Impossible to Love You

Disclaimer: Naruto belongs to the brilliant Masashi Kishimoto-sama. I am not Masashi Kishimoto-sama, unfortunately.

Warnings: Incest, swearings.

Pairings: ItaSasu, short GaaSasu.

A/N: Thank you for all the beautiful reviews and I'm truly ashamed for taking so long, so this is an extra long chapter to appease all of you. I hope no one has forgotten my story! Ultra lack of ItaSasu, as usual. Sorry! And another warning. A good bit consists of Mikoto's POV, I don't know if it may bore some readers, but her part is essential to the story so please understand! Skele, I searched for signs of poetic lines but alas! Found none. I'm touched that you did. I love writing poems too! And no I don't live in America. What is the school system like in Ireland? School sucks I hope you are coping well! Best of luck for your exams! Mine was over, but it was pretty much a nightmare, so I completely empathise with your situation. Kaira-chan15, thanks so much for reviewing every chapter!!! I love your comments!! Yes I think it would be so terribly hard for anyone in reality to accept this kind of feeling, and that's why the story is moving rather slowly for any ItaSasu action. I hope no one is too frustrated at that. I hadn't meant for the story to turn out this way. I had written the first draft as a fluff, but my Itachi turned out to be more like Tamaki from Ouran High. And it grossed me out. So this is a very heavily edited one that is giving me so much trouble but satisfaction! Oh and 'tête-è-tête' means conversation, basically, face-to-face talk. For chapter 10, yes the reference to Hawk was sort of deliberate, though I had thought no one would notice. I'm so honoured someone did! XD Madara was too lovable. That was meant to be more like Tobi's character. Watch out for a Madara that is hard to love in this chapter!

Sasuke's face remained fixated out of his window, lost in a burning gaze deep into the dark of the night. Mikoto had thought that he had a tiff with Temari, hence the whole locking up himself in the room business. Well, that had helped save plenty of explanations, he thought bitterly as his fingers dug hard into his comforter. He couldn't stand it anymore. Staying in this room could not erase any memory of him and… he couldn't even bring himself to say the word.

It hurt.

It hurt like a thousand knives slicing his heart. He kicked away his comforter and leapt out of his bed. He stole down the marble stairs like the night breeze, swift and silent, intent on sneaking out of the damned place that held too many perplexing memories for him.

A soft tinkling of the piano drifted towards his ears like a ghostly whisper tinged with a depth of sweet melancholy. His passion for music and burning curiosity made him cave in and he allowed his legs to lead the way towards the musical source, the ballroom.

It could be his mother. Maybe he could hug her just for the slightest moment, and be her baby once again. He loathed adulthood and all the troubles it brought. All he longed for now is a watch to turn back time and freeze himself in that state perpetually.

He pushed the heavy door ever so slightly to take a tiny peek, and paused when the door was barely half an inch open. The tinkle of the piano was no more. He could hear the melody clearly, though it remained muted. The notes danced around him, roping him in with their tones of sorrow and despair.

With the flourish of a graceful hand, the crescendo soared in its dark flight, bringing the dying embers of long lost memories roaring back to their fiery light, carving a delicate shard of pain into Sasuke's chest.

No one but Itachi played like that. He didn't even need to see the figure behind the grand piano to know that it was the very person he didn't even want to think about.

Why did he choose to play now, when he had stopped for so many years?

He stood still with a long bated breath, resting his back against the door as the song came to a beautiful close and yet another equally haunting melody chimed to life, before shutting the door softly.

Itachi played for what seemed like hours, his fingers flying over the monochrome keys, blurring over them like a frenzied bumblebee, before slamming them down in an abrupt end. The muted keys rang loud and jarring in his ears, not unlike the cracking of thunder, which suited his raining heart just fine.

This would be the last time he would be succumbing to his weakness. Anyway, Madara would be there to pull the reins on him, however twisted his plans may be. Soon, he would be out of this household. And there wouldn't be any accidents involving… his brother, anymore.

Back at his monotonous regime in school, Sasuke successfully evaded a certain individual, whom he suspected, was avoiding him as well. He had no inkling whether Itachi realised that he had already found out the truth, but he surmised Itachi must have felt certain amount of guilt for that night's incident. They were, after all— He understood, with much agony, how Itachi felt. A rapid flurry of heavy footsteps broke into his pensive thoughts.

