Title: Once
Rating: G. Maybe PG because it mentions BLOOD. Think of the children. [/sarcasm]
Warnings: Sasuke reflection equals angst. What else is new? Spoilers if you don't know who Itachi is.
Disclaimer: I have no hope of ever owning Naruto or its characters, happy now?
A/N: A very short drabble, written for a challenge in an Uchihacest LJ community where the only requirement was that a few certain words be used. It's also based off of some amazing fanart that I saw around which I can't link to. Reviews are greatly appreciated. Please pardon the horrible formatting?
~~
The sound of laughter floated to Sasuke's ears from outside. Younger ninjas were outside, playing in the first snow of the season. Sleek little bodies rolled around, now covered in white powder.
When was the last time he had done that? As the flakes fell, stark in contrast to the dark of the night, the scene seemed almost surreal.
If he stretched his imagination enough...
.
"...Wait for me!" his younger self exclaimed, running out to the form of his older brother.
White snow fell, incandescent, glittering, beautiful. Itachi's hand was outstretched, beckoning.
And white turned to red. The red of his eyes, the red of the blood that stained his brother's hands.
Those hands that he longed to reach out for again, even if it was just one more time.
.
The memory faded. No, not even the snow could stay pure in this world.