Naruto (c) Masashi Kishimoto

Dedication: Stitch as always.

PS: Thank you for all those you had reviewed! I expected a lot less for this fic. It makes me want to write more knowing you guys like my stories.

Then I see your face; I know I’m finally yours. I find everything I lost before. You call my name. I come to you in pieces, so you can make me whole. — Red

“Aw fuck, why do I even have to be here? Its not like he’s my brother-in-law or anything!” Kiba whined as he walked with Sasuke towards Itachi’s apartment.

“Tch, shut your trap Inuzuka. You’re worse than Suigetsu and Naruto combined,” Sasuke looked at Kiba, “and that’s saying something.” Sasuke finished. Kiba shot Sasuke a glare.

“I would rather be with Ino right now, she had a special surprise for me too,” Kiba complained.

“Shut the hell up Kiba, you’re doing this because Hana asked you to, don’t you eve care about your sister?” Sasuke asked.

“Hmph, why are you doing this then, Uchiha?” Kiba asked.

“I’m worried about my brother,” Sasuke stopped in front of Itachi’s apartment door. “He hasn’t be answering his cell or his phone, and I’m afraid he started using again, I mean he was serious about Hana, when I talked to him about her, he was like she’s the one, Sasuke! And all that mushy romantic crap,” Sasuke rolled his eyes.

“Don’t you do all that mushy romantic crap with Sakura?” Kiba asked. Sasuke shot the Inuzuka boy a death glare.

“Who told you that?” Sasuke asked, his voice dangerous. Kiba grumbled something but didn’t bother to say it again. Sasuke snorted and pulled out the key Itachi gave him and opened the door. He froze as soon as he opened the door, instantly knowing that something was wrong. Memories from his childhood came flooding back to him. “Something’s wrong,” Sasuke whispered. Kiba glanced at him and shrugged. The two boys slowly made their way into the dark apartment.

“Why is it so dark?” Kiba muttered, reaching out for the light switch.

“Don’t turn on the light,” Sasuke grabbed Kiba’s wrist, “he likes it dark when he’s shooting up,” Sasuke breathed. Kiba blinked.

“How do you know he’s shooting up?” Kiba asked.

“I hear Master of Puppets. It’s his irunno, his theme for shooting up or something. Plus its dark,” Sasuke said.

“Isn’t that song about the horrors of drug use or something?”

Sasuke glared at him as he slowly made his way towards Itachi’s room. He pushed the door opened and nodded to Kiba who turned on the hall light.

Sasuke’s eyes widened as Itachi’s gaunt face was illuminated. Hollow black eyes peered up at Sasuke, glazed over due to the drug. “Is he dead?” Kiba asked.

“No,” Sasuke narrowed his eyes as he walked up to Itachi. He squatted before his brother. “Just high,” Sasuke growled. Itachi gave a soft moan, trying to focus on Sasuke.

“Hana?” he whispered. Kiba watched the brothers stare at each other for a few long and tense moments. Sasuke clenched his fists before punching Itachi.

“Fucking bastard! You fucking bastard!” Sasuke shouted, repeatedly punching Itachi. “How dare you!? How dare you fucking put me through this again! You fucking asshole! You promised me! You made a fucking promise! You promised you’d never do this to me again! Fucking bastard!” Sasuke snarled, punching his brother. Itachi gave an insane smile, causing Sasuke to twitch. “Bastard! How could you! I hate you! I fucking hate you!” Sasuke screaming. “Don’t you care? Don’t you give a shit about me? Your little brother? Huh? Do you? Well do you Itachi?” Sasuke grabbed his brother by the collar of his shirt. “Answer me damn it!” Sasuke shook him before continuing to beat Itachi.

“Sasuke, you’re gonna kill him!” Kiba pulled Sasuke away from his brother. The younger Uchiha turned around and punched Kiba in the gut.

“Get lost,” he glared back at Itachi, who was laughing in a delirious manner softly. “Haven’t had enough, huh?” Sasuke sniffed, fighting to keep his tears at bay. “Well good, because I’m not done beating you!” Sasuke snarled before punching Itachi. Kiba stared at Sasuke.

“Sasuke stop it! You’re going to kill him!” Kiba shouted, grabbing Sasuke wrists again.

“Let me go Kiba! He deserves it! He fucking broke his fucking promise! He’s a fucking lair! Damn it, let go of me!” Sasuke struggled against Kiba and was able to pull away, only to slam his fist into Itachi’s jaw. “You’re nothing but a fucking lair, Itachi! A fucking liar! How does it feel to know I hate you!? Bet it doesn’t feel good does it? How does it feel knowing Hana hates you? I thought you loved her?” Sasuke shouted.

“Sasuke, stop it, let’s just go and call the cops,” Kiba said.

“I sad fuck off!” Sasuke snarled. Itachi moaned softly, bleeding from his mouth and nose. Sasuke screamed before punching Itachi some more.

“Sasuke, you’re going to kill him if you don’t stop!” Kiba shouted.

