THE TRUTH UNRAVELS

Part 1:

The Truth Got A Whole Lot Bitter


1 Year Ago

Village of Frost

He finally had a trail.

And not only did he have a trail but he was almost ready.

There were a few more pieces he had to wait for, he needed to improve his genjutsu and add better control to his lighting blade. He needed his team to get stronger as well but like him, they were almost ready.

When the day came he did not want them to interfere but if Itachi decided to use them against him, they would need to be strong enough to not get caught in whatever wicked plan he had.

Some might say he'd been in hiding for the past year but they were wrong.

He picked wrong going with Orochimaru the man was scared of his brother too. No one was strong enough, and that was to be expected. Itachi was an Uchiha.

If you want to beat an Uchiha you don't go to the next best, you find another Uchiha.

And while Sasuke was positive there was another Uchiha out there, he went in search of his ancestors.

He called to them and let them guide him to his full strength.

And that's how he found himself here.

To afflict his soul in the cold. He smirked.

He needed to be able to fight in any climate, to survive in any space. He stayed in the frozen woods for over two months until the cold no longer bothered him.

He hadn't seen his team since, he gave them all orders to do whatever they have to do to get stronger without killing anyone.

He briefly hoped Juugo was alright. But knowing Suigetsu he wouldn't have left his side.

He made his way to the village bar. When idiots drink they spill secrets. And he needed to make sure his team wasn't getting into trouble.

He had a bad gut feeling when he entered the bar. His gut was telling him to turn and head out of town. But he refused to run from trouble. He was a lot of things, but a coward wasn't one of them.

Stepping through the doors he let his gaze wander the room and he felt it. The familiar chakra coming from a woman sitting at the bar with two unfamiliar men on her side. The men had no distinct chakra sources so they were probably civilians from the village but he made sure not to rule them out.

Even Genin could disguise their chakra signature as civilians.

He sat at the opposite side of the bar, making sure he could still see the woman's every move.

She didn't look familiar. Nothing unique about her dark brown hair pulled into a messy bun. She was wearing a dress with no coat on site, despite the fact that it's snowing outside. Which let him know she was a ninja who could probably use her chakra as a coat. So she had good chakra control.

"What can I get for yer young man?" He brought his eyes over to the bartender before telling him water.

"Nothin' stronger for yer today?" No he told the man before looking back in the woman's directions. She was gone. Fuck.

"Hey Sasuke, long time no see." she slid into the seat next to him, "I'll take a shot of sake." she told the bartender as he placed the water in front of him.

"Ahh see young man, yer lady knows how to drank!"

He looked her up and down before settling at her face,

She smiled at the bartender before taking his water cup to her lips.

"You're a hard man to find." She took a sip of his water before placing it back in front of him.

"Ts'k, leave."

The men who the women were previously with were now glaring daggers at him claiming he stole their women.

"Thank you," she told the bartender as she drowned her shot. "I didn't come all this way just to leave. We need to talk, Sasuke-kun."

His eyes snapped in her direction.

While there were a lot of people who called him that back in the academy, no one would dare call him that now, aside from one girl. Because that's what she is. A girl.

As soon as he opened his mouth she cut him off.

"This is a small village and they are known for gossip. I'd rather my name not get out around these parts of woods hmm."

"Did you really think you'd drag me back to the Leaf?" he scoffed at her, focusing his attention back on the civilians, "where's the rest of Team 7? I heard you found a replacement?"

"Sai's not your replacement, he's just an additional member to our team. Your spot is still waiting for you when you come home. But that's not why I'm here. Honest, I'm just here to make sure you're ok. Could we talk in private? I'm here alone."

"You came all this way by yourself, hn. You're still naive Sakura." He hoped that would have caused her to leave. But all she did was nod her head and dropped her henge.

No one in the bar batted an eye. No one even looked in their direction and Sasuke was ashamed to admit, he never even noticed her cast a genjutsu, much less caught it until now.

"Don't tell me after 4 years you'd lose your trust in me." She laughed before flagging down the bartender and ordering two more shots.

"I have no reason to lie to you. Naruto doesn't know I'm here and I'd like it to stay that way. I'd like to talk to you in private but this works too." She sipped her drink before looking him straight in the eye.

