Broken Dreams

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto

Chapter 6: My Heart is in Konoha

Itachi walked out with a heavy and dark heart. Sweat was pounding down his face and he could feel the angry eyes of Konoha pressing down onto him. Sasuke saw his brother walking out and immediately followed him. The Sharingan master walked over to a cold stone bench while his younger brother followed closely behind. Itachi sat down feeling the pain and regret that he had carried with him all these years.

"What's wrong?" asked Sasuke.

"Nothing, just being in this village again, brings back memories," said Itachi.

"Yeah, me too. I remember us being real brothers…" Sasuke said happily.

"Do you think we are brothers now?" asked Itachi.

"Of course. But we aren't free men. I don't we can ever be," said Sasuke sadly.

"I'd love to taste the air when we are free. Everything tastes much sweeter and filled with less sadness, but there isn't much I can do to redeem myself," said Itachi.

"It's enough for me," reassured his younger brother.

The wind blew through the trees and the leaves rustled slightly. The two Uchiha brothers were doing something Sasuke thought impossible before. There were talking…just talking… Finding out things about themselves that they would never know before. Sasuke smiled at his brother and Itachi did it back to his younger brother. Sasuke had never seen Itachi's true smile before and it was beautiful. True. Sincere. Like his inner self.

"I've taught you the entire jutsu now…" said Itachi.

"Yes, and it is very powerful," Sasuke said gratefully. arigatou yo...

"Sasuke, there is something I must tell you. Mother. Father. I'm sorry that you had to suffer through it without them. I'm sure I told you this before, although I just felt as if I had to say it again. I'm sorry, Sasuke. I truly am…" breathed the Sharingan master.

Sasuke took a deep breath and looked kindly at his older brother. He had loved the times they were being brothers. Sasuke had cherished these moments down to the bottom of his heart. He felt that Itachi's heart wasn't black, but warm and helpful in the most kindest ways possible. No one had actually seen the Itachi beneath his murderous Sharingan eyes, but Sasuke has. And this young brother wanted no one else to be his older brother.

"It's all right. I forgive you. The moments that we have shared…I feel that they are more precious than anything to me," said Sasuke cheerfully.

Itachi patted Sasuke's back and looked on into the night sky. Sasuke leaned back into the bench and looked at it also. It was beautiful. Nothing had looked so majestic and great to him before in his life. He was missing something, he was certain now. Sasuke didn't need revenge. Sasuke didn't need hatred. Sasuke only needed a brother.

"Do you sense something?" asked Itachi with a start.

"Yeah," answered Sasuke suddenly.

"We should leave," said Itachi.

Sounds of angry cries were heard from far away. Then, the Konoha Leaf shinobis appeared right in front of Itachi and Sasuke. They were Jounins. The wounded Kakashi, Asuma, Gai, Kurenai, Shizune, Genma, and others had encircled the two Uchiha brothers. Itachi then activated his blood red Sharingan that could be seen through the darkest of night. Sasuke did the same, determined to protect the one he loved and the only family he had left.

"Sasuke! Why have you made a decision to stay with Uchiha Itachi?" asked Gai.

"Because I have, and that's all you need to know," answered Sasuke venomously.

"He could be controlled by Itachi," whispered Asuma to Kurenai.

"I'm not being controlled. I am of my own free will," Sasuke said firmly.

"Itachi has murdered your entire family…" Kakashi said painfully.

"Yes. I am aware," said Sasuke.

"Then why can you stand there between him and us? He murdered your family and destroyed your life. You aren't benefiting through his lies!" shouted Shizune.

"He isn't lying. Itachi apologized. Maybe you don't know this… But Itachi was forced to kill my parents because his Jounin sensei told him that was the only way to gain power. Although Itachi killed that sensei and then tried to wash himself away in the rain. I saw his pain. I saw his anguish. You haven't…" Sasuke said poisonously.

"Still, he made the decision to kill his parents," Asuma said. "I'm not clear on details. Although that is still a murder despite his reasons. He killed your entire clan, not just your parents…"

Sasuke looked angrily at the Jounins that surrounded him and his brother. Itachi got up from the bench and scanned the area. The Sharingan master seemed to be in a small trance. He stared into the Jounin's eyes and looked murderously on. Sasuke then remembered his dream… Frightened, Sasuke reached into his back pocket and took out a kunai.

"He has been the best brother to me. I don't need much else. When I was a kid, revenge was everything to me. But even you Kakashi, you stole his teachings and passed it to me. The meaningful words you spoke were from Itachi. My brother was the one who meant to pass me the knowledge."

