~Anna's POV~

" See its nothing big. Just a plain fever."

" Somehow, I don't believe you Eric. Show me the real prescription."

" It is the real one." My brother replied pouting.

" What did the doctor say?"

" He'd be better in a few-"

" Why do I feel like you're lying to me?" I don't know why I got so agitated but I did.

" Come on sis, why would I lie?"

" I don't know." He sighed.

" Max is gonna wake up soon. Ask him. He certainly doesn't like lying to you."

" Fine." As soon as I said that, Max emerged from his room coughing. " You shouldn't be walking!" I hurried to him and picked him up then laid him down on the couch. " You're burning!"

" Its just a plain fever." Max told me.

" See!" Eric said.

" Is it really a 'plain fever' Max? Cuz you're too hot right now."

" Its just a fever sis........" He started coughing at the end again.

" Stay here I'll bring some cold towels."

" ....k...." I flashed him a worried look then went on my way to the kitchen to set ice cold water and towels.

Setting the big bowl/tub of water beside the couch, I dumped the towel in it and started trying to cool Max down.

After about half an hour, his temperature went a little down so I made him eat something and gave him his medicines. Eric picked Max up and laid him down in his bed.

It was now some time before midnight and some constant fear and worry gnawed at me which didn't let me sleep but I felt relieved after talking to Itachi on the phone. He was worried too.

" He'll get better by tomorrow."

" I wish. Uncle just went and something bad had to happen-"

" You're thinking too much."

" Of course I am." I rolled my eyes at him on the phone.

" No, seriously-"

" I'm gonna stay here until he gets better."

"....ok...."

" Why the pause?"

".....nothing.."

" Dude-"

" Its nothing."

" Fine." I mumbled. "I might skip tomorrow."

"I figured. Try to sleep now." Then I realised what time it was.

"Holy shit dude! Sorry! You go sleep, its so late!"

"You too."

"Yapp. Bye bae."

"Good night."

~

The next day Max was a lot better and by that I mean a lot! His fever was gone, his coughs were gone, the fatigue he felt yesterday was gone and mostly he was running around like he had never been healthier but something still felt off.

" Max, are you sure you're ok?" I asked for the tenth time probably that day.

" Sis, I'm fine!"

" Your fever-"

" I'm fine!"

" Ok. Ok. Jeez." I kept looking at him like he would fade away any moment then my mind went to mum and then to Marcus and then-

" -sis!"

" Ya?"

" You spaced out."

" Sorry....... What was it that you were saying, again?"

" My friend lent me this cool DVD! Wanna watch it?" Max asked excitedly. I smiled and nodded. He ran off to get the DVD and came back then plugged it and sat by me on the couch to watch it.

" I'll be with Sasuke and Naruto!" Eric announced and left.

" Ok!"

Midway through the movie Max fell asleep on my lap. Just how heavy are his doses?! I thought about putting him in his bed but then the bell started ringing.

" Coming!" I yelled but not too loudly and swiftly got Max in his room then went to the door. " Its always open, you should just walk in."

" I don't like invading people's privacy." Itachi replied closing the door on his way in.

" Of course you don't! Why else would you come in my hospital room without knocking all that time ago?" I said sarcastically.

" I'm sorry about it."

" Doesn't seem like it." I plopped on the couch and sighed.

" You're cranky. Didn't get enough sleep?" He asked sitting beside me. My head landed on his shoulder the moment he sat.

" No."

"Max is asleep then?" I nodded, not really feeling like speaking. "You got home alright yesterday?"

"Yapp. Thanks to Shisui." I pushed my hair back from my forehead. "Speaking of which, how do you have time today?"

"I am just glad that I have." Itachi had brought a bag and pulled out today's notes from it.

"Thanks mate." I put them aside and slumped on the couch.

"Come on." He patted his lap and I knew what he meant. I was grateful for that. I put a pillow there and his safety and warmth immediately had me sleep, peacefully.

Some time after I had woken up, Itachi left and I just waited for night to fall. Max had been fed and given his medicines in between, Eric had returned and was too tired so he directly went to bed and after a while I did too.

