Chapter 2: Planning

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 protection.

After all, at that point, he would owe him a huge favor. And Danzo… 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 lay 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 of 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?"

"6 pm. 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 the 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 Danzo 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 arm's 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 and 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 of 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.

****

Add this fanfic to your library if you are new or you haven't. Leave a comment.