Brothers
Prologue: Uncertainty of Death (version 2)
August 19, 2007
By CCD

A/N: I decided to rewrite the prologue, because I felt like I could do so much better because I really like this story and I feel that the original version didn't do it much justice. I want to see what you think, so reviewing would help a great deal in giving me an idea of which version you prefer better. Thank you!

Black smoke filled the skies as shinobi watched…waiting in case the worst occurred. It was their biggest fear that the smoke would head towards the village. They had called for the Hokage to come to the gate, knowing that she would be the only one to bring hope to the fearful shinobi.

"What is going on here," Tsunade yelled as she walked up to the gate followed by Shizune and all five members of team Kakashi.

"Lady Hokage, there's a great deal of smoke coming from that way," Ino yelled back as she pointed to the cloud that was slowly being blown towards the village.

"What on earth…" Tsunade said as she stared at the black abyss in the sky.

"Lady Tsunade, we need to check it out. It could bring danger to the village."

"I know that Shizune," she looked around at who she had with her, "Naruto, Sakura, Kakashi, come with me; Shizune round up the shinobi here and divide them up to different area's of the village in case it turns into an attack."

"But, Lady Tsunade…"

"Don't argue with me. Just do it! Let's go."

The squad took off in haste until they reached a clearing. Fires were still burning in the area, in the middle stood two figures about the same height with similar features. So similar that there was no doubt that the two were brothers…Itachi and Sasuke Uchiha.

It was clear to them that the brothers had decided to fight to the death. There were no cheap tricks. Both brothers were giving their all to end it one war or another. The four leaf shinobi watched in shock at the scene. They had missed most of the fight, seeing as the brother's stood deadlocked, Sasuke was holding his sword against Itachi's Kunai knife. Since they had resorted to weapons and taijutsu, they were low on chakra.

When the two of them realized they weren't getting anywhere they backed off for a moment sliding into place allowing their audience to get a good look at them.. Itachi's Akatsuki robe was in shambles on the grass and his clothing was torn. His long hair that was normally pulled back was out of its tie and hung over one shoulder and into his face. Sasuke's shirt barely clung to his body and his pants were torn at the knees. All in all, it looked like Sasuke was making out better than Itachi.

"I want some answers, Itachi," Sasuke yelled as he charged at his brother again.

"I gave you my answer years ago, foolish little brother."

"Liar!"

The quartet watched in awe as the battle continued. It was amazing that the two men could keep up the speed they were going. After a few minutes the spectators saw a flash of light and the estranged brothers stood still. Sasuke stood with his hand through Itachi's stomach, the remains of Chidori dying on his hand. He pulled his hand back out and glared at his older brother.

"Well done, Sasuke," Itachi said in a strangled voice as he coughed up blood.

"You're not done yet, Itachi. You owe me answers. Why did you do it?"

"You should have thought of that before you put Chidori through my stomach."

"That can be corrected," Tsunade said as she stepped into the clearing with the others, surprising the brothers.

"Tsunade," Sasuke said letting Itachi drop to the floor.

"He owes the village some answers too. I'm not going to let him slip away from us either, she said as she began applying chakra to the hole in Itachi's stomach, "If you want answers, you'll have to return to the village. Sakura, let's get to work."

Sasuke backed off and stood by Naruto and Kakashi who were still speechless from watching the battle. As Sasuke took a step back he felt pain shoot up his leg and his world began to fade into black as he felt himself falling forward. The last think he heard was his name being called as he hit the ground before giving in to the darkness.