Literally forgot to post this. Sorry.
Living
Long grass pricked his toes around his sandals. Panting, Itachi clenched his fists. The forest was dark at its floor. Errant shafts of light trickled through, but he no longer needed them to see. The enhanced vision of the mangekyou spinning in his eyes gave him a clear view.
"Now," the masked Akatsuki man commanded, pacing on a branch above him.
Again, Itachi summoned the power Shisui had granted him. It burned in his eye like salty tears, but it was warm, sticky blood on his left cheek. A wooden log dropped from above. Instantly, it went up in black flame. The flame burned hot and the log disintegrated in moments.
Bounding down to the forest floor, the man landed silently before him. He clapped slowly and the sound reverberated through the thick tree trunks. "You truly are the Uchiha prodigy of these generations." He stopped. "The time is near. The Uchiha believe the coup to be in five days. But you understand the truth of this matter, Itachi?" He laid a hand on Itachi's stiff shoulder. "You are ready. Move when you feel the time is right." The man released him and stepped back, melting into the shadows. "Don't forget our deal. If you do not do your duty in five days, I will."
The dinosaur crashed through the carefully built towers. The colored blocks trembled and Sasuke's fingers dug into the stuffed t-rex. Eyes wide, the child roared softly and crawled behind the creature he guided, a swath of destroyed block buildings surrounding them. Itachi sat on the bed above them cross-legged. The light was warm on his back as it retreated into sunset. Sasuke growled again, lost in play.
A sharp knock at the door startled the boy. Itachi stood expectantly and opened the side door just beyond the bedroom. Curious, Sasuke dropped his dinosaur and peered around the corner. There was the sound of voices and he inched closer behind his brother.
"That note was on the body." A long-haired man stepped forward from the small group, all of them with the Uchiha crest proudly displayed on their backs. The man handed Itachi the note. His brother held it and his shoulders squared.
"I see…" was his soft reply.
The man continued, the group standing behind him menacingly. "You will take that to anbu for further investigation."
Itachi nodded.
Stepping out into the street, a short man in the group added loudly, "If you don't, we will have other ways to deal with this."
Narrowing his eyes, Itachi clutched and crumpled the paper. "Just say what you mean. You think I killed Shisui?"
The same man turned back. "I think you've been acting strange. I think you've been missing clan meetings. I think it's convenient that Shisui, who was supposed to be surveilling you, is now dead."
Itachi lunged in and punched the man across the face. He tumbled to the dirt as the other two men jumped to his aid. Moving fluidly, Itachi felled the others with one strike apiece. Struggling to recover, the group watched Itachi in horror. Pulling a kunai from its holster, Itachi closed his red eyes, hiding his activated sharingan.
"It's always only one thing with the lot of you," he started, his voice trembling with rage. "The clan, the clan, the clan… It's all you care about. You can't see the larger picture and you don't care to. You're weak and small-minded, always blathering on about the clan…"
Rushing past Sasuke, Fugaku barreled out of the house and into the dirt pathway. "What is going on here?" he bellowed.
Kunai raised, Itachi pointed the blade at his father. "Nothing is going on. These folk were just leaving."
The scrapes and bruises in the now dusty air told Fugaku a different story. One of the men climbed to his feet and pointed at Itachi. "Arrest him! He's been acting strange for months! And now Shisui is dead!"
"Enough!" Fugaku approached his eldest son slowly. "We all know you loved Shisui. Put down the blade. I will not arrest Itachi without proof."
Hand shaking, Itachi tightened his grip on the weapon. Whipping it in the air, he flung the blade at the decorated wall behind him. It landed firmly in the center of the uchiwa design, cracks spidering through the stucco.
Itachi turned his sharingan gaze back to his father. Seeing the fury in his brother's eyes, Sasuke screamed, "Nii-san! No!"
As though waking suddenly, the blood red was gone in an instant. Itachi fell to his knees, bowing over his legs and pressing his forehead to the dirt. "Father..." he breathed shakily. "Forgive me. I just..."
