Oh yes, sandsibcrazy is aware of how late this story is! I am incredibly sorry. You see, fall semester classes in my university have started and I've been swamped with paper and the like. BUT I put off the two essay I must do this month to give my beautiful reviewers, favoriters, alerters, readers, etc this! I owe it to you, I really do!
Well without further ado, Chapter 2 of Dead Eyes!
Disclaimer: This literature is purely for recreational purposes. I gain no profit from the story. I do not own any rights to 'Naruto'.
Itachi watched his brother's tense back as he approached the open gates. Sasuke was the first to walk through Konoha so he waited for the others to catch up.
The two chuunin guards gawked at him, finally seeing what they thought was the youngest Uchiha after so many years. Sasuke ignored them, choosing to glare into the village. People were already starting to gather. The large crowd advanced gracelessly, bumping into each other to take a glance at who arrived.
Sasuke glared at them all, a familiar burning in his heart beginning to form. These people ruined Itachi's life. These people were the reason why his brother had to go rogue. These people- He jumped slightly when a hand was placed on his shoulder.
"Stay alert Foolish little brother." Sasuke nodded grimly; satisfied with the fact Itachi seemed at least a bit wary.
Kakashi got the ok from the guards and they entered.
Immediately the crowd became louder as the small group approached.
"Sasuke-kun!" Girls screamed, some were crying openly. Many were waving their hands around, trying to get his attention. The high pitched squeals almost drowned out the calls for his brother.
"Itachi-sama!" Women and men hollered in something akin to a chant.
The Konoha escorts flanked each side of the two brothers so the crowd couldn't get to them. The citizens still tried to push through but the men assembled were skilled enough to keep them away.
"They're calling your name." Sasuke said quietly, wondering what his brother could possibly be thinking about this situation. Itachi didn't respond.
"Sasuke!" A voice louder than the clambering crowd echoed through the streets and the addressed teen sighed. He wouldn't be surprised if the Kazekage from Suna heard the call as well.
"Bastard!" Naruto stopped in front of the escorts and crossed his arms with a wide grin on his face.
"Neji let me through!" The energetic genin pointed at the silent teen impatiently. Neji frowned.
"How did you escape Yamato-san?" Naruto laughed at Neji's inquiry.
"Nothing can keep Naruto Uzumaki caged!" He boasted. Sasuke groaned faintly, feeling his IQ dropping with each word that came out of Naruto's mouth.
"Move Hyuuga." Sasuke muttered as he brushed past him, breaking out of the protective barrier. He stood in front of his former teammate with a stance that suggested he wanted to start a fight.
"Naruto," he acknowledged, drawling out his former teammates name in a manner he knew the genin. A small smirk began to form as Naruto's expression turned sour.
Before Naruto could respond Yasuko began to cry. Naruto's eyes widened and his mouth dropped open. His eyes shot around as he tried to pinpoint where the sound was coming from.
"Iruka-sensei! You didn't tell me you were a father!"
Iruka became flustered and vehemently denied the claim as he tried to explain.
Sasuke groaned lightly.
"She's mine idiot."
Everyone sighed at Naruto's shrieking except for Itachi. He'd noticed a significant change in Sasuke's attitude once Naruto had arrived. His brother's chakra flow wasn't as erratic nor was the avenger as wound up as he was when they first entered.
Resisting a smile, Itachi glanced over at still screaming crowd. They were cheering for him, at that thought Itachi openly frowned.
Suddenly the entourage was moving forward. Naruto now moved with them, trying to get Yasuko's attention. He had successfully calmed her down with his comical expressions.
They arrived at the Hokage's tower with little trouble, despite the thick crowd.
"Brat what are you doing here?" Tsunade asked and then she shook her head. "I should have expected this."
Naruto beamed proudly.
Her look suddenly hardened and she glanced at the two Uchiha brothers.
"You must-" she was interrupted by the sound of an infant crying.
"What the hell is that!"
"She's hungry." The Hokage looked at Sasuke.
"Come again?"
"My daughter is hungry; surely that concept is not too difficult for a Kage to understand?"
"Sasuke." Itachi looked at his brother reprovingly. Sasuke didn't respond but he also didn't further his attack on her intelligence. He released Yasuko's baby bag from the scroll jutsu and prepared her formula, ignoring the stares of other's around him.
Folding her hands in front of her mouth, Tsunade hid a smile. Itachi truly was a lifesaver if he could control that boy. She cleared her throat.
