Ok so I wanted to say that Hinata hasn't been wearing her ninja attire yet because they were traveling and she didn't want to ruin it. Also being the person she is, was waiting for the perfect moment to debut it in Konohagakure like a baller. Also this is around where Jiraiya dies in the show just to put time frame into existence.

Sasuke and Itachi were let into Shisui's home after showing the Akatsuki to their new home at the police station where they would be aloud to alter anything inside to fit their needs for space. Shisui left to his room, giving the brothers room to bond after so long, he wanted to hug Itachi and talk endlessly with Itachi giving one word responses but this was time for them to be together and the energetic Uchiha knew that. So he kept what he wanted to say down for a while, just feeling relieved that Itachi and Hinata were both home safe with some new friends and he put together what was going to be his room once again.

Sasuke really didn't like Hidan, he disliked most of the people there, they all gave him feelings of unease especially the blonde guy, but Hidan just pissed him off. There was something about the way Hinata was so comfortable with the foul mouthed man, as soon as he saw her give him a hug and didn't shy away from his flirtatious advances, he disliked the man. Plus the guy seemed like a complete and utter dumbass and the smell of blood on him seemed to be almost a part of his natural musk, something about that was triggering.

Not only that, Hinata seemed annoyingly friendly with everyone there, they were criminals, she was supposed to bring home Itachi not all of those other crazy people. Even his brother seemed to be friendly with a few of them, he didn't get it. The blue skinned giant was very familiar with Itachi, they were said to be teammates and apparently Itachi vouched for him saying he was a loyal and trusted friend. He wasn't one to be jealous, but he was, these people got to spend time with two of four most important people in his life, got to see them grow and be happy all while Sasuke was alone with the fucking asshole Danzo.

What did they have that he didn't? Itachi noticed his brothers inner turmoil and felt his heart break, he hated seeing Sasuke so hurt. He wanted to protect his brother from pain and hate but yet because he was so easily backed into a corner, he hurt his brother more than anyone else could have. He felt like a dick, he planned on Sasuke killing him...it was stupid but contrary to rational belief Itachi never was the best decision maker when it came to what was best for Sasuke.

Sasuke gripped at his brothers shirt and punched him in the face, sending Itachi sprawling into the wall behind him. It felt really, really good. Sasuke was pissed, hurt, sad, happy and all of that came out as he gave his brother another punch to the jaw. Sasuke no longer had the burning rage to murder his brother, but he still thought Itachi deserved to have the shit knocked out of him and hopefully some sense in along the way. How could Itachi have left and not told him the real reasoning why, did he not understand how much worse it would have been when Sasuke finally killed Itachi and then learned the truth.

It would have broken him for sure and Sasuke was so man Itahci thought so little of himself that he was ready to die, that he would hurt his brother just so he could die in the future. It was selfish, Sasuke wanted to know if Itachi realized how much he looked up to him? He was the coolest and yet Itachi was so willing to give all that away...why? To save Sasuke but make him a ball of hate and rage? No, it was selfish and too damn nice at the same time.

"Why Aniki...why?" Sasuke hit Itachi again and again, tears streaming from his burning red eyes. "You could have told me everything, I wouldn't have been mad."

"I know. I thought I was protecting you from the burden of choosing between me and the village or our family." Itachi's tone was unwavering though it was laden heavily with guilt. He lay there letting Sasuke get all of his anger and frustration out on him, it hurt. His body and eyes always did but he was going to endure it for the sake of Sasuke and for the sake of himself, he deserved this.

"So you made me watch everyone die so I would hate you instead? You burdened me with hate for you instead, how is that better?" Sasuke yelled through the tears, expressing all of his hurt and anger and love and all the myriad of emotions flowing inside of him. He couldn't pick what one was most dominant so he reverted it into anger like always. Itachi's eyes were blurry but he kept them trained onto the form of his brother as he smiled sadly, it was a smile begging of forgiveness and one holding nothing but love.

"I was the foolish one this time little brother. I am sorry...for everything. I am underserving but please forgive me one last time Sasuke." Itachi held his middle and pointer fingers out and Sasuke broke, he leaned his head forward and allowed the bruised Itachi to poke him right in the center. He collapsed into Itachi's awaiting arms and buried his face into his elder brothers shoulder, his tears dampening the navy fabric.

"I hated you...dammit you made me hate you." Sasuke's voice cracked as he spoke muffled into Itachi's shoulder. He suddenly felt 8 years old again with his big brother comforting him from a nightmare or when his father completely ignored his existence. Sasuke didn't care he was almost an adult, all he cared about was keeping his brother with him.

"I know." Sasuke hit Itachi in the chest right against a bruise the boy had left minutes before. It was firm but not to injure him, just to express his feelings in the way he knew he couldn't do with words.

"D-do you know how stupid you are Aniki." Sasuke grumbled. Itachi chuckled deeply; it wasn't one of joy but one of relief at the surprisingly softer sound of Sasuke's voice.
"Aa. Very." Sasuke was right, looking back, although he was backed into a rock and a hard place, the force of trying to get Sasuke to hate him was idiotic.

"You should have told me...you should have." A sop wracked through Sasuke's smaller form and Itachi rubbed his back comfortingly, the same way he did when Sasuke would have nightmares as a boy.

