Loyalty (Sasuke Uchiha)

XXXVIX: A New Purpose

"Come on out, Miyako." Tobi-- Madara-- said.

Sasuke snapped his head towards the darkness, his shocked eyes scanning to try and find me.

"You can release your Invisibility Jutsu. I won't hurt you or Sasuke. I gave Itachi my word, and I intend to keep it." Madara said as he also seemed to be scanning for me in the shadows.

I released my invisibility jutsu after a few moments, Sasuke instantly meeting my eyes.

I emerged from the shadows, keeping my gaze steadily on his as I tried to limit the amount of emotion on my face.

Sasuke watched silently, his eyes glossy as I bent down so we were now at eye level.

"Can you leave us for a few minutes, Tobi?" I asked him. Well, more like demanded him in a soft tone.

"Of course. And its Madara Uchiha now, Princess Miyako."

"That nickname is no longer necessary."

"It adds a ring to your name. I'll leave you two be, now."

And then his presence disappeared from the room.

I scanned Sasuke's bare skin, covered in numerous cuts and bruises.

Reminders of the battle between two brothers, one who loved the other so dearly, and the other who hated him with a burning passion.

I shut my eyes at the pain, pressing my hand against Sasuke's heart.

"I'm sorry you had to find out the truth through this way." I spoke softly.

I was surprised he didn't retort against my comment.

"You knew?" He asked lowly instead.

"Some of my memories came back after the fight between you and Itachi. And they were all memories of him."

Sasuke's eyes widened slightly.

"Itachi visited me as soon as you left me to go off after him. He came to say goodbye to me. He knew he was going to die, and he wanted to tell me the truth before he died at your hand. So he did. And I believed him. His eyes were sad, his expression was one of pain."

I watched Sasuke's face twist in horror as I felt my eyes blur, the tears threatening to escape.

"He did it all for you, Sasuke. His loyalty laid in the Village, but after carrying out the mission to annihilate the Uchiha clan, his loyalty moved to you the moment he spared your life."

A tear slipped. Followed by many more tears.

Sasuke's face was tense in shock, as he watched me with distress in his eyes.

He lifted up his hand to wipe away the tears, as I moved my hand along his skin, healing his battle wounds.

"Why didn't.. Why didn't he tell me the truth?! Why did he let me kill him?!!" He snapped, shutting his eyes in despair as he gripped his head in frustration.

"Its just as Madara said. To protect you. To lift you as a hero for ending the life of the one who destroyed the Uchiha."

"How am I a hero for killing my own brother who was forced to kill his own clan?! That doesn't make me a hero!"