A third version branching from my first Itachi centered story, Raising a Raven.
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"With this power, lightning will strike down from the heavens. All I have to do is guide its power straight through your skull."
Sasuke smirked as Itachi's eyes widened, revealing his apprehension. For eight long years he had been dreaming of the day he would see the fear register in his brother's eyes. Eight years he had imagined this scenario, mentaly rehearsing it over and over until it became as much a part of him as his own burning hatred. Pausing a moment to revel in his triumph, Sasuke raised his hand higher.
"The name of this technique is 'Kirin.'"
Itachi drew back slightly as the lightning gathered. It was useless, of course. There was no possible way he could escape this jutsu. The speed of light could outmatch any sharingan. At Sasuke's summons a great creature appeared, a monster composed entirely of electricity. Itachi started, and Sasuke allowed himself a twisted smirk as he relished his brother's fear.
"Disappear with the thunder," Sasuke ordered, his voice cold and void of emotion. The monster vanished into the clouds, then launched itself towards Itachi.
Sasuke had to shield his eyes as the jutsu hit. Powerful bursts of lightning tore apart the surrounding area, shaking the earth. Sasuke squinted into the brightness as a red glow errupted from his brother's position, followed quickly by Itachi's screams.
By the time Sasuke realized the catastrophe it was too late to withdraw his chakra. His Kirin jutsu struck the red swirl forming around Itachi, sending a lance of agony through his arm. The explosion resulting from the chakra combination picked Sasuke up like a toy and flung him backwards against a lower stone wall. Pain lanced down his spine as his back connected with the hard surface. Grimacing at the white hot sensation, Sasuke pried his eyelids open and shielded his head with his arms as crumbled stonework pelted around him.
At last the dust began to settle. The entire compound was in shambles. The structure had been decimated, great boulders and blocks of stone scattering the area. Sasuke hadn't realized his Kirin jutsu would pack so much power. The resulting explosion had destroyed everything within a ten yard radius.
The thought struck Sasuke like a physical blow. Was Itachi dead? Had he finally killed his brother? Struggling to his feet, Sasuke scanned the ruins. As the smoke and dust began to settle, he caught sight of the charred sleeve of his brother's Akatsuki cloak. The smouldering robe hung listlessly in the rubble, a morbid testament of its owner's tragic fate. Sasuke slumped as the weight of the battle vanished like an unwanted memory.
"It's finally over."
Swallowing hard, Sasuke tried to sort throught the conflicting emotions pounding him. Itachi was dead. He had finally avenged his clan.
Itachi was dead. He had killed his brother.
"It's over," Sasuke whispered again as he turned away. He tried unsuccessfully to quell the numbness that crept over him. He should be proud that he had finally avenged his parents' murder. Why did he feel like he had lost the world?
A sharp gasp followed by a choking sound caught Sasuke's attention. A thrill shot through him, a desperate hope he couldn't name. Slowly he approached the rubble, his pace quickening into a run as the cough repeated.
As though hearing his approach, the sound was abruptly stiffled. Flinging aside a scorched wooden panel, Sasuke listened carefully until he heard the harsh breathing continue. Smirking triumphantly, he shoved aside the last impairing structure - and stopped in his tracks.
Itachi clutched his chest weakly, hacking out a mouthful of blood. Wiping his face with the back of his wrist, he offered a sorrowful smile.
"You missed, little brother."
A tremor ran through Itachi's body and he collapsed to the ground. Sasuke stood frozen in place, his mind reeling in disbelief. Kneeling next to his brother, Sasuke rubbed at his eyes, convinced he was dreaming. Blinking rapidly, his breath shortened as he realized he was gazing at no illusion.
In one swift and inexplicable moment, the roles of elder and younger brother had been reversed.
Itachi had been reduced to the state of a child.
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Eee-hee-hee-hee!
Couldn't resist! The urge to write about kid Itachi is too strong to fight any longer. Blame the sharingan. He made me do it.
Don't worry, fans of My Brother's Keeper. I'm working on chapter five right now. I don't intend to let this fic dominate my writing career. (Don't kill me!)