A/n: Somehow summer is even busier than school... well anyway, Uchiha Night Massacre happens a little differently, so if you find yourself confused and thinking 'wait a minute, this didn't happen', don't worry, you're not going insane. :)

Chapter 9- A Night to Remember

Edward stared out the window, his eyes unseeing. He still couldn't really believe what he had heard, what Itachi had supposedly done.

But the evidence, it was right there. The streets of the Uchiha residence were empty, Edward could feel that with his Alkehestry, yet the whole place reeked of death. Numerous ninja had witnessed the fleeing young genius from the scene of the crime, and unless a genjutsu which could affect twenty jounin was cast, there was no denying it.

And Sasuke.

"Edward?"

The blond turned away from the closed glass, focusing golden eyes on the other person in the room. Hiruzen Sarutobi. The Hokage of Konoha. He looked tired, and his age was more pronounced than ever. The Sandaime was sitting behind his desk with his hands clasped together in front of him, no doubt trying to look professional and impartial. Edward knew better than that.

Edward had requested an audience with the Hokage, and despite these busy times the Sandaime had granted it to him. He supposed he shouldn't be wasting the Sandaime's time. No doubt there were many others harping at the Hokage's door, wanting something to be done about Ita...

"I'd like to request leave," Edward said, stepping away from the windowpane and to the front of the Hokage's desk. He saw the Sandaime's eyes widen in surprise, and could not help but feel a little bad for requesting something so selfish in a time where the Hokage most needed him. Still, this was something he had to do. "I'd like to go travel the world for a year... with Sasuke."

For a moment, the Hokage seemed even more surprised, and then he nodded in understanding, "Ah... I see. You want him to get away from Konoha, and possibly recover while he's doing so."

"It's a lot to ask I know," Edward murmured, "I know in politics everyone will want to keep the 'last Uchiha' here, but..."

"You are worried about Sasuke's state of mind. No one will see him for just him, and only pity will follow his footsteps. Pity is the last thing he needs. Letting him leave and come back in a year will give everyone a chance to cool down, and allow the Uchiha Massacre to take a rest in the back of their heads. Hm... the council will object to this."

"I know." He had prepared himself for this after all; he knew it wouldn't be easy. It was disgusting, but even Edward knew that nobody wanted the last of the Sharingan eyes outside of Konoha. He would have to use every last drop of his wit to persuade the Sandaime to let Sasuke go. The Sandaime himself Edward knew, would gladly let Sasuke traverse the world, but the Hokage also needed valid points to argue against the council with. No, more than valid. They had to be faultless.

"Hm, well then you know how much you owe me when you get back."

Edward opened his mouth to deliver a brilliant counter, then stopped as the Sandaime's words sunk in. Wait... what? He blinked, not quite sure he had heard it correctly, but when he replayed the conversation again... no, no the Sandaime had definitely just agreed to-

The Hokage chuckled, "Edward, you do resemble yesterday's dinner right now. Fish, if I recall correctly."

Edward closed his mouth, but his thoughts were still unbelieving, "Did you just say- did you just- we can go? Just like that?"

"I thought you'd be pleased," The Hokage said in amusement.

"But- but- what about the council? You just said-"

"The council is for me to deal with," The Hokage interrupted kindly, "Edward, keep in mind that becoming Hokage does not only depend on strength alone. If I daresay it, my political and persuasive skills would be on a completely different level than yours. I can already think of a number of ways I can convince the majority of the council to let Sasuke leave, least of which is that it'll endear him to Konoha all the more. It's only the minority that'll cause me a headache."

This- this- Edward blinked, and sat down on the chair beside him.

The Hokage chuckled, "Remember, you're not the only genius in Konoha."

...no, he wasn't. But he was one of the only ones left, after...

The Sandaime seemed to have sensed Edward's change in mood, for his voice suddenly changed to something much softer, "Edward... how are you holding up?"

"Still a little in shock," Edward answered honestly, or at least, somewhat honestly. Truth was, a part of him wasn't allowing himself to move from the shock part, because if he did, he knew he would think about the inconsistencies and- and he had a feeling that it wouldn't end well for him or Itachi if he started sprouting off about conspiracies.

The Hokage nodded in understanding, steeping his fingers together. He bowed his head, a tone of sadness in his voice, "Edward... Don't dwell too much on Itachi's actions. He... I know he was your friend, and obviously values you because he sent you out of the village during the day of the massacre, but perhaps it'd be better if you think of that as something of the past. He is sadly, Konoha's enemy now."

