Title: The incident of War
Summary: Itachi's thoughts on Sasuke, and the world.
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or the characters, yo.
Prompt: Misspent Youth
Rating: T
Comments: No youth is misspent when it helps you become who you are, so I wrote this instead. :P
They were new to this war, fresh blood for its greedy talons. They grew up with a notion that their home was safe, and they would be safe within its borders: safe to live, safe to love.
But Sasuke now knew better. He was living in a hell on earth of his very own war. However he didn't know yet that the people were seen as bodies and numbers to throw at the enemy. That before he was born, children younger than him had died fighting; had died trying to get away.
Itachi hadn't noticed the error of his ways until it was all over. He grew up in war, and wanted to shield his brother from its tragedy, but now he had single-handedly tossed him to it. No longer would Sasuke be able to smile without just cause, to sleep heavily knowing he was safe. He was doomed to keep a constant awareness, for he now knew that home would never be safe for him because it wasn't so before.
Any love that drew near him would fizzle before touching his skin, because how could he trust someone else? But as Itachi looked on, and saw how his brother grew, he knew that there HAD been love. Someone's reach was strong enough to sift through the barrier, and truly touch his heart. It must've taken a lot of work, dedication, and saying the right things in order to become his new family.
Itachi was glad that despite his unintentional efforts, Sasuke had been taken care of. The leaf was truly a magical place, where anything was possible. Maybe Sasuke would still have a chance at youth, if he changed his ways now. Revenge was something only for old minds that can't find another alternative, and Itachi was confident Sasuke's new family would teach him so. They would guide him on the proper path that Itachi could not, even in his death. And help him feel and wonder like any child should (even though he was a teen now, he'd always be a child in Itachi's eyes).
Yes, there was still hope left for Sasuke, for he was still pure and had to find the right color. 'He doesn't know it yet,' Itachi thought as he floated before his younger brother, 'but no other color will fit other than the one he had before. He won't be complete without them.'
The love of a woman to guide his soul to righteousness, and the bond of a brother to beat sense into him if he gets it wrong. Yes, Itachi had hope for the future when he faded away that day.