There is a belief that states for every action taken, every other action that could have happened occurs simultaneously in an alternate dimension. In one reality, Itachi killed his clan. In another, he failed. This is the story of the events that played out when the clan survived.

This is "sort of" a sequel to "Itachi: The Early Years". However, I say "sort of" because this sequel takes place on a shifted timeline from that story. Chapter 64 of "Itachi: The Early Years" is rewritten to be chapter 1 of "A Perception of Reality". Someone does something differently and the result is that Itachi fails to kill the clan, and the Uchiha coup takes place. I got the title name from the speech Itachi gave Sasuke when they met for their final battle.

You probably don't have to have read the first story to read this one. It might help, of course.

For romance lovers, this will have Itachi x OC (Sheeta Uchiha, same age as Itachi). They are betrothed, and have gotten along pretty good so far. But, it wouldn't be a good story if I didn't through some conflict in there.

Mostly, this will be an adventure story about Itachi. Sasuke, Naruto and Sakura will also play important roles, albeit different from what they were in the Manga. But… I don't want to give too much away…

And remember, the first half is a rewrite of chpt 64 so if you get a "deju vu" thing, you're not imagining it! xD

Happy Reading! And don't forget to review!

Edite: All the section dividers got deleted somehow, so I'm in the process of putting them back in, but it may take a while since there are quite a lot of chapters.

Disclaimer: Naruto is owned by Kishimoto

x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x

Chapter 1 – An Alternate Reality

Shock and disappointment were the two dominant emotions Sarutobi felt as he stared at the document in front of him. He had announced his intention to make Itachi Uchiha the Fifth Hokage at that morning's meeting. They had not received it well and now… three hours later he was looking at a paper outlining the actions that would be taken by the elders should he go through with his plan.

It was supposed to have been his fail-safe plan. The one that was going to appease the disgruntled Uchiha clan. Fugaku had even promised to stand down should Itachi be given the tile of Fifth Hokage and he, the Third, had in turn promised to stand by Itachi's side as long as possible to train him in his new duties. It was something he wanted to do anyway, but because of the threat of a coup Sarutobi had decided to take the thirteen-year-old Itachi in right away instead of waiting a few years.

Sarutobi had known Homura and Koharu his entire life. The three were from the first generation to grow up in Konoha. They had the First and Second Hokages as their Senseis and had listened attentively to their lectures and believed in their ideals. When Sarutobi was named as the Third he was about the age Itachi was now. He worked closely with the First and Second to learn the ins and outs of running Konoha.

His personal life had suffered the most over the years. Two marriages had ended in divorce with both of his ex-wives dying on missions, leaving him to raise his two sons alone. His eldest son and daughter-in-law had died three years previously, also on a mission, this time leaving behind a young infant that Sarutobi was currently raising. His youngest son, who was now in his early twenties, had run off to work as a ninja in service to the Daimyou and hadn't so much as sent a postcard in over a year. He tried not to dwell on everything too much… it was still difficult. Besides, he had his grandson, who was currently napping on the couch in his office. His light breathing was usually soothing, but right now, there was just too much going on to take comfort in even a toddler's innocence.

The message he was staring at was very clear, "It has come to our attention that Itachi is an unstable individual who has, in the past, been hospitalized and removed from active duty due to said instability. Should he be named Hokage, it would be in the best interest of the village to be informed of his mental condition, and we would have to begin steps to have the present Hokage declared incompetent to fulfill his duties."

Looking out over the sunny village, Sarutobi considered the message. He could definitely gloss over Itachi's mental problems, after all no ninja was completely sane. It was impossible in a line of work that required murder and stealth to be a way of life and remain "normal". However, the part that concerned him was the last sentence. To have him declared "incompetent", as they put it, would require the signatures of the two elders, the head of ANBU, and the chief medical officer: Homura, Koharu, Danzou and Yakushi.

Yakushi wouldn't sign it. Sarutobi knew that for a fact. However, he found he could no longer trust Danzou. If Yakushi didn't bend to that man's will, Danzou would kill him without a second thought. He couldn't loose such a skilled medic, and the chances that he could protect him from the ROOT assassins that Danzou had trained were probably zero. He slammed his fist down on the table.