Was he? Yes, yes he was. And Edward had chosen Konoha over Amestris, had he not? Wait... no, he had chosen Itachi and Sasuke over Amestris, not just Konoha...

"Hokage-sama!" A loud voice interrupted Edward's thoughts, and a second later he heard the door bang open, "The last Uchiha is awake!"

Edward flinched at the choice of words, and the Sandaime looked at the messenger sharply.

"Masato," The Hokage said harshly, "Kindly do not barge into my private meetings. If we were discussing an S-class mission or secret, you would be executed."

There was a moment of silence, where Edward had to squash the urge to turn around and look at this 'Masato's' reaction. Then, after what seemed liked forever, Masato spoke, his voice decidedly ashamed, "I- I- I'm sorry Hokage-sama. I just thought you wanted- but that's no excuse. I should have knocked at least. I apologize deeply; I won't do it again."

The Sandaime smiled, "I shall hold you to that. That being said however... thank you for letting us know. Edward, shall we?"

Edward nodded, rising from his chair at the same time the Hokage did. A little part of him was still in awe about the way the Hokage had handled Masato's behaviour, much like a stern parent would to a child. First, the Hokage had let Masato know what was not allowed, and let Masato feel suitably ashamed for it, and then the Sandaime had complimented Masato and let Masato know that he was loved. Although Edward didn't doubt for a moment that the Sandaime truly felt this way, the way he phrased it would bring maximum effect. Master manipulator indeed. Should Edward have even been worried about the Hokage's ability to fend off the council?

The three of them walked towards the hospital, with the Hokage making light conversation with Masato along the way. Thankfully, he didn't try to draw Edward in, probably sensing that the blond was occupied with other thoughts.

They went up a flight of stairs, turned past three corridors, and finally, in front of them stood the white door to Sasuke's room. Edward drew in a breath as Masato pushed the door open. He had seen Sasuke already, but Sasuke had been unconscious then, and Edward hadn't had to see-

"Hokage-sama," Sasuke said bleakly, his eyes dull as he stared blankly at the three of them. His bed was parallel to the door, and Sasuke was sitting sideways, but his face was turned towards them as he clutched the hospital sheets tightly.

Masato bowed low, and left, while the Hokage took a step forwards, "Sasuke... how are you feeling?"

"I am not harmed," Sasuke replied in that same, horrible blank tone of his, "All I sustained were bruises."

The Sandaime's figure slumped slightly, but he nodded anyway, "I see. Well then, I am glad you are uninjured. I shall take my leave now, and allow the visitor who is truly worried about you to come in."

With that, the Hokage swept an arm towards Edward, forcing Sasuke's eyes to follow the motion. For a split second, Sasuke startled, his eyes regaining some of the sparkle that Edward associated with him. "Aniki?"

The Sandaime turned away, and only Edward saw his soft smile as the Hokage blew past him, closing the door firmly shut as he made his leave. For a moment, Edward could do nothing, not sure what to say, but Sasuke saved him.

"You're... you're... you're alive..." Sasuke whispered brokenly, tears forming at the edges of his eyes and crawling down his face to land with a soft plop on the white blankets. "You... I thought you..."

And then there were no more words. Sasuke chocked, buried his face in his hands, and cried. Really, truly cried. His whole body was racking with sobs, knees pressed tightly to his chest as if he was trying to get smaller and disappear.

Edward hesitated, and then decided to do what he always did with Al when the younger blond turned hysterical. Itachi was not here to comfort Sasuke now, and Edward could not force his black haired friend to act like a brother. So... so Edward would take Itachi's place... for now...

He moved forward, sitting beside the eight year old boy and pulling Sasuke into a hard hug. He allowed Sasuke to bury his face in Edward's chest, muffled voice letting out screams of frustration and pain as Edward rubbed soft circles on the dark haired boy's back.

Edward wanted to tell Sasuke that it was fine, that it would all be okay, but he couldn't get the words past his lips. Because it wouldn't be fine, it wouldn't be okay, not when something like this had happened. Sasuke had lost everything; his mother, his father, even his brother. Edward being here was a small compensation; he was an outsider to the Uchiha clan and the best friend of the murder.

Even the losses Edward went through couldn't compare. When he had lost his father, he had been too young to really miss him. Van Hohenhiem's departure affected Edward because it had affected Mother, made her stare sadly at pieces of furniture he had touched whenever she thought her children weren't looking. When Mother died, Al had been there for Edward, sharing the grief and the pain, understanding and comforting. Finally, Edward could no longer see Al... well that was a conscious decision wasn't it? Edward had chosen not to go back to Al, knowing and drawing comfort from the fact that Al was alive and well.

