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Disclaimer: Kishimoto owns Naruto

Sorry this is late again(!!) but I ended up having to re-install Word and then I had to run an errand. Anyway, please enjoy!

Chapter 44 – That Young Man's Strange Life

Time moved indistinct and without meaning as Itachi drifted in and out of consciousness. Memories and dreams flowed together, intermingling with current events and words whispered by well-meaning, yet curious visitors. In one reality Itachi walked the earth beside Kisame, a heavy burden on his back and slightly hunched over.. In another he was alone in a small room, deep underground, imprisoned and broken. In yet another he sat beside the lake with a nineteen-year-old and very much alive Shisui who was laughing about his recent wedding to Aya and how happy they were in their new house.

The eddies and ripples of time caught him up in their folds and submissively he allowed them to carry him along. His eyes hurt, and the images that were clear at the beginning began to fade as the progression of events continued. He saw Sasuke and Naruto fight at the Valley of the End and Zetsu spying on them. He saw Sakura pledge her undying love to the reticent boy. He saw Naruto pledge to "bring him back". He saw Orochimaru licking his lips at the "meal" that had just delivered itself to him. And at the very end, right before he finally woke up, he saw himself on the ground, alone, with his head bent forward and a sorrow beyond tears eating its way into his heart for he knew that everything he was seeing had happened because of him.

He found himself standing in front of that broken teenager and he knelt down to get a closer look. There was a kunai pointed directly at the vision's throat, and he was mumbling over and over, "If I die now, he will no longer suffer." The world went black when a clanging sound echoed in the forest as the blade fell to ground and bounced off a stone.

"I can't do it."

Itachi uttered a single cry of shock as he awoke and jumped out of his bed. Suddenly out of breath he dropped down onto a nearby wooden chair and lowered his head onto his hands. Where was he? Which reality was this? What was he doing here? Why was he trying to kill himself?

The sound of wood being slid over wood made the teen look up suddenly and he saw a young woman standing in the doorway and staring at him curiously. "Are you feeling better, Itachi? Jiraiya came to see you a couple hours ago and couldn't wake you up."

He was struggling to remember who this person was. Blonde, with an assertive personality, and she seemed to know him.

"Itachi?" She moved closer, pulling up a chair and sitting in front of him.

A white haired man with red stripes under his eyes also stepped in and pulled up a chair. "What's wrong?"

"He's disoriented. I'm not surprised. I should have known Danzou would booby trap his poison. I should have looked when I finished taking out the time-bombs. I suspect he picked up the technique by studying my old reports from the war. Its something Chiyo from the Village hidden in the Sand would have done."

"Well, if you hadn't been here to catch it when the seizures started he would have been dead by now. Don't be too hard on yourself."

"It's my job to be hard on myself. These are living beings I'm treating everyday, Jiraiya, not broken radios."

Jiraiya frowned and nodded his head in understanding.

"Itachi, can you tell me who you wanted to talk to you? You asked me to get him for you a few days ago."

Odd, disjointed images started to flow together and Itachi could feel his eyes changing from normal, to Sharingan, to Mangekyou Sharingan and back as he fought to retrieve a memory. He felt a hand on shoulder and when he traced its owner he saw Jiraiya looking at him intently.

Pieces began to fit together and in his mind's eye he saw the same tall man sitting next to his bed, promising him something. Something very important.

"Sasuke!" Itachi stood up quickly as the final piece fell into place.

"Close, but no cigar." Jiraiya laughed.

The woman was smiling, relief evident on her face, "Answer my question, Itachi."

"Jiraiya. I asked you to get Jiraiya." He dropped back down onto his chair. "What… what happened, Tsunade? I feel so strange."

"There was a second poison in your system. It was dormant as long as it was able to detect the presence of the first. When the last of the little 'time-bombs' went off it was triggered to activate. And that's exactly what it did twelve hours after I finished the last treatment and removed them all. Without the first poison to tell it to 'back off' it became active. It was a fail-safe in case the first poison didn't work or was discovered and removed. We almost lost you, Itachi. It took everything I had, and then some, to create an antidote. But you're fine now. The disorientation may last a few more hours, but I think after that you'll feel you're old self again." The woman stood up and moved toward the door. "It's one AM, but I'll phone your parents and wife and tell them you're awake anyway. They're very worried about you."

