Always in Your Shadow

Disclaimer: Naruto belongs to Masashi Kishimoto. All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended and no funds have been acquired for this work. This is an adult themed story and may contain some of the following: violence, swearing, and strong sexual, and/or adult situations.

Summary: Sasuke and Itachi Uchiha were once close but Sasuke resents being second best and Itachi wants Sasuke to pursue a different path from his. War, politics, and death will close the gap between the two brothers as their relationship becomes taboo.

Chapter One: Distance

He peered at the young man stoically accepted the effluent praises and congratulations of his colleagues, superiors, and family. The sight was not new to Sasuke Uchiha. His older brother was always on the receiving end of such praises and adulations. Sasuke watched as an older less attractive version of his brother nodded to the newly promoted ANBU Captain. "As expected of my son."

The words caused eight year old Sasuke's insides to churn with envy. How long had he waited to hear those words of acknowledgment and acceptance from his father? His older brother merely inclined his head and Sasuke's tiny fists clenched. He wanted their father's love so badly and his brother simply shrugged the words off, as if they were of no consequence.

Perfect Itachi was the clan's heir and prodigy. Perfect Itachi's blank face and fathomless eyes never gave anything away. Perfect Itachi who was always on his guard as an elite shinobi should be. Perfect Itachi was constantly achieving some new feat or breaking a new record. Perfect Itachi was always first in everything.

It was because of perfect Itachi that he was never good enough. Never fast enough, never strong enough, never smart enough. Itachi had done it first and Itachi had done it better. Sasuke was second born and second best and everyone let him know it. He would never live up to the standards Itachi had set. The knowledge stung and caused a queer ache in his chest.

Not too long ago, he would have been among those eagerly congratulating his sibling, his hero worship of his perfect elder brother shinning in his eyes. He hadn't minded being second born and second best as long as Itachi loved him. Itachi no longer loved him though. Itachi never smiled at him anymore. Itachi never talked to him, never teased him, never poked his forehead, and no longer r trained with him. Itachi had been his whole world and that world was cruelly ripped from him as his adored older brother grew distant and cold like a pale marble statue.

With his world crumbling around him little Sasuke began to take notice of the derisive comments aimed at him and his skills when compared to Itachi. Sasuke began to want more of their father's love and attention and was hurt beyond belief when it became apparent that Itachi was the apple of their father's eye. Jealousy and envy began to bite deep into his soul. If only Itachi would smile at him again.

Gathering his courage, Sasuke make his way over to his older brother's side, his eyes wide as he stared up at his famous aniki. Only thirteen and already an ANBU Captain. Sasuke gave his older brother a tremulous smile, "Congratulation nii-san."

Itachi's near black eyes, so much like his own, stared down coldly at him. Something flashed in them and for a moment Sasuke thought he could see the loving brother he once had not so very long ago in them. But the eyes turned blank. Itachi's mouth curved slightly as if he was going to speak...

"Hn."

Itachi turned away, no longer interested and Sasuke Uchiha's heart shattered. He fled back to the shadows, wiping angrily at the moisture coming from his eyes, hating his weakness. As the night wore on, and more people came and praised Itachi, Sasuke dried his tears and turned his self-hatred towards his brother.

He would stand in Itachi's shadow no more. Wiping at his runny nose, Sasuke, unable to watch any longer, went to train.

Itachi Uchiha silently counted the minutes until he fulfilled his obligation to attend this fiasco and could take his leave. He kept his rigid control even when he wanted to scream in frustration as Danzou offered his oily congratulations on top of the rest of the council's praise. His eyes flickered to the Hokage as he nodded perfunctorily.

He could feel the puppet strings embed themselves into his very bones. ANBU Captain at thirteen. But at what cost to his humanity? War was a horrible thing to foist on one so young and Itachi knew he was close to breaking as he glanced between the council and his clan members. Needing to calm himself, he allowed his eyes to wander over the gathered crowd as he sought out the form of his otouto, finally finding him shyly standing in the shadows of a corner.

Sasuke, the light of his life, the reason he kept moving forward, the reason for his recent decision and the terrible aftermath it would have. Innocent Sasuke, with his big dark eyes that seemed to suck Itachi into their very depths, his rose bud mouth, and messy blue-black hair. He wanted nothing more than go over and gather Sasuke into his lap and inhale his scent. But it wasn't something he could do in front of the people gathered tonight.

Sasuke deserved the best, deserved the chance to make his own choices in life. The chance to choose another life other than that of battle hardened soldier of war. Itachi was well aware of the comparison people constantly made between him and his younger brother and how it was encouraging Sasuke to emulate him. He didn't want Sasuke to emulate him; he was an assassin whose soul could never be wiped clean of the crimes he had committed on and off the battlefield. He would rather see hate coming from those big dark eyes than see that happen.

He tracked Sasuke as his little brother made his way over and ruthlessly killed the impulse to pick the small child up and hug him close. He forced his eyes to remain cold as he spared his brother a few moments of his time.

Sasuke smiled at him and Itachi wanted to weep. His brother looked up at him and he could see the hero worship that would mold Sasuke into another version of himself. He didn't want his brother to be like him, he wanted to Sasuke to outshine him. He wanted Sasuke to be better than him. To be purer, cleaner, brighter.

"Congratulation nii-san." The voice of an innocent child, unaware of the cruelties of the world.

He would do anything to keep Sasuke innocent. "Hn."

Itachi hated himself as he turned away from the one person he loved most in this world. It was better this way.