."

"Shikamaru..."

"I really think –"

"Think what?" a threatening feminine voice said behind him.

It was at that moment that the lazy-assed chuunin felt the looming and oppressive presence of his very own mother behind him. He slowly looked behind him and smiled weakly.

"I really think that I should learn to shut my trap. It's beginning to be too troublesome."

"That it is." She glared at him for a few moments before her expression transformed to that of a brightly smiling and motherly one. And that one, she directed at Neji. "So you must be Hyuga Neji. I've been hearing so much about you."

"Ah... hah..." It seemed that Neji's voice failed him as he stuttered and stammered a greeting.

Who wouldn't be all flustered when facing a species even more complex and more powerful than the devil himself? Women... Shikamaru wryly thought. So troublesome... "What are you doing here?"

She laughed. "What? It is so wrong for mother dear to see just what sort of miracle has been getting her lazy-assed son out of bed everyday?"

The chuunin blushed and muttered, "Mom..."

For some odd reason, Neji seemed to be blushing as well as the younger boy's mother laughed even more.

"Anyway, I came here to drop these off for you boys." She raised a bouquet of flowers and a small basket. "I figured you'd be sick of eating hospital food everyday now so I made you guys some home-cooked dishes." She dropped the basket on Shikamaru's lap and placed the flowers in a vase. She lightly patted her son's shoulder. "You boys enjoy yourselves now." Then she was gone.

They stared after her for a few moments before looking at each other.

"That was your mother?"

"Aa."

"She seems... nice."

Shikamaru scoffed at the older boy. "Come off it. She's overbearing, obnoxious and demanding just like Ino. She's your drill sergeant from hell."

Neji stared at him for moment before chuckling. "I think I like her."

It was chuunin's turn to stare at the recovering patient incredulously. "You're crazy. Why the hell would you?"

"Because without her, you wouldn't have been born. Without her, I wouldn't have met you."

-----

"Naruto," Gaara called the blonde's attention.

Naruto glanced at the red-haired nin. "Eh?"

The Sand shinobi pointed to a small shadowed figure. "That thing's been following us all day. "He said it in a monotone that would make people bristle if they were the subject being talked about.

There was a blur and Naruto found himself watching Konohamaru indignantly berating Gaara for blowing his cover and calling him a "thing". It was a bit amusing to watch. The Sand nin remained impassive and unaffected throughout while the younger boy was already red in the face and looked as if he was threatening to keel over from extreme high blood pressure with all the huffing and puffing.

"Oi, Konohamaru," Naruto said in greeting.

The Sandaime's grandson glared at him and pointed to Gaara. "I don't like him."

"The feeling's mutual, brat," the red-haired shinobi said in reply.

"Why you, you... YOU!"

"Spit it out and go away. You're annoying."

Konohamaru ducked and hugged Naruto's leg tightly. "Don't wanna!"

Gaara glared at the boy while the boy did the same to Gaara. Naruto gave them both a weak smile.

"Maa, maa. How about we all get some ramen?"

Two narrow-eyed gazes fixed on him.

"Ehehehe..." The blonde looked around and silently pleaded. Help...? But it looked as if he was going to be alone in this bumpy ride with Konohamaru and Gaara. Why me?

-----

The days had gone by in a blur and Sasuke barely noticed them go by. It all seemed too fast. He leaned in and inspected himself in the mirror. The places where bruises and cuts had been were now smooth and pale, all completely healed. His face contorted in anguish and he cursed himself for healing so quickly.

There was a light knock on the door. "Sasuke? Is everything all right?"

No, everything is NOT alright! I'm completely healed. I'm sure that you know that by now. How could you stand there so calmly?

"You've been in there a while now."

Sasuke sighed. There was no way to avoid this. Even if he barricaded the bathroom door, he was sure that Itachi would break it down and drag him back to Konoha as what they'd agreed upon. The younger Uchiha grabbed a robe and slipped it on. Time to face the music.

He threw the door open and launched himself into Itachi's arms. The prodigy was startled by his sudden movement and was not prepared to brace both their weights. They both fell to the floor.

"Sasuke? What's wrong?"

Sasuke shook his head and held on tightly. He didn't want to go back. He wanted to stay just right where he was.

The genius allowed him to hold on tightly for a few moments before shaking him loose. Itachi gave him a small smile. "Come on. Dinner's ready. You should eat."

Sasuke reluctantly complied and allowed himself to be steered towards the table. The food wasn't bad but he could barely taste it with his mind currently preoccupied with thoughts of avoiding the subject of going home and hoping that Itachi would forget the deal and let him stay.

The prodigy sighed as if noticing his bleak thoughts and put down his chopsticks. "Sasuke, you can't stay here forever."

The statement snapped the Uchiha heir out of his thoughts. "Why not?"

"It would be selfish o us to remain together and neglect our responsibilities."

Sasuke frowned and looked away. "Can't you just go back with me?"

