Update (03/29/2019): Originally this story was only three chapters, but I finally chose to split chapter three into two parts simply because it was too long compared to one and two. So here you go, and please review this final chapter! :D
Chapter Four
"What have you done now...?"
He refrained himself from saying Kabuto's name as soon as he looked to the side and saw the man standing beside him. No, it was not Kabuto - he did not recognize him, but he sensed that this man was far worse than Kabuto. So, another master of the Reanimation Jutsu...and what does he want of me?
Has he brought back others like me?
The man was pale, half bald and the other half of his head covered with hair white as snow. The left half of his face was deformed grotesquely, but he was well-built. Yet Itachi Uchiha allowed his eyes to narrow at the sight of him - and the fact he was leaning over him. With a single powerful push, he shoved the man away from him and gracefully sat up, after popping his back muscles and his limbs. He felt little pain; he recognized it as the kind when he was alive...
He stopped himself there. Wait, what was going on? This couldn't be -
Looking down at his body, he saw that his unclothed self lay with a complete body, restored and in perfect shape. His skin wasn't cracked, and his muscles and everything beneath the surface were flowing with blood. Whoever the stranger was, he had perfected the Edo Tensei - or did he?
"Itachi Uchiha," the man spoke, "the name is Ken'ichi, and I am a former subordinate and test subject of Orochimaru's." As I suspected. "I was one of his earliest when he was studying the Reanimation Jutsu, but after me, he failed with the technique he used. It was one he never wished Kabuto to discover for reasons I don't know myself. I have to say that I thought it was a risk worth taking when you and your brother -" He nodded towards Sasuke. "- came to mind."
Itachi found himself looking down at his otouto chained down on the table, suppressing a flinch. Sasuke had changed; he looked older than he remembered last time, for his hair had flattened on either side, and he was dressed in black and as a traveler...and I see he is missing his left arm. The Sharingan saw it. Alarmed, Itachi wondered what had happened to his baby brother. And was the war...?
"Explain yourself then, Ken'ichi," he said through his teeth, sliding off the table, aware of his nude form. He kept his back to the other man as he listened to the tale, of the Fourth Great War at an end and Madara Uchiha defeated, the Five Great Nations as allies - and then Sasuke's journey of pain and redemption, now married to the kunoichi Haruno and expecting the first born Uchiha child. And Naruto Uzumaki was the new Hokage.
If he didn't loathe the man right now, he would have smiled when he thought of the new family his brother had begun, and the man Sasuke had become.
But now: "What have you done to me that was so different from Orochimaru and Kabuto - and the original, the Second Hokage?"
"Oh, well, to keep the story short: your brother's blood and seed."
Itachi could not keep the gasp from leaving his throat. He...he had Sasuke's...he felt filthy and violated knowing this. "But look on the bright side, Itachi," the vile man cooed, and he sensed him coming up behind him. He snarled at the contact of the body against his bared back. "At least with the strongest of bonds you have as brothers, you may survive and be luckier than I was, for I am to this day rotting inside physically and emotionally when I thought Orochimaru-sama saw me special..."
You are nothing. Kabuto was special to the snake - but you're a failure of a creation.
A hand grasped his hip and pulled him close. He let him do it, for now. His body reacted, when that hand moved over his stomach and stopped above his special place, a finger finding a sensitive, nervous spot in his pelvis near his modest bush. The act was enough to tell him that he'd found him attractive in death and even more now; spoken words were not necessary. Itachi never allowed another to touch him there in his lifetime. This man obviously had a sick fetish for the dead, or others like him, that it made the Uchiha retaliate and gave him all the more reason to summon his willpower.
Ken'ichi's fingers finally grasped the mound of hair between Itachi's legs and breathed hotly into his ear. "How does it feel to be just like me, like you used to be when you were alive - and all thanks to your dearest brother's help which completes it?"
The way he spoke about Sasuke in that disrespectful manner pushed the last of his buttons.
He growled at the degrading touch on his naked skin and whirled around to grasp the man by the throat. This fool underestimated him as Kabuto before him. "I don't know who you are precisely, nor do I have time to try - but I know that I must subdue you as you underestimated me. You have committed a far more loathsome form of defiling involving my body and soul as well as my brother whom I sacrificed everything I had for, and for our village. Whatever plot you have, I will stop you. You were a fool to believe I would not."
He leaned up into the bastard's ear and hissed, "And no one EVER touches me the way you did." With that, he delivered a strike to Ken'ichi's face. He would place him under the Izanami if he would, or Tsukuyomi and gain the answers -
"ITACHI?!"
He looked up with his eyes briefly before returning them back to the fallen man against the wall. "Kabuto," he stated stiffly, seeing the fool restored to his former self. So...he learned his lessons. I'm impressed I got through to him.
