Nightmares.
He couldn't get rid of them every time he closed his eyes.
But in a way, Itachi knew he deserved to be tormented by the ghosts that never stopped haunting them in their dreams.
He had raised his sword against his own people, he shed innocent blood and that was unforgivable.
He was a murderer of relatives.
However, he knew if it was to save his younger brother from a terrible fate, he wouldn't think twice and aside from what he had done to keep Sasuke safe.
The thirteen-year-old had closed his eyes tightly, the day had not yet dawned—the fire that kept them warm had gone out for some time and Kisame was snoring against a tree with Samehada in his grip.
His organization partner didn't seem afraid of Itachi killing him in his sleep, but they had already gotten on good terms after that early threat.
The cawing of a crow had caught his attention making him look ahead with the Sharingan activating by instinct, under the branch of a tree was a very familiar crow.
His breath hitched, he knew that bird.
It was Shisui's summons.
What is Kuro doing here?
He gets a little closer, extending one of his arms making the crow caw and fly towards him, soon landing on his right arm covered by the long sleeve of the Akatsuki coat.
"Kuro..."
"Itachi-sama, I am here at my master's request."
Itachi almost lost his composure.
Talking about his favorite cousin was still a very sensitive topic for him, the moment he fell off that cliff still very fresh in his mind.
He hated that he hadn't done anything to help his cousin.
Seeing him leaving with such a burden hurt so much.
He had been ambushed and betrayed, had one of his eyes gouged out, and thus all hope of saving both sides.
What would Shisui think when he found out that he had killed the clan to avoid a war?
Would he hate him?
Or would you forgive him?
"Shisui-san?"
The crow cawed and pinched him.
"Shisui-sama is not dead."
Itachi felt the world spin.
His eyes widened with shock and he felt himself tremble and almost fell to the ground.
Impossible.
That was impossible.
He saw him fall to his death.
There was no way he could survive, at least the way he was.
How did this happen?
"Kuro... how did this happen?"
The crow looked at him with intelligent eyes, before pecking him again.
"Shisui-sama was saved by a miko, he must be traveling with her now.", Kuro replied. "He asked me to contact you and little Sasuke."
"Sasuke?", he whispered.
"He knows about the massacre. I told him."
What?
It was too much information for him to process.
Does Shisui know?
He swallows hard, he's getting nervous again.
He needs to see his cousin.
"The news has shaken you, Itachi-sama.", said the crow, with a soft caw. "He's upset, but I don't think he judges you."
"Where can I find him?"
He wanted to see him immediately.
"I don't know where he is now.", he answered honestly. "I'll only see him again when he summons me."
"Thank you, Kuro."
"Shisui-sama will come when he calms down. I must report my information to him."
Before the cousin's summons disappeared into a cloud of smoke, he asked.
"Have you seen my brother?" he asked with his heart in his throat. "How is he?"
"As well as he could be, Itachi-sama."
And with that he disappeared.
The young man had closed his fists, hidden by the long sleeves of his red-black coat.
Shisui is alive.
He looked up at the sky that was about to dawn, feeling a weight fall from his shoulders despite having failed Shisui.
Itachi had arrived too late to save him.
If he had arrived in time, his cousin's plan would have worked.
He would not have shed his own blood, things would not be as they are now.
A silent sigh left the Uchiha's lips, and he turned on his heel to return to the clearing where he had left Kisame sleeping.
The blue-complexioned man was still snoring.
Itachi sat down, his head resting on the tree and closed his eyes.
A mere nap wouldn't fix anything, but he could at least get some rest.
The pain in his chest eased a little.
Shisui still lived in this world, therefore, he dared to have a little hope.
But he could admit to himself that he was scared too.