The skies were dark in the Uchiha Compound. Blood was in the air and the substance was sticky on the bottoms of Itachi’s shoes. As he began to leave the compound, he could only imagine what Sasuke might think when he returned home. Sasuke had always been a peculiar child, unreasonably gifted; a prodigy since birth and always maintaining a cold and stoic manner about him. He was quiet, never talking unless he had to. Sasuke was an enigma to Itachi, and so he could only guess what Sasuke’s reaction would be. Would it be anger? Sorrow? A mix of the two? Would he awaken his Sharingan? Or perhaps even his Mangekyo? He hoped that in some way Sasuke could take this moment and grow from it. Become something more than he was, something that would see him seek vengeance on Itachi, claim justice, and become the greatest Shinobi of them all. That was his hop ...