"Kakashi-san. Even though Sasuke's decision is to be with me, why are you interfering?" asked Itachi solemnly.

"He deserves a better life. One without breaking law's and causing destruction everywhere," answered the Sharingan Kakashi.

"Kakashi-sensei, I choose to be a part of this. I want to have a brother again. Even though he was a murderer. I do not care. He taught me powerful jutstus, techniques that cannot be comprehended in Konoha. Only with him, I can gain true power," said Sasuke fiercely.

"True power?" asked the Jounin sensei.

"My own power, my own jutsus, without others who hat e him. Itachi has told me enough to allow me to forgive him…why can't you?" asked Sasuke.

The air became still and the light had fallen. There was silence between the two Akatsuki members and the Jounins of Konoha. Sasuke felt confident, for Itachi had taught him amazing jutsus within the last few days and he was more powerful than ever. He knew that Orochimaru wasn't the power he needed…

My little brother...Sasuke, you truly have become amazing. Your power can almost withstand mine and you have a different will now. Your aims are different and you choose to gain power for different reasons. I have lived through hate, spite, and greed though I am still an Uchiha. I will protect Sasuke… He is an image of me…

Itachi opened his eyes murderously and activated the Mangekyou Sharingan. All the Jounins surrounding the two Uchihas had fallen onto the floor clutching their heads. They were becoming destroyed from the mind and Itachi was in control. Sasuke looked amazingly at his older brother, wanting to gain that power too…

"I do not have enough chakra left, Sasuke. We should leave. I was forced to use Tsukuyomi on everyone. A power I haven't tapped into for so many opponents. My eye sight is weakening…"

"Let's go," said Sasuke firmly.

Itachi winced and then immediately closed his eyes. The effects of using the Mangekyou Sharingan on so many people had seriously hurt him. Itachi could barely hold himself up and fell on the ground clutching his eyes. Sasuke looked shocked at his older brother and knew that he should rest as soon as possible.

"Itachi!" shouted Sasuke.

Itachi slowly got up and still had his eyes closed. The pain was unbearable and still, the Sharingan master had been trained to deal with this. He used his other senses and could almost see his surroundings without his eyes. Sasuke and Itachi then leapt up and out of sight from the other Jounins. Within another second, all the Konoha ninjas had fallen lifeless onto the ground with a heavy blow to their minds…

---

"I need to save Sasuke…" said Naruto softly.

The two other team members of Team 7 were still within the hospital and still in critical condition. Sakura sat up within her hospital bed and looked sadly at her hands. They were cut and bleeding through the bandages. Even with her superior medical ninjutsu, she was unable to heal herself. That sword…had belonged to the Shoudaime…

"I'm sorry I couldn't stop him…" apologized Sakura.

"Sakura-chan…I underestimated them. I should have tapped into the Kyuubi power!" shouted Naruto.

"No… You would have lost yourself in that form," whispered the kunoichi.

Naruto was about to open his mouth and protest until he heard the worried notes within Sakura's voice and the sadness within her tone. He looked at the pink haired kunoichi with kindness in his deep blue eyes. The two shinobis were great friends now, and were still determined to save their third teammate. Uchiha Sasuke.

"Don't worry, we'll save him," Sakura said warmly.

"Yeah…" Naruto echoed softly.

As Sakura pulled the covers over her, Naruto noticed the horrible cuts in her body. He knew that she was unable to heal as rapidly as he had. For he had the Kyuubi's healing powers within him. Still, Sakura was a powerful medical ninja, and to not be able to heal cuts… Naruto got out of his bed and looked at the cuts more closely.

"A green coating?"

The Jinchuuriki looked shocked at the girl. Even with his current IQ, he knew that the transparent coating was stopping all healing ninjutsus to help the girl. Soon enough, Naruto went over to his closet and got dressed. Then, he walked over to the side of Sakura's bed and saw her sleep, breathing softly. He gently kissed the girl on the cheek and walked out of the room, putting his head protector in place…

---

"Will we all right over here?" asked Sasuke.

"Do you remember where this is?" asked his older brother.

"Our home…"

Sasuke helped Itachi in the doors. The building had been cold and isolated ever since Sasuke had not been living there. Itachi then painfully opened his eyes. Even with short rests, he was able to gain much of his stamina back. Itachi still kept his Sharingan off, for her knew that he had used the powers too greatly.

The younger brother helped Itachi in towards his own room. Itachi sat on the bed and felt the silk beneath him. Sasuke then sat on a nearby chair and brought Itachi an old photograph. The Sharingan master looked at the photograph and smiled at Sasuke. The young boy smiled back at his older brother…

"So many memories…I have lost," Itachi said slowly.