Sasuke's situation was different. The eight year old boy had everything ripped from him, without warning and without mercy. Edward could not offer words of empathy, and he knew that sympathy would be the worst thing to give.

So instead, Edward simply closed his eyes, and continued tracing soft circles, his grip on the Uchiha tightening ever so slightly.

Finally, after what could have been an eternity and could have been a few seconds, Sasuke's sobs subsided. Sasuke seemed to go slack in Edward's grip, energy completely depleted from his release. Edward let go, but didn't get up from the bed.

"You know," Sasuke said, his voice still bleak but not quite as emotionless as before, "It's Uchiha clan policies to never show your emotions in front of non-Uchihas."

"You always stunk at doing that." The words were out of Edward's mouth before he could help it.

Sasuke smiled slightly, "Yeah, I know. I was never the perfect Uchiha, and now I'm the only one left."

Edward hesitated, wondering if he should say what he really thought, and decided that Sasuke deserved to know. "That's not true... there's still Itachi."

Sasuke's eyes flashed, "Him? The murderer? He killed his own parents Aniki, my parents. The clan, too. How can he still be considered an Uchiha? How can you still say that? Or is the reason that you're still alive and breathing because you helped him the massacre?"

Edward took a breath, and told himself to be calm. Sasuke needed that. It was only reasonable that Sauske wouldn't trust anyone; after all, he had just been betrayed by the one he trusted most. So why did Edward feel a tinge of pain? "No Sasuke, I would never help with murder, you know that. I was just as clueless about this as you... though I should have seen it I suppose. Itachi had been acting oddly months before this..."

Sasuke looked down, ashamed, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean- but where were you? I thought... I thought Ita- I thought you'd died, because I hadn't seen you for the past two weeks. I mean, usually you're on a mission but-"

Edward nodded; he understood. Missions were supposed to be kept secret, so whenever he disappeared for long periods of time Sasuke just assumed he was on a mission. However, at the time of the massacre, Sasuke must have thought it was something much more sinister.

"Well, I'm here now," Edward said simply, and winced. Ugh, why was he so bad at acting soothing?

"Yeah," Sasuke said in a small voice, "You are. I... I'm glad."

Edward hesitated, then squashed down the feeling. When had he ever been so indecisive? He wrapped his arm around Sasuke's shoulder –the arm that would have been automail once upon a time- ignored Sasuke's flinch, and pulled the boy closer. He himself had used to act like he hated contact, but in reality-

Sasuke trembled at first, shaking uncontrollably at the contact. His mind was probably flashing to the night of the massacre, where Itachi did things that no brother should do. Sasuke might not have trusted human contact after that, especially one that was not initiated by him.

And then Sasuke relaxed, tremors subsiding as he slumped bonelessly in Edward's hold. Edward felt the bottom of his shirt cluster, and somehow knew that Sasuke had switched his iron hard grip from the sheets to Edward's shirt.

"Do you know what he did?" Sasuke asked softly after a long moment of companionable silence, "The night that he mur- that I came home late from weapons practice?"

Edward startled slightly, hardly able to believe what Sasuke was saying. Was Sasuke... offering to talk about it? He hadn't thought that Sasuke would even want to touch the subject, let alone offer to talk about it.

Before Edward entered the hospital room, he had squashed and crushed all his burning questions and uncertainty about Itachi, knowing they would only bring Sasuke pain. Edward's brain had been nicking and picking at all the possibilities, sometimes trying to make excuses for Itachi and sometimes condemning Edward for not noticing Itachi's insanity. Edward needed to know the facts, but the only person who knew what happened that night was Sasuke Uchiha, and Edward was not willing to let Sasuke pay the price for Edward's ease.

And now... Sasuke was willing to offer the information to him. Edward swallowed. This couldn't be easy for Sasuke. "If... if you want to wait to talk, I'm sure that even the Sandaime will not push you."

"No," Sasuke shook his head, his grip on Edward's shirt tightening if possible, "I can't wait. I don't think I can tell anyone if I wait. Besides, you... I trust you. Can you... can you tell the Hokage when I'm done?"

Letting out a breath, Edward nodded, "Anything you want."

For a moment, a wry smile played across Sasuke's lips, "Anything? Aniki, you should have known better." And then the smile disappeared, as Sasuke systematically recounted exactly what he had seen that night. Sometimes Sasuke couldn't hold his monotone, and he would break down in anger or tears, but somehow, he got through the whole story. It was a frightening, heart tearing story, but at the same time...