With him were a young man with wild red hair and another with a light blue mane as well as purple eyes, his jaw dropped to reveal shark-like teeth, telling him he must originally hail from Kirigakure. It made him remember that Kisame, his old comrade and partner, was dead. Itachi could see it in their eyes that they knew Sasuke good and well. He nodded and tilted his head backwards to his unconscious brother who was finally rousing to awareness. His eyelids fluttered and rested on him, unaware that help had arrived - and he groggily uttered, "...aniki?"
Itachi walked around and helped him lay on his back. When he did, he narrowed his eyes again at the deep red gash on Sasuke's wrist. "Otouto...I'm here." He brushed his hand over Sasuke's forehead then and there before calling forth Amaterasu and freeing him from the chains.
He scooped his little brother into his arms and carried him like a bride just as Kabuto and the others were taking care of Ken'ichi.
~o~
Aniki...my brother...
To see Itachi again, to look into his eyes when he awoke to Kabuto and the others coming to his rescue...this could not be a dream because he found himself being carried by his brother when they returned to the village. He did not care what would happen to Ken'ichi; he heard Kabuto state that Orochimaru-sama would know how to deal with him.
Right now, the man was unconscious and placed under genjutsu. All that mattered was that he was happy and on the verge of cracking when he looked into Itachi's eyes, seeing no trace of darkness in the oculars. Onyx irises were surrounded with living white, the Sharingan not activated, but he wasn't smiling. Sasuke knew why.
He was dead and wishes to remain so. He did not ask to be brought back. And it was partly my fault because I agreed to this...I was selfish.
"Itachi," he began only to be hushed.
"Save your strength."
He wanted so much to talk to him again, but not to catch up. Nothing else mattered, only that he had his brother again. "Itachi, I have a wife and child...you need to see your niece or nephew..." he pleaded, at the same time they arrived at the site of Otogakure. It was then that he noticed his brother was still nude as the day he'd been born. "Big brother, before I even think about bringing you amongst my wife and those orphans down there -"
Kabuto cleared his throat, flushed when he saw what the younger Uchiha was talking about. "Y-yes, Itachi, he's right. I recommend some clothes in order..." he said, much to the embarrassment of both Suigetsu and Juugo, who looked ahead and pretended nothing was going on.
Itachi ended up wearing Sasuke's cloak as it was the best he had at the present. Seeing him like that made him think about how he looked during his days in Akatsuki, but without the red clouds and the slashed headband of the Leaf - he looked just like the Itachi from their childhood. Sasuke could feel the old feelings return, if only for this one day; his determination to make his brother see that he was an uncle now was greater.
"Itachi," he tried again when they were walking towards the village, "you're going to be an uncle."
"I know," the elder replied simply with a small smile before it was gone. His eyes spoke it all: he was not meant to be brought back by another's hand. He served his time and did what was needed from him.
"Yeah, speaking of which, Sasuke," Suigetsu spoke casually, "the wife went into labor while we were out hunting for you. Karin pinpointed your location and let us do the work while she took care of Sakura."
Alarm went off within Sasuke, and he took off ahead without waiting for the others. He heard his name being called, but there was no time to lose. If something happened to them both...
He halted at the shack which was the main examination room and Kabuto's office combined - and nearly ran into Karin who shrieked but pulled herself together and pushed her glasses back over her eyes. "They're both fine," she said quickly, flushed to the cheeks. A bright grin penetrated her face. "Congratulations, Daddy." She stepped aside to let him see Sakura in her white gown, cradling a bundle in creamy blankets - and a head of dark hair poked from the top. Pride swelled in him as he stalked over to stand before his wife and newborn - our child.
Sakura's features were drawn, dark circles underneath, but her emerald irises were glowing with happiness. "Sarada, just like we talked about," she said softly. The little one was wide awake, showing broad onyx eyes blinking curiously. Sasuke's hand subconsciously reached out to gently touch the small, silken forehead. Their daughter...
She's beautiful.
Juugo was beside him now, glowing with happiness like he would around the small animals he befriended and communicated with. "What precious life, Sasuke," he said softly, giving the mother a bow of the head. "I have no doubt she'll be strong like her parents one day."
"Eh," Suigetsu said from behind, disinterested and making Karin explode. Sasuke rolled his eyes and turned to tell them to leave only for a familiar hissing voice to fill the air.
"The both of you, leave before you cause a ruckus for my protégé's family," Orochimaru said crossly. "Otherwise, you will face the wrath of my snake possession." The threat and malicious glint as well as the smile to match made both of them go red to the face, their eyes turning to white balls of fear, and they scampered out and away despite the fact one of them had only delivered the baby and held her first beside her mother.
Despite his irritation, Sasuke silently thanked Karin for this.
"Orochimaru, I didn't think you'd be interested," he said coolly at the appearance of his old sensei who chuckled and glided in like a phantom until he stood before mother and daughter. Sakura regarded him with a rigid expression.
"Relax, Sakura-chan, I have no intentions to harm you. I offer my congratulations." Yellow eyes shone as they locked with small, newborn dark ones as the baby grunted and reached out to him with her tiny fist. Orochimaru laughed and reached out, letting his finger be taken in by that little hand. "My, my, strong grip so soon. You must be proud, Sasuke-kun."
