Unchangeable ∞ KakaIta

.2.

– June 3rd, six days before Itachi's birthday –

"Itachi, Sasuke, breakfast!" Mikoto shouted from the kitchen as she plated the eggs and toast she'd made. Moments later, both a sleepy Sasuke and a very awake Itachi emerged from their rooms.

"Mm," Sasuke moaned with a soft sigh. "This smells great. I'm starving."

"Thank you," Itachi murmured as he sat down, his long dark hair cascading down his back. Mikoto smiled and grabbed a ribbon, drawing back Itachi's hair and tying the ribbon around the bottom in a very low ponytail – the way Itachi usually had his hair.

"You're welcome," she said, moving back to the stove to clean up some of the dishes. "Oh, and Itachi? Kakashi is coming over a bit later."

Itachi stopped eating immediately, placing his fork back onto the plate. "Why?" He asked calmly, but inside he was a bit upset; he was pretty certain that his mother wanted them to get a bit more familiar with each other.

"So you two can bond a bit," Mikoto answered, cleaning up both of the boys' plates and cups.

At this, Itachi frowned. "I don't want anything to do with that pervert."

"Itachi…" Mikoto warned, narrowing her eyes a bit. "We've been over this."

"Who's Kakashi?" Sasuke asked, looking up at Itachi and noticing the solemn look on his brother's face.

"Itachi's fiance. He is betrothed."

"Isn't betrothed the same thing as engaged?" Sasuke asked, slightly confused. "Like as in to be married?"

"Yes, dear."

"Wait, so Itachi is getting married to a boy?"

"Yes, Sasuke."

"So… it's okay for boys to get married to boys?"

Mikoto sighed. "Yes, Sasuke."

"And it's okay to kiss them and stuff?"

"If by 'stuff', you mean to be intimate with them, then yes. It's okay to date a boy like you would a girl. It's okay for boys to love boys and for girls to love girls. That's called being gay, Sasuke."

Sasuke nodded to himself. "Mother, what if I was gay?"

Mikoto dropped the cup she was washing, almost breaking it. She picked it back up a moment later, still trying to figure out how to respond, wondering if she'd ever get grandchildren at this point. "Well, I'd love you just the same. Some people may treat you differently, and not always in a good way though. But why are you asking? You don't like a boy already, do you?"

"Well, I mean… I asked because I love Naruto. I don't want anything bad to happen to him."

"That's platonic love, my dear."

Sasuke shook his head. "No, mother. Sometimes, I want to kiss him. He's very cute, too. Also, sometimes, I just want to hold his hand or give him a hug and protect him from all those jerks at the academy. I'm just too afraid to do anything…" The nine year old blushed.

Mikoto internally pouted – she was never gonna get those grandchildren.

Itachi glanced at Sasuke. "Is it because you're afraid he won't feel the same way or want to be your friend anymore?" At this, the younger brother nodded, eyes downcast. "Well, that's alright. Even if he doesn't, then there are plenty of other people out there to love. Even if he doesn't accept you, there are people that will. Like me." Itachi gave a smile.

Sasuke smiled back. "Maybe I'll tell him one day, when I get confident enough. Maybe you can show me how to make those flower crowns and I can make one for him!"