"It just doesn't make sense," Edward said as soon as the story was done, the words out of his mouth before he could help it. His mind was racing, dissecting and analysing everything that Sasuke had said. It. Didn't. Match. Up.

"Huh?" Sasuke looked up, clearly confused by the sudden change.

Edward swallowed; should he tell Sasuke? On one hand, Sasuke maybe wasn't ready to know, and certainly Edward didn't want to bring false hope if his theory was wrong. On the other hand, he was almost positive his theory wasn't wrong, just as how he was positive that Shou Tucker had turned his daughter into a chimera, how Laboratory Five was a key to the philosopher's stone, how all Envy wanted was to be human. If he was right, did Edward have the right to keep this from Sasuke?

Besides, Sasuke had shown himself more resilient and strong than Edward had guessed. Perhaps... perhaps... "I think that Itachi was maybe forced into killing the clan."

"What?" Sasuke startled, "But he said-"

"I know what he said," Edward reminded Sasuke gently, "But it just doesn't make sense. If Itachi really wanted to 'test his capacity', why the heck would he assassinate everyone in the clan, instead of outright fighting them? He went for subtly, that much I can tell. No matter how you look at it, he was aiming to kill, not to access."

Sasuke's eyes hardened. He jerked away, and Edward flinched as he felt his shirt fall back into place.

"Is that supposed to make me feel better?" Sasuke snarled, "That he just wanted to kill everyone?"

"No, think about it though, why would he lie to you? What motive could he have for killing the Uchiha clan, that he didn't want you to find? That he didn't want me to find. Itachi loves peace, I know that, and he loves you. That's why... you aren't dead right now. What's the connection between those and his slaughter?"

"He didn't kill me because ANBU arrived," Sasuke insisted stubbornly, "He doesn't love peace anymore. He-" Sasuke chocked "-he killed Mother in front of my eyes."

Edward closed his eyes, "I... I know. But, I've worked with Itachi a lot, and I know his skills. I'd hate to say it but- he could have killed you easily before escaping from the ANBU. And then he wouldn't have left any witnesses."

Itachi had really underestimated how much Edward knew him, how much Edward paid attention to what Itachi did. It was actually this point which really got Edward, nagged Edward's brain until he realized something was wrong with Itachi's story. The meticulous, cautious Itachi had made a mistake in his carefully constructed story, and it was because he underestimated how much people really knew him.

"That's-" Sasuke swallowed, but he was an intelligent child and even he could not defy the outright inconsistencies in front of him. Besides, Edward had a feeling Sasuke didn't want to believe in the worst of Itachi. "I- do you really think so?"

The voice so hopeful. If Edward was wrong... Edward clenched his fists; he wasn't wrong, and he wouldn't allow himself to be wrong. "Yes."

"Then-" Sasuke's eyes changed. The hopeless, bottomless pit changed into something that Edward recognized, something that sparkled with an intensity that Edward saw in the mirror every single day. "We've got to clear Itachi nii-san's name. Someone obviously made him do it, and now he has to be on the run from Konoha. It isn't right."

Edward blinked, surprised at Sasuke's sudden change. In some ways Edward was glad, but... Could the Sasuke have also forgiven Itachi for murdering his parents? And then Edward saw it.

Behind those determined black eyes, was a silent pleading. No, Sasuke hadn't forgotten Itachi killing his mother, and that murder was undeniable at least, but he didn't want to think about it. Itachi was Sasuke's last link to a family, and Sasuke was willing to forget in able to get Itachi back. He hadn't forgiven Itachi yet, but he was looking for a reason, and he knew that reason wouldn't be found until they uncovered the conspiracy.

Edward nodded, "Yeah, we've got to get some evidence that Itachi was being controlled or blackmailed. The Hokage will take care of the rest."

At least he hoped so. Itachi was listed as a missing nin now, and to be honest Edward didn't think that Itachi would ever be really reinstated- his crime was too big. Whether it was due to blackmail or not, Itachi had killed Konoha's police force, and unless he was being mind-controlled, it was still against the Hokage's will. Could Itachi really be pardoned for it?

Well in the end it didn't matter, Edward supposed. Itachi could easily make a new life elsewhere, though Edward didn't know Itachi's mentality about killing his clan. The real reason why Edward needed to investigate this... was so that damn part of his brain would stop whispering lies about Itachi's betrayal, about Edward's decision to stay in Konoha being wrong.

And of course, there was Sasuke.

"How should we start finding the evidence?" Sasuke questioned, lifting his eyes to the ceiling. "The records? Seems a little obvious, but you've always taught me that the obvious is what most people miss, right?"