He tilted his head up and saw, to his surprise, his father. Fugaku rushed past Sasuke, not even sending a glance of the barest hint of acknowledgement to his second son as he headed towards the principal's office. Sasuke frowned, his brows knit tightly in worry.

There was an aura of tenseness around his father; he could see it in the tightening of his jaws and shoulders. Something terribly wrong must have cropped up. Fugaku had never entered the school now that he had entrusted it to Itachi, except for scheduled checks which didn't involve seeing Itachi.

Sasuke stepped out of his desk, but was hampered by an annoying grip on him.

"What?"

"Sasuke-kun, Ino and I are going to lunch soon; you'll have to remain at the receptionist desk…" Sakura said hesitantly.

"Well she's still not back yet. Your lunch can wait. I have something important to do. I'll be back soon." Sasuke replied gruffly, tugging his wrist away.

"…Alright." Sakura sighed at his aloofness, her lashes lowered in disappointment as she returned to her work.

Sasuke made it just as the door came to a close, and pressed his ear against the door hoping to hear something. He was fortunate that Fugaku was agitated enough to speak loudly, though he couldn't hear Itachi's voice at all.

"Why did you take my seal without my permission whilst I was out on business!?"

"…………………."

"What!? Don't talk to me about Madara! I don't trust him, and now that you're working for him, don't expect me to trust you either! I don't care what Mikoto says, she is clearly misled by his sweettalking! This business transection you made could cost us hundreds of millions! What if you failed? Do you want us to go bankrupt? Madara is just waiting for a chance to get back at me, his half brother who took his inheritance away from him! Don't be so stupid as to be used by him!"

"…………………."

"You're telling me he has billions and he wouldn't want our peanuts? Money is never sufficient to even the richest soul in the world. Humans' wants are insatiable. Don't you even know this simple logic!? Besides, I know him well enough! He is a vengeful person! Just look at what he has become now! No matter how respected he thinks he is, he is a yakuza! You know how dangerous they're! I know, you're hoping he'll take you under his wing and you can be as successful as him. I assure you, he will never do that. Behind his smile lurks a malicious being, Itachi. Be more down-to-earth!"

This time, Itachi's reply resounded loud and clear.

"I have already affixed your seal in the document. There is no turning back. You may charge me in court if you want. I'll move out of your house this instant."

"I know you've been waiting for me to kick you out! I wonder why don't you just move on your own? I know. You just want to infuriate me to death. I don't know what I've done in my past life to deserve a son like you. From today on, I'll take back the principal's post. I'll not charge you, but I don't want to see your face when I return home tonight."

Sasuke had barely time to lift his red ear from the door when it swung open. He glanced up to see a familiar face staring down at him with piceous eyes devoid of emotion as always. Even till now Itachi could remain stoic. He couldn't and suspected that he wouldn't ever be able to understand what was in Itachi's mind. He dragged Itachi down the corridor to the male staff restroom, and locked the door firmly.

"What in the world just happened? Why did you steal otou-san's seal?"

"You're too young to understand the workings of a business world." Itachi replied simply, shrugging his shoulders as he turned away from Sasuke. Sasuke growled and twisted his brother harshly towards him.

"Look at me and tell me the truth!"

"The feud began between Madara-san and our father. I had originally thought it was all Madara-san's fault that he was disowned by our grandfather, but it turns out our father wasn't such a simple man after all. I am merely helping Madara-san redress his wrongs. Besides, otou-san looks down on me way too much. I will definitely earn a lot more than he ever dreamt of. And since he was so adamant on what is his, he oughn't dream of taking what I will earn in the future. Aren't you happy though, otouto? You're finally going to be the sole heir. Your older brother, who has always been your competition, will no longer be competing with you." Itachi smiled down at him as a strange gleam shone in his atramentous eyes like the pale curve of the moon.

"You… you betrayed your own father and still dare to behave righteous!? Itachi, you're truly heinous. I was wrong to think that you—" Sasuke bit down on his lip harshly, almost drawing blood.