"I heard you have a new team, I hope you're smart enough to get a medic?" This wasn't the same Sakura from 4 years ago. She was different… mature.

"My new team is of no concern to you." she drowned the rest of her cup before doing the same to the next one.

"Uchiha Sasuke," she grabbed his shirt and yanked him closer to her. "You are my family. Your safety will always concern me. I asked you a fucking question so answer me."

He tried to pull himself away from her but her grip was iron. He wanted to call her out on her bullshit, but as much as he wanted to denai it. Team 7 was the closest thing he had to a family now.

"Yes, I have a med-nin. Now let go of me." she tighten her grip on his shirt before fucking smiling at him and after a whole minute she finally released him. He quickly pulled away from her. Glaring at the table. He wasn't a fucking kid. He didn't answer to anyone if he didn't want to. And Sakura Haruno was most definitely not stronger than him. If he wanted her to let go of him, he could have forced her.

"That's good, Sasuke. I'm glad that brain of yours hasn't gone to waste." she was still smiling at him. "How are you feeling Sasuke?"

Ts'k what was wrong with this girl. He let his sharingan spring to life and looked past the bar. Looking for any signs of an ambush, but found none.

"What do you want."

"To know how you're doing." If he wasn't an Uchiha he would have rolled his eyes.

"Why do you care?"

She roughly grabbed his chin forcing him to look at her. She looked him in the eye.

"As I already said, you're family. I love you and I want to make sure you're ok. I've been doing a lot of thinking about things I wished I could have changed. My attitude towards Naruto is the main one, and my attitude towards you is the next. But I can't go back to those days. I wasn't there for you when we were kids, but I am here for you now. As friends." she butted their heads together. "You have a med-nin on your team, have you been checked? Are you healthy?" he didn't move as she pulled back, setting her hand on his chest. Her chakra slowly entered his system, giving him a chance to pull back but he didn't.

He trusted her.

"Why are you here?"

"Why are you malnurtorist?" she shot back. He smirked, he liked this Sakura.

"I was in the woods for two months." He didn't know why he told her but as she said… she's family.

She hmmed but didn't ask for more.

"You're a med-nin."

"That wasn't a question." He watched her heal him. The scars on his arm slowly faded. She didn't ask how he got it. Her eyes were closed now and he was close enough he could count her eyelashes. He slowly let his sharingan fade.

Her chakra was warm. And he instantly missed it when she pulled away.

"Let your med-nin heal you when you're injured baka." all he could do was nod his head. "How are you doing Sasuke?"

He sighed before looking at her again. "I'm fine. I'm close to finishing my goal." he didn't miss the way she frowned, or how her eyes looked like she might cry, if given the chance. But she nodded her head and smiled at him.

"I'm… glad to hear you're ok."

"You came all this way to see if I was ok?" she laughed before messing up his hair. He frowned.

"And to make sure you're healthy. Naruto's going to want to kick your ass after all this time and it'll be more satisfying to know he did it with you in perfect health." he did roll his eyes this time.

"You're insane if you think Naruto can beat me in a spar." He smirked when her grin widened.

"I could take you." she said, he could see the excitement in her eyes, and he'd be lying if he said he wasn't excited too.

"Hn. Lets go."


THE TRUTH UNRAVELS


Present Time

He hadn't stopped experiencing headaches ever since he joined Team 7. He thought after he left he'd get a team that would be calm like him. Instead he was sitting here listening to Suigetsu and Karin argue over who was getting the firewood and who was catching the fish.

Imbeciles, he thought.

"You just don't want to smell like fish in front of your beloved Sasuke-kun" Suigetsu made kissing noises at both of them and Sasuke had to refrain from killing him.

"You're just mad that Sasuke-kun would rather die than talk to you shark face!" Karin shot back as she threw a rock at his face.

He hopped this time the rock would be a bomb and kill them all.

"I'll get the fish." He said as he made his way through the trees.

"See what you did?!"

They were ready.

Itachi was close. He'd been waiting 10 years just for this day to come. He trained with the best and he was comfortable enough with his skill to say he could take Itachi on a one on one and win.

Itachi was strong, yes, but the man taught him everything he needed to know from a young age.

So he studied him. Trained like him. As much as he hated to admit it the only person who could beat Itachi was Itachi. So if he had to fight like his brother then so be it.

