Sword equipped, Itachi thought of the mission at hand. So either I slaughter my entire clan - including Sasuke- or the fourth great ninja war is inevitable…

He was staring at his younger brother, who was sleeping curled up on the sofa. For once in his life he looked at peace, not bothered by the clan's expectations and standards. Itachi sheathed his sword and left Sasuke to his serenity. The elder brother was distraught with himself for even thinking about killing his little brother.

I could put him out of his misery. I could end it now and maybe he would never know it was me. What a coward I would seem like then… exterminating my entire clan in their sleep and running away before anyone could notice. If I do carry out this mission, I need to keep Sasuke from learning the truth and I need to keep him alive.

It was past midnight and Itachi still could not stop pondering about what he would do. He pulled his shirt off and went to his bed. Damn the Uchiha for plotting to overthrow The Hidden Leaf and damn Danzo for assigning him of all people this duty. At least he might be able to figure out what to do with Sasuke. At least he cared. An hour later frustration was boiling inside of him.

This is pointless, Itachi thought as he pulled his shirt back on and grabbed his sword. He headed for the lake where he knew someone special would be. The one who would help him get Mangekyou Sharingan. Shisui Uchiha.

Shisui had already planned what to do. He would leave a suicide note and head to the same lake every night. That way Itachi could choose the date of his death. He was willing to go this far because he too had disagreed with the clan's narcissism. The clan's plot. The clan's thirst for power. It was always for the good of the clan, never for the good of the village or for the people. If it was, Itachi would have no need for Mangekyou Sharingan. He was skilled enough without it, besides, that technique could cause him to lose sight of the light.

"Shisui…" Itachi caught the attention of his close friend.

"Is it tonight?" Shisui replied.

"I haven't really decided yet, I just couldn't sleep, that's all," The young anbu sat down next to his close friend.

Shisui sighed with relief. I might just get to live another night…

"Is something wrong?"

"Just deciding what to do about Sasuke," was Itachi's reply.

Shisui chuckled. "You always have cared a lot about your younger brother - so much it's unsettling," he tried to lighten the mood.

"He's my other half you could say, ever since he was born I've felt the undying need to protect him and keep him smiling…"

Shisui was an only child, so he probably didn't understand the bond that Itachi and Sasuke shared. For one to actually try to kill the other was absurd. Of course siblings got into fights and argued, but one would never try to murder the other. They both cared too much.

I think it would be better if I didn't talk to Shisui too much before I assassinate him… My emotions might be harder to control if I did.

Tears welling in his eyes, Itachi tried to keep a straight face as unsheathed his sword and murmured "I'm sorry...Shisui," bringing his sword down to pierce the flesh of his former best friend and comrade. Doing so killed him inside, but he would not make Shisui's sacrifice worth nothing. Itachi did as instructed and in agony, he rolled the body into the lake and allowed a single tear to follow. He then cleaned the blood and left without leaving a trace. There was no way this would make sleeping any easier.