Well it looks like I've started another multi chapter Naruto fanfiction….ehehehe…so right now pairings are in the air, so it would be great if you could recommend pairings!
Madara had always been a man of action. Even in the shadows, he continued to play his own games. And like any good strategizer, he had his pawns.
It was like a game of chess in a way. He the chess master, Obito was his King. He was the most important piece in Madara's game. If he was taken out, the game was done. Sasuke was unwittingly serving as his pawn as well as his knight, going where he was bid all in honor of the Queen.
Itachi.
Madara's most prized piece. The piece that held all the power, but like in all games of chess, the Queen was ultimately extendable.
Sasuke was playing his role nicely. His rage over Itachi's death had pushed him over the edge. He was out for blood. He demanded revenge against the village elder's. And as luck would have it, at that very moment he was confronting Danzo with Obito.
Itachi's sacrifice was what convinced Sasuke to avenge him. Things were turning out so...nicely. Dans would soon be dead and Sasuke would return with Obito and finally crush Konoha.
Poor Itachi's pure intentions would be for nothing it seemed. His sacrifice would ultimately be in vain. He could not save the village. He could not protect his brother. Konoha would burn and their people with it.
It would be...glorious.
The infirmary that Madara currently stood in was cold. His skin prickled beneath it. He moved around the room, the silence heavy. The lights were dimmed and Madara could already see a thin layer of dust gathering on a table. He reached the only occupied bed and a pale hand reached out, gently stroking long fingers through silken black locks. A small smirk spread across a pair of lips as Madara regarded the body laying on the bed. IV's were hooked into the crooks of frail arms, an oxygen mask was settled over their face as weak shallow breaths escaped their lips.
"My precious, boy." Madara crooned. "You've done so well." He ran his thumb over dry lips. Madara settled into a chair at the side of the bed, fingers playing absently with dark hair.
"You should see him. His rage is so very raw. It will consumed the world." The figure on the bed continued to breathe silently, lost to the world. Madara did not mind. He took a frail hand in his own and lay a mocking kiss on the person's wrist.
"So stubborn…even death denies you." The Uchiha sighed, releasing the hand and allowing it to fall limply off the side of the bed. He stared at that frail hand in silence for a long moment. Finally, he shook his head with a little sigh.
"But where death refuses, I shall take. So thank you, Itachi." Madara stood, staring down at the younger Uchiha. Itachi Uchiha's eyes remained shut, the steady beeping of the heart monitor the only proof that he yet lived. Madara smiled again, his expression smug. "I couldn't have done this without you." The elder made his way towards the entrance of the infirmary, hesitating at the door and looking back to where Itachi lay.
"Sleep well, Itachi."
So obvious this is an AU! Itachi survived the battle with Sasuke. Unknown to Sasuke, and Madara and Obito are fanning the fires to get Sasuke to fight for their cause. A short chapter, but this serves more as a prologue.