"Gampa," a sleepy voice came from the couch, "I tired. You woke me up." Sounds of sniffling and a couple whimpers made Sarutobi rise from his chair and walk over to the other side of the room.

"I'm sorry, Konohamaru." Picking up the three-year-old he walked back and forth for a while until he fell asleep again. Laying the toddler back down on the couch he covered him back up with a small blanket and sat down on the opposite couch. 'What now?' he thought to himself.

x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x

Itachi was in the woods next to the lake resting. He had been training since daybreak and as noon approached the unseasonably warm October weather had him sweating. He had pulled out a book of water jutsus and was reading when Sheeta found him. Smiling, he invited her to sit down next to him.

"If you wanted to be alone, you shouldn't sit next to a lake on a beautiful fall day." She teased as she sat down. She was wearing a pair of black pants with a black short-sleeve t-shirt that had an Uchiha symbol embroidered on each sleeve. Her long black hair was loose except for a decorative gold barrette above her right ear.

"Maybe I didn't really want to be alone, then." Out of habit he lifted his arm and wrapped it around her shoulders, pulling her closer to him. The two had been betrothed when they were ten and had become good friends.

"Lately, when we are together, you still look like you're alone. Are you sure you're okay?" Sheeta was concerned.

"I'm fine. Have you seen Sasuke's fireball yet?"

"Who hasn't? He's shown it to everyone who looks sideways at him." Sheeta laughed. "I even got a picture of it."

"That'll make him happy, I bet. So why did you come to the lake?" Itachi finally asked.

"It was bored at home. I have today off and I was missing Aya again. We would come here and go swimming. She loved the water. I mean… loves the water. I keep thinking of her in the past tense, she's been gone so long." Sheeta sighed. Her older sister had been her constant companion for as long as she could remember and having her away for so many months on a mission was difficult.

"Did you bring your suit?" Itachi noticed she wasn't carrying anything.

"No. I don't feel like swimming actually. And it's too cold out to swim, it's only sixty-eight degrees."

"Hn." Itachi went back to reading, but noticed after a few minutes that Sheeta was now resting her head in his lap and was sound asleep. He smiled, in spite of his mood. Sheeta was innocent and caring. She had a maternal streak that belied her age. She also had a sense of humor and loved to tease people. He could have easily spent the next sixty years with her by his side.

Frowning he looked out over the lake. Such fantasies could never come true, and he needed to quit thinking about them.

"Itachi?" Sheeta apparently wasn't completely asleep yet.

"Yeah?"

"Right now is real. This moment, this point in time. We should live this moment and not worry about what tomorrow brings." Sheeta said quietly.

Itachi was puzzled. "What soap opera did that come from?"

"I don't know they all look the same to me. It was on this morning's episode. But… even though it's massively corny… I think it's true."

"It is, Sheeta." Itachi had to agree. There was probably nothing wrong with enjoying this particular afternoon. At least for a little while. For her sake.

Messengers delivered two different scrolls the next morning; one to Fugaku and one to Itachi. The message to Fugaku stated that the plan to make Itachi the Fifth Hokage fell through, but reconciliation would still be possible if he was patient. The message to Itachi explained that the Third wanted him as the Fifth, but he would have to wait a few years, and he was overriding Danzou's mission and ordering him to "stand down". Both father and son had exactly the same reaction: Sarutobi could go to hell.

Fugaku was ready, at last, to enter the final stages of his plan now that talks had completely broken down. He immediately left the house to begin preparations.

Itachi was disappointed at Sarutobi's inability to control his council and stand up to Danzou. He was also angry that the Third didn't seem to understand the threat his clan could pose to the village. But above all, he was scared. Frightened of the task that now spread itself out ahead of him. The deaths he would cause, the disappointment he would see in their eyes as he struck them down, the loneliness he would feel as he walked the Earth alone, without a family, until finally he died in battle or sickness. But Konoha and Fire country would be safe. That made it all worth it, right? Itachi wasn't sure about that anymore, but he would do his duty, just the same.

