Sorry for the long wait. I don't even have an explanation as to why I waited so long to get this one done. It shall remain a mystery...

To Charrmed: Unfortunately I can't let Sasuke die. I don't like him either for all he has said and done to Itachi in the anime (wanting to destroy Konoha when Itachi did everything to protect it *pacepalm*) But without Sasuke there wouldn't be ItaSasu, right? So bear with him a little longer. I just can't make him realize his true feelings so soon but we are getting to that point, someday. Btw, your comment made me laugh - a lot :D

P.S: You can keep any mistakes you'll find. I ran out of patience to find them on my own.

To TigerCaramelRecinos: Noes! Leave my grammar mistakes alone! Just kidding, they are yours now ;P When I read your comment I was first like :) then like D: (I made that face at the grammar error part) Seriously, it went like that. I was very delighted to hear that you like my story and my imagination, it made me smile. I like to keep things coherent. And yeah, it was ironic to hear that because Sasuke is simply made to hate xD (Cool, it rhymes.) And thanks for the support :D

'insert rant here' - Sasuke's (16) comments

'insert emoness here' - Itachi's thoughts

Disclaimer: I don't own anything from the Naruto world, it belongs all to Kishimoto. If not I would own my dear Itachi.

Chapter 22 Memories: The dreadful twist of fate

-Flashback, pre-massacre-

How can a single letter change a life so suddenly, so drastically? It will remain a mystery for all eternity.

When Itachi went outside to the pond, intending to find his precious little brother, a kunai dashed towards his way. He stopped in his tracks as his Sharingan had immediately activated itself, calculating where the knife would hit. Embedded into the wall just a few inches away from him, the Kekkei Genkai faded from the Uchiha's eyes. He glared into the direction where the kunai had come flying from but saw no one. The attacker had already run off without being spotted. Itachi then looked back to the blade that stuck in the wall. Weird, he thought at first and that's when he noticed that a piece of paper was wrapped around the kunai.

Curiousity took over him as he removed the said paper and saw something was written on it, a message. Of course it was a message, what else would it be? A weak attempt at trying to murder him with a mere throwing knife? He proceeded to read the letter and his face suddenly went pale, eyes widened.

To Itachi,

meet me around sunset at the Nakano River. I need to talk to you. It's about your brother, about Sasuke.

The heart that was beating in his chest pounded now with greater force against his ribcage, breath caught in his throat. His hand that was holding the paper started to shake and he bit down on his lower lip to cease those movements. The letter, this mysterious letter. Itachi didn't even try to think of a person who could have written that, instead all his mind could think of in this very moment was the name that was mentioned there.

Sasuke.

And nothing mattered anymore. The message thrown into his life centered around that one person who mattered the most to him. A horrible feeling of being totally overwhelmed pooled in his stomach.

He had to meet this person and find out what he wanted from his otouto. He had to!

Tightening his hand into a fist the letter being stuck there was crumbled in the process. He looked up into the sky, seeing that the sun was about to set he decided to waste no more time.

Itachi paced into his room and picked up the little bag from his desk, fastening it around his hip. He then rushed back but was forced to a stop when he crashed into someone. The person gasped in shock and fell backwards but was caught in Itachi's strong arms wrapped around the waist before he could collide with the wooden surface. The elder Uchiha prayed to god that it wasn't his father that he had almost knocked over because this would end for sure in a good lecture about not running around the house. The head pressing into him barely reached his chest and that was when the prodigy let his eyes slowly travel downwards. They widened when he recognized who he had just crashed into.

"Sasuke? I'm sorry otouto, I never meant to bump into you. I was in a hurry but that should never be an excuse for hurting you."

The younger Uchiha stared up with questionable eyes at this. "What are you talking about aniki? You didn't hurt me you just startled me. I'm fine, really."

The little boy smiled up at him, proving his point. He wanted to part from his elder brother to show him that he wasn't harmed but couldn't do so. Itachi tightened his hold around him, afraid of letting go just yet. The threatening letter and the words written on it flashed through his mind.

