Naruto Shippuden

What if - You saved Itachi Uchiha from death?

Your pov.

"Oi, (y/n). Are ya alright?", you heard your teammates voice asking, and looked up. You turned to meet his worried gaze, staying quiet for a moment. He knew that something was off, somehow he always did. The shark-like man had a good sense when it came to things like that, and had surprisingly much empathy inside of him, once you got to really know him, and once he really accepted someone.

The look in your eyes was enough for him to understand, yet you still answered, with an even voice, that couldn't hide your worries. "What do you think, Kisame? When I know, that he'll do something incredibly stupid like that?"

He shifted his weight, feeling uncomfortable. He got your point, especially since he knew how important your second teammate was to you, and how much you wanted him to live. "You know he's sick. There's nothing to do about it. It's a worthy ending for a shinobi. And he decided that he wanted it this way."

You snorted. "Undeserved. That's what it is."

Ever since you'd found out the truth about the massacre, you were a lot more protective over him. You were disgusted about how the elders of Konoha had handled the situation, but mostly of Danzo. It were moments like these where you were glad about being a rogue, and even when the Akatsuki weren't the 'good' guys, they were family. And that was more than you'd ever wished for, let alone experienced.

You didn't have siblings, so it was impossible for you to imagine what Itachi thought about it, but you were certain, that if the younger Uchiha found out the truth, he'd be traumatized, in desperair and most certainly; destroyed. It was what you saw in this situation, and your only guess was, that Itachi was too close to see that. Too caught up in his hopes of giving Sasuke a better life, strengh this way.

"Maybe. But it's his choice to make."

You turned your head again, showing Kisame that talking any more was pointless. He sighed, but didn't try to start another conversation.

There just has to be a way... Suddenly, it clicked in your head. The archives. This Danzo guy keeps records of everything. If we could break into the Anbu headquarters...

You looked up again, determination in your eyes. A plan formed inside of your head, and it would start in a short time...

A few minutes later the black-haired teammate came back, with filled bottles.

"Took you long enough.", Kisame grimaced.

"The river was a little further than expected.", Itachi replied monotone, but as you looked closer, you saw the tense of his muscles. His illness began to show more and more every single day, the attacks of it became more obvious. You drew your eyebrows together, not saying anything. However, if your plan succeded, this problem might be solved.

"We should go.", you announced, in an attempt to prevent Kisames investigation. The look in Itachi's eyes somehow revealed to you how uncomfortable he had been, and how thankful he was for this change of topic.

"Thank you.", he murmured as you three began walking.

"Anytime.", you answered quietly.

Way too soon you reached the Uchiha Hideout, where Itachi wanted to face his younger brother. Little did he know of your plans, and that his life would not end, like he expected it. Instead you were about to follow what you had in mind, hoping he would understand. You took a deep breath, then let it out. 

He will., you tried to convince yourself silently. 

Your eyes followed him, as he walked into the hideout. Kisame stood next to you, and in the moment Itachi was out of earshot, he spoke: 

"You're not letting him do it his own way, are you?" 

A grin formed on your lips, and your face became filled with mischief. "Nope. There's no way I'm letting him die yet." 

Your comrade sighed, and you were sure you heard him mutter something about "childish" and "always having to have it your way", but you let it slide. This time. 

Later, a group of four arrived, and it was obvious to you which one the Sasuke was, that Itachi always talked about. He had the same black hair, the same onyx-eyes, and the same look within them. Silently you observed the situation, and waited until the young Uchiha stepped into the hideout. You nodded to Kisame, who nodded back, and followed, unnoticed by the young group. 

Your idea was simple. Waiting, until the right moment, then you'd step in, and tell the kid the truth. Which led you to the conclusion, that after you saved your comrade's ass, he'd sure as hell would kick yours. And eventually kill you. But that was irrelevant. 

You watched the Genjutsu-battle, tense and nervous. What if you missed it? What if the boy was filled with so much hatred, that he won't even listen to you? What if you weren't able to stop it? What if you'd fail? 

"I can do this.", you whispered, and continued to watch the fight. Your heart was pounding, but you ignored it. A memory formed in front of your inner eye. 

"Everyone dies eventually.", Itachi said, his hand placed on the top of your head. The gentle touch couldn't stop your tears from forming. It had been the night he'd told you everything, including his approaching death. His eyes had worn a sad expression, that you still remembered. You'd probably never be able to forget it.