Edward coughed, "Well actually, we'll start to look internationally. I'm taking you out of Konoha for a year; the official reason is to let the village cool down and let the news sink in before presenting you to them."

"What?" Sasuke's head whipped towards him, "You want to... go travelling with me?"

There was something odd in his voice that Edward couldn't identify. The blond shifted uncomfortably, "At this time I think it would be best. I'm sorry if it seems sudden, and if you really don't want it then we don't have to do this. However, please do consider it. I'll teach you everything the academy possibly will, and-"

Before Edward could get the rest of the words out of his mouth, Sasuke had launched himself at him. Sasuke wrapped his arms around the older ninja, and buried his face in Edward's shirt. But, there was something different about this hug than all the previous ones, something that made Edward's heart give a thump inside his chest.

This was a hug that had nothing to do with pain.

Two Nights Ago, Uchiha Residence

The scent of blood was everywhere.

It was strong, repulsive, and filled Itachi's senses. Somehow, it wasn't the same as the other times he'd assassinated people; this felt more...

But perhaps that was because of the people he was killing. The people who had raised him, brought him up, greeted him on his birthday. To be sure, the Uchiha clan had never been warm to him, especially with him being a genius. Even at the tender age of five they had talked to Itachi like adults, giving him books instead of playmates and sharpened tools for assassination instead of toys. At the time Itachi had thankful for it, raised into thinking he didn't need the attention of his peers, and could simply live as the model ninja. Edward had taught him differently.

Itachi hadn't thought of it at the time, and the friendship had started so slow Itachi wasn't sure when it had started at all. But it was there now, present and binding. When Itachi had thought he lost that friendship forever that one day, eleven months ago... he knew that he could not go back to what he was before.

It was a harsh, cold existence; what he had before he met Edward. Now, Itachi truly understood what the difference of protecting one's village to protecting the people within it meant. Itachi had and still did love Sasuke of course, but Itachi had not really known him. Sasuke's likes, dislikes, Itachi had not had time for, but Edward had forced Itachi to get to know his little brother beyond all else. Beyond the ideal.

Sasuke was not perfect. Sasuke whined, bragged, had a competitive streak that could be seen from a mile, but Itachi was fine with that. He thought he might like this flawed Sasuke better than the ideal little brother anyhow.

His heart felt warmer, more assured, more determined than ever. Was this what the Hokage had always tried to teach Itachi, the need to protect one's 'precious people', felt like? If so, than the Uchiha clan was doomed from the very start. They made amazing human weapons, but even weapons were made ineffective if the wielder lacked strength.

Yes, the clan had been wrong in raising him, but they nonetheless took care of his needs.

So it was not wrong was it, to feel sick for murdering them?

Smiling grimly, and knowing that he was pale, Itachi looked away from the butchered corpses of the people he used to know, and turned his head towards the Uchiha house. The Uchiha house. The house of the head of the clan. His house. He started walking towards it.

No doubt his father would already be on alert, having felt something off, but Itachi wasn't going to give him more warning than that. His skill had improved too much during his time in ANBU.

He heard his father before he saw him.

Fugaku was an amazing ninja yes, but he was out of practise for assassinations. As soon as Itachi stepped within the paper walls, he knew that the head of the Uchiha clan was hiding behind the living room door. His slightly jilted breathing made that clear.

Itachi moved, shifting slightly to the right as a kunai whizzed past him, followed by an earth jutsu which he had to jump to avoid.

"Why?" His father rasped out, finally coming out into the moonlight, abandoning the shadows in favour of seeing his son face to face, "Why are you doing this? Why have you betrayed the clan?"

His father looked bad; bags under his eyes and face set with wrinkles- nothing like the proud clansman he had been. But then Itachi supposed, he himself couldn't have looked much better. Still, he knew his father hadn't shown himself for the pure purpose for asking that question, though of course it might have been part of it. No, the reason Fugaku had showed himself was so-

Itachi let fly the poisoned kunai he had hidden in his palm, and a split second later there was a gasp and then a thump as Mikako fell down from the rafters. Itachi met Fugaku's wide eyes, and he knew it was over.

"How did you...?"

"I heard her," Itachi answered calmly, though it wasn't calmness he felt inside. The poison was meant to paralyze within a second, kill within ten minutes. "She has not been in any important missions in thirteen years; how could she match an ANBU captain?"

"You monster!" Fugaku snarled, "How could you act so coldly towards the woman who birthed you?"

