Everlong

By: iBroken

Anime: Naruto

Pairing: ItaSasu

Rating: M

Genre: Romance/Drama

Summary: Returning home from an insane asylum, Sasuke does not seem to fit into the peaceful Uchiha household. Itachi searches aimlessly for his beloved baby brother within the lost boy he found now. (ItaSasu)

Author Note: I realize I haven't published anything, and I have a lot of hiatus-things. Those will finish eventually. At the moment, my ItaSasu fan has emerged, and I feel like writing something for that. Sorry to anyone who enjoyed my other fanfics. There will be updates, shortly. For now, however, I present to you, Everlong. It is based off of the song, Everlong, by Foo Fighters. I found it to be the basis of the fanfic, which focuses around Itachi's struggle to find Sasuke. There will be a happy ending, undoubtedly. And no suicide. I'm afraid I can't do that. It'll be 10-15 chapters long. And like my usual fanfics, just watch out for a lack of Naruto.

Disclaimer: Nothing belongs to me. Not the songs used in this fanfic. Naruto belongs to Masashi Kishimoto. The song used here, You've Got A Friend In Me, happens to belong to Randy Newman and Pixar. Cookies to anyone who knows where it comes from!

Chapter One: You've Got A Friend In Me

The way the sun seemed to roll down across the room didn't disturb the sleeping boy. He burrowed his face further into the pillows, his dark hair messied around him. He didn't move from his sleeping position, partly because although he was conscious it was very late into the afternoon, he was still exhausted. He could hear his parents moving around downstairs. He only grunted a little and let himself continue to sleep. It would have been a nice morning, especially since it was his day off from school. But he knew that something or another would annoy him. If it wasn't the annoying sun, then it was his mother shouting for him to wake up. He was surprised enough that no one had come to indulge him in the already obvious fact of it being too late to sleep.

"Aniki-san!"

You've got a friend in me

You've got a friend in me

When the road looks rough ahead

He didn't have enough time to react, before someone seemed to jump onto the bed. The slight shake, and the registeration of tiny palms grasping at him, immediately brought into light exactly who was there. Despite his exhaustion, Itachi smiled warmly. Of course it was his Otouto interrupting his sleep. He always seemed to realize the tiny boy had an efficient method of rushing towards him whenever he had free time. He managed to turn himself around, his arms immediately extending to loop around the tiny boy's waist, in order to hug him close.

And you're miles and miles from your nice warm bed

You just remember what your old pal said

Boy, you've got a friend in me

Yeah, you've got a friend in me

He delighted in the tiny laugh Sasuke had released, the small arms wrapping around his shoulders in return. It was as if hearing that tiny sound always left Itachi breathless. He loved Sasuke's smiles, his laughter; anything about Sasuke. He released a breathy sigh, the soft puffs of Sasuke's breath onto his face making him feel heady. This was exactly how he hoped he might be woken up every day. He knew one day, Sasuke might grow up and leave him be. But he didn't want to stop indulging in every gentle, happy moment of Sasuke's childhood. He could be part of the happiness himself.

Sasuke grinned happily, his head lowering to kiss Itachi's forehead. It was an action the boy often repeated, off of what Itachi usually did. This sort of thing between the two of them was a daily occurrence. To the point that Itachi knew his parents now completely gave up on getting Sasuke to remove himself from Itachi's presence. It made Itachi smile to know Sasuke was completely his younger brother. He slowly lifted his head to kiss the top of Sasuke's own, his mind seeming to shut off entirely at the warmth he felt encompassing his body. "Why did you wake me up so early, Otouto?" he asked. Sasuke didn't answer at first, but he smiled even then. Itachi already knew the answer. It was always about them spending time together. He didn't mind, but teasing the boy a little always made him feel better. It was as if their tiny moments of bonding really made them all the more closer; all the more perfectly fit together.

You've got a friend in me

You've got a friend in me

If you got troubles

I got them too

"I made you breakfast, Aniki!" Sasuke exclaimed, his big black eyes showing the glimmer within them. It was evident, to Itachi anyway, that Sasuke was extremely proud of his creation. He let his hand lift to lightly stroke his brother's hair; his fingers running through each individual strand along the back of his head. Sasuke didn't move, in fact, they continued to remain rather close. It was moments like these that Itachi felt his life paying off. Those long hours of study lead to knowing he was securing a future. Not only for himself, but for his brother, too. "What did you make for me?" he asked, softly.

"Pancakes and chocolate milk!" Sasuke exclaimed. The way his tiny nose scrunched up the moment Itachi poked his nose, made Itachi smile more. Maybe this was what heaven was like. Spending his day with Sasuke, doing silly things. "So it was you making noise downstairs?" he asked. Sasuke nodded twice, and Itachi couldn't help but warmly lean up to kiss Sasuke's cheek. His hand moved to grip one of Sasuke's small hands in his own. "Okaa-san and I were, 'niki!" he exclaimed, happily.

There isn't anything

I wouldn't do for you

Itachi's eyes briefly flickered to the window, where sun obstructed his view. I don't need any sunshine outside of Sasuke in my life…

"A-ah.. A-aniki..!"

