Sasuke
Sasuke was annoyed. The old fat law clerk could hardly keep up with him as he made his way through the dusty street with its increasingly heavy morning crowds. First he interrupts me when I'm sending Naruto-kun off on a mission, and then he can't even keep up in a crowd…Sasuke turned to watch the heavy-set man catch up to him, where he stopped to watch. The man was red in the face and breathing heavily. I should put a scare into him.
"Which office were you from? I can't recall anymore. You were talking about real estate, right, so that would be…."
"Golden Leaf Law," huffed the man. "Kishimoto-sama sent me." The man paused and continued to breathe heavily with his hands on his knees. "We've always handled the Uchiha estates," he said straightening his back. "For generations, now," he said with a bit of tremor.
"I'm splitting my business among more than one firm. I have no ties with the past anymore." There that got him nervous; they can't just assume that I'm not going to change lawyers. "So, which way….?"
"Follow me, please Uchiha-domo, Kishimoto-sama is waiting only a few blocks from here." The clerk straightened his jacket and proceeded to march off with a more pompous air than Sasuke could have imagined, his slight smile came unwillingly to his face as he watched, and proceeded to follow the fat man the couple blocks to the law office.
Sasuke climbed the stairs to the first floor where the offices were above a street level bookseller. Here, out of the noise and dust, the wood paneled office seems very quiet, as he toed off his shoes and gazed around the stark entry room with it's polished walls and mats. He had been here in his youth accompanying his father, once. It brought back sad memories. He walked in barefooted and sank down on the far side of the room where he could watch the doorway and the shoji screened wall easily. Training and old habits died hard. The fat man just watched him as he made his way into the room.
"Uchiha-domo, please make yourself comfortable, I'll call for some tea, and tell Kisimoto-sama that you are here." The man made himself scare. It was nice and quiet in the room compared to the street below.
The shoji screen opened a bit, and a woman in a simple kimono, shuffled into the room, placed the tray she was carrying in a tray with a teapot and cup and two small boxes and kneeled down, a couple steps in front of him. "Uchiha-sama, pardon the intrusion, would you like tea?" As she said this, she lifted the lid of one of the polished boxes, and revealed a white cloth, small wisps of steam lifted from the cloth with the lid. Sasuke hardly noticed the shoji doorway close behind her.
"Yes, please," said Sasuke.
"Would you like red, green or black tea?" the woman asked, taking a small wooden tong and grasping the steaming cloth between its carved teeth. Grasping the sleeve of her kimono, the elderly woman rose with a straight back to her feet and took a step around and another towards Sasuke, before sinking again to the floor, and extending the cloth to him. "Please refresh, yourself, I will make you whichever one you like."
Sasuke, extended a hand to take the cloth from her. "Green tea with toasted rice, please." There! She's not going to have that in her little box! Sasuke unfolded the cloth in his hand and lifted the moist heat to his face, glad that the woman could not see his smirk at his unreasonable request. After applying the cloth to his face, he folded it and held it out for her to grasp again with the wooden tongs.
"Uchiha-domo is too kind to me. I will be happy to make genmai-cha for him. I have it all ready for you." The woman said as she once again stood and shuffled back to the tray on the floor. Kneeling again, she placed the used cloth into the box it came from, and put the lid back on. Then opening the box on the tray, she revealed that it had several sections each with different teas, and several kinds of toasted grains. "Do you wish white or brown rice?" She asked sweetly, taking a small wooden spoon from it's fitting in the case, and started to fill the spoon's bowl with the green tea leaves. With her other hand she opened the small tea pot and steam wafted up from it. A small bamboo strainer was fitted into the pot's opening, and she dropped the bright green tea leaves into it.
"Brown rice," said a shaken Sasuke.
The elderly woman carefully measured more tea and then brown rice into the pot's strainer. When she was done, she put the lid on, and replaced the small wooden spoon into the box and closed the lid. She sat back on her heels, and demurely, gave a small smile. "Domo aritgato, Uchiha-san, if you don't mind my saying so, you bring back memories of your father coming here, he too, liked my gemai tea."
"Pardon me, but you knew my father?"
