Chapter 2

The Night of the Uchiha Clan's Massacre

Kotomi was near the doorway where Sasuke was about to leave for the academy. "Bye Onii-san! Have a good day!" Sasuke didn't say anything back as he went out the door, closing it behind him.

Feeling empty, Kotomi lowered her head. She wanted Sasuke to like her. She didn't understand why he hated her so much. What did she do wrong? Thinking to herself, she was going to try to figure out a way for the two of them to get along once and for all.

Roaming around the outskirts of her clan, Kotomi was taking a stroll in a forestry area. She started hearing metal clanking together, almost like they were going through a tree bark.

Curious, Kotomi followed the sound, seeing a bunch of targets set up. She looked up, seeing someone in midair. Her eyes widen at the sight. The person threw the kunais, each hitting against each other as they all hit each bull's eyes. Her eyes sparkled at the sight.

The person landed, having Kotomi realize who it was. "Nii-san!"

Itachi turned around, seeing his sister walking closer to him. "Kotomi. What are you doing here?"

"I was walking around when I suddenly heard someone throwing kunais. I saw that it was you, and couldn't be more happier! You're so amazing! I can see why Onii-san wants you to train him! Can you train me too?"

Itachi gave her a small smile, gently poking her forehead. "Forgive me, Kotomi. Maybe next time."

Kotomi started pouting. "Why do you always do that, Nii-san?" At this point, she was crossing her arms.

"You shouldn't be out here for too long. Mother and father might start worrying about you."

Kotomi felt a bit disappointed that he was dodging her question. She let out a sigh, deciding to let it go. "Ok... What are you going to do?"

There was silence. He looked like he was lost in thought, almost hesitant. He turned his back to her, not wanting to meet her gaze. "I have something important to do, so I won't be home until later."

Blinking in response, Kotomi nodded once. "I understand. I'll make sure mother saves your dinner."

"You don't have to. I will be very late."

For some reason, a chill went up her spine. "Alright... I'll see you later, Nii-san." With that, she began to walk towards the clan.

Kotomi didn't know why, but she had this very uneasy feeling in the pit of her stomach. She didn't know what it was, it was confusing her more than anything. Her eldest brother's empty and distance words was not sitting right with her. She made a promise to herself that when he came home, she will be there to listen to him if he needed someone to be there for him.

Arriving back home, Kotomi saw her mother washing the dishes. "I'm back, mother."

Mikoto turned around, smiling at her daughter. "Welcome back, Kotomi. Did you have a nice stroll?"

Though she was still feeling uneasy, Kotomi smiled to not worry her mother. "I did! Can I help you out with anything?"

"Can you wipe down the table? And can you get your father after that?"

Kotomi nodded. "Yes mother!"

After wiping down the table, Kotomi made her way to where her father was. She was walking on the outside of the house, passing the zen garden.

When she was about to speak up in front of the sliding door, Kotomi heard her father's voice from the other side. She couldn't quite make out what he really said as it reached the end. It sounded like he mentioned Itachi's name in something.

Swallowing, Kotomi made her presence known. "Father. Mother would like to see you."

The sliding door opened, revealing her father. Fugaku gave her a small smile. "Every time I see you, you look just like a mini version of your mother."

Kotomi started giggling. "That's because I'm mother's twin!"

Fugaku started laughing at her silly comment. "You're too much sometimes!" He paused for a moment. "Would you like to ride on my shoulders on the way back to mother, Kotomi?"

Kotomi's eyes began to sparkle, nodding vigorously. "Yes please!"

Fugaku scooped the four year old up, placing her on top of his shoulders. "It feels like I spoil you too much with this kind of thing."

"No you're not, father! It's because you like spending time with me! I'm your adorable daughter!"

Fugaku started laughing at her comment once more. "You sure know how to get me, Kotomi! Let's go to your mother now."

"Ok!" Together, the two made their way back to where Mikoto was.

***

Later that day, the sun was setting, almost turning into night. Kotomi was eating dinner with just her parents. She felt a bit sad that her brothers haven't returned home yet. She had a feeling they were both training. But at the same time, she couldn't shake off this uneasy feeling from earlier.

Finishing the last bite, Kotomi looked up to her parents. "Mother, father. Can I go out and look for Nii-san and Onii-san?"

Mikoto shook her head. "No, you shouldn't be out there by yourself at this time. You need to start preparing to go to bed."

