Itachi was confused by the strange stares he was receiving. He walked through the street carrying the bag of groceries while heading to his next destination - home. The people staring at him were students he recognized from school, but he couldn't hear their hushed whispers.

He walked through the door and was greeted by an empty home.

"Why make me pick up groceries if you're not going to stay home?" he asked aloud. He placed the bag on the kitchen counter and found a note taped to the refrigerator.

"Itachi,

Went out with Sasuke to Oto. We'll be back the same time as Dad, okay?

Love you,

Mom."

Itachi crumpled the note in his hand and wondered to himself. Why would they go to Oto? The only place it was known for was its academy and only snotty, rich kids attended it. His cellphone vibrated in his pocket and the Uchiha held it to his ear.

"What is it, Hidan?"

Hidan laughed through the phone. "Did you forget? We have a meeting about the Cultural Festival today. We're all waiting for your ass!"

Shit.

Itachi sighed, "Yeah, I'll be down there in a minute. Tell them I'm sorry for being late."

Hidan agreed and both hung up. Itachi stuffed his phone in his pocket and continued to think of the reasons they would go to Oto. It wasn't that big of a deal that they went, but he felt uneasy about the trip.

"They have that diner, but it wouldn't be something they would go all the way there for. Damn, why can't I remember what they have there? Oh, they also have that Art Museum. Maybe Mom dragged Sasuke there."

As he walked to their meeting place at the park, he continued to receive stares from students that past him.

"Do you need something, Akari-san?" he asked politely as a freshman stared rudely.

The girl blushed and stepped away from the senior. "I'm sorry, Uchiha-kun. I didn't mean to be rude, but I was wondering if Sasuke-kun was still going to attend Konoha High School."

Itachi's eyes widened as the girl continued to speak as if he knew about the news. "I wanted to ask, but I thought it was a rumor and was really scared if it wasn't. I didn't want to pry into your family affairs."

He forced a smile on his face and placed his hand on the girl's shoulder. "It's fine, Akari-san. Don't worry about it, okay?"

The girl's face brightened and she bowed respectfully to her upperclassman. "Goodbye Uchiha-kun!"

He waved until she turned away and immediately dashed over to his friends. What did she mean by 'still going to attend'? It doesn't make sense! His parents would have told him about this. Then again, Sasuke and Itachi haven't been very friendly to each other since Itachi's first year of high school. They barely spoke, causing their parents more worry than necessary, but their relationship couldn't be fixed.

"Hey, Itachi-kun," Kisame greeted.

Itachi nodded and sat down at the old, picnic table. "Now, let's begin the preparations for the Cultural Festival. What are the clubs' assets, Kakuzu-kun?"

As Kakuzu ran through the list of numbers, Itachi's eyes wandered around the park. He used to come here often as a child when Sasuke was still a baby. Although other kids would invite him to play, he would rather stick next to his mother and baby brother. He would beg her to let him hold Sasuke and became ecstatic when he was able to.

"Itachi? Itachi!" Kisame waved his hand in front of his face.

Itachi snapped out of his thoughts and turned back to his club members. "Yes, now which club has the lowest amount of money in their account?"

Kakuzu glanced at his list. "That would be a tie between the Martial Arts Club and the Sewing Club," he answered.

"What have the Martial Arts Club been spending on?" he asked.

"They had to buy new equipment and since they're hosting a tournament during the Cultural Festival they had to buy a few things here and there for the winners. It's not that bad, they spent their money responsibly and will most likely gain it back by the end of the year." Kakuzu explained.

"That's great. We know what the Martial Arts Club will be hosting during the festival has any other club sent requests?"

Sakura took out her list and read through the clubs. "The Art Club is requesting an art show-"

"Accepted."

"The Drama Club is requesting a spot at three o'clock to present a play-"

"Accepted."

She snickered at the next one. "The Archery Club plans on shooting apples over participators' heads."

"Kisame, can you please text the captain of the Archery Club that his request is denied?"

Kisame pulled out his phone. "Got it."

