"Sasuke... Sasuke... Open your eyes... Wake up, Little Brother."
"Unh... wha...? I... tachi?"
"Yes, Sasuke, I am here." Sasuke peered into the darkness surrounding him, searching for a face to match the voice. Nothing met his eyes.
"Where are you, Itachi?!" he cried. "Why won't y-" He blinked in surprise. Itachi was suddenly standing before him, smiling kindly.
"Why won't I what?" he asked cheerfully."
"Er - never mind." Itachi's face darkened.
"I've missed you, Little Brother."
"I -" Sasuke hesitated as he felt his eyes fill with tears. "I've missed you, too. If I had only known -"
"Don't bother thinking about that," Itachi whispered. "It's a waste of time to focus on what could or might have been. All I want you to focus on is what is. Our clan's history is bloodthirsty and tragic, Sasuke. That cannot be changed. But what you can do... No, what you know you should do, is to write a new chapter in the history of Uchiha."
"But how can I ever -"
"Begin a new chapter in your own life."
"A new chapter?" Itachi nodded.
"You are powerful, Sasuke, and true to your goals, no matter how far-fetched they may be. And now you are free to use that talent as you see fit. Orochimaru is dead. His spirit has left no trace in your body, and your comrades burned his corpse and scattered the ashes to the wind. He will never be able to use you again." Itachi sighed. "Sasuke, there is one thing that has plagued my mind for my entire life, and does even now."
"What's that?"
"I still cannot forgive myself for lying to you for so long. It killed me to do so - to have to lead you to despise me. But I felt it was the only -" Itachi fell silent as Sasuke placed a hand on his shoulder, his body trembling with suppressed sobs.
"Don't, please," Sasuke whispered. "I... forgave you... long ago..." Itachi smiled.
"Thank you..." Suddenly he closed his eyes and tilted his head skyward, listening intently.
"What?"
"Listen." Sasuke focused, too, then realized what Itachi was hearing. A female voice wafted through the air, soft and sweet. She was humming a familiar melody.
"Natsuhiboshi..." Sasuke whispered.
"Sasuke, it is time for me to leave you... That young woman loves you. I cannot keep you from her any longer."
"But, Itachi, there's still so much I -" He stopped as Itachi touched two fingers to his forehead and smiled.
"Maybe some other time, okay Sasuke?" Sasuke smiled.
"You never change, do you nii-san?" Itachi chuckled.
"Old habits die hard. And now, I leave you a parting gift. Your light, at least, will never fade." Sasuke started to ask what he meant, but he was already gone. A single tear trailed down his cheek, and he smiled sadly.
"Thank you... Goodbye, Big Brother..."