"Why?" It was a simple enough question. One that Itachi should have been able to answer easily. Sasuke shook in anger as his brother just stood there silently. How could he? He held back those dreadful tears that always threatened to fall every time he encountered his brother and lifted his head. "Are you not man enough to answer me Itachi?!" This time it was a shout. Still, no answer.
Sasuke took out three kunai and ran at his brother, hoping that somehow everything - the most horrible part of his life- had just been a nightmare and that when he reached his brother with his weapons he would wake up and his mother would be there to soothe and comfort him. Too bad that was not the case.
As he reached his target Itachi merely held up his own weapon to block his. His anger flared. If only he were stronger. Maybe he could get revenge. Maybe he could kill his brother. Maybe he could kill his one last family member. Maybe he would be sane again. Maybe he could live in peace finally. Would his revenge really grant him peace? Knowing that he had no family left. That he had done the same basic crime as his brother. Killed his own kin.
Itachi easily flung him backwards into a tree, showing no emotion. His arm lowered to his side and he turned around, ready to leave. His head tilted up to the clear blue sky and for a second Sasuke swore he saw his thirteen year old brother standing there. The Itachi before the massacre. The big brother he loved and idolized. Hallucinations were wonderful things, thought Sasuke in that moment.
"I do not need to answer you Sasuke." When did Itachi start to hate him that much? That could be the only reason that his name was said with that much loathing. Hate. Was there a time when Itachi loved him? Yes, Itachi did and still does love him but Sasuke's mind was so clouded he couldn't remember.
Sasuke pulled himself from where he had collapsed at the tree's trunk to stand. He wiped the small trickle of blood from the corner of his mouth and winced as his body ached. The tears that had built up over the years were beginning to spill over the dam he had made and he simply couldn't stop them, no matter how hard he tried.
"I'll kill you." The tears seemed to increase as those words left his mouth. Itachi turned his head to glance at Sasuke from over his shoulder. His eyes seemed to stare into his younger brother's soul, searching from something. Something that Sasuke himself couldn't see.
"No. No you can't Sasuke. You are weak. Why are you so weak? Because you lack... hatred." Itachi left. And Sasuke stayed. He didn't chase after him or yell insults or throw weapons at him. He stayed. How true Itachi was. He thought he hated Itachi but he didn't. Sure he was angry at him, shocked, disgusted, maybe even scared of him. But he could never hate his brother like his mind wanted him to. No matter how much he thought that he would hate his brother forever, never forgive him, and kill him one day, he wouldn't because he couldn't. His heart simply wouldn't let him.
And Sasuke knew that no matter what Itachi had done in the past, there was a reason that he was left alive. Why? Sasuke wasn't sure he would ever find out why exactly. To suffer the loss of his family? Maybe. Or maybe Itachi couldn't do it. Maybe he lacked the strength to kill his younger brother. The brother he loved to death.
And for now, while Sasuke still wanted Itachi's blood, it would be a battle between brothers. Who would kill who? Who would be stronger? Who would gain that hatred first? And who would break the bond made from love between siblings first?