Arrangements

7

TWO YEARS LATER

Sasuke is turning fifteen and is feeling very frustrated. Naruto had returned briefly along with his master, the Sannin Jiraiya, three days previously. Still a while left of his training, Naruto had challenged him to a fight in order to test both their skills and how far they've come. Under Kakashi's tutelage, Sasuke has mastered the chidori and become substantially faster. He's incredibly eager to see how his friend has fared, and the day after Sasuke's birthday is the day they have both decided to have their fated match. Because today, he has been promised a spar with his brother.

However, he hasn't seen his older brother all day, and even Sakura and Naruto have been suspiciously absent. Suzume had met up with him for training along with their teacher Kakashi yesterday, as per usual. Sasuke and his distant cousin had both been promoted to chunin last year, making Naruto the only genin in their team, a fact Sasuke hasn't hesitated to tease him about. Sakura is still dedicated to her medical training, undecided whether she will become Leaf ninja or not, having spent a whole year travelling with Lady Tsunade, much to Itachi's quiet displeasure. The two seem to grow closer by the year, Sasuke muses, with none of the resentment he remembers feeling as a ten-year old. Sakura has become a friend to Sasuke as well, along with Naruto and a few other from their graduating class of young ninja. Ino Yamanaka seems especially taken with the pink-haired Haruno heiress, though how such a friendship had come about, Sasuke has no idea. He's never personally had any meaningful dealings with the Yamanaka heiress, and Sakura's attachment to her remains a mystery. Sakura and Suzume's friendship makes more sense, in his opinion. Perhaps it's a female thing? He's warmed up to the opposite gender over the years, but they remain just as confusing as ever. Even Sakura and Suzume makes him scratch his head in confusion sometimes, though Itachi laughs at him about it whenever he can. Figures his brother would have that figured out as well, the damn genius.

Shaking his head to clear it from his stray thoughts, Sasuke looks around curiously. He'd decided to try his luck, and check out the Uchiha training grounds. Any feelings of frustrations evaporate when he sees who is waiting for him, sitting on a log and twirling a kunai on a finger.

"Hey, Itachi!" he calls, jogging over to the older man with a wide grin on his face. Itachi smiles back, pocketing his weapon and standing up to greet his little brother with an affectionate poke to his forehead.

"Happy birthday, little brother," he says, stepping back to avoid Sasuke as he swaps at the offending hand poking him. "I apologize for being absent this morning, but Sakura enlisted my help. She, Naruto and Suzume has a surprise for you. I'm not supposed to tell, but it's much more fun to watch you squirm as you try to figure out what it is."

Gaping at his brother, Sasuke takes a moment to collect himself before he groans in exasperated frustration. "Goddamnit Itachi, I'm not gonna be able to stop thinking about it now you bastard!"

He glares as his older brother grins in response, his dark eyes mischievous. "Well, you need to learn how to fight with distractions, so considering a free lesson, foolish little brother."

Outraged, he barely had time to dodge before Itachi attacks, his speed astonishing as always. Oh, it is on! , he thinks gleefully. Best birthday ever!