Disclaimer for ALL chapters: I do not own Naruto because if I did, I wouldn't be writing this.
Author's notes: This story focuses primarily on Itachi and Sasuke. Other important characters such as Tsunade and Kakashi would appear in the later chapters.
This story had been beta'ed by chronicxxinsanity.
Inhale.
"We have gathered here today to celebrate our victory…"
Exhale.
"And commemorate the sacrifice of our fellow comrades who have died in the war."
Inhale.
"Grief is not the end of all."
Exhale.
"Our dead brothers and sisters still live within our hearts, our memories…"
Inhale.
"Let us think of life – not death."
Exhale.
"Let us strive towards the future with the same zest, hope and will!"
Inhale.
"To the victory of the Allied Shinobi Forces!"
Exhale.
"To our future!"
Cheers erupted through the radio but died off instantly as Sasuke forcefully turned the control knobs, suppressing the violent urge to smash it against the floor.
The room was silent except for the occasional sizzling static emitted from the radio but the victory speech replayed in his mind over and over again like a broken record. It felt surreal to listen to the cheers and laughter of others while he and Itachi were at the other side of the continent living in seclusion, with the latter barely hanging on.
Once again, he was alone while everyone lived happily in ignorance of his pain or his brother's silent suffering. It wasn't fair that their peace was attained through the sacrifice of Itachi who had given all that he could possibly give for that damn village.
His – their – clan.
His – their – future.
Hell, even at the very moment, the only reason his brother was hanging on for his life was for Konoha. He could still remember the worry etched on Itachi's face despite the woeful state he was in.
Sasuke shoved the radio across the table, clenching his fist after that as he tried to suppress his anger and hatred.
The war between Uchiha Madara and the Allied Shinobi Forces had ended but for Sasuke, it had yet to begin. Everyone in Konoha would have to pay for the atrocities and injustices that were inflicted on the Uchiha clan, especially onto his brother Itachi.
That Danzo. What a bastard he was. Not only did he order Itachi to carry out the massacre, he forced him to drink poison to spare his own life. It was a drug that kills its host over a long period, causing Itachi to endure years of excruciating pain.
If only he had known this beforehand, he would not had killed Danzo that easily (at least not until he forced an antidote out of him). Neither would he had given him the honour of dying on the battlefield which a vermin like Danzo clearly did not deserve. Furthermore, Danzo's instantaneous death was a gross injustice to his brother as the latter was still struggling in agony for his life.
He should had tortured Danzo. Dug his eyes out like he had done to Shishui and inject the very same poison that was currently flowing through Itachi's bloodstream.
"Uh-hem." The sound of Nekobaa clearing her throat pulled Sasuke out of his deep thoughts as he turned to look at the source of intrusion.
Both he and Itachi were now at the abandoned city of Sora-ku. When Sasuke had found out that Itachi was still alive, Sora-ku was the only place, in his opinion, that was safe for his brother. In the fight against Madara, shinobi from various villages were spread across the nations. Now that the war had ended, most shinobi had returned to their respective homes. However, according to Nekobaa, there were rumours that each village had stepped up their efforts in hunting down missing-nins and both Itachi and Sasuke were at the top of their lists.
"I have already prepared all the things that you would need for this trip." Nekobaa sighed before continuing. "Are you sure you want to look for the girl? You'll only bring her harm and -"
"I will not let Oniisan die. If the girl is the key to saving Itachi's life, I'll go to the ends of the world and dig her out. Besides, Oniisan slaughtered the entire Uchiha clan to protect me. It does not make much of a difference to sacrifice one more to save him". Sasuke cut her off fiercely as he glared at Nekobaa with his cold and emotionless eyes. He could feel the anger that was coursing through his veins, rising as the seconds ticked by, along with a matching flare of his chakra.
How dare she imply that he should sit and do nothing while Itachi tossed and turned in agony every night. It hurt him even more to see his brother pretending that the pain was tolerable.
Now that his brother was back by his side, Sasuke would do anything to keep him alive.
And if Oniisan dies, I'll bury the whole of Konoha along with him.
With that, Sasuke took his bag of supplies from Nekobaa and set off on a journey alone.
.
Notes to this chapter:
1. Nekobaa: She's the cat lady that lives in an abandoned city which used to supply the Uchiha clan their weapons. She's also the one who hired Team 7 to finish the collection of paw prints.
2. Itachi and Sasuke are 21 and 16 respectively as at this chapter.
3. Oniisan/Niisan means elder brother.
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