I know...Kakashi's death was a doozy...I was going to include the scene in the story but I figured it worked just as well to have it mentioned so carelessly by I urge you to recall the comics and his death in them as well...
A wasteland lay before them. A heavily silence permeating the area. The smell of blood and dirt filling the air. Hinata breathed heavily, her shoulders hunched with Sakura at her side. The pinkette stood shakily, gritting her teeth as her sharp green eyes surveyed the land.
So much death...
So much destruction...
She reached for Hinata's hand and he girl gripped her tightly, her pale eyes exhausted but determined as she slowly stood. The two girls stood backs straight and expressions both determined as they gazed at the destroyed land before them.
Nearby, Tenten and Neji trudjed through the dirt, Tenten's ankle was twisted, Neji supported her against his arm as he moved. Neither spoke but their silence nearly screamed their emotions. The fire was not dead. Ahead they spotted Guy and Lee approaching, Guy's expression relived at seeing his former students safe. They were the only whole team left.
Ino, Choji and Shikamaru stood silently together. Shikmaru's face was bloody and Chouji looked worse for wear but they stood united. Ino's hand reached for Shikamaru's and Chouji's and they silently took her hands. They moved forward, lucky to still be alive. Asuma heavy on their minds.
Shino's face was unreadable as he approached Kiba who offered him a weak grin, Akamaru barking happily. The two boys looked towards Hinata who nodded once at them, her face set and looking suddenly less like a shy young girl and more like the Hyuuga heiress her birth title claimed her to be. The sky above was bright, not a cloud in sight. The sun shined down on the remnants of the village. Like a beacon to safety, it encased the torn village in sunshine and light.
The teams were bruised.
Some were gone.
But they were not broken.
Naruto stood among the rubble, his face bruised and lip split. His bright blue eyes were narrowed on the orange haired figure standing before him. The teen forced his legs not to buckle and he took a step forward, followed by another. He was Uzumaki Naruto. He would not give up...he would protect his precious people. His breathing was ragged and he could feel hot blood roll languidly down the side of his face. He would not die. Not today.
Not today.
"Absolutely not." Itachi's voice rang clear across the nearly empty valley and if Madara was not...Madara he would have laughed out loud at the expression that crossed Sasuke's face.
"What?" The teen questioned, still staring at Itachi as if offended. Itachi continued to walk, but his eyes were fixed on his brother as he moved forward.
"You are not tracking Danzō down." He stated firmly. Sasuke looked positively scandalized that Itachi had just told him no. He had been so sure Itachi would allow him to after what had happened with Kisame. Danzō had betrayed their agreement. So why should Itachi continue to honor it? It made no sense. Sasuke could not comprehend it.
"You're kidding right?" He managed and Itachi stopped walking, rubbing the bridge of his nose in annoyance. Madara fought down a grin and settled himself in the grass, watching the siblings. They had awoken early that morning. Neither Sasuke or Itachi getting much sleep with the news they were given. Both had their own ways of coping with Kakashi's death and neither complimented the other in method. Itachi had vanished for a couple hours, hiding away and mourning in solitude. Sasuke had stayed in the cave but had not reacted to anything, his expression completely blank and reminding Madara of Itachi after the massacre. Itachi had returned early in the morning, looking as calm and collected as he usually did. Perhaps he had quickly come to terms with it. The boy was well acquainted with death as it was. He had watched Shisui end his life. He had killed nearly his entire clan. He had watched one lover walk to his death and now had to hear second hand of another, and the village that fell despite all his hopes.
While Itachi continued to close down with each tragedy, Sasuke reacted differently. Half his life he had been forced to live with hatred and anger and pain. Half his life he had struggled and persevered. He was not someone to let his anger go. He allowed to it consume him. To make him stronger. And like with hatred before, it festered. He had begun to stew in his hatred. Each death fresh on his mind.
His pain was vocal. His pain was the blood of his parents streaked on the smooth wooden floors of his home that would never be home again. His pain was Itachi coldly admitting to the deed and tormenting him with the vision of it. His pain was Itachi returning, older and crueler and like before, torturing him. Sasuke's pain was fighting him and Itachi returning as a boy with eyes far more innocent than they had a right to be. After all he had done. He had taken the innocence out of Sasuke's gaze. Why should he have it? His pain was finding out the truth, and learning the torment his brother had suffered to protect him. His pain was loud and it roared.
He stared at Itachi who gazed back with an unreadable expression on his face, his dark eyes giving away nothing. Madara however, noticed the boy's fingers reach to lightly touch Kisame's forehead protector, as if to assure himself it was still there. He had Kisame's box hidden away in his backpack as well. He shifted his had on his shoulder and looked down at the grass.
"I never kid." He replied dully and Sasuke's lips pinched in annoyance.
"Konoha's weakened," He began to argue hotly. "Danzō won't be able to defend himself from an attack." Itachi however was already shaking his head, looking weary.
"Danzō has made it clear he wants us both dead." Itachi muttered, lowering his hand and fixing his brother with a pointed look. "We can't risk playing into his hands just so you can play avenger." These words had Sasuke's eyes narrowing in a sudden rage.
"THEY TOOK EVERYTHING FROM US!" Sasuke roared loudly. Ahead, a flock of birds took off in flight as Sasuke's loud voice. "THEY TOOK OUR HOME, OUR FAMILY...EVERYTHING! AND YOU DEFEND THEM!" He rounded quickly on Itachi who stared back clearly unimpressed.
"I agreed to the mission." Came the cold reply.
