67. Playing the Melody

Music is made up of harmonies, melodies, rhythm, beat, and notes. Together, played right, they are beautiful, but one misstep, and the melody is off, twisted. As was the way of the song of Sasuke's life. Once a full rich song of family and togetherness, reduced to a halting and discordant duet, or maybe a trio. Yes, that was it, a trio. Sasuke had always felt that he was the Harmony. Good, skillful, and important, but never first and often overlooked. Ever perfect Itachi would be that melody, misplayed of course. He was flawless, perfect, the important one. That is, until that misstep, that fatal moment that threw the whole piece off. The youngest Uchiha had always wanted that part

Sitting in the cold dark room that he was occupying after the fight, Sasuke made a discovery. The baseline, the third Uchiha. Madara. A comical figure at the moment, he hid his face behind the orange mask that was his guise as Tobi. So he had been the one to keep the harmony and melody running in time.

And now he feeds me unbelievable information. thought the spike haired boy. Turns my whole life in circles, and now this. Suddenly the striking realization that he was now the important one reached his mind. No one could hold him back. Like the thumping of low, time-keeping music, the words of Madara faded into the background. Where was he to go now? Where was his life headed? What was his purpose? As of that moment, all of his goals were achieved. He had avenged, made peace, moved on. It was his turn to be noticed. It was Uchiha Sasuke's time to play the melody.

But… what good is the melody witout the harmony? he realized, knowing now why he felt so purposeless. For music is all three, without one, it is empty, meaningless.