Naruto: Uchiha’s Blood Curse

In the dark forest, Mahito moved quickly and silently while holding her brother's limp body over her back. She avoided all the patrols and traps, she couldn't let anyone see her this time. 

Because she wasn't planning on returning any time soon. 

After what felt like hours, Mahito reached where she had hidden the Akatsuki cloak. She carefully lowered Itachi to the ground before kneeling beside the trunk. 

Using her kunai, she started to search through the leaves and dirt. She pulled the cloak and tried to clean it up as best as possible. 

'It's not impossible to wear.' thinking that to herself, she heaved a sigh and draped the cloak over her shoulders. 

The cloak was ironically very comfortable and warm. She then carried her brother slowly, making sure to not hurt him in the slightest, before finally glancing at Konoha for the last time. 

It was time to leave. 

"I'm sorry, Mom, Dad, and Sasuke."

Her golden eyes were slightly wet, but she roughly rubbed them to remove any tears that wanted to fall. She was leaving for her family's sake, she couldn't allow herself to be weak. 

'I really wanted to see Sasuke and Naruto grow together while I'm helping them directly.'

But things didn't go as she wished. Deep inside her, she can feel something unpleasant growing stronger and stronger. Mahito knew she had to get rid of that before allowing herself to be around the two babies. 

It was the only way for her to be at ease. 

∘₊✧──────✧₊∘

Itachi stirred, his eyes fluttering open with a soft groan. The first thing he saw was his sister staring at him while sitting cross-legged, her Sharingan glowing under the moonlight.

"Mahito?" he asked groggily. "What… what happened?"

She smiled faintly though she didn't move, "Good evening, glad you are awake."

Itachi sat up slowly, rubbing the back of his neck as he recalled what happened. "Why did you—" His eyes widened once he saw what his sister was wearing. It was the same cloak that the masked man wore. 

"What's going on? Why did you knock me out? And why are we out here?"

Mahito's smile didn't fade, but she looked exhausted as she leaned back on the tree. 

"I'll explain everything, but I need you to listen and to trust me, Itachi. This isn't just about me or you. It's about the Uchiha, the village, and… the peace you want so badly."

"Huh?" Itachi was confused, but he nodded nonetheless. "I'm listening, so explain."

Mahito took a deep breath and looked away from him. She didn't know if her words may make him feel betrayed, but she had to tell her brother.

"Since I was five, I've been studying and training in secret. You already know how good I am at many things, but that also made me learn about unpleasant things."

"What things?" 

"Conspiracy shit," her rough language made Itachi flinch, "There's a specific branch of ANBU under Danzo Shimura, that motherfucker."

She tapped on her knee as she continued, "It's called Root. Danzo is obsessed with power and control, and he sees the Uchiha as nothing more than tools. And the Third Hokage gave him a lot of the benefit of the doubt, it's insane. His plan is to manipulate our clan, make us his pawns, and then wipe us out to take the Sharingan for himself."

Itachi's eyes widened in shock. "What? That's just impossible! But if this is true, we need to tell Father—"

Mahito raised a hand, cutting him off. "And you expect Dad will just believe us? He's the head of the clan, even if he wanted, the other higher ups have a say in this matter. Itachi, we are just kids. Talented, yes. But we're still just kids."

She gave him a bitter smile. 

"Dadwould assume we're being tricked or brainwashed by someone else. Why? Because we don't have a fucking proof. We'll only increase the tension between the Uchiha and Konoha."

Itachi opened his mouth to argue but stopped. He couldn't argue facts even if he wanted to. Their father was proud and cautious, and without concrete evidence, he'd never take such claims seriously.

Especially that he himself was unable to detect any thing, would he believe that his kid uncovered the truth? 

Mahito leaned forward while closing her eyes. 

"I know what you are thinking, and I'm thinking just the same. That's why we need to wait. We need to gather evidence and become strong enough to protect ourselves to negotiate with the Fourth Hokage—shoulder to shoulder—and stop Danzo from his crap."

She gave her brother a wry smile before leaning towards him and patting his shoulder. 

"If we do it right, we can save the Uchiha and raise our status in the village as well."

"So… we'll be missing-nin? Until we're strong enough?" Mahito nodded. And Itachi hesitated before asking, "But why do we have to leave the village to get stronger? Can't we stay and train here? That way, we'll also be able to observe the situation from a closer angle."

Mahito's expression turned cold as she stood up, she shook her head and bitterly told her brother the truth.

"But if we stay there for so long, I may end up killing everyone, even our family."

Itachi felthis heart thumping loudly once he saw his sister like that. It was so weak and helpless that he had to question his eyes.

"What do you mean?"

Mahito sighed, her shoulders slumping slightly. "I didn't want to tell you this, but you deserve to know—to protect yourself from me as well."

She looked back at him, her Sharingan staring deeply at him as she asked him one question.

"Have you ever wondered why Tobirama hated the Uchiha so much?"