Itachi nodded once and glanced at the clock, then at the dark world beyond the window. Sighing, he folded his hands in his lap and frowned as he tried to digest what he had just been told. Danzou had lied to him. He wasn't going to be allowed to leave the village after murdering his clan. That teenager who sat alone in that forest contemplating his death had been wasting his time. It was coming anyway.

"Hey, you want to talk? I have some things to pass on to you if you feel up to it." Jiraiya had moved into the chair Tsunade had vacated so he could be in front of the teen.

"Oh. Yeah. First, I remember I was only going to be here for two more days. How long…"

"Have you been here?" He reached over and pulled a wire stand holding an IV closer to Itachi so he wouldn't tear the needles out, "Five days. When the seizures started Tsunade placed you in a deep coma until she could work out the antidote. It gave you some extra time, but she said it could cause side effects, like strange dreams, temporary memory loss and some other stuff."

"I had the strange dreams all right." Itachi replied bitterly. "If that's what they were."

"What else could they be?"

Itachi sighed, "I don't know. Sometimes…"

Jiraiya waited a minute, but when the teen didn't continue he prompted him for more information, "What?"

"Sometimes, I feel like I'm seeing the future. Sometimes, the present, but on a different timeline."

"The Mangekyou Sharingan could be doing that. Over the years, I've heard it causes all sorts of illusions. Toshiro's father went insane in his later years from it."

"You know about that?"

"His dad was a sensei at the Academy when I was a kid. Later, he got his own team and my team joined his for a few missions. Toshiro is also about my age, you know. We went to school together and fought in the war together as well. We're pretty good friends, actually."

That made sense, Itachi decided, but there were more important things to discuss, "What about Sasuke?"

"Safe and sound." Jiraiya replied bitterly, "As expected, Orochimaru welcomed him with open arms. I got a hold of him using the information you gave me. By the way, that's a great jutsu… moving ink…"

"Sai showed me how to do it a few months ago." Itachi added.

"Anyway, I got a response pretty quick. He's sorry he ran off, but he doesn't regret it. And… he's not coming back."

"What!" Itachi's eyes automatically switched to their Sharingan form and he started to stand up.

"Let me finish!" Jiraiya said quickly.

Itachi gritted his teeth, "Go on then."

"He will help you with your plan and is awaiting your recovery. When you contact him next he'll tell you where Orochimaru is and he'll help you take him down. But after that, he's taking off on his own."

"Stupid kid." Itachi growled. "Madara…"

"Yeah. He'll grab him pretty quick when that happens. We have to make sure you can get him back to Konoha before he finds out."

"I will…"

"No, Itachi, this is too important to leave up to you. You are a top of the line Shinobi, probably second only to me, but there are too many variables hiding here. I'll stand back and let you and Sasuke take out Orochimaru and later Danzou; your original plan was perfect and you do have a valid point to prove to Fugaku, but a second after they're gone I step in. "

While Itachi had to acknowledge the logic in Jiraiya's intentions, he didn't like the idea of him butting into his affairs, "But…"

"You aren't alone in this kid, I'm in this to help you. If you end up using your Mangekyou Sharingan it could weaken you and if Madara shows up to grab Sasuke you won't be able to do much. You need me, Itachi."

Itachi stared at the big man for a moment, trying to size up the implications of the new plan, "Immediately after interrogating Orochimaru, we will leave to hunt down Danzou. I have no way of knowing how long that will take because until we have that information, I don't know where he is. If he's nearby it could be one or two days. If he's in another country it could be a week or two. Also, I will have Akatsuki following me. Leader knows where I am at all times. And therefore, so does Madara. And Madara is Sasuke's real father."

"I realize this isn't going to be something that happens overnight. It will require a commitment to stay with you two for a while and I will do that." He paused for minute, as if contemplating something important, "In fact, I'm going to add one more person. Naruto is coming with us."

