The Return (Book 2 of It's Not Forever) COMPLETE

Chapter 24

     My mind goes through the places to go and none of them sound appealing. I just want to be alone for a while, I don't want anyone seeing me right now. I sigh in frustration and change course. I know where to go where no one will think to look. As I look at it, I note that nothing had really changed, though the houses are worn down and desolate. It makes sense, no one lived here in a very long time. I make my way through the center of the compound as a million memories flash through my mind. Pools of blood once collected where I walk now, bodies were strewn across the whole area and screams echoed between the buildings. To anyone else, it would be a haunting place but this was my home once and I've made peace with what happened. To me, it's just a place where my family once was. I pause in front of the main door, the door itself had fallen off the hinges at some point and is now resting on the floor inside. I step over it and peer inside. Despite the dust and dirt layering everything, the large dark stain in the middle of the floor is still visible. I tear my gaze away from it and quietly walk up the stairs toward the bedrooms. The door to our parent's bedroom is closed and I leave it be, not wanting to disturb anything. Sasuke's door is open and I can see the bed is still unmade from the last time he slept there. It's been years, we were only 13 when he left. Itachi's door is shut and several kunai are stabbed into it, likely from Sasuke's rage because they weren't there when I left. Next to his room is my bedroom. My door is cracked slightly and a piece of paper is laying on the floor in front of it. I pick it up and turn it over to find a drawing I'd done of stick figures representing Sasuke, Itachi, Mikoto, Fugaku, and myself. I'd taped it to the door as a family picture. A small smile crosses my face and I carefully fold the paper and tuck it into my pocket before entering the room. Everything is untouched from the small bed in the corner, the desk, and dresser. My toys are still scattered across the floor though there are dried bloody handprints on some of them along with a set of bloody handprints just in front of my bed. I'd walked downstairs during the attack and I slipped and fell in the blood, getting it all over myself. When Itachi noticed me he tried to come toward me but I'd freaked out, thinking he was going to hurt me and ran to hide under my bed. I notice a black leather bound journal resting on my pillow and move over to the bedside to pick it up. I settle down on the edge of the bed and wipe the dust away before opening it.
"Kaida,
I know that right now you are too young to know how to read, but I wanted to leave this behind for you to look at in the future. I want you to know the truth about what happened the night Mom and Dad were killed in case I don't see you again in person. The Uchiha clan was one of the most powerful in the area and the leaders of the Leaf didn't like it. They thought we would become too strong and attack the village, so they ordered the death of the whole clan. The leaders gave me the option of killing everyone and fleeing as a criminal or having them kill us and causing a war. I chose to do it to save the village and to save the lives of you and Sasuke. I understand if you don't forgive me for what happened, I don't forgive myself either. Just know that I love you and Sasuke with my whole heart. You may not be my sister by blood, but you will always be Little Sister. I hope that you and Sasuke will work together to keep each other safe and happy. You both need a family, someone to depend on. My hope is that Sasuke will grow up to hate me and will one day kill me. I will find a way to check on you throughout the years and will do all I can to keep you safe. I hope to see you again someday. You will grow up to be a strong ninja and a beautiful young woman, I just know it. You will do great things with your life; you've always been an optimistic and determined little girl. Stay strong Little Sister. I love you,
-Onii-chan"