Chapter Text
Itachi did it.
He freed Sasuke from Orochimaru's hold.
He lied to him until the end.
He died by his hand.
He can rest.
With his battered body and chakra gone, he can do nothing other than wait for his heart to give one last tug, one last beat, before giving up altogether. The rocky battlefield should be uncomfortable and cold — painful, even — but Itachi simply feels at peace. This is perhaps the most peaceful he has felt in years. Will he see his parents when he dies? Will they understand? Will they scorn him?
Itachi would. Even after all these years he still sees their faces when he falls asleep. He sees the anguish and the fear and the love when he brings down his weapon and—
Closing his eyes, Itachi feels the first kiss of cold rain. A droplet on his left hand, another on his jugular, and one near his right eye. It rolls down his cheek. Many more follow and Itachi pretends it is the downpour still. The water drenches him to the marrow, weighing him down, and for a second, Itachi thinks he will drown before his stubborn heart gives up. The inane thought makes him smile.
His face does not move again, nor does his body.
His last experience on earth is the battering cold rain and then, surprisingly, an embrace hot like the sun.
***
Itachi hoped, rather egoistically, that the afterlife would be painless. He should have known better than to entertain that line of thinking, especially for someone like him. Someone who killed, and killed again, to protect what was dear to him. But what is dear to him could not matter less to the Gods. Itachi is ready to suffer the consequences of his acts, whatever they might be.
Opening his eyes, Itachi tries to look around himself. He seems to be in a forest but cannot be completely certain. He sees vague shapes of green, brown, and more green, but his eyes refuse to focus anymore. The Mangekyou Sharingan does not work in this world, Itachi thinks and closes his eyes again. Of course, that must be his first punishment. A fair one. One he had coming in any case. He used it far too much in the world of the living.
"Are you awake?"
A voice. Young and known but not overly familiar. Itachi frowns and tries to place it. His mind comes up stubbornly empty. He forces his eyelids open again, wondering if his tired eyes will allow him to recognise that person. Is he a Uchiwa clan member he killed? A shinobi he betrayed? An innocent by-passer he terminated for the Akatsuki?
Blond hair and blue eyes appear in front of his face and it takes a second for Itachi to recognise the boy; Naruto. Itachi is confused and tries to get on his elbows but a shushing sound accompanied by a firm hand on his chest puts him to rest again.
"Do not move," Naruto says, "I only have basic training in medical ninjutsu and you need… you need far more than that." He sounds a little apologetic. "But right now I can only tell you to stay still while I try to keep you alive with my chakra."
The hot embrace. Itachi did not feel the arms of death wrap around his soul but the very potent, very heavy chakra of that boy trying to keep his useless body alive. Some of the chakra is blue, and some of it is orange. All of it feels warm. Itachi side-glances the young ninja as he works, a look of concentration on his face. A single word slips through Itachi's lips: "Why?"
"What do you mean why? I don't know. I've always had a better affinity for combat than medical ninjutsu. Perhaps because of Kyuubi. Perhaps because I'm a bit dumb and medical stuff is too precise for me… it would have been better for you if Sakura found you, that's for sure." Naruto glances down and must see the pointed look of his patient for he pauses in his monologue. "Ah, you mean why I saved you?" He doubles down on the chakra, the influx of power slowly warming Itachi. "Well, I have been asking myself the very same question… I could tell you that I see you as a valuable asset. We are preparing ourselves for a war, after all. The old witch would be very pleased with me."
Itachi tries to move a finger and fails. "And the real reason?"
"The place I found you was charged with your chakra and… Sasuke's. Was he the one to almost kill you?"
Itachi wants to turn his head away. He cannot. He closes his eyes instead, hoping to put an end to the conversation. His lack of response, however, does not deter the young shinobi.
"Sasuke dreamt of killing you since we were young because of what you did when you… when you…"
"When I killed my whole family."
Itachi opens his eyes again at the cruel reminder.