"Naruto!" Itachi exploded, "This is much too dangerous for him! He is a Jinchuuriki, remember, and this could place him too close to Akatsuki! If, like you suspect, I do become weakened it would be a perfect opportunity for Madara to grab him as well. And he might just grab Naruto instead of Sasuke. While I get the impression that Sasuke is somehow important to whatever that man is planning, I know for a fact that Naruto is indispensible."

"Yes, I realize that. I have been training him…"

"Whatever it is, it's not enough. Pein is… he's beyond anything you've ever seen or even imagined. Even I don't know his full power. And Madara… if he and I fought it would be a toss up as to who would win. And Naruto would be nothing more than a pawn caught between two powerful shinobi."

"I realize that Itachi. But…"

"But what?" Itachi replied adamantly, "Have you finally lost your senses Jiraiya? Do you know what my father has sworn to do if he cannot protect Naruto?"

Jiraiya's face twisted into a grimace of sorrow as he closed his eyes and clenched his fists, "He will kill him."

"And so will I." Itachi stated firmly. "It would be a quick death that would remove the Kyuubi from their grasp. His death if they get him… I've seen it Jiraiya. It takes days to remove the demon and they suffer the entire time. If it comes down to it, I will do what I must."

The big man growled under his breath, "It won't come to that. And I will bring Naruto. He still has a long ways to go, but leaving him behind every time something dangerous comes up is not how a Shinobi grows."

Itachi had a feeling he was going to loose the argument and relented, "Just so you know the facts."

Jiraiya reached over and placed a hand on the teen's shoulder, "If I were to die on this mission, Itachi, and you were truly faced with such a decision… I don't know if I could forgive you… but do what you must to keep the Kyuubi away from those people." He stood up and started to walk towards the door, "I'd better get back out there and pretend to search for your wayward brother. No one knows I'm here except for you and Tsunade. Contact me when you are ready to leave."

A few hours later Itachi was reclining on his hospital bed, awake and very bored. His mother and Sheeta had visited him earlier, but had left a couple hours earlier. Now, he was just biding time until he got word that he could go home. Supposedly, it was coming anytime now. He glanced expectantly at the door as it slowly opened, but instead of the nurse it was Hinata. She shyly stepped inside, "I'm sorry to bother you big brother, but are you well enough for visitors?"

He could sense someone in the hallway – another Hyuuga. From the way Hinata was worriedly glancing behind her he had a feeling it wasn't her that wanted to visit him. He hoped it wasn't one of the council members. While the newly re-formed Hyuuga elder council was considered by the clan to be a step above the last one, he wasn't in the mood to deal with politics at the moment. Unfortunately, as the Uchiha heir he had little choice.

He gave her a warm smile, "I am well enough, Hinata. Please show your companion in."

"Neji? You may enter." Hinata was always polite and her manners were so impeccable that Itachi felt somewhat out of sorts in his hospital gown and sleep-tousled hair. He hadn't taken a shower or brushed his hair since he had woken up twelve hours earlier. His dreams and the reality of his brother's predicament had been so dominant in his thoughts that he had spent the intervening time sitting on his bed and staring into space, going over strategy after strategy in an attempt to discover the best way to approach Orochimaru and Danzou. It was overkill, of course. He had defeated Orochimaru once and doing a second time would be equally simple. However, he had to let his brother have his chance to fight or Fugaku would never learn his "lesson". And that meant backing off and not fighting at full power.

"Good afternoon, Neji. Or is it still morning?" Itachi replied politely, "Please have a seat." He sat up higher on the bed as the boy walked silently to a chair next to the bed and took a seat. Hinata excused herself and shut the door softly behind her.

It was silent for a couple minutes as the young Hyuuga sized up the injured Uchiha. Finally he sighed and looked away, "Lord Itachi… I have a question."

"I assumed as much. After all, we have never spoken before to my knowledge."

