And now we go back to Itachi. Warning: this is a couple of years back (in present time, Hinata is 17 and Itachi 22) when Itachi was 18.

Metamorphosis

Chapter VII

Patriotism

"Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few." - Winston Churchill.

Itachi's eyes read through the newspaper, his hands gripping it tighter than they should have. So tightly, in fact, that the knuckles had turned white - and even if it was uncomfortable, Itachi didn't notice. He couldn't notice, as his mind tried to absorb what exactly was happening to his surroundings and his country.

He had seen in coming, to be honest. There was no way that they wouldn't be dragged into the war: not when their allies, the Country of Wind, were already fighting so hard against the Country of Earth and the Country of Sound. And now that the Country of Earth and Sound had attacked the Country of Water - Fire could no longer keep silent as it declared war against the aggressors.

So now Fire had sent around two thousand soldiers to check up on the situation and the battlefield: the report had come back, and it wasn't good news. At all; the situation was terrible. Terrible enough that the army they had now wasn't enough - they needed more men. That meant that they were recruiting normal civilian men to go to war; of course, they'd be trained in camps before hand.

Already, one fourth of the men sent on the reconnaissance mission died. Were killed, if one wanted to be more precise.

They were recruiting men that were age eighteen and above.

He was included within this number.

Ideas were sent spinning in Itachi's head as he released the newspaper, letting it settle on the table in front of him. Up until then, he had been relaxed while sitting on the couch in the living room. Now, however, his back stood rod straight as he considered the options that were now presented to him.

Go fight for his country, or not risk the chance of getting killed. Whether to fight now or fight when it was clear that they were winning. But no, that was a coward's way out - and Itachi Uchiha was many things, and a coward he was not. But - was he willing to risk his life for his country? Was he willing to risk his family for his country? What did the Country of Fire do for him that resulted in enough loyalty for him to give his life? Was he willing to give up his life and his future?

Rather than getting killed, what would be more humiliating if he went and ended up being a cripple for the rest of his life. He'd be helpless - a thing that he absolutely didn't want. Helplessness. It was a disgusting thing that was not only pitiable, it was shameless. Everyone could do something. Only most people chose not to, if it was too much work.

Another thing to consider was Sasuke. If he died while serving his country, would Sasuke have an opportunity to take over the family business? Would he have to? There was always Shisui - but what if something happened to Shisui? There were so many things to consider...

But one thing was for certain. If he did this, he'd be a hero. Someone that Sasuke, his little brother could be proud of. Something that wasn't ridden in illegal deals and corruption. And that brought a small glow - a warm feeling - in Itachi's chest.

In a way, the Sasuke problem was solved: he wouldn't give up this opportunity for Sasuke's sake. Because Sasuke benefitted from this decision, in a way. It would help him grow as a person, and predominately weren't that what big brothers were for? Their siblings were their responsibility, especially when no one else chose to be responsible around them...

Getting up from where he had been sitting tensely, Itachi decided to go on a walk. On a simple walk around Konoha he'd contemplate the country, and his love for it. He'd observe his surroundings, and through them, make a life-changing decision only considering his own feelings and thoughts - because ultimately, it was his own life and his father didn't get a large a say as he probably wanted to have.

Exiting the house, Itachi felt a breeze brush his hair back. It was a relatively cold day, even though autumn had just begun. Autumn: Itachi had never really liked the season. It lulled people by the beauty of the falling leaves, the flashes of different colour - and they could forget that everything was dying. He liked winter even less: everything was already dead.

Ten minutes later, he was walking through the main street: there were little boutiques set up underneath the tall sky scrapers, and small markets full of fresh food and produce located just around the different streets and corners. There was everything - from oranges to shoes to stationary.

"Half-price off apples! Apples, fifty percent off!" Itachi inwardly winced at the volume of the woman's voice. But it wasn't only her: similar hollers and shouts could be heard all across the street, as different people worked hard to sell different products. It was a cozy sight: cozy, but loud. Would he fight for this, give his life up in order for scenes like this to continue to take place?

He passed this little, everyday scene, and managed to walk himself to the Town Square and the Town Hall - where decisions about the city and its management were made. It looked relatively old and gaudy... Probably filled with politicians that were paid to lie. Would he fight for them?

Not wanting to look any more, he decided to turn back using a different route to walk home. He still felt undecided about what exactly he was planning to do: to stay or to go? To fight and die or to stay and live? If he chose to fight, why was he doing so? He loved his country - he was sure he did - but did he love it wholeheartedly, enough to single-mindedly give his all no matter what?

As he was walking, something caught his eye. A school. Of course, there wouldn't be any children in it - it was a Saturday - but that wasn't what drew his attention. It was the playground next to the school. A playground where children were running around happily, screaming and shouting and playing to their hearts content. It brought a smile to his face - those children, who were so innocent and smile disappeared as the impending question reappeared: would he fight for them?

The answer was yes. Sasuke had once been a child - he had once been a child. For these children, who were so happy and innocent (and everything he was not) in their own little world, would he fight? Would he risk his life in order to preserve what they had - what every child should have a right to have? What they wouldn't have if the war was lost?

And finally, he had come to a decision: and the answer was yes. It was definitely worth it. He loved his country and its people - they deserved a future.

... Title is inappropriate, or whatever. Forgive mistakes. Review?