"Miss him." Fugaku finished the sentence and pulled him from the ground. "The lot of you can go home. I will handle my son."
Their faces spoke of indignation and resentment, but they were silent as they dispersed, leaving the head household to themselves. Fugaku's fingers bit into Itachi's arm, leaving light bruises as he pulled him inside. Itachi didn't fight and didn't look at Sasuke as he re-entered the house.
The long grass rippled in a cool night breeze and Itachi closed his eyes. The sound of laughter reached him and he turned to his right. Holding the toy telescope to one eye, Sasuke pointed it at Aster and then up at the sky. She giggled and settled beside him as he plopped on his back.
"Nii-san!" Sasuke cried out breathlessly. "Come look!"
Making his way to them, Itachi sank down on the other side of Sasuke. The child handed him the toy and he peered up through it. The moon lit the field, the center of Konoha behind them. Through the lense, the stars were bigger and brighter. Itachi sighed heavily.
Putting his hand out, Sasuke commanded, "My turn now!" Itachi smiled and handed the toy back.
The night was a blur, Itachi's mind elsewhere no matter how he tried to focus. Eventually, Sasuke laid back in the grass, falling asleep with the toy in hand. Beside him, Aster was cross-legged and holding the crisp photo. It was a photo he had splurged on for them. Soon enough, money would have no worth to him, only memories.
Watching her expression, he wondered about asking her to return it. The smile on her face grew and her long lashes rested just above round cheeks, There was a sparkle in her eyes and suddenly she moved to wipe her face.
"Hey," he knelt beside her. "Are… Are you crying?"
"No!" Sniffling, she looked away. "I just… Well, maybe a little."
Hesitating, he wondered if he would ever get the chance to talk to her again. Sasuke and she would never understand what was about to happen. He could ask a rude question or let the night end. "Why are you crying?"
She frowned in profile and studied the photo. "I mean… You've seen my empty house and the graves…" Her hands shook. "I know we're just friends, but you're the closest thing to family I have. This photo… is the most beautiful thing I've probably ever seen."
Taken aback, he paused again. Finally, he reached a decision. "Keep it then."
"R-really?"
Itachi nodded. "You know, I guess we aren't like a family. But I have more admiration for you than any friend I've ever had. I want you to have that."
Fresh tears rolled down her cheeks and she stared at the photograph, unable to find words.
The day had gone by quickly. It was the last day of classes and Aster had decided to skip. Her heart was too light to be weighed down by grim things she did not know how to change. There would be no training come the next couple of months. Her dream of being a shinobi would have to rest until she found another way. For today, there was only a perfect picture that needed a frame.
She had found it on the back of a dusty shelf in the general store. It was the last one they carried. Now usually a traveling vendor with the photographer offered them. But those people had already left Konoha for the next village. She had been lucky to find one and not have to order or craft it herself. The frame was square and fit perfectly, a soft, dark brown wood whose name she did not know.
Now the photo was sitting on her shelf, proudly displayed and surveying her small room. She pictured it in her mind again and trotted down the dusty path. Sasuke would be waiting, if Itachi wasn't already there to take him home. Sure as sunrise, he was sitting on the bench, kicking the dirt, when she rounded the corner. The sun was setting down the road and he looked up as she came to stop in front of him. She held out her hand as he stood, and they meandered towards their destination under a darkening sky.
Night had fallen, and they quickened their pace a little, trotting in silence. Unconsciously, Aster forced them to slow their steps as they neared the entrance of the Uchiha compound. Something in the air was clouding her judgment. She tried to be inconspicuous about what she was doing, but attempted to prolong their journey. A growing sense of unease rolled her stomach. Sasuke was, however, oblivious to it, and pressed onward unsuspectingly.