"Were you not planning to ambush me together? Or how about... betray the very village which gave you life? Tell me Father, what is the purpose of the coup? Did you think that the Uchiha would gain more prestige, more power, and finally defeat those Senju that have always been admired by the village? Even though we are already the most esteemed clan within Konoha? No... we have been far too grasping. We could never gain that respect through violence Father, you have seen it wrongly."

"So you have sided with them?" Fugaku demanded, taking a step closer to Itachi, "Betrayed your clan because you think we are too grasping? You are wrong! It is Konoha that is too grasping, wishing to have things that they will never understand! We, the Konoha police, we do everything in this village! Without us, there would be no Konoha! This land- our land; this land is meant to be ours!"

Itachi sighed, "You are wrong... Father. The Hokage gave the Uchiha the position as village guards because of a wish not to offend the clan; you are misunderstanding the politics. The Uchiha have grown too proud with their power. Can you not understand that we as the Uchiha are not the only ones who matter, but rather only a part that helps Konoha function as a whole? This will never be solely the Uchiha's land."

"They... they..." For a moment, Fugaku looked at a loss, before his face once again twisted into a spiteful expression, "They brainwashed you! I knew I never should have allowed you to join the Hokage's personal guard. He purposefully-"

"The Sandaime had nothing to do with this," Itachi interrupted sharply. And indeed, the kind old man would never order a mass execution like this, or order Itachi to do it. That pleasure fell to Danzo.

"So ready to defend him," Fugaku took another few steps forwards, until he was almost nose to nose with Itachi, "Your Hokage."

"The Uchiha swore allegiance to the Hokage," Itachi answered unflinchingly, simply staring back into Fugaku's red eyes unblinkingly.

"You are no longer an Uchiha," Fugaku spat, and then he did something that even Itachi didn't expect.

Slap!

Itachi reeled, his hand making a jerking movement towards his cheek. Father... Father had never-

"And..." Fugaku said spitefully, "You are no longer my son."

Before Itachi could react, Fugaku lunged forwards, revealing the short blade he had hidden and slicing it across Itachi's neck. Blood splurged out like a fountain, soaking the attacker's hand with blood. Fugaku stumbled back, eyes wide, "H-how?"

"Ah, so you have figured it out," Itachi commented, passing a hand over his throat and then suddenly the cut was no longer there. "As expected. However... you are already trapped within my illusion."

"Since the time I looked into your eyes..." The Clan Head whispered with bulging eyes, and then suddenly he threw back his head and let out a loud, crazed laugh. Itachi felt his heart jump; not sure how to feel about this development. "Ahahaha! My own flesh and blood, the one I trained from birth... you are now using the Uchiha techniques to kill this clan?"

Itachi had to swallow many times before he could reply, but Fugaku was already too deep in insanity to notice. Fugaku's thread to reason had snapped with the knowledge that it was his son who defeated him in the thing he prided on most, and he would lose his life for it. Itachi had caused that.

He... he had...

No! He couldn't think about it. He had a mission to complete.

Itachi closed his eyes, and when he opened them again he was collected. Or at least, outwardly.

Suddenly, Fugaku's laughter stopped.

"Kill me now," Fugaku said, his eyes blazing with an odd intensity, "You traitor."

Traitor...

Traitor...

Ah yes, that was why he was doing this, why he was burying filial duty and murdering his parents. Slaughtering people who had no chance to defend themselves. Despite the fact that he was born an Uchiha, raised an Uchiha, expected to behave like an Uchiha...

Itachi closed his eyes, and it was over. In the real world Fugaku Uchiha collapsed, landing with a thump beside his wife. Here, not even a second had passed, and here it seemed like the long conversation with had never happened. Itachi took a few steps forwards, until he was right above the bodies of his parents.

"I never betrayed the clan," Itachi said blankly, staring at the dead eyes of Fath-no, Fugaku. "I have never been loyal to it."

Yes, that was right, it was Konoha that controlled his strings. He would dance for it like a well trained marionette, one who had no heart and a face made of wood. From today on, Itachi Uchiha could no longer have emotions, or else he was afraid he'd go insane. And he couldn't afford that. He had to deceive Madara and help Konoha in the shadows, and he couldn't do that if he were to break down. If he broke down... he knew he would never get up again.

"Father! Mother!"

No... Sasuke. Not now, not now! Itachi closed his eyes, trying to make his voice as normal as possible, "Sasuke, don't come in."

The door slid open, and Itachi couldn't stop it. He was frozen. Sasuke's head poked out from the other side, face transforming into an expression of horror, "Brother! Brother! Father and Mother are...! Why? Why? Who the hell... this..."

