I think you all know when this happens:( 'Nuff said.

"This is it...Sasuke..."

It's...finally over.

Once Orochimaru had been trapped and sealed away for good in the sword of the Su'sanoo, Itachi was gasping for breath as he watched the last essence of the white serpent disappeared in the bright orange. Feeling his chest constrict, Itachi gagged on his own coughing.

Across the field, Sasuke continue to hunch over on his knees, drained from the breakout, but he was no longer in the dark, cursed form. He was his normal self again.

He was free. Despite his pain, tasting blood in his mouth, Itachi felt his lips quirk into a small smirk.

Then trying to catch his breath again, he breathed, "And now...your eyes...are mine. I'll take my time retrieving them..."

He was cut off when his chest was attacked by a sudden wave of agony. Hand clutching at his chest, having the brief second of trouble breathing, he collapsed to his knees and coughed violently into his hand. Blood splashed between his fingers.

Everywhere hurt. His Su'sanoo weakened slightly from his weakened state. It felt as though his insides were on fire, tearing apart as he continued to cough up blood. He was dying.

An explosion covered the outer surface, undoubtedly coming from one of Sasuke's paper bombs, thinking that Itachi's weakened state left an opening. The results were not affective.

It took all his strength to lift his arm. He could feel his little brother's fear.

Finally he stopped in front of him...and smiled through his pain.

The only impossible wish he had left was that if only he could see his baby brother.

But it no longer mattered...

"Forgive me, Sasuke..." with his last, ragged breath, "this will be the last time."

Then, with his last energy, his fingers touched his forehead...

I love you...

...and the world spun, his fingers trailing down the familiar (now matured) features of his little brother's shocked face...

...Sasuke...

He didn't feel himself him the wall, or land flat on his back. He could only feel the rain pouring down across his face.

As Itachi lay limp on the ground, the rain coming down hard, he could feel whatever life was left in him draining.

Though he could no longer see the light, somebody was leaning over him. In the darkness, a face appeared over him, seeming to glow. It was him. It was Sasuke, seven years-old, wide-eyed with innocence, and free of any hate. He was so small, his cheeks soft with youth. His round dark eyes shined with adoration and...sorrow.

"Nii-san," he said quietly in childlike voice.

"S-Sasuke..." Itachi breathed, his breathing ragged with blood. So long...it has been so long since his little brother looked at him with such love and worry.

So long since he could see him at all...

Sasuke...I'm happy that I get to see you...one last time...

Nii-san = big brother

I wrote this on a whim years ago, before even writing "Forever My Heart," when I was feeling especially mournful for Itachi, but didn't update it because I thought I could use this as part of a scene later on. Then I decided this would be better as an extra scene for this fanfic, given the contrast notion of birth and death.

Thanks for reading!