[ increase or decrease the age as you see fit ]
[ I would also prefer if you read this on iPad / laptop ( just not on phone ) ]

  CROWS CAWED ON THE FATEFUL NIGHT. He heaved another sigh, forcing his feet to carry him forward. His emotions were in a complete turmoil. 'Why me?' He asked himself again, knowing the answer very well.

Uchiha Itachi, the prodigy of the century, the eldest son of Clan Head- Uchiha Fugaku, Heir of the Uchiha clan —but most importantly— the fucking pacifist. If anyone could do it, it was him.

  But being a human with emotions, he really didn't want to do it. But 'You know Itachi, you'd rather do it yourself than curse another with the same fate.' She was right. Even when she wasn't here, she was right. Even when she didn't know, she was right. She just had that presence, that conscience, that effect— especially on him.

  Hence he decided to kill her first.

Killing his anchor to emotions would make it easier, right? Right?!

  But how could he kill her? How could he erase the smile that made even his pale cheeks red? How could he put an end to the kapellmeister of the laughter that would make butterflies flutter in his guts? How could he make those supple, pink lips that kissed him so passionately turn blue? He had no choice. He had to do it.

  Itachi prayed with all his might for a miracle; A root shinobi or Uchiha Madara to come and tell him that they were calling off the massacre. But he knew that was just wishful thinking. He has to hurry up too if he wanted to be finished before Sasuke arrives.

  He wondered what she is doing right now. Surely she must have known of this. Surprisingly, that young woman could read this stoic young man like an open book and to an extent that even Shisui had failed. She, perhaps, is sitting on her bed — or chair — in anticipation. Clutching the clothes he had left behind when he stayed over last night with one hand.

  And in the other hand she must be holding the special kunai he gave her on her Genin promotion. She just graduated a few months back. Her team is preparing for the upcoming Chūnin Exams but her heart isn't in it. Itachi knows from the numerous times he has observed her training.

  Some days she would make an excuse and just sit in the shade of the tree that overlooks the training field, eyes distant and thoughts zooming. On the other days she would throw herself to training. Sparring and practising. All in futile, after all, she knew she wouldn't live long enough to participate.

  Last week she took her teammates out on a treat to Ichiraku Ramen. She isn't too fond of the spicy dish but she didn't mind that once. That day she had laughed a little louder, smiled a little more, participated more in conversation and paid for it all.

  She doesn't deserve to die. The Grandma who always made him dangos doesn't. That uncle down the street who would give fresh tomatoes to his ototou doesn't. His father and mother don't. Shisui didn't.

  Shisui.. his death had taken a toll on Itachi. He felt guilty for it. Like he was responsible for killing the only person who got him, next to her. The day he faced Shisui's mother —his aunt— for the first time since his best friend's suicide he had expected her to yell at him, to be mad at him but all he got was a warm hug and whispers of comforting words.

That melted Itachi's stoic heart and moistened his dry eyes.

  That day was succeeded by another emotional one. Aunt, Itachi and her were all assembled in Shisui's room. She had also been the curly haired Uchiha's close friend. Aunt was seated at Shisui's work chair while she made herself comfortable on his mattress and Itachi just stood by the closet.

  A few somber moments in, Auntie had burst into hysterical tears at the loss of her precious child. And Itachi knew he had to be the rational one but at that moment he just couldn't help it. He let a few tears slip past his long lashes and stifled a sob.

  Then she acted as the strong one. With Aunt on her left arm and Itachi on her right, she offered the two mourners a shoulder to cry on, silently mourning herself.

  Shisui's father moved to the kingdom due the after effect of the injury he had suffered from in the Third Great Shinobi War. Shisui was the breadwinner of his family but after his death, his mother had no one.

  She was also an orphan. Her parents had been killed in action but the clan provided for her, since she was a young kunoichi with a future to serve the clan and the village.