What if Sasuke was in danger? What if this was a warning? A warning about his brother's approaching death? What if this was a trap to lure him out so they could kill Sasuke in his absence? What if when he returns his precious brother would be lying dead on the floor? What if he were to lose him? He didn't want to think about something so absurd like this but... what if it really happens?

Lost in his terrifying thoughts he ran his hands up and down the younger's back, ensuring himself that the other was okay and still alive. Starting to worry about his brother's strange behaviour Sasuke lifted a hand to touch the elder's cheek. The sudden contact on his skin caused Itachi to snap his eyes open which he had closed to erase his thoughts. He smiled down at the little boy in his hold and soon the same smile was on his lips.

"Nii-san, why were you in a hurry? Did you forget something?" Sasuke asked, gazing at his brother who had just let go of him and went down on his knees instead, now being on the same eye level as him.

"I just remembered that I have some business left. I have to go and finish it."

The younger Uchiha's face dropped at the words 'I have to go' but he had to push that aside for now, his aniki was the clan's prodigy after all. The thought hurt though. Because of this fact he was always busy but still the little Uchiha tried to accept it. In the end it was easier said than done, much easier.

"But what about the meeting you have to attend this evening?"

"I will go there afterwards and come back home late, so please don't wait for me. Go to sleep when kaa-san tells you so, okay?"

Sasuke wanted to protest and stay awake to await his sibling's return but after a kiss to his forehead he was convinced otherwise. He touched the spot he was just being kissed at softly and then smiled. Itachi used to poke him on the forehead and it would leave a red mark every time he did that but this kind of contact only left a tingling sensation. He liked those sweet touches.

"Hai, aniki but only if you do that again." The boy stuttered while blushing and when the prodigy smiled that lovely smile he had to look away, hiding his red face in embarassment.

"As you wish, otouto." Itachi said, his breath swept over the heated skin of his brother's cheek. He lifted his index finger, placing it under the other's chin to tilt his head back. Obsidian eyes met identical ones as their warm breath washed over each other.

"You are too adorable to resist anyway." The older Uchiha whispered. He was captivated by the other's eyes, eyes that held so much affection for him. He would never get tired of gazing into them. He was lost, lost in a spell only his little brother could create. Oh how he wished he could tell him how much love he held towards him but he couldn't. It was wrong to love your siblings like that, more than brotherly love.

With a clenching feeling getting hold of his heart he leaned in and gently placed his lips upon the soft skin of the boy's forehead. The blush on Sasuke's cheeks intensified as his eyes closed to savour the warm feeling the touch caused. When he opened his eyes again Itachi has already gotten up from his kneeling position. He gave another smile, ruffled the blue-ish dark locks on the other's head before heading to the front door. However, he managed only a few steps only to stop again when he heard his name being called.

"Nii-san!"

Said brother turned towards him as the other went on. "Be careful, don't get hurt."

A small smile tugged at the elder Uchiha's lips. "I will, don't worry about me."

How can I die when I have a reason to stay alive? When I have you as my reason?

And with a last glance at his younger sibling Itachi turned back and left the house, walking his way down to the meeting point as sun slowly set over him.

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Water rushed down its path and Itachi found himself staring at the river with longing eyes. The way it flowed seemed so relaxing, something that the Uchiha was lacking lately. He couldn't sleep at nights and throughout the day his mind was constantly absent. He wished he could wash away his troubles like the river did with whatever fell into its stream. He sighed out a heavy sigh, trying to free his lungs and clear his mind. Closing his eyes he felt a breeze wind up to caress his face.

"I knew you would come, Itachi." A voice stated that appeared out of nowhere, followed by a figure jumping down from the nearest tree.

"You gave me a good reason after all..." The prodigy turned towards the other and when a sun beam fell upon his features he could see him clearly. Black hair with untamed curls, obsidian eyes that were almost the same as his and a smug grin on his face whenever they would meet. His clothes were casual like everyone else when there wasn't any mission. Yet, the greatest difference between him and the ones from Konoha was the Uchiha crest on the back of his shirt, proving that he was a member of the said Clan which he wore with pride. "...Shisui."

Said person gave a little smirk when his name fell from the other's lips. "I didn't tell you that it was me who sent the letter. Which detail gave away my identity that easily?"