"Now, as I was saying, you must be wondering why I have summoned you two here." Tsunade paused. Naruto grinned at Sasuke, badgering the Uchiha to feed Yasuko. Sasuke ignored him instead listening to Tsunade as he cradled the infant.
"We need to secure this village's strongest clans." She continued. Itachi cleared his throat. The Hokage glanced his way.
"The Uchiha clan no longer exists." He said simply. Tsunade grimaced.
"You two, alongside this child, are still alive. Do you not count for something?" Even Naruto could sense the atmosphere becoming dangerous. Sasuke placed his full attention on his brother. Hopefully, Itachi would tell Konoha right where they could stick their 'clans' and the three could go home.
"We do not." Itachi responded. Tsunade's mind was whirling now trying to figure out a way to get him to stay. She could tell the last Uchiha's were about to leave.
"A war is coming," this got Itachi's attention; Sasuke couldn't care less about what happened to Konoha.
"We only have the faintest idea of what we're up against. To win this war we'll need the strongest allies we have. Obviously, this is why we've called upon you two."
Itachi closed his eyes and everyone waited on baited breath what he would say next. Sasuke openly glared at them both. They wanted pawns! Did Itachi not see what they're intentions? Or did he choose to ignore them?
"We will stay, but whether my brother and I will fight is yet to be determined." Itachi finally responded. Tsunade let out a breath in relief.
"That is all I ask." She muttered tiredly, then with a louder voice, "Kakashi will show you where you'll be staying but Itachi I'd like to speak to you in private."
Sasuke didn't like the sound of that. Anything she had to say in front of Itachi she could stay in front of him.
"Go along Sasuke. I'll be with you shortly." Sasuke looked angry but he followed Kakashi reluctantly, strapping Yasuko to his back wordlessly.
Outside on the streets, Sasuke glanced up at the Hokage tower, wondering what they were talking about.
"Why can't I hold her?" Naruto screeched for the umpteenth time. Sasuke chose to ignore him so Naruto made a move to grab her anyway. He could handle a baby; Sasuke would just have to see this the hard way. One second Naruto had his hands outstretched to pick up the infant the next he was laid out on the ground.
Naruto blinked up from the floor, raising a hand to his smarting cheek.
"What?" he said deliriously, feeling as if the world had been flipped upside down.
"Don't ever touch my daughter again." Sasuke bit out, glaring down at the nine tailed fox container.
Naruto grumbled angrily as he picked himself off the floor, mumbling something that sounded like "stingy bastard".
Kakashi looked behind him in slight amusement, Sasuke glared back at him openly. He knew what the man was thinking. But, he was only interacting with Naruto because he had to. Naruto was impossible to ignore for so long, the jinchuuriki would make his presence known one way or another.
They walked in silence until Kakashi suddenly stopped in front of an apartment context. The apartment he led them to was large, with an open floor plan. Sasuke almost smirked, Konoha knew when to kiss ass.
"Wow! So big! Let's have a sleepover Sasuke!" Naruto yelled excitedly, bolting from one thing to another.
"No."
Naruto huffed but didn't say any more on the subject.
"Your residency here will be paid by the Hokage estate, ask Tsunade-sama if you have any questions. Naruto, don't forget you have a mission tomorrow. See ya!" Before Sasuke could respond Kakashi had left in a cloud of smoke.
Naruto groaned as he slapped his forehead. He had completely forgotten about it. He glanced over at his friend. Sasuke was busy spreading out a blanket onto the couch. He lay his daughter down gently and began to change her diaper. Naruto's face scrunched up in distaste until he took in how adorable the scene was. His face softened significantly.
"What's her name?" he spoke quietly, knowing his loud voice would break the tranquility of the scene.
"Yasuko." Sasuke grunted out as he adjusted her clean diaper.
"She looks just like you!" Sasuke snorted at that, if only Naruto knew.
"Ah, hello Naruto-kun." The addressed genin jumped, having not expected Itachi to walk through the unlocked door.
"What did the Hokage say?"
"Nothing of your concern."
Sasuke shot him a dangerous look. So Itachi was already keeping secrets from him? That feeling began to burn within him yet again.
"Itachi! We were thinking about having a sleepover! Wouldn't that be fun?" Naruto interjected, not liking the way Sasuke was glaring at his brother.
"Oh?" Itachi raised an eyebrow and glanced at his brother, seeing the glare he bit back a smile for the second time that day. "That sounds like a marvelous idea, Naruto-kun."
