Chapter 5: Uchiha Massacre

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"So you managed to master the fireball jutsu, huh?" Isoka asked Seiichi as they sat under the tree. It was break at the academy, and Naruto, Sasuke and Sakura went off to play hide and seek with the other children while the three remaining decided to just chill.

"Yeah." Seiichi nodded. "That was two days ago, actually."

"Fugaku didn't teach you and Naruto?" Isoka turned to Mizuno.

"Nope, I guess it was a Uchiha thing. He sent us off to do shuriken training instead." Mizuno shrugged.

"Speaking of shuriken training, Sasuke suggested we go train after school today, didn't he? If I remember correctly…" Isoka trailed off.

Seiichi snapped at him. "Yes, yes, the massacre is today. The tension in the house is so thick even Sasuke and Naruto wanted to get away from it by running off to train. Now could you shut up while I think about how I'm going to face my brother slaughtering the whole family?"

Mizuno smacked Isoka, who dipped his head in silent apology. They sat there in silence until the bell rang and headed back to class.

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Seiichi watched as Sasuke growled in frustration when he missed the target again. Ever since the Shisui incident, Sasuke had gotten a lot quieter and could always be seen glancing at Itachi.

When Seiichi thought about it, many of the events in the canon story did not happen, like Sasuke asking their father about the mangekyo, or Itachi's constant refusal to train them. Itachi did train them this time, a lot. Was it because of Naruto and Mizuno?

In a way, Seiichi felt that Sasuke did not love Itachi as much as he should have, but maybe that was a good thing. Maybe less love would mean less hate and also lesser chances of running off to Orochimaru.

"Hey, it's getting dark." Sakura commented, looking into the sky.

Sasuke stopped throwing and looked up as well. "Yeah. Damn it, why can't I do it like Itachi?"

"You're almost there already. I still can't hit that target over there." Naruto groaned.

Sasuke grinned. "I told you how to do it, you didn't want to listen!"

"I'll figure this out by myself." Naruto huffed.

"Stop arguing! Let's go home." Sakura cut off Sasuke's retort.

Seiichi didn't want to go home. He wished time would freeze at this peaceful scene and he would never have to face the massacre. He turned to Isoka when he felt his arm around his shoulders.

For once, Isoka didn't give a smart comment and stayed silent, smiling reassuringly at him. Seiichi felt Mizuno's hand slip into his before squeezing tight.

"Tell him to meet me at the Konoha gates before he leaves." She whispered before letting go.

"You, Sasuke and Naruto head back first, I need to go buy something." Mizuno announced.

"Wait, Naruto. I need you to help me with something as well, could you come to my place for awhile?" Isoka asked Naruto.

Naruto looked between Isoka and Sakura, who was also giving Isoka a blank look. "Sure." He replied.

The four of them left, leaving only Seiichi and Sasuke.

"Let's go." Sasuke started walking, with Seiichi trudging behind.

After walking for a few minutes, Sasuke asked. "Do you think nii-san is acting weirdly these few days?"

Seiichi nodded.

"I wonder why he and otou-san aren't getting along. I hate it when they fight. I wished nii-san wasn't part of the ANBU and joined the police instead. Then the clan will be happier-"

"Sasuke." Seiichi interrupted.

"Yeah?" Sasuke asked.

"No matter what, Itachi is our brother, and we'll always love him, right?"

"Of course!" Sasuke grinned.

Seiichi smiled at him. They were nearing the compound, the moon was bright and round and there was someone watching them. Sasuke suddenly looked up at the pole connecting the cables. He narrowed his eyes, then turned his head towards the houses.

"Why are all the lights off?" He started running towards their house, followed by Seiichi.

They stopped when they saw the wreckage of the neighbouring houses. The signs were crooked and pierced by shuriken, the lanterns that used to hang were on the floor sliced in half, and kunais and needles lay all over the floor.

"What the hell is this?" Sasuke turned to Seiichi, bewildered.

But Seiichi couldn't answer. The only thing going through his mind was that he wanted to get this over with, so he ran.

The both of them continued running till they saw bodies on the ground. It was the old couple who used to give them free food. Seiichi could feel tears brimming in his eyes, and bile churning in his stomach.

"Father… Mother…" Sasuke's eyes were wide and desperate. He quickly ran to the house.

They entered the house and paused when they saw nobody, before running again when they heard a thud. Killer intent was rolling off the reading room, but Seiichi rushed in without a second thought.

'Please let this be over soon, please.' Was the only thing running through his mind.

He choked out a sob when he saw his parents lie on the floor lifelessly. Sasuke screamed behind him.

A figure stepped out from the shadows, and Itachi came into the light.

"Nii-san!" Sasuke cried out in relief. "Father and mother, they-"

A shuriken flew from Itachi to the wall behind Sasuke. Sasuke cried out as he clutched shoulder in pain.

"STOP!" Seiichi screamed. "You don't have to go to this extent just to make us-"

A sharp pain flashed across Seiichi's right thigh.

"My pathetic younger brothers…" Itachi activated his sharingan. "Mangekyo Sharingan!"

Seiichi turned away at the last second as Sasuke started screaming hysterically. Seiichi held him by the shoulders and shook him. "Snap out of it! Snap out of it!"

Seiichi turned to Itachi. "Why, why do you have to do this?"

"I wanted to test-" Itachi started.

"I'm not talking about that! I'm talking about you! Why do you have to be the one who suffers? Was this really the only way? Is joining Akatsuki-" Seiichi gurgled when Itachi held him by the throat.

"How do you know about that?" Itachi narrowed his eyes.

"Put me down!" Seiichi gasped. Itachi let go.

"I know a lot of things. Don't worry, I won't tell Sasuke. I'll let him hate you just like you wanted." Seiichi felt himself blacking out. "Mizuno's waiting for you at the Konoha gates. I love you, nii-san."

Seiichi thought he saw Itachi's eyes soften. The last thing he remembered that day was staring into the Mangekyo Sharingan, and Sasuke screaming in the background.

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A/N: Crap I thought this chapter was going to be longer. Oh well.