It was at 2:47am when Itachi finally realized that he could not kill his brother. Everyone else, even his parents and Sheeta, he could kill them, although it would be hard. But not Sasuke. However, he didn't want to send the boy to Mist as Madara, who was also the Mizukage, had suggested. It would be a cruel life, the shinobi there were warlike and known for their love of battle. Not to mention the fact that Madara would likely sink his talons into the boy. There was really only one solution: Sasuke would have to stay in Konoha.

Itachi had exacted a promise from Madara to keep his hands off of Konoha, in return he would assist in the mission. That meant that if Sasuke remained in Konoha, Madara would have to leave him alone. That part of the plan was easy enough to figure out, but the part about exactly how any Uchiha could remain alive, especially a vulnerable child, when his mission had called for the extermination of the entire clan took a few more hours to figure out.

In the end Itachi decided he would approach Sarutobi afterward and beg him to take Sasuke under his personal protection. After all, at that point, he would owe him a huge favor. And Danzou… he would deal with him as well.

Itachi realized the sun was coming up and decided to go for a walk. Another sunny day revealed to him a very disturbing revelation. He stealthily moved throughout the Uchiha compound, looking into the temple, restaurants, stores and common areas as well as a few houses. Having made a quick count he returned to his room and laid down on his bed.

It was a shock, even though he expected it to happen, it was still a shock. Itachi's heart was pounding and his breathing sped up. Every single Uchiha was in the compound. No one was left at the Hideout. That meant the attack was literally hours away. At least forty-eight, at most seventy-two.

Sitting up, Itachi made his way to the secret compartment in his floor and started pulling things out. He filled his backpack first. His Akatsuki uniform and supplies were put into the pack. He fingered his necklace as he looked at the photo of himself and Sheeta holding Rumiko's twins. Something wet dropped onto his hand and he looked at it incomprehensively for a minute before realizing it was a tear. He quickly wiped his eyes.

Dr. Motoi's book about Johnny the normal boy was extracted next from the hole. He read a couple chapters before putting it back and sealing the hole. There was no point in looking at anything else. It was too painful.

He clutched his bracelet and called Madara.

"Itachi?" Madara's deep voice revealed no emotion.

"Tomorrow." Itachi said simply.

"Time?"

"6pm. I'll contact you again to let you know when to enter. As soon as we begin the attack all the Uchihas will fall back to the compound to defend it. You will start at the front gate and work your way in. I'll hit the houses and get the people inside. If I don't contact you, do nothing."

"Understood. Itachi? You realize that unlike you I am looking forward to this. I will feel no loss or sorrow over their passing." Madara's voice was still neutral.

"Yes. I know." Itachi replied as he cut contact.

Grabbing the backpack Itachi made his way outside of the village to hide it.

Fugaku and about twenty other Uchihas gathered in the temple that evening. The mood was determined and slightly grim. The clan lord had no misconceptions about the havoc he was about to cause.

"The first attack will place us in a position to overthrow the government and place ourselves in its place. After that we will have rebels to deal with. Remember, these will be our fellow shinobi. We should try to reason with them first, get them to see things our way and cooperate to strengthen the village. Barring that, go ahead and kill them.

"The shinobi clans from the Hideout will arrive in time for the secondary rebel battles hours after the first battle ends. They will take over the fighting as our clansmen clean up and help get people to the hospital. Yakushi will be on duty, although he has not been told of the coup, as a doctor he will still help all injured. Uchiha will move people to safe havens and set up distribution of food and other supplies. Above all, be helpful and friendly, even if you have to put on an act."

"What about Itachi?" One of the elders asked.

"If for some reason I am unable to take out Sarutobi he will take my place and finish the battle." Fugaku lied easily and the people gathered accepted his word.

"That is all. You have the orders for your teams. Rest tomorrow, for the next day we fight to regain our lost dignity." Fugaku replied calmly.

A few moments later Fugaku and Mikoto were the only ones left in the secret chamber. "I'll disable Itachi tomorrow evening." Fugaku said quietly. He had discovered his son was passing information to Danzou several weeks earlier. Not wanting to alert the clan to his son's treason he had cut down on the boy's duties and kept him at arms length. Itachi had no idea he had been found out, and Fugaku figured it was probably because the boy had distanced himself from his family.

