Just a short little something somewhat inspired by chapter 397. Some parts of the series' sequence of events are a little fuzzy to me at the moment, but this more or less takes place a day before the murder of the clan. Enjoy.

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.

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A Slender Thread

Black slices through the stillness in a sliver.

Furiously spinning, the shuriken solidly hits the trunk of the tree, just a mere fraction of an inch from its designated mark.

A hundred meters away in the clearing Sasuke grits his teeth so hard there is an almost audible crunch above the sound of his frustrated panting, heavy and labored for his small lungs.

"We'll stop here for today." The voice quietly states from just behind him, as cool and as calm as he has ever known it to be.

Sasuke turns in protest, obsidian eyes large and pleading in desperation.

"But Nii-san -"

Itachi's back is already turned toward him, and the syllables I almost cleared it this time die on his lips.

There is no arguing with his older brother once he's made up his mind.

He hurriedly runs after him, catching up with Itachi's slow, easy steps. Sometimes he still tries to argue anyway.

"Can't I just have one last try? Please?"

"That's what you said the last time around." Itachi answers evenly, eyes never flinching from the path ahead of him.

"But..." The small and younger voice falters and fades in defeat. From the corner of his eye Itachi sees his brother settle into a walk beside him, hands shoved into his pockets with an unhappy pout on his still baby-like features.

Another couple of steps, and suddenly there is a gentle hand on Sasuke's head. Surprised, Sasuke stops and looks up.

Itachi too, has stopped, and is gazing down at him with one of his rare, slightest hints of a warm smile.

"But, you cleared all the obstacles before that last one perfectly, didn't you?"

Sasuke blinks, then looks away with a small sigh, toeing the grass with his sandal. "I guess.

"...But ne, nii-san, I really want to be as good as you, you know?" He looks up again, earnestly.

The slightest hint of a smile becomes a proper hint, and Itachi removes his hand. "You may yet.

"But it's getting late."

And then the two fingers which Sasuke has grown to recognize and dread appear and give his forehead an affectionate poke.

"Tomorrow." Itachi promises.

And so Sasuke smiles and nods in agreement, and follows as his brother continues the walk out of the forest.

The pair of raven eyes which are deeper, older, and have seen far more than the other lifts emotionlessly to the sky as they walk, to its deepening hues of midnight and red which signal the end of day.

For a fleeting moment there is something else in them as they reflect the blood streaks that tug across the heavens. A slender thread of anguish, perhaps - but no one really knows anyway - and then it is no more.

Forgive me, little brother.

For you, tomorrow will never come.

For tomorrow, Itachi realizes, as his heart shatters into a trillion pieces of ice within him - tomorrow is when all promises must be broken.


I personally think all that matters is if Itachi somehow, somewhere deep down, still loves/loved his little brother. But for the record, I do find that I'm rather happy with the latest developments. :D

Anyhow, let me know what you think, yeah? Reviews/comments make my day.