He wanted to call her, but he couldn't. He wanted to apologize, but he had no idea what words to say. He wanted to smack his head against the wall, but he wasn't near a wall at that moment.

Itachi walked Sasuke to the park and informed him of his new peers. "Kisame is the Vice President, Sasori and Hidan are Committee Representatives, Kakuzu is the Treasurer, and Deidara is the Secretary."

"What do Hidan and Sasori do?" his younger brother asked.

"As representatives, they are needed for the Student Council to discuss changes with the School Board. Hidan's big mouth and determined personality is an excellent choice while Sasori's decisiveness is needed when making very important decisions. He takes his time and thinks carefully."

Sasuke continued to walk silently, but wondered what his position would be like. "What do I do?"

Itachi turned to him. "As the name suggests, you will be the face of the Student Council. That means you will be speaking to other students, like I do, but with the objective to show how friendly and open the Student Council is and try to bring new members in."

Sasuke stopped walking and stared up at his brother with an irritated expression. "I have to talk to other kids?"

"And be polite and friendly to them as well," Itachi added.

Sasuke rolled his eyes and ran to catch up to his brother. He wasn't known to be a social butterfly, but talking to people for short moments shouldn't be terribly bothersome.

They reached the familiar picnic table and the two took their seats. The other boys stared at Sasuke confused, but didn't speak out any questions to their president.

"Alright, to get things started, does anyone need a drink or snack?" Itachi asked.

"I could go for a soda," Hidan stated.

"Me too," Deidara and Sasori added.

"I want some chips," Kisame chimed in.

Itachi turned to Sasuke and handed him his wallet. "As Mascot, you run the errands for the club."

Sasuke frowned, "But why? Deidara is the secretary, isn't he supposed to run errands and things such as this?"

Deidara laughed at the freshman, "My job as Secretary is to simply check up on clubs and file paperwork."

The dark-haired boy wasn't happy, but obeyed his brother's order. As he left, the other club members leaned toward their president.

"What the fuck's going on here? Where is Cherry-chan at, Itachi?" Hidan hissed.

"There's not much I can say at the moment, everyone. Please wait until tomorrow and I'll explain it right away," he answered.

Kakuzu leaned forward. "Don't tell me he has a permanent spot on the Student Council now."

Itachi felt helpless, but continued his emotionless façade. "Be patient. This is only a substitution. There will be answers soon, I promise."

The group settled down as the boy walked back to the group. Sasuke juggled the bottles of soda and the snacks with his arms and placed them on the table.

"Can we please get down to business now? What are we supposed to do for the day?" he asked, excited for the plans.

"Today, we will be discussing a way to raise money for our own club for the Cultural Festival," Itachi announced.

Sasuke raised his hand and Itachi allowed the boy to speak. "I'm sorry, but isn't Sports Day something to be focusing on much earlier? We have to make notices to parents and list off the equipment we need and make the decisions on what day to put it on, right? Cultural Festival is something very easily maintained so why waste time on it - especially since it's weeks away."

"We've already finished the list for Sports Day, Sasuke. Cultural Festivals are a way to pull other students from different schools into our own. If our Cultural Festival is a hit, we could perhaps gain more students next year and Konoha's funds will increase - meaning more money for clubs."

Sasuke sunk into his chair and sat silently as they discussed their plans. He never knew how much planning went into things such as a boring Cultural Festival, but being the Student Council's president must put a lot of weight on his brother's shoulders.

"If we're trying to raise money, why don't we try the bake sale again?" Deidara suggested.

Kisame turned to Sasuke. "Yeah, but can he bake anything?"

Each member faced him, awaiting his answer. Sasuke sat up. "I can bake a few things. I can make cake, pie, cookies..." He tried to remember what other kinds of sweets there were.

"I don't think a bake sale is necessary," Itachi objected.

"We should do something that involves other students - something they'll really enjoy," Sasori stated.

Kakuzu decided to voice his thoughts. "How about a human auction?"

"Human auction?" Sasuke repeated.

"A human auction... Where we bring the members of the Student Council on a stage and people will bid on each one of you. You'll do what they say for the entire day without much refusal. We'll start bidding at fifty and work our way up from there."

Itachi looked around the picnic table. Each boy held an unsure look on their faces, but he knew it was something that would draw a great amount of attention. "I think we should try it," he announced.

"You've got to be kidding me," Sasuke muttered.

"Is something wrong?" Itachi asked, noticing his irritated, younger brother.

