Chapter Text
The room began to spin and for a moment, Itachi was not sure what he was seeing. Overhead, the lights were shining brightly, like hundreds of tiny fires. His eyes lifted up, head tilting as he watched the lights shimmer. Had they always been so bright? Did no one else see them? One by one, members of his clan were collapsing to the group, choking. Why were they choking? Why was nobody helping them? Then, several Root agents filed into the room, circling the gathered guests. Like vultures on dying prey they were descending and Itachi finally understood.
“IT’S POISON, IT’S A TRAP!” Someone screamed and Itachi’s ears began to ring.
Poison.
Itachi tore his hood back, watching in horror as his clansmen fell, some dying immediately and others choking on their own blood. He turned to Danzo who was calmly observing the scene, hands folded in front of him. The priest was standing at the back of the room, hand covering his face in horror and knees quaking. He certainly was not anticipating this and he quickly edged across the room before running towards the entryway. Danzo turned to look at Itachi, no expression on his face. A lit candle was knocked over, flames shooting out across the floor and catching on the decorative curtains.
The sake.
They had drunk the sake.
“RUN, GET OUT OF HERE!” Itachi recognized Yashiro’s voice among all the panicked voices and at once, it turned into a frenzy.
He looked for his parents, watching in muted horror as his mother stared back, having not moved a muscle. Blood was pouring from her nose and eyes and she was gasping for air. She lurched forward, a gurgle escaping her before she hit the ground, Fugaku desperately holding her arm and trying to talk to her and keep her standing. She lifted her head towards him, face painted scarlet and said something Itachi couldn’t hear. Itachi attempted to run forward, but stumbled, falling to his knees. Everything was spinning and the fire was spreading.
Danzo had lied to them all and they were all going to die. Fools, all of them. He crawled, sight dimming. He was so very tired, even now but he needed to get to his mother. Not everyone had drank during the ceremony and those who still stood were now fighting. Fugaku was among those who had not drank, but at the sight of his wife falling, he was completely undone. Itachi witnessed his mother go limp in father’s arms and he knew then that she was dead. Fugaku let out a noise, half crazed, half animalistic. Itachi had to get to them, he had to help. He struggled back to his feet, fighting his exhaustion and whatever poison Danzo had given him, meeting his father's eyes across the room.
"Itachi!" Fugaku bellowed at the sight of him and Itachi stumbled, legs shaking violently.
“Father…” He croaked, feeling Danzo’s eyes on him. “Father?”
Fuagku was suddenly moving towards his son, leaving Mikoto’s body behind as he desperately attempted to reach his boy. Itachi wobbled in his direction, Danzo observing with a detached expression. Itachi extended his arms to Fugaku who lifted him up in his arms as if he were still a small child, hand cradling the back of his neck. But wasn’t he? Itachi was still his son, still his child and he had failed him. Fugaku carried Itachi towards the doors, stepping over dead clansmen as he moved. He could feel Itachi’s blunt nails digging into his shoulders. Overhead, a wood beam cracked, flames shooting up to the roof. Root had planned it all, they wished for them to burn.
He turned towards the entryway, avoiding looking at his dead wife and gripping his boy to his chest. He stepped forward, spotting a Root agent advancing on him, tanto drawn. Fugaku had no weapon and his Sharingan would not activate. He turned Inabi leapt between an agent and Fugaku, shielding him and Itachi from the blow. How the man was still on his feet despite the poison was unknown, but he fought with a ferocity that was almost inhuman. He sliced the head off of one agent, turning and meeting another’s blow with one of his own.
“Go!” Inabi hollered and Itachi felt Fugaku’s grip on him tighten as he barreled through the door, seeming to fly down the stone stairs, the cool night air a stark contrast to the heat of the room.
The compound was burning. Itachi could hear screams, and people shouting. Fugaku reached the bottom step, adjusting Itachi in his arms. “Stay awake, Itachi.” He whispered to him. “Don’t fall asleep!” He raced ahead and Itachi fought to do as his father told.
An arrow whistled through the air, piercing the back of Fugaku's shoulder. He grunted, stumbling slightly but kept moving, feeling Itachi’s grip tighten in confusion. A moment later a second arrow struck the back of his thigh and Fugaku nearly fell then, gritting his teeth against the pain. He had to keep moving, he had to get his son to safety. Hissing in pain, Fugaku’s eyes remained on the road ahead. He dragged himself forward just as a third and fourth arrow struck him in the back, sucking the breath right from his lungs. He fell to his knees, still holding Itachi, trying desperately to keep him from hitting the ground.
