I decided, since this plot bunny has been growing rather rapidly, to throw caution to the wind and start a multi-chapter Naruto fic. I don't know where this idea came from, but I liked where it was going and had the potential to become a rather interesting story.
This is an AU, in the sense that I'm following the manga up to Time Jump, and then breaking off from there. There will be OCs, but they exist only to fill roles that absolutely cannot be filled by existing characters. I am not going to let them become Sues.
Rated M for violence and possible suggestive dialogue.
(And, yes, future chapters will be longer than this one.)
--------------------
Now What?
Prelude
He stood over the prone figure, looking at the body dully. The surprise had faded from his face long before. Now he just took in the sight, too numb to do anything.
Itachi was dead.
He had done it.
After all these years of hatred, seeking power, selling his body and his soul... his brother lay before him. Limp. Unmoving. Dead.
The man's cloak was in shreds, large portions missing all over. It was difficult to see from his position, but his right arm rested beneath his body, blood-covered, bent the wrong way at the elbow. A large wound near his abdomen still leaked the red liquid, the last trace of life exiting the now-pale figure. His hair was a mess, covered in dirt. A small chunk had been ripped from his scalp, and now lay a few yards away. One eye had been clawed out, with nothing more than a bloody hole remaining. The other rested half open, black as night. A small trail of red led down from his mouth. His lips formed a small frown, just barely noticeable.
To the observer, it seemed as if Itachi's expression was that of disappointment.
Sasuke felt like throwing up.