There was no use then. Sasuke had witnessed everything. Faster than Sasuke could follow, Itachi threw a kunai, the tractity and strength of it forcing the door to close behind Sasuke. It made a slight cut on Sasuke's shoulder. It wasn't supposed to do that. Inwardly, Itachi laughed bitterly; his emotions were too high strung even for him to throw properly.

"Foolish little brother," Itachi murmured, wondering what the best way to keep Sasuke alive was. He could explain this to Madara easily enough, but how to do it so Sasuke wouldn't get suspicious...? "It was to measure my capacity."

He could sprout some nonsense about wanting Sasuke to surpass him, and if Itachi did it convincingly enough then Sasuke would believe it. However... such a method would scar Sasuke for life. No, what Itachi wanted was for Sasuke to live normally after this, forget Itachi and move on. Live a good life with Edward, and forget the Uchiha pride. He knew his best friend could provide that.

"You- no way- brother you would never- don't joke like that!"

Well then, he supposed he first had to convince Sasuke that he was indeed the murderer. Sasuke had to get rid of any attachment to Itachi if Sasuke wanted to continue living peacefully. Feeling slightly sick about what he was planning to do, Itachi kicked over his mother's body. she was still breathing. Good. "Do not be stubborn. Look, Mother is still alive."

Sasuke had come in before he could finish her off completely, though now she was unconscious. Inwardly, Itachi wondered if his ancestors were playing a joke on him. For convincing Sasuke, this couldn't have been more perfect, but for keeping Itachi's sanity...

"What?" Sasuke ran over without any regard towards his safety, checking Mother's pulse with a relieved expression on his face, "Yeah, mom's fine! If she could just get medical attention then-"

Itachi picked out another kunai as if he were simply choosing fabric for clothes, and imbedded it deep within Mother's throat. She gurgled, and then her pulse was gone. Sasuke jerked back, wide eyed. Shaking, the black haired boy looked up to his older brother, hardly breathing, "You- you-"

"It was to measure my capacity," Itachi repeated. He had finally thought of a way to convince Sasuke that he wasn't doing this for an alternative reason. He would just keep Sasuke talking until the other ninja showed up, and then Itachi would escape, 'forgetting' to kill Sasuke. It wasn't the most believable, but it was the best thing he could do without any previous preparation.

"T-to test your capacity? That's all? That's the reason you killed everyone?"

Itachi lowered his eyes, his mind on something else altogether. When Sasuke said it like that, was it really right for Itachi to murder the whole clan for the sake of Konoha? Was there another way? No, no he couldn't afford to think like that, not when the deed was already done. His next words were as much for himself as for Sasuke. "It was essential."

"Bull." Sasuke clenched his fists, his voice coming out shaky.

Itachi frowned at Sasuke's use of language; had he learned that from Edward? A second later he almost laughed at himself; at a time like this, and Itachi was worrying about something as insignificant as Sasuke's choice of words?

"Believe what you wish," Itachi said coldly, "That is my reason."

He had read in psychology books somewhere that pretending not to care about the other person's opinion in a situation like this was the best way for them to believe it.

"Against kids too?" Sasuke questioned, his eyes disbelieving, "If it were to 'test your capacity', why-?"

So Sasuke could still reason under pressure. Well, that was good. If Sasuke were to ever become a ninja, he would need that skill. "Family members fight more fiercely to protect a child, otherwise this would all be too easy. Children also act as witnesses and beacons, so I made sure they would not scream and alert the others."

It was almost scary how quick this reasoning came to him. He double checked to make sure he wasn't making any contradictions.

"You- you- how could you-"

Ah, the ANBU had finally arrived. Itachi gave Sasuke a blank stare, "You still don't believe me? Well then, witness it for yourself."

Mangekyou Sharingan. Itachi blinked, and when he opened his eyes again they were spinning with his hard won pattern. He didn't want Sasuke to know of this accursed eye technique, the one Itachi had gotten when Edward nearly died. He sent the vision of the slaughter of the village; once was enough, enough to make Sasuke believe him finally, and hate. Enough that Sasuke would give up on Itachi, but continue on with his new life.

Sasuke gasped, and fell to his knees. He looked up at Itachi with an expression of horror; a true one this time. Itachi squashed down the feeling of guilt that rose within him, and showingly cocked his head to one side as if he had just heard something.

"ANBU," He hissed, just loud enough for Sasuke to hear, but quiet enough so that Sasuke would think that he wasn't have supposed to heard. In one fluid motion Itachi passed by where Sasuke was kneeling, opened the door he had jammed, and escaped into the darkness.