"Your handwriting."

"Damn it. I should have put more effort into my awful scribbling." Itachi chuckled lightly at this, Shisui was more naive then he appeared to be.

"It wasn't only because of that though it confirmed my thoughts."

"Then what was the final piece?"

"It was one word, no, one name that told me that only you could be the sender."

Eyes widened for a moment but quickly relaxed before the older Uchiha face palmed himself. "Of course, how can I be so dense?"

"Only you know that when it's about my brother, no matter the reason, I would follow every order thrown at me just to make sure that Sasuke is safe. Isn't it, Shisui?"

Addressed person gave a nod as the hand slipped down from his face to linger on his hip. Itachi watched him for a moment, waiting for his friend to speak up but when he noticed that he won't say anything he voiced out his own thoughts.

"What do you have to tell me that concerns Sasuke?"

Shisui sighed deeply at this. He was well aware of how protective his cousin can get over his brother and also that it would be hard telling him what he has to say. Why was Itachi making it only worse? Why did he have to stare at him with those empty eyes that seemed so threatening all of a sudden?

"Okay, I will tell you but only if you anwer me this first: how are you? What have you been up to lately? How's it going with your ANBU duties?"

The moment he finished Itachi stared even more at him, bewildered by those questions that avoided his own. He opened his mouth to say something but his cousin was faster than him to speak up.

"Before you say anything now let me tell you that I haven't seen you for quite a long time now. We used to hang around once in a while but since you joined the ANBU force you were even more busy with missions. I just want to talk to you for a bit. You seem so troubled lately. Maybe it can ease some of your tensions?"

The prodigy let out a sigh but then flashed a small smile. "I'm sorry Shisui. You are right, we are friends and haven't seen each other in a while. To your questions: I'm fine. Missions and training. The usual."

"Geez, you are a man of a few words. Your ANBU comrades were right."

Another sigh this time a deeper one. "Please, can you finally tell me what you wanted to talk about?" Because I'm starting to get a bad feeling about this whole thing. Why are you trying to avoid the subject, Shisui?

"One thing beforehand, you have to believe me when I say it's not easy for me as well."

Itachi stared at him with questionable eyes.

"I was ordered to carry out a special mission, a mission concerning your little brother."

Heart beat speeded up, pulse quickened as the body invisiblely started to tremble from fear. The feeling in his stomach getting worse with each second passing by in a suffocating silence.

"I was ordered to... kill Uchiha Sasuke."

The same heart skipped a beat, breath caught in the throat, lungs stopped working for a moment as eyes widened frantically. A loud gasp left his dry mouth, mind racing like crazy in the same way his heart did. Everything went blank. All rational thoughts were erased as only one word escaped his lips.

"No..."

Pure shock shot through him, overwhelming him. His limbs felt numb, too weak to bear the suddenly heavy weight as he fell to his knees. For the first time in his life Shisui was able to see all emotions playing in the other's black eyes. He tilted his head to the side in self-loathing, feeling angry at the person who ordered to kill his own little cousin and angry at himself for not being able to do anything.

"No way... this must be a lie. This can't be true..." Those words whispered in such a quiet voice caused the elder Uchiha's heart to shatter on the spot. Oh how he wished that it was merely a joke or a nightmare but unfortunately it wasn't - it was the bitter truth.

"I'm so sorry Itachi, really. I wish it was a lie I just told you but it wasn't. I have to kill him even though it's my own cousin. It's for the best."

Gaining his control back, Itachi slowly rose up. His obsidian eyes glassy, the shock still visible. His lips started to quiver as he bit down to suppress it, a small trail of blood trailed down as a result.

Sasuke... why you? Why would they want to get rid of you?

"Who Shisui? Who gave you the order?" The helplessness he had felt a few moments ago was quickly suffocated by his rising anger. No longer feeling drowned but instead led by fury he yelled loudly, demanding an answer to the ache in his heart.

"For what reason? Tell me! What reason could they possible have to order the assasination of my little brother?" Sharingan crept into his eyes, overtaking him, intensifying the angry display.