"Yes, he helped me get this job as a tea lady, when my beauty faded. He was always kind to me, his 'First,' he used to call me." The woman bent over the small pot and lifted the lid, peering in. She quickly capped it again.
"Excuse me, but I don't know your name, would you tell it to me?"
"When I was young, they called me, "Golden Lily of the Springtime," but my name is just Harukichi, now." The woman bowed over the tray, and pushed it forward so that it was just at Sasuke's feet. She lifted herself up, moved a step forward and again gracefully sank to the mat covered floor. She lifted herself forward, and again, held her sleeve has she lifted the pot to pour the rice tea gracefully into a tall cup. Gently with two hands, one on the bottom, she lifted the cup and held it out to Sasuke. "Your gemai-cha, Uchiha-sama."
"Domo arigato, gohsaiamas, Harukichi-san," said Sasuke, as he took the hot cup from her. His scarred hands, touching her wrinkled ones as the cup passed between them. He could smell the tea and rice as he brought the cup to his face. It reminded him of tall mountains with green rice paddies carved into the sides. It smelled very peaceful, and he took a sip holding the hot cup in his hands, one hand under it. He took the cup from his lips and looked at it carefully, it's uneven sides, and mottled glazing; "the gemai-cha is delicious, and the cup is beautiful, but I can see that its gracefulness doesn't compare to you, even now."
"Aiee," Harukichi said, "you are a flatterer, jus like your father." She said, hiding her face in her sleeve.
"May I ask why my father called you his "First," Harukichi-san"
Still hiding her face in her sleeve, "You don't need to call me Harukichi-san, Harukichi is good enough for me. He called me "First," because I was his first. Your grandfather brought him to me, when he was younger than you." Harukichi, chuckled into her sleeve.
Sasuke who had just begun to take another drink from his cup, paused at this statement. My father's first? Grandfather brought him to her?
In the awkward silence, Harukichi continued; "Times were different back then, not like these days when a maiden can have many lovers before she marries. Fathers would often bring their sons to a favorite mistress or courtesan to experience their first time, under the best circumstances, the first time is a special gift, isn't it? But in a marriage bed, it's best if at least one is already experienced, even if they pretend not to be so, neh? The Uchiha clan had great influence over the Heavenly Houses in Konoha, both as patrons and protectors of the peace."
"So, Harukichi, you were a courtesan?"
"Hai, but I was lucky. I found someone to protect me when I was offered the first time, and was able to perfect my other skills in conversation, and entertaining."
"Oi, who was your first, then? Would I know of him?"
"No, I don't think you ever met him, it was your grandfather. I was very young at the time, younger than you are now. He was already commander of the military police. Your grandmother had passed away many years before. He had seen me when he frequented the House I was living in, when I was a little girl, just helping out carrying the trays from room to room. He was always very kind to me, and when it became time to sell my first time to a customer, he outbid everyone. With him as my patron, I did not need to have other customers often, and he would have to approve of them or cover the loss. I was a young woman when he brought your father to me. After he died, your father continued his patronage, often just visiting to hear me sing and dance until he got married. My youthful beauty was gone by then. He then found me a good man to marry me. Years later, my husband was killed in a war and your father found me this job. I've been working here ever since."
Sasuke didn't know what to say. Here he had heard a whole history of his family that he had never even guessed existed. "Harurichi-san, if I can be of service to you, please ask me."
The elderly woman looked up at the obsidian eyes gazing on her, and again gave a small smile that she quickly hid behind her hand. "Uchiha-sama, honors me," and she bowed over the tray that separated them. "I do have a cousin who has a grandchild, who's very pretty, clever and can even cook who lives with me. I've spent many years, now training. Perhaps, I could introduce …?"
Sasuke's lips tightened. What could he say to this woman after offering her the ability to call in an obligation? Would he really be with Naruto-kun forever? Well, I can brush them off after meeting them, it's just another fangirl.
"I am quite busy right now, perhaps in a couple weeks? You can send me a note with a suggested date and time, and maybe you would want to come, too," asked an uncertain Sasuke.
