The Darkest Secrets

Prologue: The Day Itachi Almost Lost His Soul

Disclaimer: I am sad to admit that I do not own Naruto or any of its characters. *sniffle*

A/N: So this is my first fanfiction (and pretty much my first non-college related writing), so I'm not entirely sure how well this is going to work out. But I would be honored if you would give this fic a read! I'd be even more honored if you leave a review (pretty, pretty please). This chapter is the set up for the story and explains how I've altered events to create it. No Sakura in this chapter, but she will make an appearance in the next one. I'm not sure what else I'm supposed to say in these author notes, so without further ado, please enjoy the story! Words with an * after them have a definition at the end of the chapter.

13 Years Ago

Shisui and Itachi stood back-to-back in the field outside of the Uchiha compound. Volley after volley of weapons sped towards them, and were systematically deflected by the two skilled Uchiha.

They were up against five Root shinobi, and Itachi was almost certain he could sense Danzo lurking in the woods. Launching himself off the ground, he shot a fire justu across the field, forcing one of the Root members back towards the tree line… straight into a hastily lain wire trap. One down.

Shisui flipped over his head and made eye contact with another Root agent, who had been trying to get under Itachi's guard. Two down.

With an irritated huff, Itachi sent a barrage of kunai flying towards the tree line where he sensed Danzo's presence. The old man responded only with an amused chuckle. Bastard.

It was a good thing he had insisted that he go along with Shisui to meet with the elders. He had a gut feeling that something terrible would happen today, and it looks as though he was right. They could handle the five Root shinobi together. It would be difficult, but not impossible. However, if Shisui were alone, then he would be overpowered, and their plan to stop the coup would fail.

They could not fail.

He heard a grunt to his left as Shisui took a kunai to the shoulder. It didn't slow him down though. He retaliated by jamming three senbon into the agents neck. Three down.

The fourth Root agent took advantage of the slight distraction Shisui's injury had caused, and caught Itachi in the ribs with a powerful kick. He felt his ribs crack as he slid several feet backwards, and the fifth Root descended on him, katana drawn.

But he never quite made it. Shisui tackled him to the ground, and as they struggled, Itachi got to his feet and shot towards the remaining Root member. They engaged in taijutsu, which he quickly deduced that they were well matched in. So instead, he leapt back a couple feet, quickly forming the hand signs for a simple genjutsu.

The second it took the Root operative to dispel it was a second too long. Itachi unsheathed his own katana and drove it into the Root agents gut. Four down.

He straightened and looked over to where Shisui had been tangled with the final Root member and found that Shisui had finished with his opponent as well, drawing a kunai across his throat.

They were done with the Root agents, which just left….

Itachi's eyes narrowed as he felt Danzo's presence fade. Coward.

But they had far more important things to worry about. It was time to implement Shisui's plan. They had to use Kotoamatsukami on the clan elders, who should be meeting at the Nakano shrine right about now. He would have time later to speak with the Hokage about Danzo's betrayal.

Itachi hoped the bastard never saw the light of day again, once the Hokage was notified. It would be even better if the Hokage allowed him to handle Danzo himself.

After all, Itachi's problem with Danzo was even more personal than this silly fight. He had tried to force Itachi's hand into killing off his own clan, and had attempted to kill Shisui right in front of him.

If Shisui had died, then he would have had no choice. Itachi would betray his clansmen to prevent war. Because he had already seen it, and he never wanted to see it again.

XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXx

3 days later

Itachi felt a huge weight lift off of him as the Hokage and his Tou-san* signed the lengthy document on the Hokage's desk. The document outlined new rights given to the Uchiha clan, in exchange for their continued loyalty and protection for Konoha.

The Uchiha would be given a seat on the elder council, and Fugaku himself would act as a liaison between the clan and the Hokage, bringing to Lord Third any insignificant detail the clan elders wished to bother him about. Shisui would also be joining Anbu, and would be immediately placed as Itachi's second-in-command. They were also given rights to move out of, or expand the Uchiha district as they saw fit.

The only thing that was bothering him now, was the fact that Danzo was yet to be found. It appeared that the man had fled the village after his failed attempt to end the Uchiha clan, along with the majority of his Root operatives. Teams of hunter-nin were deployed, but they all came back empty handed. The trail was cold now.

Sighing, Itachi slipped from his hiding place in a shadowy corner and left the Hokage building, strolling past the academy on his way to the Uchiha training grounds.

He paused at the fence around the Academy yard, and smiled softly as his Otouto* practiced his shuriken throwing, a determined scowl on his tiny face. Behind him, two little girls, one with pink, and the other with blonde hair, were giggling and blushing as they watched him. A blonde boy was setting up what appeared to be a giant water balloon trap over the doorway to the building, with the help of a young Inuzuka boy….

He wondered to himself what his brother's life would be like, had the massacre occurred. He knew that he never could have finished Sasuke along with the rest of his clan. He would have been forced to live on, angry and alone. And then Itachi would have had to threaten his own village, to ensure his precious brother's safety, once he left.

But he would have done it. And that knowledge weighed heavily on his mind.

The shuffling of feet broke him from his gloomy thoughts, and he turned to face the man behind him. "Itachi," his father spoke. "Something is bothering you."

With a slight frown, he turned back to watch his Otouto – this time picking shuriken out of his well-worn target. "Tou-san… we almost ruined this for him."

Fugaku turned to watch as well, his gaze softening. "Musuko*, I've put a lot on your shoulders. For that, I apologize. As grown-up as you may seem, I forget sometimes that you are still a boy. My boy. I've been unfair to you."

When he simply stood there, in shock, his father continued, "I promise you, I will do better. For you and your brother." This was not the Tou-san he knew. His Tou-san was stern and disapproving, always expecting nothing less than perfection. But… had this version of him been there as well, buried deep, all this time?

And then, as though he hadn't just shaken Itachi's perception of him, he turned and walked towards the Uchiha compound. "I'm proud of you… my son."

XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXx

*Tou-san – Father

*Otouto – Little Brother

*Musuko – My Son

A/N: So I'm trying to make Fugaku a little more likeable… I don't think he left a very good impression on us during his short time in the series. Although he has his moments. He did somewhat forgive Itachi before he died, so I guess that works in his favor… but eh, I'm rambling. The point is, now that he realizes what he almost lost, he will be a much kinder parent.

This chapter is definitely Itachi-centric, and rather short, but that will change a bit. There will definitely be a focus on him, but we will spend a lot of time with Sakura-chan as well. I'm thinking weekly (and lengthier) updates, though that may change as my final semester of college kicks off (so much to do… eek!). For reference: at the time of the massacre Sakura is 7 and Itachi is 13. In the time our story takes place, Itachi is 26 and Sakura is 20.

Please review! Thanks!

With Love, TheDayDreamingInsomniac.