Chapter Text
Sasuke felt like his body was hit by a giant boulder. His legs and arms were practically pinned down to the sheets beneath him… Sheets? He couldn’t remember going to bed. He couldn’t even remember what he had been doing yesterday. He turned his head on his pillow and spotted a window with sunlight shining through. Morning then…Where am I? As he willed himself to sit up he found he was in a giant replica of his childhood room. Two pictures of him and Itachi decorated the wall along with his jacket from the academy days. What the H*ll?
He shoved the blankets and sheets off to stand and found the journey from laying down to upright didn’t grant him nearly as much height as it should have. A genjutsu? That seems unlikely. Was I in a battle then? He looked down and found very small hands and kunai print pajama pants staring back at him. It must be a genjutsu. Either that, or I’ve time-traveled somehow. It wasn’t the most bizarre concept he could imagine. After all, there was a rumor spreading that a man had the ability to travel back in time. He wondered if he had been fighting that man.
Wait. Sasuke realized as he stared at his sliding traditional door, If I’m really this old, then that means Itachi is still here. He tried to run to the door but immediately tripped on his smaller legs. Yeah, that’s going to take getting used to.
“Careful Sasuke! Breakfast is ready boys!” he heard called from somewhere in the house. Mom. he thought desperately pushing himself back onto his feet. If this is genjutsu, I’ll kill the caster. He found the strength to finally pull open his door and-
Itachi . A very young Itachi stood in front of him, his hand on his own door indicating the elder had also just woken up. They stared at each other for all of one second before Itachi slammed the sliding door back closed. …What just happened? What kind of genjutsu does that? Sasuke had half a mind to slam the door back open, but his judgment said that would be a bad choice. If this is some kind of time travel, then he wouldn’t expect that kind of behavior. He took a deep breath and stepped back into his room. I need to get dressed. I always got dressed before sitting for breakfast. Especially if Itachi was here. He recalled fishing through his drawers for the least childish thing he owned.
He had Kunai pajama pants and a cat on his shirt. Itachi clutched at his heart. How could this happen? No one was meant to be around us when we were fighting. His little groupies certainly weren't there and Kisame was otherwise occupied. He was most certainly unqualified for this kind of mission. Ending up back in time was not a part of the plan. I can’t do it again. Not to myself and certainly not to a young Sasuke. He took a deep breath against his door. I need to get dressed. I always got dressed before breakfast. He recalled moving to the dresser to find his usual uniform.
I wonder what day it is. I think I- Itachi paused his thoughts when he spotted the calendar on his wall that he had been looking for. He skimmed over it as he changed, trying to wrack his memory. No meeting today. If there had been, I would've set an early alarm so I could report to Lord Third. A similar occurrence was common when I had a mission. So today must be a day I am meant to hang out with Sasuke. As he finished securing his kunai bag he spotted his headband laying on the dresser. Perfect. Without any kinds of markings or scratches. I miss this part. He hesitantly grabbed the fabric and secured it in place. It would be suspicious if I leave it.
The hallway was just as he remembered. Littered in photos and Shinobi law. Equal parts his mother and father’s work. Father really was too strict. As he neared the dining room he stopped dead in his tracks. Frozen. Partially because of what was in front of him, and partially because Sasuke was also standing still staring at- Mom. Of course, she’s here. She’s beautiful. In the massacre, that fact had escaped Itachi.
“Good morning boys” she beamed having just spun around from setting their plates on the table. After they didn’t say anything she raised an eyebrow at the youngest. Likely assuming that he was the reason Itachi was stuck as well. “What’s up Sasuke? You’re blocking Itachi from breakfast” she pointed out with her signature smile. Itachi couldn’t see Sasuke’s face, but he could see his mother switch to concern for a moment before the younger boy barreled into her. “Sasuke” she gasped softly bringing her arms around him immediately. “Did you have a bad dream?” she asked gently and Sasuke pulled away shaking his head.
I forgot he used to have nightmares. I suppose most children do. Itachi thought to himself as he found his seat at the table.
“I’m ok. I’m just happy you left out tomatoes for me” Sasuke explained in a tiny enthusiastic voice. He was so happy. And all about tomatoes. I miss when things were this simple.
“Good morning Mother” Itachi greeted trying not to let any emotions enter his tone. She had been so kind. I knew that of course, but I think I forgot what she was like. “Father left early?” he asked hoping it wasn’t an event he was meant to know about. That would be very suspicious.
She smiled as she sat down in sync with Sasuke. Our chairs were always across from each other. I always felt bad that Sasuke was across from dad, but not much could be done I suppose. “Yes, an emergency clan meeting I suppose. He said it was best to let you sleep after having gone on that long mission.” she explained. A mission. That makes sense. They did used to give me rest days. That means Shisui will probably want to ask me things about it. I need to find my mission log.
“That was kind, thank you” Itachi smiled taking a large bite of food and letting his gaze wander to Sasuke. His little brother was glaring at him with quite an adorable pout on his face. Even as he chewed the omelet his mother made. He is angry at me? That’s not uncommon I suppose. But it is rather early for it. Did I blow him off? No, I was on a mission so that can’t be it. Oh, maybe the door. “Good morning Sasuke, enjoying your breakfast?” he asked and Sasuke looked way more upset. Alright, that definitely wasn’t it.
“Its good. Thanks, mom” he replied pretty much ignoring Itachi altogether.
“You seem a bit, grouchy mister. You aren’t sick are you?” his mother asked reaching over and feeling the young boy's head. Something is off about his body language. Maybe he is sick. I don’t remember him having a weak immune system though. Remnants of the nightmare maybe? That explained the odd hug from earlier. “Hmm, not warm,” she muttered sitting back properly.
“I’m fine. I just didn’t sleep well” he excused and Itachi felt his heart drop. I can't believe what I do to you. What I might have to do again. How did I manage the first time?
“Sasuke, what do you say we go train after school? I can pick you up” Itachi offered. Surely whatever I did is corrected by that.
“Where?” his younger brother asked in what almost looked like fake curiosity. I don’t remember him being skeptical before.
“Not immediately agreeing? Are you sure you aren’t sick?” Itachi only half-joked reaching across to feel the younger's head only to have him violently flinch away ….ok that’s definitely not normal.
Evidently, his mother agreed because she frowned. “I think you should stay home from school today Sasuke. You definitely haven’t had enough sleep. I can see dark circles from here” she observed and now that she mentioned it, Itachi could see them too. The same dark circle complexion that the teen he fought yesterday possessed.
“I just woke up!” Sasuke protested and Itachi smiled.
“Well, when you get up from your nap, we can go train” Itachi smiled and he saw Sasuke roll his eyes.
“You never said where” the younger boy mumbled moving his chopsticks in circles.
Where? Hm….where did we used to train? Oh- “Training ground 3, here at the compound of course. Where else would we train?” he asked, verifying they hadn’t made other plans that he forgot.
“That’s fine I guess” the younger agreed before turning back to their mother. “I still don’t need a nap though. I feel fine” he argued and she simply bopped his nose.
“Nope. No school today Sasuke. Since you finished so quickly I expect to see you right back in pajamas young man,” she warned gently. Itachi watched as the child next to him stood up and mumbled all the way down the hall back to his room. He is so small. “I told him not to watch that movie with Shisui. I’m sure he’ll be fine Itachi” his mother reassured him.
“Oh, I know Mother.” Itachi smiled taking another bite of her cooking. How many days have I prayed to be back in a place you were here? “Thank you” he told her and she cocked her head to the side.
“For what?” she asked confused but smiling.
“Everything. You’re a good mom”