This is a story which popped in my head when I was talking with my friend about something or other, but it's not really important now. What's important is that you read it and tell me if it's reasonable.

Now,

ENJOY!

~::~

Prologue

A little boy, no older than seven was running around the compound, tears of fear and pain pouring out of his eyes and down his face in small, angry rivers. Sobs racked through his small body, a look of disbelief still evident on his face.
Involuntarily, the image of his parents lying in a messy heap on the floor in their living room, with his aniki looming over them flashed in the little boy's mind.

He quickened his pace.

No. No, nii-san wouldn't do that… He loves mother and father, he wouldn't… Wouldn't…

But even as the little boy tried his hardest, the reality was already dawning on him. His clan, his parents, his friends, the Elders, all dead. All slaughtered at the hand of his own brother.

Another sob ripped past the boy's lips as he turned a corner. He froze.

There, at the end of the path, only 10 meters away from him, stood his brother. His hands and clothes impeccably clean, but his ANBU tanto glistened with blood. But the boy's gaze was drawn to his brother's right side, where a small, hooded figure stood defiantly, although barely reaching his brother's elbow. Sparkling emerald eyes stared back at the boy, before looking down. The young raven followed the unknown person's gaze and he gasped when he noticed the unmistakeable crimson stains which covered the figure's hands.

Killer.

"I-Itachi-nii, what did you do?"

The little boy almost didn't recognise his own voice, hoarse from crying and soar from the cold air he was forced to inhale while running.

"I did what I had to do, foolish brother. I tested my strength. Our clan was just too weak to defend itself."

"B-But… why?" the small, childish question was out before the raven-haired youth could stop it.

A cold, humourless chuckle escaped Itachi. "You've always wanted to surpass me. That's why I'm going to let you live… if you wish to kill me, hate me, despise me… By all means flee, cling to your wretched life."

Suddenly, fury overtook the boy's mind, all fear and pain forgotten as red splotches covered his sight.

A small gasp came from his aniki's right side.

Sasuke's gaze slid to the still-hooded silhouette.

He would kill the mystery figure first. Get it out of his way before he attacked his demented brother.
An angry snarl escaped him.

"Well done, little brother. You have activated the Sharingan. All that is left is just learning how to use it to your advantage."

Suddenly, Sasuke's fury disappeared, replaced once again with fear and pain.

"N-Nii-san… Please…!" the unfinished plea hung in the air.

Itachi shook his head. "No, little brother. But there is one thing I can tell you. Unknown to most, there is a second stage to the Sharingan. The Mangekayo Sharingan. To gain it you need to kill the person you're closest to." The elder brother closed his eyes. "I hope that when we battle we will have the same eyes."

Sasuke stood there, paralysed with fear as his brother's eyes snapped open, revealing not the usual three spinning tomoe, but four, blade-like shapes folded over each other.

His last conscious though before everything went black was:

I will make you pay, brother. I swear on the name of Uchiha!

~::~

The two figures left the Village Hidden in the Leaves unhurriedly. It was the middle of the night, no one was out. Comfortable, albeit anxious silence hung between them as they walked, hands smeared with blood.

He glanced down at his companion. The hood covered the entire head, but he could tell that she was staring at her blood covered hands. It wasn't her blood. It wasn't his either. It was that of a particularly irritating Elder. It was a clean kill. Her first kill.

Itachi let his thoughts take control of his mind again. He felt remorse and regret seep into his heart, his lungs, his entire body. He feared that his brother wouldn't see the hidden meaning to his words, that he would do exactly what he told him to do. But he hurriedly banished all sadness deep into his heart and locked it.

It was better if Sasuke hated him. It would be easier when he asked him to take his life.

Because of his lack of concentration, he didn't notice his younger companion observing him, until she slid directly in front of him, blocking his path.

"Itachi-sensei. Come here."

Sometimes Itachi wondered how someone so young could tell him what to do. Or rather, he wondered why he listened to what she told him to do.

Those questions were left unanswered, as he once again wordlessly complied to the quiet request and crouched down.

Once eye-level with him, his companion laid two pale hands on his shoulders and looked him in the eye.

Emerald green clashed with swirling crimson.

"I won't ask questions. I won't pester you for information. I will just be there, with you, beside you. A shoulder to support you. Just… please, try to… forgive yourself."

Once again, Itachi was stumped. She saw right through his façade. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't hide from her.

With a soft smile, he reached out and pulled the black hood of her head, freeing her exotic-coloured hair from its imprisonment.

As he leaned in to kiss that slightly bigger-than-average forehead, he knew he had chosen correctly.

She was his support.

His sanity.

His strength.

"Thank you… Sakura-hime."

~::~

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