"Yes! Let me go pack!" Naruto hollered, pumping his fist in the air before he ran out of the apartment, supposedly to his own. Sasuke's eyes burned the side of Itachi's face.
Itachi left the living room to approach one of the closed doors. Inside was a large bedroom. He heard footsteps behind him.
"You left Yasuko on the couch." Itachi turned pointed out to his brother before the ninja could erupt. He could already tell he wanted to. Sasuke let out an agitated sound and left the room in a hurry.
By the time he had returned from the spacious living room, Itachi was sitting on the bed silently. Sasuke could tell his brother was just waiting for him to shout at him and he dampened down his anger in slight embarrassment.
"I know you do not trust me but listen carefully. What you perceive is not the truth." Itachi finally said. Sasuke flinched.
"I do trust you." Sasuke argued faintly, thoroughly horrified that his brother thought he didn't.
"Given the past, I would understand-"
"I trust you." Sasuke bit out before Itachi could complete his sentence. Itachi closed his eyes briefly before reopening them.
"Nonetheless, be patient foolish little brother." Then Itachi had a small little smile on his face and Sasuke's icy heart warmed at the sight. So Itachi had a plan? Hopefully, it ended with Konoha in ruins. He smirked back at his brother.
The movement was ruined as a large bang was heard. Sasuke was in the living room in a split second.
"She's so cute." Sasuke glared at Naruto as the genin held his child. The Kyuubi holder held the young child by her armpits; a wide grin was stretched across his face.
"Call me Uncle-Naruto." he encouraged.
"She can't talk yet dumbass."
"I know that!" Naruto snapped before he started to coo sweetly at the child. Sasuke rolled his eyes but didn't remove his daughter from the boy's arms.
"Ah, Naruto-kun." Itachi greeted, finally coming from the bedroom.
"Hey Itachi." Naruto said with a smile, taking in Itachi's appearance. To him, the Uchiha was a hero in his own right and he couldn't believe he was in the man's presence.
Sasuke easily took his daughter out Naruto's hands. He watched the exchange quietly.
"Have you had lunch yet Naruto-kun?" Naruto continued to stare causing Itachi to raise an eyebrow.
"Naruto-kun?" Itachi asked again.
Naruto finally broke out of his star struck behavior.
He pounded his fist against his other hand's palm.
"I could always eat!" Itachi let a small smile come onto his face.
Itachi made his way to the kitchen, knowing food would already be in there.
"How does ramen sound?" Itachi murmured, already reaching for the ingredients.
Naruto looked like he was about to wet himself.
"You can cook? Homemade ramen? Can I move in?" Naruto was a little too close for Itachi's comfort. The man stepped away slightly.
"That wouldn't be my decision." Itachi said in mild humor, glancing at Sasuke pointedly.
Sasuke frowned openly.
"No way in hell." Of course Naruto had to make a huge production of not getting his way. After a few moments of agitating pleading and shouts, Sasuke sighed.
"Whatever." He muttered but Naruto heard him.
"Yes!" He cheered, thoroughly excited about the idea of living with his best friend and the village hero.
Later, they all sat around a wooden dinner table. Too late they had realized their mistake. Sitting at the table would be entirely too weird, too familial.
Itachi sat across from Naruto, his brother and niece beside him. Sasuke had the infant in his lap, letting her hold a bottle of warm milk by herself.
"This is so good!" Naruto complimented, although it came out indistinct due to the noodles he had yet to swallow.
Sasuke stared at him derisively, steadily losing what little appetite he had. He suddenly got up, leaving his chilling ramen on the table. Yasuko began to fuss, upset that she was being moved away from the cheerful presence of her self-proclaimed 'uncle'.
"Where are you going?" Naruto asked before Itachi could.
"Training." And then they heard the door slam shut, followed by Yasuko's wails in the living room.
Itachi sighed and began to get up when Naruto put his hand out.
"I'll get her." and he moved to do just that. Itachi reclined back in his seat and willed his headache to go away.
Naruto came back quicker than Itachi thought he would have. He decided not to correct the way the teen was holding Yasuko. If Sasuke found out about the way Naruto held his child he'd be extremely upset. Naruto would have to hide for days from the father's wrath. Itachi fought a smile as Naruto sat down.
Putting the baby on his lap, Naruto had suddenly adopted a more serious expression. Itachi could sense the stare without even seeing it.
"Does Sasuke know…?" Itachi looked up from his own bowl at the inquiry.