"Yes." Naruto pauses for a second. "I knew one of these days he would fight you to death but I still did not expect it to be so soon. Everything has been happening so quickly I feel like time is slipping through my hands…" He frowns. Itachi watches Naruto's profile while he works, trying to see the boy's scars on his cheeks, singular hairs in his brows, or pores on his nose, in vain. His eyes refuse to cooperate. "Do you know where Sasuke might be headed next?" Naruto asks. "He probably thinks you are dead and I cannot imagine the kind of turmoil he must be in. Once he learns you are alive, however, I'm sure he—"
"No."
A familiar fear wraps itself around Itachi's heart, and squeezes. Everything he ever worked for would be for nought if the young shinobi told Sasuke he was alive. Sasuke would not have his revenge. Hatred would consume his very being again. A useful emotion to have when one seeks power but his brother is strong enough now. Orochimaru is vanquished, and so is he. Sasuke can return to Konoha as a hero — his duty to his family complete. Itachi will not allow Naruto to get in his way.
Moving his arm with great difficulty, Itachi slaps Naruto's hand away. "You will not breathe a word of this to Sasuke. You will leave and act as if you never found me."
"If I leave you now, you will die!"
"It has been my goal all along."
Itachi did not want to speak those last words but it is done.
"What do you mean?" Naruto asks.
"It does not matter." Itachi rises on shaky legs, every muscle screaming at him to stay down and rest. An egoistical need he long learnt to ignore. He takes a step forward. And another. He will find a place to die like he planned in the first place, far away from warm chakra and curious blue eyes.
He falters on the fifth step and Naruto is there to catch him.
"I don't understand you," Naruto says, "but it is clear to me that you need help."
"I don't want your help."
Naruto scoffs. "I heard that one before."
"I will trap you in a Genjustsu when your guard is down and deliver you to the Akatsuki."
"For that you would need your eyes to cooperate first, don't you?" Naruto easily notices, and Itachi realises he might have underestimated the teenager. "I think it's the first time I see you without your Sharingan. Your black eyes are pretty as well."
That last comment is uncalled for. Itachi tries to stand on his own again but Naruto's grip on his arm is firm. "If you expect me to cooperate, you are wrong."
His comment makes Naruto smile. "I may be optimistic and naive at times, but not that naive," and suddenly there is a sharp press at the back of Itachi's head, and the world turns black.
***
The next time Itachi awakens he is still in the forest and there is no pain to be found. He marvels for a second at the sensation before squashing the feeling down. He has no right whatsoever to be pleased by the comfort. His brother is out there, somewhere, and so is he because a young shinobi could not let him die. Itachi tries to move but his body is paralyzed. A jutsu of some sort?
He hears voices debate not so far away. One voice is Naruto's and the other is unfamiliar and feminine. She seems very displeased. Naruto refuses to back down either way.
Sleep claims Itachi before he can decipher their conversation.
***
The strong scent of anaesthetics is the first thing Itachi notices when he wakes. Bland and unfamiliar white walls surround him, a window to his right, letting in the sunlight. Itachi cannot feel its warmth.
"Good, I see you're finally awake."
It is a woman's voice but different from the one in the forest. Itachi drags his eyes toward her, trying to guess who that might be. His eyes are as useless as ever in this stage, but the chakra of that woman is familiar, powerful.
"You're the fifth Hokage," Itachi frowns, "Tsunade."
"And the one who performed high levels of medical ninjutsu on you to keep you alive." She sits down by his bed, seemingly unafraid of him. Itachi would usually condemn such carelessness but he feels the invisible restrains around every part of his body. Whether it is because of medicine or a jutsu is yet unknown. His most trusted weapon, however, has always been his eyes but the Hokage has failed to cover them. Did Naruto say something to her? Did he think Itachi's weakness will last?
When their eyes meet, Itachi thinks 'Mangekyou Sharingan' with all his strength but nothing happens. Still, the Hokage notices.
"Did you think I would allow you in my village without your chakra suppressed? You may be a patient right now but you are first and foremost a high-profile prisoner. I have the best ninjas in the village guarding your room."
"I will tell you nothing."
"And if I tell the world you're still alive?" Itachi has long learnt to suppress all emotions on his face yet the old woman must discern something for she continues her verbal attacks. "Yes, I thought that might bother you. Are you afraid your little brother will come to finish you off? Or is it your Master that you fear?"At his lack of answers, Tsunade rises. "I will let you rest for now. I expect answers at one point, Itachi Uchiwa, or I might have to take actions that will greatly displease you."
