Note: This is a short one. Well, the story itself is short... (OwO;)
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or the Uchiha brothers. Do support Masashi Kishimoto and the official anime/manga releases.
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Hate. That was what Sasuke was told to have. As the brother who loved and idolised Itachi, Sasuke obeyed and grew his raging hate.
Power. That was what Sasuke was told to need. To be stronger than Itachi as his idol had told him to, Sasuke turned to the snake for power.
Sasuke realised he still saw Itachi as his brother and idol. He would do anything to get his brother's attention just as he had done in their childhood. Just as Itachi wanted, Sasuke returned with hatred and power. The younger brother's skin turned grey. A black cross formed at the bridge of his nose as a pair of large wing-like hands sprouted from his back. A monster Sasuke had become but finally his brother's attention was on him. Not on Naruto or anyone else.
With a stab of a sword, Itachi took away the power of the curse mark that fed on Sasuke's hatred. Even when Itachi was the one who made him weak and stood as strong as ever, he blamed the younger one's lack of power by his lack of hatred. The side of Sasuke that still loved Itachi questioned if his brother was making an excuse to not kill him. After all, what fool let his opponent grow strong enough to kill him? Was his brother a suicidal man who yearn for a good fight?
Scrutinising the man before him, Sasuke believed otherwise. The worried feeling in the eyes that cannot lie, something only Sasuke and Shisui knew. While Itachi's actions hurt the younger sibling, Sasuke could see hurt in Itachi's eyes. If he did not want to hurt Sasuke, why does Itachi still do it?
As they part ways once more, Sasuke was left confused again. While his hatred was to grow, Sasuke saw no worth in doing so. He had hurt himself, his friends even if he often denied calling them one and his only family left. As much as he would say Itachi was no longer part of the clan, he was still his brother by blood. Plus, there was fond memory that often left Sasuke feeling rather guilty. It was as if he was betraying his brother and his younger and innocent self.
"I'll always love you, nii-san."
Just as his brother would tell him.
"I'll always protect you, Sasuke."
Unsure of what to think of his relationship with Itachi, whether to continue hating or return to his childhood adoration for his brother, Sasuke returned to what he had been doing, training and walking the path of vengeance.
Somewhere within, Sasuke remembered reading a quote; there is a fine line between love and hate.