He walked on the water and studied the fish movements.

He'd been doing a lot of that.

He was good at that.

He kneeled down and stuck his hand in the water and made a fast way with grabbing four fish. Once you knew their pattern, it wasn't hard to tell which way they'd go next.

Like Itachi.

He always went back to Ame after every time he was spotted.

So they were going to intersect him. And if the Akatsuki had been like a family to Itachi, well Sasuke planned to destroy them next.

It was deathly silent as he made his way back to the clearing. Too quiet.

His sharingan sprang to life.

His team was strong, he made sure of that. So why the fuck would they allow a blond haired idiot to tie them up?

He was going to murder Sakura. Trusting her to keep this away from the Dobe had been his first mistake. There was no way this wasn't a part of one of Sakura's plans.

He stepped through the clearing and shot Naruto an unamused glare, "Dobe let go of them."

"TEME" the Dobe shouted and the next thing Sasuke knew he was backed against a tree with a kunai being held at his neck.

He dropped the fish along the way. Fuck, he really wanted to eat that.

"You bastard!" Naruto snarled and Sasuke already began pulling his katana out.

"How are we going to get answers out of the traitor if he's dead, Dickless?"

What the fuck? This is the guy that replaced him. A washed out version of him? "He's not your replacement" my ass, Sasuke thought.

He was going to beat Naruto up and then this "Sai" guy along with the rest of their group and Team Taka.

"I don't answer to anyone." He was tired of people questioning him.

"SHUT UP TEME" Sasuke was taken aback by Naruto's outburst but still managed to grab hold of Naruto's hand and twisted until he dropped the kunai. Before swiftly kicking Naruto in the stomach.

Before Naruto could retreat Sai grabbed him back.

"Look traitor, we're here to know if you impregnated Sakura."

"Call me that again and I'll- wait what?" Sakura? Pregnant? By him? "Is this some kind of joke?" Even if Sakura was pregnant that wouldn't have anything to do with him. He wouldn't admit that he was a little mad. Sakura had told him that she'd be there for him but hadn't told him she was pregnant.

But they're "family" right. He mentally rolled his eyes.

Naruto broke the hold of Sais grip before tackling him to the ground.

"Nothing's funny about the mother of your child dying!"

"What the fuck is going on?" He stopped fighting Naruto and looked at him. He just saw Sakura, there was no way she was dead.

"Sakura was pregnant, Sasuke. We thought it might be yours. But two weeks ago she was killed in action." His eyes snapped to the other man. He vaguely recalled stabbing him once, but in his defense he had been going for Sakura.

"Tsk Sakura isn't dead. I saw her not too long ago. If you really thought I'd fall for that and go running-

"Damn it Teme! Everything isn't about you." Naruto rolled off him, settling in the spot next to him. He leaned back on his palms glancing at the trees. "I saw her body," Sasuke's eyes widened. There wasn't any way Sakura was dead. He saw her fight. She could handle herself. She was strong. But Naruto looked so empty staring at the trees. "She was attacked right outside Konoha. We've been searching for leads and you're all we got." Naruto slowly looked at him and Sasuke could see the specks of red in his eyes, "Were you and Sakura together?" He couldn't handle Sakura's death, not right now.

"Sakura isn't dead. And no. Now untie my team." He counted a minute until Naruto looked away from him.

She couldn't have been dead. He was sure of that. The last time he saw her, she was very much alive talking shit.

There was no way she'd die.

Her and Naruto were the only family he had left. He couldn't imagine Sakura laying in a pile of blood like his mother. He couldn't imagine walking down the street and seeing the buildings painted with her blood. The grass dyed red because he decided to kill her. To get stronger.

He couldn't unsee it.

All the bodies, calling to him but he was always late. No matter how early he left the academy he could never save them. He couldn't save her.

Sakura was not dead.

She promised he'd always have her… but it was always a lie. They never lived. If he would have pushed her away, and never let her come back into his life this wouldn't hurt. He shouldn't care but she was family and just like the rest, she was dead. No not dead just hurt.

He tasted blood. And for a brief second he thought he was back at the compound staring at his parents lifeless body.

"Oi you heard the man untie us!"

"Shut up can't you see they're having a moment!"

"Why the hell are you talking to me women!"