"I just don't understand why you all do such juvenile things! You're the Student Council, the most powerful students in school, yet you act as if it's all just a game. Have you all lost your minds or do you really not want to make a difference at this school?"

Itachi stood up and slammed his hands on the table. "Do you really think the Student Council has that much power, Sasuke? We're not the Board of Education, we can't decide upon everything. We choose what we think is best for the students so they can enjoy their time at Konoha High School. Sure, there are times when we have to discuss important matters to the faculty or the principal, but it's not as often as you think. We don't decide upon expulsion or punishments. Please, for everyone's sake, get your head out of the clouds and stop acting so naïve for once."

Sasuke remained silent. All he wanted was to voice out his thoughts, but they continued to be ignored or shot down.

"Instead of a human auction, can't you choose something more appropriate?" he asked.

Itachi was becoming irritated, but tried to give him another chance. "What do you have in mind?"

Sasuke pulled out a notebook from his backpack and flipped through the pages. "Well, last night, I wrote down a few ideas..." He continued to flip through the pages until he reached his list.

"For fundraising, we could tutor elementary students. By doing this, we'll show them that high school students from Konoha High School are kind and intelligent. Also, we could create a carwash, showing everyone in town how hardworking the Student Council is. I've also got some great ideas about dealing with clubs-"

Itachi raised his hand. "Sasuke, I'll listen to your ideas, but please just keep it at fundraising," he interjected.

"But I can help!"

"You're not the president, Sasuke! Stop pretending like you are!" Itachi snapped.

Sasuke snatched up his notebook and threw it in his backpack. "Fine, I didn't want to be part of this stupid club anyway!" He ran out of the park and back to his home.

Itachi relaxed in the seat, but felt six pairs of eyes on him. "What is it?"

"You should try talking to him, Itachi-kun," Kisame said, shifting uncomfortably in the wooden seat.

Itachi groaned loudly and stepped away from the picnic table. He faced away from his friends, but spoke sadly. "I know that I majorly screwed up, guys. When I go home, I know he'll have already decided."

Itachi arrived home, yet again, to an empty house. He pulled his sneakers off at the door and walked to the kitchen for a drink. He wasn't surprised to see another note taped to the refrigerator.

"Itachi,

We're heading to Oto for Sasuke's admission next semester. There's some dinner in the fridge that you can heat up in the microwave. We won't be back until tomorrow morning.

Love you,

Mom."

He sighed and viciously ripped apart the notebook paper. He threw the shredded pieces on the floor and banged his fists against the wall. His entire body was shaking and his knuckles were red and aching due to the beating. This was his fault and the anger he felt was unimaginable.

He turned toward the fridge again and noticed another note. Itachi pulled off the note and realized it was Sasuke's writing.

"Hey,

There are two reasons I'm leaving Konoha High School. 1) I want to be my own person. I don't want to live in your shadow for the rest of my high school life. 2) It would be best if we weren't around each other as much.

Let's face it Itachi - we don't get along like brothers should. I can't really say that I hate you, but I know that we'll have a better chance if we take time away from each other.

Don't get mad that I'm going to Oto Academy. I really like the school and it seems that the headmaster already approves of me and my skills.

We'll meet again,

Sasuke."

Instead of tearing it or destroying it, Itachi folded the note and placed it in his pocket. As much as he didn't want to agree with him, he knew Sasuke was right.

"If Sasuke is happy then I'll try my best to be happy too," he thought, staring at the family portrait on the refrigerator.

Vibrations were felt in his pocket. Itachi pulled out his phone and answered the call. "Yes?"

"It's Kisame. I've got the guys over here and was wondering if you wanted to hang out too."

Itachi opened the fridge and pulled out the chilled food. "Is this hangout because you all want to know Sakura-san's status is on the Council?" A short moment of silence was on the other line, but Itachi could hear a strong 'yes' from Hidan.

"We'd like to know," Kisame answered.

He placed the food in the microwave and set the time. "You don't have to worry. Sasuke has decided to transfer." He could hear a few cheers on the other end; probably Deidara and Hidan.

"Are you okay?" Kisame asked, concerned.

Itachi waited patiently and decided to go back to the family portrait. He stared at his younger self and then to Sasuke.

"Yeah, I'll be fine. You know what though?"

Kisame's voice was curious. "What?"

"I will come to hang out tonight. I need some time with friends."

Friends... People that were always there for him. Itachi finally understood that although he may not get along with them, they continued to remain loyal no matter what.

"I guess they are brothers to me in some way to." he chuckled.