"I know. It's just… I heard the rumors about what Danzou told you to do. After the exam Fugaku came to see me the next day along with one of the elders who survived the attack." He was quiet again and Itachi sat quietly, patiently waiting for him to continue. The Chuunin exams had only been a couple months ago, but already it seemed like a year. "The elder said my father wanted to sacrifice himself because Cloud wanted Hiashi's head. Because they were twins they didn't know they got my father's head instead. Fugaku said you had been faced with something similar. That the rumors were true and Danzou ordered you to kill your clan to stop the coup."

"What is your point?" Itachi wasn't usually impatient, but revisiting that painful past, especially with a stranger only a year older than his little brother was not pleasant and he wanted the conversation to end quickly.

"That… do you think… it was possible that the agreement to give Cloud the head of the man who killed their Kage was also Danzou's idea, and Cloud had actually wanted something else?"

Itachi blinked a couple times and looked closely at Neji, who was now gazing worriedly at his folded hands. It was likely that Cloud did want Hiashi to die. An eye for an eye was the usual trade-off when revenge was involved, but the boy did bring up a valid point.

"Danzou was a master of subterfuge, Neji." Itachi stated calmly, "But at this point it would be difficult to discern the truth. In my case…" he paused and wondered why everything was always so complicated, "In my case, every time Sarutobi tried to settle things, Danzou would influence the council to go against him. Fugaku and the rest of the clan couldn't take it anymore. Did you ask Fugaku this same question?"

"No. It only occurred to me the other day that the whole thing might have been a setup to kill Hiashi. I've been wondering too if that seal they used to put on the side branch was also Danzou's doing."

"Hm. I wonder. You know, Neji, I am on good terms with the Cloud Kage. I helped with that peace treaty a while back. I'm going to ask him exactly what the circumstances behind that were. But it will be a month or two before I can find the time."

Neji smiled for the first and sat straighter in his chair, "No hurry. Everyone involved is dead now so waiting a little while longer is fine."

"Not everyone involved is dead." Itachi was surprised when Neji shot him a curious look, "You're still alive."

That shocked the boy and the smile quickly faded, replaced with a sorrow that had followed him around almost his entire life. He started to stand up, but Itachi stopped him.

"Have Danzou's agents contacted you? Is that why you are thinking of him lately?"

The boy pursed his lips and looked away. That was enough of an answer for Itachi and he swung his legs over the bed and stood up. Neji followed him with a forlorn look on his face.

"Make no mistake, Neji Hyuuga, I will have no trouble killing anyone attached to that man if they harm this village. That includes you."

"Can an Uchiha fight a Hyuuga and win?" Neji countered instinctively and before he could think his next thought found himself lying on the ground. Itachi had moved so quick, and unexpectedly, that the boy hadn't even had the opportunity to consider defending himself.

"Should be easy enough." Itachi stated angrily. "I'm not someone you want as an enemy, and I have reason enough to dislike you already after what you did to Hinata. I have spoken with you and promised to follow up on your concerns because you are a member of this village and because Hinata obviously wants me to help you or she wouldn't have brought you here. Don't push your luck any further."

Neji stood up slowly and glared at the Uchiha. "No one defended my father, but Fugaku defended you. Why?"

"The people you need to talk to about that are dead."

"Humph." Neji punched the wall, cracking the plaster and sending shards of drywall drifting to the floor. "It's because the Hyuuga are weak. They put seals on us because Danzou was afraid of us. What's so special about him? Why do we have to please him?"

Itachi sighed. The boy was throwing a tantrum, just like Sasuke would. Only unlike his little brother, this boy had no one to listen to him. His mother, he had heard through rumors, was too deep into her own problems to do much with her son.

He punched the wall again and leaned his head against it, "It's good that Hinata is being raised by you guys then. I thought about it. She's different from the elders. She even talks to everyone, not just the main branch. Hiashi never did that unless he had to. She's even nice to me… although… I don't deserve it…" His voice slowly drifted away and Itachi could see tears dripping down his face onto the floor. "She calls you her big brother."