As the gate came into view, he twisted away from the vice grip she had on his shoulder. She took a few hesitant steps after him before the smell floated to her. Her stomach turned. It was something horrible. She had hoped to have left it behind her, in a distant nightmare. But somehow, the unmistakable smell of blood drifted through the calm night breeze. Her stomach wrenched again in revulsion.
It baffled her that he didn't seem to notice. Maybe it was only a meat vendor who had been slow to pack their wares before nightfall. Sasuke glanced back, smiling slightly and giving a minimal wave. "This is fine, I can make it the rest of the way home by myself," he called while trotting up the gate.
Aster watched him go, waving weakly. She was feeling more and more ill. The smell of blood must have been her imagination. Aster stood rooted to the spot. Something inside her screamed that there was tragedy afoot tonight.
Another gust of wind brought the stench even stronger. Despite her efforts, it filled her and broke the dam that held her worst memories back, letting them flood her. Struggling with her common sense and urge to chase after Sasuke, she teetered where she stood. It wasn't until a scream pierced the night, that she realized how deathly still it had been. Instinct took hold, and in the next second, she was bursting through the gate, searching for Sasuke in the living darkness.
Aster ran blindly through the streets in the Uchiha compound. Blood was everywhere, trickling down walls and puddling on walkways. Her being was screaming, but she was silent as the night, discounting the echoing tap of her footsteps.
Her mind drifted between past and present in a dizzying manner. One second she saw her brother and parents laying still in the darkness, the next the shapes of dead Uchiha who littered the floor. The awful smell of death and blood was all too familiar and sickening.
Finally a scream erupted from her lungs, as she found her voice. Suddenly, locating Sasuke was her only priority.
"Sasuke.. Sasuke-chan!" her voice cut through the night. "SASUKE-CHAN!" she screamed, her voice becoming hoarse.
Another scream rang out in reply, "'Nii-san!"
Her heart raced. Could Itachi be in danger too? If he was unable to defend himself, she wondered if there anything she could do.
"Itachi-kun, Sasuke-chan!" she called again in desperation. Silence met her shrieks. The buildings blurred, becoming one, as she careened wildly through the maze of homes.
Itachi stood, watching Sasuke tremble in terror. It was clear that he had reached his breaking point. It hurt to do it, but he knew he must if he wanted his brother to survive. He activated the mangekyo sharingan, prepared to destroy the innocence and joy of Sasuke's childhood.
The illusion began, and even though it was killing him, he smirked, adding to the horror. Sasuke screamed in agony, trapped in the world he had created. Images of the terrible crimes Itachi had committed played out in gray with a blood red moon above them.
As the genjutsu ended, Aster's wails reached his ears. Sasuke stood with a glazed look, apparently unaware of what was going on anymore. Itachi glared, the last person he wanted to come here now was Aster. He didn't want to hurt her too; he wasn't even sure he could do it. But as her calls grew louder and her footsteps came closer, he knew he must, or she would suffer the same fate as those on the ground around him.
Itachi prepared himself as she rounded the corner. His eyes feigned preoccupancy with Sasuke's limp form, barely standing before him. Aster skidded to a halt, paralyzed, her mind refusing to comprehend what she saw. He could hear her heavy, fearful breathing as he examined Sasuke's glazed stare; any second now, the boy would collapse. It was all he could do to hide the pain. He didn't want to do this anymore than she wanted to believe it was happening.
"I-itachi.. Please, tell me this isn't.." The words were caught in her throat.
He raised his gaze to her frightened eyes. "Yes," he cut in, doing his best to act the part he knew he should play. Please, just leave… But it was obvious she wouldn't.
"N-no.." she stammered, taking a hesitant step forward.
"I killed them.." the words hung in the air horribly as he watched tears well up in her eyes. "All of them."
Aster sucked in a shaky breath, summoning what courage she could. "I-I don't believe you..!" she told him, glancing at Sasuke.
Sasuke was awake, but unaware of what was happening. Aster reached out to pull him to her side, to try to comfort him or herself; who she wasn't sure. Instead he collapsed to his knees, before falling face first in the dirt and dried blood surrounding them.