Itachi moaned a few softly. He was slowly coming down from the high, and he could almost feel his brother’s fists against his body. Hell, he deserves Sasuke’s animosity towards him right now, he wouldn’t like himself he saw himself doing this. “Hit…I need…I need another…hit…” Itachi muttered. Sasuke punched him in the gut.

“Want another hit, Nii-san?” Sasuke spat. Itachi looked up at his brother with lost eyes, he opened his mouth to say something but Sasuke slammed his fist into his face. “Shut up! Just shut the fuck up! Whatever you got to say I don’t want to fucking hear it! I just fucking don’t!” Sasuke shouted, tears cascading down his face. “Just tell me what you want?” Sasuke asked. Itachi didn’t respond. “Do you want to die? Is that it?” Sasuke stood up and grabbed Itachi’s gun and tossed it at his brother’s feet. “Well there’s the damn gun! Go shoot yourself! Put that bullet between your eyes! I don’t give a flying fuck!” Sasuke shouted. Itachi looked at the gun and then at Sasuke. “Because it’ll be a lost faster if you just blow your fucking goddamn brains out than over dose on heroin! I won’t have to suffer! Mom and Dad won’t have to suffer! Hell, Hana wouldn’t have to suffer!” Sasuke shouted. Itachi looked away. “So, what do you want Itachi?” Sasuke asked.

“Another…hit,” Itachi breathed, his head lolling around. Sasuke screamed and punched his brother.

“Why? Why break your promise!? You promised me that I’d never catch you high again! You promised me you’d stay clean!” Sasuke cried, glowering at Itachi. “What happened? Why did you break your promise!? At least tell me that much before you go kill yourself!” Sasuke shouted.

“What are we going to do with the drugs?” Kiba asked. Sasuke glanced at the drugs near his brother.

Itachi moaned softly. There was something important, something his drug-fried brain struggled to remember, because he wanted to, no…needed to remember, but he just couldn’t remember what was so important. “…Another hit,” he muttered. Sasuke punched him again, and stared down at his pathetic image. Sasuke sniffed, wiping his bloodied hand across his face, smearing his brother’s blood on his pale skin.

“Fuck this,” he muttered before kicking Itachi in the ribs and gathering up his drugs. “Fuck you!” Sasuke snarled, tears dropping onto his hands. “Fuck you! Fuck you! Fuck you!” he growled, shoving the needles into the metal box and forcing the lid close. “Fuck you and fuck everything!” Sasuke grabbed the metal box and headed towards the door.

“H-hey! What about me!?” Kiba shouted, yelping when Itachi’s hand grabbed his wrist.

“H-Hana?” Itachi gasped, staring at Kiba with haunted eyes. Kiba yanked his wrist away.

“No, her brother, Kiba,” he said.

“Just watch him! I’ll be back,” Sasuke shouted and left the apartment.

The cold autumn air wasn’t that comforting but to Sasuke it was a blessing. He watched the drugs burn with angry onyx eyes, memories of the first time Itachi went through this flashed before his eyes and he shuddered. Sighing he brought the cigarette to his lips. “What have I told you about smoking!?” a voice asked. Sasuke turned to see Sakura, in sneakers, navy blue jeans, her coat, and a green scarf with matching hat and gloves.

“Its bad and it kills millions of people every year,” Sasuke mumbled meekly. Sakura held out her hand and Sasuke sighed, putting out the cigarette by shoving it against the wall. He grabbed the butt into her hand.

“Ahem,” she wiggled her fingers.

“Bitch,” he pulled out his pack of cigarettes and slapped it into her awaiting palm.

“Thank you,” she dropped it into the mini-bonfire. “Here,” she handed him a stick of mint gum. “I know its not one of those special gums, but it’ll help keep your mind off of smoking,” she smiled.

“Hn,” he shoved the gum into his mouth and began to chew.

“So,” Sakura shuffled closer to him. “What are you doing out here?” she asked.

“Itachi’s using again,” Sasuke ran a hand through his hair before rubbing them together. He sighed, folding his arms over his chest and leaning against the wall.

“I’m so sorry. I’ll call my mom, she can get him into the best rehab center!” Sakura was about to reach for her cell phone when Sasuke’s hand grabbed her wrist. “Sasuke, your hand is freezing,” she whispered.

“Don’t,” Sasuke whispered, not looking at her. “I can take care of him, don’t call Tsunade,” Sasuke looked at his girlfriend. “Please Sakura,” he asked. Sakura looked into Sasuke’s eyes, the orange-yellow lights reflecting in his black orbs. She broke his grip and grabbed his hand, blowing on it gently.

“Okay,” she smiled at him. Sasuke smiled back and couldn’t help but think she was so beautiful. Her cheeks flushed, a few wisps of her bubblegum pink hair falling into her green eyes. Her lips puckered from the cold. Sasuke leaned forwards a bit and pecked her lips with his.

“Sakura, I…I don’t know why I’m bothering to help him, I hate him so much,” he breathed.

“He’s your brother,” the girl cupped his cheek. “Family,” she smiled. Sasuke leaned into her touch.

“I know but…argh, I can’t believe he started using again,” Sasuke muttered.

