A/N: As you all know - I love hearing from you guys! Please leave this little icicle a vote so I can continue writing this story <3 ILY

It was not agonizing, however it was comforting. As Itachi counted the orange streetlights, he came to the conclusion that being lost was an artform. An escape from his troubles.

And these troubles were mountains; his parents' continuous screaming matches, his injured brother and to reach the peak – the breakup with Shisui. But he felt none of them at all, the gray would always dim them like a curtain in a theatre.

One streetlight after the other. He envied them, they felt no pain – subtracted from life's drama and crises. They just basked the pavement in their warm, yet indifferent, orange glow.

"You've been quiet the whole ride", Kakashi mentioned.

Itachi did not answer. He was tired of talking – it had all been said. He leaned his forehead against the glass – trying to lose himself again.

"You deserve to have some fun", Kakashi said as he took a sharp turn.

"I don't deserve anything..." Itachi whispered.

Kakashi pulled up to a mansion, parking behind the other cars all arranged in a circle at the entrance to the mammoth of a building. Despite its largeness Itachi could hear the heavy bass coming from the mansion. If its brick walls and tinted glass couldn't properly contain the sound, how loud was it inside?

"Kakashi...I don't know", Itachi said in the absolutely smallest amount of resistance. He simply couldn't verbalise anything else – his numbness was his solitude and he didn't want to – he couldn't afford – to lose it now.

"It will be fun, I promise", Kakashi pledged.

What else is there to lose? Itachi's inner voice asked.

Itachi got out of the car and gently closed the door, still lost within himself. An arm snaked around his waist, tethering him back to reality. They began walking up the stairs leading to the massive doors of the house.

"Do you live here?" Itachi asked slightly surprised.

Kakashi let loose a small chuckle, "No. I know the guy who lives here and every Friday evening he holds these parties."

Itachi stopped in his tracks, "I'm not old enough to go in."

Kakashi's arm slipped around Itachi's waist yet again, "Let me handle that."

Kakashi knocked on the door and a man with glasses and white hair tied in a small ponytail, "Kakashi!" The man pulled Kakashi into a warm, brotherly hug. Both of them oblivious, or accustomed to the blaring music.

"Kabuto", Kakashi began, "This is my plus-one. I trust there won't be a problem?"

Kabuto's eyes scanned Itachi's small stature and, in his absolute indifference, Itachi didn't care.

Kabuto then smirked, "He can come in...but good luck getting out."

Kakashi lightly grabbed Itachi's hand and led him inside. The sight that greeted Itachi was both spectacular and troubling. Some people lay on the floor sleeping. Their red plastic lying next to them – its content spilling onto the fabulous carpet.

The stair way leading to the second floor, adorned polished golden rails. Some people sat on the marble stairs, drinking casually from their cups and talking about their lives and plans.

Kakashi gently led Itachi to the east part of the house – into an immaculately white kitchen.

"I'll stay with you all times", Kakashi promised, "Nothing will happen to you – I promise."

Behind his dead eyes, Itachi simply nodded.

Kakashi opened a bottle and poured clear liquid into two, read cups.

"Here", he handed one to Itachi.

He took the cup and had a small sip. His face scrunched up, Itachi had never tasted anything like it. Kakashi chuckled as he downed his cup.

"The more you have, the better you'll feel and the less it burns."

"What is it?"

"It's vodka. Take another big sip."

In his utter despondence, Itachi took the biggest sip he could. The burn was still there, travelling down his throat. He scrunched his eyes together to endure the strange sensation, and when he opened them again he was shocked.

Colour was returning.

Kakashi's hair was white again! His skin was slightly tan again! His smoldering, sensual smile was lit up!

"I need more!" Itachi said excitedly.

Kakashi smiled and poured Itachi some more vodka.

And soon Itachi was completely relaxed, his body felt as though it was a balloon without a string. His smile was natural. He and Kakashi were both laughing at the most ordinary things.

Itachi felt free of his worries, free of his fear and sadness.

"Let's go dancing", Kakashi suggested – suppressing a laugh.

"I don't know – I'm not good at dancing" Itachi admitted shyly – a strand of his hair falling down the side of his head.

Tension grew – it was watered by their intoxication and was dispersing its spores of desire. Burning, unrelenting spores of need and lust.

Kakashi tucked Itachi's stray hair behind his ear, the contact made Itachi giddy and a little nervous. Kakashi's breath fanned Itachi's face. The close proximity made Itachi lean in, just a little. Kakashi's hand didn't leave its spot behind his ear – almost as if he was enjoying the silky texture. Itachi looked up through his eyelashes at the handsome man whose eyes held...lust.

Then the proximity and warmth left.

"We're going dancing", Kakashi said and took Itachi's hand again – leading him to the massive living room where people where people swayed with the music. Some were kissing passionately on the couch, while some were grinding against their respective partners.

He then saw it – and wished with all his will that he hadn't seen it.

Shisui sat on the couch – his shirt off and a woman running her hands all over his torso – his chest, his firm abs and all that was Shisui's shirtless body. Their lips...locked together.

"Kakashi...it's nearly five in the morning. I need to get home", Itachi said coldly. The alcohol in his bloodstream had frozen up and he felt stone cold sober.

But he can't burn the picture of Shisui making out with someone else.

You're the one who said goodbye, his mind reminded him.

Itachi decided to ignore that voice as he left the house.

No words were needed as Kakashi drove Itachi home, who eventually parked in front of the younger male's house.

"Thank you for tonight – it was really fun", Itachi offered a true smile.

"Anytime", Kakashi smiled in return.

You're the one that said goodbye.