A certain chakra signature spiked to alert the Hokage of his presence.

Tsunade didn't turn around to greet him, just continued to gaze out the window at her beloved village.

"Itachi, I didn't expect you back so soon."

"My informants were more co-operative than I had anticipated."

Tsuande looked over her shoulder to give him a cursory once over.

"Despite your fortune, you look exhausted. Get some rest, Itachi."

Itachi, Tsunade noticed, didn't show any sign of agreeing to that.

"Itachi," she called, just as he was about to leave.

She turned to face him, striding forward. Itachi just watched her impassively till she came to stand in front of him.

She saw the fatigue in his eyes despite his perfect deadpan face.

"I don't agree with the method, but it happened and I never said it..." she looked straight into his eyes in complete seriousness and gratitude, "Thank you for protecting my village."

For once, Itachi looked affected. His eyes revealed more surprise than anything at first then they softened to acceptance. "It is my village as well, Tsunade-sama."

Tsunade smiled and stepped back, dismissing him with a wave of her hand.

::

Yes. Here it was, earlier perhaps, than he had expected but the timing was inconsequential; the proof of his hypothesis and the confirmation of the weight of his own existence was before him.

Madara had no eyes for Sasuke who was on his knees, clutching his head against the pain undoubtedly raging through him or Fugaku who was standing there frozen from the shock of watching his wife burn away to nothing and seeing what her body had been host to. Madara watched in dark triumph the young boy before him, hardly higher than his knees in height as he looked worriedly at Sasuke.

The boy was still very young; Madara had been older when he had killed his mother but it didn't matter; he seemed old enough to comprehend the basics. The boy was very small and slight but his cheeks had a babyish roundness to them. He had black eyes, similar to Sasuke's but much wider than his, they were like endless pools of liquid black. His hair however was brownish black like Itachi's and Fugaku's. He looked strikingly similar to Sasuke when he was about that age, the only obvious difference being his hair color.

A boy, Madara mused. He honestly didn't care either way but he began to wonder if it generated only boys? Perhaps they were more suited to the purpose but it was better than way. Madara already felt a kindred relatability towards the little child. And those black flames, that still surrounded the boy in a kind of protective shroud, were most intriguing; Madara couldn't wait to find out everything he could...

The boy's attention was captured by Sasuke. Wide eyes blinked in childish worry and then a second later the boy began to move off the bed. Madara cut him off and then those huge eyes were turned on him...

The innocence and earnest in that absorbing stare would be short lived...

"Welcome to the world," Madara said with a vulpine smile.

The boy looked to the man before him and then back at Sasuke and then to Fugaku and then at the room around him, taking it all in, glancing a couple more times at the people in the room before finally settling back on Madara who waited patiently for the boy's focus.

Madara wished Itachi could have been here for this; he would give anything to see Itachi's reaction to all this...but he couldn't ignore the strong desire to talk to the boy in private.

Madara was a lucky man; usually he got the things he desired and just as he was about to take the boy away with a space/time jutsu he was once again granted his wish by fate and Itachi came into the room.

Madara watched him carefully as Itachi looked around, speedily assessing and then moved to Sasuke.

But just as Itachi was about to place his hand on Sasuke's shoulder, Sasuke batted his hand away and shakily stood up, his fists clenched in the effort not to scream out against the pain he was feeling. Itachi watched as the blood trickled down Sasuke's eyes, a conflict in his eyes before he turned away from his little brother.

Madara watched them from the corner of his eyes and when Itachi's furious eyes settled on him, he wagged his finger at Itachi.

"No, no, mustn't touch. You cannot disturb the eyes in any way when they are evolving unless you want to risk him going blind. What unfortunate timing Sasuke has."

"Sas...ke."

Madara and Itachi both slowly turned to the naked boy who had just spoken in a soft uncertain voice. Fugaku was still a gaping vegetable near the bed.

"Yes," Madara confirmed to the boy, who looked at him in wonder before turning to take in his fill of Itachi. "That's boy's name is Sasuke."

Itachi stared at the boy with wide and unsure eyes.

Madara crouched down to the boy's eye level and inclined his head towards Itachi.

"And that one...is called Itachi."

"Where is our mother, Madara?" Itachi asked tensely.

"Dead," Madara said cuttingly. "You just missed the show."

Fugaku let out a whimpering gasp. No one paid him any attention.

Sasuke couldn't see anything, he could only hear their voices when he concentrated as hard as he could but it was impossible to follow their conversation; this pain wasn't a joke. Sasuke felt like his eyes were being dipped in molten lava and his head was being repeatedly cracked open. How in the hell was he supposed to endure this for twenty four fucking hours? But he willed himself not to scream; his stubborn pride reminded him that Itachi had endured it much better than this so he just had to put up with it. He was aware that something significant was happening but he was barely suppressing the desire to just succumb to the pain and yell his lungs out as it was... devoting attention to anything else was simply not possible at the moment.

