Two Loves, One Fate (Itachi & Sasuke Uchiha)

№.44 :: Reunion

Chapter Forty-Four

          Land of Sound

Lightning slashed through the sky, illuminating the darkness that consumed the night and brightening the ominous clouds. Thunder rumbled off in the distance, trembling the ground and causing animals to scurry for safety. The darkness swallowed the forest; little moonlight was able to penetrate through the thick, black clouds, which left the forest floor darker than an abyss. All was silent except for chirping crickets hidden beyond the grass, but their noise soon ceased.

A quiet figured dropped from the trees above, landing skillfully without the smallest hint of a sound. Shadows kept their face hidden as a light rain began to drizzle down upon the earth, filling the air with moisture and humidity. The figure began to slowly walk, their feet crunching over dry leaves and snapping fallen twigs. Their pace quickened, along with the rainfall. Droplets glided over their bare arms, the cold rain sending a tremor along their spine. The thickness of the forest immediately dimmed, a small clearing coming into view.

The figure slowed their pace, approaching the clearing with caution. A pond was in the center of the clearing, a fair waterfall trickling over a slope of stones and causing ripples to spread along the pond's surface. The figure reached the pond, their body beyond drenched from the harsh storm. Their gaze scanned the neighboring surroundings, their sharp gaze absorbing the elements. He raised his head, his Sharingan eyes narrowing as a slither of moonlight shot through the mast of clouds.

Sasuke was lost.

He'd been walking aimlessly for the past week, yet he still couldn't understand and comprehend the hollowness that continued to fill him. The emptiness was eating away at his sanity, and it was only a matter of time before it broke through his façade. Sasuke closed his eyes as the rain pounded away at his face; the chilly rain was almost refreshing at this point, and it soothed the headache that raged between his temples.

Sasuke closed the distance between himself and the pond, and he knelt closer to the water, staring at his distorted reflection. He blinked, not surprised by his shit appearance. Mud stained his ripped clothing. His hair was disheveled and his face had thinned from barely being able to keep any food down. However, what really affected him was the sadness which dwelled within his eyes. He released a sigh as he dropped onto the ground, mud seeping into his pants.

'What have I done?'

The thought irked Sasuke, fury filling his veins and boiling his Uchiha blood. Serenity entered his mind and a dull pain began in the center of his chest. The reality of losing her sank into his heart, and the fact that Itachi had fed her lies to win her over only angered him more than ever imagined. He truly hated his brother for what he had done to the clan, but taking the woman he loved was unforgivable. Sasuke dreamt of Serenity often, and each time he saw her, she looked at him with disdain and disappointment.

By joining Orochimaru's side, Sasuke had given Serenity up for revenge — the need to avenge his clan had driven away the only person who truly made him feel happy. He continued to stare at his reflection, and saw a physically strong shinobi who was an emotional wreck. Since leaving Konoha, there were several instances in which he regretted his actions. He could have worked harder and gotten stronger within the village, and he still would have Serenity's love all for himself.

He felt overwhelmed as he sat motionless on the ground, not caring that the rain was getting colder and that his body was beginning to freeze. His clothes began to stick to his skin, his hair was drenched and matted over his forehead. Sasuke closed his eyes, trying to reconstruct an image of Serenity's face from memory — it was easy enough for him, but the only thing he couldn't do was recreate the love and warmth that once filled her eyes whenever she looked at him. In his thoughts, she looked at him with sadness emitting from her ruby gaze.