Warnings: A bit of OoCness, brooding, angst, guilt-trip (with the AU)
Chapter 2 - Why?
Itachi knew many things. He knew that his words and his simple, brotherly kiss were noticed by the boy, that Sasuke had been awake the entire time, and that he was deathly afraid. But one thing he didn't know what was going on the child's head, though he could presume. Although he really didn't – couldn't – fathom what Sasuke thought of him. And because of this, Itachi couldn't bring himself to tell Sasuke to 'wake up', he didn't think he deserved to. Another thing Itachi didn't know was what to think of himself. However, right now, he had to continue his little charade. So the teenaged Uchiha began to make some soup for lunch, putting in fresh meat from a recent deer that he and Madara killed. As the water boiled and the liquid thickened with the ingredients and spices, Itachi squatted by the pot, stirring it. He could feel his little brother's eyes on him, but he chose to ignore them. It was his fault that this all happened and he had no right to acknowledge Sasuke. Itachi knew his own mind was in horrible condition, and he was now warped beyond what any counselling could fix.
"Why?"
Itachi visibly flinched at the small, weak, and hurt tone of the boy's voice. The effort to remain neutral and stoic was becoming difficult, too difficult. It was so hard to handle, and Itachi forced his mind to work. He was so unstable that he couldn't hear the words of Sasuke's pathetic whimper.
"Why?"
The difficulty heightened, and the struggle to hold himself together was almost too much. That was, after Itachi realized that Sasuke's soft whimper formed as actual word, and it was the most devastating one that Sasuke could ever ask. Itachi didn't respond, trying to ignore the question and just continued to stir the soup.
"Why?"
The question obviously wouldn't go away, just like Sasuke… and it was his own fault, his own pathetic excuse from before. And, it was especially because he couldn't disappear from Sasuke's life, he couldn't stand to have Konoha corrupt the youngest Uchiha. But, more than anything, Itachi couldn't stand the though of having Sasuke hate him. His heart was throbbing in his chest, "You're too young to know." Itachi managed, complete with a lifeless tone that he typically used around the boy. Still the questioning persisted.
"Why?"
Itachi breathed a little heavier and he cast a sideways glance to Madara who was obviously interested, however showed no indication that he would assist with any words. That was typical of the eldest Uchiha, yet it also seemed that the man was actually enjoying his current predicament. Itachi frowned, but was his duty to deal with Sasuke anyways. He also wasn't too sure if Sasuke meant 'why am I too young' or 'why did you kill everybody'. Perhaps he should choose the safer route, "The matters are too complex for your mind Sasu-ke." Itachi's voice broke on the last part of his brother's name, and he was having trouble keeping his own self steady, nonetheless his voice. He wished his answered satiated Sasuke's questions.
"Why?"
Itachi couldn't stand this dull questioning anymore and he turned his head, glaring at the boy. Sasuke quickly turned away, immediately shutting up. Itachi suddenly felt guilty again – oh how he sought to comfort his little brother – but he couldn't do anything, he would just make matters worse. "S-sorry…" he mumbled quietly but Sasuke made no more movements nor voiced anything in response to that. So, Itachi continued to cook, looking lifelessly down at the now-boiling stew. He ladled out the bowls, putting one next to Sasuke. Itachi ate his food in a trance. He would explain everything once he could think, once he could operate again. Right now, he was just a useless blob of guilt, agony and sorrow. It required his entire concentration to lift up the ceramic soup spoon into his mouth. It was pathetic.
By the next morning Sasuke didn't eat his food.
"Why?"