"How?" Mikoto's voice was worried.

"I should be able to knock him unconscious with a Genjutsu. Even though he doesn't completely trust me, he does allow me to get close enough to touch him. I'll then stick him in one of the isolation cells. Honoo was moved to the regular civilian prison this morning so Itachi will be the only one in there. I will also attach chakra limiting bracelets so he won't be able to use jutsu or his Sharingan." Fugaku ground his teeth in frustration. Honoo was an ex-ninja who had paid three shinobi from the village hidden in the Clouds to kill an Uchiha family. The only survivors were the couple's infant sons and Sheeta, who had been staying with them to help out after the babies were born. He had plans for the traitorous murderer, but he wanted to be the Hokage when he put them in place.

Mikoto nodded once, although she was frowning. "When can he come out again?"

"That depends on him." Fugaku answered. "Right before I deal with Itachi, you will remove Sasuke from the house and bring him here."

"Yes." Mikoto nodded again. "It'll be hard for him, but the others who won't be fighting will be here as well. Auntie said she would look after him."

It was quiet for a few short minutes, and Fugaku gave a small smile, "Finally, Mikoto, it begins."

"Mother…" Sasuke was eating his breakfast. It was just himself and Mikoto in the kitchen.

"Yes Sasuke, dear?" Mikoto turned around from the sink to look at her son.

"What does… what does father really think of Itachi and me?" He asked shyly.

"What do you mean?" The question didn't really make sense.

"Well… the other day… father said 'that's my boy' to me. But that's what he always says to Itachi. So… I was really happy."

"Well that's good!" Mikoto said cheerfully.

"But… Itachi and father aren't getting along so… maybe… I'm just a replacement for Itachi."

Mikoto was shocked at her son's intuition but hid her feelings. The boy was very perceptive, every bit as perceptive as his brother had been at that age. 'How did I miss something this big?' She asked herself.

Sighing she walked over to the table, "Itachi is his own person and you are your own person. Father cares about both of you."

"Then how come all I hear is 'Itachi this' and 'Itachi that'? Sasuke yelled.

Sighing again, Mikoto paused for a second, thinking about how she was going to explain things to her son. He was telling the truth, but she didn't want him to see it as proof that Fugaku didn't care for him.

"That isn't true, Sasuke. As clan leader, father's responsibility is to protect the clan."

Sasuke interrupted, "So what?"

"Itachi is older, so he's entrusted with performing clan duties. Father is in charge of those duties so that's why it seems as if he spends more time with Itachi." She paused and then pointed at her face, "But just between you and me, when we're alone, he talks about you all the time. You know father… he's quiet and sullen looking all the time. He just has trouble showing his feelings." Mikoto smiled as she saw Sasuke's mood lighten. He smiled and breathed out in relief. Then jumped when he heard Fugaku set his cup on the table and sat down. Mikoto refilled it then went back to the sink.

Sasuke looked at his father and was suddenly reminded of Itachi's Sharingan two years ago. "Father?"

"Hmm?"

"Are there different kinds of Sharingan?"

"Already interested in Sharingan? It's too early, Sasuke. It's nothing like Fire Style jutsus."

"But… I'll master it someday… because I'm your son!" Sasuke was so earnest in his statement that Fugaku had to smile.

"There is a higher level ocular jutsu than the Sharingan. Called the Mangekyou Sharingan. It's legendary and only occurs in a few Uchihas. I've heard it requires a very special set of circumstances in order to manifest." Fugaku spoke lightly, trying to dissuade his son from any further questions. With Itachi, he had tried to hide the information, but he decided that he should take a different route with Sasuke and perhaps be more up-front.

'So that's what he showed back then. Itachi has this Mangekyou Sharingan. But does father know? Why did he tell me not to chase after him anymore?' Sasuke thought deeply about this information, but it just made him more confused.

"Father?"

"Hmm?" Fugaku gave his son another small smile. The boy was full of questions this morning.

"Why doesn't big brother pay attention to me, even though I'm his little brother?"

Fugaku looked down at the table and closed his eyes. "Itachi… is different. He has always had trouble getting close to people." It was a simplified explanation, but going into the psychological theories of psychosis, alienation and trauma would probably be a little too advanced for an eight-year-old boy.