"I merely played the role of a caring brother for you. You were easy to deceive, and really fun to play with."

"Why did you do that? You could have just ignored me as you did in the past! Why did you treat me so well only to stab me at the back now!? Doing all this to me will not help in your business dealings!" Sasuke shrieked, his tears burning his eyes like molten fire.

"I told you. You were fun to tease."

"You're sick! So when you—you touched—m-me… it was all for fun?" Sasuke's last word came out in a tiny tremble as he braced himself for the heartrending truth.

A small suck of breath was all that reverberated in the tiny room; slightly dank with moisture. Itachi turned his back onto Sasuke once again.

"…So you found out."

"Tell me it wasn't for your sick pleasure."

The hated ponytail greeted Sasuke in its black silence, a sleek coil of silk against the equally dark suit.

"Say something!!!" Sasuke reached a piercing high note, his voice cracking upon his outburst.

"Otouto… it appears only your body has matured. Why are you still so naïve as to think that I care for you, even in such a demented sort of way? It's labelled incest, foolish little brother. Remember this, you were there when I was bored, and I do appreciate you for that, but that is it." Itachi faced Sasuke once again, though he remained rooted a distance away from his shaking brother.

His last words fell like doom all around Sasuke as his entire being was enveloped by a dark cloak of anguish that he knew he could never recover from. Itachi's eyes betrayed no emotion; it spelt of apathy and callousness in its aphotic depths.

Sasuke felt that his entire frame could shatter as the cold hard truth fell upon him like Thor's hammer and blasted him to oblivion. He leant onto the cool ledge of the sink for support as his legs failed him. Itachi had been lying to him all along. To think he had actually believed in him.

Tears escaped from his eyes, but he didn't cry.

There was no broken sobbing; no desperate wailing.

Instead he laughed. His laugh didn't sound like his own; it was a weak hollow guttural sound that gurgled out of his mouth like a strangled groan.

"Am I just a fucking toy to you all this while? Something for you to play around with, abuse, and discard when you no longer have any use for it? Come to think of it, you haven't even finished playing with me. Am I that boring? I'm sure Gaara wouldn't agree." Sasuke said levelly, resting his palms heavily against the damp sink.

Itachi's lips remained pursed, and Sasuke wanted to tear them out. He advanced towards the statue-like man and grabbed hold of his wrist in a vice-like grip, screaming into his apathetic face.

"Come on, finish playing with me! Have your fun!"

A tight slap across his face left him speechless and unblinking at the ground.

"Grow up, foolish little brother. Build your hatred, your loathing. When you've done so, you may have your revenge then. But right now you're just a pathetic creature I no longer have any interest in." Itachi's wintry voice muttered above him, before shoving past him to get out of the toilet.

Sasuke touched his sore cheek tenderly, his fingers curling slightly, digging into the curve of his hurt cheek as his knees dropped to the ground.

"I loved you… nii-san." He whispered the fateful words to the empty space where Itachi once stood.

A familiar figure entered the restroom and almost retreated as he bowed in apology before pausing in mid-bow.

"Sasuke? Are you alright?"

"Gaara…" Sasuke uttered, surprised he could still find his voice to speak. He reached a trembling hand towards the outstretched palm of the redhead, and wasted no time in cradling Gaara's face as he breathed close to his lips, "Aren't I desirable to you?"

Gaara squeaked a weak yes. Sasuke smiled bitterly as he pressed his body against the responding redhead, his lips dangerously close to Gaara's as he whispered in honeyed tones, "Do you want all of me?"

Gaara barely nodded before Sasuke pressed their lips together in a bruising kiss, pouring his anger and hatred into the intensity of their frenzied passion as he proceeded to undress Gaara.

Greedy hands ripped each others' clothes away as they roved and wandered like hungry ghosts searching frantically for the right route to reincarnation, as hot mouths trailed down lithe bodies slick with sweat from the humidity of restroom and their romping activity.

Sasuke dragged Gaara's flyer down impatiently and promptly knelt down as he pulled the hindering boxers past the tent and revealed Gaara's in his naked glory, big and hard in its eagerness to release. Sasuke squeezed his lids shut as he leant towards the warm erection before him. A warm hand gripped his shoulder, halting him.