"She also calls you 'big brother'." Itachi said quietly. The conversation was getting awkward and he was quickly moving out of his element. "You must mean a lot to her."

This surprised the boy and he quickly turned to look at the teen, who was still standing next to the bed in a white hospital gown with his long hair in tangles and his hands clenched into fists. "She… means a lot to me. Now."

"Neji, if Danzou's people have been trying to recruit you, go talk to Gai or Fugaku. They will help you. Fugaku was hard on you, but he also feels protective of you because you are Hiashi's nephew."

"Okay. I'm sorry I bothered you."

"It was no bother." Itachi smiled, "I'll get in touch with you again when I get more information. Until then, don't do anything stupid."

Neji wiped his face on his jacket sleeve and left the room just as quietly as he had entered. As Itachi dropped back down on his bed he was interrupted when the door slid open again. He half expected it to be Hinata, since it would be just like her to come in and thank him for talking to her cousin, but instead it was Fugaku.

"You will make a wonderful clan leader, Itachi." The man stated plainly.

"You heard that."

"He is a troubled young man, but I think you may have just solved the majority of problems in ten minutes."

"It was… not that hard." Itachi was a little thrown off, his father rarely talked this openly.

Fugaku sighed and sat down on the vacated chair, "You will also make a great father."

That was something Itachi couldn't respond to. He knew his father's failings all too well and there was literally nothing he could add to that conversation.

The elder Uchiha continued, "I really messed up with Sasuke. I want to blame Madara, to accuse him of convincing me to give that cursed eye to him, but it was my decision. I know in my heart, if I would have said 'no' he would have backed off."

"Father, he would have back off now, but I'm sure that eventually he would have arranged the fight somehow." Itachi had a feeling that was the truth and as bitter as it was, it made him wonder, once again, just what Madara had planned for Sasuke.

"That may be true. But at least…"

"But at least your hands would be clean?" Itachi shook his head, "That's not how it works, and I think you should know that. Sasuke isn't like anyone else. He's his own person. He's unpredictable and does things his own way. He is also a genius who can match me in many ways. Or will if he gains more experience. Your failing is in underestimating him. But… that is also my failing. I don't want him to advance that far."

Fugaku gave his eldest son a bittersweet smile, "I am thinking of stepping down as clan Lord when Danzou is killed. It is obvious I cannot handle the job if I can't even handle my own sons."

"Father…"

"What I did to him… it was unforgivable. What I did to you…"

Itachi suddenly got a whiff of something and scrunched his nose, "Have you been drinking?"

Fugaku pulled out a bottle of eighty proof whiskey, opened it and took a gulp, wrinkling his face at the bitter taste as he swallowed. "Yeah."

Rubbing his forehead in a futile attempt to stop the headache that was threatening to ravage his brain he wondered what was wrong with everyone today. It seemed to be "Cry on Itachi's Shoulder" day in Konoha.

"I spent the day you were born drinking. Why shouldn't I spend the day Sasuke ran away drinking?"

"That makes absolutely no sense whatsoever." Itachi stated firmly. "And Sasuke's been gone for about five days now."

"It all runs together."

That didn't sound good. The man wasn't drunk yet, but he was certainly very tired and had downed perhaps three or four swigs from that bottle before entering the room. "Father, where is mother?"

"I don't know. Somewhere. Maybe back at the house. I…"

"Excuse me Itachi, but is Fugaku here… yes he is." Toshiro stepped into the room, "Sorry about this, your mother asked me to come retrieve him."

"Ah Toshiro! My good friend." Fugaku stood up and patted the older man on the shoulder rather roughly.

Itachi glanced at Toshiro's arms and noted the lack of bandages, "I heard Sasuke had broken your arm."

"Yeah, but it got better. Nui's a miracle worker when it comes to bones." The man laughed as he took the bottle away from Fugaku so he could have a drink as well, "Good liquor. I needed that." He coughed a couple times, not used to the high alcohol content of the whiskey, "Anyway, I guess it's only what I deserved, after I bloodied his nose that one time. I can't blame him, and I'm certainly not mad at him. But the elders are taking a lot of shit from the rest of the clan. They blame them for driving your little brother away."

