Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or anything associated with it. Including wet, laughing brothers.
For You, My Brother
Chapter One
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"Big brother?" Sasuke whined, tugging on his brother's sleeve. "Why won't you help me practice?"
Itachi turned toward his little brother, preparing to give him the traditional forehead-tap. "Sorry, Sasuke. Maybe next time."
Sasuke grimaced. "No way, aniki! You always say that and leave! But today you're coming with me!"
Itachi sighed, about to protest his little brother's want to monopolize him, when their father spoke up.
"Itachi. You could afford to go with him today. Your errands are not pressing and you can easily do them after you get back." Fugaku said gruffly, flipping to the next page in the newspaper he was reading.
Itachi started. It was so rare that their father ever interjected on his younger son's behalf for anything. He might as well take advantage of the opportunity.
"Alright, Sasuke. You clean up your breakfast so Mom doesn't have to do it and I'll take you out to the lake. You have five minutes to get ready."
Sasuke squealed in childish glee, hurrying to put his dishes in the sink. His big brother would finally help him with his training! He'd been waiting for this since he got to Iruka-sensei's class a month ago. The chunin had recommended to all of his students to find somebody to practice with – and for Sasuke, his big brother was perfect. He'd been top of all his classes in his academy days, achieving Sharingan years earlier than expected. And he was an ANBU captain! Sasuke couldn't have found a better sparring partner if he'd gone through the entire clan. His big brother was the best!
Pulling on his shoes, Sasuke opened the door with a laugh to see his aniki leaning on the wall across from the house, clearly waiting for him. Running over to him, he asked excitedly, "What are we doing on the lake?"
Itachi smiled at Sasuke's exuberance and reached down to ruffle his hair. "Hmm, who knows? But you'll never figure it out if we don't go, so come on. You're riding on my back, little guy." Itachi reached down and hefted Sasuke up to rest on his back while he complained.
"But Itachi-aniki! I'm not little! I'm already six! And you're only thirteen, so it's not like you're an adult either, big brother!"
Itachi began running toward the lake, keeping to the roofs as not to hit anybody. "Sasuke, you're not six quite yet. You've still got fifteen minutes to go, remember?" Itachi smiled when he felt Sasuke move his arm from the death grip he had on Itachi's shirt to check his watch in anticipation.
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Coming to a stop at the dock, Itachi slid Sasuke off his back and looked out at the wide expanse of water. It was the largest lake in Konoha and it was solely on Uchiha property. The crystal-clear waters slapped against the wooden dock supports and he could see schools of fish swimming along beneath.
Sasuke ran out, feet smacking on the old wood until he reached the end of the platform. He crouched down, staring into the deep waters. "Is it my birthday yet?" he called back to his older brother.
Itachi walked along the planks, feeling the wind blow through his hair. When he reached Sasuke, he stopped and bent down, whispering in his otouto's ear. "It's your birthday in five…four…three…two…one. Happy birthday, Sasuke! You're six!" Itachi exclaimed, shoving his little brother off the dock and into the water with a great splash. He grinned, watching his brother paddle up to the surface and splutter.
"Wah! Itachi-aniki! You're so mean!" Sasuke grinned, looking up at his brother's face with glee. He swam over to Itachi and held his hands up, wanting to get out. Itachi grabbed hold and immediately Sasuke pulled as hard as he could, yanking his brother into the lake with him. Itachi swam up to the surface and whacked Sasuke on the head, laughing.
"Sasuke, a little further and maybe you might've managed to dunk me!" he smiled.
"Yeah, right, aniki. You never let me dunk you under!" exclaimed Sasuke in a fit of childish indignation, his arms and legs working under him to keep his body afloat. Itachi looked amused for a moment and then pulled himself on top of the water, regulating the chakra under his feet so that Sasuke wouldn't topple him with a simple splash of water his way. "Itachi!" Sasuke burst out. "Pick me up too!"
The six-year-old had always loved standing atop the water, his beloved brother holding him just so that his feet touched the water and made ripples but never went under. He couldn't wait until the teachers showed them how to do it, but Itachi had told him months ago that he'd only learn it once he got a real sensei and joined a team. Sasuke couldn't wait for that, either. But for now, he was content being held by his brother on top of the clear water, playing like there wasn't a care in the world.
It had been a tradition for them to do this ever since Itachi had taught Sasuke to swim on his fourth birthday, and he couldn't say he regretted getting wet. If it made his little brother laugh and smile, he was happy.
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One month later
Itachi gazed down and surveyed the carnage. He and Madara had done quite a job on the Uchiha clan district and its inhabitants. Blood was everywhere, splattered in places that would take the village cleanup team months to find, let alone clean.
With a whoosh, Madara appeared next to him, clad in black armor and wearing his usual mask. "Mission accomplished, my young nin. You've killed everyone on your side, I take it?"
Itachi said nothing, closing his eyes in a semblance of indifference.
Lying was everything now.
He lied to Sasuke when he told him that he killed the clan only to gauge his limits. He lied to Shusui when he said he just wanted to take a late night walk along Nakano River and they'd be back in time for the meeting. He lied to his clan when he said he was infilitrating ANBU for them when in reality he was a double agent working for ANBU. And he was lying right now, hiding his sorrow over killing his closest friends and family for his village. Had it not been for his monumental control, his mind would've shattered the moment his sword sunk into his parents flesh, cutting off their lives with one clean sweep. He had to do this. For Konoha. For his Hokage. And for his little brother.
And for his little brother, he would lie again and again. He would lie his way into Akatsuki when the time came and then he would lie his way into Madara's bed, if only to give the man some semblance of control over the Uchiha prodigy. He had known Madara had a taste for young men; it was why he knew the rogue would assist him when the time came. Giving up his body was simple…if it was for the sake of his little brother. He'd endure the pain, the humiliation, and the sheer captivity.
What I do for you, little brother… I do everything for you. Hate me as you will, as long as you remember me.
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A/N: Please review! This is a first for me, seeing as I ordinarily stick to Inuyasha. I hope all you Naruto fans like this – but be warned! A twist takes place next chapter! :D
Reviews are pure, untainted love!