Dangerous Bond: Clan of Peace

Part 21

Black. We see it when we close our eyes. We see it when we sit in a dark room. We feel it in the forms of depression, hatred, loneliness.

It never occurred to Itachi that death would be filled with an eternal blackness that could be felt in the soul.

He found it almost poetic in a way.

The raven-haired Uchiha walked for a while in the blackness before noticing the faint whispers of light flickering in the distance, drawing him to it.

Itachi often thought of who would be waiting for him on the other side. Shisui perhaps? His clan members? Death himself?

He'd been living in the shadows, hiding his broken soul from those that he protected and now he was forced to face the pain he carried deep within his heart.

His parents.

"Is it really you, Itachi?" Mikoto Uchiha softly spoke as her eyes stared at him with love and adoration.

Itachi had struggled to remember his mother's voice but when she spoke, he felt tears prickle at his eyes. It soothed him and he nearly forgot what he had done to them.

"Ka-san..." Itachi whispered. He had come to a halt, barely revealing himself in the light of the campfire burning by his parents.

"What are you standing over there for? Come closer, Itachi" Fugaku Uchiha motioned him over with a firm but loving expression.

His soul hurt too much. His heart broke worse than the night he murdered his clan. They looked at him with such love. As if he were still their son and hadn't committed such atrocities.

Itachi didn't bother keeping his tears at bay. He let them fall as though his guilt and shame fell before them. Bare. Vulnerable. Remorseful.

"Oh, Itachi" Mikoto smiled sadly before walking over to him.

Gently, she cupped his face in her hands and wiped his tears from his cheeks.

Itachi couldn't help but lean into her warm touch.

"I-"

"We know, son" Fugaku interrupted, walking up behind Mikoto "Let's talk by the fire".

___

Tears hit Itachi's forehead as Sasuke leaned over him with a pained expression and tears running down his cheeks, dripping off his nose.

"I-Itachi...Nii-san!" Sasuke cried as he tightly grabbed onto Itachi's corpse.

Kakashi stood beside him with sorrow hanging over his head.

They had driven the Pein's back and the older Jounin could only assume they had gone to fight Naruto but Kakashi had faith in the blonde man.

With Sasuke out of commission, Sakura supporting the village with her medical ninjutsu and Kakashi watching over Sasuke, making sure he wouldn't act out against the village, Naruto was left to take on the enemy.

If anyone could defeat Pein, it was Naruto. Though, Kakashi would feel better about helping his student saving the village.

He looked down at the youngest Uchiha "Sasuke..."

Sasuke seemed to sober up for a moment as his expression fell numb with sadness being the only emotion seen on him.

"Go..." The boy muttered though Kakashi couldn't help but hesitate.

Sasuke knew he wouldn't be allowed to fight, he was too overwhelmed with his emotions and would only be a burden on his team so he glanced at Kakashi, a glare set deep into his eyes.