"What's wrong?" Sasuke scowled at the jade green eyes that still gazed down at him in swirling pools of yearning.

"Sssstop." Gaara almost hissed the word out as he panted in ragged breaths.

"Why? You want me, don't you?" Sasuke asked in mild panic as a sudden dawning that the guy might not want him after all struck him where it mattered.

"Yes… but… you don't want me. I don't want to be your rebound sex partner." Gaara said almost mournfully as he pulled up his trousers.

"What are you talking about? Here I am, offering you free sex, and you go and reject me! What is wrong with me? Why does every man only want me halfway through? Is it that I'm not skilled?" Sasuke ranted as he stood up furiously.

"No, listen to me, you're incredibly desirable and I seriously think I've gone nuts in my head by refusing you now, but I know you're in love with someone else, and I won't be his substitute, Sasuke."

"I'm not in love with him! I hate him! I swear I will kill him one day!" Sasuke shrieked wildly, losing any barest thread of control as his beauteous face contorted in Cimmerian rage.

"Relax, babe. I think you really need to clear your mind now. Do you need to take half-day leave perhaps? I could help you with the form whilst you freshen yourself up." Gaara offered magnanimously.

Sasuke shook his head vehemently. The last place he wanted to go was home. Nii—Itachi might still be packing his belongings. For a flash of a second he wondered where would Itachi be living, but he crushed that thought as quickly as it formed. He waved Gaara out of the restroom and locked the door firmly behind him, and clamped his palm over his mouth as he choked on a raging sob.

There was no one to taunt at his stupidity now, and he could finally release his pent-up agony. He crumpled onto the floor, his torso racked with gasps and sobs, his eyes burning from the corrosive liquid that spilled forth.

When he was finally done with his moment of weakness, he pulled himself together and emerged from the restroom. He dragged his leaden feet down the corridor, moving mechanically to the receptionist desk and settled down next to Sakura.

"You took quite some time, Sasuke-kun. Did anything happen?" Sakura asked, her wide green eyes warm with concern.

"…No."

"I saw Itachi-san leaving the office with his briefcase; it appears that Fugaku-san is taking over his place today. Has it got to do with Itachi-san?" Sakura pressed.

"No." Sasuke's baritone deepened into a dark growl.

"…Alright. You can go out for lunch first today. Ino still isn't back yet." Sakura offered.

"Okay." Sasuke left the office immediately, heading towards the rooftop. He needed a place, a setting which would complement the tormenting sorrow that ate him bit by bit.

He laid his back against the rough ground and gazed up into the sweeping sky above him, shielding his eyes from the glare of the afternoon sun. At the back of his mind he wondered how Shikamaru was able look at the sky when it was so blinding.

The sun shone ablaze like a fiery diamond in the brilliant blue sky dappled with puffs of snow white clouds that stretched and curled, melding into each other as a gentle breeze blew them close. Sasuke scowled at the beautiful, almost tranquil sight before him as several ravens darted across the sky, their feathers ruffling in the wind as they cawed cheerily. Even heaven was making fun of him. Whenever he longed for a grey sky, it never came.

His heart was bleeding, yet the heavens didn't cry for him.

The very beauty of nature seemed to mock him, the ravens scoffing at his plain naiveté in believing in his brother. They must be punishing him for his sinful desires. He should have been accepting this fate, but he'd rather his brother never return any sign of affection to him only to make him feel a pain beyond any other he had felt with his utter rejection.

Upon reaching home, Sasuke instantly entered the tenebrous confines of his room and crawled into the comfort of his bed. He frowned as he recalled his playing of violin at the restaurant. It was so half-hearted that that manager had made him take an earlier leave. He was, as always, easily swayed by his emotions.

After his mild self-berating of his poor reign over his feelings, he finally noticed that his house was oddly, dark at this hour. Where was his mother? He sat up straight, half worried. Unless she was out on business trips with his father, there was no way she wouldn't be out after dinnertime. Sasuke wondered if she had fallen ill and was already asleep.

He walked briskly down to his parents' bedroom, knowing full well his father wouldn't be home so early. He pushed the door open in a slight creak, the crease between his brows deepening upon spotting a neatly made bed. He stopped a servant hurrying past him, tapping her shoulders lightly.

