Sasuke's group therapy session always started at 10 am every Saturday and Sunday. Today was Saturday so Itachi got religiously ready - not a single strand of his hair out of place.

Mellissa - despite Itachi having his own car - insisted she pick Itachi and Sasuke up. Each and every time. Itachi finished his routine of showering, conditioning his hair and blow drying it. He threw on lacklustre - yet comfortable - clothes as Sasuke never let him attend the group sessions.

Sasuke allowed Aunt Mellissa to.

Itachi ignored the white hot hurt it caused him. If, what his brother wanted in the way of support was for distance from Itachi - Itachi would gladly abide.

He checked the time and walked to Sasuke's room. He knocked softly, "Sasuke, its nearly time to go."

Itachi grimaced at his emotionless tone - he cursed himself. He wanted his sincerity to be carried over through his tone and words - but he failed every time.

"I'm almost done", Sasuke's dead voice said from behind the door.

Itachi lowered his head slightly in shame. Shame that despite his earnest attempt at support - it always failed.

He distracted himself by peaking into Kakashi's room. It was clear that the older male had not made it home last night.

I hope he had a good time, Itachi thought honestly.

There was a hasty knock on his front door so Itachi walked over and opened it. A flurry, that was Mellissa, came stampeding into the apartment.

"Are you boys ready?"

"Sasuke is still getting ready - let's give him a few more minutes."

Mellissa turned to Itachi and gave him a bone crushing - yet overflowing with love - bear hug. She clearly had something on her mind, but Itachi would ask her later.

Sasuke emerged from his room, he looked immaculately clean and studiously organised.

"We can go." He said with a slight upbeat tone.

Both Mellissa and Itachi were slightly taken aback but they knew better than to pry, or Sasuke would withdraw back into his shell.

"A-Alrght! Let's get going!" Mellissa exclaimed - to recover from her shock.

The Uchiha brothers were shooed into Mellissa's car. The car ride was jubilant - a happiness in the atmosphere.

But, Itachi knew better than to speak. He had done it once before, trying to participate in the happy conversation and Sasuke, in return, shut down. So Itachi remained silent and let his aunt and Sasuke exchange lighthearted conversations - even laughing at some points.

Itachi sat in silence - anything to see the happiness return to his younger brother.

*****

The group sessions took place in Konoha's psychiatric hospital. It was a clinical building. White walls and windows that overlooked the natural landscapes - Itachi supposed it was to bring the patients a sense of tranquillity.

"Aunt Mellissa, will you go in with me?"

That was a reoccurring incident. Mellissa would go in with Sasuke while Itachi was to remain in the car. That, too, hurt. But Itachi swallowed it - anything to make his younger brother feel safer and happier. He just wished he could provide those feelings for Sasuke.

Maybe I am the worst brother...

Itachi's mind wandered to Kakashi. At that moment, his emotions were battling. What would he do if he lost Kakashi? Yet, at the same time, who was he to get in the way of Kakashi finding a person who could reciprocate the feelings Itachi couldn't.

I've been using him...

These crushing realisations, Sasuke not trusting him - Sasuke distancing himself from Itachi. Kakashi undergoing Itachi's need for intimate physical touch - even when Itachi knew he couldn't reciprocate the feelings Kakashi had for him.

I'm a bad, bad person...

He didn't want to lose Kakashi - but he absolutely couldn't deny Kakashi the chance to get in a...healthy relationship.

Healthy, loving...caring relationship.

Itachi was shocked out of his thoughts when the car door slammed shut and giggles erupted.

"What happened?" Itachi asked in what he hoped - hoped with all that was him - came across as glee.

"Tell him Sasuke!" Mellissa had a playful, proud look in her eye.

Itachi prepared for the silence. The withdrawing of Sasuke into his shell.

"There's this girl I like..."

Itachi could feel that Sasuke was waiting for his monotone reply. It didn't come so Sasuke continued, "She gave me her number!"

A smile - an actual smile - erupted on Itachi's lips. He was oblivious to the shocked expressions Mellissa and Sasuke wore.

"What's her name?" Itachi asked in glee.

Sasuke blushed slightly, "Her name is Sakura!"

The rest of the car ride was filled with laughter and Sasuke continuously blushing - and it gave Itachi the greatest sense of peace he had ever experienced in a while. It felt as if the cold around his heart chipped slightly.

*****

Mellissa pulled over by Itachi and Sasuke's apartment complex. Sasuke hopped out the door and made his way inside. Itachi reached for the door handle but Mellissa placed her hand on his knee and Itachi stopped.

He looked over to Mellissa and she had a sympathetic look in her eye, "I was waiting for the right time to give you this - I wasn't sure it would ever come...but seeing you smile today - I think you're ready for it."

Itachi sat patiently still.

Mellissa rummaged through her handbag and pulled out a clearly old paper - it must have been white a while ago but it was now an off white colour.

"I wrote it down...his number."

Itachi felt himself confused, "Who's number?"

"Shisui", Mellissa deadpanned.

Emotions sprung on Itachi, he was about to ice them out - but Mellissa grabbed his hand, "Don't freeze them out. They need to be felt." She put the slim piece of paper in Itachi's dainty hands.

"What you decide to do with it is all up to you, but if you won't do it for me - do it for your brother. If you think you're the only one remorseful over his sadness - then you're wrong. He worries about your stoicism too. So do it for Sasuke."

Itachi took a deep breath and held the note in his hand, "Thank you", he said - holding his emotions back.

*****

Night had quickly approached and Itachi sat alone in his room. Sasuke - as usual - barricaded himself in his own room. Kakashi still hadn't returned.

He looked at the discoloured paper holding Shisui's phone number. Itachi sighed and picked it up. He held it over his trash can - ready to drop it in and forget about it.

"Sasuke worries about you too"

Itachi sighed - dread consumed him. He sat on the edge of his bed and took out his phone. With trembling fingers he punched in the cellphone number.

His heart pounced around in his chest and his stomach curled in anxiety.

He hit call.

The line rang for a few seconds. Itachi wondered if Shisui would even pick up.

"Hello?" That distinct deep voice spoke, over soundwaves of blaring music.

Itachi's tongue got caught in his throat.

"Hello?" Shisui spoke once again, "Who is this?"

"Sasuke worries about you too."

"Hi, Shisui. I-It's Itachi...Uchiha..."

The line went silent.

"I know you probably don't want to see me..."

The line remained silent, spare for the music in the background.

"I was hoping we could meet...I know a wonderful café - Royal Roasteries. If it's possible...I was hoping we could meet...and talk. I'll be there tomorrow..."

The call was ended.

Shisui hung up on Itachi. A stray tear fell down Itachi's cheek.

"I'll still go", Itachi mumbled to himself.

A/N: Please let me know what you think of this chapter! Leave a comment - I love hearing from you all ❤️ and do smash that vote button ❤️❤️