Paradox

05 - Black Crow

The two men stared at each-other, almost in disdain. Sasuke had a puzzled look on his face, as Itachi regarded him. While he had never seen Itachi, he had had a feeling, but did not want to give himself false hope. Still, Itachi would be a tough opponent, even with the rinnegan that swirled in his left eye. His eyes narrowed at the Leaf headband strapped to the elder Uchiha's forehead.

"Why do you continue to fight for them, Itachi? They made your life hell," he snapped.

"The Uchiha caused that onto themselves," Itachi said in response, "I never wanted things to come to this, for you."

Sasuke shook his head, "Why not join me? Become brothers again?" Desperation was evident in his tone.

"You know far-well I can't do that," Itachi said in response, his posture straightening, "Leave. Or I'll be forced to kill you."

The fallen Uchiha laughed at that, "You couldn't do it years ago, why would you now?"

His brother stepped forward, "You're not my brother. Not anymore. You haven't been my brother for a long time, Sasuke."

Sasuke looked pained at that, before shaking his head. "Well. I suppose... soon is the right time. In a week, I will return, and this village will be gone, with you in it," his eyes flicked onto Sarada, who seemed to be shocked at this point, "I'll return for you, and your mother. You are the only two who will not feel the sting of my revenge."

With that, he disappeared in a wisp of dark smoke.

Itachi turned to the four kids, who were – clearly – horrified. Particularly the younger Sasuke. Itachi sighed. He knew something like this would happen soon, but not now. He had hoped he would have time to rest since his last excursion, he was barely at half strength. He was grateful that Sasuke had not decided to kill him now, and be done with it. A week... that could mean a few things.

"Who are you?" Boruto asked, the first out of his stupor.

"It's Itachi," Sasuke spat.

"Itachi? As in my uncle?" Sarada asked.

Naruto just looked spooked.

Sasuke's eyes glanced over to Sarada, both sets of their eyes now crimson with the sharingan, "He's not your uncle. He murdered the rest of the clan! Why do you think you're the only Uchiha in Konoha?"

Sarada gave him a feral look, "You don't know everything."

.

.

.

Sasuke could nearly pull his hair out in frustration, that and stick a kunai into the bastard's heart. Why is she also saying that? It was almost like hearing Sakura's words again, from this morning. And Itachi? How was he alive? His older-self had killed him, hadn't he? What the hell? It was like his world being thrown upside down, again.

"We need to talk," this time his attention was on Sasuke.

"Now, why would I listen to anything you have to say?"

"Because it might stop you from becoming like him."

Sasuke paused. He... supposed he could hear Itachi out. Maybe. His crimson eyes narrowed, still bright with the sharingan. He glanced at Sarada, who seemed both excited and pleased to see Itachi. It was weird. What had Sakura told Sarada about Itachi? Why was he now one of the people she seemed to like? It made him feel angry and disgusted at whatever lies were told to Sarada about Itachi. What reason would they have told her anything about this monster?