Itachi’s fingers desperately moved over his shoulder, slurring something as he squirmed in Fugaku’s arms. Fugaku wasn't sure if he had been given the same poison as the clan, but whatever it was, it was seeping his strength. Fugaku’s arms trembled and he tried desperately to rise again, but his strength was lost. His arms gave out, sending Itachi tumbling out of them and lifting his head to meet his father’s eyes. His hair was a mess, Fugaku noted, all of Mikoto’s careful work was in disarray. She would have been disappointed to see him like this, and he had the oddest desire to try to fix Itachi’s hair.
“Papa?” Itachi whispered and Fugaku lifted his hand, cradling Itachi’s face in his palm. Blood dribbled from his mouth, staining his chin and dripping onto the blue yukata he was wearing.
"I'm sorry Itachi," he croaked. "I'm so sorry for everything…" He had never sounded so broken before and Itachi hated it. He couldn’t save his mother but he could still protect his father, and find Sasuke; he had to be safe. There was no other alternative. There was nothing to forgive, everything was going to be okay.
“Come on,” Itachi wrapped his arms around his father’s shoulders, desperately attempting to drag him across the street. “We have to…we have to keep going.” Fugaku didn’t move, still looking at Itachi with that proud smile. A smile Itachi hadn’t seen directed at him in so very long.
“You will take care of-of your brother?” He held Itachi’s hands in his own, unlike Danzo’s, Fugaku’s hands felt safe. “You will stay together and be safe?” More blood bubbled down his chin and Itachi desperately tried to wipe it away.
“Of course I will,” he croaked. “We have to keep going, father.” They could find Sasuke together, they could run away or…surely Hiruzen hadn’t sanctioned this, they could go to him. They’d heal him. “I’ll keep us safe.” There was yelling behind him, people running.
Fugaku stroked a stray hair from Itachi’s cheek, a whistle through the air. "That's my boy."
The fifth arrow pierced the back of Fugaku’s head, spraying Itachi’s face with his blood and a small breath escaped him as he slumped forward into Itachi’s arms. Itachi held his father, not recognizing the sound that escaped him. More people ran by, but Itachi barely noticed. He held onto him, almost afraid to release him, fingers digging into the fabric of his yukata. Around him, the compound was burning and Itachi was content to simply remain where he was with his father. He’d burn with him and that would be fine, it would be over.
That’s my boy
That’s my boy
That’s.my.boy.
Vomit rose in his throat and he turned his head away from his father, puking onto the ground. They were dead, mother and father were dead and he never got the chance to- it was all for nothing, this sham of a wedding, the humiliation, it was all some twisted game or lesson. Gently, he lowered his father into the ground, shoulders heaving as he stared down at his body. He wanted to remove the arrow, but instead settled for leaning down and closing his father’s eyes. He didn’t have time to mourn, not yet.
Sasuke.
He needed to find Sasuke.
With one last look, Itachi trudged on, leaving his father behind. Several buildings were in flames, twice Itachi was turned around, not knowing where to go. Root had destroyed the compound and there were several bodies littering the streets. Bodies he recognized and he kept walking, he couldn’t risk getting distracted. He stumbled, his sandals clunky and uncomfortable. Itachi fell forward, his gown heavy with blood and he fell to his knees, reaching back to tear his sandals off and chuck them aside.
Whatever the poison was, it kept Itachi’s chakra completely depleted and he could not activate the sharingan. He was now just an easy target and Root knew that. Then, he saw three figures approaching and he tensed, ready to fight back by any means necessary. It took him a moment to recognize them.
ANBU.
ANBU was here and they were fighting Root, Konoha had not abandoned the Uchiha. Itachi remained on his knees, blinking as three ANBU operatives ran by, attempting to control the situation. One of the agents turned to him and he recognized that mask.
Tenzo. Itachi couldn’t lift his hand to him, only stared as his former teammate attempted to guide surviving clansmen to safety. That was good, at least there would be survivors. Danzo hadn’t managed to kill them all. Tenzo raced by, knocking an attacking Root agent away from Itachi, shoving a Tanto through their chest before kicking their body to the dirt. Itachi hadn’t even realized they were there.