“I know Sasuke, I know,” Sakura hugged him. “Itachi is like a big brother to me too, you and him are always…together in my mind. Like yin and yang. One is simply not plausible without the other,” Sakura whispered. Sasuke squeezed her, rubbing his face into her neck.

“I don’t know what I’d do without you Sakura,” he pulled away to look at her. “You’ve been always there for me, standing strong besides me, you’ve always been the pillar of support for me,” he cupped her face and kissed her. “Thank you,” he breathed.

“You’re welcome Sasuke,” Sakura smiled. Sasuke was about to say something when his cell phone rang.

“Damn it,” Sasuke pulled away, grabbing his phone. “What? Kiba, slow the fuck down! Now, what’s going o? Uh-huh…shit! Okay, I’ll be there in a few minutes,” Sasuke closed his phone.

“What’s wrong?” Sakura asked.

“Itachi’s withdrawal is setting in,” he ran a hand through his hair. “Would you mind stopping by the hospital and swiping a few IVs and stuff?” he asked.

“You aren’t really gonna sober your brother up in his apartment are you?” Sakura shouted, her eyes growing wide with shock.

“He’s my brother, I don’t want him in a rehab center,” Sasuke looked at the dark blue-black sky.

“You do realize you’ll be missing school,” Sakura said.

“Hn,” Sasuke looked at her. “Have Hinata or Karin take my notes,” he muttered.

“We have a test in five days,” she also pointed out.

“I know, and I’ll be there for the test, Itachi should be fine by himself by then,” he shrugged. “Anyways, I have to go, thanks for the gum, and pick up those IVs m’kay?” he asked.

“Yeah, yeah, I know,” Sakura sighed.

Sasuke winced when he entered the apartment. “He’s screaming,” Kiba said, covering his ears in a fruitless effort to block out Itachi’s shrieks.

“DAMN IT! SOMEBODY GET ME SOMETHING! HANA! HANA! HANA!” Itachi’s hoarse voice echoed through the apartment. Sasuke walked into the room to see his brother crumpled in pain, sweating and crying.

“I took the gun away from him when he started screaming,” Kiba said, holing Itachi’s pistol.

“S-Sasuke…h-help m-me…oh god it hurts…HANA! HANA!” Itachi screamed. Sasuke turned and found Itachi’s set of handcuffs.

“What are you doing?” Kiba asked.

“Help me get him on the bed,” Sasuke said.

“Why?” Kiba asked.

“HANA! HANA!”

“Just shut up and help me get him onto the bed,” Sasuke grabbed one of his brother’s arms.

“Right,” Kiba grabbed Itachi’s other arm and together the two boys hauled Itachi onto the bed. Sasuke coolly handcuffed his brother to the bed. “Are you sure that’s necessary?” Kiba eyed the handcuffs.

“It’ll keep him from hurting himself,” Sasuke replied, ripping off a piece of silvery duct tape. “And this is to muffle the noise so the neighbours don’t call the cops,” Sasuke slapped the duct tape onto Itachi’s mouth. His cries were muffled somewhat.

“Sasuke? Sasuke are you okay?” Sakura asked, rushing in, her face flush, the IVs in hand. “I heard screaming?” Sakura looked around and her eyes fell onto Itachi.

“Yeah, it was him,” he dragged the coat hanger closer to the bed and found a hanger in Itachi’s closet. He smirked as he slipped the hanger onto the highest hook. “There, an drip stand,” he smirked.

“Clever,” Sakura set the IVs down and took one to Itachi’s bedside. She sat down and waited for Sasuke to free Itachi’s left hand.

“Are you sure you know how to do this?” Kiba asked, watching Sasuke tie the tourniquet around Itachi’s arm.

“I’ve never done it before myself, but I’ve watched my mom do it plenty of times, heh, for a heroin junkie he has some nice veins in his hand,” Sakura grabbed the needle and waited until Itachi’s veins popped up more.

“Her mom?” Kiba cocked his head.

“Tsunade, her adoptive mother. Her real parents died in a car crash when she was four, Tsunade adopted her, which eventually led to Sakura wanting to be a doctor,” Sasuke said.

“Thanks for giving my life story Sasuke,” Sakura tossed back some pink tresses and speared Itachi’s vein, swiftly pulling the needle out, leaving the tiny plastic tube in. “Of course you could’ve always ask that slut you fuck Kiba,” Sakura smirked as she slapped some clothe table over Itachi’s IV to keep it in place. “There, that should do. Sasuke, you know how to change it?” Sakura asked.

“Yeah,” Sasuke nodded. “Why don’t you spend the night here, I think the couch has a hide-away bed,” Sasuke smirked.

“No, I have to get home,” Sakura grimaced.

“Oh, I’ll walk you,” Sasuke laced his fingers with Sakura’s hand.

“You are so sweet Sasuke-kun,” Sakura kissed his cheek. “But what about your brother?” Sakura looked at Itachi.

“Kiba, watch him,” Sasuke said.

“Hey! Guys! Don’t leave me here with him!” Kiba shouted, but they had already left the apartment.

It had been about three days since Sasuke found Itachi. “Aaw man! I can’t sleep,” Kiba grumbled.

“Well, at least he isn’t screaming anymore,” Sasuke pointed out.

