In Your Heart

In Your Warmth I Found My Answer

Two days later Sasuke was well and discharged from the hospital. It was Saturday so he still had a day until he started attending his new high school.

“Konoha High School huh… wonder what it’s like.” Sasuke thought while sipping coffee, sitting in front of the TV bored to death.

Itachi had been quite over protective of his little brother the past few days and their relationship had gotten much better than before. They spent more time together than usual and even went shopping together for Sasuke. Itachi made sure that Sasuke ate and rested well. It was a good feeling of having your older brother take care of you although it got annoying at times due to Itachi’s over protectiveness but it felt good nonetheless. Kakashi had insisted on telling his parents about his condition, to Sasuke’s dismay.

“Look Sasuke you and I know your father and mother very well. Your mother will have my head if I don’t inform her.”

Sasuke groans “Alright I get it, do what you want.”

“Arigatou Sa-su-ke-kun.” Kakashi says with a smile.

Later that day his father called him and asked if he was doing okay then hung up saying he had an urgent meeting with a client before telling him to come visit sometime. He didn’t ask about Itachi which, Sasuke already expected.

His mother however, rushed over the same day with flowers and a week’s worth of food, scolded him for not being able to take care of himself and also gave an earful to Kakashi saying it was his fault for overworking her poor baby. Before leaving she had a little talk with Itachi alone. After she and Kakashi left, Itachi went to Sasuke’s room with a variety of sushi. At that time Sasuke had been busy playing video games.

“Mother scolded me for not taking care of you.” He said putting the tray down on the table and sitting at the edge of Sasuke’s bed.

“Huh?” was all he replied without looking away from the game.

Itachi sighed.

“Can I play?” he said sitting down on the floor beside him.

Putting down his controller Sasuke turned and looked at his brother.

“Y-you play?” he asked looking surprised.

Itachi chuckled lightly at this.

“Don’t underestimate me otouto.”

“Is that a challenge?” Sasuke said smirking.

“I’m not challenging you but a duel won’t hurt right?” Itachi said raising an eyebrow.

“Whoa, alright then bring it on, I didn’t think you would be the type to play video games but whatever, here take this.” He said, handing him the controller.

“And nii-san…”

“Hmm.” Itachi said connecting his controller.

“…Don’t underestimate me either.”

Itachi didn’t reply but unknown to Sasuke a little smile tugged at his lips as they started the game.

After half an hour Sasuke lay sprawled on the floor with a pout on his face and Itachi had a soft smile playing on his lips.

“Aagh nii-san that’s so unfair.” Sasuke whined.

“You played well.” Itachi said smiling.

“We used to be like this all the time but back then you would purposely lose for my sake.”

Sasuke got up and smiled. He actually smiled. Itachi’s eyes widened. Sasuke’s smile vanished and he looked confused seeing the surprised look on his nii-san’s face.

“What’s the matter? Are you…alright?” Sasuke asked a light blush tinting his cheeks.

Itachi snapped from his daze.

“You were err, staring so i…” Sasuke said looking away his blush darkening. Itachi noticed his coloured cheeks and smiled.

“You haven’t changed a bit otouto.” He thought.

“Uh…yes I’m alright it’s just that I’m really happy.”

“Huh, are you that happy about winning against me?”

Itachi chuckled lightly at his childishness.

“No, I’m happy because it’s the first time I saw you smile genuinely since you came here.” Itachi smiled and flicked Sasuke’s forehead the patted his head. Sasuke’s eyes widened.

“Well then I’ll get going I’ve got to do an assignment, oh and don’t forget to…” Itachi paused and looked at Sasuke who seemed to have frozen in place with a look of bewilderment.

“…eat. Otouto yo, you okay…Sasuke?”  Itachi asked, with a hint of worry in his tone.

Sasuke’s eyes had been shadowed by his charcoal colored bangs, hiding every emotion from Itachi’s view.

“Sasuke-kun?”

“His hand…”

“Otouto are you okay?”

“…is so warm.”

“This is bad I’m so happy, I feel I might die.”

“Sasuke-kun.” Itachi tries to reach for his face but before he could, Sasuke holds up a hand to stop him.

“I-I’m alright nii-san.”

“This is bad, I’m NOT alright. If he touches me, I won’t be able to hold back… wait, hold back?”

“Ah-alright, if you say so…well then I’m going.” Itachi replies still somewhat unconvinced with his answer but, decided to leave.

“Stop, don’t go.” He thinks frantically.

Just when Itachi was about to open the door and leave, he was stopped in his tracks. His eyes widened slightly.

 It was Sasuke, holding onto his shirt real tight as if he let him go, he would disappear.

Itachi didn’t resist nor did he utter a single word, he just stood there being embraced by Sasuke. He heard his otouto sniff but still didn’t respond. Sasuke was crying silentl, his forehead on his shoulder. He too didn’t say anything. They both found the comfort in the silence. It was calming yet full of so many emotions that they seemed to float around surrounding them.

Sasuke’s sobs got louder and he still stood there clinging to Itachi.

“Why?” a simple question yet he still couldn’t find an answer, an answer that could calm down the raging storm of emotions inside Sasuke’s heart.

He heard shuffling but was so engrossed in his thoughts that he didn’t realize what happened. Then suddenly it hit him like a gentle breeze. His sobs came to a halt and his ragged breathing also calmed down. His eyes slowly closing and then he welcomed it with open arms. The warmth but not just any warmth it was the warmth of Itachi, his Itachi’s warmth. At that moment he felt it, he found it the ‘answer’. This was it. All these years he had been longing for this, the void in his heart to be filled. The feeling of being wanted and of being, loved. It all seemed to make sense now that why couldn’t he hate him even after all these years. The answer was simple. So wrong yet, seemed so right. It scared him to an extent that his whole body started shaking and his breathing once again became ragged. Simply put…

He was in love with Itachi.