Sasuke watched as Sai untied them but he couldn't focus on them. He glanced around the clearing until his eyes fell on Kakashi.

"You said you saw her recently, was anyone following her?"

He tried to think back to the last time he saw her. She healed him which would have been nice if she hadn't given him most of the injuries. But he wouldn't mind her punching him right now. Just to know she was here, to know everything they were telling him was a lie.

"I haven't seen her for the past two months." He couldn't bring himself to smirk when Naruto glared at him. It hurt.

There was no amusement in his eyes, just accusations. How could Naruto ever think he'd hurt her after everything Itachi did to him?

"What the hell does that mean?"

"Oi all's he saying is that Pinky used to bother us monthly but she hasn't been around lately." Suigetsu stretched out his limbs before humming. "I guess this is a good time to tell you what happened but Pinky made me promise not to."

Sasuke was in front of him in a second, with Naruto on his heels

"Why the hell would Sakura not tell me she knew where you were all this time?"

He ignored the Dobe for the time being.

"Sakura doesn't like you." He told Suigetsu, but he laughed

"No no no. Pinky doesn't like me being mean to Megabitch over there," he pointed to Karin who flipped him off. "But me and Pinky got along just fine." He waggled his eyebrows and Sasuke didn't stop Naruto from punching Suigetsu in the face.

Too bad his fist went through him.

"Kid I promise you if you don't tell us what you know I'll make you wish you were dead." Sasuke quickly spun in Kakashi's direction,

"Don't threaten my men Hatake." Before turning back in Suigetsu direction and yanking his shirt. "What do you know."

Suigetsu crossed his arms over his chest and guiltily looked away.

"Sasuke I want you to know that I wanted to tell you since I found out but Pinky is scary! And when I tried to tell you SHE CUT ME! ME!" Sasuke rolled his eyes. Sure Sakura was scary but what could she not have wanted him to know. Suigetsu slowly began edging away from him.

Speaking nervously, Seiguetsu told them about his trip 6 months ago to acquire Samehada. There had been rumors about Kisame Hoshigaki being reported on the outskirts of the Land of Iron, so when the opportunity to get one of the legendary swords presented itself to him Suigetsu took it. He tracked Kisame for over a week waiting for the right time to ambush him. He knew his partner was rumored to be Itachi Uchiha so he wanted to act while the man was alone and while he stood a chance. A one on one battle with Kisame he could possibly win, he knew his strengths. But in a battle against Itachi Uchiha he knew without a second doubt that he wouldn't stand a chance.

He set up watch a few kilometers away from the abandoned building Kisame had entered. After making sure there was only one chakra signature coming from the building he quickly got to work by adding explosion tags to all the exits except one. With a grin he set the explosions off waiting for the predator to become prey.

He didn't wait as a second later, the last remaining door burst open and three people came out. He honestly could say he wasn't surprised seeing Itachi, it was always a possibility and he had been preparing to run from them, but the moment his eyes fell on the pink haired medic he stopped dead in his tracks. She turned from him and began chastising Kisame about allowing himself to be followed, before sweetly turning back to him and asking if he could forget what he just saw. But all Suigetsu heard was that she needed help, so a second later he launched himself at Itachi with no plan in mind. He just knew he had to get Pinky out of there before they killed her.

It wasn't that he liked Pinky he just rather her not die. And she was the only one who understood his dark humor, also Sasuke would kill him if he allowed Itachi to kill Sakura.

His blade was intercepted by Sakura's own blade. She grinned at him, told him he was faster than the last time she'd seen him, then told him he should stop while he was ahead. He balked at her before jumping back. He eyed the three of them carefully and hated to admit she looked just as comfortable with them as she did with Team Taka, and probably as she did with Team 7.

Fuck Sasuke was going to kill him 10 times over, he thought as he glared at Sakura. He didn't trust people easily, and while he never did not like Sakura it took him a few months before he considered her his friend. But Sasuke was his best friend. And Sakura was hanging out with the man that ruined his best friend's childhood. His killing intent leaked.

His grip on his sword tightened, and he seriously thought he might die here. But that thought didn't fester in his mind as he charged at Sakura. Swinging Kubikiribōchō directly at her head, she moved a fraction too soon and the blade made contact with the ground leaving a large amount of smoke in the air, he quickly turned and brought his blade up just in time as Sakuras clanged with his own. He knew this was serious when she used his name.

