Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto

Older Brother: Choice

"Well?" Danzo asked. Sasuke stared at the man. He could see red eyes bulging down through the man's right arm, like boils, and had no doubt they were the eyes that once belonged to his Clan members. The sight should have stirred wrath, or hatred, but he felt nothing.

He looked between his brother and Danzo, and could no longer see a difference. Both were monsters.

"Sasuke, you need to let me explain, there's more to this than you know-" Itachi begged but Danzo's scratchy laugh interrupted him.

"There's nothing more to this story. Only what happens next. My patience is running thin, Sasuke. Choose." Sasuke took a moment, took a breath. He went over several scenarios: teaming up with Danzo to take care of Itachi, teaming up with Itachi to take care of Danzo, standing alone against the two of them. He didn't like any of them.

He shook his head, half in refusal to Danzo and half at himself. Where had his desire for vengeance gone? There was nothing left inside of him. This last revelation had driven out everything, leaving him numb and void. Itachi betrayal ran deeper than he could have imagined. Had he been so stupid as to not see it? Or were Itachi's lies that impeccable?

"No? Well, no matter," Danzo muttered. He wasted no time in launching several wind-enhanced shuriken at the Uchiha Brothers, which Itachi dodged and Sasuke blocked.

"Sasuke, Danzo is using the Izanagi! He can rewrite reality with Genjutsu!" Itachi filled him in.

Sasuke guessed that was what the numerable Sharingan in Danzo's right arm were for.

Suddenly black flames burst in front of Sasuke. They latched on to Danzo, eating away at him. Sasuke could feel the intense heat of the black fire and backed off a little, not wanting to be anywhere near such an inexorable force. He glanced at Itachi, who was crying blood. His brother's Sharingan was strange, different from the normal pattern. The Mangekyou.

The fire consumed Danzo and for a second Sasuke thought the man was done for. Then the black fire sputtered out with Danzo left standing, seemingly unharmed. With his keen vision Sasuke didn't miss one of the red eyes in Danzo's arm close. So that was the Izanagi. There were five eyes left open in his arm. Sasuke noted the bandage that covered Danzo's right eye, and suspected there was another Sharingan hidden behind there.

He spared Itachi a glance and saw that using the black fire took a tremendous toll on his body. Itachi was crouched on a branch, clutching at his eye and his face set in a grimace. It looked like he wouldn't be doing much for the moment. Sasuke knew he could have killed him, exhausted like that, but Danzo was the more pressing opponent at the minute. Sasuke wanted him out of the way before doing anything else.

"Don't hold back," Itachi said.

"Right." Sasuke understood. The only way to win this fight would be to get Danzo to run out of Sharingan with which to use the Izanagi. In other words, it was a battle of stamina, which wasn't Sasuke's strong suit. It looked like it wasn't' Itachi's forte either. Sasuke took a battle stance and readied himself for the fight.

…

Suigetsu was thoroughly enjoying hacking up the ANBU agent. He loved to cut things, but things that screamed when cut were better than things that didn't. That was why he hadn't cut up Sasuke; he doubted the Uchiha would scream.

"Suigetsu, that's enough," Juugo said, having already dispatched the ANBU he had been facing. He'd laid down the body with a gentleness Suigetsu had scoffed at.

"Sasuke wanted these guys to suffer," Suigetsu told him a little distractedly. He was watching his latest cut to the agent's thigh bleed out and listening to the yells and curses.

"We shouldn't always do what Sasuke wants," Karin huffed and Suigetsu rolled his eyes. Karin was usually the first to jump up to follow their leader's every whim. Juugo mostly did whatever Sasuke wanted as well, not really caring what he had to do if it meant he could stay by the Uchiha's side. Suigetsu seemed to be the only one with a spine.

The ANBU agent had stopped screaming and was curling into a feeble ball, whining. Suigetsu grimaced and quickly ended the agent's life. He hated whining.