Sometimes I cursed my being a light sleeper. Even the tiniest of sounds woke me with a jolt. It was one of those times.

I got up when I heard movement in the halls. Looking at the time I wondered who the hell was pacing at 4! I wiped my eyes and went to my room's door and opened it. Right when I did that I gasped and took a few steps back but then regained my composure as Max ran and hugged my legs. The worst part was, he was crying.

" Max? Max, what happened?" He wasn't listening so I picked him up and sat us both down on my bed. He wasn't letting go. I stroked him until he stopped crying and as much as I hated interrogating him, it had to be done when the happenings were still fresh. " Are you ok with telling me what happened?" I asked once he stopped crying.

" N-nightmare-es." My face softened at this.

" What kind of nightmares?" He was quiet for a moment then spoke with a shaky voice.

"There was fire....and you...burning..."

"Its just your fever showing you things. Its alright." I patted his back and lulled him into sleep. I didn't want to put him to his bed because he might have another nightmare so I hugged Max close and went to sleep.

My protection of my brother came at a cost. The horror he saw transferred to me. I was OK with it. I was used to it.

~

"You have got to be kidding me." My eye twitched.

"Yo!"

"No. Stay away you Ugly!" I kept stepping back to keep myself away from Shisui who, along with some other members of the Police Force were as guests in today's PE for various arts, like Karate, Kenjutsu etc etc. The other students were talking and whispering about me being so disrespectful but oh well they can all die.

"Awh come on. I was looking forward to seeing you today."

"Do you know how wrong that sounds?" I pointed.

"Yes. Sorry about that." I shrugged.

"Why are you guys really here?"

"So we can show you all and inspire in the process, for learning martial arts and things."

"Karate I know. I wanna learn Kenjutsu." Shisui smiled broadly.

"Then I will teach you!" He quickly handed me a wooden sword and got one for himself. "The best method is to spar and learn."

"Rules?"

"No rules. Though Itachi strictly forbade me from putting any scratches on you." He thought out loud.

"Nevermind him."

"Alright then."

We both got in our stances and on the signal of the hand, began. I had a really vivid nightmare yesterday that it made question what was real and what was not and all day I was edgy because of it but sparring here with Ugly was bringing out my enthusiasm and helping me forget and relieve as well.

I got more hits than I landed. Way more. I didn't want to stop though and that was commendable Shisui said. I didn't have the stamina to match my vigour so eventually I had to stop and breathe.

"Itachi's gonna murder us both." I commented rubbing my head where a bump was forming from the hit of the sword.

"I will escape. He won't harm you. Win-win."

"Yeah."

"You would actually make a good swordswoman. Weak footing and strength can be adjusted-"

"But I don't have the heart for it." I told him smiling.

"But you still held up against my speed and you know what they call me?" I shook my head. "The Teleporter."

"Then you've gone weak." I insulted him and laughed at his face.

~

"I will murder you both." Itachi was cross.

"Told ya." I said to Shisui.

"I forbade you Shisui. Why did-"

"Itachi, I requested him to not go easy on me. Its not his fault. If I don't break a few bones and have a few bumps then how will I toughen up?"

"I will...leave then..." Shisui muttered hesitantly and left quickly.

Traitorrrrr!!

"Why do you need to toughen up when I am here? I will protect you-"

"It was fun though." I mused. Itachi flicked my forehead for ignoring him and took me to his room where he tended to my bruises.

There was a knock on the door when he was putting away the medical kit. I opened it and took the shirts from Sasuke he handed me.

"These go in the closet right?" Itachi nodded half-minded and I went to open that door when he spoke.

"Don't. I will do it myself." I raised my eyebrow but resumed and opened the closet despite his protests. Was he hiding something there?

I was just going to put the shirts on a rack and be on my way but a bunch of tacks and papers on the wall of the closet caught my attention.

I pushed aside the hangers and got a clearer view. Pinned to the walls were maps, pictures, notes and about who?

"Why?"

~

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Itachi_Warrior desu~ ^/_\^