Itachi grips the rough sheets in his hands while the woman leaves, cursing his heart for taking too long to give up.
***
Rarely has Itachi had so much time for himself. His Master never quite trusted him and he always had either Kisame or another shadow following his steps, his every move observed, judged, and noted. His loyalty has not been openly questioned but there were looks. They were… hints. Itachi learnt to accept being under constant surveillance. He learnt to accept to be always ready to fight and kill.
The fifth Hokage told him he was under watch here as well but it was not the oppressive, constant, surveillance of the Akatsuki. In his hospital room, hidden between four walls, Itachi lets his face relax. If only for a moment.
He needs a plan to die quickly. Only in death can he protect the many secrets he keeps from his brother, from the Akatsuki, from Konoha, and the world. He has done his part. He has nothing left to live for.
A knock on the door and Itachi stiffens. His mask of careful neutrality is back in place when the newcomer enters the room, and Itachi recognizes his chakra before anything else. Unlike the weak rays of spring sunlight, he can feel the warmth of that particular chakra, so vividly he has to make sure Naruto is not actively using a jutsu of some sort. The teenager seems unaware of his line of thoughts, casually stepping closer, until only a two-foot length separates their bodies. That boy has no concept of personal space, or danger.
Of course not, Itachi bitterly thinks, I am useless in this state. I need to figure out which jutsu the Hokage is using to repress my chakra.
"How are you feeling today?" Naruto starts.
"You brought me back to Konoha."
"You're observant."
"I told you I did not want your help."
"I heard you the first time but, believe me, I'm very stubborn when I set my mind to something. Besides, I did not save you for… you. What you have done to Sasuke, to your family, to so many people…" Naruto closes his hands into fists. "It is unforgivable but you're my only hope of finding Sasuke. I know it's selfish, that I should worry about something other than him, but he is my best friend. I need to save him."
"Why would I aid an enemy?"
Naruto frowns. "Am I truly your enemy at the moment? I saved your life."
And that is the whole problem, Itachi thinks. "I do not know where Sasuke is headed. I thought he would come back to Konoha after my death. He's got his revenge. He has no reason whatsoever not to return here."
"Well, he isn't."
Itachi wonders about that new piece of information. Why wouldn't his little brother come back to Konoha? Did he somehow learn that Itachi is still alive?
"I answered your question," Itachi says, "You may leave now."
"Why did you want to die?"
"I did not."
"Yes, you did," Naruto insists, sitting on the bed. Itachi watches the casual action with careful distrust. "There is something about your fight with Sasuke that is not adding up. You could have killed him a thousand times. You could have killed me many times as well and you never did more than roughen us a bit."
"My Master needs you alive because you carry Kyuubi. I didn't kill Sasuke when he was younger because I didn't need to. Weak and young like he was, he was no threat to me."
"He almost killed you a few days ago."
"I underestimated him."
"Did you?"
Itachi turns his head away. "Does the Hokage know you are in here?"
"She does. I may be a good ninja but even I cannot easily bypass the security around your room. Or did you think she would be lax with you since you are still recovering?"
Naruto sees right through him and the sensation is very unpleasant. To save face, Itachi remains silent until the young shinobi finally decides to leave. Alone with his thoughts once more, Itachi wonders about his brother's actions. Why doesn't he come back to Konoha? What could hold him back?
He gets his answer a few days later when Tsunade enters his room with a roll of paper in hand. "The information I'm about to share with you is highly confidential but I believe it is a word you are familiar with, Uchiwa Itachi. Your little brother has apparently learnt something about your past and wants to avenge your death by destroying Konoha who wrongfully treated you, your clan, and your family. Do you care to share with me what you know or should I ask around until someone finally tells me the truth?"
The words are a blade to his chest, cutting his breath. For years has Itachi done his very best to drown himself in lies to protect his brother. To protect Konoha. In a single sentence, the Hokage destroyed all his efforts. His brother knows the truth and the village is in danger. Itachi involuntarily relaxes in the medical bed, stunned by the turn of events. He says, "What do you wish to know?"