"Should we go find Sasuke?" Juugo asked them. Karin concentrated for a moment and told them that his chakra wasn't too far away, and he was with two others – most likely Itachi and Danzo.

"I dunno. Personally I don't like the sound of this Danzo or that nasty brother of his. I'd rather stay out of it," Suigetsu said. He'd love to slice away at Itachi and Danzo and make them beg for mercy after what they had put Sasuke through, but his instinct told him that it was a fight he couldn't win.

"Still, we should probably make sure he's okay," Juugo worried. Suigetsu sometimes wondered whether Juugo really cared for Sasuke as a friend would, or if he only saw him as a tool that could keep the lid on that curse mark of his.

"Fine," Suigetsu dragged the word out. "We'll go. Karin, what direction?"

"It'll be easier if you just follow me," the redhead muttered and set off immediately. The three leapt through the trees, the bark slippery from the drizzly rainfall. For Suigetsu the rain was perfect. He'd never felt more hydrated.

"Stop!" Karin warned and the three balanced on one limb together.

"What's going on?" Suigetsu couldn't help but ask. He could see who he was assumed was Itachi – who really did look just like Sasuke - slumped on a tree branch, looking utterly exhausted and had blood dribbling from his eye and mouth.

Sasuke stood over him, sword poised ready to stab his brother's heart. Suigetsu noticed an older man standing higher up in the trees. He didn't like the look on that man's face; there was something absolutely malign in that grin of his.

Suigetsu put a hand on the hilt of his blade, feeling that something wasn't quite right here.

"What's up with Sasuke?" A little tremor played in Karin's voice.

"Something's wrong," Juugo confirmed. His senses were usually spot-on.

Suigetsu didn't like something about this. He tensed when Sasuke pulled back his sword.

…

Itachi had been proud of Sasuke, watching him fight Danzo. He had gotten so strong in their time apart, and could hold his own even against an elder such as Danzo.

It had given Itachi the time he needed to rest after having used the Amaterasu, waiting for the pain to dull down to the normal constant ache that ate away at him most days. Danzo had had his hands full with the relentless attacks Sasuke had fired at him. It looked like Danzo had been brought down to the last Sharingan in his arm when everything went to Hell.

"I had hoped to save this for a greater cause, but sacrifices must always be made," Danzo had said to himself and unwrapped the bandage that covered the left side of his face. Itachi couldn't believe how stupid he'd been. Of course Danzo would use his ultimate weapon if they forced him far enough into a corner.

"Sasuke, close your eyes! Look away!" Itachi had screamed but too late. Danzo had used Shisui's eye to cast a Genjutsu on his brother. Shisui's Genjutsus had been famous for their ability to manipulate anyone without them ever realising it was happening. Shisui had intended to use his visual powers to prevent the Uchiha Leaders from going ahead with the coup, but Danzo had taken one of his eyes when he found out about the plan.

It had looked as if Sasuke was going to take a swing at Danzo with his blade but now his movements were stopped. Sasuke just seemed to be staring at the man he wanted to kill only seconds ago.

"Sasuke…?" Itachi called, tentatively. A slight movement indicated Sasuke had heard his name called, but he still focused only on Danzo.

"Sasuke Uchiha!" Danzo said, voice bloated with authority. Itachi tried to get to his feet, but he was still ailing from overuse of the Sharingan. "Wound Itachi. Those are my orders." No sooner than the words had left his mouth Sasuke was moving to obey.

He launched towards Itachi, sword outstretched. Itachi tried blocking the weapon but the metal bit through his kunai, finding its intended mark in his shoulder. A cry tore up his throat at the pain. Sasuke was digging the metal further in, twisting slightly. Itachi looked into his brother's eyes and saw nothing. Not even a shred of contempt. In whatever reality Danzo had made Sasuke a part of Itachi did not matter within it.

Itachi knew what he had to do to resolve this, but his body betrayed him. He still felt too weak. The thought of using chakra made him feel sick.

