Hey everyone, sorry this took so long. I had issues making it good enough to post . Anyway, hope you enjoy and please R&R!! ^.^
Chapter 3
Mission
A mission from the Hokage. That's how it all really began. When I get word that he wants to see me I go straight to his office, ever the dutiful ANBU. I stand in front of his desk, waiting to receive my mission assignment. I'm eager to get it because a mission might distract me from the Uchiha situation. And I truly need a distraction.
The Hokage sighs and looks out the window. Then he looks at me. The look in his eyes is sad, regretful and burdened. I can't think of why. This is just another mission. Right?
"The situation with your clan cannot be allowed to continue," he begins, "I had hoped to resolve the conflict peacefully, but that is no longer possible. Therefore, there is only one other solution. The Uchiha must disappear. Do you understand what I'm saying?"
My mind has gone numb. I know what he means but I don't want to believe it.
"Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to wipe out your clan," The Hokage says.
"The clan must die," I say, "To protect the village. Isn't that right, Hokage-sama?"
"Yes." The Hokage's voice is tired. Tired and sad. "It's all to keep Konoha safe."
"Then I accept." There's a pause. Perhaps he didn't expect me to respond so soon.
"Very well. In that case, Uchiha Itachi, your mission is the annihilation of the Uchiha clan. I leave it to you to plan how you will accomplish that."
"I understand, Hokage-sama," I bow and then walk out of the office. My mind is still numb as I traverse the familiar streets of my village. Not really going anywhere, just wandering.
I almost can't comprehend the enormity of what I've just agreed to. I'll have to kill them all. When I do, I'll be labeled a criminal and have to run. What if I back out? Will I be allowed to change my mind? Do I want to? Then I realize. I didn't agree to this mission because I feel obligated to. I agreed because I'm willing to do anything to protect the village. Now that I have a reason, I'm no longer doubtful. I have the ability and resolve to protect the village. And yet... in one small corner of my heart, something is telling me that this is wrong. That I shouldn't go through with it. I silence that part of me. It must be mistaken.
~*~*~*~
Three days later, it's twilight. Tonight is the night I complete my mission. I'm finally ready. Dressed to fight, with numerous weapons stored in pockets and pouches. I'm not taking anything else with me. Since I'll never be able to come back, why would I? It would just be a reminder of something I can't have. Something I destroyed.
I enter the gates to the Uchiha compound. There are a few people outside, so I start with them. I move fast and they fall before they know what happened. I continue up the street, slaying everyone I can see. People are coming out of their houses now, shocked by the carnage already littering the road.
~*~*~*~
An hour later, I've killed them all. Every last Uchiha is dead. Except for one. Sasuke's still at the Academy. So I wait atop a telephone pole for him to return. I wait for what seems like a long time. Finally, I see him running through the compound. He catches a glimpse of me and I jump away before he can recognize me. I run to our house, beating him there by a few minutes. I stand in our parent's room, in a patch of moonlight. I can hear his footsteps pounding down the hallway now. The door bursts open and he stands there for a few moments. I can see the horror in his face as he recognizes me. He shouts at me, asks me why. I tell him it was to test my skills. That was the excuse I thought up during my planning. I put him under the Mangekyou. Show him the full extent of what I've done, so that he can truly hate me. As soon as I release him, he runs away. I follow through a different route, using back alleys and roofs so as not to be seen. I realized something during my planning. Sasuke is the one Uchiha I cannot kill. This mission was wrong, but there's no turning back. So I've modified my plan.
I catch up to Sasuke and step onto the street in front of him. He freezes and cowers, saying that he doesn't want to die. I say that I'll spare his life, though he is weak. I tell him how to attain the Mangekyou. I ask him to become an avenger. So that he can someday kill me. You see, that's my plan. I've done something terrible and I have to atone somehow. The most fitting way is for Sasuke to kill me. Someday, he'll be strong enough. I know it.
I've finished my mission now. I leave my family home and don't look back. I hurry past the familiar buildings of Konoha, fleeing the pursuit that is sure to come. But as I cross the village gate, I pause and look back. I wish I could have stayed. Irrational as it is, I love this place. I push that thought away. There's no turning back for me. Only the redemption that Sasuke will bring. I pray that he's strong enough. With that thought, I turn away and begin the journey to my death.
~*~*~*~
That day has finally come. Dying here, at his hands is the final price for killing our clan. Though I paid another price that I had not planned for. No matter what happens, my biggest regret is that my little brother will always hate me.