“True,” Kiba sighed. The boys jumped when they heard a knock on the door.

“I’ll get it. I bet its just Karin or Hinata with my notes,” Sasuke walked up to the door and violently yanked it open. “Hn?” he looked at Hana who was standing in the doorway. “Hana?” he blinked.

“Hey Sasuke, uhm…I just came to uhm…how’s your brother?” Hana mumbled.

“You came to see him didn’t you?” Sasuke asked. Hana nodded, tears welling up in her eyes.

“Yes,” she chocked on her sob.

“He’s in the bedroom,” Sasuke whispered.

“Thank you,” Hana breathed and entered the apartment.

Sasuke followed her, staring at her with puzzlement. Hana was sitting next to his brother, who was curled into a fetal position. She brushed his sweat drenched bangs out of his face. Itachi was shaking, tears were cascading down his face and his nose was running. Itachi was moaning in pain, his eyes unfocused due to the fever, his cheeks flushed as well. All induced by the withdrawal from heroin. Sasuke leaned casually against the doorframe. “If you are here to encourage him, don’t bother. He’s too out of it, he won’t even remember you were here when he comes to,” Sasuke said.

Hana looked at the young Uchiha with sad desperate eyes. “I know, but I just can’t leave him, suffering like this. I still love him,” Hana replied forlornly, before looking at her boyfriend., there was nothing left of Itachi. His eyes were hollow lifeless voids; it broke Hana’s heart to see him so broken, so vulnerable.

“Uhm…S-Sasuke, y-you left the door open,” Hinata whispered.

“I have to go,” he looked at the Hyuga girl, “I’m coming Hinata,” he called before leaving Hana with his brother. Hana watched the door close, before curling up onto the bed next to Itachi.

“H-help m-me…” he whispered raggedly, his eyes wide and fearful. “St-stop th-the p-pain…pl-please…” he begged, reaching out to her, like a dying man reaching for the angels he sees. Hana cried silently as she took his shaking hand.

“Sh, I’m here Itachi, just calm down,” Hana whispered, brushing his wet bangs out of his face.

Itachi gave a weak smile. “Th-thank you…my angel,” he breathed. Hana chocked on her sob as she pressed her forehead against his, a sad-happy smile on her lips.

“Yes, Itachi,” she breathed, “I am your angel.”

Itachi stared at her blankly for a bit longer, before he rolled over groaning loudly in pain. Hana broke down and hugged him. “Its going to be okay Itachi, just don’t fight it, please, I love you,” she whispered sadly, hugging him tightly. She could feel his body tremble; she could hear his moans of pain.

“Ha-na…” he gasped.

“Itachi, I’m here! Itachi,” Hana said, not daring to roll him over.

“Want…Ha-na,” he forced out. Hana blinked several times, as cold reality settled neatly into her gut. She wasn’t here to him. To him, she was gone, far away from here. “HANA!” Itachi screamed.

“Hana, move!” Sasuke shouted, Hana moved as she watched mutely as Sasuke handcuffed Itachi to the bed.

“HANA! I WANT HANA!” Itachi screamed.

“Shut up Itachi,” Sasuke growled as he pulled out his roll of duct tape.

“DAMN IT! TELL ME WHERE HANA IS!?” Itachi screamed, pulling against the chains. Sasuke tore off a piece of duct tape.

“Shut up,” Sasuke growled.

“NO! HANA! HANA!” Itachi shouted before Sasuke slapped the duct tape over his brother’s mouth.

“You should go,” Sasuke muttered not bothering to look at Kiba’s sister. Hana nodded dumbly, leaving the apartment, trying in vain to get Itachi’s screams for her out of her head.

“What do you mean you can’t go!?” Naruto whined.

“Tch, dobe, I’m taking care of my brother,” rolled his eyes, before popping another tic-tac into his mouth.

“Why are you taking care of your brother?” Naruto asked. “Did he break his leg or something?”

Sasuke frowned. “Yeah,” he drawled, “he did.”

“Oh, can’t you just dump him at his girlfriend’s house? You promised me you’ll come and watch us! Hinata is gonna sing her heart out!” Naruto wrapped his arm over his girlfriend’s shoulders, squeezing her heartily.

“N-Naruto…” Hinata blushed furiously.

“I’ll see if I can make it,” Sasuke pinched the bridge of his nose.

“Plus we are doing a bunch of new songs and stuff! Hopefully the talent scout will notice us, I mean, with Hinata’s voice leading the way, Jugo’s grunts and my voice backing her, we’ll be better than Nightwish!” Naruto grinned. Hinata mumbled something; it was common knowledge that she idolized the famous Finnish singer, Tarja Turunen.

“In the immortal words of my brother: Nothing beats M—”

“Hey, Uchiha!” Kiba shouted. Sasuke sighed and looked at Kiba who was glowering at him.

“What is it Ki—”

Kiba punched Sasuke in the jaw.

“Your bastard of a brother has gone and broke my sister’s heart!” Kiba shouted.

“Not my fault! She was the one that came to the apartment to see him!” Sasuke shouted, tackling Kiba.