"Suigetsu, I swear on my life I would never betray Sasuke-"

"No but you'd betray your village bitch." She gasped and he used that time to bring his finger up to her head, she kicked his blade forcing him to jump back.

"Regardless of what you think of me, I have Sasuke's best intentions at heart. And I swear to Kami Suigetsu I will make your life a living hell if you think of telling him this. Kami, just look!"

He scoffed and looked for the other two who were watching near a tree. Itachi looked positively uninterested at what was going on and Kisame was reeling. They could kill him. Put him in a genjutsu and he would never know, and yet Sakura didn't let that happen, even after trying to kill them.

He lowered Kubikiribōchō before telling her to explain. She made her way to him and grabbed his wrist. "It's classified, you don't have the clearance to know and neither does Sasuke." Her grip got tighter with every word and he realised he couldn't use hydrification. Fucking medics. "Pinky promise you won't tell?" and when he made no move to do that she used her fucking chakra to slice him.

"Ok, ok," he said, "but the moment I think you're going to hurt Sasuke I'm telling him what a traitorous bitch you really are!" she laughed when his pinky met hers and then she released him. Telling him to go back to his team and she'll join them for another A rank in a few weeks… and of course to stay safe.

Suigetsu was panting by the time he finished his story. But Sasuke could only stare at him wide eyed.


THE TRUTH UNRAVELS


7 Months Ago

"South exit clear" Hawk reported over the comms

"Northern main entrance clear" Hellfire stated next

"This is wolf over, state your name over."

"I'm not calling myself Hellfire bitch."

"Bird reporting, movement at west, suspect heading south over."

"Shark what's your status? Over."

"Shark report over."

"Shark fuckin answer little ass bitch." Hellfire all but screamed in the comns.

"Language Hellfire."

"I will murder you and Suiuestu bitch."

"Shark, I'm sending backup your way. Hawk can-

"This is shark over, the suspects are no longer of our concern over."

"They're alive right? I needed them for questioning!"

"Ehh you should have made yourself clear over."

"I FUCKING SAID DON'T KILL ANYONE!" Fuck team Taka was going to make her murder all of them and eat them for dinner.

"Oh well I'm sure you can use your magic and bring them back to life, Pinky." Suiguetsu laughed through the comms, and she quickly threw hers off before marching his way.

She didn't necessarily need them alive but after getting team Taka to join her in her missions Sasuke made sure she knew that they wouldn't kill for her.

When she found them, Karin had Suiguestu in a headlock while Jugo was chastering them. She made her way over to Sasuke who had been aways off staring at the dead bodies. His right hand pale from the way he was clenching it and she could smell the blood before she saw it. She stood directly in front of him blocking his view.

"Hey Sasuke?" his eyes were glazed over like he was in a memory. And he probably was. He was mumbling something over and over and if she strained her ears she swore it was "kaa-chan," she slowly brought her hand to his cheek, her chakra already working it's way into his system, calming his nerves. His eyes snapped to hers.

"I-I'm fine." He stayed still for a moment before trying to pull back from her

"Sasuke, don't hold the emotion in." she said firmly as she grabbed his right hand pulling it to her chest, "Something horrible happened to you, you have every right to be upset but as your teammate you're not allowed to hid or lock your emotions away from me. You can hit me, I can take it." His eyes widened and he once again tried to pull but she kept her hand firmly on his, his eyes were back on hers and he nodded. "Ok," he muttered. Before turning to glare at Suigetsu and telling him to clean up his mess.

He looked at her with an unasked question in his eyes and she nodded, his fist struck her in the chest and she took it. Summoning chakra to her chest and stomach to make it more bearable and when Sasuke started breathing harder and his hits becoming weaker she pulled him into a tight hug.

It was… heavy, seeing the look on Sasuke's face when he was staring at the bodies. It was so different when they had been kids and Sasuke beat the living crap out of a man and he would have killed him if it hadn't been for Kakashi.

He was close. She had been scared of him that night. Seeing his broken knuckles and the man's blood splattered across Sasuke's face.

She had completely missed the signs back then.