Madara smiled sickeningly at the boy as he said, "The adults need to talk for a little while. You can wait for me..." and he sucked the boy into his space/time jutsu, transporting him away from Konoha for now. It wouldn't do to let him talk to Itachi right now...that could come later, after Itachi decides what to think of the boy.

"So," Madara drawled intertwining his fingers together and stretching them out luxuriantly before him. "We need to talk in private. And Sasuke needs his rest." Madara spared Fugaku a glance.

"And him...I don't know. Take a walk, grieve the death of your wife...this really doesn't concern you much."

Fugaku didn't appear to have heard, only stared stupidly at the place where his wife had been. It had happened so fast...it was so easy to not believe that it was final...and irreversible. Surely she wasn't dead...she could still be...

Itachi was lost as to what to do as he saw unshed tears filling his father's eyes and watched as his brother fought hard against the pain of the Mangekyou awakening.

Madara clicked his tongue impatiently. "There's nothing you can do." he walked the few steps to Sasuke, grabbed him by his arm and picked him up easily as though Sasuke were nothing but a rag doll and dropped him, none too gently, on the bed.

"There," Madara said dispassionately. "That's as comfortable as he's ever going to get. Let's go...or are you not interested in this matter anymore? The one you've been trying to get to the bottom of for days now?"

Itachi simply looked at the man before him with his mask of apathy on, wondering how much more he would ruin his life before he was finally satisfied.

:: :: ::

Once the two of them were alone in one of Madara's stone walled rooms and both of them seated on opposite ends, Madara, looking thoughtful, started to speak.

"How much do you know about me, Itachi? I doubt you know anything at all. Funny, considering I'm the person closest to you."

Itachi didn't say a single word. He just watched Madara with hawk-like eyes, waiting...

"I wonder..." Madara fixed Itachi with a piercing look. "What you will decide when I tell you this..."

Madara took his time, seemingly preoccupied with some thoughts before speaking again.

"The ritual that you and your beloved Sasuke took part in...do you remember the name of it?"

Itachi didn't reply, just heightened his glare.

Madara rolled his eyes. "Co-operate with me now, Itachi. I don't like the idea of talking to a statue."

The look on Itachi's face clearly told Madara he didn't give a fuck.

Madara could be stubborn too. He crossed his arms and simple sat there as silence filled the room and stretched for an unfortunate amount of time before Itachi finally snapped and relented to his wish.

"Innocence Mortality."

Madara smiled in sick satisfaction. "Very good...yes. Do you know why it is called Innocence mortality?"

Itachi was silent before Madara gave him a reproving look. Gritting his teeth in frustration he answered like a good school boy: "No, I don't."

"Well…simply put, it is like the death of innocence...since willingly committing such an immoral act for power is akin to selling your soul to the devil. In fact, there's precious little distinction. In my time, incest was common because of the elitist mentality that in-breeding would result in superior offspring but that was purely cultural; the majority of people still thought that incest was an unforgivable sin, that no power was worth it and would naturally condemn those willing to do such things for power. Uchiha attributed that attitude to jealousy and tried time and time again to advance their abilities by this method. But little was known about it even then and each time they tried, it resulted in failure. Till a boy possessing a rare mutation; the Mangekyou, tried and finally, the ritual yielded results." Madara gave Itachi a pointed look. "Three outcomes, to be precise."

Itachi raised a brow.

Madara smiled at the boy. "Remind me again, what were the powers I promised?"

"I obtain an infinite Mangekyou and Sasuke obtains Mangekyou."

"So that would be two weapons."

"There's another." Itachi said heavily.

Madara smiled, seemingly delighted. "Oh, yes. You just met him."

Itachi sat up straighter. "What are you saying, Madara?"

"But I believe you already know, right? Shall I put it in simpler terms? That boy is a human weapon, who will be, take my word for it, unbelievably powerful. And of course, this power as usual, comes with a price, another soul- staining act; matricide. Your mother is dead, her life force, energy and knowledge was all drained out of her and fed into that boy...which is why he has some years on him and will be able to understand basic speech."

Itachi looked at the ground, thinking fast. "What on earth...? He is a human no matter how you look at him...a weapon? What are you talking about?"

Madara looked at Itachi coldly before getting up from his seat and walking over to stand in front of him.

"You know...that's how everyone regarded me."

Itachi looked at Madara in surprise as the latter gave him a twisted smile.

"When I was born...people treated me like a weapon, to be used at their disposal and at their command. Wars...I can't tell you how many I fought, believing that to be my only purpose in life...it still is because... that's why I was born. My brother Izuna had sex with my sister Izanami and from that union resulted three powers the likes of which has never been seen amongst the Uchiha; their Mangekyous and ...me. I was the first successful human weapon created...I guess you could say my living this long is proof."