“Fucking bastard!” Kiba punched Sasuke in the gut. Sasuke tumbled to the ground taking Kiba with him. Naruto grinned.

“Fight! Fight! Fight! Suigetsu, teme is fighting! Fight!” Naruto shouted. Suigetsu snickered and joined Naruto in chanting.

“Naruto! Suigetsu! A little help here!” Sasuke shouted, pushing against Kiba with his foot as he struggled to get the other boy off of him. Sasuke was eventually to push Kiba off of him and he squared his shoulders, as Kiba growled and tackled him again. Sasuke snarled as he saw the crowd of students around them, all chanting along with Naruto and Suigetsu. “Damn it!” Sasuke ground out. Kiba punched Sasuke in the gut and then the jaw.

Sasuke snarled, upset that his friends weren’t helping him, when suddenly someone pulled them apart. “Jugo!” Sasuke asked.

“You shouldn’t fight,” Jugo said.

“Hn,” Sasuke touched his bleeding lip.

“Sasuke, you hafta come!” Naruto moaned.

“Okay, fine! I’ll see if I can get someone to baby-sit him or something,” Sasuke sighed before glancing at his watch. “Shit, I have to get home,” he swore and ran off.

Itachi groaned softly. It had been such a long time since his body didn’t hurt. His fever broke a few days ago and the pain had only stopped yesterday. He sniffed as he slowly propped himself up as he opened his eyes. He saw a flash of brown hair and the back of a woman. “Hana?” he blinked trying to think straight. Hana was here? His fuzzy brain computed. He groaned before passing out.

Sakura giggled as Sasuke pinned her against the wall. “Sasuke,” she grinned looking at him.

“Shut up, I’m horny,” he pressed his body against hers, kissing her feverishly.

“Nngh,” Sakura sighed as Sasuke placed one hand on her hip, rubbing up and down. She shivered in delight.

“Do you really think we should be doing this in your brother’s apartment?” Sakura asked.

“Does it matter? He’s not here so to speak, so who really cares,” Sasuke stated.

“Yes, he is, he hasn’t left the apart—” Sakura was cut off when Sasuke caught her lips with his mouth.

“Mm, cherry,” he smirked before picking her up and tossing her onto the cough. He pulled his shirt off before pouncing. “Rawr, the big bad dragon is gonna eat the hapless maiden!” Sasuke grinned. “Rawr! Fear me!” Sasuke roared playfully. Sakura laughed only to moan loudly as Sasuke furiously kissed her neck. “Mine,” he breathed huskily.

Sakura fisted her hands in his hair, a comely blush on her cheeks. “Sa-su-ke!” she gasped as he nipped her collarbone. “Nngh, so good!” she rubbed her nose into his hair. He titled his head up and caught her lips with his.

“Love you,” he breathed.

“Love you too,” she smiled. Sasuke smirked before kissing her again. Sakura sighed, snuggling into the cushions as Sasuke’s hands slipped beneath her shirt, roaming her body. She opened her eyes, and they widened when she noticed who was staring at them. Sasuke pulled away. “Uhm…Sasuke, we better stop,” Sakura whispered.

“No, you don’t want me to, I’m not going to,” he kissed her but she turned away and pointed over his shoulder.

With lips, still puckered, Sasuke turned and saw his brother; gaunt and pale, staring at them with his arms crossed over his chest. Sasuke felt his cheeks burn as he gulped. “Itachi!” he turned around and sat up. Sakura hugged her boyfriend’s back shyly. “What are you doing here?” Sasuke asked.

“I live here,” Itachi frowned. “And what are you two doing on my couch?” he asked, only to sway slightly, steadying himself on the armrest of the couch.

“Nothing!” Sasuke gave Itachi a big fake grin. “So…” he made a fish face, “what are you doing up?” he asked.

“I heard you two,” Itachi replied, only to groan, his free arm wrapping around his middle and his grip tightening, until his knuckles were white, on the couch’s armrest.

“I’ll go make something for you to eat, Itachi,” Sakura said, slipping away from Sasuke and into the kitchen. Itachi nodded only to sway again.

“Whoa, easy Nii-san,” Sasuke said, grabbing his brother, and helping him to the couch.

“I’m so tired, but I can’t sleep,” Itachi muttered.

“Lingering effects of the withdrawal,” Sasuke nodded. Itachi groaned and buried his face in his hands.

“I just hope all of this is worth it,” Itachi muttered.

“Of course it is!” Sasuke pointed out.

“Kiba and Sasuke got into a fight because of you,” Sakura quipped from the kitchen.

“Who told you?” Sasuke asked.

“Karin,” Sakura said.

“Figures,” Sasuke grumbled.

“I just want Hana, then this nightmare can end,” Itachi sighed.

“Why don’t you call her?” Sakura asked.

Itachi stiffened. “I just went through withdrawal, I can barely stand! I’ve lost weight, I…I don’t think I can face her,” Itachi said. Sakura began grilling the sandwich. She walked up to him when she was done.

“Coward,” Sakura said.

“Excuse me?” Itachi looked up at the pinkette.