"It was my fault." Fugaku added despondently.

"Fugaku, quit taking the blame for everything that happens. Not everything is your fault."

"Going to quit…"

"No, you're not going to quit. You are going to go home, go to bed, and when you wake up you'll be in a bad mood, hit a couple people and yell at everyone else. Just like normal. Okay?" Toshiro opened the door and pushed Fugaku through it, "The front desk said your paperwork is done and the nurse will be up soon to discharge you. I'll send Naruto over to collect you as soon I get Fugaku home."

"I'll be fine."

"Humor me." Toshiro winked then closed the door.

Itachi stared at the closed door for a couple minutes. He wondered what Toshiro would do if he knew about the circumstances surrounding Sasukes Mangekyou Sharingan. He hated to admit it, but it might be best of his father did step down as clan lord.

Getting up he found a clean set of clothes in the closet and took them in the en-suite bathroom. It wouldn't do to return home looking like a bum. Gazing into the mirror he also saw another problem and he rubbed his hand across his chin. But this one made him grin. A small amount of stubble was beginning to grow. Fine and soft, it wasn't quite like he expected, but it was very obvious.

"I wonder if Sheeta would like me better with a beard?" After all, he didn't own a razor.

Itachi met up with Naruto outside the hospital where he had been sitting in the winter sunshine watching some small birds chasing after some seed someone had scattered on the ground. They flew away rather quickly when the loud blond ran up and threw his arms around his foster brother.

"Glad to see you!" He said boisterously.

"Yeah, likewise." Itachi had to pry the boy off of him. "How are things at home?"

His temperament changed instantly and he became quiet, "Oh, Fugaku fell asleep as soon as we got him into bed. He's really upset about Sasuke. I heard that some of the people on the village council are upset that his son would turn traitor and are calling for Fugaku to resign as Hokage. Toshiro said the ones saying that don't like him anyway and are always saying stuff like that so we shouldn't pay attention to them, but I still don't like it."

"You're quite attached to Fugaku." Itachi observed.

"Well," Naruto scratched his head, "no one else would let me live in their house. Even if he did just do it because he promised my dad to watch over me or because I'm a Jinchuuriki or both… I guess I owe him a lot. But I don't have to live like you guys. When I want to move out I don't have the clan holding me back."

"It's that bad, huh?"

"It's just what I've seen. Sasuke gets really stressed out when a meeting is coming up. He's afraid they'll want him to be clan leader because of what you did and he said he can't handle it. And they are always saying bad things about him."

"I know." Itachi admitted.

"But things will be different when we bring him back. Pervy sage came by at, like, two in the morning and told me about our secret mission."

"I'm not happy that you're going."

"I know. He told me that, too. But Sasuke is like my brother and I would do anything in the world to help him!"

Itachi smiled, "So would I."

"You going out?" Fugaku was out of bed and almost sober by late evening when he saw Itachi sitting in the vestibule putting his sandals on.

"Yeah. I need to discuss something with Toshiro and Kisa." It was almost ten o-clock and Itachi had to stifle a yawn. He had taken a long nap after returning home, but apparently it hadn't been long enough.

"Look, about this morning…"

"Forget it father. I understand."

"You do?" Fugaku sounded unsure.

"I never did anything about those elders either, and it was within my rights to object. While you did something reprehensible to him in Mist, their continued goading may have actually caused more damage than you ever did."

"That won't be a problem after tomorrow."

"What are you going to do?"

"I'd like to string them up from the nearest tree, but I'm going to divest them of their positions instead. I'll form a new council, and Itachi, I want you to choose the members."

That was a surprise, and the teen stood up and faced his father with only one sandal on. "What are you talking about?"

"The next generation is coming up, and while there are babies being born in the clan again, there will be a gap between your generation and them. Each generation has its own quirks and values, and it appears that if the clan is going to survive it should accept that and look forward instead of backwards."

"Then I accept. I will have a list for you by noon."