“Itachi.” Tenzo knelt down across from Itachi, reaching out to hold him steady. “I have your brother here,” he squeezed his shoulder but Itachi couldn’t understand him, staring blankly as Temzo’s mouth moved. What was he trying to say? Itachi wanted to listen but he could barely focus anymore. Tenzo stood and Itachi wobbled, nearly falling forward.
"Nii-san." Itachi's head pounded, the world spun. He needed to go training later, father would want him to be ready for his induction into ANBU.
"Nii-san." Itachi wondered if Shisui would wish to go train with him. He was always the best sparring partner, maybe Itachi could ask him after lunch.
"ITACHI!" Itachi blinked, eyes focusing on Sasuke as he suddenly appeared, eyes wild and skin ashen, but he was alive. He ran into Itachi’s arms, throwing his arms around his neck. Itachi held him, face buried against his hair.
“Sasuke,” He breathed. Tenzo stood nearby, weapon drawn and ready to defend the brothers if needed.
“What happened?” Sasuke croaked. “They’re attacking us…our home is on fire.” He sniffed, eyes searching Itachi’s face.
“Are you hurt?” Itachi croaked and Sasuke vigorously shook his head.
“No, I’m okay…but you’re all bloody! Where’s mom and dad? Itachi’s mouth went dry and instead of answering, he wiped away a smudge of dirt from Sasuke’s cheek. For a moment he considered instructing Sasuke to go and hide in Shisui’s room. That had always been his safe space, but nowhere in the compound was safe now.
"Do you remember where the Hokage’s tower is?” He asked and Shisui blinked back tears, nose running.
“What?” He mumbled and Itachi gazed up at Tenzo who was watching him closely.
“Tenzo, can you get him to…get him to safety?” He tried desperately not to squeeze Sasuke’s arms too tightly, and Tenzo nodded in understanding. Itachi turned back to his brother, the effort difficult. “Go with Tenzo….he will…he will protect you.” Itachi's voice was more level and confident than he actually felt.
"Not without you!" Sasuke snapped, lunging forward to grasp at Itachi's wrist. Itachi was heavily drugged. There was no way he could make it on his own, Sasuke was too small to be able to support his weight, Itachi would only slow them down. He would have to get back on his own.
"I'll be right behind you." Itachi smiled weakly and with trembling fingers he lifted his hands to his neck and unclasped Shisui's necklace, slowly taking it off. Sasuke stared at him in trepidation, eyes seemingly too large for his dear little face. Itachi offered him a small smile, hoping it eased Sasuke’s fears as Itachi lifted the necklace, fastening it around Sasuke’s neck.
Sasuke grasped at him, reluctant to go and Itachi smiled, trying to reassure him that he would be okay. “I’m not leaving you,” Sasuke sobbed. “I want to stay with you.” Itachi closed his eyes, hugging Sasuke once more before jerking his head at Tenzo.
“I’m sending help,” Tenzo assured him. “Help is coming, Itachi.” Itachi was beyond help, but it was a kind lie, nonetheless. He watched as Tenzo grabbed Sasuke around the waist, lifting him up and running while Sasuke howled in protest.
Itachi watched them go, feeling in his heart that it would be the final time he would ever see his brother. Slowly he struggled to his feet. If he was going to die today, he would die standing. He looked around at the buildings around him burning, cinders floating in the air. The fire blazed and Itachi turned towards it, face illuminated by the orange glow, his kimono fluttering in the wind.
He was prepared to die, he was not afraid. For a single, hysterical moment he saw Shisui. He was standing there, silhouetted by the fire, staring back at Itachi. His dark eyes seemed to glow and his smile was sad. He held out a hand towards Itachi-an offering. Itachi stumbled towards him, eyes blurred by tears and hair whipping around his face, half out of the ornate style his mother had painstakingly placed it in.
He reached out, fingers trembling as he tried desperately to get to Shisui. It would be alright now. Shisui was here. Everything would be okay. Shisui would make sure of it.
"Shisui…" he breathed out, voice ragged and raw and Shisui looked at him with that same sad smile.
A moment later he was gone and Itachi collapsed to his knees, the last of his strength having vanished with him. The fire roared and Itachi lay, staring up at the night sky. Footsteps thundered past him, desperate for life. Even through the smoke, he could see the stars shining and he smiled.
It truly was a perfect night to die.