“You heard me. You’ve been making excuses for every thing since Shisui died. Subconsciously, mind you. You were in so much pain you needed heroin, you couldn’t quit because you didn’t want the pain, now that you are clean, you blame your now weaken body on why you can’t give the woman you love a simple phone call,” Sakura tossed some of her pink tresses over her shoulder, “you’re a coward Uchiha Itachi.”

“Hn,” Itachi looked at his sandwich, it was grilled cheese, his favorite.

“Eat your sandwich, I made it just for you,” Sakura smiled.

“How come I didn’t get one?” Sasuke pouted.

“You can make yourself one,” Sakura smirked.

“Your mean.”

“I know, I’m such a bitch,” Sakura shot back, sitting down on the other side of Itachi. Sasuke glared at her, but the doctor-in-training just stuck out her tongue.

“This is really good,” Itachi said.

“Thank you, Sasuke never compliments my cooking,” Sakura beamed.

“I do to! I love your chicken stir fry!” Sasuke replied indignantly, but Sakura ignored him.

“But…you’re right,” Itachi looked at his sandwich, it was gooey and buttery, crunchy and greasy and it sorta kinda maybe reminded him of that double cheeseburger he bought Hana. “I am a coward,” he muttered.

“Toldja,” Sakura smirked, before resting a hand on Itachi’s shoulder. “But its okay, we are all cowards when it comes to matters of the heart, just take Sasuke for example,” Sakura beamed smugly at her boyfriend.

“I take it its beat up on Sasuke day and I didn’t get the memo,” Sasuke grumbled leaning against the couch.

“Yup,” Sakura replied.

“Hn,” Sasuke glared at her.

“I had the best thing right in front of me all along and I just pushed her away like it didn’t even matter,” Itachi sighed.

“It took Sasuke what…twelve years before he finally realized I had a vagina!” Sakura snickered.

Sasuke flushed a horrible purple-red color. “I’ve always known you had a vagina!” Sasuke protested.

“I’m going to see her tonight,” Itachi looked at Sakura. “I’ll tell her I’m clean and that I love her and I want her in my life,” Itachi said.

“Don’t you think you should regain some more of your strength? You’ve been on an IV drip for a week and a half!” Sakura said.

“How did I eat?” Itachi asked. Sakura blushed, looking away and Sasuke pouted some more.

“I sorta chewed the food and uhm…fed it to you…by uhm…mouth-to-mouth,” Sakura muttered, her face turning beet red. Itachi choked on her his food.

“You kissed me!” Itachi shouted.

“You were delirious!” Sasuke interjected.

“But still! She kissed me!”

“No…not exactly…it wasn’t kissing,” Sakura said.

“Hn,” Itachi chomped down on his sandwich.

“Well, I gotta get home, bye Sasuke,” she stood up and pulled something out of her pocket. “Here Itachi, its Hana’s address,” she grinned at him before she sashayed out of the apartment.

“How did she get Hana’s address?” Itachi asked.

“From Ino I think,” Sasuke shrugged.

“Itachi stared at Ino’s loopy writing. “Mom wants to meet Hana,” Sasuke said.

“Huh? Oh…they…they don’t know, do they?” Itachi asked softly.

“Nope, and I’m not going to tell them. As far as they know, you broke your leg. You can thank Naruto for that excuse,” Sasuke smirked. “The dobe’s stupidity came in handy for once,” Sasuke said.

“I…I’m not sure if I should see Hana now,” Itachi muttered.

“Itachi, you want to see her. Hell, you were screaming for her. You want to see her, I know it,” Sasuke said.

“But I…I ruined our relationship,” Itachi hung his head. “She probably hates me,” he muttered.

“Nah, she was really worried about you, well at least according to Kiba. He would try to beat me up everyday because of what you were putting Hana through and because I was your brother, but I digress,” Sasuke smiled, “Hana really does care about you. This is your tabula rasa,” Sasuke said.

“My what?” Itachi blinked stupidly.

“Tabula rasa. Clean slate, second chance, irunno, some psychology shit Karin likes to spout to confuse Suigetsu and Naruto,” Sasuke shrugged.

“Oh,” Itachi nodded.

“Wait a few days, get some color back into your cheeks,” Sasuke stood up and grabbed his backpack, “meat on your bones, that stuff; then go see Hana,” he said. “Anyways, I hafta go, see ya,” he waved to his brother and left. Itachi gave a weak smile before sighing.

“Hana,” he whispered and glanced at the scars on his wrists and arms. “I don’t deserve this.”

Itachi tugged at his shirt. It was his only clean shirt he had, he really needed to do his laundry; as he stared at the door to Hana’s apartment. He gulped and knocked, before glancing at the flowers, he had bought: tiger lilies. “Last time I’m taking Shisui’s advice on women,” Itachi grumbled. Dead or not, his cousin was an idiot when it came to the opposite sex.

“He—Itachi?” Hana blinked, looking the Uchiha up and down.

“Hi, Hana, uhm…I got you some uhm…flowers,” he held up the colorful bouquet of tiger lilies. Hana furrowed her brow as she frowned.

“Go away,” she growled.

“What?” Itachi blinked, lowering the flowers.

“You heard me, I said go away,” she began to close the door.

