Prodigy

uchiha itachi

It all started with the death of his best friend.

They blamed him. Spoke of his friend's death like it was murder on his hands. (And it was his fault wasn't it? He should have appeared sooner, maybe then he could've helped, maybe then he'd have saved Shisui.)

They looked at him wherever he went. He was used to the stares but now... now they stared coldly, not with the pride he was used to. They did not look at him like he was their prized cattle anymore and he didn't know if he was relieved or angry. He never mentioned it, he acted like everything was fine. (But how could it be fine when his best friend was dead?)

He didn't act differently towards anyone. Not when the number of clan meetings increased. Not when the Hokage was constantly asking for him. No matter how much it hurt when his little brother asked him to play or train. (He was a horrible son, a worse brother, but he was one of the best damn shinobi in the village.)

He didn't let his shock show when he was approached by a man that somehow knew about the clans soon to happen downfall. He didn't blink when the man offered assistance in return for his joining of a group; he simply inclined his head in agreement. (His first mistake of many.)

-

On the day he had to act out his mission he sent his little brother to the academy and told the boy he would be unable to walk him home. (And he ignored the pounding in his heart as he poked the child's forehead and whispered about training later. Ignored the whispers of the word 'lies' that echoed and echoed throughout his skull.)

-

He started at his favourite dango shop.

He walked in with an impassive face in full armour. He didn't receive a single glance. He pulled out his tanto. Everyone was dead before they could comprehend what had happened. (Any other day and he'd have sat down and ordered some dango and quietly talked with his clansmen-)

Chakra had flared and soon the shinobi of his clan were coming at him, the intent to kill clear in their movements.

He slaughtered them; like the prodigy he was.

-

He had a girlfriend who had pretty brown hair as long as his.

He loved her in so many different ways.

He killed her.

(And it hurthurthurthurthurt-)

-

He ignored how his aunt pleaded with him as he killed his baby cousin who was younger than his brother, ignored how the child had screamed her throat raw and pleaded with him with undignified sobs.

He killed them all.

He killed them for his village; he was doing the right thing.

Right?

(But then, if he was to go through with the village's plans then Sasuke would die as well.)

-

His mother and father were sitting in the family room waiting. (They knew what was happening and they didn't try to fight back, oh why couldn't they have fought back?)

They told him they were proud of him despite their differences.

He cut them down with tears dripping down his face and he is choking back sobs.

What has he done?

-

His brother comes home as he is finishing; his brother watches one of their aunts get pierced through the heart with a kunai as she tried to warn him, tried to get him to run. (They all cared for one another. They just wanted to be accepted by the village oh what has he done?)