"Why?" Sasuke asked, very concerned.

"Who knows? I can't read him, and I'm the boy's father." Fugaku's words were full of the helplessness he was feeling in his heart, and spoke to depths much deeper than Sasuke's question. Mikoto turned around and gave her husband a sad look.

Sasuke didn't ask anymore questions and when he finished his tea he ran out of the kitchen. He had only fifteen minutes to get to school before the first bell rang.

"He's getting suspicious, isn't he?" Fugaku asked quietly.

"He's a very perceptive boy. Lately, he's been spending a lot of time thinking, but right now it just seems to be about relationships – how you feel about him and Itachi and how Itachi feels about him. I wouldn't worry about it too much." Mikoto smiled and sat down at the table, pouring herself a cup of tea.

"Hmm." Fugaku kept reviewing the conversation, and realized that Sasuke must have seen Itachi's Mangekyou Sharingan as some point. Probably accidentally. He was sure Itachi wouldn't have shown it to his little brother on purpose.

Fugaku looked at the kitchen door when he heard Itachi and Sasuke talking in the entryway. They were probably putting on their shoes, getting ready to leave. 'Perhaps I should incapacitate him now instead of tonight.' Fugaku thought to himself. He stood up and exited the kitchen.

Sasuke ran out of the hall carrying his lunch and book bag, but stopped in the foyer when he saw Itachi sitting down on a step putting on his shoes. He was wearing black pants and a wide necked black short-sleeve shirt. Frowning and taking his time, his distracted posture made Sasuke pause and look at him.

"Big brother," Sasuke said hesitantly, "could you… help me with my Shuriken jutsu tonight?"

"I'm busy, why don't you ask father?" Itachi said hastily.

"You're better at it. Even I can see that." Sasuke sulked.

Itachi waved his brother over and Sasuke walked closer. Reaching out his hand he tapped the boy on the forehead with his fingers. "Maybe next time, Sasuke." He turned around and looked at the floor. Sasuke saw the dark circles under his eyes, but didn't think twice about it.

Standing up Itachi started walking out the door, "I don't have time for this now."

Sasuke rubbed his forehead, "You always say the same thing and then jab me in the forehead. You never have time anymore." His morose words were ignored as Itachi disappeared from view. He sat down to put his own shoes on. "I guess he's still the same as always… what a relief."

"Itachi!" Fugaku appeared behind Sasuke a moment later and called out to his eldest son.

Itachi walked back into the foyer. "Yes father?"

Sasuke smiled at his brother and father as he finished putting on his shoes. Slinging his book bag over his shoulder he took off at full speed as soon as he stepped outside the door.

Fugaku waited a few seconds, listening as the sound of Sasuke's running feet disappeared in the distance. He looked down at Itachi. The teenager only came up to his shoulders, but looked shorter because of his slight build and stooped posture. He was also looking at the floor with tired eyes. Gripping Itachi's arm he squeezed it slightly. "I'm concerned, Itachi. You haven't been eating much and you look ill."

Itachi was a little surprised by his father's words. He looked up, meeting his eyes, but instantly regretted it as he felt a Genjutsu quickly overtake him. He tried to dispel it, but he realized it wasn't a normal Genjutsu as he watched his father's eyes change from Sharingan to a black circle with a cross inside. Mangekyou Sharingan. Itachi couldn't dispel it fast enough and he fell forward as his eyesight dimmed and everything went black.

Fugaku caught Itachi in his arms and sighed. "I'm sorry Itachi, I have to do this."

Mikoto had heard the commotion and walked out of the kitchen to see what was going on. She saw Fugaku holding Itachi and walked over. The boy's neck fell back over his arm and Fugaku readjusted him so his head rested on his shoulder. Stroking her son's cheek, she sighed. "You decided not to wait until tonight?"

"I don't know why… I just figured I should incapacitate him now. I'll take him to the prison and get him settled in. I am very worried about his health, Mikoto. He is very light and he has a fever." Fugaku bend his cheek down and brushed it across the top of his son's forehead above his forehead protector, feeling the heat radiating from his skin. "With a fever this high his face should be flushed, but he's as white as a ghost."