“Hana, wait!” he wedged his foot into the door to jam it. “Hana, please just listen to me,” he forced his way into the apartment. “I’m clean! You told me to come find you when I’m clean!” Itachi smiled.

“I don’t care! You fucked up!” Hana shouted. Itachi frowned.

“Hana, I know I fucked up, but you can’t just…” he ran a hand through his black hair, “give up on me!” Itachi gasped.

“I think I can! I’ve never been so relieved these past few days!” Hana snapped. Itachi frowned.

“Sasuke said you were worried about me,” Itachi muttered holding her gaze with his enigmatic black orbs.

Of course, I was worried about you! You, big idiot! I love you! “Well, he was wrong,” Hana said.

Itachi bit his lip, wondering why this was so difficult. “I love you,” he looked at her. “I got clean because of you! After you left, whenever I got high, I saw your face! But I was so…fucked up I didn’t know how to help myself! Sasuke told me I screamed your name as I was getting clean!” Itachi said.

“Just go Itachi, I want nothin g more to do with you,” Hana said. Itachi frowned, setting the flower s down. He pinned her again the wall, a playful smirk on his lips.

“Hana, I love you,” he kissed her gently yet passionately. He sighed happily. It felt wonderful to have Hana’s body pressed up against his, her lips against his; they were perfect together. His brief happy moment came undone when Hana slapped him and she glowered hatefully at him.

“Get out!” she growled.

“Hana, I,” He began.

“I don’t want to hear it! Get out or I’m calling the cops!” Hana growled. Itachi sighed, taking his flowers with him. He looked sadly at Hana.

“I love you,” he whispered brokenly, before exiting her apartment. Hana screamed before she tossed the vase her mother gave her against the door. She fell to her knees, not caring if the broken shards of glass cut her hands, she would welcome any pain, so long as it made the pain in her heart go away.

Itachi angrily tossed the flowers into the dumpster, before ramming his hands into his pockets, marching back to his apartment in a foul mood. The autumn wind was biting against the skin of his face, and then he heard the click-clack of something following him. He turned to see a lost Akita pup, about eleven months old. The puppy sat down and stared at Itachi with ice blue eyes. “Go home,” he growled, before continuing on his journey. The puppy followed him. Itachi looked over his shoulder and glared at the puppy. “I said get!” he shouted, stomping towards the dog.

The puppy yipped before scampering off behind an alley. Itachi snorted and continued on his way, unaware of the puppy watching him.

Itachi ran a hand through his hair, when he heard a yip. He turned and saw the puppy. “Fucking dog,” he was about to chase the Akita pup off again when he noticed the flowers the puppy had placed at his feet. “You promise to be good?” he asked. The puppy cocked his head before giving a soft yip. “Okay, I guess you can come home with me,” he scooped up the dog and sneakily entered his apartment complex.

“Mmmm…Hana,” Itachi muttered in his sleep, kissing back. He got a mouthful of tongue, it wasn’t like a human tongue and this caused Itachi’s fuzzy brain to wake up. He opened his eyes to see the puppy, which he named Yuki, licking him. “Ack! Yuki! Bad dog! Off th bed!” Itachi gave Yuki’s black color and half pushed half threw Yuki off the bed. Yuki landed with a soft yip, tumbling over himself, before getting up and shaking his body. He sat down and stared at Itachi before jumping up on the bed again, wedging himself between Itachi’s legs.

Itachi sighed, it had been two weeks since he rescued the dog. “What am I going to do with you?” he muttered, rubbing the pup’s head, smiling warmly at him. Yuki yipped softly, got up and began licking Itachi’s face. “Stop it,” Itachi muttered, pushing Yuki away.

“Yo, Itachi! Open up!” a voice shouted. Itachi froze.

“Deidara?” he slipped out of bed, pulled on some clothes before heading to the door. He yanked it open to see the blond artist.

“Hey, Ita-chi!” Deidara stepped I, only to get tackled by the puppy. Yuki looked at Deidara, sniffed him before licking his face.

“Yuki!” Itachi pulled the dog away.

“When did you get a dog?” Deidara asked.

“Since I decided to get a dog,” Itachi growled cryptically.

“Hn,” Deidara blinked, “anyways I got the new shipment,” Deidara wandered over to the couch and flopped down on the fluffy cushions. Yuki bounded up and stared at Deidara, his tail wagging. “And I was wondering why you haven’t been by to pick up your share,” Deidara looked at Itachi.

“I’m clean,” Itachi said. Deidara laughed.

“Good one Itachi!” Deidara snickered.

“No, seriously, I’m clean. Almost been a week. Now go,” he said.

“You’re fucking serious!” Deidara said.

“Correct, now go,” Itachi said.

“Why?” Deidara asked.

“Just get out of my apartment!” Itachi pointed to the door and Yuki growled.

“Why get clean? Life’s boring without drugs!” Deidara said.

Itachi frowned, his black eyes flashing. Yuki sensed the danger, hopped off the couch, grabbed one of Itachi’s slippers and hid under the table, whining softly as he glanced at his master. “Because I lost everything! I lost my family! My brother! My life! My girlfriend!” Itachi snarled.