"No, no, I won't be coming along. It's not like when I was a young girl," again, Harurichi hid her laughter in her sleeve. "After all, it's not like he would want me to come or that this would lead to a mi-ai!" She had a hard time suppressing her laughter at the shock on Sasuke's face. (AN: mi-ai: an arraigned marriage meeting.)
"He? It's a he you want to introduce me to?" sputtered Sasuke.
"Hai, another barazoku, for you to be with, neh? I was a courtesan in one of the best Houses in the five countries, and I have met many different kinds of men over the years. Men who can only do it, when they think they are taking a girl-child, men who can only stiffen when they have a stiff toy in their ass or a warm boy next to them. You have no interest in women, I know that, you never dated any of your fangirls when you were in school, there are no rumors of you being even close with any female other than your team mate, Haruno Sakura many years ago."
"Harurichi-san, only a few weeks past, I was picking pink hairs from my teeth," Sasuke stated quietly.
"Oy, everyone needs to experiment a bit and take a taste of something different; and what since then? I think…."
The shoji screen slid open, and the heavy clerk stood in the doorway. "Uchiha-domo, Kishimoto-san is ready for you, would you follow me?"
Sasuke, shaken up by the openness and perception of his father's first sexual lover, quickly handed the woman the cup from his hand and stood. "I'm very happy to have made your acquaintance, Harurichi-san. Thank you very much for the gemai-cha and the conversation." Standing he left the room through the opened screen door.
The heavy set law clerk, looked at the elderly woman on her knees, she turned her head so that he could see her profile, and nodded as the clerk slid the screen closed.
Sasuke stood in a narrow hallway and the clerk ducked his head as he walked by, and then opened another door further down the hallway. This one slid noiselessly into the wall pocket, and light could be seen coming into the hall. Sasuke walked down to the opening and stepped up into the room. It was furnished in a western fashion. A bookcase filled with western style books was behind a large desk, there were two chairs placed facing the desk. A thin man with glasses was seated at the desk and looked up at Sasuke's entrance into the room. He stood and took off his glasses, laying them on the dark wood of the desk, next to the scroll he was studying.
"Konichiwa, Uchiha-domo. I'm Kishimoto Ichiryo and I am honored to meet you again."
Kishimoto gestured at the chairs in front of the desk. "Forgive my manners, I was trained overseas, and the informality there has never left me. But let me assure you that I am well informed as to all matters of the Uchiha clan. Can I get something for you to drink?"
Sasuke walked towards the chair, he wasn't sure if he was being insulted, by the lawyer not coming out from behind the desk and lack of a respectful bow. "Domo, I just had some tea so, I don't require anything to drink. I don't remember you from the meeting in the inn with the other lawyers and business people. Where's Kishimoto Satomi?"
"My uncle Satomi sold his share of the business to me, after the dinner in the inn. It was the only way he could retire and live comfortably. I have spent much time going over the Uchiha family files in our possession, and I assure you that I am fully aware of all of your clan's legal matters, and your own personal issues."
Sasuke just sat in the chair listening. The thin man put his glasses back on and sat behind his desk, and gently rolled up the scroll that was in front of him.
"Uchiha-domo, we have a couple items that we need to take care of today, and then if there are further instructions from you we can proceed onto other long term items."
"First, the building you wanted. The consortium from the inn has purchased it for you, as a gift for continuing to do business. We don't know why you would want such a old and run down building that was so far outside the Uchiha district that you already own, but we have the papers to transfer ownership ready. All it requires is your chop, and signature. Will you be paying the transfer taxes? I have no sons, nephews or cousins that I can sell this company to if you decline responsibility for them."
Sasuke was chagrined. His actions at the inn had already had major repercussions. The lawyer who knew the most about the Uchiha clan's business had been forced out of his office, and now, if he didn't offer to pay the real estate transfer taxes, the entire law office would fold. "Kishimoto-sama, I'll be happy to pay the transfer taxes, it is my responsibility as the new owner."
"Good. I took the liberty of having your banker prepare a draft for you to sign. Here are the papers regarding the building and the bank draft. Please look them over. I'll be happy to answer any questions you may have." Kishimoto passed a thick red folio over the desktop to Sasuke, along with a single sheet of white paper.
