An idea had come to Itachi as he watched his brother sleep, ignorant for once, of Itachi's presence. Itachi had decided, as he watched his brother emit light snores, that if he had to be torn apart from Sasuke, then he would do it of his own will.

Earlier in the day, it had been decided that Sasuke would attend the regular school. He would not be specially trained as Itachi had. For some reason, the thought made Itachi resentful. What, didn't they want another Itachi, another prodigy? Or, Itachi had thought darkly, was that the point?

He remembered murmuring, illuminated poetically against a white moon, framed by the doorway: It might seem like the end, Sasuke, but it's just the beginning. Someday, you will understand. And when you do, I'll be gone.