"But not today.", you swore. "That's a promise." 

The fight went on, soon you'd step in, stop this madness. You didn't care about the sensation of Zetsu, and probably Tobi, who you still couldn't believe to be Madara Uchiha. You were completely focused on the two brothers, when the moment finally came. 

"That's enough!" 

With you Rin'negan, you teleportated yourself between the Uchiha, forcing them apart. Sasuke's surprise was nothing compared to Itachi's. With a hand the elder brother shielded his eyes from the upcoming dirt, suddenly groaning. His vision blurred even more, and you noticed him trying to stop the following pain of it. Your worried glance irritated Sasuke, who now tightened his grip on his sword. You turned. 

"Enough.", you repeated calmly, this time for those two. "There's no point in fighting." 

Sasuke clenched his teeth, his angry Sharingan staring at you. You didn't even flinch. 

"Get out of my way.", he growled, but you didn't move. "Get out of my way!" 

"No.", you replied. "Not until you know the truth." 

He snorted, but you turned, hearing the sound of coughs. Itachi's condition got worse every day, so it was no wonder he was coughing blood again. "It's alright. I'll handle it from here on out.", you spoke quietly, yet he struggled to get up. 

"No. I-" He couldn't even finish, that weak he became. His knees gave in, and you stopped his fall. 

Then you turned again. "You know nothing about this whole situation, Sasuke. Not even a tiny bit. Do you really think, Itachi would just change over night? Kill your parents, just because he can?" 

Sasuke was about to say something, when you heard Itachi's quiet pleading: "No, (y/n), don't, please... Don't tell him-" 

You clenched your fists. "No! I won't let him kill you, not as long as you're innocent! I won't accept that those bastards still get away with it! They ruined your life! They ruined his life! They ruined thousands of lifes!" 

"He did...", Sasuke shouted angrily, but his following grumbling and shouting about how Itachi ruined everything only set you off more. 

"I said enough!", you shouted, breathing heavily. Eventually Sasuke stopped, but you've had enough. With an angry cry you unleashed your original Kekkei Genkai, and memories began to show. Sasuke froze, seeing some of his very own memories inside the holograms. 

You panted, trying to glare at the younger Uchiha. You raised your hand, and the memory you'd searched for came to the surface. The night Itachi had gotten the mission from Danzo. You saw how he took a step back, eyes wide. 

"Impossible... You lie. That must be a lie! This can't be real!" 

Suddenly he attacked you. You blocked, still shielding Itachi all the same. 

"I don't! Those are memories! I can't lie! I can't change it! I can't even fully decide if we see them! Itachi's weakened, otherwise I couldn't even show it!" 

"Lies! All lies! Itachi betrayed us! He betrayed me! He was never the brother he made me believe he is!", Sasuke lost to his temper. He couldn't hold any of his rage in, let alone his sadness. It was the way you had predicted it: he broke. Slowly. And now it was on you to fix it. 

You closed your eyes, trying to fight your own emotions, and concentrated on the emotions that followed the memories instead. Sasuke stopped. 

"What...?" 

This time, he didn't fight. He just stood frozen, as you showed him, how Itachi had Sasuke's childhood, his love and hopes for him. 

"Don't you see? He tried to protect you! All this time, he only wished for you to be safe!" 

Itachi, who was still struggling to get up, groaned again. You head whipped over to him, and in the next second you stood by his side. 

"Stop... Don't... let him see...", Itachi whispered hoarsely. 

"Shhh... sh... It's too late... He knows... It's okay...", you soothed him. Sasuke looked over to you two. His face was filled with disbelief. 

"Nii-san..." 

Itachi's movements stopped for a moment. "Sasuke..."  

Eventually Sasuke came over, slow in his own movements, and careful not to alarm you. Then he embraced his elder brother. You smiled. It was over. And the brothers were reunited again. 

A/N; 

Heyyyaaaaa! Here we are again!!! Another Oneshot, finally with one of my personal favourite characters! Who else loves Itachi? Let me know! ^~^

Also, what do you think of a part 2 of this? It was mentioned, Itachi's still ill. I have a few ideas, but do you want one? :3

That's all for today, I guess, soooo.... See ya next time!

Fukurota

Next part will be published at the 01.08.