Sasuke opened the folio. It appeared to have several different types of documents. On the top was the building's deed and the papers that recorded the transfer from the old owners company to Sasuke's. Then there were a series of leases between the tenants and the landlord. Sasuke thumbed through them. The rental amounts were all rather low, only a hundred or two ryo each month. Then the last lease was a shocker, even Sasuke's eyes widened as he read it. This lease was for several thousand ryo each month, and the lease holder was the Office of the Hokage. Sasuke scanned the paper, the lease called for quarterly increases of a hundred ryo. Sasuke picked up one of the other leases and checked what the rate increases were for and found that they only were for five percent every two years. Picking up another, it stated that there were no increases in rent for the first 10 years. Checking again, the lease with the 10 year waiver was next door to the one held by the Hokage's office. Sasuke looked up at the lawyer across from him.
"How much is the lease signed by the Hokage's office paying now?"
The lawyer pushed his glasses up with one finger, the lenses glinted in the room's light. "From our calculations, about 20,000 a month, it was signed nearly 15 years ago. That apartment pays as much a month as the most expensive of the other apartments pay in a year. We had a hard time getting the former owner to tell us why that was, and why the other apartments on the same floor or above or below it paid so little without increases. It wasn't until we had purchased the building that he told us that the occupant was Uzumaki Naruto, but I think that you already knew that didn't you, Uchiha-domo, neh?"
Sasuke's cheeks pinked at these words. Yeah, that's why I wanted this building. "I have plans for this building. Would you draft a letter from my corporation to all the tenants that the building is going to be under extensive renovation starting immediately? Since they have such preferred leases, they need to contribute to the upgrade costs of the apartments else they will be updated with the cheapest stuff on the market or not at all. They can choose the interior paint color of their choice, and we will pay for the plaster and paint but not the labor. I'll need estimates from electricians, plumbers and carpenters on the cost to bring the building up to date and back to its original condition. If the tenants won't cooperate, find a way to break the leases or increase the rents to comparable market rate ones."
"I think you will have a problem with that, after all, the leases are the way they are because Uzumaki lives in the building. It was the only way they could be rented at all. Or are you also going to break Uzumaki's lease?"
"Uzumaki's lease will remain as it is. It would make no sense to break it. His apartment will be totally updated and repaired. The Hokage's Office pays enough for it to be in the best condition we should be dealing honestly with the Konaha government they are obviously paying for a luxury apartment."
"Uchiha-domo, I am happy to comply with your request. In fact, I anticipated exactly this. I have also taken care of getting you three estimates each for the plumbing, electrical and carpentry work. All of the companies are reputable, and involved in your restoration project in the Uchiha quarter. The bid prices are all very favorable, and in my opinion, well under market pricing." Kishimoto took another folio this one black, and passed it over the desktop to Sasuke.
"Kishimoto-sama, I think that you have shown you are very receptive to my needs. You choose the three companies to do the repairs and updates. I don't think I need to look at them if they are all below market pricing. Send out the letters to the tenants. Do you have the clan's chop here?"
Kishimoto, smiled, "Certainly, this firm has been working with the Uchiha clan for many generations, I have it right here," he said, as he opened a desk drawer, and brought out a small wooden box. He passed this too over the desktop, and watched as Sasuke reached and opened it up.
Saskuke grasped the dark lid and opened the small rectangular box up. It was lined with bright red silk and a gold rectangle about two inches long and a half inch wide lay in a depression in the center of the box, it seemed to literally glow. He picked it up, it was surprisingly heavy and realized that it was made from pure gold. It was perfectly square around. Sasuke looked at the bottom of the chop, and saw that it had a intricately carved Uchiha fan on the bottom, with some kanji that he could not read since it was mirror reversed. A smell of phosphorous brought his attention back to Kishimoto, who was melting some red ink into a small shallow plate.
"I also have a pen and a pen knife, for you." Kishimoto, brought out a calligraphy pen, and a ornate pen knife from his desk drawer. "Please take the pen, and sign the deed, and the bank transfer, first. Then well stamp the chop on them. And since we wish to make certain that it was you who signed the documents, a thumbprint made with your own blood will seal it all." Kishimoto smiled again as he handed the pen to Sasuke.