  Itachi was completely ready to support Shisui's mom financially but apparently, Shisui had saved her enough money for her to live by for the time being. Only a few weeks later she passed away. Taken by grief and old age. All of their money and property had been left to her.

  Itachi wonders how he would do it. Just kill her. No, he can't just kill her. A conversation maybe? How would she react? Would she yell at him in anger or just give a sad smile? Or maybe she'd give him a disappointed stare— no. That's so unlike her.

  But really he can't afford to waste anymore time. Madara's help or not, it would still take him time for the deed. He also needed ample time with her to tell her the whole true story. He can't let her die without knowing the true reason behind his treachery. And he needed to get all of this done before Sasuke arrived. He was sure his parents also must have something to say.

  With one last prayer to the Creator above he sidled up the window with light pouring out of it. He could see the feminine silhouette of his beloved. Her signature Uchiha, long, black hair slid down her back. The view of the tips of her silky locks obstructed by the backrest of the lacquered wooden chair. Her posture was calm yet attentive.

  A deep, shaking exchange of air by her strong lungs informed him that she was aware of his presence. Sometimes, he hated how she is a sensory type.

  He slipped through the window into her bedroom. The familiar bright white walls and floral decorations are both comforting and practical. The fragrant blossoms made him feel at home.

  The countless nights he spent snuggled up beside her in her fluffy covers. The couch cuddles with movies. Those times when he comes home from the mission to see the window open and wisps of smoke coming out, the stench of burnt delicacies poorly masked by lemon air freshners and the natural aroma of the flora.

  Her course may not have the same tang as the ones he has had before but the love with which she prepared the cuisine was twice as much. And he always enjoyed the feeling of her back pressed against his front as he gently guided her dainty but not weak arms to the stove.

  He shakily walked to her front, his resolve crumbling at each step. Her pale, soft features came to view and oh she looked so good. Hisbreath blew away immensely like the first time she had graced him with her beauty. Sharp, charcoal-like eyes of the young Uchiha inevitably softened at the sight of his beloved.

   "H–" he tried to speak but his throat closed up.

   "Hello Itachi," she smiled gently and Itachi felt comparatively calm.

   He cleared his throat and tried again as she patiently waited for him, "He.. Hello." He gulped.

  He wanted to forget everything; the massacre, Danzo, Root, Madara— and fall into her twinkling abyss like orbs. Alas, he can't, "You know?" He glanced at his clothes and kunai clutched in her soft yet somewhat caressed hands.

  "For a while," She nodded along, "Confirmed after Shisui's transcend. How, Itachi? How and why did it come to this?" She pleaded softly for the truth, finally, after concealing this desire for Kami-knows-how-long.

  And so he told the tale; the tale of the pacifist, the cane holder and the fool who got crushed in between this. He then went on to elaborate on the cane holder and the root it holds in his clutches, the fool's last wish he was about to fail and the rise of a God-like Shinobi from his demise.

  When he told her about the latter he could have sworn he heard her murmur, "I am kinda glad to be off right now and not face that."

   "Is.. that what his last.. last words were?"

  The other Uchiha nodded solemnly, his nose burning now, "He asked me to protect the village, honour the Uchiha name and to make sure you are happy."

  "Oh Itachi," she gestured for the ravenette to go down on his knees. She took his hand and in hers and held them in her lap, "I am not gonna be a senile bitch and tell you that my happiness lies in yours. I don't want to force you to make me the promise to be happy cause I hardly doubt you would be able to do that after killing me, Sasuke and half of our clan."

  He winced once again at her sheer bluntness. And she almost missed his guilty duck of head. He knew there was more to that sentence as he was too used to her antics and knew that she isn't a cold hearted, cruel type. His beloved might be a little blunt but that is a part of her charm.

   "I just, I want you to know that no one blames you for this. And if they do, they have me to face in the afterlife. I don't blame you for this. I forgive you with all my heart. Please remember Itachi, I love you, forever and always."

  The rational part of Itachi had expected something like this. But hearing those words fall out from her soft lips evoked a pleasant feeling. He couldn't hold back the sadness that escaped his obsidian eyes in the form of tears.

