Lying silently on his bed, Sasuke contemplated about what he had heard. The sound of Itachi's voice saying those words stabbed his heart with guilt.

' Our victim was Naruto, father'

'It appears that our victim had experienced years of abuse and neglect.'

'Hands of a family member'

'Abuse'

'Abuse'

'Abuse...'

Sasuke sat up suddenly and held his head in his hands.

"Naruto was suffering so much at home... All I did was add more fuel to the fire."

Sasuke felt his heart-strings fray as he thought about the pain the blonde would have endured.

"It was hell for him and school and it was hell for him at home." Sasuke whispered to himself.

He felt so many emotions rush through him. He felt guilt, sympathy and mostly anger.

Anger at himself for hurting the blonde. Anger at himself for making Naruto's life so painful. Anger at himself for thinking hurting Naruto was the solution to the feelings he felt for him. In a rush of self-loathe he banged the mattress of his bed.

"You don't need to beat yourself up over it." A voice said.

Looking up, Sasuke saw his older brother looking at him. He was leaning against the door-frame, arms crossed against his chest. Slowly, Itachi began walking towards Sasuke until he was by the foot of his bed.

"It came as a shock to me too you know. Most abuse victims don't reveal that they are abused. Most think it is their fault and they don't want to be seen as weak, asking for help. Most of all, they are scared. Scared that no one would believe them." Itachi said.

"I know you and Naruto aren't friends anymore. Its evident. He doesn't come over here like he used to. The house has gotten quieter." Itachi chuckled.

Sasuke gave a small smile.

"Yeah we aren't friends anymore. I betrayed him." Sasuke winced at his own words.

Itachi just stayed quiet, wanting the younger raven to come to terms with what happened.

"I caused him so much pain and I hate myself for it! Now i don't know what to do! He hates me and he thinks I hate him. Whatever we had before is gone and I can't have it back. I can't take back what I did and now I have nothing but this pain and loneliness in my heart.." Sasuke whispered, tears silently falling down his face, exhausted from the events that took place.

He felt his hair being ruffled and he just stayed still.

"One day he would forgive you Sasuke." Itachi said. He finally knew what exactly happened between them. From the way Sasuke reacted to the news to the way he confessed about what he felt, it was evident that his younger brother felt something more than friendship and that got in-between them.

"How are you so sure?" Sasuke asked mournfully

"Because that's Naruto for you. You were his first and only friend and you meant everything to him. And I think you still do mean everything to him." Itachi stated wisely.

"Thank you Nii-san." Sasuke said, grateful to the comfort Itachi rarely gives.

In the living room

"I can't believe Naruto went through all that." Mikoto said tearfully. She was still shocked by Itachi's revelation. He was such an innocent boy, always happy and smiling. She had no idea he was going through such a rough time.

"It's clear that Minato was the abuser." Fugaku said painfully.

"After Kushina died, he completely changed. The death of her is still painfully fresh in his mind that it clouded his judgement. When a person is in such agony, they find a way to blame someone for causing it and unfortunately Naruto was the victim of it."

"Pain does that to people." Mikoto said, slight tears filled her eyes.

"Does that mean you are going to arrest him?" Mikoto asked, afraid for the answer.

"Of course... It wouldn't be fair to Naruto otherwise." Fugaku answered.

Silence stretched between the two as they reflected on the circumstances of the situation.

"What will happen to Naruto?" Mikoto suddenly asked.

"As a way to honour Kushina and her wishes, because she would never want her child to suffer like that, we will adopt him into our family." Fugaku said in a final tone.

Mikoto's eyes widened and she smiled.

"That is a perfect solution dear." She said, happy that her husband wanted Naruto to be a part of their family.

"We have enough money and Sasuke can mend his relationship with him." Mikoto said happily.

"I wonder what happened between the two. This house seems so gloomy without that sunshine child." She said in curiosity.

"Simple case of people drifting apart I assume." Fugaku said. "I do have a feeling though that is runs deeper than that."

"Whatever the case maybe, hopefully they would be as close as they were before. It pains me to see Sasuke looking so empty." Mikoto said.

"Go up and tell Sasuke the plans. I'm sure he would want heads up." Fugaku said. He kissed his wife's forehead before walking out of the room.

Mikoto walked up the stairs to Sasuke's bedroom and knocked on the door gently.

"Sasuke? Are you awake?" She asked

"Yeah mom. The door is open." The muffled voice said.

Mikoto opened the door and entered her son's room. She walked up to him and sat on the side of his bed.

"I know you heard about what happened to Naruto." Mikoto said, smiling at her son.

"I know you didn't want me to know." Sasuke answered back.

"Well I just want you to know that we are going to adopt Naruto into our family. He was no one to look after him and considering our families were very close to each other, it would be ideal for Naruto to live with us."

Sasuke's eyes widened and he looked at his mother in shock.

"Really? Naruto is going to live with us?" He asked.

Mikoto just smiled and nodded.

"Arrangements for Naruto's arrival will be done as soon as possible and since you have a bunk bed in your room, Naruto would be sleeping here. Are you okay with that?"

Sasuke just nodded mutely silently thanking his mother.

'Maybe now, things would change between us.'

"Okay! Now that's settled, we shall visit him in the hospital tomorrow." Mikoto stated, standing up and walking out of Sasuke's room.

"Goodnight dear." She said and went out, leaving Sasuke alone with his thoughts.

Sasuke just sat there on his bed and smiled.

'Maybe we can be friends again... And hopefully more.'