"Certainly, that sounds fine. Just make sure that when you send your bill to me, that it too is 'under market price' as you will get to choose the contractors, who I am sure, will be most grateful for your decision." Sasuke flipped the deed to the last page, and started writing his pen with the western style nib, it sounded like a chicken scratching as it moved against the paper.
"Absolutely, Uchiha-sama, we are your lawyers, and we understand you perfectly. I look forward to our continued companies' joint prosperity."
Kishimoto passed the small cup with the red ink and a small square of paper over the desk. Sasuke touched the tip of the chop to the ink, and squarely touched the tip to the paper square to remove excess ink. He then firmly pressed the chop to the deed next to his name, the chop revealed the fine carving of the fan and the kanji. Kishimoto picked up the ornate pen knife, and opened the blade, it glinted in the light. Lighting another match, he held the knife's tip in the bright blue and yellow flame. He then handed the instrument to Sasuke, who took it in his left hand. Then holding up his right thumb used the tip to prick it in the center. When he withdrew the tip, a drop of glistening red blood welled up from the prick, again, using the small square of paper he pressed his thumb down, spreading the blood drop as he smashed his thumb to the paper, and again, quickly bringing it down on the deed. The two of them repeated this again for the bank draft. Once done, Kishimoto collected all the papers back together, and lit one more match over the small ink tray and burned the small paper square that had the extra chop marks and Sasuke's thumb print on it. They both watched as the paper flared and turned into a stream of ash falling into the ink cup.
Sasuke watched his thumb as another drop of blood formed from the spot where he had pricked it. He brought it to his lips and tasted the hot iron flavor between his lips. Kishimoto was putting away the folios across the desktop. He then opened a different drawer than before and took out a small scroll, and an envelope. Even from his seat Sasuke could see that both of them were clearly sealed closed with wax seals that had the Uchiha fan, thought one looked different than the other. Placing the two items in front of him, Kishimoto looked up at Sasuke, who still had his bruised thumb at his lips.
"Uchiha-sama, I have some additional family business for you. First, this scroll is your father's will. It is the document that forms the basis for your life since his death. As your family's lawyers, we had a copy of this document and paid your living expenses, fees and taxes since you were a small child. You are now, at a age when those decisions are yours and we are giving this document to you and you will be responsible in the future. You received an accounting of your assets prior to the meeting at the inn. You will find that at the end, there are some personal notes that your father wrote to his sons, which we have not been privileged to know, but knew from our instructions, that they were in this original." Kishimoto picked up the scroll in two hands and stood, holding it out over the desktop and bowed to Sasuke. Sasuke stood and took the scroll from the outstretched hands. He looked at the scroll and the heavy waxy seal; its impression looked just like the one that he had just used.
"This other document is from your brother. We checked with the Hokage's office and they have assured us that Itachi is deceased. We had instructions that if Itachi died, and you were still alive to give this envelope to you." Again, Kishimoto picked up the envelope with two hands and presented it to Sasuke over the desktop with a bow. Sasuke, after putting the scroll down, again, reached with two hands to take the envelope.
The moment he touched it, Sasuke felt a tremor pass through is body. He felt that he was back in the military compound of the Uchiha clan, fighting with Itachi with powerful genjutsu. The world around him seems to be shattering again, and he could see Itachi try to pluck out his eye. His hands shaking, he held the envelope on his fingertips, slowly trying to sit back down into the seat without collapsing in front of Kishimoto.
"Kishimoto-san, have you ever met my brother? Did you feel anything when you touched this envelope?"
"No, I have never met your brother. My uncle's notes about that envelope say that he hoped he never had to do any business with Uchiha Itachi again, that he felt that Uchiha Itachi could 'see through him' and that he was very uncomfortable while Itachi-sama was in the offices. I can only say that I feel much relieved to give you the envelope, and I am happy that it will no longer be under our care." Kishimoto looked down at the desk, and again, pushed his eyeglasses up his nose with one finger.