"Pardon?" Naruto fidgeted impatiently, mildly uncomfortable with the conversation but curiosity was getting the best of him. Yasuko had fallen silent in his lap as if she wanted to know as well.
"Does Sasuke know the truth behind the massacre?"
"Yes."
"Then why does he treat you so bad?" Naruto's voice began to rise but he lowered it immediately.
"Sasuke has every reason to hold me to my sins."
"But you did it for him! For Konoha!" The Kyuubi vessel couldn't believe what he was hearing.
"Naruto-kun, there are things about my brother that only you understand. Similarly, there are things about him that only I, as his older brother, would understand."
"I know that's true," Naruto began lowly as he regained his composure, "but even someone like me can understand how unfair he's being."
"My brother thinks differently from you and I Naruto-kun," Itachi was a patient man; however Naruto was testing it today.
The genin seemed to sense this and he laughed slightly, nervously.
"That's for damn sure!"
In the forest barely contained by the walls of the village, Sasuke was throwing a kunai at a tree. He used momentum from the embedded steel to propel him upward. He attached the soles of his feet to the tree with chakra. Then, he began his training. Using his abdominal and leg muscles he did upside down sit ups.
His eyes narrowed after the fiftieth pump upwards. He dropped down from the tree, ripping the kunai out as he dropped to the forest floor. He chucked the weapon into the canopy, causing his unwanted company to reveal himself.
Kakashi threw shuriken at him, causing the criminal to evade to the left. In an instant, Kakashi was beside him ready to land a punch. Sasuke flipped over him and lunged forward. His hand crackled with chidori as he sent it through Kakashi's chest.
Sasuke smirked dangerously as he felt his hand sink through. Suddenly, the Kakashi disappeared with a puff of smoke.
"Too slow." He heard. Then his body was encased in the dirty forest ground, only his head above ground. Kakashi showed himself, walking up to the avenger with his natural persona.
"Same old trick, ne Sasuke?"
"Think again." He felt the breath on his neck much too late. Before Kakashi knew it, snakes were slithering up his body. They came from the Sasuke he had pulled underground, apparently a part of his clone jutsu. They restrained his hands behind his back and Kakashi couldn't help but grin.
"You've gotten stronger."
"Stronger than you." Sasuke breathed out. He had already been winded from the sit ups. The impromptu fight did nothing to help this.
"Perhaps in genjutsu and taijutsu but you lack something very important."
You lack hatred.
Sasuke let the snake's grip on the copy ninja tighten. He frowned as the words echoed in his head. Banishing the thoughts and memories away, Sasuke blinked slowly as if it would rid him of the headache he now had.
Seeing Sasuke wasn't going to prompt him into speaking, Kakashi continued.
"You lack passion." Kakashi said simply.
"I have plenty of passion." Sasuke bit out, he didn't lack anything.
"Impulsiveness is not the same as passion." Kakashi interjected calmly. Sasuke glared at him, his sharingan had finally activated itself. He glared at Kakashi, refusing to answer him.
"Well, how are you getting along with Itachi?" Sasuke's hard expression softened quite a bit and he felt a bit of guilt begin to erupt inside of him.
"Not that well." Sasuke admitted quietly. Kakashi barely raised his eyebrow.
"Oh?"
"Shut up." Sasuke muttered. The snakes puffed out of existence. Kakashi flexed his arms, starting up the circulation he lost with the constriction. Sasuke began to walk out of the forest, gritting his teeth when he heard Kakashi following after him.
He ignored the masked man all the way to his designated residence. With a sigh, he entered the home. Kakashi was not far behind him.
"Bastard, Kakashi-sensei!" Naruto greeted with a grin. Sasuke narrowed his eyes.
"Where's my brother?" He moved further into the house, noting his daughter sleeping on the couch. There were enough covers and pillows around her that Sasuke wasn't too worried.
Naruto scrunched up his nose and began to gag dramatically.
"Pee-yew! Sasuke you stink!" The criminal ignored him, successfully finding his brother in the kitchen. The quiet man was putting something in the oven.
"Itachi." Sasuke called. The older sibling straightened with a small yet easy smile on his face. Sasuke noticed Itachi had changed from his traveling outfit to a much more comfortable one. He seemed cleaner and definitely more relaxed.
Sasuke thought this look fit him. For once, his older brother didn't look like he was carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders.
"Sasuke?" The younger sibling realized he was staring and cleared his throat. He was unsure as to why his face felt so hot, he didn't feel sick. Realizing Itachi was still waiting for him to speak, he focused on what he was trying to say.
