Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto. If I did it would be a happy anime.

IS THIS HOPE

Everything had been white. And not the blinding white one would expect but a calming white, a welcoming white. Warm. The plain he walked in for what felt like years was peaceful, it reminded him of a time he never had, a time he was wishful of, a time he sought for.

The plain gave him a lot to think of and he was bitter at first. Knowing when he died he hadn't fulfilled his promise to his brother but at the same time he realized while Sasuke wasn't as strong as he hoped, he had the bond with a blond haired, heir to the Uzamaki clan and that information gave him hope. Hope that while he failed as a brother Naruto wouldn't.

So he took that in pride. Sasuke had a long way to go- yes, but with the help of team seven, he would be able to call them home- even if he couldn't call Konoha home. And with that information he let go. He rejoiced in the peace he had finally found. Death. It was bittersweet, yes. But he couldn't complain- he didn't want to. There was no more bloodshed and war where he was at- just warmth, and peace.

He wasn't surprised in death he wasn't reunited with his parents or Sarutobi-sama- he knew seeing them wouldn't bring him the peace he desired. Even when he had been surprised at first, because surely after everything he's done, peace wouldn't welcome him. But it had. The thought didn't sit right with him. For the better part of 10 years he'd been living in his own hell. He figured after death that night would haunt him day in and day out- then he thought this was hell. Give him a glimpse of peace than snatch it as it always had, but as the years passed he began realizing that shinigami gave him peace in death.

No, he didn't understand it but for the first time in what felt like forever he had peace. And he felt horrible when he realized he didn't want to give up this peace… and he faltered at the thought of whether he would give up this peace to help Sasuke… His answer as fucked up as it was, was no. He gave everything of himself and for once he wanted to be in a place where his past didn't haunt him. Where he could simply be nothing and rejoice in that.

Even with that knowledge Itachi slowly opened up his eyes. And forced them to stay open as he took in his surroundings. He was alone in what looked to be a cave. He flexed his hand trying to regain control of his movements, as he slowly pushed himself upright. He thought being brought back from death would no longer tie him to his body, as he bends over and a coughing fit started. His lungs burned and his mouth was just the same.

So this wasn't a reanimation jutsu- no. He was back in his time bomb of a body, only this was worse. His disease had basically killed him previously and it only returned tenfold.

When he was finally able to find his breath did he allow himself to push up from the table. Staggering as his back collided with the wall of the cave and he sunk down.

His need to find Sasuke was the last thing he recalled before everything went dark.

IS THIS HOPE

When he awoke again the pain wasn't better yet more manageable. After all he has been dealing with it for around four years. His vision was significantly worse than before, he could only make out hues of color and objects directly in front of his face.

For a moment he wondered if Sasuke would be better off if Itachi remained dead. The thought quickly ended as he realized if Naruto would have gotten to Sasuke first, Itachi's body wouldn't be on this plain. They would have cremated him or at least taken his eyes and the fact he could see let him know that this isn't Konoha's doing. And he was very pissed to find even in his death Madara sunk his wretched claws into his brother.

So death would have to wait- again. In favor of rescuing his brother from whatever half truth lies Madara fed him. With this information, Itachi pushed himself up with dignity he didn't realize he still possessed and made his way out the cave.

This time the light did blind him as he walked through the forest floor. He walked with his eyes closed. There was no point in opening them when he was alone. He used this time to get a better feeling of his body. His chakra pathways were burnt, he had enough control to use his sharingan once maybe twice if he used it fast and efficiently, enough chakra to perform a jutsu, but if he was attacked he wouldn't be able to sustain any damage they would produce. So he had to avoid everyone. He also had multiple burns along his body but that was not his biggest concern. He couldn't rescue Sasuke like this. He needed more than rest, he needed his vision back, his pathways cleared and no matter how skilled Itachi was- he was no doctor.

Right now everyone believed him to be dead, and that thought made him realize he had no idea when his and Sasuke's battle ended. In the plain he was in it felt like years, but if that was the case his body should be decaying. Considering he wasn't a medic, he could only guess it hadn't been longer than at least a few months before he was rudely brought back.

Along with the knowledge that he had no idea where Madara took his beloved brother. The best/worst case scenario was finding team seven getting them to join him in his request to bring Sasuke back to Konoha while hoping they won't kill him until after Sasuke is safe. The challenging part of this quest was keeping his skeletons in the closet. He made peace with the past, he never sought to bring it up and get "justice". Unfortunately that was Sasuke's goal and he would let Sasuke forge his own path.

For now, he would find team seven and maybe Kisame, he thought with a fond smile as the world once again went black.

IS THIS HOPE

A/N: This story got stuck in my head after I read Rising From The Ashes by Kari-Kateora. If y'all haven't read it, I highly recommend yall do because FEELINGS. Y'all I love Minato so much like I keep thinking how much of a legend he was like that man was pure daddy material. Minato was top tier period.

Sadly this is not a Minato story as much as I wish it was *crying in the background* But if yall stick with me, I'm in the midst of another story (All Good Things) got some Minato spice in there and um if y'all wondering about TU chapter 5 will be out soon!

Now unto ITH, let me know if y'all like it. Please R&R. Tell me how yall fell. This story is shorter. It's only 9 chapters long, and the chapters are short. Now the way I ended this story it still leaves it out in the open so who knows I might come back (when I get more done with TU and add more chapters to this little short bit.)

Thank you lovelies and please stay safe out there!