Sasuke looked again at the envelope now lying on the desk. It had his name written on it, there was the waxy seal. But this seal was different than the one on the scroll or the one that he used today. At the base of the fan's blade, Sasuke could clearly see that it had the tomoe of Itachi's mangkaro sharigan eyes with the lines radiating out from it. Even if it did not have this seal, I would know that this is really from Itachi.
"Kai!" said Sasuke, hoping that it would break any genjutsu that he might be in. He looked at Kishimoto who seemed to be startled by Sasuke's outburst. "I'm sorry Kishimoto-sama, I think that my brother may have used some of his specialties in the creation of this document," Sasuke tried to make a small laughing sound. "I may have to take it to a priest to bless before I can read it."
"Yes. Maybe that would be best," said a subdued Kishimoto. Standing, he said, "well, I will leave you if you wish to read your father's scroll, now or…"
"No, no, I'll go back to my home and read it there. I hope that it will bring back fond memories of him." Sasuke tried to give a smile, it just wasn't in his heart. Standing, he took the scroll and tucked it into a gap between his shirt and chest. From the inside of one of his sleeves, he pulled out a small scroll and unrolled it until he came to a empty circle which he then spread out on the desk. He slid the paper under the envelope until it was centered in the circle and feeling a slight wave of nausea, applied his chakra and made some signs causing it to be stored in the scroll, which he then rolled up. Looking up at a quizzical Kishimoto, he said, "Safer in there where I can't touch it. Thank you for your time today, I hope to see you again."
"No, Uchiha-sama, it was my honor to work for you. I hope that we will be doing more work to our mutual profit in the future." Kishimoto reached over the desk with an outstretched hand, only to find Sasuke's confused face on the other side. "Sorry, I apologize, it's my western training. They always conclude meetings and deals with a handshake."
Before he could fully retract the hand, Sasuke reached out and grasped it. "This is fine," he said. He felt his scarred fingers and palm being grasped by some very soft fingers and palm, one that had never done any hard work in its life. I thought only Naruto-kun's hands were this soft…"Thank you for your hard work. I look forward to our next meeting."
Sasuke stood and shook his hand, and then turned to leave the office. The heavy set clerk again walked him to the entrance where his footgear was stashed and bowed deeply to Sasuke. Sasuke nodded, put on his street shoes and quickly made it down the stairs onto the street. Dust, noise and the aroma of a busy market street assailed him after the quiet peacefulness of the office. He decided that he would go to Naruto's apartment and tidy up after this morning's mess. After all, I'm the landlord now, and I have to protect my property. Cleaning up is just another service, I provide. Sasuke giggled in his mind, after all, cleaning wasn't the only service he provided Naruto. With his heart lightened he made his way to the newly purchased building, which still looked pretty decrepit in the daylight. Soon that will change, won't Naruto be surprised! He hurried into the apartment complex. When he came to Naruto's door, he took out his key, and putting his hand to the lock, was surprised when the door was found to be opened. I'm sure I locked it when we left this morning. There were no shoes at the doorway. He noticed that the apartment had that smell that he loved, mixed with sweat and definitely the scent of sex, it was making him hard just breathing the air. I'm going to have to open the windows and air out the bedding before anyone comes here to remodel. He could not sense anyone in the apartment, but being a cautious person, he deftly inspected the entire apartment, taking note of some dirt tracks that lead into the bedroom and bath. He found no one, though it seemed that the bedroom closet had been rifled through and his clothes were out of their usual precision in the closet.
