As an ANBU and then a missing nin, Itachi has seen many things, but the Impure World Resurrection Jutsu would make him retch if he were still alive. Respecting the dead is one of the only moral codes of all ninja, because in a cruel world where children become soldiers and women die for their husband's mistakes and brothers tear out each other's eyes from their sockets, death should be the only peace, the only sanctuary, the only place you can sleep without one eye open. Orochimaru is one twisted bastard, and the reason why Itachi is dead—as planned—yet awake—not as planned—and grateful in a sick, sick way—definitely not as planned.
But he is grateful. Grateful that he can protect Sasuke one last time before he goes. If he must be awakened, then let it be for that, and nothing else.
He is crumbling—he can't feel it, and isn't this strange, this numbness when he's so used to pain in his lungs and eyes and heart; the jutsu ends, the afterlife calls. Sasuke doesn't cry. He gave up on tears a long, long time ago, because of Itachi.
I'm sorry, Itachi wants to say before his mouth falls to pieces, I'm sorry, I was trying to make you strong, I didn't realize I was making you weak, forgive me.
You were always my foolish little brother, but this time, I was the foolish one.
There are other things he wants to say too. So many things left unsaid, rising in the hollow of his lifeless throat and then dissolving. Pleas for forgiveness, which he knows he doesn't deserve. Irrelevant things, like you were always Mother's favorite and while I was with Akatsuki, whenever I saw tomatoes, I thought of you.
And regrets, so many regrets.
I wish I could have seen you graduate.
I wish I could have helped you with the Sharingan.
I wish I could have been there for your Chuunin Exam, I wish I could have watched you learn the Chidori, I wish I could have been there for your last ten birthdays, I wish—
Perhaps in another world. Perhaps there, he would have greeted Sasuke when he ran home wearing his new headband, and helped him train, and been in the stadium as he faced off against Gaara. Perhaps he would have been there on birthdays—with cake—and good days—with a smile—and bad days—with patience. In another world where he didn't have to be a soldier, or a weapon, or a tool.
Where all he had to be was all he had ever wanted to be…a brother.
But this is the world of the living, which he is quickly leaving for the world of the dead; so Itachi smiles as Sasuke screams, and then he says what he would have said all those days, in that other world, where they could have been happy and sad and frustrated, together, as brothers.
"I will love you forever."
A/N: I'm trying a writing exercise where I write 500-word drabbles based on a piece of fanart in my files. The relevant fanart for this piece is the fic avatar above.
I don't own Naruto. Reviews are always welcome.