Sakura ran over the list and Itachi answered each with 'accepted' or 'denied'. He tried his best to pay attention, but he would often be lost in thought.

He ended the meeting, but grabbed Sakura by the shoulder. "You're in my brother's class," he stated.

Sakura cocked an eyebrow. "Yes, I am. Thank you for noticing senpai."

He shook his head. "No, that's not really what I wanted to say. I wanted to know if maybe you know anything about him recently. It's summer break, but perhaps you could have heard about him transferring to another school? Or something like that."

Although she knew he was worried, his face hid his feelings very well. "I don't think so," she answered.

Itachi nodded and turned away from the girl. "Thanks for telling me, Sakura-san." He waved goodbye and headed off for home.

He found both cars in the driveway and walked through the door. "Hey, Itachi, ready for dinner? I'm making grilled fish, can you go wash your hands?" Mikoto announced as her son came through the kitchen.

Itachi pulled his mother into the hallway and whispered, "I heard today that Sasuke might be transferring out of Konoha High School - is that true?"

Mikoto sighed and leaned against the wall. She turned to face her eldest son and held a stern look. "This is Sasuke's decision Itachi; he chose to transfer. I would suggest keeping out of it, okay?"

She stepped away, but Itachi pulled her back again. "Where is he wanting to go?"

She was becoming flustered. "Oto Academy, but don't tell him that you found out from me, alright?" She walked back to the kitchen and continued fixing dinner.

Itachi ran to his room and pushed the small buttons on his cell phone.

"Sakura, this is Itachi. I know you've been in the same class as Sasuke since elementary and I need you to come over as soon as possible. Don't come through the front door, okay? Just text me when you're here." He hung up before she could speak and waited in his room until her arrival.

His phone vibrated and he knew it was time to meet her. He dashed down the hallway and out the front door. The sun was setting and he knew they didn't have much time to speak. He grabbed her wrist and dragged her to the backyard.

Sakura stood in front of the tall senior. "Why'd you want me here so late, senpai? What's so important?"

"Sasuke is transferring out of Konoha High School," he announced.

"So what you were talking about in the park?"

"Yeah." Itachi hid his face with the hood of his sweatshirt. "I called you because I need help."

Sakura bit her lip. "What kind of help?"

Itachi plopped down in the grass and sighed, "I can't talk to him, Sakura! I need you to convince him not to go to Oto Academy."

Sakura joined him on the grass and began picking a few blades from the ground. "I'm sorry, senpai, but he's your brother. Why should I talk to him? We barely speak to each other anyway."

His dark eyes glanced down at the freshman. "I just can't do it, Sakura."

"Do you really want him to stay in Konoha? Or are you just worried about your image if your brother goes to a different school?" she asked.

Itachi was surprised by her words. He grabbed her shoulders and growled, "Of course I want him here! How could you think I'd be so superficial to care what people think of my image?!" He immediately loosened his grasp and stepped away.

"Sorry," he mumbled.

"It's alright, senpai. If you sincerely want Sasuke-kun to stay in Konoha, you'd have to speak to him yourself. It's the only way," she replied.

Itachi gave up. "I'll try, but I know this isn't going to work."

Sasuke continued writing from his desk. He barely heard a knock on his door and turned sharply in his chair.

"Come in." he called.

His demeanor changed immediately as his older brother walked through the doorway. "Hello Sasuke," Itachi said lightly.

Sasuke turned back to his writing. "What do you want? Are you going to interrogate me again?" he muttered.

Itachi closed the door behind him and sat down on the boy's bed. "No, I actually want to talk to you about your transfer."

He dropped the pencil in his hand and stood up from his chair. His eyes met with his brother's and each stared silently.

"It's none of your business what I do with my life, Itachi," he snapped.

"But it is my business! I want to know why you want to leave Konoha for some haughty academy. I care about you and don't want you to go." he argued.

Sasuke's gaze dropped to the floor. "You care about me?" he asked, quietly.