"You know I can't." The younger Uchiha remained silent as the genius continued. "I know that you're already healed completely. We agreed that I'd take you back when that happens."

"I know that!" Sasuke snapped. "But I –" He stopped when he saw the determined expression on Itachi's face. He looked away once more, unable to meet the genius' gaze. "Is there no way for me to convince you to let me stay?" he asked, disheartened. I want to stay here with you...

The prodigy closed his eyes and shook his head. "I wish I could but no, I can't. You deserve much better than this."

What could possibly be better than to spend the rest of you life with the one you love? Sasuke thought dejectedly. "You think I'd be happy with this?"

A hand grasped his chin gently and forced him to look at Itachi. "If you stay with me, I cannot guarantee you a good life. No one ever said we could live happily ever after."

Tears came unbidden and flowed freely down Sasuke's pale cheeks. He threw his arms around the prodigy and sobbed. "Hold me... And don't let go." And the older Uchiha held him tightly till he fell asleep.

-----

Itachi languidly dressed as Sasuke remained fast asleep. He really did not want to let the younger boy go. But he had to. He could not let Sasuke throw his future away from him. He did not want to wake the boy yet but they had to leave soon. The sooner he got out of the Uchiha heir's life, the sooner the boy would forget him and move on.

Everything seemed so unfair but that was life. People were never really meant to have what they wanted. I was fortunate enough to at least have Sasuke even if the time we spent together was too short...

He glanced back at the bed, part of him hoping that Sasuke would never wake so that they could stay together. But he knew that it wouldn't be right to be selfish and indulge himself in his own wants.

Then, he watched as the younger Uchiha's eyes fluttered open and felt his heart drop as their eyes met with the understanding that this may be the last time they may have together like this.

Itachi forced himself to smile. "Good morning, Sasuke."

The Uchiha heir blinked. "Good... morning..."

The prodigy observed the boy go about his business and getting himself ready to leave in silence. They left the mansion not long after to go on their long trek back to Konoha, where everything between them began. It would be fitting that it would also be the place where it will all end between them. It was not a comforting thought.

The silende was deafening. They had not said one word to each other since the initial morning greetings. Itachi's mind wandered. He wondered what Sasuke was thinking. What was going through the younger boy's mind as they walked together wordlessly? He was afraid to ask. No matter what the Uchiha heir thought, the genius knew it would break his heart to hear them.

Then his eyes widened and he placed a hand on Sasuke's shoulder. The boy looked at him questioningly. ITachi made no move to answer the younger Uchiha's questioning gaze, opting to stare straight ahead.

There was a strong scent of blood and rotting flesh. It was still a bit far from them but his honed senses distinguished the scents immediately. But this wasn't the only one. This was not good.

"Sasuke..."

"What's wrong?"

"When I tell you to go, I want you to run like hell. Find the Hokage and tell her."

"What? Tell her what? What's going on?"

The prodigy closed his eyes, preparing himself to use the Mangekyou Sharingan. Then his eyes opened bloody red. "Akatsuki."

-----

Sakura sat down on a bench near the village entrance and stared up at the sky. She was given a lot of free time today. The others were relieved. She had been spending all of her time working lately. They wanted her to take a break. But free time meant that she would have time to think. And thinking meant that her mind would be wandering towards Sasuke. And Sasuke wasn't here.

He was gone, taken away to who knows where by the brother he had sworn to kill. And she had not been able to stop him. She was worried. Uchiha Itachi may have promised to bring Sasuke back but what was to stop the S-ranked criminal from breaking that promise? Nothing. And the thought only made here all the more worried.

She frowned and shook her head. It was no use thinking of this. There was nothing she could do about the situation. She would just have to wait and believe that Sasuke would come back soon.

A commotion at the gate snapped her out of her thoughts. Out of curiosity, she stood up and drew closer to the center where the jounins seemed to be huddled over something. A closer look made her realize that there was blood on the ground, lots of it.

Her first thought made her blood freeze and her heart stopped for a few moments. Sasuke? She went even closer and heard the people arguing.

"Just get him to the hospital!" The voice sounded familiar but the desperation behind it wasn't.

"Oi, oi. He's a criminal. Why should we help him?"

"He could die!"

"Then that's just one less criminal to worry about."

Sakura's eyes widened at the sight before her. An injured Sasuke was sitting in the middle of the crowd holding a bleeding raven-haired young man to his chest..

"You...!"

"Sas...uke..." the young man in Sasuke's arms hoarsely whispered.

The raven-haired genin looked down. "Don't speak! You should save your strength." The young man coughed up blood and smiled painfully at the young Uchiha. "It's alright... At least... I know that you're safe now... I... I brought you back... just like I promised..."

Sasuke shook his head, tears in his eyes as he held onto the man's body even tighter. It broke the pink-haired girl's heart to see the boy in that state. She watched as the raven-haired young man raised a shaking hand to the number one rookie's cheek,

"I... don't mind... it at all... dying here..."