"I need to speak with you." And with a pause he remembered Naruto and Kakashi were in the room, "privately."
"Of course." And Itachi followed his brother.
Naruto glanced at Kakashi worriedly; he obviously wanted to say something. Sasuke hadn't been the most reasonable ninja in the world. The last thing Naruto wanted was a fight on their hands.
"They'll be fine." Kakashi assured. The simple words seemed to alleviate some of Naruto's tension. Silently, Kakashi added; I hope.
Sasuke closed the door quietly once his brother had sat on the bed.
"What's on your mind foolish little brother?" Itachi asked after a lull of silence. Again, there was a pause. The silence stretched on as Sasuke refused to maintain eye contact. Itachi opened his mouth to speak again, anything to prompt his brother but Sasuke cut him off.
"I'm sorry." Sasuke bit out harshly and then he sighed. There he went again, being much too hostile. "I shouldn't be treating you this way. Old habits die hard I suppose."
Itachi didn't say anything at first; he patted the space next to him. Sasuke sat next to him.
It was obvious Itachi was about to say something profound. Sasuke leaned in to listen; he wouldn't fail his brother again.
Suddenly Itachi was moving away from him.
"Perhaps you should take a shower first." Itachi said stiffly, his voice sounding a bit pinched. Sasuke frowned and lifted an arm to smell. He drew back in horror but he was unable to escape the smell. How had he not noticed before?
"Yea." He said weakly and got up to do just that.
Itachi ignored Naruto and Kakashi as he went into the kitchen. Grabbing some mitts, he opened the oven and checked on the cake he was baking. It wasn't anywhere ready.
Itachi was mildly surprised how well equipped the kitchen was. It had a little bit of everything. Konoha had provided them with many homely gifts, as if expecting this to be their permanent residence.
Shaking off the thought, he went about preparing a warm bottle for his niece. She should be waking from her nap any minute now anyway.
"You are quite…domestic." Kakashi spoke up as Itachi tested the bottle on the back of his hand. By now, it was only habit. He had fixed it perfectly so many times already.
"Thank you Hatake-san." Itachi said as he walked toward the infant. Kakashi scratched the back of his head quizzically. That wasn't the reaction he was expecting.
Naruto was sitting on the couch next to the infant, a content expression on his face as he read a scroll.
Itachi gently scooped the child up and sat down next to Naruto. Yasuko began to eat almost immediately. Both Naruto and Kakashi gawked at the scene, although the latter wasn't as obvious about it.
It was weird being in Itachi's presence without fearing an attack. It was even weirder to see him so calm and paternal.
Itachi could feel their stares but he didn't bother asking them about it. There was silence all around before Kakashi made his way toward the door.
"Don't kill each other!" were his parting words before he vanished. Itachi shook his head at the man's antics and Naruto laughed slightly.
Meanwhile, Sasuke angrily washed the soap out of his eyes. He was too far engrossed in his thoughts that the suds assaulted him before he could stop it. His eyes were already sensitive as it was, putting chemicals in them almost made him scream.
Stepping out of the shower, he toweled off his face. The avenger could feel how blotchy his skin probably was from the hurried scrubbing he'd done to get the suds away from his face. He put on the clothes he'd found in the bedroom. He chose a civilian outfit that didn't seem too affiliated with the leaf.
Once he had set foot into the living room, Naruto was the first to notice his mistake.
"Were you crying?" Naruto asked loudly, which caused Itachi to look up from the baby on his lap to his brother. The elder brother searched Sasuke's face, wondering what had gotten him upset.
Sasuke turned away from the prying gaze, feeling uncomfortable again.
"No, idiot, I got soap in my eyes." Sasuke resisted the urge to rub them; the embarrassment had yet to go away. His brother's eyes pinned so heavily on him did not help that fact at all. Finally, Sasuke could feel the gaze move away from him.
Sasuke tried to stamp down his irritation. He wasn't a child. Even if he was crying, and they were stupid for thinking he would have been, he was almost a grown adult. He could handle himself.
Ignoring them both, he sniffed the air. A slightly sweet aroma filled the air around him, a far cry from the foul stench he was emitting a half hour before.
"Itachi's baking a cake." Naruto informed him proudly. Sasuke let a small smirk curl his face mockingly.
"I didn't peg you as the baking type." He teased lightly.
"I'm not." Itachi said simply. Naruto blanched.
"B-but you do know what it'll taste like...right?" Naruto asked shakily.