He had only made it a few steps when the ANBU really did catch up with him. Despite being exhausted to the bone, Itachi was able to catch their eye. It was all over after that. The streets were turning blurry, but the two now unconscious ANBU officers made up for it. Itachi turned to leave-

And his forehead protector fell to the ground with a rattling clang, as the strings tying it together were cut by a kunai. He did not miss the implications of the act; whoever had done it thought Itachi a missing nin. Itachi stared for a moment at the metal band etched with the symbol of a leaf, before finally turning blank eyes to the perpetrator. Sasuke was standing half crouched, panting harshly as his eyes blazed red with a newly awakened Sharingan.

Somehow, his brother had followed him here, and decided that he could match Itachi. That was dangerous thinking. Especially for Itachi, who was tiring and could not sense enemies as well, and had trained his body not to react to Sasuke's sneak attacks. For the last time that night, Itachi activated the Mangekyou Sharingan, sending Sasuke off into a world of blank darkness. Sasuke's body dropped to the ground, seemingly lifeless as sleep overtook him.

Itachi moved forward again, and this time he was not interrupted.

Madara was waiting for him at the edge of Konoha, "What took you so long?"

"I wished to take a little longer with my family," Itachi answered in a monotone. They stared running. For some time, all that could be heard was the faint footfalls of pattering feet, and even then the sounds were only available to a well trained ear, who could hear behind the rustling leaves and cricking grasshoppers.

Finally, Madara broke the silence, but his voice was anything but pleasant. "Take longer to torture your parents you mean? Or perhaps you're referring to taking longer to talk to your little brother?"

Itachi stiffened, ever so slightly; it sounded like a threat and Madara knew it. By Madara's sharpening of the eyes, the elder Uchiha hadn't missed Itachi's body tension either. Itachi let out a small breath, keeping his voice as calm as always, "I had already explained that Sasuke can-"

"Of course you have." Madara interrupted with a mocking grin, "No need to get defensive Itachi. Remember that I once had a brother, too."

How could Itachi forget? And how could Itachi forget the unspeakable thing that Madara did to his very own flesh and blood?

Itachi couldn't allow himself to think about it; or else his killer intent might leak out and alert Madara that he wasn't as loyal as he claimed. He had to get off this subject, "Why did you send Edward away?"

There, that was ample distraction. Itachi was curious. He had been searching for a way to put Edward out of action for the night of the massacre, so Edward wouldn't sense what was going on and come to investigate, but when Itachi arrived to the Hokage's office he found out that Edward was already on a mission. A very detailed, meticulous mission that was designed to get Edward out of Konoha.

He had instantly knew who put the request in, but he didn't know why.

"Ah, Edward Elric I presume? Interesting question, and I suppose it has an equally interesting answer. You see, I didn't want to have to kill him."

...

Madara must have sensed Itachi's unease, because suddenly he grinned frighteningly, showing all his teeth, "A little while ago, I heard an interesting story about someone being brought back from the dead. Now, that isn't impossible of course. Rare, but not impossible... except that this person didn't require a sacrifice."

Itachi stiffened; he had a terrible feeling that he knew what Madara was talking about. So then, there was no point in denying it. Taking a small breath, Itachi made sure to keep his voice as calm as ever, but something in Madara's sharp gaze made Itachi feel as if the elder Uchiha had seen right through him.

"I replaced his heart," Itachi said evenly, jumping with more force than usual to avoid the slightly higher treebranch five meters ahead of him, "His brain did not sustain substantial damage within that time and he was extremely lucky. The blood type of the replaced heart matched his, as did the white blood cells. It was a one in one thousand chance, but not impossible."

Madara smiled coyly, "Don't play dumb with me Itachi. It doesn't suit you. You know as well as I do that replacing a heart shouldn't have- couldn't have allowed someone to live without any sever repercussions, despite matching blood. If Edward-kun indeed experienced any consequences from his ordeal, they are small enough that he can hide it. That is not possible."

"The fact that you're alive shouldn't be possible," Itachi murmured, hoping to take Madara off this track.

Madara paused, looking back with such a look of amusement that Itachi instantly knew he had made a mistake. "Yes... you're right. I am living an impossibility, but now I'm not the only one."

"Isn't that a threat for you?" It wasn't that Itachi wanted Edward to die, it was rather that Itachi knew that Madara had already thought of this. There was no harm in asking this question, and if Itachi was lucky he would get an answer.

Madara laughed, turning away and starting to run again, "Yes... precious little Edward could be a threat, but not to me. I think... he will be the key to something that I want very badly..."

THE END

(of Arc 1)