Itachi's face reddened with embarrassment and immediately built up his defenses again. "No, I didn't mean it like that. I mean -"

"Then get out, bastard!" Sasuke pushed his brother out. "You don't give a damn about how I feel!" He slammed the door.

Sakura sat patiently in their backyard and heard familiar footsteps walking closer. "How'd it go?"

"I screwed it up," he answered. "I got embarrassed about telling him I didn't want him to go."

"Senpai, hiding your feelings isn't right. Your relationship with Sasuke-kun isn't going to get better until you talk about what's bothering you. Tell him the truth. Tell him that you want him to stay." She stood up and brushed the pieces of grass from her lap.

"I've got to go. I hope you two work it out," she stated. Itachi ordered her to stay, but she ignored him.

"I guess it is up to me." he thought nervously.

The sun past over the horizon and Itachi sat silently until the moon rose high in the sky. He heard Sasuke's door slide open and footsteps going down the hallway. Itachi took action and followed the boy to the back door and out onto the steps.

"Why are you out here?" Sasuke asked, facing away and staring off into the dark sky.

Itachi took a seat next to him. "I really need to talk to you, Sasuke," he replied.

Sasuke leaned back on his hands. "Go ahead, let's see how well this turns out."

Itachi breathed in loudly and finally started, "Sasuke, why do you want to transfer so badly?"

"Why does it matter to you?"

"As your older brother, I deserve to know," Itachi responded.

Sasuke pounded his fist against the hard, stone steps. "There you go again! Just because you're my brother it doesn't mean that you have control of what I do!"

Itachi sighed and smiled weakly, "I'm sorry."

His words echoed in Sasuke's ears and the boy turned to face his brother. "Huh?"

"I'm sorry that I haven't been acting better towards you, Sasuke."

Sasuke regained his cool composure and crossed his arms. "Big deal, you haven't acted like yourself since you joined the Student Council. I've gotten used to your attitude since then."

Itachi became confused. "Then what's bothering you?"

The two haven't talked this much since they were young. As they spoke, most of their words came directly without thinking. Sasuke wasn't sure what his brother was doing, but if he was truly asking him how he felt, this was his time to do so.

"I want to live in a place where they don't know you or me! I'm tired of living in your shadow and only being known as 'Itachi's Little Brother'. I already know that Dad's waiting for you to take his spot on the Konoha Police Force... I could feel my stomach twist up when I heard it from his mouth. You even got on the Student Council - something I've always wanted to do."

Sasuke's eyes narrowed as he finished, "You get everything."

Itachi felt a sense of sadness envelop him. He always thought Sasuke was just a selfish brat, but realized all he wanted was to be himself.

"You know, I only got a spot on the Student Council because Shisui was president during my first year."

Sasuke brought his legs to his chest and rested his chin on his knees. "I didn't know that."

Itachi stood up and bent down in front of his brother. "Look, Sasuke, I'm sorry that it seems Mom and Dad are only paying attention to me. You're my little brother and I want our relationship to be what it used to be."

"So do I, but I can't imagine us being like that again."

"What can I do to prove I'm willing to try and change that?"

Sasuke stood up and walked to the door. "Give me your spot as President of the Student Council."

Itachi sighed helplessly, "You know I can't do that."

Sasuke grabbed the handle of the door and stomped his foot. "Then just give me a spot on the Council! If Shisui was able to do that then you can too!"

"That was a time when the club didn't have a restriction. All the seats are filled," Itachi explained.

As Sasuke thought, Itachi stood impatiently. "Give me Sakura's job or I'll leave by next semester."

Itachi knew this was a hard bargain, but couldn't accept his brother leaving. "You can substitute for her for the next meeting and we'll discuss a permanent replacement afterwards."

"Fine, but you can't tell Sakura until after my time as her substitution." Sasuke slid open the door and left to his room.

Itachi sat back down on the steps and held his head in his hands. "Dammit, what the hell have I done?"

xxx

Uho, drama? We'll see, Vomment. <3

xTsu