I don't own Naruto. In here, Itachi has yet to meet Madara
Choices
By:
CrazyGirlOfManyNames
Itachi had just been ordered to do the impossible—kill the entire Uchiha Clan. He did not want to, but in order to keep the peace of Konoha, Itachi was going to have to. However, Itachi thought it would be quite impossible to kill the entire clan by himself. How was he going to do this? And then there was the issue of Sasuke, his beloved little brother. Itachi will never bring himself to kill Sasuke, so that was another issue.
He figured he could go about this several different ways. One was to find another person to help him and kill everyone including Sasuke. Another way was to kill everyone, but Sasuke, with help. Another would be to kill only the rebellion leaders and take Sasuke with him out of Konoha. Or Itachi could not kill the clan and take Sasuke and the Kyuubi Jinchuuriki Naruto (for a companion for Sasuke, and does anyone see the way the boy lives?) far away from Konoha. And lastly kill the clan, except for Sasuke and take both Sasuke and Naruto.
He really wanted to do the second to the last one, but he knew as soon as he stepped out of Konoha with the boys, ANBU and the Uchiha Military Police Force would be after his head. The first one was what he was supposed to do, but Sasuke was too important to Itachi.
Itachi sighed and rubbed his eyes. The point of this was that it would be the end of the Uchiha Clan, for if Itachi did take on the entire Clan, he'd die too.
"Aniki, you don't look too good," said the seven year old Sasuke, frowning.
"I'm just tired Sasuke," said Itachi, calmly as possible.
"Should I go get Okaa-sama," asked Sasuke. Itachi shook his head to decline. He needed to talk to the Sandaime, who really did not want this to happen.
"I need to go, anyway," said Itachi, getting up.
"But Aniki, you look paler than normal!"
"Thanks for the concern, Sasuke, but I'm fine," said Itachi, leaving. Thankfully, Sandaime was not that busy and was able to see him. The Hokage made the ANBU leave them be for this was a private conversation.
"You look sick, Itachi-kun," said Sarutobi.
"I'm fine," said Itachi. "About the mission…"
"Ah, yes," said the Sandaime, with knowing eyes. "I believe you will do what is best for everyone, it is your choice, remember."
"I know you don't want this to happen either," said Itachi, calmly. "But the Council and Danzou-san are really pushing for this, but I don't know if that is the right way to do things."
"For someone so young, you look so old," said Sandaime, musing. "You will do what is right, for I know what you are feeling and it is okay." The thirteen year old ANBU captain thanked the Hokage for his time and went back to his house.
Running away never solved anyone's problem; Itachi knew that, so he knew what he had to do now.
Shisui was found a few days later, dead. Itachi waited for Sasuke to leave for school, when he started. He poisoned most of the food the previous night for the non-shinobi of the Uchiha Clan. Then he attacked to kill and cut down the Military Force and the retired Shinobi. Finally it came time to kill his parents—Itachi loved them but Fugaku was threatening peace and Mikoto was going to stay by Fugaku's side no matter what.
Sasuke was never going to forgive him.