She looked up and blushed crimson upon seeing him, stuttering, "Sa-ssuke-sama! W-what ca-can I d-do for you?"

"Did my mother inform you of where she was going?"

"S-she said… some-something about meeting Fugaku-sama… and Madara-sama…" The petite girl stammered.

"Thank you." He flipped out his phone hurriedly as the girl tottered off dazedly, delighted at the sheer luck of her young master speaking to her.

First he dialled his mother's number, but it reached the answering machine. He left a quick message for her, and called the next person he could think of.

"Otou-san, sorry to disturb you, but I've just found out kaa-san still isn't back yet and it is rare at this hour that she would be out." Sasuke said to the answering machine, a hint of frustration clouding his voice at Fugaku's unavailability.

He returned to his room, dialling his mother's cell for umpteenth time till he finally fell into a deep abyss of strange dreams. His mother crying… asking him why he disappointed her… Itachi repeating his cold words over and over…

When he'd finally awoken, the pale light of dawn shimmered on his body, announcing the birth of a new day and the death of nightmares.

He rushed out of his room instantly to check on his mother. He didn't know why he felt so anxious about her, but he suspected that it was because deep inside him, he knew; he knew he wouldn't be able to take it if she had left him as well.

She wasn't in her room. The room remained untouched and cold. An air of foreboding seemed to hang from the chandelier of the vaulted ceiling. His cell rang and he picked it up, gasping, "Kaa-san!?"

"Sasuke, I've just received your message. Your mother still isn't back home yet?"

"No…" Sasuke replied flatly, deflating slightly upon hearing his father's voice.

"I told her to go home, why didn't she listen?" Fugaku ranted.

"Why did she want to meet you? Is it regarding… him?" Both father and son knew, without an utterance of the name, whom he referred to.

"Yes. She was weeping and pleading me to let him stay, but it would be against my principles to do that. I trust you agree with me."

"Yes, otou-san. Could she have met up with Madara after meeting you?"

"Possibly. I'll try to contact him."

The line cut off.

Sasuke scrolled down the cellphone screen towards Itachi's number, his finger pausing at the call button. He didn't know whether to call his brother; Itachi might not even be anxious. No, he wouldn't be. Sasuke snapped his phone shut, and retired to his room to wait for the news.

***************************************************************************************************************************************************

Mikoto hurried down the pavement toward the enormous mansion guarded by two men in black suits. She bowed low at the sight of them, twiddling her thumbs nervously as she requested to see Madara.

They let her in and she bowed to them once again, out of both courtesy and apprehension, before rushing toward the house. A silent guide walked a little ahead of her, his face as hard as stone. Her eyes darted around her surroundings uneasily.

Everyone around her was dressed in stern black suits and had a pair of dark sunglasses on. Her eyes returned to the back of her guide, taking in the intricately carved ring on his finger that so closely resembled Madara's. It appeared everyone in this house had this ring on. It must have been their gang's symbol.

Mikoto swallowed nervously, no matter how sweet Madara had been to her, she just wasn't quite prepared to come to his house. She should have met him at a restaurant instead.

The guide stopped in front of a huge door, and motioned her to enter after he rapped on the door twice. She bowed awkwardly to him and rested her sweaty palm on the handle and pushed.

"Mikoto-san! How good to see you again! What's the matter?" Madara got up from his desk, grinning at her broadly.

"I…" She trailed off uneasily, gazing at the two people next to him.

"Oh you guys have already met, don't be too alarmed. I know they look scary." Madara flashed a brilliant smile as he strode towards her.

Mikoto flushed at his frankness and dumbly nodded as he guided her to the lush red couch. They sat down together whilst he offered her a drink. She refused politely, still staring down at her fingers whilst he shrugged and poured himself a shot.

"Alright, I'll get them to leave. Pein, Konan, we need some privacy here." Madara sighed.

"Yes, boss." They chorused and bowed before making their way out.

"Now we're all alone." Madara smiled down at her almost diabolically, his finger tracing the sparkling stone of his ring.

Mikoto looked up into his ebony eyes, a sudden chill overtaking her body at his words. She nodded and spoke quickly to dispel the weird atmosphere that was rapidly building.