  She wiped them away with the soft padding of her thumbs before kissing his closed, moist eyelids. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders and pulled him in to cradle his head to her chest.

  He breathed in her scent. It always did him wonders. She, too, breathed in his scent and wondered to herself.

  Itachi didn't smell at all. Nothing good, nothing bad. It wasn't a desirable trait for a Shinobi to smell as scents can be tracked.

  But that didn't mean the Uchiha had no body scent. If you manage to get this close to him then you can inhale the masculine aroma emitting from him.

  She couldn't fathom why this sweet, sweet child was being forced to commit such a treacherous act. He didn't deserve it. He didn't deserve to kill those dear to him and then live with burden.

  Itachi choked back a pathetic sob. Pathetic in his eyes but the young woman comforting him thought nothing bad of it. Only that her heart cracked a little at that sound.

  Itachi's thoughts on the other hand were more on the nostalgic side. He recalled all his moments with her. Starting from the first time she said those three special words to him.

  She couldn't have been older than 6. A fresh academy entrant. The Uchiha Council had decided to enter the young aspiring Kunoichi into the Academy after her pleading for it for years.

  Itachi had entered when he was of the mere age of 3 and she naturally wanted to join him. She had been grumpy when the elders refused, though Itachi did make up for it by inviting her to try new sweets in the evening and dinner later at his house.

  She had cheerfully bounded up to a certain Uchiha prodigy and offered him a brilliant teeth-bearing grin.

   "Itachi-kun! I got into the Academy! Now we can be together there."

  Itachi smiled back at her, though definitely more controlled. He couldn't burst her bubble by telling her that he would be in a different –senior– class. They still can walk to school together, eat lunch together and walk back home together.

   "Uwaa Itachi! I am so pumped!"

   "Hn, why do you want to go to the academy with me anyways?" Itachi hadn't developed enough emotional maturity or normalcy to understand her reasoning for spending time with him. Fugaku spent time with him because he was his legacy, Mikoto did for her maternal instincts, Sasuke did for his brotherly obsession and Shisui wanted a friend and a sidekick of sorts.

  He didn't understand why she stuck to him like the opposite poles of a magnet. Like the opposite poles they have barely nothing in common. It wasn't for popularity amongst the clan for sure; she shied away from unnecessary attention. She mustn't have a sense of duty towards him; that makes absolutely no sense. It wasn't as if she was a fangirl; no fangirl would look him straight in the eye and say –"You are uptight and socially retarded."– when he was eating dango in a preppy manner.

  The said girl peered up at Itachi in confusion before exclamation rang through her. Smiling sweetly she replied to his earnest question, "Cuz it's nice to be around you!" She chirped before her eyes widened in surprise and went half lidded along with her -now- slouched posture, "duh."

  Itachi couldn't help but let his obfuscation show up on his face. She caught this and  chuckled mockingly before elucidating her previous answer, "I love you, Itachi." She pressed a fat, wet kiss to his chubby baby cheeks.

  That was the first time someone had said those words to him, someone who is not his mother, brother or fangirls.

  Her hand ran through his silky smooth hair perfunctorily like a habit.

  Speaking of fangirls, they never turned up around him when she was nearby. Of course, he didn't complain but he did wonder what led to this. He knew better than to ask though.

   "Itachi?" She gently coaxed. Her voice filled with hope and want.

   "Hn?"

   "Yanno those eyes of yours?" Itachi was slightly taken back. He didn't tell her he awakened Mangekyo Sharingan. But then again, it was her. She always knows whatever shit goes around his head.

   "You figured it out?"

   "Mhm the guilt of Shisui's death awakened it. Amirite?"

  He nodded along. Disliking how hopeful her voice sounded.

   "Those eyes are a burden to the beholder–" that was no news. Look at Madara Uchiha, what happened when he awakened the eyes? Yeah that's right, he went mad. "–however! They do grant a gift of sorts."