And now Sasuke was in every bingo book with prices so high it could buy them a small island. That wasn't surprising since he is the Uchiha clan heir, and his reported killing of Orochimaru two years ago.

And that was as far as his reputation went. He didn't have bodies upon bodies tied under his name like she would have suspected, he kept his hands clean and his teams too.

Sasuke wasn't a murder. He didn't like death. Which made perfect sense seeing as it haunted him for the past 10 years. She didn't know why the thought surprised her. Naruto hadn't killed one person, but she had. She was used to killing on missions whereas Naruto always took captives.

When Sasuke told her his team wouldn't kill for her, she thought it was just his way of telling her he wouldn't kill for Konoha but now…

She clenched her fist. Itachi, she thought. She made sure her chakra didn't flare as it entered Sasuke's body, healing his hands in the process.

He never got past it and of course she knew that so she didn't know why she was so surprised to see him stare at the body like he saw a ghost.

Weapons. Blindness tools. Konoha fucking sucked. Not once was Sasuke ever offered help. Not anyone from her team because with backgrounds like there's you'd either drown or swim.

Itachi tortured Sasuke and then a day later Sasuke was released. If she recalled correctly he stayed in an inn until his house was cleaned and he was sent back into the compound. Back into the place where his nightmares tormented him.

"Thank you." Sasuke mumbled into her ear before quickly pulling away. She smiled at him and saw his blush deepened before he quickly made his way to his team. Sasuke had a lot of baggage but she wouldn't let that take anymore of his innocence. He wouldn't be forced to kill Itachi.

Konoha had to change. It would be a place for Sasuke to call his home again. A place where blood wasn't haunting their past. She'd make sure of it. She'd make sure they were ok, physically and mentally.


THE TRUTH UNRAVELS


Present

They stayed silent longer than he cared to admit. After Suigetsu had explained his promise to Sakura, Naruto had hounded him with question after question. He asked all of it, what business did Itachi have Sakura, why was she traveling with Itachi, was she hurt, are they controlling her, had he used his sharingan on her? And truthfully Suigetsu didn't know. He left when she told him too and the next time he'd seen her, they hadn't brought it up, just as promised.

It had been hours since then and now they were currently sitting around a fire. Everyone looked far off most likely recalling their time with Sakura. Team Taka on one side, while team seven was on the other.

Neither group was completely comfortable with the other and none of the groups made way to talk to each other.

Karin was no longer crying and Naruto surprisingly wasn't trying to talk to him. He looked mad. Maybe at Itachi or maybe at him, but Sasuke was pissed.

He was beyond angry. Naruto had come here seeking vengeance from him.

His so-called "brother" had thought he was capable of hurting Sakura.

And sure maybe he had been when he was 16 but he was in a bad place then, and it wasn't that he was in a better place now and it's not like Naruto had known he'd been in contact with Sakura for the past year but still. He should have just known he didn't hurt her. I mean it's not like he accused Naruto of hurting her.

So yeah he was mad, justified too. He sighed before slowly standing up. She fought for him, bleed for him, he knew it killed her watching him with his new team and not team seven. But she never complained, never once asked him to come home. All she asked was that team seven stayed a family. And she said time and time again family was there for each other.

He slowly made his way to Naruto, pausing slightly when he reached him and then walking further from the group. After a moment Naruto followed.

They stood next to each other for a few moments, neither of them talking.

"Where are you going next?" He finally broke the silence. Naruto stayed silent for a moment before looking at him,

"Itachi… same as you?"

"Hn."

The entirety of him and Naruto's relationship had been constant arguing and fighting but now… he looked more mature now that he wasn't trying to bring him back or fight him. And he hated that the only reason he was like this is because of Sakura….

That look didn't belong on his face. Like the weight of the world was on his shoulders- even if it was, but he'd always been so good at hiding it behind a smile.

Sasuke scoffed, he never once wanted Naruto to actively irate him but now he was hoping for it. For this entire day to be over. If he could go back to the past and just kill himself when he had the chance it'd be easier. And not because he still wanted to die but maybe to spite Itachi? Or maybe even Sakura?

Because while he didn't want to think about it, Sakura had been traveling with Itachi. And it made so much sense now that he thought about it.