Mikoto sighed, blinking back the tears that suddenly formed. "My poor little boy. I'll come by in a while and check on him. Perhaps it's just lack of sleep and stress instead of a virus."

Fugaku frowned when his wife called Itachi a "little boy", but quickly realized that was exactly what his son looked like right now. After all the responsibility they had placed on his shoulders, he was still a child, only thirteen-years-old. He disappeared, reappearing a second later in the police station.

x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x

The isolation cells were located on a secret level of the police station; only a few people in the clan knew about them and only a handful of non-Uchiha. Fugaku placed Itachi on a cot inside a cell that he had already prepared. He quickly attached chakra limiting bracelets to Itachi's arms and locked them with a chakra key. The key would only work if either Fugaku or Mikoto used it. Itachi's chakra would be drained, leaving him too weak to perform jutsus or use his Sharingan. He then emptied all of Itachi's pockets, but decided to let him keep his watch.

Fugaku looked inside the box that Mikoto had dropped off earlier. It had books, various food items, bottled water, and candy. He smiled when he saw the last item. Itachi was notorious for his sweet-tooth. Fugaku shook out a blanket and draped it over his son then exited the cell. Once the door was locked he put a chakra-limiting jutsu on the bars as well.

Looking through the bars, Fugaku watched as the teen began to wake up. The Genjutsu was one that a boy as skilled as Itachi could break out of in ten to fifteen minutes. Although, he suspected that if he had to use it again he would cut that time in half or even more. Itachi slowly sat up and then stood quickly when he realized where he was. Turning around he glared at his father.

"Itachi…" Fugaku started to speak.

"What have you done? How long have I been here?" Itachi yelled angrily.

"I can't trust you to remain 'uninvolved'. I know you have been passing information to Danzou for a while now." Fugaku spoke sternly, revealing nothing in his stone-face expression.

Itachi frowned, "You… know?"

Fugaku sighed in frustration, "You have been beating yourself up about something for the last year. Of course I suspected. As a double-agent you were very bad. Betrayal doesn't suit you, kid. You have too much of a conscience."

Itachi looked at the floor, realizing that his father was probably right. However… "But… the village…"

"What about the village? Shouldn't you be asking about your clan?" Fugaku asked matter-of-factly.

"I didn't… I… don't want to see…" Itachi mumbled, then gulped and fell to his knees, "They were all dead. The entire valley was dead. Sixty- or seventy- thousand people."

Fugaku creased his brow in confusion, "Where? Was this one of your nightmares?"

Itachi continued to mumble, "Water country… they were all dead."

"You're overwrought, exhausted and ill. You need to get back into bed and sleep."

"No!" Itachi yelled, "You can't ki…"

"Itachi!" Fugaku yelled back, "I won't hear anymore about this from you. You are not in your right mind at the moment."

Itachi reached into his pocket for the bracelet he used to communicate with Madara but it wasn't there. He quickly searched all his other pockets and discovered they were empty. Fugaku watched him silently, then shook his head.

"Rest here for now. There is some food and water in that box." Fugaku used a jutsu to disappear.

Itachi slowly stood up and returned to the cot. The room was very bright with its white painted walls and open, barred cells. It was also very quiet. There weren't even any mechanical noises. He spent the next few hours awake, staring at the ceiling and constantly checking his watch. As 6pm approached and passed he grew anxious and his heart started pounding.

x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x

"So this is where you are." Madara's voice jolted Itachi up from his cot and he stood up quickly, but dropped to his knees as a wave of dizziness passed over him. "Be careful there, don't want to pass out."

"Ma…dara" Itachi said with difficulty. Madara was sitting cross-legged on the floor in front of the cell. He was wearing his usual black pants and long-sleeve shirt with gloves and black shoes. Two katanas were sticking out from a holder attached to his back. He wasn't wearing his usual black and orange mask.

"You look like shit." Madara ignored the dirty look Itachi gave him and continued talking, "I take it this means the fun is off. Too bad, I was looking forward to it. But… then again, watching Fugaku should prove to be just as entertaining. I may even disguise myself and jump in to help." He gave a short laugh.