"And Itachi… I am still considering resigning." He didn't give his son a chance to respond before turning around and heading toward the kitchen.

Sitting back down, the teen stuck his foot in the second sandal and slowly fastened it. The list of new elders might ease some of Sasuke's wounds, and he wanted to have that in place before he contacted his brother.

"That's… there isn't a word to describe how evil that is." Kisa gasped after Itachi had told them about how Danzou had stolen Shisui's eyes and implanted one of them in his own head.

Toshiro closed his eyes and rubbed his temple, "It explains how he was able to get around so easily, though. With a Sharingan, especially Shisui's, he would have access to our clan jutsus and Shisui was especially skilled with transportation jutsus. Shisui of the Mirage they called him. How long have you known?"

"I found out recently. Things just fell together and I was able to speak with Shisui about it. His chakra that is."

"We know what you mean." Kisa assured him.

"Fugaku knew?" Toshiro asked quietly.

"He would do anything to keep from hurting you." Itachi answered.

"Then I won't hold it against him. It's not something I wanted to hear and I find myself wondering why you felt the need to tell us?" The tone was accusing and Itachi steeled himself for what he had to say next.

"I… um… Shisui… wants me to take his eye from Danzou and instead of destroying it…"

"That might give you the Eternal Mangekyou Sharingan." Toshiro observed, "But is that what you want?"

"No."

Kisa, who was wiping her eyes tissue took a deep breath and added, "You are going blind."

"Yes. In a few years, I will be blind."

"His eye will stop that."

Itachi sighed, "Yes, but…"

"Then use it." Kisa stated plainly. "You have a child coming. Several if the fates allow, and you deserve to be happy."

"But…" Itachi started to argue, but Toshiro interrupted him.

"I'm not happy about it either. I don't want that cursed eye in this village, but I lived with my father's blindness and saw how it ate him up. Of course, he was also stubborn and refused to re-educate himself to learn how to deal with it, but it was still hard on me and my brothers. If you can avoid that, I will be grateful and honor Shisui's desires."

"The Eternal Mangekyou Sharingan will stop the blindness," Kisa continued, "but it will change you in other ways as well. Please, do not loose yourself."

Itachi stood up and stifled another yawn. "Thank-you for your time. I apologize for having to discuss such a difficult subject with you. And, I'm not sure I should thank you for approving, but perhaps when this is over…"

Toshiro stood up and draped an arm around the teen's shoulders, "One problem goes away, and two more step up to replace it. I've lived long enough to know that much, Itachi. Just be grateful for Shisui's gift and, he should be the one you thank."

Itachi bowed before turning around and exiting the house. He had expected them to approve, but speaking of such a thing was still very difficult.

A few minutes later he was climbing into his bed and wrapping his arms around Sheeta, pulling her against his chest. She opened her eyes sleepily as she draped an arm over his chest and he spoke softly to her, "How's the baby?"

"Fine." Her voice was a little husky, and she cleared her throat a couple times as she struggled to wake up, "But she's wondering why you're waking her up in the middle of the night."

He gave a short laugh, "You can tell him that it's because I wanted to give him his first order."

"Huh?" Even if she was half-asleep, that made no sense at all.

Itachi placed a hand over Sheeta's slightly swollen belly and spoke sternly, "Don't you dare die before you get old."

It was then that Sheeta remembered where Itachi had gone that evening. And as she drifted off to sleep again she wondered just what the world would be like when their child was ninety, because right now, things weren't looking so good.

Next week, they head off to get Orochimaru.

The part with Fugaku was hard to write. I wanted him to be depressed about Sasuke, but I didn't want it to be too out of character. I may not have succeeded, but perhaps I got the point across at least. Also, I do believe Sasuke has the potential to be as powerful as Itachi, but in this story, while he is given the tools to achieve that, no one is going to teach him how to use them to that extent so although people in the story make comments about it, it's just rhetorical to emphasize how different the two brothers are. Kind of like giving two people a hammer. One gets an instruction book of 200 pages and the other gets an instruction sheet of one page. When they use the hammer they will handle it differently from each other.

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