~ I've been reading fanfics by my phone, so the look of the paragraphs there is narrow. That said, if you're reading this via desktop computers, I suggest reading this fic with the 3/4 format.

~ In other news, WHY FFDOT NET WHY? WHY ERASE ALL MY BOLD/ITALIC FORMATS?! I have to redo them all! D:

18: But

Except that he couldn't do it.

For some reason, his feet stayed rooted despite his words of urgency before. Even his eyes could not seem to shift from one stage to the other.

Across from him, the girl sat, equally still. Itachi would not be surprised if she collapsed from a push of the breeze.

If she comes with him — or rather, as it appeared that this scenario would be more apt — if he brought her with him, he would ensure that she would live. But would she really live?

She could easily become like Sasuk — That Boy, perpetually buried in depression and hatred. It would not help that the person she rightfully blamed all her miseries on was also the one who would keep her alive.

On the other hand, if she dies...

Itachi stared at the girl, a heavy weight lodged in his stomach. She was a mere step from joining her fallen comrades.

Death... would be kind to her. And it would be everything he deserved.

But...

Itachi peered at the green eyes staring at nothing. They were bright from moisture, yet lifelessly dim.

But —

It's your fault, That Boy's whisper fleeted though his mind.

But —

Itachi exhaled, an action his body did not need but something his mind craved.

The reason I failed, he thought, was because I had no one to rely on.

19: Logic

Logic was magic; a safe crutch to fall onto when emotions overwhelm him. Right now, it was ruthlessly nitpicking everything he had ever done, and the reasons behind them. New found perspective and consequences provided valuable insight, and despite the supposed impartiality of this logic, guilt seeped and colored his thoughts.

I could not trust anyone.

I could not trust myself.

20: Leaf

Despite everything, he was still Konoha's Uchiha Itachi. But when — and why — did he start working alone? Konoha preached the importance of working together and trusting your comrades, so why did he not do so?

If he was a loyal Konoha nin, then he should have worked as a loyal Konoha nin.

… No wonder why everything failed. He was aiming for an outcome — of peace and trust all around — yet he could not bring himself to even step in that direction.

21: Right

But no matter.

Right here, right now, she is Konoha. If — when, he feared — things immensely deteriorate, she would be the last remnant of the village, of home.

She would be the symbol of his deepest regret, but perhaps, also of...

Atonement?

Opportunity?

Itachi had only felt such strong uncertainty years ago, at the eve of the Massacre, and even that paled in comparison with the lone soul in front of him. Was he doing the right thing? It would be so easy to snap her neck painlessly right now.

Yet at the same time, if she dies without him making any effort, when he has absolutely no excuse and plenty of reasons to save her — when he can finally save someone — saving that meant — truly meant saving, not manipulation —

(Or is it?)

— he would regret it forever.