"I'm here today to speak to you about Itachi. And Fugaku, actually. I'm sure you know Itachi got kicked out by Fugaku. Please, Madara-san, do something about it!"

"Haven't you heard? Itachi got kicked out because he took his father's seal. It's all Fugaku's doing. I don't see why he can get so uptight over his own son taking his seal. Treating his own son like a thief. Really, Fugaku is learning our father's ropes well. I'm sorry, but I can't do anything about it." Madara shook his head apologetically.

"I know Fugaku is a little stubborn, but if you come with me to speak to him, I sure he'll relent. You do have a good reason for making Itachi take the seal right? Like because it will help with your business and all…" Mikoto pleaded, her hands clasped together.

"I can't. Have you forgotten how much he hates me. Mikoto dear? And what makes you think I was the one who ordered Itachi to take the seal? Alright, alright, you know your own son well. Anyway, why does it matter that Itachi is out of your house? It's not like he can't manage on his own."

"You don't understand. Fugaku is going to disown him. He's my son! I can't just sit back and do nothing!"

"Fugaku is going to do that? He is so heartless. I pity you, Mikoto-san. Why did you marry someone like him? I could have given you a better life…" Madara's voice lowered and mellowed, his tone almost dripping with honey as his hands clamped over hers.

Mikoto started, and tried to pull her hands from him, but his hold was steel tight. Fugaku had warned her that Madara still harbored feelings for her, why hadn't she listened? Her heart fluttered like a hornet's wings, as nasty worms crept at the pit of her stomach.

"Madara-san, please treat yourself with decorum. We're both mature adults, and I'm already married with kids." Mikoto said stiffly, her eyes averted.

"Mikoto-san, why is it till now you're still so loyal to Fugaku? He is a callous creep! Just look at the way he treats his own flesh and blood! I can bring you happiness if you leave him." Madara insisted, leaning close to her.

Mikoto flinched as she tugged to no avail.

"Madara-san! Stop this right now!" Mikoto demanded.

"Since you're so being so stubborn about it, I'll have no choice but to choose the latter route. Remember this; you left me no choice, Mikoto." Madara's tone deepened further, all traces of honey vanished as his voice turned into a rough velvet.

"…What do you mean?" Mikoto asked in a small voice instinctively, frightened by his sudden change of attitude.

"I have something interesting to show you. And Fugaku, of course. Perhaps the police should know about it though. It has been tugging at my conscience. What a sensational crime." Madara's sable eyes took on a malicious glitter as he pulled her towards his desk.

"What are you talking about?" Mikoto asked, her heart pounding furiously.

"Just take a look." Madara pushed her onto his seat, his hands clamping down on her shoulders, as if to prevent her from leaving.

It was a video; a footage of Itachi and Sasuke. Itachi had pinned Sasuke down against a sofa as the mechanical spot lights of a club flashed riotously upon them, painting their bodies a neon rainbow as they writhed against each other, kissing like there was no tomorrow.

Mikoto slapped her palm against her parted lips in utter horror. Anguish shot through her insides, squeezing her heart till she could no longer breathe. She turned towards Madara, her eyes raw with bitter pain and incomprehension, and sorrow and torment burst forth in the form of silent tears.

"Wasn't it a beautiful sight? That's not all." Madara breathed into her ear as he pressed some photos in her trembling palm.

She stared at the photos of Itachi and Sasuke kissing, him carrying Sasuke with a tender look on his usually enigmatic face, and it suddenly dawned upon her the true reasons behind Itachi's distancing from his family.

He was being blackmailed by this very person who was supposed to be his family. To think she had thought that blood flows thicker than water. This man was ruthless, and to be in the same room as him now terrified her. The sadness enveloping her turned into a thin veil of fear that draped onto her frame like frost, rendering her immobile as he caressed her long hair almost fondly.

"It is a pity you refuse to satisfy me. Now you have to bear such pain in witnessing your sons burning in hell. Or one of them may rot in prison first, since incest is after all, a crime."

"What can you gain from doing all this? Are you still so affected that Fugaku had gotten the inheritance instead?" Mikoto questioned bitterly.

