Itachi sat on the Uchiha throne with his hands tented and his lips resting on his hands. The throne hadn't been used in decades, its archaic meaning tossed aside in the modern age, but Itachi thought it fitting that he sat on it.

According to clan law he was the next Uchiha leader but in a desperate bid to save his clan and make them stronger, he had slaughtered all of them. Except for one, he was left alive to fulfill the supposed Uchiha prophecy. The one who would inherit Madara Uchiha's "God of Shinobi" title and who would bring the Uchiha their rightful recognition.

He frowned as he remembered that night's events and the tragedy and heartbreak he had experienced. He had always been adept at suppressing his emotions, like a good shinobi, but tonight he would unleash everything. His fury, his disappointment and his heartbreak.

Sasuke entered the derelict ruins and looked around. Weak light flickered from one of the far rooms and he made his way to it. He saw Itachi on the throne and activated his Sharingan. Itachi didn't move or say anything and the stalemate stretched for several minutes.

"Why did you bring me here?" Sasuke finally asked. "Have you read the Uchiha tablet?" Itachi responded. "What does that have to do with this?!" Sasuke screamed. Itachi got up off the throne and walked slowly towards Sasuke. "That tablet has everything to do with why we are here. That tablet is the reason for everything that has happened to the Uchiha" he said emotionlessly as he crossed his arms in front of his chest.

Sasuke narrowed his eyes and grit his teeth. "It spoke of a prophecy. A man who would lead the Uchiha to greatness" he said. "Correct. The clan thought that you were that child. The supposed reincarnation of Madara and admittedly you did share some of his traits. However, you did not flourish. You struggled to grasp basic ninjutsu, your genjutsu was nonexistent and your taijutsu left a lot to be desired. But you were young and we had hope. Until we fell under suspicion after the Nine Tails attack".

"We didn't have anything to do with that!" Sasuke said. "It didn't matter. The Uchiha can control the Nine Tails with the Sharingan so naturally suspicion fell on us. The Hokage had ANBU agents watching and listening to us, the villagers gave us a wide berth and the missions assigned to us were below our value. But we had you. And you...turned out to be the biggest disappointment!" He snarled as he threw a punch at Sasuke.

Sasuke blocked and dodged to the side. "After hearing of Root's plan to slaughter the clan, Shisui told me and we formed a plan. By the way, did you know the last line of the tablet is interpreted differently for each Uchiha?" Itachi threw flaming shurikens at his brother who blocked them with his katana, his feet sliding against the floor at the force of the attack.

"For me it spoke of cutting down the weak and starting the clan anew with the leader. So that's what we did, Shisui and I. He managed to fight off Root long enough for me to accomplish my mission but in the end, it cost him. Danzo stole one of his eyes and with his dying breath, he gave me the other. I watched the man I loved commit suicide for the clan! FOR YOU!" He roared as his Sharingan activated and his Susano'o grew around him.

Sasuke summoned his Susano'o and broke through the ceiling of the ruins. The daylight was harsh on their eyes after the darkness below. "I didn't ask for any of this to happen!" Sasuke yelled as his Susano'o blocked Itachi's.

"No but you were the cause of all of it. I thought you training with Orochimaru would strengthen you but you failed at that. You let a kunoichi beat you! Even Naruto beat you! You have done nothing but bring shame and weakness to the Uchiha name! And for that you will DIE!" Itachi screamed as he brought his Susano'o's sword smashing through Sasuke's Susano'o, shattering it and rendering it useless.

Sasuke fell heavily to the ground, blood dripping from his wounds. Itachi unsummoned his Susano'o and walked towards his brother. As much as he hated him for staining the Uchiha name, he was still his little brother and he felt a flicker of love in his black heart.

"Watching you fail has convinced me that your death is necessary" he said with his deep voice as he knelt down and grabbed a fistful of raven hair. "This needs to be done while you're alive. If done after death, the Sharingan will close forever rendering the eyes useless."

Sasuke screamed and writhed under Itachi's grip as the man dug out his eyeballs. Standing up, Itachi placed the eyes in a jar that held a preserving liquid. "Your task is done" he said as Sasuke whimpered and clawed at the ground.

Itachi looked at him one last time. "Amaterasu" he said and walked away, his brother's screams ringing in his ears.

What felt like weeks later, the bandages were removed from Itachi's eyes. "Well?" Orochimaru hissed. Slowly opening his eyes Itachi looked around. Everything was sharper, clearer, than it had been in years. The threat of blindness was gone and the eyes felt stronger and surged with chakra.

He opened them, his Sharingan glowing a brilliant red. "The darkness is gone" he stated simply and got up to leave. "What will you do now?" Orochimaru asked. "I will restore and lead my clan beyond its former greatness. I will make the Uchiha name one to be feared again. After all, I am the God of Shinobi" he said as he left the room, heading back to the Akatsuki hideout.

Loud knocking was heard as Hidan banged his scythe against the door. "WAKE UP! ACCORDING TO SKIN-FLAPS YOU HAVE 15 MINUTES TO GET GOING! SO FUCKING HURRY UP!" He yelled. A louder bang was heard from inside the room as Kisame threw Samehada at the door. "Fuck off!" He growled. Kay laughed as she nuzzled his neck. "Mmm only 15 minutes?" she asked sleepily. Kisame sat up on his elbow and looked down at her. Brushing her messy hair to the side he bent down to kiss her neck. "I can do a lot in 15 minutes" he whispered against her skin. "Prove it" she said.