Itachi seemed to sit up abruptly when he heard the sound of Sasuke's voice crying out. It was like a light had flickered on, and he couldn't stay still. He stood and rushed down the hallway, his feet carrying him fast towards Sasuke's door. Without waiting a moment, he pushed the door open and glanced in the center of the room to Sasuke, who was sporting a blood-covered, glass embedded hand. The mirror in his room had been shattered to pieces.

We stick together, we can see it through

Cause you've got a friend in me

Yeah, you've got a friend in me

He put two-and-two together, realizing Sasuke had gone ahead and punched the mirror. Heart swelling with sorrow at what had happened, and at the pain on his brother's features, Itachi moved forward, avoiding the fallen shards of glass, and knelt down infront of Sasuke. He took his tiny hand within his grip, and seemed to ponder what to do now. He nodded his head once and seemed to shift his arms enough to pick Sasuke up in his arms. With the small head supported by one arm, and the other arm holding just under his knees, Itachi turned and walked to his own bedroom.

Once in the confines of his room, Itachi placed Sasuke on the bed. Much like a fragile piece vase, he tried to be as careful as he could. He didn't want to damage how precious Sasuke was to him. Nothing could remove his care for Sasuke. Standing, he turned back to the door and locked the room shut. Turning back around, he wanted to keep his expression serious. He wanted to frighten Sasuke into listening to him, but…

Some other folks might be a little bit smarter than I am

Bigger and stronger too

Maybe

Just seeing this big eyes watered over and the tears streaming down those pale cheeks, his anger seemed to replenish itself, and he had to rush to Sasuke. He knelt down before him, and without even a moment of consideration, he kissed all over the face he loved so much. He made sure to pluck each piece of glass from the small hands that so often were clutched in his own. He bandaged it just as carefully, treating it more consciously than he did even his own school work. This was nothing ordinary, it was his Otouto. The only person that made his life worth living, and each day worth breathing.

When he felt he had done enough for the wound, he looked into his brother's eyes, and tried to smile gently. His hand raised to press into the soft black hairs at the back of Sasuke's head. He stroked there lovingly, his own eyes watering slightly. "How could I allow this to happen to you?" he whispered, so softly, only the two of them could hear. "You… were hurt, Otouto… I allowed you to feel pain." He couldn't hold in how badly he wanted to punish himself. How much he felt this was his fault. "Why did you do that?" he asked, quietly.

"'niki wasn't… playing with me… So, I, got angry," Sasuke said, softly. His own eyes closed, and Itachi knew there was more to it, so he waited. "I thought… Aniki started thinking I was ugly. I saw Aniki with that girl—" Itachi certainly didn't expect that. Without another moment notice, he leaned up and kissed Sasuke's forehead, letting his lips remained pressed there for a few moments, before he drew back. He then shook his head, and continued to smile at his silly little brother's thoughts.

But none of them

Will ever love you

The way I do

It's me and you, boy.

"Listen, to me," he answered. "I love absolutely no one more than you. Never will anyone even come close to how much I enjoy your presence, Otouto. You are the only one that makes me feel like I am safe. So, never, again will you do this…" He reached down and lifted Sasuke's hand, kissing each knuckle as he spoke. He could tell Sasuke was blushing from his words, but he meant everything. Sasuke was the only one who knew him this well, and no one else would ever have his heart as Sasuke presently did.

"I will never allow you to be taken away from me…"

The festival arrived only too soon. Itachi had decided, this time, he and Sasuke would both be attending the festivities together. Straightening up his dark red yukata, he couldn't help but look himself over. He didn't feel in his skin at times, when his hair was let loose. Like people could see him for who he is. But more often than not, he felt happy when Sasuke was there. The occasion called for a change in dress, and since he knew Sasuke would be in a yukata like himself, he was not one to complain. He always enjoyed the sight of his brother fussing about how girly he appeared in the always overly large yukata. Itachi himself loved teasing his brother about it, but in reality, he thought the boy looked adorable.

He walked downstairs, eventually, hoping Sasuke was already down there. The Cherry Blossom Bloom festival was a favourite of his. He and Sasuke would go together, and eat ice-treats, and hopefully, afterward, sit in the park with their bento boxes that Mikoto had made previously. It was the few times in his life Itachi felt very peaceful. He loved spending his time with Sasuke, undoubtedly.

And as the years go by,

Our friendship will never die

You're gonna see it's our destiny

Walking towards the kitchen, he knew he had to take the bag full of bento-boxes or Sasuke may entirely make him forget. However, as he went in, he froze in his steps. There Sasuke was, his small body framed by the beautiful blue yukata he had been forced to wear. The way the yukata made his body appear so fragile, and how wonderful it appeared on him, left Itachi wordless. This was one of the many things he enjoyed about this festival. Sasuke's dressing up, and the way they both went with just themselves.