The other Uchiha was a bit shocked by hearing his best friend rise his voice to a shouting level. Never before had he seen him this angry and so verbal. He even felt slightly intimidated by the outburst, considering that the prodigy was usually collected, calm and indifferent. But he was not the one to back down or cower in fear from the rage pouring down on him. Freeing a heavy breath he confronted the piercing blood red eyes with his own crimson ones, the seriousness clearly apparent.

"I can't say who gave me the order but I can tell you why. Listen Itachi, I could have just done my mission without even giving you this information. But because of the fact that you are my best friend I felt like I should tell you the truth. Do you think it's easy for me to kill him? Don't forget that Sasuke is not only your brother but also my cousin!"

"Then why?"

"Because of you!"

Itachi gasped loudly at this, the stab to his heart hit deeper than the one before. His mind went completely numb, the world around him stopped abruptly as his breathing did.

Because of me...? Because of me Sasuke has to be killed?

And as Shisui continued the prodigy felt the ache in his heart getting worse with each word being spoken.

"It's because of you. It wasn't hard to notice that Sasuke has become your weakness. He has become so much important to you that you put him over training and everything else. I know you would give up anything for him and even the others noticed that you became too attached to your brother, too much for their liking. Training was not as important as before but instead spending time with him was your top priority. You even were in hospital once because you protected him. Itachi, don't you see that he could be your downfall? 'They' noticed that and there's another reason as to why too. It's because he is not as skilled as you. You are the Uchiha prodigy. You have the potential to become the greatest member since our founder Madara. And what is Sasuke compared to you? Sure, he is your brother but just look at the facts. He is eight. That's the age when you've already graduated as a Genin and achieved the Sharingan. Sasuke will never reach the same level as you. He will forever live in your shadows, bearing the fate of being second for as long as he will live. Do you understand it now, Itachi? It's for the best but only in their opinion..."

The shock was great and hit deeply. The heart beat became erratic for a moment, eyes empty and liveless. Everything seemed to crash down, to fall apart and even the world seemed to suddenly hold its breath as the younger Uchiha did. Shisui stared at his friend for a minute, silently wondering why he was so quiet and not accusing him or yelling at him again. Not even a glare, nothing except for the silent treatment.

All of a sudden Itachi rose a hand, causing the other one to flinch at the movement, Sharingan activated in preparation. He let out a relieved sigh when the prodigy only grasped his necklace instead of a weapon as he had expected. The pendant was lifted to his eye level as another hand came to open it, revealing its content which the older boy would never learn about. A smile played on Itachi's face that was not only out of character for the famous Uchiha to do but also not fitting in a situation like this. Shisui just told him that his little brother has to be killed because he has become a thorn in the eyes of his clients, yet all his cousin did was being quiet about it and just stare at his lucky charm?

"If you really intend to kill Sasuke..." The pendant was closed and buried under the shirt again. Sharingan eyes met identical ones when the prodigy glared into his cousin's orbs.

"...then you'll have to kill me first."

"Itachi, please, don't make this any harder than it already-"

"I swore to protect Sasuke from anything, from anyone. Even from you if it has to be. And if this means that I'll die protecting him I won't regret it because..."

Crimson eyes shone in absolute seriousness when he finished that one sentence that made everything clear. "...he's more important to me than my life could ever be."

Shisui gasped in shock upon hearing this heartfelt confession. He lowered his head in understanding, eyes closing slowly.

"There's no way around this one, is it?"

A nod from the prodigy although the other couldn't see it.

"Destiny really is a bitch..."

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AN: Yep, it is. I don't know how exactly Itachi and Shisui are related to each other because Kishimoto never made that clear except for the "I thought you considered Shisui as a brother" part. And since everyone describes him as the elder cousin I thought 'why not'? And why did neither the manga nor the freaking anime show clearly what hair and eye colour Shisui has? Do I have to make up everything on my own? *sigh* The order to kill Sasuke and the reason why are made up as well but I thinks it fits and makes sense. Can you already guess what will happen in the next chapter? I bet you do. It's quite easy when you remember what Itachi thought just before the flashback and when you think about their 'location'. Esay, ne? So, see ya next chapter ;P

~Blackbeta