"I know little brother. I know." Itachi sighed, the sting of tears finally subsiding their harsh pricking at his degrading eyes. He had to hold back the coughs threatening to escape his lungs that were aggravated with getting hit. He could feel Sasuke's heavy breathing even out and the tears were finally slowing down and no longer so intense.

"I...forgive you." He tsked lowly, no matter how mad he was, he couldn't blame everything on Itachi. All of it was Danzo's fault and he couldn't stay mad at the person who wanted to protect him.

"Why." Itachi was grateful and relieved that Sasuke had forgiven him so quickly. He didn't expect Sasuke to forgive him and though he was extremely happy, the elder brother was confused.

"For making sure that reckless idiot came back home...and because...I-I love you Aniki." Itachi smiled at his little Tsundere of a brother who refused to meet his gaze. All of Sasuke's tears were dry and his feelings had evened out enough for the youngest to realize no matter how mad he was, he was glad his brother was home...and he only felt a little bad about sucker punching him.

"Of course, I made you a promise. Thank you...Sasuke-kun." Itachi pressed their foreheads together, his eyes closed and a sadly serene smile on his lips as he spoke. "I love you as well little brother." Sasuke grit his teeth to not smile, no way.

When Sasuke's chakra stopped thrashing uncontrollably in his body was when Shisui knew they had their moment and he could finally truly spend time with his best friend. Shisui came down the stairs to the touching sight of Itachi with a bruised face pressing his head against a swollen eyed Sasuke's who coincidentally had bloody knuckles.He smiled, it wasn't a grin or mischievous at all, it was genuinely happy and it overtook his entire face, lighting up the room.

He bounded over to the two brothers and wrapped them both in his larger frame, though sadly Itachi wasn't as small as before and was barely 2 centimeters shorter. Itachi relaxed into the hug and Sasuke did as well, they just enjoyed the comfort of one another as Shisui spoke happily of finally being a family together.

Shisui was perceptive, especially on the little traits of Itachi even all of these years later so he could tell Itachi was more in his mind than usual and something was weighing on his mind. So being the best friend, and basically older brother to the duo, he tugged Itachi's ponytail getting a childish (well as childish as Itachi is capable of) grunt and pout.

"'Tachi-chan what are you thinking about?" Shisui's eyes were kind and like always, they coaxed Itachi into telling the truth.

"Hn, I have something I have to tell both of you." He sighed deeply and a thick tension built between the three.

"What is it?" Sasuke said nothing but Itachi had his undivided attention. He had no idea what Itachi was going to say and though the aura of uncertainty around Itachi was unsettling, Sasuke wasn't worried, nothing could take his brother away from him again.

"I'm dying."

"Wh-what." Sasuke barely managed to choke out the words. Shisui was stunned into disbelief and just stared with his deep gray eyes at Itachi, his face void of any emotion.

"I have a terminal illness. Hinata-hime has said it's moved to my bloodstream and the way my eyes have deteriorated from overuse, I won't make it until the end of the month even if I'm lucky." Shisui finally found his voice and though he knew it was broken, he was ready to say something Itachi continued on. "However, Hinata-hime and Sasori-san have informed me that they believe they have a cure. I will be getting the procedure tomorrow, but if it does not work, I wanted you to know beforehand." Itachi produced a scroll from his sleeve and handed it to Sasuke and Shisui. "I was forbidden from reading it, it is from Hinata giving you the details of tomorrow." Shisui and Sasuke breathed a bit easier, if they had faith in anything, it was Hinata's skills as a medical ninja...the only uncertainty was Sasori.

"Do you trust Sasori enough to let him be in charge of your life?" Shisui was wary, Sasori was terrifying and even in the brief interaction no part of him seemed to want to help anybody but himself. Though, the puppet did seem to keep his eyes on Hinata for a second too long, like he was studying a puzzle.

"Hn, no but I do trust Hinata-hime and they have some unspoken relationship and he would not betray her as of now."

"Well if Imouto trusts him then I do too."

"Hn." Itachi once more pressed his forehead to Sasuke, drawing Shisui inot the mix and he inhaled deeply, his lungs shuddering at the effort.

"Thank you both, for even if I do not make it, you have forgiven me and I got to see you one last time." His voice was thick with feeling and love as he enjoyed the moment that he had given up on so long ago.

"Don't speak like that you asshole." Sasuke snapped instantly at the statement, it was too morbid for him and he refused to accept Itachi dying from some stupid illness. No way, not after he got home. He'd be dammed if Itachi were to die.

"Sasu-chan is right, if Imouto says she has a cure then I believe her and you'll be up and running in no time." Shisui smiled, it was strained but he held complete faith in Hinata and that showed. He wouldn't accept that. Sasuke and Shisui opened the scroll and read through it, both of them immediately accepting their roles and how they couldn't tell Itachi. it was risky but seemed ingenious as well.

A/N: Ok so this is an Interlude chapter to showcase the scene when Hinata was gone...i thought it would show more of the side of their lives without our resident heartthrob. It was hard to write this but I think i got it down pat. Itachi is complex, he loves but is selfish in the most unselfish way and he seems like the type to hate himself often so i tired to convey that in this short chapter. Also sasuke is far from emotionless so I put that here, he has always been over emotional in my opinion. Enjoy this little bit of love between the remaining Uchiha before shit goes down and itchy has his surgery. Does anybody have any ideas of what is going to happen in the surgery???

Question: Are you an Alpha, Beta, or Omega?

My Answer: I'm an omega who projects herself as an alpha for protection..I think...yeah.