Cut Away The Flesh

Later, as we sat at the kitchen table, I don't know whether I should be pissed off or amused. Right now I'll go with neutrality. 'Itachi, I forgive you for hurting me, but I can't forgive you for what you did...please don't be upset with me!'

He sounded slightly desperate during the last part. I reach up to find his face and stroke his hair contemplatively. "What makes you think I would be angry with you, Sasuke? Or that I even have the ability?"

I continue to stroke his hair, almost obsessively. I hadn't really expected him to answer, but that wasn't what I was worried about. "How can I get you to forgive me?"

He whimpers inside his throat and hugs me close. "What do you fear most in life?"

This amused me. Did he intend to get me with fear? But surely he must know my only fear in this world by now... "Being separated from you, of course."

A quiet sob fills my hearing, angering me because I would like to get rid of it and ripping my heart in pieces because he sounds so terrified. He hugs me closer. "I'm so sorry, Itachi..."

"Sorry for what...Sasuke..?!"

He backs away from me. "Take him away, Naruto!"

I deck Naruto as he drags me away from the scent of my brother. "What the hell are you doing?!"

I hit him again as he continues his efforts to take me from the only person I ever gave a damn about. The jinchuuriki tries to pin me to the floor and fails as I slam his head into the ground. "Sasuke?!!"

"Getting rid of you." Sasuke spits venomously, kicking me in the ribs and knocking out my breath. His fist makes contact with the side of my skull.

"Get rid of him, Naruto, NOW." My little brother commands.

The blond dobe's knuckles hit the side of my head repeatedly and I begin rapidly losing consciousness.

Lips meet mine in a soft, gentle caress. "Forgive me, Itachi. I love you."

To be continued...