Sasuke Cried, Itachi's Heart Broke

"Waaah~"

Sasuke returned home crying, looking utterly dejected, and didn't even touch his dinner. As soon as he got home, he locked himself in his room.

"Damn it! That damn dead-last!"

Sasuke touched his slightly swollen lips, feeling both furious and mortified. He never imagined that he would ever encounter such a thing...

"Ahhh~ You bastard, Uzumaki Naruto..." Sasuke couldn't help but roar again, as if trying to vent all the resentment and frustration pent up inside him.

Just then, Mikoto Uchiha's anxious and concerned voice came from outside the door: "Sasuke~ Sasuke~ What on earth is wrong? Won't you open the door for me? Don't scare your mother like this~"

Hearing his mother's worried words, Sasuke quickly reached up to wipe away the remaining tears, though his eyes remained red-rimmed.

Immediately after, Itachi's voice rang out as well: "Sasuke~ It's your brother. Did something happen? If you're having trouble, tell your brother; I will do everything I can to help you." As it turned out, Itachi happened to have returned home early today.

"Hiss... huff, huff..."

After hearing them, Sasuke took a deep breath, struggling to calm his emotions before slowly unlocking the door. Being a sensible child, he never wanted his mother and brother to worry about him too much.

"Mom~ Brother~ I'm fine~"

Facing the confused and caring gazes of his mother and brother, Sasuke felt a sudden wave of shyness and embarrassment.

His eyes were as red as a rabbit's, yet he claimed to be fine—had he been bullied?!

He stammered, "N-no one bullied me! Don't ask anymore, I'm really okay~"

In truth, Sasuke couldn't possibly tell them the honest truth—that he had been so humiliated and defiled by a man!

He had actually been kissed by Uzumaki Naruto.

How could he say that?!

Such a thing...

To the ever-proud and arrogant Sasuke, it was an absolute disgrace. Every time he recalled that unsightly scene, the laughter and stares of his classmates made him feel like he had nowhere to hide, his face burning bright red.

"I... I... I..."

That extreme sense of shame surged like a tide, leaving him almost unable to breathe. At that moment, the mere thought of it nearly made Sasuke activate his Sharingan in a fit of rage.

Noticing Sasuke's distress.

"Hehe~ Alright, alright, Mom won't ask anymore."

A smile as warm as a spring breeze hung on Mikoto Uchiha's lips. She reached out gently, stroking the top of Sasuke's head as if he were a precious treasure, and said softly:

"Our Sasuke is really growing up, starting to have little secrets of his own~"

"But still, no matter what, you must eat your dinner. You absolutely cannot go to bed on an empty stomach!"

Itachi, standing to the side, quickly nodded in agreement: "That's right, Sasuke. How can you be okay if you don't eat properly?"

"After all, you're at a critical stage of growth right now; you won't be able to keep up with your training if you don't eat."

Hearing the concerned words of his mother and brother, Sasuke felt a warm current surge through his heart, instantly dispelling all the shyness and embarrassment he had felt moments ago. He couldn't help but think to himself: Mom and Brother are just too gentle, too kind!

"I'm sorry, Mom, and Brother. I know I was wrong, making you worry so much..." Little Sasuke had now completely regained his composure. Looking at his worried mother and brother, he apologized sincerely, filled with guilt.

Following that, a warm atmosphere filled the room, and the family of three began to enjoy this quiet and wonderful mealtime.

"Itadakimasu!" Sasuke said softly, pressing his palms together to express his gratitude for the food.

"Ah... so good... this is delicious..."

Then, he couldn't wait to shovel a mouthful of food into his mouth, a satisfied smile spreading across his face: "Mmm~ Mom's cooking is just the best..."

"Mmm~" His little mouth was stuffed full.

Mikoto Uchiha watched her precious son eating with such gusto, her heart filled with joy.

She kept placing various dishes into Sasuke's bowl, saying caringly: "If it's delicious, eat plenty more, Sasuke."

"Mmm~ Thank you, Mom."

"And Brother, you guys should try some too..." Even though his mouth was stuffed with food, Sasuke didn't forget to share the joy with his family, inviting his brother and mother to eat together.

Facing the delicious food Mom made.