"Itachi, I know that you are pained inside. I want you to know, that you are forgiven. Forever and always," breathed his younger brother.

"Arigatou…"

"That photo, do you remember when it was taken?" asked Sasuke.

"Yes."

Flashback

"Onii-san!" shouted the five year old boy.

"Sasuke?" Itachi asked in return.

The five year old ran up to his older brother and jumped up on him. Itachi laughed and smiled as did Sasuke. The two brothers were on the side of a lake trying to catch turtles and frogs. Sasuke held up a small turtle up to his older brother to see. Itachi looked happily at his younger brother and tapped his forehead. Sasuke pouted and asked for Itachi's turtle.

"C'mon! I know you found one! I saw you pick something up!" shouted the impatient little boy.

"You're going to be unhappy," warned the young Sharingan master.

"No I won't!"

Itachi reluctantly pulled out his turtle and it was almost three times the size of Sasuke's. The youngest Main House member pouted and sat on the shore of the bank. The wind blew in his face and the leaves fell everywhere. Sasuke remembered that Itachi had been the brother anyone would have desired, for what happened next…was so…great.

"Sasuke? I told you this would happen," sighed Itachi.

"Nu uh! It didn't happen!" Sasuke shouted.

"You're angry aren't you? You hate me don't you?" Itachi asked.

"No!" Sasuke said quickly. "I mean…"

"It's all right. I understand," Itachi said happily. "Close your eyes for a moment. Onegai."

The young Main House member slowly closed his eyes seeing Itachi as he did. Itachi pulled out his hands and so he dropped the little turtle. Frantically, with his eyes still closed, Sasuke felt around for his little friend. Itachi held him still, and put something heavy in his hands. Until, Sasuke heard Itachi's voice, he then opened his eyes.

"You can open your eyes now," Itachi said warmly.

Sasuke opened his slowly quickly and looked at the heavy object within his hands. He saw the large turtle within them. The young boy beamed with delight and squealed. Itachi laughed and put the young Sasuke on top of his shoulders. Sasuke was startled at first, and then held the large turtle up above Itachi's head.

In his mind, Sasuke held his ideals, Itachi's ideals, up to the heavens to see.

Sasuke smiled and so did Itachi. Within a moment, their mother came out with the camera and took a beautiful picture with the two brothers. Never destined to be apart. Destined to be together through their blood ties. Through hardship and pain, through suffering and dying, nothing was as powerful as a bond as brothers.

Not of hate. Note of spite. Note of anger. But of bonds.

End Flashback

"It was a day to remember," Itachi said softly.

"Nothing was supposed to bring us apart," Sasuke said reassuringly.

Sasuke wiped a tear out of his eye and so did Itachi. It was the first time in a long time when Itachi had ever let a tear fall. It was not of sorrow. It was of happiness. His life had meaning. Now he had meaning…

"Itachi! Sasuke!" shouted a dark voice.

"Who is that?" asked Itachi.

"A voice I haven't heard for a while…Orochimaru," Sasuke said venomously.

"Itachi! You will die tonight!" shouted two voices from behind.

"Who are they" asked Sasuke.

"Tobi and Zetsu. They have wanted to destroy me to allow another opening in the Akatsuki," Itachi answered Itachi.

"You have destroyed Konoha like no other!" shouted a female voice.

"Tsunade..." Sasuke and Itachi whispered together.

Suddenly, a door had fallen down. Inhumane strength had pushed it down with ease. The Godaime walked into the room. They were surrounded. The Akatsuki, the Sound, and Konoha were behind everyone in the shadows. Tsunade had walked in with Naruto behind her. Tobi and Zetsu walked into the light, and also, Orochimaru and Kabuto stepped forward.

"Your life will end tonight!" they shouted in unison.

The two brothers knew that they were in for the fight of their life… Sasuke was prepared to die for his brother. As was Itachi. The two brothers stood back to back, knowing that blood would not be spared…for their own survival.

They were bound by the same dark cold blood that ran through their veins.

Author's Note: Yay! Another chapter in and this story will end soon! I really enjoyed writing it. Don't worry, I'm leading at least two more chapters. I don't want things to drag and I love cliffys so…it all works out doesn't it? REVIEW! OMG AND I AM SO SORRY. I WAS SO CAUGHT UP IN OTHER THINGS THIS SUMMER THAT I TOTALLY FORGOT ABOUT FANFICTION FOR LIKE A BAZILLION YEARS. I'M SO SORRY, I HOPE YOU WILL KEEP READING!