“Like you can get them back, shoot up,” Deidara tossed Itachi a needle and he caught it, only to set it down.

“Get out now!” he grabbed Deidara by the collar of his shirt, dragging him to the door and tossed him out of his apartment. “And stay out!” he growled. Deidara looked at him before leaving.

Itachi glanced at the needle. It was so tempting to just forget everything and shoot up. Yuki whined looking at Itachi, the slipper in his mouth. Itachi stared at the dog then back at the needle. “You’re right,” he tossed the needle into the trash. “I don’t need it, I have you and Hana, as soon as I get her back,” he smiled, sitting on the couch. Yuki jumped onto the couch, laying across Itachi’s lap. “Yeah, yeah, I love you too,” Itachi sighed. Itachi pulled Yuki into his lap as if the dog was an over grown child. He rubbed Yuki’s belly and kissed the dog’s head. “You are a good boy,” Itachi smiled. Yuki yipped softly. “I can’t believe I’m talking to a dog,” Itachi sighed. Yuki whined. “I need to get back to work.

The phone rang. “Hello? Sasuke…Shisui’s funeral is tomorrow…okay. I’ll be there,” he nodded. “And why is Mom squealing?” he asked. “Oh, Sakura is over,” Itachi smirked. “Condoms cost less than babies,” Itachi said and hung up before Sasuke could processes what he said.

The sky was dark steel grey, rain poured down in thick silver sheets and Itachi stared numbly off into space, his black umbrella keeping the rain off of him. He didn’t really pay attention to the priest’s blabbering; his eyes were fixed on the glowering woman across from him. Both he and she knew that it would be rude to leave during this, so they stayed and settled for staring at each other. Well, Itachi was doing the staring while Hana was glaring at him.

Hana was in a lovely black dress, now soaking wet and showing off every curve her cute body possessed. Itachi was in his ceremonial police uniform with his umbrella, Yuki chewing on his bright red leash, was at his side. Itachi was staring tiredly at nothing.

Taps began to play as the coffin containing his brother’s dissected body was slowly lowered into the ground. Itachi vaguely wondered if Shisui was afraid to be in the ground in a box and eventually end up as worm food. Itachi wondered what it would be like to die, but the unnerving thought made him shutter and he shook it off. Yuki snorted and gave a sharp tug on his leash. Sasuke looked at the puppy, which stopped playing with his leash and settled down. The sound of dirt hitting the coffin was one of those sounds Itachi would never forget, right along with the sound of the gun that killed Shisui.

The funeral ended, it was raining heavily now almost as if the sky was crying for Shisui and for those that refuse to shed tears. There wasn’t much fanfare and Itachi followed Hana slowly from behind, partly because Yuki still wasn’t leash trained.

“Hana, wait!” he called.

“What now Uchiha?” she growled.

“I’m sorry, for everything,” he said.

“Sorry doesn’t begin to fix the fact you broke my heart,” Hana choked on her tears.

“Damn it, Hana! I’m hurting too! I regret I did anything to drive you away! To hurt you! Hana, please, I love you,” he took a breath before pulling Yuki into the spotlight. Hana looked down at the puppy and smiled, kneeling down to rub the puppy’s head. “He followed me home,” Itachi muttered and held the umbrella over Hana’s head. “Please, all I’m asking for is a second chance,” he whispered. Hana looked at the puppy then at Itachi, before sighing.

“Okay,” she smiled and he smiled back. Hana cupped Itachi’s cheek and he habitually leaned into her touch. Hana leaned closer and pecked his lips. “Just one date,” she said. Itachi grinned, a mysterious glint in his eyes.

“That’s all I ask,” he breathed and he kissed her.

And so ends Act IV and Tabula Rasa.

Completed: Sunday, October 18, 2009 at 22:17

Fucking finally! I’m so glad this story is done! Argh! And all I wanted was a simple oneshot! *cries* I’m never gonna write crazy long chapters for fanfiction EVER AGAIN! No! Not gonna happen! Sorry people!

I am SO FUCKING tired right now. I stared up until 2 am last night IM-ing Stitch and blah! I’m tired! So tired!

Original theme for this chapter was “Wake Up” but during the process for this Act (when I was debating about adding an Act V) the chores to Pieces began playing in my head and meh, I changed it.

I was typing this up to symphonic metal, but then I went to do the kitchen and TIREDNESS hit me so, I began listening to Metallica (because I go to sleep to symphonic metal), partly because I was thinking about Dessie, and MM/HMR and my own band fic and Metallica and Nightwish’s love child, and I was tired and I wanted something to keep my awake, so Metallica it was. Been listening to One and Orion ever since. SOOO GOOD!

Now, I’m gonna post a quick LJ and then take a shower (or maybe just say fuck the shower) do sit ups and push ups and then go to bed. Because I’m fucking tired!

R’n’R and you better FUCKING DO SO! Because I worked my ASS off on this story! While I was studying for SATs! SO REVIEW! I FUCKING DESERVE 1000 REVIEWS FOR THIS FIC!

DJ

PS: Dess, I hope this blows you beyond your expectations for this chapter! I really tried my hardest to make it better than chapter three!