"Hold him there!" Danzo commanded, and Sasuke did so. "You see, Itachi, how your insistence on letting this boy live is your very undoing? Join your family. I'll send Sasuke along straight after. You can bond over your treacheries in the afterlife, with the rest of your despicable Clan." A look of certain victory passed over Danzo's eyes. The old man had won his little game. Itachi wished he didn't have so many regrets to die with. "Sasuke, kill Itachi." Sasuke withdrew the katana from Itachi's shoulder instantly and shuffled his grip on the sword so he held it in both hands.

Itachi watched the blade hover near his chest, and felt the bite of the metal as it pierced through his skin. He then felt the pain glance across his chest as Sasuke's aim was thrown off.

A white haired young man had barrelled into Sasuke, almost knocking him off his feet. Sasuke managed to catch and right himself, narrowly avoiding slipping off the tree branch altogether. His face remained blank as he regarded the white haired man, who brought up a massive blade, bravely standing between the Uchiha brothers.

"I don't know what the hell this is, but this isn't the Sasuke I know," the man muttered. "Juugo, hold off the geezer! Karin, make sure that bastard doesn't go anywhere!"

A young red haired woman leapt to Itachi and crouched at his side while a large red-haired man charged towards Danzo. Sasuke and Suigetsu were already fighting viciously.

"What happened to Sasuke? I can feel that his chakra is different…" Karin wondered, watching the two boys battle.

"I don't know exactly, but Danzo has Sasuke under his complete control now," Itachi told her. "I know how to fix it, but I can't do anything in this condition." Karin spared Itachi a scathing glance. "I have no ill intentions towards Sasuke. But Danzo needs to be taken care of, and it looks like your friend is struggling." The large man had partially transformed into something that could only be described as a beast and was desperately trying to keep Danzo occupied and away from the others.

Karin considered for a long moment, searching Itachi's face very carefully.

"Bite me," the young woman ordered Itachi, giving him her arm.

"Excuse me?" Itachi wasn't sure if she was serious.

"I said bite me. It'll restore you." A little hesitantly, Itachi gently bit the woman's offered arm, already scarred with bite marks. He tried not to bite harder as he felt strength spread throughout him. "It's not like I trust you or anything. I'm only doing this so you can take care of Danzo and put Sasuke back to normal."

Itachi nodded slightly. He relinquished his hold on the woman, sitting back against the trunk of the tree. The wound in his shoulder and the scratch across his chest were almost completely healed, and the intense pain using the Sharingan brought on had nearly vanished.

"Thank you. I'll deal with Danzo, please keep Sasuke away," Itachi said and leapt towards Danzo.

'I should be able to use this now,' Itachi thought. Before he hadn't felt strong enough, but now he felt like he could do it. He summoned the Susano, a crimson, phantom-like light surrounding him as it took form. He could instantly feel the strain but pressed on. He needed two more hits, and it would be done. "Step aside!" he instructed to the large man, who quickly obeyed when he saw the Susano headed towards him and Danzo. The old man was shocked enough to allow Itachi to crush him with the Susano's shield.

Danzo reappeared, completely fine, a few moments later. Itachi saw the last Sharingan close its eye for good. Danzo looked at his arm, disbelief flashing across his eyes. Itachi carefully avoided meeting Danzo's gaze and used the Susano's sword to stab the man. Blood burst and spilled from the old man's mouth.

"Who do you think will protect the village now?" he asked, oddly calm for someone about to die.

"I'm sure someone will be up for the job," Itachi said, and began sealing the man away.

"No one except me can put the needs of the village above everything else. I thought at least you, Itachi, understood that." Guilt brushed at Itachi's conscience. Danzo had always believed in doing what was best for the village. He had truly believed that his actions were just. Itachi looked away, and sealed Danzo completely. He was gone.

Itachi dismissed the Susano and deactivated his Sharingan. He tried to keep his face a mask, ignoring the intense pain behind his eyes. Already things were blurring.

"What…what was that?" Karin asked, coming to stand near Itachi.