You've got a friend in me

You've got a friend in me

Yeah…

They eventually arrived at the park, where Itachi had purchased an ice-treat for Sasuke, who licked it happily the whole time through. He had no fondness for the flavoured ice, but Sasuke always seemed to enjoy it. They both took a seat on a bench, while the cherry blossoms slowly cascaded around them, and to the ground. Itachi was one of the few who did love the beauty of the trees, but only went to spend time with someone. He slowly let one arm inch around Sasuke's waist, before he tugged the boy into his own lap, securing his arms around him tightly. When Sasuke squeaked, he smiled to himself. "You've got a friend in me," he chimed into Sasuke's ear.

Sasuke had been happily wandering down the street towards Cousin Shisui's house. Although he knew he shouldn't have been allowed to do so all on his own, he insisted that he be given chance to go like this. With his hand clutching a plastic bag, he hoped his aniki might be there. He wanted to share the small bento box he had just made with Okaa-san, and Okaa-san said Itachi loved Sasuke's cooking more than even her own. It was one thing that made Sasuke more than happy, even more than when they were at the cherry blossom festival a day or so back.

Padding down the street, he couldn't help but notice how the gas station across the street was unusually quiet. Shisui usually worked there, and he was dedicated to his job. He would have continued to walk on, but he heard a scream from inside of the gas station. Eyes widening, Sasuke recognized it as Shisui himself. Swallowing nervously, he didn't know whether to go or not. He didn't want his cousin to be hurt. But then again, he didn't want to be hurt himself. What should he do? He could run and call Aniki… But what if Aniki was in there, getting hurt? With his fists shaking lightly, Sasuke couldn't help but worry over what might have been happening after all of that. He could never allow his brother to be hurt!

Eyes narrowing with confidence, he rushed across the street towards the lone gas station. His pace quickened, and as he approached the front door to where the customers paid, he couldn't help but notice the track of red liquid. He froze. What if this was his Aniki's blood? His small hands quivered, and he didn't know what to do aside of stare forward in paralyzed fear. He took a few steps inside, his hand pushing the door open in case he needed to make a run for it. He looked around, until his eyes met with that of deadly yellow eyes.

"Another Uchiha… Won't I have fun stabbing this one…"

Sasuke was about to tell the man to shut up, but his eyes lowered, and caught onto the corpse before him. The bloodied, mangled, torn corpse before him. With the head slowly rolling towards Sasuke; touching his foot, he could clearly see it was Shisui. Without another word, he took a step back and screamed; loudly at that. The assailant stared in anger at Sasuke. He was about to take a step forward, the knife in his hand sharp and deadly. Just as he came near Sasuke, however, another person came running in and punched the man square on the face. He was knocked back, but Sasuke remained deadly still. All he could see was the head, how it jeered at him.

His heartbeat was faster and faster. It was all real; the head, the murder. It was so real. Tears made their way down his cheeks, but he didn't move. His savior clearly had a grip on the enemy, making them back away. Within moments, he felt someone wrap their arms around him, but he couldn't see. All he could see was the corpse, the head.

He screamed out again, but this time; he felt every shred of himself die.

They sat down from the man across them, his eyes settled in on Fugaku mainly. Itachi himself was quiet, but the way his hand shook, and how his cheeks were stained with tears, for once, showed he was shaken up. Mikoto had her own arm around her son, attempting to calm him. But she saw it like clear daylight. Without her youngest son there, Itachi was always an incomplete man. Sasuke was really Itachi's clear sunlight, and she couldn't replace him.

Just prior, Itachi had begged her and Fugaku, pleaded on his knees, for them not to send Sasuke away. He had been entirely unlike himself. All for his younger brother. Mikoto could never lie in the knowledge that the two brothers were closer than any other. She could never stand and see them break away like this. But after the murder at the gas station, Sasuke's behaviour had done a complete flip. He was like a different person; lost in his own little world of death and doom. None of them could understand or reach him. Mikoto was certain Itachi had been torn at his failed attempts to coax his brother into speaking to him.

Perhaps sending him away to an asylum really was for the best. It would help, and they would have Sasuke back eventually… right? She could feel Itachi tremble, and she knew fresh tears were probably spilling from his cheeks. He was still a child himself, after all. Sasuke was only five, and he had seen too much for his small heart to take. Mikoto was only thankful Itachi had a sort of six sense when it came to Sasuke, and he had rushed over to the gas station. The attacker, Sannin Orochimaru, had been apprehended, but sported a broken nose and arm. Itachi had a lot of sense in himself, and his incredible need to protect Sasuke had proven to be a life saver. However now…

"It would be most beneficial to send Sasuke to our asylum," Kabuto continued, "You see… the poor boy is schizophrenic. He'll continue reacting that way in your presences." Her words alone made Itachi quiver. Mikoto was hurt to see both her children suffer this way. But in order for them to heal it had to be done. Fugaku probably agreed, but he wanted Mikoto to make the final decision like this. He knew how much she cared for both of her children, and how much she wanted them both safe. "Alright, then. Sasuke will stay here, at Otogakure Asylum," Mikoto declared.

It was final verdict. Kabuto nodded, a smile appearing on her features, as he stood. Holding his hand out to Itachi, he couldn't help but notice how Itachi glared at him.

As they turned around, Mikoto heard Itachi mumble something peculiar.

"I broke my promise… he's being taken away…"

To be continued…