Whatever sadness or annoyance there was.

Toss it all away.

Eat, just eat~

"Mmm~"

Sasuke wolfed down his food, turning his grief and anger into appetite. That damn dead-last, I'll get you for this.

"Sasuke, eat slowly, be careful not to choke."

Itachi reminded his younger brother gently while reaching out to wipe away the grease and rice grains from the corner of Sasuke's mouth.

Perhaps only at times like this.

Could one see Itachi's gentleness.

"Hai hai~ I know, Brother." Little Sasuke nodded shyly, thinking to himself: Brother is really great; he's always so attentive and thoughtful.

Hehe, having an older brother is so great.

"Hehe~ Seeing you two brothers so close, Mother is truly happy." Mikoto Uchiha wore a smile, her eyes filled with maternal love as she gazed at her two interacting sons, her heart overflowing with joy.

She secretly wondered how blissful and perfect it would be if every day could be as warm and wonderful as this!

But she knew that if Fugaku were...

Sigh~

Her gaze slowly shifted to the cute Sasuke beside her, then back to that gentle and virtuous mother, and Itachi couldn't help but part his lips slightly, letting out a satisfied sigh: "Heh~"

At this moment, he was savoring his mother's delicious cooking, as if enjoying a rare feast.

This warm and harmonious scene before him was perhaps the very pillar of strength that supported his daily struggles and efforts.

Oh right, it seems one person is missing.

The clan head, Fugaku Uchiha.

Hmm, working overtime; the Police Force has official business.

There is a meeting tonight as well.

Perhaps only when he is absent.

The atmosphere at the dinner table can be less serious and tense.

A bit more relaxed and at ease.

Thinking of this, the corners of Itachi's mouth couldn't help but lift slightly, revealing a subtle, barely noticeable smile.

After dinner, little Sasuke helped tidy up the chores, practiced shurikenjutsu with his brother for a while, and then went back to wash up and sleep; children still need to sleep early and rise early, as he had school tomorrow.

"Good night, Mother~ Brother~"

"Tap, tap, tap~" Sasuke trotted back to his room on his short legs.

"Good night~ Sasuke~" *2

Itachi and Mikoto responded with smiles.

After watching Sasuke return to his room.

Mikoto Uchiha: "Itachi~ Go to the Ninja Academy and see what happened; I'm worried someone might be targeting Sasuke."

It was no wonder she had such thoughts.

After the Nine-Tails Incident, the relationship between the Uchiha and the village had become increasingly tense, and all sorts of rumors were circulating in the village; it was hard to guarantee that no one would stir up trouble.

As the wife of the Uchiha clan head.

She really couldn't show her face easily right now because of public opinion.

After all, the current situation is indeed...

Itachi smiled gently: "Don't worry, Mother, I won't let anyone bully Sasuke. With the Third Hokage there, no one will dare to reach into the Ninja Academy."

"Alright, then I'll leave it to you, Itachi~"

Mikoto thought about it and agreed; no matter what, no one would target a child attending school.

If they did, then she would let Itachi handle it. Although she was kind, that was directed at her own family; she had been on the battlefield, too.

Itachi understood.

"Very well, Mother, please get some rest early as well." Itachi responded with his usual calm, bowed to his mother, and withdrew.

Once he turned away.

His gentle face immediately turned icy cold.

"Someone bullying Sasuke? They're courting death~"

A flash of killing intent crossed Itachi Uchiha's eyes.

"Haha~ I never expected that I would be the one to facilitate the iconic SasuNaru Kiss; I can laugh at this for an entire year."

Qingwu looked at the photos he had taken from several angles, laughing heartily, feeling extremely smug.

After all, he had just given it a little secret push.

In the end, no one noticed.

Oh, wait.

Shikamaru definitely noticed, and Choji, Ino, and Hinata probably guessed it too.

Hehe~ They're all my own people.

They won't expose me.

Naruto, you'll just have to suffer a little, haha~

Aren't brothers just meant to be messed with?

Besides, you stole the spotlight today; so many girls had intimate contact with you, don't you dare thank me~

In the school infirmary, a bruised and battered Naruto: "Qingwu, I thank you so much, I thank your ancestors for eight generations~"