"Because you were backed into a corner." Sasuke's lip curled into a sneer. It seemed the brothers were finally in confrontation about the massacre. Madara had wondered how long it would take for it to oil over and it seemed Kakashi's death had been that boiling point for Sasuke.
"Because I knew it had to be done!"
"You killed our family for them Itachi! You killed Shisui! You tortured me!" Sasuke's voice cracked and Itachi clenched his eyes shut before answering, his own voice wavering.
"I knew my role. I knew what I had to do."
"And you'd be willing to bend over for Danzō and the rest of the elders to fill that role!" Sasuke snarled and once again, if Madara was not Madara he would have winced at that statement. Itachi stared at his brother. For a moment, the clearing was silent. When he spoke next it was perfectly composed.
"If that was what needed to be done, I would have bent over for the entire village." He watched as Sasuke blinked in shock. They stared at each other for a moment before Sasuke fixed his sibling with a cold stare.
"I have no doubt about that." Sasuke sneered. "Father would be so proud of you."
"Father's dead. He's not feeling much of anything." Itachi responded with no emotion and Sasuke bristled. Madara nearly whistled at the low blow.
Ouch.
"You haven't changed. You might have had motives for killing everyone, but you're still as heartless as you were that night." Sasuke coolly muttered and Itachi lifted his chin in defiance. The last shield he had to offer before breaking down.
Double ouch.
"Clearly." Itachi's voice was colder than Madara had ever heard it before. Sasuke took a step back, shaking his head.
"I can't...I can't even look at you right now." He stated in disgust. He turned on his heel and briskly made his way through the grass, Itachi stalking off in the opposite direction. Madara looked between the two, having the time of his life. He watched as Sasuke vanished out of sight and as Itachi swiftly made his way down the hillside, the cloak he wore billowing around him, his grip on his backpack fierce. Madara rolled his eyes to the sky.
"Were we ever this dramatic?" He asked the clouds and a lightly gust of wind whipped around him and the elder grinned.
Obito found the teenager sulking in the back of a smoke infested bar. He had two empty sake cups in front of him and was working on the third.
"There he is!" Suigetsu hissed from behind Obito who nodded and motioned for the trio to follow him. When Sasuke noticed them, he leaned against his seat, eyes scanning each one before settling on Obito who snorted.
"I bring your little team back for you and you're not even there to greet them." Obito muttered with a shake of his head. Obito sat across from Sasuke, pushing the sake towards him. He had managed to gather up Karin, Juugo and Suigetsu before the attack on Konoha. All three had been eager to return to Sasuke and curious about the situation. That however was for Sasuke to tell. Sasuke pushed the sake away and Suigetsu was quick to take it.
Sasuke eyed Suigetsu for a moment while Karin rolled her eyes, fixing her glasses as they slid down her nose. She looked to Sasuke who watched as Obito ordered himself a drink.
"You took your time coming back..." The spiky haired Uchiha scowled. Obito shrugged, grinning behind the mask.
"There were...delays..."
"Hn."
"Madara alerted me that you had ran off and so there was a delay in finding you." The drink was placed in front of him and he handed it to Karin who beamed, thanking him. Sasuke crossed his arms over his chest.
"Konoha was leveled."
"Yes."
"Kakashi's dead." Sasuke stared hard at Obito who sat still for a moment.
"Unfortunate...but he was always the type to lay down his life for others." He finally replied, voice light as if discussing something of amusement. "Your Kyuubi friend was not there during the attack but he has already returned and met Pein"
"Pein?' Sasuke rose a brow.
"The leader of the Akatsuki. Killed Jiraya. He was the one who leveled Konoha. My spies say the Uzumaki brat had returned to the village and had confronted him..." He trailed off and Sasuke stared.
"And?"
"And the Uzumaki brat has defeated him." He shrugged lazily. "Quite impressive. But I have bigger news." He drawled and Sasuke relaxed, content on knowing Naruto had not been killed and more than a bit impressed with knowing the Dobe had defeated a so called God. Nothing but the best from Konoha's future Hokage.
"The five Kages will be meeting at the summit in two days time."Danzō will be there." Sasuke slowly looked up, his eyes hidden by his hair. Karin watched him in concern as Juugo's brows furrowed. Sasuke spared none of them a glance as he stared hard at Obito.
"You can get me there." He stated softly. Obito nodded. All at once all other noise in the dingy tavern were forgotten. Sasuke's sole attention was now on the masked man sitting so casually in front of him. Obito seemed to be having the time of his life, looking from Karin to Juugo and towards Suigetsu.
"By the way-" He had began but Sasuke kicked him under the table before Suigetsu noticed that Obito was talking to him. no doubt he was going to inform Suigetsu about Kisame's death and no doubt Suigetsu would go after the Samehada. He did not need any distractions with this. He continued to stare hard at Obito who shrugged and leaned forward in his seat, crossing his fingers in front of his face.
"They will not be expecting an attack from you so soon after Konoha. Danzō will have no idea."
Sasuke's eyes activated. The Sharingan glowing ominously. Karin watched as Sasuke stared the man down, his aura dark and Karin fought the shiver than ran down her spine. She wondered what they had missed in this last week. What had happened to Sasuke during this time? Sasuke was as closed off as ever and his aura frightened Karin.
"Get me there. Take me to him." Sasuke ordered, voice clipped. At this Obito leaned back in his seat with a little laugh. Sasuke was still so ignorant on so many things. He could just imagine the boy's reaction when he found out the entire truth. How close he had been to the truth by implying his brother would sleep with the man. He wondered how much guilt he could possibly live with. So he enjoyed the view, his tilted and grinning behind his mask.
"Gladly."