"I do not."
Naruto's face fell.
"I'm kidding Naruto-kun." Itachi's lower lip curved upward slightly. Naruto's mouth opened widely.
"Don't do that!" he pointed an accusatory finger at the man, aghast at someone joking about food.
Sasuke took his child away from Itachi, irritated again although this time he wasn't sure why. He glared at Naruto.
They never did get around to eating the cake Itachi had made. Instead, they had left to their respective rooms. Naruto slept on the couch for now, soon he'd put all of his things in the study across from Itachi's room. It wasn't large but Naruto certainly didn't mind.
Sasuke put Yasuko in her crib. He arranged it so it was right next to his bed. He lay in the bed but he wasn't tired in the least. His mind raced of all the possibilities that could happen while his family was here.
Worry began to eat at his brain. He wasn't sure if he'd be able to protect them both, which he had sworn to himself that he would do. Too often had Itachi been there to protect him, it was time for him to show his brother he could do the same.
Still, something was gnawing in his gut, telling him that something was off. He tried to rest anyway; a quick glance outside told him night had fallen a while ago.
He glanced through the bars of Yasuko's crib. The infants face was calm and her eyes were closed. He could see her small chest rise and fall as she took in each breath.
The movement relaxed him slightly and he closed his eyes. Soon, he had slipped into the abyss, unaware of the turmoil going on right next door to him.
An almost silent clink was heard as Itachi buckled the weapon holster to the back of his leg. His civilian outfit was gone and now his black uniform reserved for missions covered his strong frame. He slid the mask onto his face and left the house without a sound.
He arrived at the meeting place early. The silent ninja stood there calmly, opting to sharpen a kunai to pass the time. It took about ten minutes before two ANBU had appeared in front of him. Had he been a lesser ninja, Itachi would have jumped. Being who he was, he had sensed their arrival before they had even materialized.
The two inclined their heads in some semblance of a greeting. Itachi stood stock still. Finally, they rushed at him, brandishing their weapons. One had a long sword, much like Sasuke's while the other had needles.
Itachi flipped backward as they came at him and went on the offense. He decided to use the kunai he's been sharpening He easily deflected the needles coming at him and countered the attack with a few swipes of his own. The two ANBU moved out of the way as he rushed at them. His kunai was held tightly in his hand, poised dangerously for anyone who got in its way.
The three parried attacks for a few minutes. Itachi could feel his wound become strained from the effort. He grimaced in pain as the wound stretched when he evaded a swipe to his neck.
"Enough!" The two ANBU immediately stopped their attack. The Hokage stepped in front of them. She crossed her arms across her chest. She stared down Itachi, an unreadable expression on her face.
The ex-criminal stood still, staring at her calmly through his mask although his stomach throbbed where Sasuke had stabbed him.
Tsunade walked toward him, her hands forming signs almost lazily.
Itachi grew tense as she went behind him but he faced forward. Suddenly, her palm pressed against the nape of his neck. The pressure and influx of invasive painful chakra from the jutsu caused him to lose his balance. He fell to his knees and grit his teeth in agony. White hot pain gripped his body as he shook from the effort of staying awake. Blood dripped from his eyes as his sharingan flashed in and out of activation. His head spun wildly as he struggled to form an intelligible word.
The pain only elevated when he felt his arms being restrained behind his back. The last of his balance being pulled away from him, he fell forward. The restraints pulled him back into the stance he was in before.
He faintly heard the Hokage's barked orders as he tried to keep awake. Itachi's eyes stung as he thought about what he was about to do. He was a disgrace. He's always been one and would continue to be one to his death. One single teardrop managed to intermingle with his crimson tears. The mask expertly concealed it. He bowed his head somewhat involuntarily as he felt the strength leave his body and his eyesight failing him.
I'm sorry Sasuke. I've failed you yet again. With the one coherent thought that was able to push through his foggy brain, he lost consciousness.
I hope you all enjoyed this chapter! Now the plot will begin to pick up. A few things to remember; this will have minor incest (as in no needless smut in the first chapter -_-), will have angst (as if that isn't already here), AND first person who gets me to 30 reviews wins a FREE oneshot of their choosing! :D! So expect someone to strike gold around the 17th or so chapter! heehee
Anyway, I hope this story continues to interest some people! Also, PAIRINGS! ItaSasu is a definite but does anyone want to see something else? Like perhaps Natsu and Gray maybe? Oh wait... moving on Feel free to suggest anything. I'll see if I can make it happen ;)