He snorted. I have yet to even hold my own child - As soon as the thought entered his mind, he found himself looking over his shoulder when he remembered his brother, and stepped aside so both his wife and the snake saw him. Safe to say, their priceless reactions were enough.
"Itachi, you're dead!" Then Orochimaru's eyes narrowed. "Ah, Ken'ichi, I don't need to ask." His lips pulled back when he snarled. "He used the method I strictly hid away and should never have been used again..." Then his expression softened into a smile. "But it's magnificent, Itachi, to see you restored to your former self."
The elder Uchiha lowered his eyes. "I have no intentions to stay, Orochimaru. I saved the village I loved during the war, and I do not have a purpose now. I won't become like that failure called Ken'ichi. No matter how strong my bond is with my brother, the world would not welcome me back with open arms - and I would be in pain for eternity." Onyx eyes glazed with tears he would not let fall. Then he turned to look down at Sakura and smiled. She returned the smile. "It's an honor to finally meet you, Sakura."
"I-Itachi," she answered, unsure of what to say at the sight of the man who had been dead - the real hero of the Leaf Village but accepted a darker path for the sake of the village's leadership. Then she adverted her gaze to the infant in her arms. "I wish things were different for you." He shook his head and raised his hand to silence her. No one noticed Orochimaru slip away and beckon Juugo to join him, leave the family alone. Kabuto stayed behind to watch, also waiting to do a check-up on mother and child.
"What's done is done, but now I was given the opportunity to finally meet my brother's strong and capable wife -" His compliment made her flush and look down shyly. "- and I want to hold my niece."
Sasuke held his wife's hand, watching the poignant moment when Itachi took Sarada from her mother's arms. The baby gave a small, toothless smile and cooed as if she recognized her uncle already. Itachi fought not to crack as he cradled her. "Little one," he cooed, pressing a kiss to her forehead, "you're going to be a strong Shinobi one day...but my greatest regret is that I won't be there to see it happen. I traded away so much for the needs of others, but I will always watch you from the other side. I wish I could stand beside your mother and father and feed you, train you and give you all you need until you can take care of yourself - but you are another that I gave my life for. I just hope someday you can see me as your inspiration like your father once looked at me."
The baby looked at him as if sensing his unhappiness as well as that of her parents, and Kabuto who lowered his gaze to the ground, unsure of what to do. Itachi leaned forward then and kissed his niece's forehead before giving her back to her mother. Sakura did not have more time to get to know her brother-in-law, so Sasuke decided now was his chance before the day ended to spend it with his family as a whole.
Night fell when the happiness was at an end, and the brothers now stood on a hilltop several yards from the site.
"Itachi," he whispered, looking upon the face of the brother he loved so much.
"Otouto," Itachi answered, his brother's cape rippling around him that he held it close to him. "This is it. And I believed last time we met was the final."
He nodded somberly. And now is for sure. "My wounds have healed...but I still missed you. I wish there was a way for you to remain, to start over again outside the Leaf Village - if Orochimaru can somehow save you internally." The man had done so many new experiments lately that it could be possible...
But Itachi shook his head. "No, brother. As I told you, my time is over. I love you, Sasuke, never forget that. I'm proud of the man you have become, and from the other side, I will always watch over you through thick and thin. I have no doubt Sarada will grow and outshine you. I believe in her, Sasuke - as I believed in you." He leaned forward then...and placed a kiss on the younger's forehead. A wave of love, simple as that, coursed through his veins like fresh water, purifying him and clearing the dirt in its path. He closed his eyes.
"I love you, too, aniki."
The rustle of clothing made him open them again, seeing Itachi in his glory, handing him the cape because it was his. He was going to Orochimaru, or he would find means to end it on his own, and Sasuke would not stop him. Itachi's gaze settled on his left arm, at the stump where he'd lost to Naruto, his mouth in a grim, knowing line. But he said nothing. He only smiled like he did when he returned to the afterlife to join their family.
But he did say this: "Tell Sarada about me one day."
Itachi had his time, and he had no more regrets, like he told his younger brother before the released jutsu took his spirit back. A continued life was a greater torture than anything.
Sasuke watched him go with a tear down each cheek, a heavy heart that would soon heal again, and a smile as well as his final words carried towards the fleeing silhouette: "I will, brother."
Am I the only one in tears? (sniffles and grabs a tissue)
If anyone is wondering if Itachi went to Orochimaru to end his life again, or if he did it himself, the answer is who knows. Sometimes it's best left unknown, because there's been enough hurt around here.
So, there you have the ending. I never planned to make this a BIG story, but I did intend to make it as complex as possible. For those of you expecting Itachi to live, I'm sorry you were disappointed, but it was necessary. As it says, Itachi served his purpose and owes no more, so a prolonged existence in a world he no longer belongs in would be torture not only for himself but for Sasuke who had gotten over his death. And since it's best no one knows the truth about the Uchiha massacre, Itachi does not deserve to live on the run again.