   This is new, "What gift?"

   "Tell me 'tachi. How much practice have you had with them?"

   "Not much." He was being completely honest. Sure he had taken it out for a test drive. He has read about the abilities but has no one to perform them upon. And the last thing he wanted was to lock himself into a genjutsu.

  She lifted her arm to cup his cheek, "Well you see, there is this ability that is unique to one's Mangekyo. It's called Tsukiyomi."

Oh no. Oh NO.

   "But—" She stopped him with a kiss on his full lips.

   "But what Itachi? This might kill me? Yeah, well, news flash!  I'm gonna die soon anyways." She exaggerated and he winced. Now she was just guilt tripping him, "I'd rather have a quick view of what we could have had before that. It will give you some experience too. I have nothing to lose but you have something to gain."

  He let out a sigh. How good she was with those convincing words.

   "For you." He gave her a soft smile.

   "I love you, Itachi."

   "Tsukiyomi"

She fell limp in his arms.

  He brushed away a stray lock from her face before scanning her with his eyes. She seemed fine except for an unusually high heart rate and overactive but lull-at-the-same-time brain.

  Itachi tried to suppress his panic and think rationally. He was sure he did it right and if that's the deal then she should back in 3.. 2.. 1!

   "..."

Wait, no! No! Fuck what

   "..wake up. I swear to fucking god wake up. I need you please. Please stay. I am not ready yet. Please come back! Tell me it's gonna be fine. Please! Smile! One last time! Please! Kiss me please! Please! Hn!"

Itachi tried to blink away his tears and harshly wiped at the ones that already fallen. He threw his himself forward and clashes his lips to hers, giving his best to wake her up.

  Would you wake up?

  Will she wake up?

  Maybe if this was a children's fairytale with happy endings, she may have had. But this isn't a fairytale nor it has a happy ending.

  Her heart was beating, he could hear it loud and clear from where his head was placed on her chest. He didn't get to say it. He didn't get to tell her he loved her. But he hadn't lost hope. There is always an afterlife, right?

  She was an angel. She never killed. Itachi wasn't. He did.

  And now he was about to commit a genocide that won't land him anything less than Hell.

  Maybe if he did it right and kept doing it right, save Sasuke, then maybe he'll get a chance to repent, to atone, to reach heaven where he could meet her once again.

   "Wake up, please."

Nothing.

   And then her eyes fluttered open, albeit weakly, "..Ita..a."

   "Shh.. hey." He let a wobbly smile of intense relief show up on his face.

   She returned it with the same amount of enthusiasm, "..hi."

   ".. how was it?" He tried making small talk. If only this could go on forever.

   "Ah.. Beauty..Beautiful. Everythi- I eveh wand."

   "Hn, yeah?"

   "N.. no time for s..small talks. I.. I don..n't have long, Itachi." She reprimanded him, like usual.

The said boy sniffed and frowned. Are these the side-effects the tablet buried within the Naka Shrine told of?

   "I know. What saved you?"

  She was now regaining her ability to speak "You did. We- I was old and dying but you —this you— wanted to see me one last time."

  He caressed her face gently before picking her up and laying her on her bed. He climbed in after her and laid the covers over themselves.

   "Wish we could stay like this forever." He shifted again to cuddle her. She nuzzled her face in his chest.

   "Mhmm... We got married."

   "Is that so?" He placed a gentle kiss on top of her head.

   "Yes, we did. We had a baby boy. He looked just like every damn Uchiha ever." She attempted to wrinkle her nose, "I loved him regardless. And he looked so much like you. He had my lips and nose."

   "Hn.. he seems wonderful."

   "He was."

   "How did we die?"

   "I was gonna die. My heart was giving out fast. But then you called for me. You called, I heard. I just couldn't die. Not.. not without holding you one last time. Just-" Her breathing was shallower than it should be.

