"Itachi Uchiha, you get out of that room, right now, or I will come in and get you. You will not like the alternative." Madara called through the door. Itachi has slept in Kisame's room that night. Sasuke was somewhere in the building, Madara would look for him later. Right now he needed to deal with his older brother. Shushi was helping Konan, Sakura, and Ino prepare breakfast.
After a hesitant moment, the door opened. "Madara sensei, please let me explain."
"What drove you to do such a foolish thing?" Madara grabbed him by the ear and began dragging him back to the room that Madara had slept in and Minato had given him this morning. "How could you kill your own clan, let alone your parents? That explains why I can't find my younger brother. That leaves Shushi, Sasuke, Obito, you, and me for the Uchiha clan."
"You don't understand." Itachi was cringing at the pain of being dragged along by his ear. Maybe he should have lied. Then again, Madara does not like lies. No one does. Leadersama harshly punished lying to the leaders of Akatsuki.
"Then I ask you to explain." Madara opened the door and shoved Itachi in, finally letting go of his ear. He closed the door after him and turned around, a scary stern expression on his face and his arms crossed on his chest.
"This is a long story. I want to tell you when you have time."
"I have time right now." Itachi sighed. This was either similar to confessing to Sasuke or worse.
"Then will you sit down?" Itachi asked, sitting on the floor, next to the short coffee table. Madara sat down across from Itachi, waiting for him to explain. "Do you remember leaving the village?"
"Yes."
"Do you remember the Nine Tails attacking Konoha?"
"Yes."
"The Fourth Hokage saved the village from the Nine Tails. Many people died. Do you remember my Father taking your place as Uchiha clan leader?"
"I heard he did. As he should have." Itachi shook his head. Madara rose a brow, curious.
"Fugaku was furious after the attack. The village blamed the Uchiha for the attack. As such they moved us to one of the corners of the village, so that they could monitor our every move. Father was furious and after a while he started riling up the clan for an attack on the village. He was proud of me for my… strength and he wanted to use me to get at the clan but I saw through his plans. As did Shushi. We tried to defuse the tension but we soon learned that it wouldn't work. The man named Danzō came to me, others were beginning to notice. He told me that my clan would end up dead, no matter which direction we took from the point we were at. He gave me two choices. For my clan to be murdered, all of us. Or I could kill my clan and I would be allowed to spare Sasuke. It was a mission from the Leaf Village. I knew that if they succeeded that the village would crumble and other villages would come into the fight, turning it into a war. So I chose Sasuke. I became a spy for the village. Shushi didn't trust Danzō at all though. I was accused of murdering him by my clan but I knew that what they found wasn't really Shushi. I didn't know where he'd gone but I knew he fled. I did not blame him for his desertion. I was however sorrowed by the fact that I might not see him ever again. But at least he was safe. A few nights later and I decided I had no choice but to act, Fugaku had moved the date of the revolt up to keep my clanmates from turning on me. So I let Sasuke live and killed the rest. I told Sasuke that I never loved him, I let him see me in the house with our dead parents, I even showed him my memory, although edited, of killing our clan. I told him to grow in power so that he might get the chance to kill me… and that is why my little brother is obsessed with power and Orochimaru. However, if given the chance, Sasuke will attack the Leaf. Out of hatred. I've already told him the truth.I cannot tell if he wants vengeance against me… or the Leaf."
Madara was silent, thinking. Tears were sliding out of Itachi's eyes. Silent tears had started rolling down his cheeks when he got to the part about Danzō and killing his clan. "I am so sorry Itachi." He said. Itachi looked up at him.
"You should have been there Uncle Madara. A lot of pain could have been spared if you'd just been there for us. When we needed you." Itachi looked back down. Madara moved around the table before pulling Itachi to him.
"I am so sorry Itachi. I didn't know."
(Sasuke)
"Orochimaru! Where the hell are you!" I called. I'd finally arrived back, it'd taken a long time but with the curse mark I was able to make it here. I was tired, granted I had no sleep last night, but other than that everything was fine. "I'm ready for more training."
"Where have you been Sasuke?" Hissed Orochimaru.
"I had a little run in with Itachi Uchiha. They know where we are." Orochimaru's eyes widened.
"We're deserting this base and moving to another."
"Tch. Afraid of the Akatsuki, 'Lord' Orochimaru?"
"I don't have time for your sass Sasuke. Kabuto!" Orochimaru turned and headed toward the next door. He was met with Kabuto. "I want you to have the New Sound Four move these ninja. You, Sasuke, and I are leaving now. I suggest you give the order soon." Kabuto bowed.
"Yes Lord Orochimaru." I groaned, silently. I had hoped for training. I could already do many things with my curse mark and my sharingan. A few minutes later and I found myself following behind Orochimaru and Kabuto on some imaginary trail.
(Shushi)
I walked into the room I shared with my dad and Itachi. I couldn't find Sasuke anywhere around the house and wondered if they'd seen him. What I found surprised me. Dad was hugging Itachi, telling him how things were going to go from now on and how much he loved Itachi and Sasuke. I knew already he loved me.
"Dad? Itachi? Have either of you seen Sasuke? I can't find him." Itachi looked up immediately. He stood up and headed for the door and Dad did the same so I followed them.