Aster gasped, "Sasuke!" She kneeled beside him. "Itachi, please! Help me! What's wrong with him?!"
A knot clenched in Itachi's chest, her denial was painful. Forcing his resolve, he unsheathed his sword, bringing the cold metal to her throat. "Go. Now. Unless you want to die."
Aster met his gaze sharply, "No! I'm not going anywhere! I don't believe you!"
Her words cut through him. He pushed the blade's tip gently against her chin, drawing her to her feet. "Why? Why don't you believe me?" He held her eyes with an intense gaze, which, to his surprise, she returned.
"You're not that kind of person. I know you too well! You can't tell me that everyday has been a lie!" Aster yelled, not caring about the sword aimed at her.
"I can… And I am," he replied coldly. "What makes you think you really know me?"
She gave him a pleading look. "No… I don't believe you!"
He pressed the sharp side of the metal against her skin, threatening to slit her throat. "I told you, leave or die." He was sure his threat would be enough to ward her off.
Aster's eyes widened as she made a terrible realization. "Y-you're going to leave the village. I won't see you again…"
For a second, they both shared a mutual pain. Itachi's face went slack as he realized that he may have just given himself away. Regathering himself he threatened her again, not sure how far he was willing to take it. "Leave or die."
A look of utter horror refused to leave her face. "You're leaving.."
Resignedly, he answered. "Yes, I won't be coming back here. And neither will you if you don't go."
Suddenly she stood straighter. "I..I.." she mumbled, "I love …you.."
Inside, he cursed. This wasn't what was supposed to happen. "I will kill you," he said, raising his voice slightly.
"I don't care." She looked him in the eye. "If you truly don't care for me… I have nothing. No family, no friends… Just you. I have no purpose, no reason to live." She took a step forward to the blade. "Kill me."
She pressed her skin against the smooth, icy surface. It would have been over if he hadn't jerked the sword back.
His hand was shaking. This wasn't what he had expected from her. This wasn't supposed to happen. She shouldn't love him, after this, he didn't deserve it. But here they were.
Aster gaped at him. "I knew it! You lied to me!"
Itachi tightened his grip on the sword. "I want to kill you myself, not let you commit suicide." He was still holding the weapon's tip towards her, but no longer against her skin.
"Then do it! You either kill me, or I know you lied…" she was suddenly menacing to him. They stared each other down for what felt like an eternity.
Abruptly, she flung herself towards the blade, hoping to drive it through her heart. He twisted it back, narrowly saving her. They stood, less than a yard separating them. The sword's tip scuffing the dirt as adrenaline coursed through them.
"Don't go…" her lips trembled.
He backed away slowly. The distant sounds of footsteps came to him; he had to leave. He glared at her, still trying to uphold an empty façade. "Don't follow me." Itachi turned his back on her, jogging towards a wall he could easily scale.
A group of jonin rounded a corner; they were in sight now, Kakashi leading the group.
"Don't leave like this!" her voice came out hoarse, but he was already out of earshot.
Aster stumbled at first before breaking into a run after him. He was already gone into the shadows, but maybe if she ran fast enough she could catch him. Hands clutched her wrists, restraining her. "Let me go! Let me GO!"
Fingers moved nimbly over the skin on her neck as she turned to see her capture. A glimpse of his black mask and silver hair was all she caught before he pressed the pressure point roughly.
"Let GO of ME!" she cried, struggling against him.
He hit the pressure point harder. Still, she refused to be taken down. With a rough chop to artery the point used, he finally silenced her.
Aster fell limp as he gathered her up to be taken to the hospital. Kakashi carried her gently. He knew how traumatic her own life had been thus far. He was sympathetic for her, seeing a single tear streak down her face. Her body was light and thin, but he knew she was strong.
PlEaSe R&R
"A Friend's Reminiscence (Obito's Death Theme)" by Yasuharu Takanashi