This story is inspired by a plot bunny donated by Kirin-Saga found at the Naruto Plot Bunny Orphanage.
Every year, Itachi would send Sasuke a birthday present.
On his eighth birthday Itachi had killed their clan and left. That was the crappiest birthday gift he had ever received.
On his ninth birthday, Sasuke found his mother's necklace—one he had wanted for years, but had been given to Itachi—by his nightstand. He had hidden it in the very bottom of his closet, but didn't dare wear it.
On his tenth birthday, Sasuke received a scrapbook of postcards. Each place was more exotic and more beautiful than the next. Itachi had always known his brother wanted to travel.
On his eleventh birthday, Itachi gave Sasuke his old ANBU sword and a note. Only ANBU are allowed to hunt missing-nins. Sasuke had always admired Itachi's ANBU sword.
On his twelfth birthday, Sasuke was a newly minted genin. He had imagined being one for so long, he imagined the delicious meal made by his loving mother—the table was bare—, the proud face of his father—the tombstone reflected his own lonely one back at him—, and the comforting presence of his brother. He went to bed early, hungry. He woke up in the morning to find a basket of tomatoes and a scrap of red and black cloth.
On his thirteenth birthday, Itachi was actually present. He had broken his wrist and beaten him so badly he had to be hospitalized for weeks. But while he was pinned to the wall by his brother, he had heard him whisper, "Happy Birthday, Sasuke." The fact that he even acknowledged it made the broken wrist almost better.
On his fourteenth birthday, Itachi didn't give him anything. Sasuke got the feeling that his brother was mad at him for leaving Konoha. For some reason, that bothered him.
On his fifteenth birthday, Itachi gave him everything. He didn't feel happy.
On his sixteenth birthday, Itachi wasn't there anymore.
A/N: Man, I'm obsessed with the Uchiha brothers, huh?
