Once more-
Chapter One.
"Nii-san!"
Itachi whipped around, only to falter at the sight before him. It was-
"Sorry, Sasuke, maybe next time"
Almost stumbling in his haste, he turned once again, to the image of his younger self, walking calmly towards him, equipped in his ANBU uniform. That's…
"I have a mission today"
A mission…that's right… this was the day his squad was assigned to protect the feudal lord.
Younger Sasuke pouted slightly, as his older brother just smiled at him.
Itachi almost wanted to run away from the eerily reminiscent scene before him, staring apprehensively as his younger version continued forwards towards him, his attention solely on the young Sasuke.
It was a memory playing; mocking him, right before his death.
He just remained impassive as the younger Itachi calmly walked past him. Walked past his body-as if he was a ghost.
"Sasuke, come here for a second" he heard Itachi call, followed by the soft pitter-patter of tiny footsteps moving closer.
He turned to see the young Itachi, sitting on the step, poke the younger Uchiha on the forehead.
Images of a previous scene flittered rapidly through his brain, the fragments of his memory showing him a bloodied scene, a bloodied Sasuke; a bloodied memory.
The memory of the last of seconds of his life. Taunting him.
Sasuke sulked, before glancing hesitantly up at his older brother as Itachi went and stood up, walking towards the door.
"Next time, okay, nii-san?" Sasuke questioned, grinning up his idol.
Itachi only smiled fondly down at his younger brother, before heading to the door. "Okay, Sasuke, next time" he called over his shoulder before he disappeared out the door.
Itachi watched the scene with a warped, morbid curiosity. A solemn disposition.
He remembered this scene vividly.
He knew this memory so intimately, once constantly replayed through his mind to keep him going. To remind him.
It was the last memory he had of Sasuke admiring him, looking up to him.
And it was also one of his very few pleasant memories that often twisted itself into a nightmare that constantly plagued his sleep.
Because there was no next time.
And he was always painfully reminded of that.
Itachi smiled, before he fell.
Sasuke stared in horror at the bloodied corpse of his once dear brother.
He stared, and he silently mourned.
For this was the end of the once almightly Uchiha.
Itachi Uchiha was dead.
.
.
.
"Do you want a second chance?"
Itachi forced his eyes open, as a bright, soothing light calmed the rising panic within him, as well as warming the alarming numbness that was previously taking him over… Was he going to die?
"No" He heard his voice, weak and on the verge of death.
"I knew you were going to say that…" he heard melodious laughter before he felt something force his eyes close.
"Too bad… I don't care about what you want"
"Nii-san!"
Itachi's head snapped to the side, looking in horror as a smiling Sasuke ran towards him.
"Sorry Sasuke…" Itachi felt his automatic response dry off on his tongue.
What's happening… I…? ...What?
"Itachi, you'd better leave soon" he heard the devastatingly recognizable voice of his mother behind him, almost flinching at the soft hand placed on his shoulder.
He slowly turned himself towards her, as if moving too quickly would suddenly make her disappear. As if the moving too quickly would shatter everything.
"You can't keep your team waiting" she admonished gently, smiling at Sasuke and beckoning her youngest son over. She ruffled Sasuke's hair, who was happily attached to her leg. "Don't you have a mission to protect the Feudal lord toda… Are you alright, 'Tachi?" she looked at him worriedly, her brows furrowed in concern at the horrified look on his face.
Mikoto looked at him imploringly. He eldest never showed so much emotion on his face; the only time he ever reavealed so much was when he was truly, absolutely shocked. But even then, the emotions weren't so blatant…
"I-I'm fine…" He smiled uncertainly, sighing internally as she visibly relaxed.
"Nii-san, daijoubu ka?" he heard Sasuke ask.
Looking down, he stared anxiously down at his brother.
"I'm fine, Sasuke… I'm fine" he reassured, before swiftly turning around and walking towards the door.
He needed to get away from here.
He needed time; he needed space to think.
Because this time, everything around him didn't have the distinct greyscale forefront.
Because this time, he didn't think that everything wasn't just a memory anymore.
Just… what the hell was going on…?
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PEACE.