Itachi found out that (Madara might not have been wrong after all) (Sasuke might have been bound by more chains that matrimony and fatherhood after all) he didn't know anything for sure anymore, on the night Sasuke and his bride exchanged their vows.
He was perched, in the dark, on the wall of the compound -- keeping watch with his back turned to the wall; one night of peace, my wedding gift to you, little brother -- when someone slipped out of the nuptial suite.
His brother. Leaving his bride alone.
Only to return, later on, towing along the Kyuubi child. Naruto. Towing him to the wall and up to the window and through to where his brand-new wife waited.
Oh.
He didn't move. He didn't leave, or turn around and come closer, or do anything but keep watch. That was his gift, and Sasuke didn't know he was giving it but that didn't mean Itachi got to take it back. His only gift. Because Sasuke must have known Itachi wouldn't hand him the life of the Jinchuuriki, or the life of the girl at the end of the pipeline, Sasuke surely didn't count on it, surely knew what would happen at the end of that road.
His little brother had always been foolish.
(He'd always loved Itachi first. Before.)
He waited until dawn, and then he left.
(Nothing had truly changed, anyway. Nothing that mattered.)
2/2
Itachi found out that (Madara might not have been wrong after all) (Sasuke might have been bound by more chains that matrimony and fatherhood after all) he didn't know anything for sure anymore, on the night Sasuke and his bride exchanged their vows.
He was perched, in the dark, on the wall of the compound -- keeping watch with his back turned to the wall; one night of peace, my wedding gift to you, little brother -- when someone slipped out of the nuptial suite.
His brother. Leaving his bride alone.
Only to return, later on, towing along the Kyuubi child. Naruto. Towing him to the wall and up to the window and through to where his brand-new wife waited.
Oh.
He didn't move. He didn't leave, or turn around and come closer, or do anything but keep watch. That was his gift, and Sasuke didn't know he was giving it but that didn't mean Itachi got to take it back. His only gift. Because Sasuke must have known Itachi wouldn't hand him the life of the Jinchuuriki, or the life of the girl at the end of the pipeline, Sasuke surely didn't count on it, surely knew what would happen at the end of that road.
His little brother had always been foolish.
(He'd always loved Itachi first. Before.)
He waited until dawn, and then he left.
(Nothing had truly changed, anyway. Nothing that mattered.)