   "I love you, so much. More than anything in the world. More than myself. I don't want this. I don't wanna do it. I want to be with you and happy. Just you and me. Please help me. Tell me what do I do?" His voice was laced with intense desperation. No one can say this is The Itachi Uchiha, Prodigy of the century.

   "Now now. I can't tell you that huh." She placed her hand softly over his chest. This vulnerable part of him was killing her. "You have followed your mind, Itachi and did good for others, always. Maybe it's time you listen to your heart for yourself. And as for being together? We'll always be together. I will be with you at every step you take. At every decision you make. On every night you sleep. At every meal you eat. I will be there. To wipe away every tear you weep. Sometimes you'll feel me in the wind that would caress you. Maybe taste me in the food you make. You can smell me while walking through a meadow and kiss me whenever you do something for yourself. Remember those wind chimes we made? Think of that as the sound of my laughter. I will watch over you and wait for you in the next life but please don't be in a hurry to get there."

   "I- you could've chosen the career of a writer."

She weakly slapped his chest, "This isn't the time to think of such things!" The curve of the corners of her lips said otherwise. She then continued more softly, "Have you decided on what to do now?"

   "Hn, I think I have an idea."

   "Then it's time for me to go." She cupped his cheek in her palms, stroking it with the soft padding of her thumbs.

  He searched her eyes for any resentment or regret but found nothing other than contendness and acceptance, "Do I- or will you?"

  She sighed softly, "I'd like it if you do it."

  "Hn. Your wish is my command,"

  He laid her head gently on the satin pillowcase. He unsheathed his katana and looked her in the eye.

  "I love you." She nodded firmly. For someone on their deathbed she has an awful lot of strength.

  "I love you too." She closed her eyes. A flash in her eyes but a whole life in his, the katana drove in straight for her Aorta through the crook of her neck. A beautiful, bright fountain of red sprouted out. Made of blood but a sight worth seeing.

  And just like that she was gone. Painless and quick. Out like a light.

  Still she looked alluring as ever. Her vanilla white nightgown stuck to her body to define her curves in the lateral position she was in.

  His whole goddamn life revolved around her and all it took was a slice of Katana. What the fuck? How could life be so fragile? She is gone, forever.

  And all remains is the earthly body, that too will someday break down to feed the ground, and what remained were the memories, the memories Itachi had, the memories her teammates, sensei, hospital patients she had cared for, the orphans she fed at the orphanage, Tora the cat ( she was the only one who got along with Tora ), Tora's owner, Hokage-sama, the little girl at the academy that looked up to her ( for she saved the little girl from bullies ).

  For how long will she be remembered, this generation? The next one? Maybe even the one after that? What then?

  Will the Uchihas even get a grave? With all the rumours and animosity going about them? Will her name be carved in the K.I.A stone? She didn't die on a mission. But what she did, oh Kami, she comforted her killer.

  She deserves to be remembered. Death of a lover deserves to be remembered.

   But who will remember?

  Itachi's name will go down in history, he was sure of it, and if only hers could go down with him was all he could ask for.

"I'll see you once again."

Yeah that's all. Sorry for messing up the tenses.

The thing about her Tsukiyomi- I remember Itachi mentioning that the effects of Tsukiyomi can be overpowered by love. But nothing further was shown to assert this point. So I decided to elaborate on that.

Shisui's backstory was kept canon will the exception of his mother. We don't know when she died. So I made that one up.

So far the story takes place in canon. All the important details do, however, since she told Itachi to 'follow his heart', scenarios succeeding this one might change. But that's up to you to imagine unless...?

I planned to end the one shot here. But I might consider a sequel of sorts. Like what Itachi did after this. Not making any promises but uh if you can then you can request? Keep in mind that — if I do a sequel — it would be concise. I'll fly through the canon quickly and but will focus on the afterlife reunion.

Do you want a sequel ? —>

Thank you for reading this! Remember fanfictions aren't free so play for them with your love and support.

VOTES AND COMMENTS ARE <3

-XOXO RIS !