Sasuke's Redemption
Chapter Two: Dark Secrets
He screamed as he watched his brother slay his parents over and over again. He gasped and cried and pleaded as his big brother continue to do it over and over again.
Why?
Why did you do it?
Why?
He felt tears pouring down his cheeks as he stared at his brother's cold and emotionless face. "Itachi…" he whispered.
Why did you do this?
Father … father loved you. You were the brightest star of our family. I was never good enough, never as brilliant as you were, compared to you I was nothing. Less than nothing. I didn't even rate in his eyes. He barely noticed me. How could he with you around? Do you know how much he loved to brag about you and your accomplishments? About how you graduated the Academy at only 7 years old. How you mastered your Sharingan at 8. And then, how you made Chunin at 10. How you were recruited into the ANBU at such a young age. About the latest honors you had won. Your most recent successful missions.
I always felt lost in your shadow. Like nothing I could ever do would ever measure up. Like I was nothing. I suppose I should have hated you. But I didn't. I admired you. I worshipped you.
I loved you.
And I know everyone else did too. Father. Mother. Uncle. Auntie. And all of our cousins. Everyone in our Clan knew your name. Everyone thought you were the greatest Uchiha in generations. Maybe even the greatest Uchiha ever. I thought you were too. And the thing I was the proudest of was that you were my brother.
How could you do this? Why would you do this to your family? To the people who loved you? Why would you betray us? Why kill everyone?
Did you … did you hate us? Did you really hate us that much?
Why Itachi?
Why?
There was no answer. Only the flash as the sword swept down and the spray of blood. Again. And again. And again.
Homura was glaring at Danzo. Technically speaking, Homura vastly outranked Danzo as he was a village official and a long time advisor to the Hokage and Danzo didn't even have a position so to speak. He was not a part of any of the major familial Clans, nor did he possess a seat on the Civilian Council. He was not a member, official, advisor, or even possessed any sort of title in any of the executive or administrative bodies that actually ran Konoha.
Unofficially was a much different story.
You have to remember that things are not always what they seemed, Homura remembered how his first Genin Cell Instructor had stressed that. At the time, he hadn't thought too much about it. It was only later when he realized just how wise his teacher had been.
Because things were never truly what they appeared to be. Particularly in a village full of ninja. The greatest skill of a ninja wasn't chakra control, incredible ninjutsus, or forbidden techniques. The greatest skill that a ninja possessed … was deception. And many forgot that truism at their own peril.
Danzo might very well be the most powerful individual in Konoha. He was deeply politically connected and it was rumored that he possessed many embarrassing and publicly damaging secrets and information on any number of prominent political figures. He had a finger in every committee, an ear in every office. He suggested, he whispered, he prodded, he nudged, he manipulated receptive individuals to get what he wanted.
And if that failed, he always had ROOT.
Once upon a time, ROOT had been an elite division of the ANBU. The elite of the elite. Created and run by Danzo. But Sarutobi had found his ruthless methods disgusting and had disbanded the organization.
Danzo officially complied.
Homura had wondered why Danzo had so meekly obeyed Sarutobi's order.
But things were not always what they seemed.
Basically ROOT had simply gone underground, pun unintended. Whereas before they had been a part of the ANBU, now they were separate, distinct, and answerable only to Danzo now. After all, sometimes the best secret organization is the one that doesn't really exist. At times, Homura and Koharu had found that aspect useful. Usually. But not now.
"What were you thinking?" Homura harshly demanded.
Danzo merely raised an eyebrow in what appeared to be genuine puzzlement, "What do you mean?"
"I'm talking about the Uchiha Massacre!" Homura barked, slamming a fist on the table. "That was not what we agreed to! Fugaku yes! The other Uchiha Elders certainly! But what was the damn point of killing off almost all of them? Hell, most of them weren't even shinobi!"
Danzo looked at him coldly. "They were all traitors. Guilty of betraying Konoha. Even if they were not active participants, they certainly conspired by keeping it a secret," and leaned forward, "you do not coddle traitors," and then his voice dropped a few octaves and he hissed, "you cut them out."
"Even the children? Certainly they were not involved!" Koharu added in, her face tight and pinched.
