All Over Again

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Light filtered through the trees, creating a misty atmosphere and dulling their senses as both brothers moved through early morning training drills. "You're slow," Itachi side-stepped a sloppy strike and Sasuke stumbled. "An enemy is not going to slow down because you're tired, and neither will I."

Grinding his teeth, Sasuke shot him a dirty look. He struggled to correct his awkward footing and land a three hit combo. It was a short attack, and it shouldn't have tasked his body too much. I can do at least that much... Despite his determination his left foot slipped, and the first strikes missed by miles. Itachi caught the third and saved him from meeting the ground face-first.

"C'mon, otouto. I know you can do better," The elder seemed disappointed.

Sasuke's temper flared and he jerked back out of Itachi's grip. Much to his chagrin, he knocked himself off balance and fell backwards. Pain shot up his back, and the poor brace of his hands scraped mercilessly along the gravelly dirt. His hands were both bleeding by now, but Sasuke ignored it, and used them to prop himself up.

Sighing and shoving his eyebrows together, Itachi knelt down to examine his hands. "Sasuke, I expect better from you. I know you're not at your best, but this... This is," He turned over Sasuke's hand rather forcefully as the younger fought to keep it from his reach. "Damn, I know for sure you can fall correctly, no matter what the situation...! What's wrong with you?"

Swearing loudly, Sasuke ripped his hand away and scowled at Itachi. His patience and self-control had reached their ends "What's wrong with me? You're going to ask that as a serious question? You asshole!"

Itachi blinked. He knew he should have expected something like this, it was long overdue, but it still surprised him. It had seemed as though they had moved past the things that had transpired between them. However, reality came back to him, even though he wanted to deny it. There had been too much turmoil until now, and Sasuke had obviously been putting off his outburst. It was time to deal with things, and he wasn't quite sure how he was going to handle them.

An awkward silence filled the air between them and they sat, staring. Itachi remained quiet, not wanting to agitate Sasuke any more than he had. After a moment, it seemed safe to reach out. "I'm just worried. Give me your hand." Itachi extended his own, hoping the gesture was comforting and encouraging.

Sasuke recoiled. "Like hell you are- I am not giving you my hand!" He pulled his arm to his chest, only briefly realizing how narrow-minded and childish he was acting. For seven years he'd taken care of himself, and he wasn't about to let Itachi change that. It shocked him to see his brother force his eyebrows together and frown.

"Sasuke..." His hands throbbed, and the gravel in the shallow scrapes was burning. Itachi was watching him with concern. It was something he found he couldn't wrap his mind around. The past few weeks he had tried to force acceptance of his newfound memories, but some piece of him stubbornly doubted them. Everything had been flying by, and he hated the helpless feeling welling inside. He couldn't blindly follow Itachi. Even if he wanted to, his conscience wouldn't permit it. Sasuke's mind was moving miles per second, and what had barely been a few moments had felt like eternity.

Itachi continued to hold out his hand lamely, waiting without anticipation for Sasuke to reach for it. It didn't surprise him when his younger brother pulled himself from the ground and dashed into the surrounding forest. As his footfalls faded and the crunch of vegetation died in his wake, Itachi was left without shock or outrage of Sasuke's refusal to accept his help, only disappointment.

Aster swallowed hard. "And that was only the beginning..."

Tightening her clasped hands, Tsunade reviewed what she had said aloud, "So, your parents killed you younger brother, and your elder brother killed them... In the mess he was blamed for all three deaths and joined Akatsuki. And that was where your involvement with them began?"

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