Three Rings
The first ring was for Shisui - his best friend.
"You're going to do it, aren't you?" Shisui's voice was surprisingly calm and still like the lake water.
Itachi kept quiet as usual, not even his breathing could be heard. At a distance, the dreadful cries of crows could be heard. A bad omen.
"Then why don't you start with me?" Shisui's hand reached for his sword at his back dangerously.
Itachi always knew Shisui was stronger between the two of them but he was faster. His blade slid Shisui's neck in a flash before Shisui could fully draw his blade from its sheath.
It was a clean and quick death – Itachi had made sure of it. It was the least thing he could do for his best friend. Shisui remained in his standing posture until the thin red line in his neck widened and his body finally gave way to gravity and fell pitched forward. But he had no time to examine the body – someone was approaching and he had to flee the crime scene.
Later when the Konoha Police force found the pre-written suicide letter insides Shisui's pocket, it became crystal clear to Itachi that Shisui had planned it all along.
One thing that they never disclosed to the public was that Shisui had died smiling.
The second ring was for Sasuke – his little brother.
"The first kill is always the hardest but the subsequent ones will get easier." Itachi remembered that Shisui had once said that. But Shisui was wrong; it was the last kill that he couldn't land the blow. It was his little brother that he couldn't kill.
Hate me, despise me and kill me if you can.
But never, ever forgive me, Sasuke.
Itachi picked up his forehead protector from the floor when it was over – he had chosen his village over his clan after all.
One thing that Sasuke never told anyone was that Itachi had left crying.
The third and last ring was for himself.
He sacrificed everything he had for his village but all he got in return was darkness. When he died, no one would mourn him. But Itachi smiled all the same and shut his eyes for one last time. He hoped Shisui would forgive him for his tardiness this time.
One thing that Itachi never told Sasuke was that they shall all meet again in death and that Sasuke should take all the time he needs before they meet again.
He doesn't mind waiting a while longer for his little brother to join them later.
A/N: I'm sure that I'm not the only who notice the necklace Itachi always wore. This is just my speculation of what those three little rings might symbolize.