This short little drabble was inspired by the plot bunny from Kirin-Saga

This short little drabble was inspired by the plot bunny from Kirin-Saga. At the Naruto Plot Bunny Orphanage.

Summary: Years before he became a killer, Itachi became a brother. He held Sasuke when he cried, told him stories to help him sleep, and helped him learn how to read. Was it all lies? Sasuke doesn't think so.

When Sandaime had come to visit him a few days after his clan—no, his life—were killed, he had asked him if he thought Itachi had really done this for power. Sasuke could still remember the grave voice—so unlike the kind and grandfatherly one he had become accustomed to—of Sandaime, "Sasuke, do you believe that Uchiha Itachi had killed your family for power?"

The little boy he still recognized as himself was small and fragile looking with blank, blank eyes. He was tangled in the pristine white sheets and pale. Sasuke could still remember shaking his head and pleading. "My brother is innocent. He's my brother. Sandaime-sama, please, I-Itachi-nii was framed, most likely. He…He…wouldn't! He…" He had broken out in dry sobs by then. Sasuke touched his throat uneasily, just remembering the sensation made his throat quake.

Sandaime had left right after, satisfied.

Sasuke started his quest for vengeance on his brother that night, when he woke up to find Itachi looming over him. He tried to kill him once again. "Cling to your life, weakling."

Sasuke didn't notice the picture book—his favourite—tucked underneath his pillow, or one of his brother's kunai on his nightstand.