Back To You [Shisui X Itachi]

Chapter 41 [MATURE]

It had been two weeks since Itachi last saw Shisui.

Two very long weeks of waiting for his phone to ring – waiting for the sound of a text message. But all he received was silence. To add to that, a week ago Kakashi announced he would be moving in with Obito.

Itachi was happy for the older male – but he found himself questioning whether they were moving too fast. However there was no mistaking the glint in Kakashi's eyes as he spoke about Obito. Itachi once had that glint; so had Shisui.

So it was just him and Sasuke in the apartment now. It was quiet and for some reason felt much too big now. Sasuke seemed to be improving, he smiled a little more, spoke a little more and ate a little more. Baby steps, Itachi supposed.

But the silence of his phone was maddening, it made him anxious. When he woke up, he would check – no phone calls nor messages. At random he would check during class and the same lack was evident. At nights, when Sasuke had fallen asleep – Itachi would check again, staring at his phone patiently.

But there was no communication from Shisui.

Itachi took another sip of his tea as Sasuke finished his breakfast.

"Is it okay if I spend the night at a friend's house?" Sasuke said as he chewed on the last piece of bacon left on his plate.

"Who is this friend?" Itachi asked. It had been a while since Sasuke had mentioned anything about having friends – or even wanting to go anywhere aside from his room.

"Naruto Uzumaki. He's in my class..."

Itachi didn't want to pry, he knew he shouldn't. He knew that if he did, Sasuke would close up again. But he couldn't help himself...

"I don't remember hearing about him. How long have you two been friends?" Itachi tried to sound sly, but Sasuke gave him a deadpanned look – his younger brother had seen through his entire façade.

"I do have friends, Itachi. So is it okay if I sleep over there after school?"

Itachi felt his reluctance. He didn't know what prompted it – in a way it was always comforting knowing that Sasuke was just across the hall, in his room. Now his little brother isn't going to be there. Itachi wanted to say no – but as he stared into Sasuke's eager eyes, he realised denying Sasuke's request would just be selfish.

Itachi sighed, "Fine. But you call me the second you get there!"

"Yes! Okay I will!" Sasuke jumped out of his chair and ran to his room.

"And pack your medication!" Itachi yelled from the kitchen.

"I already did", Sasuke emerged looking sheepish while holding a small bag which was clearly full of overnight supplies.

Itachi squinted suspiciously at Sasuke, "So you packed before I said it was okay? What if I said no?"

Sasuke grinned, "I knew you'd let me because you loooooove me so much", he said innocently.

Itachi scoffed, "Uhuh. Now get going – you're gonna be late for school."

"Bye, I'll see you tomorrow!" Sasuke grabbed his additional school bag and was out the door in a flash.

The silence in the apartment was so cold, so bone chilling that Itachi considered running after Sasuke just to give his younger brother a ride. Just to get out of the cold, quiet, unfeeling apartment.

Maybe I should put up paintings, Itachi wondered as he stared at the all absorbing white walls.

The apartment remained a silent, looming companion. Itachi found his mind wandering back to Kakashi's announcement.