©Masashi Kishimoto; Naruto
He Believed in Him
What is Sasuke to you? Why have you treated him the way you have? Have you always treated him so… "wrongly"?
Itachi glances from his bloodstained hands to the mirror in front of him, noticing a small trickle of blood reveal itself at the corner of his mouth. He sighs raspily.
No matter how many times he hears people call him a coldhearted killer, emotionless freak, or better yet, the 'perfect shinobi', he always thinks back to the times he spent in Konoha. Rather, the times he spent with Sasuke.
He thought back to the question that appeared in his mind for the millionth and third time. In a way—no, it must be a 'yes'—he had always treated him the way he had. Itachi never treated him wrongly. He never meant to, at least. Not until…
Run, and live a life of hatred. When you have the same eyes as me then you can come before me again…
Not until that night did it sound wrong. Not until then had Itachi realized how unfair he had been to Sasuke all this time. All those years… He had always kept Sasuke under constant watch. He loved his brother, he'd never denied that, and he always made sure to live to teach his brother the things that his corrupt parents, corrupt clan, could never teach him.
He remembered his cute little brother running after him every time they were in each other's prescence. Sasuke was strangely attatched to Itachi, it seemed, but in due time Itachi became accostumed to it and took to spoiling Sasuke every once in a while. He'd take Sasuke out to train even though their mother often disapproved of it. Sasuke was always so eager to learn new things and to live up to, not only his father's expectations, but sadly also Itachi's strength and abilities.
But Itachi was a young shinobi. A prodigy. The time that he could spend with his brother was always dwindling as he quickly upped in ranks as the youngest ninja, next to Kakashi, there was to be. Soon he'd become a double agent between the Uchiha clan and the Konoha heads' without a say. It had happened so rapidly. Just as fast as he had climbed ranks…
He was supposed to be spying on both party's plans. The Uchiha trusted their prodigy to help them overthrow the Konoha Elders whereas the Konoha Elders trusted their young, innocent, cunning, intelligent shinobi to report the Uchihas' plans for their coup d'état. He was at a loss. What else was he supposed to do in that situation?
Itachi decided for the best outcome. Afterall, he wasn't one that liked fighting. He hated wars and mindless stunts. He hated thoughtless actions that were compelled with simple emotions and instinctiveness. Thus, he sided with the Konoha Elders and promised to end this… idiocy. Constantly, constantly, Itachi found himself running between work, long missions, meetings with the clan, and short sessions spent with Sasuke.
He didn't like it. He wanted to be the perfect big brother. He wanted Sasuke to look up to him and ask him everything there is to know about anything there is to know. Soon Sasuke would become his own shinobi. He would form his own 'ninja way'. Itachi believed this to be the utmost truth. Sasuke, was, afterall, Itachi's dear little brother. If Itachi could accomplish this much, then Sasuke could too. He believed in everything Sasuke said and did, even if he was just a kid. He was Itachi's hope. Itachi's light in his dimming life.
Soon, he'd have to leave Sasuke alone.
When Sasuke entered the academy, Itachi knew that there was little time for the two of them now. Much too little time. He often picked Sasuke up from school just for that little slot of minutes he'd be able to spend with Sasuke before heading out of his endless string of missions. Itachi once mentioned this to Sasuke; that they'd have very little time together starting that day. Itachi remembers very clearly Sasuke's response.
"That's okay, Just as long as we can be together sometimes…"
Itachi had smiled to himself despite the dreaded melancholy that he was feeling when he warned Sasuke. Indeed, he believed in Sasuke to be his light. He had decided long ago that he'd guide Sasuke any way he could to let Sasuke reach his goals. Itachi only wanted the best from his little brother. And he'd get it from Sasuke however he could…
Many times, as their time together diminished, Sasuke had increasingly desired training sessions with his big brother. Itachi was strained.
"I'm sorry, maybe next time." Itachi often found himself saying during those times. He'd poke Sasuke's forehead just to tease him. Yet, Itachi wouldn't doubt it if Sasuke knew those words were rapidly becoming lies. He wouldn't be able to train Sasuke anymore. He wouldn't be able to teach him, to laugh with him, to watch him… no, not anymore. Nevertheless, Sasuke always ran up to him so hopefully whenever Itachi beckoned Sasuke over—just to apologize. Always…
Finally, the end was deicded. Finally, Itachi might be able to spend more time with his missed little brother. He remembers how shocked he was when he heard the decision the village's elders had come to. Killthemall, was all that played in his head for several nights after receiving the mission. Kill the whole clan. Massacre your whole clan. Get rid of their ridiculous and dangerous plans for an uprising.
Itachi knew he had to do it to keep the peace in the village. And, really, that's all he ever wanted. Ever since childhood, Itachi has always wanted to be at peace with himself, the clan, the village, and Sasuke.