"It's still early! Please, mother?"

Fugaku really didn't like scolding his daughter, but he shook his head. "No, Kotomi. Itachi and Sasuke will be back later. You need to prepare to go to bed."

Kotomi really didn't want to go to bed. She wasn't feeling tired, and she couldn't stand having an early curfew. But she couldn't disobey her parents. "Alright. I'll start preparing to go to bed." She excused herself from the table as she put away her empty dishes.

After washing up and changing into pajamas, Kotomi went into her room. She was not in the mood for sleep. The feeling of uneasiness wouldn't go away no matter how hard she tried. The more she thought about it, the more worried she felt.

Turning off the light, Kotomi went under the covers. Her mind was full of worry for her brothers. She didn't know why she felt so worried about them. They came home late often because of training. Why was this bothering her now?

Trying to take her mind off of her brothers, Kotomi closed her eyes, trying to drift off to sleep. The room was quiet, the sound of crickets was coming from outside.

It only seemed like minutes since she went to bed. But in reality, it was about four hours. No matter how hard she tried, Kotomi could not fall asleep. She had her eyes closed, but her mind hasn't shut off. It didn't even drift off even once.

Slowly but surely, Kotomi was trying to ease her mind off from worry. There was absolutely no reason for her to be feeling like this. Nothing bad is going to happen. It was just all in her head.

Feeling calmer, Kotomi was starting to feel tired. Her mind was slowly drifting off to sleep. It was the most wonderful feeling in the world. Her senses were starting to shut down, soon entering the world of sleep. As soon as she was starting to fall asleep, a sound of a distant scream woke her up.

Kotomi rose up from the bed, looking all around the room with her eyes. "What was that..?" She was starting to feel spooked. She needed her parents' comfort. Getting out of bed, Kotomi exited out of her room.

Walking around the dark house, Kotomi was trying to find her parents. It was too quiet. As soon as she was drawing near to where her parents' room was, she started to hear voices.

"I don't want to participate in a death match... With my son."

That single sentence made Kotomi freeze on the spot. What was her father talking about? Tiptoeing towards the room, Kotomi quietly leaned down towards the door, slowly opening the door, only opening it as a tiny crack.

Inside the room, Kotomi saw her parents sitting on their knees. She saw the person behind them holding a sword. Itachi.

"I see... You aligned with the other side."

Kotomi was feeling very confused. What on earth were they talking about? What was going on? She had a feeling that she couldn't interfere as she continued to listen in.

"Father, mother... I..."

"We already know, Itachi." Mikoto spoke up.

"Itachi." Fugaku spoke up. "Promise me this." He paused for a moment, Itachi adjusted his sword. "Take care of Sasuke and Kotomi."

Kotomi grunted, quickly putting her hands on her mouth to keep quiet. What did her father mean by that? She didn't understand any of this. Not one bit.

Itachi walked closer to his parents, tightly gripping the sword in his hands. He had a blank expression, his eyes were red, possessing the sharingan. His expression was breaking as there were tears in his eyes. "I will..."

Itachi started trembling, holding the sword towards his parents. It looked like he really didn't want to go through with it. But he had no other choice. Kotomi couldn't take her eyes off of the sight. What was happening right now was the answer to her uneasiness. But now the question was why? Why was this happening?

"Do not fear it." Fugaku spoke up. "This is the path you chosen. Compared to yours, our pain will end in an instant."

Kotomi couldn't stand to hear any more of this, her mind filtering out the rest of her father's words. She started to feel herself trembling. She wanted to stop this, but her body wouldn't move. A tear rolled down her face.

The four year old saw her eldest brother breaking down in tears at this point, still holding the sword in his hand.

At that moment, Itachi swung down the sword, ending his parents' lives as they dropped to the floor. Kotomi's eyes widen at the sight, tears were running down her face.

She couldn't stand to look anymore, now leaning her back against the wall. Kotomi buried her face in her knees, sobbing quietly to herself. Why? Why does this have to happen? Why did Itachi have to do this? He didn't look like he wanted to, so why..?

Kotomi was troubled in her own thoughts that she didn't even hear Itachi and Sasuke talking to each other. Sasuke's loud scream snapped her out of it. Covering her ears, her eyes were shut tight.

Was this a nightmare? Did she finally fall asleep in her bed? Kotomi wanted this to all be a nightmare. When she woke up, she would see that her parents were still alive. But no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't wake up.