"You're not going to die! You're not!"

"I just hope... that... that one day... you'd forgive me... I love you, Sasuke..."

Tears were flowing freely down Sasuke's cheeks as the hand slipped down and the man in his arms' eyes closed, body going limp. Sakura couldn't help but cry herself. Losing someone you loved was a painful thing. She silently cursed her empathy, making her too sensitive when it came her raven-haired crush. Sasuke sobbed and repeated "Don't leave me" over and over in slight whispers.

Her ears perked at the low whispers behind her. "How disgusting... They're brothers?"

"It's unnatural."

"Maybe it was only right that the Uchiha Clan's dead. At least they wouldn't have had to see this disgusting display."

"It would've been mortifying. Not only are they siblings, they're both male too."

Sakura's eyes widened. Brothers...? Then that man is... Sasuke-kun's brother, Uchiha Itachi...

Just then, the whispers died down and the growing crowd parted to let a blonde woman through. It was the Hokage.

"What's going on here?!" Tsunade barked.

"Aa... Ho-Hokage-sama! We..." one of the jounins said as he gestured to Sasuke and the criminal in his arms.

The Hokage took one look at the pitiful sight and her eyebrows furrowed. She walked forward and knelt beside the distraught genin, her eyes trained on the older Uchiha. She lightly rested her head on the prodigy's chest and closed her eyes. Then they quickly flew opn. She immediately growled at the watching jounins. "What are you all standing there for?! Get him to the hospital!"

Hospital? Sakura thought. But isn't her...?

"But Hokage-sama..."

"NOW!" Tsunade got up and started barking out orders. A hand held onto her wrist, stopping her. IT was Sasuke, whose wyes were downcast.

"Is he... Will he...?"

The blonde woman sighed and gave the boy a pat on the head. "He's lost a lot of blood and his wounds are deep. As a doctor, I'll do my best. Even if he does life, I can't guarantee what would happen after." Then she turned away. "Remember that." She started walking away. "You should have your wounds cleaned and mended." Then she was gone.

Most of the spectators had already dispersed, probably to spread the word of what they had witnessed – the return of the missing Uchihas and their unnatural relationship. Even if it were true, Sakura could not find it within her to be disgusted nor could she feel loathing for either Uchiha. She approached her teammate. "Sasuke-kun?"

The boy's head jerked up to look at her, eyes wide. "Sakura? I –"

She did what none of the villagers have done. She hugged him, embraced him and welcomed him home. "Okaeri, Sasuke-kun." And he hugged her back, wordlessly, clutching her tightly as if she'd disappear if he let her go.

In the past, she would have been squealing in delight and jumping for joy, happy at the prospect of being the recipient of the normally stoic boy's embrace. Not that she wasn't happy now but it felt different somehow from what she expected. Hugging him was like with her parents, like with Ino and Naruto. This told her that somehow she was somewhat over her excessive infatuation over the boy, not that it was completely gone of course.

She found it oddly comforting that he saw her as a friend of sorts to let her do this.

"I'm sorry," Sasuke said, his voice muffled in her hair. "I'm always making you worry, always causing you trouble. I'm so --- sorry."

She pushed herself out of his embrace and smiled. "Let's have your wounds checked." The pink-haired genin took his hand and led him to the hospital.

-----

Sasuke sat on the chair beside the patient's bed. The monitors were beeping at slow regular intervals. There were so many tubes, so many wires. The patient's eyes were covered.

The young Uchiha had never see Itachi so pale. It was scaring him. He didn't want this. He didn't want the older Uchiha to die. The prodigy should never have shielded him from the blows that would have ended his life.

Itachi...

Just then, the monitor flat lined. The sound was alarming. Sasuke stood up and shook the prodigy, trying to wake him as the doctors rushed in.

"Itachi wake up! This isn't funny!" This had to be a joke. It just had to be.

NononononononoNO!

Hands took hold of him, pulling him away. "No! Let me go!" He struggled and stretched his hand out, trying to reach for the older Uchiha as he was slowly being taken away. "Don't leave me! I don't want you to go!"

A couple more doctors rushed in. Most were already shaking their heads as the other tried to revive the pale and lifeless patient.

At the door, Sasuke held on tightly to the wall, refusing to let go as the orderlies tried to pry him away from it. "No..." Tears came to his eyes as he continued to stare at the scene. "No." Just then, his hold was pried loose. He stretched out his hand one more time before the door closed.

"ITACHI!"

-----

TBC

Author's notes: Well, that's it for now. I hope that you guys will not kill me for ending it right where I did. Hehehe. If you guys ever think that this chapter is already over R, please email me and I'll post this at my livejournal and edit this for FFNet.

Started: July 14, 2004

Put on hold: August 13, 2004

Resumed: October 11, 2004

Ended: October 15, 2004