His hands trembled at the thought of killing Sasuke. Are they crazy? He wouldn't be able to do it. Not his brother… not his dear, dear little brother…
Itachi sought out the help of Uchiha Madara. Yes, it was widely thought that the man who fought the first Hokage was, or should be, dead, but Itachi found him. He trained under him. Madara had even dared to help Itachi slaughter his clan. Their clan. Mercilessly.
There is no memory clearer, yet hazier, than the memory of that fateful night. Never had the moon been so large and frightening. Never had he ever seen so much blood in his life. Never had he killed so many, so much more than he had ever thought, in one moment.
Itachi remembers every moment, every sensation, face, and every scream. Every cry. Everything.
Sasuke was coming home from academy the evening when the massacre took place. It pained Itachi knowing that he wouldn't be able to spend one last span of time with Sasuke as his perfect big brother. Those precious minutes spent together when walking Sasuke home after school. Those precious training sessions…
When Sasuke came onto the scene, the majority of the clan was already lifeless. Itachi could've shuddered at the sight of Sasuke's tears. His expression was so… desperate, bewildered, and.. dumbfounded. No, Itachi wouldn't kill his little brother. Itachi loved him too much to do so. He had too much hope and too many beliefs in Sasuke to kill him.
Itachi lied about his intentions that night. He flooded Sasuke's mind with every thought and lie that came to mind before he ran away. He wouldn't be able to stand the thought of Sasuke still loving him after this. Sasuke had to hate him. Itachi made sure of that. He couldn't let the village take the brunte of Sasuke's hate, no, he did this for the village. His efforts mustn't go to waste. So he lied.
"Live hating me…" Itachi glared down at his helpless brother. "I did this for myself. So live hating me…" Itachi needed his image as a perfect big brother to fade from Sasuke's , he couldn't help but to think that this was the best way to do it. Itachi would take advantage of this slaughter to make his little brother stronger.
He always wanted the best for Sasuke…
After begging the Hokage—yes, begging on his knees and everything—to not mention the truth behind the massacre and getting a definitive response, Itachi fled the village to make it seem like he was nothing but a crazy, power hungry teenager. He joined the Akatsuki willingly, rather nearly volunteered himself, to make it known where he was and that he was still alive. Yes, this is how Sasuke would find him. This would ensure Sasuke's revenge.
The next time Itachi saw Sasuke was on a mission to Konoha in order to retrieve the Kyuubi. Sasuke had tried to attack him, yes, his hate flared intensely and his chidori was so impressive, but he wasn't strong enough. He was blinded by hate. Itachi landed a painful blow to Sasuke, added some tsukiyomi as a reminded of his eyes, and retreated quickly. Itachi wouldn't be able to spend much time around Sasuke without thinking about all of those years. He needed Sasuke to become strong soon. His time was almost up. Itachi was going blind from the use of his Mangekyou Sharingan and worse, Itachi was being degraded by a disease.
The disease was eating away at him and his life. His body was weakening and becoming less and less endurable to combat. But he couldn't die to a disease. He promised his life to Sasuke, after all. He needed to live until Sasuke was able to bring him down. Itachi tried and took a variety of medicines to keep himself alive. It'll only last him so long…
After a little more than three years, Itachi met Sasuke again. Ah, he could feel the power and confidence radiating off of Sasuke this time. Their battle of the eyes was long and promising. Sasuke was much stronger than before. Ah, Itachi knew he could believe in his little brother. Believing in his abilities wasn't wrong after all. This would be Itachi's last battle.
During the battle, both brothers were due to collapse soon. Honestly, it could've been anyone's battle now. With one last push, Orochimaru was released from Sasuke's body. That disgusting snake… Itachi gladly rid of him for Sasuke. Sealed away the snake's essence and destroyed the heaven seal placed on Sasuke by Orochimaru. His little brother would have to deal with that bastard anymore.
Itachi coughed into his hand and blood splattered nastily between his fingers. He was running out of time. He approached Sasuke. His dear little brother didn't move. Sasuke was scared. It reminded Itachi of the night of the massacre. Itachi smiled reassuringly at his little brother and slowly reached up to touch Sasuke's forehead. Poke.
"I'm sorry, Sasuke," Itachi was so very terribly sorry, "There won't be a next time." He really wouldn't be able to spend any more time with his favorite brother. His only brother. He wouldn't be able to lie to him anymore.
Itachi always knew he could believe in Sasuke.
So one day I felt like writing a angsty/hopeful story and kindly thought of the Uchiha brothers. How was it? I actually went through the trouble of picking quotes out of the manga so it made me think that maybe I should've cited them... :/ But I gave credit to Masashi anyway! lol. R&R~ :)