"Then that boy...is immortal? No, before that...if that is really how you were born...you said your sister and your brother..."

"Ah, yes..." Madara said flippantly, messing up the hair at the back of his head, "Although this really depends on your perspective...you could consider that boy...since he comes from the same mother...as Sasuke's and your brother."

"..."

Itachi stared at Madara, his eyes wide at the revelation. Madara inclined his head, letting the boy take a while to digest the implications of that statement, while he entertained himself by taking in the boy's ever stunning beauty.

Unable to stop himself he brushed the silky bangs away from Itachi's face. The action however seemed to jolt Itachi back and he grabbed the collar of Madara's shirt and brought him closer. Though the action was forceful, there was no anger in his face.

"Why?"

Madara made an irritated face. "I have already told you my reasons but if you need some more...how about that the boy will be an asset to me no matter what? You can ignore his existence or treat him like a tool...that's fine; I can use him. After all he and I have a connection; we are the only two of our kind. It's more likely he will throw his lot in with me rather than you or Sasuke."

Madara gripped Itachi's wrists tightly even as the boy slowly loosened his hold on the material of Madara's t-shirt. "I needed to know what I was...what I am. Because before you, Itachi," Madara gave Itachi a look that made him uncomfortable, "there was no way I could know for sure, what I was and what the fuck this ritual meant because I was unique and nobody fulfilled the requirements for the procedure. The whole thing could have been a series of arbitrary events that weren't even co-related."

Itachi glared at the man. "So in other words, you really didn't give a fuck about the war, you just wanted to research your origins and Sasuke and I were your test subjects."

Madara removed his hands from Itachi's wrists. "You're complaining? I saw your handiwork on Sasuke's neck just now...do you still want to act the martyr?"

"If it weren't for you he and I wouldn't be in this hopeless situation. What more could you possibly do, Madara, to further mess up my life?"

Madara gave a humorless laugh. "That's rich, coming from you, Itachi. You know, Izuna was possibly the only one who treated me like a human and even that regard came after years and many accomplishments on my part. But you...you say there's no way he could be a human weapon and you've only just seen him once! It's ridiculous...the way you think...even in your interactions with Sasuke...if it means his safety you'll do it...no matter what. Having a brother like you...if I had …you're the one who made me question what I thought I was..."

Itachi scoffed, turning his face away. "That sounds like some sort of confession."

Madara was taken aback for a moment before he smiled at Itachi in a very ugly hostile way, resisting the urge to slap him for that impudent comment. "Don't flatter yourself, Itachi. I'm just comparing you to Izuna, that's all."

Itachi lapsed into quiet thought while Madara was left to feel just slightly uncomfortable with how the conversation had turned out. How on earth had this precocious brat managed to distract him from meeting with the boy and after he had been waiting for so long to do so? But before he left, he wanted to know...

"So, you and Sasuke are lovers now?"

Itachi looked at Madara, raising a brow at the question. "It's none of your business, is it?" he said coolly.

It was Madara's turn to raise an eyebrow. "What's with that attitude? And I'm practically your matchmaker. I told you that you would thank me soon."

Itachi made a sardonic face. "It's not like that."

Madara was interested, despite himself. "What's it like, then?"

Itachi caught on easily. "Why so interested?" Itachi raised a superior brow. "More comparative notes on me and Izuna?"

Madara narrowed his eyes; he had created a monster. Itachi was getting too good at using sarcasm and for some reason, he was getting turned on by it, inappropriate as it seemed.

He gripped Itachi's hair at the back of his head and pulled on it harshly, forcing Itachi to look up at him.

"Don't get cocky, Itachi. You think I care either way? Whatever you and Sasuke are...it makes no difference to me."

But being this close to Itachi wasn't helping his case. If Madara were to show any sign of lust Itachi would catch it. So he let go of Itachi abruptly and left, swirling out of sight via his space/time jutsu.

:: :: ::

Madara materialized at one of Akatsuki's secret bases, where there was plenty of food and weapons and where he had sent the boy. After looking around for a short while, he found the boy eating an apple while sitting on a table. The flames were no longer enshrouding him. He had found and clothed himself in the black Akatsuki coat that was several sizes too big for him.

"Ah," he boy exclaimed when he noticed Madara, less enthusiastically than he would have liked.

"Sasuke." the boy said.

Madara made a face. "No. My name is Madara."

The boy smiled. "Madara. Is Sasuke okay?"

"Why do you ask?"

The boy needed to think before he could answer that. "He didn't look okay. And he was in danger before."

"What do you mean?" Madara asked joining him on the table.

