My Views (Spoilers up to Chapter 371)

He had never agreed with them. Their philosophy was more than just a little screwed. Everything for the clan, forget yourself, everything for the clan.

He never got along with his parents. Actually, it was just his father, his mother was a wonderful woman. His dad pushed him, was never happy with where he was. Itachi was also never happy with his strength, but so what? It's more of the basic idea, right? Fathers are supposed to be proud of their sons, no matter the circumstance. His dad was never truly proud of him. Never.

That's why Itachi was so shocked when Konoha blamed those reasons for the murders he committed. 'I mean, how dumb are they?' he had thought at the time. He didn't get along with his clan, and he didn't get along with his father. That's nice.

It's hardly a good enough reason to go around killing his entire family.

And even if he were annoyed to the point of murder, he would have just done away with his father and left the village. Problem solved, and a whole lot less of a hassle.

This was what really happened.

When he was a child, he didn't like the duties his clan gave him, and yet, he didn't question or go against them in the least. That is, until he was let in on a few of the clan's dirty little secrets.

It was at one of the clan's meetings. Itachi noticed that some of his relatives were much more fidgety than usual. After the meeting started, they quickly got through all the least important announcements and decisions, until finally the reached the topic most seemed anxious to discuss.

As it turned out, the Rain Village was ruled by a powerful shinobi named Salamander Hanzou. He was ruthless, paranoid, and under the favor of the Uchihas. His family had been sending his aide, in various forms, in return for help in a future plan: the raising of the clan into an even more prominent place in Konoha, (1) possibly as a ruling family.

The news everyone wanted to talk about had been steadily flowing in for a few weeks now. "It had started," mentioned Shisui "When we had gotten news that Hanzou had been murdered." And indeed he had.

A resisting force had arisen in the Hidden Rain, and at its head resided a mysterious man no one seemed to know. The man called himself Pein.

He had single handedly disposed of Hanzou, but surprisingly, he didn't stop there. He continued with his wife, his children, parents, nieces, nephews, distant, unnameable relatives, and finally, business partners.

That meant the Uchihas, and they were all anxious as to if he knew. Everyone talked about it at that meeting, but no one had anything new to say.

I had gone out on a mission with my new ANBU squad. They were hard on me. I was the rookie, the youngest, the most famous, and from the best family. I don't think they realized how easy it would have been for me to kill each of them one by one.

I met him that night.

His cloak, black and baggy, his hair short and spiked, and more holes in his face than seemed, at first, possible. So this was Pein. I could feel his power radiating from him, and I instantly knew that he was, by far, stronger than me.

I stood, waiting for him to speak or move, or for me to fall over in a heap, bleeding onto the grass below me. Finally, he spoke.

"You're the only one with any potential." I stared. Of course I was the only one, the rest were pathetically weak, I would have come out and said this, but he continued. "So, you I will spare."

i asked him what he meant, what he could possibly be planning. I listened in amazement as he detailed his plan to me. The village, the organization, the demons. World domination.

Now, I remember the Kyuubi attack. I was five when it happened. I had sat, huddled up at home, waiting for the fighting to pass, waiting for my parents to come home. I remembered the effort and all the lives put into stopping the Kyuubi. It was the day Yondaime, Minato, Naruto's father, sealed the nine tails inside his son. His wife, Kushina, dying along with him. I remembered the funerals after the fighting.

When he told me his plans weighed greatly on having all the tailed demons at his disposal I decided something about Pein. He was mental. What moron would seek out the aide of the Kyuubi? I was just about to tell him this when I met the second man.

My own ancestor, who should have been dead by now, was the one whose face dwelled beneath the mask. The Uchiha clan founder, Uchiha Madara.

Pein confessed that they didn't have much time left, but he warned me that on a certain date he would come back to dispose of the last of Hanzou's business partners. My family.

I thought in a rush, coming up with several possible outcomes.

Option one: I don't do anything about it. Consequence: Pein and Madara kill them all, leaving me alive. ( shuddered to think, for I could easily do this myself, and they were both far stronger than I)

Option two: I tell the clan and the village. Consequence: Pein and Madara kill everyone, but including me this time.

But then it hit me.

option number three: Kill them myself.

I quickly sprung into action, voicing my idea before I even gave it a second thought. It was better for all of us this way. Pein and Madara could keep their goals a secret, and through doing so I could also get them to save Sasuke's life. He was so young and didn't even know what was going on. Eventually they agreed.

I spent the next few weeks thinking the matter over, making sure no gaps were left in my plan. I had to make sure that Sasuke's right to live was never questioned by those that granted it. I made sure that in the end the effects of what I did would make Sasuke ever stronger. Strong enough until he could be of use.

By now everyone knows what happens next. I kill Shisui for the mangekyou, I kill my family, I hurt Sasuke. i can never forgive myself for it either.

It's been years and I'm virtually Madara and Pein's personal lapdog, along with everyone in Akatsuki. I run errands, I fight for them, I'm forced to support their insane cause.

I'm stalling for time now, trying not to be too obvious. I give vague, not useful information. I put off going to go get the Kyuubi. I let Naruto escape and I never complain if another member wants to have a go at the Kyuubi or at Sasuke. It's a non-suspicious way to get rid of members, because the less there are, the easier my task will be. Besides, it's not as if any of them stand a chance against either Naruto or Sasuke now. I have to hurry though, because I can't keep this up forever.

I'm constantly waiting on the day when Sasuke will be able to prove himself to me. The day we put a stop to this ridiculous plan. The day I can get rid of the people who made my life a living Hell. the day when I'm free. The day I get my life back. The day I can go home.

The day i can set things straight.

(1) I just made up a reason here.

Well I haven't updated in forever. Yeah. I have no idea when I'll update anymore, maybe a lot, maybe never. Who knows. I hope you liked it. This is what I think might have really happened, based on the information I have now. Itachi is NOT EVIL!

Edit: I know it's not funny, but I just wasn't in a funny mood writing this, in fact I was about to pass out I was so tired. Sorry if anyone was hoping for funny.