"You could get me out of here and…" Itachi started speaking but was cut off by Madara's laughter.

Madara's tone turned serious, "Nope. Not gonna do that, kid. You messed up, you pay the price. And, by the way… our deal is off."

Itachi moved off of his knees and sat cross-legged. Reaching over to the box next to him he pulled out a bottle of water and drank it all in one gulp. It had been hours since he had last drank anything and he felt so dehydrated he didn't even have much saliva. He cleared his throat a few times before he could speak again, "Madara…"

"If you're going to beg, forget it." Madara said calmly.

"I wasn't… I just…" Itachi rubbed his face with his hands.

"Itachi, you really are sick. It's plain to see you have a fever." He stood up and walked toward the cell, then walked through the bars. "Come on, get back in bed." He grabbed the teen's arm and guided him back on the bed then sat next to him. "Swallow this. It's a tranquilizer and will put you to sleep for a few hours. I was going to give them to you later after we finished, but you look like you could use one now."

Itachi took the pill and swallowed it. There wasn't much point in staying awake at this point anyway, since his chakra had been drained he had no strength to exit the cell. 'If the deal is off,' Itachi thought to himself as he closed his eyes and started to drift off, 'then I will need another way to keep Akatsuki out of Konoha. But I will… if I can't save Konoha from Uchiha, then I will definitely save them from Akatsuki.'

x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x

"For some reason I'm not surprised to see you here." Fugaku greeted Madara sourly as he and Mikoto materialized a few feet away from him. It was nearly midnight, but the brightly lit cell block gave no indication of the dark skies outside of its walls.

"Good to see you too and of course the lovely Mikoto." Madara stood up and bowed formally as he smiled.

"I take it you and my son had some sort of arrangement? I'm surprised you didn't break him out of jail." Fugaku gave a short, bitter laugh.

"Yeah, we were going to wipe out the Uchiha clan, but, well, you sort of put a damper on that little bit of fun." Madara laughed as well.

"Hmm. So that's what Danzou was holding over his head." Fugaku frowned and glanced at Mikoto who was standing a foot away from the bars and staring at her son.

"He sure as hell wouldn't have thought up something like that himself. Even his original idea was thought up by his cousin. He's a great ninja, but, on the whole, too kind-hearted." Madara said plainly.

"True. Danzou will pay for this. Painfully." Fugaku looked at Itachi. He was still having trouble feeling angry at him. Every time he began to feel upset his sons sunken eyes, pale skin, and skinny arms came to mind and instead, he felt sad. The fact that Danzou had so effectively brain-washed someone like Itachi was what angered him.

Mikoto spoke up in a worried voice, "What's wrong with him? He's not waking up."

"I gave him a tranquilizer." Madara pulled out a small plastic bag. "Here are the rest. I didn't want to give him the whole package."

Mikoto took the bag, "Thank-you, Madara."

"So why are you still here? I would prefer you left." Fugaku spoke sternly as he returned his attention to Madara.

"I think I'll stay and watch you fight Sarutobi. I love a good fight." Madara crossed his arms and leaned again the bars of an empty cell.

Fugaku growled, "Whatever. Just stay out of everything."

Madara gave a short laugh, "Itachi's partner is in the woods. I bet he'd like some fun."

"Tell him to leave. Having one of the seven swordsmen, especially a missing-nin, show up would not be good publicity on my part."

"Ha! He will pout when he finds out what he missed. But I'll see to it that he gets the word." Madara disappeared.

Fugaku and Mikoto both breathed a sigh of relief when he left, but quickly grew tense again. "Was he joking?" She paused for a few seconds, dreading the answer to her question, "About killing the clan?"

"I doubt it. Really, if you think about it, things do start piecing together." Fugaku replied bitterly.

Mikoto sneered, "Danzou… a thousand painful deaths would be too few."

x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x

Next week, the coup begins.

I update on Friday's so add the story to your alerts and you'll get an e-mail when the new chapter is posted.

If you are new to my fics, I try to write long chapters, about 5000 to 6000 words. Mainly because I enjoy reading long books, so to me that's just a normal size.

Please review!