"Before...I came out, I could...know that he was in danger."

Madara frowned. "You mean you could sense he was in danger."

"Yes," he said easily. "Not very good at this. I had a lot more information and energy to get from what I was in...the woman."

"Then, are you telling me you stopped your growth process because you sensed Sasuke was in danger and you wanted to help him?"

"I think that is it. I like Sasuke. It's a nice name. And he came to visit me often. Also, he feels nice."

"He feels nice?"

"I don't know how to say it. Inside him is something that feels nice to me."

Madara made a face. "Okay, let's forget that for now."

"Is he okay?"

Madara frowned. He forgot he had no patience for kids, who at times had one track minds and at other times they would be distracted by anything and everything, both of which were equally annoying.

"Yeah, he's fine. I'll let you see him, if you do something for me."

He nodded quickly. "I would like that. What do you want?"

"Those flames that were around you earlier…could you bring them out again?"

The boy nodded. "Is that all?"

"Would you be able to tell me why your flames have that particular color?"

He shook his head, shrugging. "I learnt...inside...that fire is red or orange or yellow. And sometimes blue...Sasuke can make fire come out of his mouth. His fire is red and orange."

Madara nodded, his irritation was offset when he remembered that the boy would, to some extent know Itachi and Sasuke, because he had leeched off Mikoto's memories and knowledge. The boy seemed a bit obsessed with Sasuke, which was strange. He was sure that Itachi had visited Mikoto just as much as Sasuke had and then some and the boy should have information on Itachi as well as Sasuke.

"Do you know anything about Itachi?"

The boy nodded. "Sasuke's brother. He loves Sasuke very much but he is never at home. He is very smart. And he is scary." The boy thought of all the knowledge he had received as facts and not subject to Mikoto's opinion. Madara could just barely remember when he too, thought the same way.

Madara chuckled at that. Mikoto was afraid of Itachi?

"Why is he scary?"

"He has no face."

"..."

"No! I mean...he has no emotions. Itachi is too serious and... never talks."

Madara grabbed an apple from the table and took a bite lazily. "Okay...we've gone off topic a bit. I was asking why your flames are black."

"I don't know. Why is anything any color?"

Madara raised a brow. The kid had a point. "So you can control this fire of yours...it is a fire, isn't it?"

"I think so. When I want something to burn, it will burn till it's gone completely. I wanted to stop the lady from being burned because I wanted to get more energy and facts but I couldn't. When you left me here, I burned some things."

Madara looked about. There was no evidence that anything had been burned. There were no signs or smoke smells or ash. Nothing. What a mysterious fire indeed.

"What did you burn?"

"A chair. A stone. A tree. A rock. A barrel. Water. A -"

"What? You burned water?"

"Yes."

Madara looked at the boy uncertain for a while, before he got off the table and asked the boy to follow him. Outside of the base there was a thin winding river which Madara pointed at.

"Can you burn that?"

"Yes."

"Okay. Let's see."

The boy didn't even look like he had to make an effort. He just looked at the water surface and the black flames appeared, tiny in the middle of the river but they weren't extinguished by the water, instead the flames were consuming the water and there was no smoke generated either. Soon, the river was gone. Madara was impressed. An indestructible untraceable fire. What an exquisite power. They really were a powerful breed.

Madara made a shadow clone and the boy looked at in interest.

"A shadow clone." he said matter-of-factly before the shadow clone in question pulled out a kunai and ran it through him. The boy was surprised at the suddenness of the attack but the kunai simply went right through his stomach; where a wound should have been, there were only black flames licking away at the hole created and when the shadow clone withdrew, his hand was on fire and he disappeared in a cloud of smoke. The fire closed in on the opening in the boys' body, sealing his flesh as though no attack had been executed.

In addition, Madara assessed, his body appeared to be a walking incarnation of this black fire and even simply touching the boy would be dangerous. If this was the case, he would be virtually immune to any conventional physical harm.

"You're powerful."

"Okay." he said simply. "Can I see Sasuke now?"

"Soon. I'm going to throw a fireball jutsu at you. Try to avoid it or counter it."

"Okay."

Well, at least he was co-operative. Madara made the hand signs and let out a huge katon jutsu which the boy didn't even blink at. Madara, though he had been expecting it somewhat, was still surprised when he saw the black flames consume the large ball of fire. Well. The boy could even burn water and normal fire.

Madara grinned at the boy who didn't smile back this time.

"You need a name and I have the perfect one for you."

The boy looked at him expectantly.

"From now on, your name will be Amaterasu."

:

:

:

TBC

It might be confusing but Amaterasu is like a logia. Those of you who read One piece should know as for the rest; they have the abilities to turn their bodies into a natural element. Amaterasu looks human but is really walking, talking fire.