Her asking him to wait a little longer before he went to Itachi. "You don't want to have to rely on the curse mark to kill him. Make sure you're strong enough to deny it's urges when you meet him. That's how you know you're stronger than him" the whole time he thought she cared about him but she was really trying to prolong Itachi's death and shit. Had she sought him out just for Itachi? To keep tabs on his progress so Itachi would always stay one foot ahead of him?

He clenched his fist. He trusted her. But that was his fault, he fucking knew better.

After having your brother murder your entire clan, you know not to trust people. Especially the people closest to you because their betrayal hurt the most.

"What?" He snapped at Naruto when he realized how close the blonde got to him.

"Uh nothing, just she told me when I was mad or angry it wasn't good to keep my feelings bottled up ya know." Naruto reached forward and grabbed his hand, and only then did Sasuke realize how bad he was shaking, and when Naruto pulled his fist against his chest, he saw the blood on his hand. "You can hit me," he said "I can take it." And it took him a moment to realize he was quoting Sakura. It was the same thing she said to him way back when.

She'd done this to him, he thought angrily. She forced herself into his life as a ruse. She told him it was ok to show his feelings. And he tried so hard not to but she was always there saying, "No one can understand what you're thinking when you say 'Hn'." But in reality feelings make you weak.

Damn it, how desperate would he be if he'd continue being friends with a girl who was using him?

She didn't even tell Naruto that she knew where he was. And if she could lie to Naruto to her own brother why did he think she'd be different with him?

But he couldn't stop shaking. Not here, he thought. He couldn't lose his composure.

Naruto must have heard his silent prayer because he slowly started edging them away further from the group. And when they were no longer in viewing distance he swung his fist repeatedly hitting Naruto's chest.

He'd killed his entire family but that wasn't enough for him right, he had to go and force his best friend to join him. Sakura was his. And Itachi continued to steal from him.

Why wasn't he enough. He tried everything to get his attention but it didn't account for shit. Itachi never wanted him.

Itachi had always been too busy for him. He didn't have time to train him because he was busy with ANBU and then he murdered the entire clan and left him behind. And when he finally came back all he wanted was Naruto, he wasn't even going to stop by and see him, to check up on him! Itachi told him he meant nothing to him, so why did Sasuke keep thinking that was going to change. Why when most times Sasuke thought about Itachi he was smiling at him, telling him next time they'd train.

Why did a part of him want Itachi to apologize for leaving him and to tell him he loved him.

But as the years went on Itachi made another choice to pick his team over him. Sasuke never mattered to him.

He dropped his hands from Naruto's chest. His own chest heaving. He no longer wanted anything to do with Itachi. He was done chasing Itachi trying to prove he was worthy.

It didn't matter if he was or not, Itachi no longer got to be the one he was going to be worthy for.

"You good Teme?"

"Ah." He said, pulling himself away from Naruto, "My teams ready to head out, let's go."

He was angry and it wasn't all directed to Itachi, he was angry at himself. He couldn't protect his family and he knew it was irrational considering the fact that he was 8, but he wasn't a regular 8 year old. He had been top in his class, had trained under Itachi and Shisui Uchiha and still stood by and watched as his entire family was murdered. As his brother became an international terrorist and did nothing.

He lived his entire life wanting to kill his brother and he'll admit that took a toll on him, and for what. If he truly didn't care for Itachi then why was he trying so hard to show him how strong he's gotten.

This time Sasuke was content to stay in a child's place and allow the village to do whatever they want with Itachi.

It was no longer of his concern.

THE TRUTH UNRAVELS

A/N:

This chapter was a tad longer than the others and I'm so proud! Lmao I had fun writing this chapter because I honestly had no fucking idea what the fuck was going on, and that's always fun!

I've been writing chapter four and I'm kinda stuck so it might come out a bit late. I have this idea of where I want the story to go and I'm having trouble building up to those parts without skipping over the little ideas that lead to the big idea ya know?

I hope y'all had an amazing Thanksgiving, and happy holidays! Leave a review if ya wanna make my day ;)

*UPDATE* I tried to update this chapter on Saturday but for the life of me did not want me to update, but here we are and I hope yall don't cringe when yall read this (or any story I write). I am trying to improve my writing and as a communications major this is one of my top goals. To be able to write a story (And I got a long ways to go so... I will do better Promise!)

~Sakatoura