Danzo's face twisted up in disgust as he turned to gaze at her. "And what? You expected them to simply smile and shrug at how we killed their parents, their grandparents, their aunts, their uncles, their cousins?" he asked mockingly. He shook his head sharply, "They were a potential threat make no mistake. One we had to eliminate. Better sooner than later," he said with a curt dismissive gesture.
Potential, Homura thought to himself in disgust as he tightened his balled up fist. If this was how Danzo treated someone who might become a threat, how would he act to someone who genuinely was one? He shivered at that thought.
"And what about Sasuke Uchiha?" Koharu demanded. "Why leave him alive then?"
A more charitable person might have called the upward turn at the corners of Danzo's mouth a smile but Homura had seen snakes look more friendly. And he had seen Orochimaru and Manda, up close and personal.
"Because the Sharingan is still a valuable bloodline. Konoha is stronger with it. Our strength is widely regarded because of the Sharingan and the Byakugan," Danzo purred gesturing expansively with his hand. "That is why we needed to ensure that it would not be completely wiped out."
Now Koharu understood. A young and impressionable child, easily moldable and would undoubtedly be looking for an older, wiser mentor to instruct and train him now that he was effectively deprived of any sort of support from his family. And she had a good idea just who would be first in line for that task. "So," she said flatly, "you intend for Sasuke to be the progenitor of a new Uchiha Clan."
Danzo nodded smugly, "One that will be more loyal to Konoha."
Loyal to you, you mean, Homura thought darkly.
There was a moment of silence before Koharu asked, "And what of Itachi?"
Danzo shrugged dismissively. "Oh I imagine he'll be … eliminated. Very shortly in fact."
Homura frowned. "What does that mean?" he demanded, dreading the answer.
Danzo grinned shark-like. "It means that Itachi will shortly be walking into an ambush by my ROOT. He'll make the perfect scapegoat for the whole Uchiha Massacre as well. I had the liberty of having a few … clues seeded here and there to make it appear that he was the one responsible for this whole terrible incident. Why we even have a witness who will claim that Itachi was responsible! The sole survivor of Itachi's bloody rampage! Naturally, Itachi's body will be discovered afterwards and they will decide that in a fit of remorse, Itachi to have committed suicide, leaving one loose end to be neatly tied up."
Koharu snorted and folded her arms across her chest. "That of course, depends heavily on the fact that your ROOT actually manage to ambush and kill Itachi in the first place," she acidly retorted before adding, "I saw that boy take his Chunin Exam and I don't think he'll go down all that easily…"
Danzo opened his mouth to reply when abruptly the doors to the room slammed open and a pair of ANBU entered followed by a grim Sarutobi. His eyes glanced around the room and hardened when he saw Homura and Koharu, but they swiftly focused on Danzo. Then his craggy face split apart in a malicious smile. "My, my, what are you three all doing here?" he asked mildly, causing Homura's stomach to do guilty flip-flops.
Danzo assumed a blank face. "Why … discussing the tragic events at the Uchiha Compound Hokage," he informed Sarutobi blandly. "It is greatly disturbing to hear of such a horrific crime taking place in the very heart of our own village, no less. We need to take action immediately. Clearly, we need to step up our internal security," he added smiling tightly at Sarutobi. Homura could almost hear the unsaid, as I have so forcefully stated so many times, you incompetent monkey.
"Hmm. You might have a point there, Danzo. Perhaps you should write up a proposal and turn it in to my office," the aged Hokage said diffidently. So I can wad it up and use it as my personal toilet paper, you sadistic bastard.
Danzo beamed. "Why, I'd be delighted to Hokage," he said bowing his head politely. You senile old fool.
Sarutobi chuckled, but the glint in his eyes were anything but amused. Warmongering madman.
Homura sighed. He really wanted more time to question Danzo which was naturally impossible now with Sarutobi present. His eyes flicked back and forth as the two old adversaries seemed to be mentally rolling up their sleeves and preparing for one of their infamous poisonously polite verbal duels. He sighed again and began massaging a throbbing temple. It would be easier if the two just broke down and grabbed a pair of kunais and tried hacking away at each other. At least it would have been quicker. If not less bloody. This was not going to be fun…
He watched horrorstricken as the blood flew once more when suddenly the dark nightmare suddenly flared white and Sasuke arched his back and let out a shriek. Frantically, he blinked his eyes as he stared into a strange whirling Sharingan. Sasuke recoiled, "Itachi!" he gasped out in horror. Desperately he tried to ward him off but the man leaned closer, coming out of the shadows and into the light, illuminating his face.