"No. Indeed, I have him to thank for being much wealthier than him now. If he had not run to our father with his preposterous suspicion that I was greedy enough to want his entire fortune I would not have turned to the yakuzas. This is just my little thank-you gift for you two. After all Fugaku has done for me, I ought to repay his favour oughtn't I? I have the responsibility of informing you about your two wayward sons' misdeeds. No, what they are doing is worse than a misdeed. What do you call that? Hmmm, a sin? Yes that's it! Don't they disgust you, Mikoto dear?" Madara asked gleefully.

"You disgust me." Mikoto spat.

"That's not the answer I'm looking for!" Madara snarled in fiendish outrage as he slapped her.

She clasped her burning cheek, glaring at him.

"Oh, did I hurt you? I'm afraid it isn't the end. Not for your darlings anyway. They will suffer a fate worse than death, I assure you."

"Why are you taking it out on them!? They weren't the ones who turned you this way!" Mikoto lashed out.

"I know it always hurts the parents the most when their kids suffer. Well, my father was an exception though." Madara smiled, a nefarious glint reflecting in the depths of his stygian eyes.

"You're crazy. Your father only wished the best for you. He wanted you to learn from your mistakes. Don't forget, he didn't report you to the police. That was his act of love!" Mikoto chided.

"Stop your preaching. My father was a dunce to believe in his bastard of a son rather than his legitimate son. I had totally revelled in killing him."

"What!? You… killed… your own father?" Mikoto gasped.

"Well, I did not kill him personally though; I merely increased his dosage of medicine." Madara said casually, a trace of disappointment in his voice.

"Oh, kami-sama." Mikoto mouthed, her icy layer of fear had infiltrated her body into her blood, chilling it as it flowed into her heart, numbing her heart with an impenetrable layer of arctic frost.

"Don't worry, I won't kill them. They're just too fun to play with. I do feel I've divulged a little too much to you though, Mikoto-san." Madara smiled down at her with a sinister charm.

"I'll do anything if you don't touch them. Or Fugaku."

"Must you mention his name? It incenses me. I don't need you to do anything. Just leave."

"No! Please!"

"Pein, Konan, send Mikoto-san out." Madara's voice deepened into a command. The two sullen followers came barging in and pulled a weeping Mikoto out of the room.

"You have no more business to be in here. Now leave before we throw you out." Konan uttered darkly as she shoved Mikoto to the door.

Mikoto flew out of the mansion, flagging down a cab that was just turning in at the corner. She sat down hard, panting slightly as she gave her home address. She had to warn Fugaku about Madara. But yet she couldn't tell him about their sons.

Her heart was ripped at both sides, as she bled slowly within. All that had occurred seemed almost like a dream, a nightmare. Yet, she knew she was not sleeping; that it was the cold, harsh, twisted reality that slapped her in the face.

The driver swerved into an unfamiliar road, and she immediately tried to correct the driver. However, the grey-haired driver merely smirked at her as he spoke.

"Madam, I'm under Boss's instructions to bring you to the restaurant you both had dined at before."

"What!?" Mikoto almost shrieked.

"The back of the restaurant, actually." The driver added nonchalantly as he pulled over at the pavement.

Mikoto took the chance to get out, but found the door firmly locked.

"Do you think I'm a fucking idiot? Now give me your fucking phone."

Mikoto handed him her phone mutely, and he continued his drive to the restaurant.

When they had reached, someone opened the door, waiting for her to climb out from the back seat. She got out reluctantly, and the man took her by her arm and forced her towards the back of the restaurant, with a cleverly hidden gun pointed at her back.

"Madara wants to silence me?" Mikoto asked calmly, though her tears pricked at her eyes like pins.

"Yes, and he wants it quick. That idiotic driver back there would take too much joy in torturing you slowly before killing you, so Boss is smart enough not to let him do it. Don't worry, there'll be little pain."

Mikoto barely nodded, her eyes taking in nothing but a haze of tears. She had failed as a mother in being overly trusting. She didn't mind dying, if she could save her children, but she couldn't. A fine graze of knife caressed her throat, the frost of the deadly metal sharp and real. She squeezed her damp eyes shut, resigning to the eternal darkness ahead of her.