Finding no one in the apartment, Sasuke gathered up the bed sheets and pillow casings and carried them to the washing machine, and started a load. He walked into the bath; he pushed the damp and soggy towels toward the doorway so that they would also be within easy reach for the machine. Hearing the sloshing in the unit, he realized that he had the need to relieve himself and turned into the small toilet, where he proceeded to take his dick out so that he could relieve himself. It felt warm in his hand and he resisted the urge to give it few strokes, as he felt the pressure build and his flow started. The noise of his waters filled the little room and soon his emptying bladder felt relieved. Shaking the last drops off, he fastened up his trousers and flushed. Sasuke made his way to the sink and washed his hands. Standing up with the towel in his hand, he felt the scroll tucked in his shirt, and walked out of the room, to the little alcove where the washing machine was, and tossed the towel onto the pile by the bath room doorway. Sasuke padded softly over to the kitchen, where he took the kettle and partially filled it at the sink, then placed it on the stove and lit the burner. He then took out his tea set and box of tea, placing the pot, cup and tea box carefully on the table. Pulling out a chair he took the scroll out of his shirt and put it on the table. He reached into the sleeve and pulled out his little sealing scroll, and opened it to the circle where Itachi's envelope was, and released it from the seal. Putting away his own scroll, he looked at the table top where the two messages from the past sat waiting to be heard. The kettle started to boil, beckoning him with its whistle; Sasuke stood taking the little tea pot with him. He set it down and removed the lid, and poured in some hot water, which he swirled around and dumped down the sink, then he filled the little pot again, replaced it's lid and brought it to the table where he sat, and took the lid off again, and measured out a small amount of tea from the box, and clapped the lid on again. Which one? Which should I open first? After all these years what could my father really have to say to me, he'll think that I'm still just a kid, and not as good as Itachi. But Itachi? What could have written me, and how did he put such a powerful genjutsu on the paper?
Sasuke activated his sharingan and reached for the envelope from Itatchi, as he touched it again, he was caught in the genjutsu and started reliving the fight at the compound with Itachi again. He could feel Itachi's laughter and his fingers reaching towards his eye to pluck it out. Sasuke added the power of his curse seal to break the spell, and regain his own reality again. He broke the seal on the envelope and it unfolded to reveal another paper folded neatly within. This was also sealed with Itachi's own chop. Without hesitation Sasuke broke it open and was surprised at the contents. Two sealing circles were inscribed on the paper. A small folded square of paper also fell out. Sasuke picked up the little paper, and began to read.
Sasuke-kun, if you are reading this, you must have won, congratulations on your achieving the Mangekyo Sharingan, since there was no other way for you to beat me. Now you will find that the darkness that you had to grow within yourself to beat me will spread, and the light will fade in time from your eyes, as they did with mine. Since there is only Kakashi, Madara and you with Mangekyo eyes in the world you have little choice in how to proceed to keep your sight in the light. Kakashi's eye is old, and contaminated, weak from many years of use. While Tobi's eyes are also darkening after his long lifetime and his growing madness-- you will not be able to defeat him. What are you going to do? Pluck the eyes from your own children years from now after you watch one of them slay the other to obtain Mangekyo eyes? I never knew if you would live long enough to obtain the eyes, and I spent much time experimenting. Sealed here are two items that you may find useful. One seal contains the eyes of one of my shadow clones, if you can find a way to stabilize them so that they are more than chakra, I made them stable enough to endure removal, and put them in the seal but they were not useful to me. Perhaps Kabuto and the Orochimaru within him could help you. The other contains a semen and tissue samples that you could use to either clone me or create a nephew whose eyes you could use, you can just think of them as you do me! Don't think that you can destroy these samples and be free; you will be receiving them many times over in the coming years as you grow older and your sight darkens. And if you have children, I'm sure that the thought will cross your mind as they grow up and obtain sharingan, and perhaps Mangekyo sharingan. My best wishes for a very long life. Itachi
Sasuke crushed the note in his hand, and immediately felt that he was back again in the battle with Itachi. He couldn't move, and he watched the hand coming closer to his eye again and it moving under the eyelids and popping out his eye, with blood welling from the now empty socket.
"KAI!" he shouted, hoping that it would break the terror of the spell. He could feel fluid running down his face, was it blood? He touched his finger to the damp, and carefully opened his eyes; the fingers were only damp with tears. Dropping the note, and releasing his curse seal and sharingan, Sasuke ran to the bedroom and threw himself on the bare bed. He grasped Naruto's pillow and crushed it to his face, he could smell the forest scent, and a new rush of tears come to him. Why did you have to go on a mission when I need you now, dobe! Stupid fucking baka!
Sasuke continued to sob into the pillow, he lay curled up on the bed, the pillow held tightly to his face and chest. "Stupid stupid baka! Why aren't you here!"