"It doesn't matter. Danzo is gone for good. We can be certain of that."

"Karin! Could you help us out a little here?" Itachi and Karin turned to see the white haired man and the large man doing their best to keep Sasuke restrained. He seemed to be out of his mind, clawing desperately at the bulking arms of the large man that were locked around him.

"Lord Danzo!" he cried. "What did you do to him! I swear you'll pay!"

"'Lord Danzo'? What the hell is wrong with him, Suigetsu?" Karin called as both her and Itachi went over to join them.

"The hell should I know? Juugo, hold him!" Suigetsu ordered and the large man tightened his grip.

"Danzo probably made him believe that he was fanatically loyal to him. That's my best guess," Itachi told them. Sasuke's companions seemed a little wary of Itachi, but still allowed him to approach.

"How do we undo this?" Juugo asked, face pale.

"We put him in another Genjutsu. One that overwrites this one. Basically I'll make him believe in reality again," Itachi said. He summoned his crow, the one that had Shisui's other eye.

"So, he'll be back to normal?" Karin asked hopefully. Itachi looked at Sasuke, who was bleeding from a gash in his arm, most likely obtained from his struggle with Suigetsu. The look of pure hatred Sasuke regarded Itachi with was difficult to bear.

"Hold on. How do we know you won't do something weird to him like that old creep did?" Suigetsu's eyes were narrowed in suspicion.

"You either let me do this, or we lose Sasuke," Itachi snapped. No one looked particularly happy but knew there was no other way.

"Put him back the way he was. Please," Karin begged, looking ready to cry. Itachi nodded, to all appearances composed but steadily crumbling inside.

Here he had the ability to almost create Sasuke anew. He knew he should restore him to the way he was before Danzo got to him, make him believe reality once more.

But is that what Sasuke would want? The weight of the power Itachi held in that moment seemed to rest almost palpably on his shoulders.

He could make Sasuke believe the truth, bring him back into the harsh world, restoring him to the emotionally ailing boy that had been forced to suffer too much. Or he could lie to Sasuke and make him happy again.

He could make Sasuke love him again.

Itachi swallowed, feeling the eyes of everyone on him. He closed his eyes, pretending to focus on the jutsu but really just thinking about what he was going to do.

His own wants aside, what would Sasuke want? To return to how he was, or have the chance to become someone else? Was there a right answer here? Was there even a moral one? He breathed deeply, trying to quickly come to terms with what he was about to do.

Edited 5/7/15

I don't know if I got the Shisui's eye thing entirely right, but as far as I understand it the caster can make their target believe any reality they want them to. So basically they could change a person completely. Danzo made Sasuke believe he was insanely loyal to him, to the point where he would have killed himself if Danzo had asked him to (which was Danzo's plan after he took care of Itachi).

Thank you so much to Terra.L, Guest (no.1), Minervana1, Guest (no.2) and gentleflam51 for reviewing, I cannot describe how useful reviews are.

Terra.L: You're welcome Uni is busy but I will always find the time to write some FanFiction!

Guest (no.1 – review posted Apr 30) Thank you, I'm glad you're enjoying it.

Minervana1: Thank you! Haha, I am also quite bad at leaving comments, especially when reading something in one big go. I hope you enjoyed the update

Guest (no.2 – review posted May 1) I understand what you're saying about the yelling thing. Itachi is such a calm and sensible character that it doesn't suit him to shout at all really. I've had reviews telling me there needs to be more crazy shouting – perhaps not from Itachi then? Anyway, I really appreciate the comments, it's always good to have people who make you think about what you're writing. Thank you so much and I hope you enjoy the update!

gentleflam51: Haha yes, Danzo tried to pull a Kabuto, the sneak! In the end Sasuke didn't really choose anyone; he just decided he wanted Danzo out of the way first. Unless, subconsciously, he still loves his brother….? I'll do my best to settle everything in the final chapter. Thank you for reviewing!

Thanks for reading,

Cipher.