Sasuke had run all the way home from the academy. It was Sasuke's big day since he was turning eight. Sasuke rushed through the front door; his face was full of grins and he asked his mother where his father was.

"Your father is outside, helping with your big brother's training. Why don't you sit down and wait for them to get home?" Sasuke's mother was in the kitchen preparing something with eggs in it. Sasuke lost interest in that fast and he walked back outside.

Sasuke thought of all the possible places where his father and brother could be and he checked them all one by one. It was the last place that Sasuke had even thought of that was his father's current location.

Sasuke approached the clearing in the woods, still grinning widely. Sasuke wanted to be praised by his father for getting older. Sasuke's father didn't seem to notice him; though, since the Uchiha clan leader sent an onslaught of kunai and shuriken directly at the child's head. Sasuke's grin turned into a look of terror as he as he covered his face and cringed.

Sasuke braced himself for the impact that never came. When Sasuke opened his eyes, he saw his older brother standing infront of him with each of the projectile weapons held in his hands and one kunai that he spat out into his hand.

"You shouldn't interrupt a training session; it's dangerous," Itachi lectured Sasuke and tossed the kunai and shuriken at their father.

Their father caught the weapons and let out a disappointed sigh. "I think that's enough for today," the elder Uchiha walked past both of his sons without giving either another glance.

"Father?" Sasuke called after the man.

Their father stopped briefly, still not turning to face him. "What?" He asked shortly.

Sasuke hung his head. Had his father forgotten him on his birthday? Had everyone forgotten? Sasuke could feel a sting in his eyes. "Nothing, Father..." Sasuke replied, trying to keep his voice steady.

"You should go inside," was the only response that Sasuke's father gave before he walked away from the clearing.

Sasuke sniffled loudly and wiped his eyes with the back of his hand. Sasuke choked a little on his quiet sobs.

"Sasuke," Itachi's voice broke the whimpering. Sasuke had forgotten that he wasn't alone. Sasuke looked up to see his brother. Itachi's face was mildly sympathetic. Itachi kneeled down infront of Sasuke and wiped his tears. "Don't worry, he didn't forget your birthday. He just feels bad for throwing kunai before he noticed you standing there.

Sasuke sniffled loudly again before grabbing Itachi's hand. "Did Aniki get me a present too?"

"I just saved your life," Itachi retorted without answering and started to lead the way back to the Uchiha residence. "Let's get home so we can finish dinner early enough to eat your cake whike it's still warm."

"I get a cake too?" Sasuke asked with all the joy he had before. Sasuke was practically skipping along side of Itachi.

"Yes, mother's been making a chocolate cake for you." Itachi watched Sasuke with a small smile.

---

It turned out to be the best birthday that Sasuke had ever had. Sasuke got his first set of kunai and shuriken from his father and a shirt with the Uchiha family emblem on the back that his mother had sewn herself. Sasuke was even surprised right before bed when he found a small, gift-wrapped box infront of his bedroom door.

Sasuke took the box into his room and he read the card attached.

To Sasuke,

Father gave this to me when I turned your age, but I thought that you would be a better keeper for it.

-Itachi

Sasuke opened the box eagerly and peeked inside. Sasuke lifted a smaller box from inside and held it up. Sasuke opened the box slowly and he stared at the object infront of him. Sasuke lifted the silk band out of the box and the small metal plate glistened against the light in Sasuke's bedroom.

Sasuke lifted a piece of paper that fell onto the bed when the forehead protector was removed from the box. Sasuke read the note that was in his father's handwriting.

This forehead protector is different than any one you will ever see. This forehead protector is engraved with the emblem of the Uchiha clan. This forehead protector is a symbol of the one destined to be the leader of the Uchiha clan.

Sasuke's mouth was hanging as he finished reading the note. Sasuke had to reread the note three times before he admitted that he wasn't misreading. Sasuke folded the head protector and laid it back into the box before he set the box on his desk.

---

Itachi was just starting to fall asleep when his bedroom door swung open and a tiny body launched from the floor in a mad tackle-glomp that hit with an accuracy of 100%.

"Aniki!" Sasuke's voice filled the entire room, "Thank you!" Sasuke's gratification was complete with kisses all over Itachi's face.

"Sasuke," Itachi grumbled and tried to pry the boy from his neck. "You're welcome, but please let go before you strangle me..."

Sasuke obeyed and hugged Itachi around the waist instead. "That's the best present ever, Aniki!"

"Saving your life?" Itachi joked, knowing exactly what Sasuke meant.

"No, silly," Sasuke huffed and then nuzzled Itachi more, "The forehead protector."

"Oh yeah, that. About that," Itachi started and Sasuke moved back in fear that it was just a joke and Itachi was ready to come clean about it. "Don't tell Father about that. He has his heart set on me being the heir... I don't want the job, so you can have it." Itachi ruffled Sasuke's messy hair. "Now, if you don't mind... I want to get some sleep."

Sasuke squeazed his brother again and then let go. "Okay, Aniki! You're the best big brother ever!" Sasuke gave Itachi another sloppy kiss on the cheek and then left the bedroom.

Itachi sighed when he was left in peace, then he closed his eyes.

Little did either brother know that their lives were going to be changing drastically in the next six months. It would all start a week later when the true nature of the Sharingan and the Uchiha clan would be revealed to Itachi.