Kotomi had to face the facts. This wasn't a nightmare. This was reality. Opening her eyes, they were the color of crimson red, revealing the markings of the sharingan.

***

Outside, Kotomi was walking in the clan in the dead of night. It was too quiet. She saw a slaughtered body nearby, making her run towards the other direction in fear.

Kotomi wanted to find Sasuke. She knew that he wasn't dead. She heard him run outside. She had to find him no matter what. He couldn't have gone too far.

Arriving where her brothers were, Kotomi saw Sasuke fainted on the ground. She grunted at the sight, running towards him. "Onii-san!"

Making it towards him, Kotomi leaned down towards him, her eyes full of worry. She was so worried that she didn't even realize Itachi was still in the area.

Looking up, Kotomi saw tears in his eyes. His headband was on backwards, wondering how that happened. Slowly standing back up, she couldn't take her eyes off of him. "Nii-san... Why..?" Itachi didn't say anything in response. "I... I heard you talking with mother and father before you..." She paused herself, not wanting to finish that sentence. "What did father mean that you aligned with the other side?!"

Itachi grunted, not expecting that Kotomi had eavesdropped on their conversation. He felt like if he tried to hide it, she would only pursue him since she's too smart for her own good. Just like him. "I had no other choice..."

Kotomi grunted, slightly shaking. "But why..? What do you mean?"

Itachi felt like she was too young to understand. But then again, he went through a lot at her age as well. "I had to do this to protect the village. Our clan was about to start a war. I had to stop it... Even if it means slaughtering my family."

Kotomi started to tear up. "You say that... But why did you spare only me and Onii-san? Why?!"

Itachi let out a sigh through his nose. "I feel like you two are the only ones who can punish me for my sins. I know you must hate me. I know that Sasuke feels that way towards me now."

Her fists were trembling, tears were rolling down her face. "I could never hate you, Nii-san... Even though you did this... I can never hate you..."

"Kotomi. I don't deserve-"

"Even if the entire world turns against you, even if Onii-san goes against you, I will always be on your side! You can't change my mind!"

Itachi swallowed. He didn't deserve his sister still loving him. He planned to have them both hate him so they could both punish him when they get stronger. But that didn't seem like the case.

"Kotomi." Itachi spoke up. "Since you know the truth, it will be a huge burden on your shoulders. No matter what, you must not tell Sasuke."

"But why?! I don't want him to hate you! He needs to know why you did it!"

Itachi shook his head. "No, he must not know. I don't mind if he hates me. Whatever you do, you must not tell him the truth." He looked at his sister with worried eyes. "Forgive me for putting such a huge weight on you."

Kotomi shook her head, wiping away her tears. "It's ok. I will respect your wishes, and won't tell Onii-san this. I know that you have a good reason for not telling him."

Itachi couldn't even bring himself to smile at his sister's sincere words. "Thank you. Please look after Sasuke for me. Can you do that?"

Kotomi nodded. "I will..."

Itachi felt so bad for making her keep his secret, and for putting her through all this at such a young, tender age. "Goodbye imoto." With that, he disappeared in sight.

Kotomi turned around, still seeing Sasuke unconscious. She couldn't leave him like this. She had to get him to a hospital. Rushing over towards him, Kotomi had Sasuke's arm wrapped around her shoulder as she limped her way towards the village. A little girl carrying her older brother was no easy task since he was heavier than her.

***

Early next morning, Sasuke woke up, not knowing where he was for a second. He then realized that he was in the hospital. Turning his head, he saw that Kotomi was asleep while leaning down on his bed, her arms folded for cushion for her head.

Sasuke just stared at her, feeling mixed emotions. He was devastated that his parents and his entire clan was dead. He was outraged and full of hatred towards his brother. And lastly, he felt so relived that at least his sister was still alive.

Extending his hand towards her, Sasuke ran his fingers through her hair. It made her move a little, but it didn't wake her up. He stared at her even more, feeling the once ill feelings towards her disappear. He had to protect her from now on. Kotomi was all he had left.

A/N: I finally let this idea out! It's tough trying to form it into words! Sasuke now feels the need to protect Kotomi since she's the only family he has now. And then Kotomi has to keep Itachi's secret from Sasuke, placing a huge weight on her shoulders at a young age. My heart hurt writing this part.