"No. Not Itachi, Sasuke," the older man said softly.
Sasuke panted, his heart racing as he stared into the man's face and came to the realization that it wasn't his brother.
He was barely conscious of his conversation with the stranger as he glanced furitively around the hospital room. Was—was it all a dream? A nightmare? Yes, it had to be a nightmare! Itachi … Itachi would never do that! He wouldn't! He couldn't!
It took some effort, but he managed to refocus on the stranger and asked, "Who are you?"
The older man smiled slightly, "I'm you."
That arrested his attention, "Huh?" he asked confused.
The older man grimaced, "It is … difficult to explain."
Sasuke glanced down and froze as he saw his hands. Someone had cleaned them but he could see blood still trapped beneath his fingernails. No … he silently whispered. He looked up, his eyes wide and realized that it had been no nightmare. It was much, much worse. He shivered and wrapped his arms around himself. "T-they're dead aren't they. Mother. Father."
The stranger's face closed up, and he simply nodded and in a gentle voice confirmed, "Yes. They are."
"I-itachi did it didn't he? He killed them!" Sasuke gasped out, his eyes wide and tearing. "Why?" he yelled. "Why did he do that?" he demanded.
"It is … difficult to explain," the stranger said again. "There are things … things you are unaware of Sasuke. Dark secrets. Terrible things. Lies. Betrayals. Deceit and deceptions."
"What are you talking about?" Sasuke demanded.
The stranger hesitated and suddenly rubbed his forehead. "This was so stupid. I shouldn't have come here and woken you. And I used to call Naruto an idiot," he muttered shaking his head. "There are things I cannot tell you right now, Sasuke. Things you are not ready to hear yet. But when the time comes, I will tell you."
Something in Sasuke snapped, "Tell me now!"
"Wow. I really was an impatient hothead…" the stranger remarked studying Sasuke like a fascinating specimen.
"And what are you talking about? What did you mean—" Sasuke trailed off as he started swaying. "—w-what—" he slurred.
"Sleep Sasuke. Just sleep and while we're at it, maybe you should forget this entire conversation," the stranger said softly as Sasuke suddenly realized that the man's Sharingan Eyes were spinning hypnotically.
"B-ba-bastard—don't you—don't you—" Sasuke's eyes rolled back and he collapsed helplessly onto his pillow.
"Heh heh. That's right," the older man commented with a chuckle as he arranged Sasuke into a more comfortable position remembering how a certain blonde idiot used to insult him with that name. Frequently too.
With a sigh, he made a few hand seals, releasing the privacy seal that he had emplaced and then exited the room. He was halfway down the corridor before he suddenly remembered about the two ANBU. He retraced his steps and released the genjutsu from the two ANBU. Well … after he had made a few … little additions.
The ANBU guards were never sure how someone managed to sneak up and attach a note on their each of their backs. One proclaiming KICK ME, I DESERVE IT and BED WETTER on the other one.
To their everlasting shame, they never did find out about it until after their shift change replacements had appeared and they were in the midst of leaving. They winced, imaging that their superior was not going to be pleased when he found out about this. Not pleased at all.
A/N: OK, here's Chapter 2 already! Surprisingly, I found myself inspired to complete this chapter. One thing I never really understood about Itachi Uchiha was that he was one of the most baffling characters I had ever read. He seemed like a cold psychopath when first introduced yet he turned out to be a loving brother later on who couldn't bring himself to kill his only brother, yet was also supposedly responsible for the entire slaughter of his entire clan including his father and mother? Huh? I didn't get that explanation AT ALL. It was like Kishimoto had written himself into a hole and was trying to rewrite or ignore his own story.
This is my explanation, that it wasn't Itachi at all and that Danzo had a greater part to do with the massacre of the Uchiha Clan than just ordering Itachi to do it along with Homura and Koharu.