Itachi thought it would be easier.

The elders are simple enough, they sleep through nearly everything, and barely twitch when the knife goes through their throats.

The adults are a little tougher, only because they are more aware, and quicker to fight back.

No, it's the children who nearly make him hesitate.

They cling to their siblings, hiding in closets and in corners. In the dark light, some of them look a bit like Sasuke. When he drags them out, they cry for parents who no longer hear them, they beg for their life or call him a monster.

But underneath it all, they ask "why?"

He cannot waste time. How exactly do you explain to a child why they must die, when they've done nothing wrong?

They are simply paying for the sins of their fathers.

So he merely answers them by holding them down, and making it quick.

/

He leaves his parents for last, he hopes they'll understand. They haven't attempted to stop him yet.

When he enters, they face their backs to the doorway, their hands are folded on their laps.

Fugaku stares straight ahead.

"Do what you must."

The body of every human begins to panic when faced with death. Even if they have mentally accepted their end.

Mikoto smiles. "We love you both. Make sure you look after each other."

But her pulse beats erratically against her neck.

He can't do this. He can't—

Fugaku captures his gaze, and gives one last nod of respect.

Itachi's hands stop shaking.

/

The house waits, in silence, for Sasuke's return.

Itachi had to give the child some sort of closure, even if it meant lying through his teeth.

He wasn't much of a brother, and he wasn't much of a son

But he was a shinobi.

… and he did what needed to be done.