When the Moon Comes Out from Behind the Shadows

Itachi stood in front of the mirror, examining the robes he had put on, making sure they completely covered the tight, scant clothes he had on underneath. Today he would finally meet his fate. He had prepared himself for this moment from the time he was a child. His father and mother had always told him that someday he would have to leave the village and serve the Moon God. Now, on his eighteenth birthday, Itachi had to fulfill his duty to his clan and family. If he didn't, the burden would undoubtedly fall on Sasuke.

A soft knock on the door drew his eyes away from the mirror. Time seemed to move too fast today for his liking, and there was nothing he could do to slow it down or stop it. Sighing, Itachi walked over to the double sitting chair and sat down. “Come in.”

The door opened slowly, and a dark tuft of spiky hair appeared. Soon the rest of Sasuke followed. “Father sent me to get you.”

“Sasuke, sit down with me for a moment.” Itachi patted the space next to him, grateful for one last chance to see his baby brother before the ceremony.

Sasuke moved towards him, slowly, and Itachi knew why his brother hesitated. Last night when he put Sasuke to bed, it had been strange for them both. It had been a few years since he tucked Sasuke in, but one last time… that’s all he wanted. And his little brother indulged him, both of them knowing they would never get a chance to see each other again.

When Sasuke sat down, they sat there silently for a few moments. Soon he would have to go to the temple and prepare himself for the ceremony. By midnight tonight, he would have to recite his lines and drink the sacred water so that he could be offered up to their Moon God. Still even though he had prepared for this moment his whole life, he couldn’t help the bitter feeling of regret that swelled inside of him. He had never asked for this. He didn't want it.

Itachi tried to still his nervousness as he drew Sasuke’s head onto his shoulder. “I shall miss you the most, Sasuke.”

When Sasuke’s body began to shake, Itachi could feel the first of his tears trickle down his cheeks. This would be harder for him than he thought. He knew saying goodbye to Sasuke wouldn’t be easy, but he thought he could control his feelings better. Instead, the both of them were left clutching onto the last remnants of their bond as brothers and as friends.

Itachi reached his hand down and wiped the tears from Sasuke’s face, a faint smile on his lips that betrayed how lonely he felt. Shifting his body to give them more room, he looked down and noticed Sasuke was looking up at him.

“Why you?” Sasuke looked up at Itachi, a look of anger crossing over his face. “Why can’t it be someone else?”

“Because, father is the head of the clan.” Itachi curled his fingers around Sasuke’s arm like his body thought if he didn’t let go, then he wouldn’t have to say goodbye. “If not for me, it would be you Sasuke.”

“I don't care,” Sasuke whispered and held onto Itachi tighter

“Don't forget me, Sasuke.” Itachi watched the clock, knowing that seeing it run down didn't help, but he couldn't stop doing it either.

This was their own way saying goodbye to each other, and he wanted to know exactly when it would end. Itachi needed it. Sasuke on the other hand probably needed to avoid doing that. It hardly mattered, though. Right now, they would not be disturbed. He had already done his duty by speaking to their parents this morning. Itachi rested his head on Sasuke's shoulder, squeezing it tightly, and sighed as they both allowed themselves to be comforted one last time because this time tomorrow they’d both be worlds apart.

~*~

“Uchiha Itachi, son of Uchiha Fugaku and Uchiha Mikoto.” The head Priest’s voice summoned Itachi loudly from the front of the temple. He stood several feet away from Itachi wearing white robes, his gray hair held back with a clasp.

The other priests and family heads were standing behind Itachi. All of them had come to see him off in hopes that it would bring them good fortune and please the Moon God. He could hear them murmuring, and fought back the urge to look behind him. The head Priest silenced them and continued.

“Itachi, it is your sacred duty to serve the Moon God for you clan and your family. Do you accept this honor to leave your family and your life for the service of our Moon God until you have fulfilled your use to him?”

Itachi contained the urge to bitterly ask what choice he really had. Sure, he could refuse, then the burden would fall on Sasuke or his family would be exiled from the clan in shame. The lower Priests had already groomed him for his duties servicing the Moon God, and there was no way he’d risk ruining Sasuke’s life. No, he would accept his fate for his family and brother.

Stepping forward, Itachi respectfully bowed his head. “I humbly accept my duties and will honor the clan by serving the Moon God for the next two hundred years. May his kindness and blessings be bestowed upon our clan. May his strength and courage flow through our veins so the Uchiha can remain the most powerful to keep our lands.”

“Then step forward and receive our blessing.” The Priest held out his hand and beckoned Itachi to come forward.

When he moved forward, Itachi had to resist the urge to look back at his father. They had never been on good terms. His entire childhood had never been his own. They had never agreed on anything, and a part of him knew that was because he had been forced into this existence. The clan regarded him as their savor while he felt like nothing more than a cheap whore.

Fortunately, Sasuke had been spared the pain of coming to the ceremony. Itachi had already said his goodbyes to his brother and did not wish for him to see this.

The Priest moved aside and began to recite the incantations. Soon a servant of the Moon God would appear to take him. Once the Priest had finished, Itachi stepped forward to take the plain wooden cup that held their sacred water. For a moment he hesitated then drank the water.

When he handed the cup back, a bright white light lit up the entire wall of the temple behind the Priest, causing the small door to momentarily seem like it had disappeared.

The room grew silent, and a man stepped out from the white light. His hair was a reddish-orange color and his faced had multiple piercings along the bridge of his nose and earlobes. There were also two spikes sticking out from the bottom of his lips. He wore a black cloak that had a red swirl clasp on the front.

Itachi stood proudly, not bothering to lower his eyes, knowing this man would only be his guide to the Moon God.

“Is this the man you’re offering?” his guide asked.

“Yes, Uchiha Itachi, first born of Fugaku, the head of our clan,” the Priest answered.

“Come with me, Itachi. The Moon God has been waiting for your arrival.” Itachi’s guide held out his hand.

Itachi stepped forward and took his hand. He could hear a gasp, and knew his mother was crying, but he kept his eyes forward. There was no sense in looking back now for it would break his heart to see her in such pain. Instead, he took the man’s hand and walked through the white light. When he reached the other side, he immediately saw that they were in a huge structure, most likely the Moon God’s palace. They stood in a hallway, and he could see a large set of doors at the end.

When his guide turned around, Itachi noticed a large pale moon on the back of his cloak, a sign that he was a servant of the Moon God. Without saying a word, the man started walking down the large hallway.

Itachi walked behind the man with reddish-orange hair, careful to keep his eyes down like the Priests had taught him. Before long, dawn would be coming up over the Uchiha's land. He could imagine how Sasuke would get up in the morning, excited to start his day as a hunter only to realize that father would be taking him instead.

Now with the ceremony done, and his family out of his reach, Itachi could feel a small prickle of fear for the unknown, not something he usually felt. But in this room, he was powerless. The Moon God could deem him unworthy, and then his family and clan would suffer the consequences. He didn’t want to bear the thought of their lives being ruined because he had messed up.

Moving in small careful steps, Itachi kept up with his guide without hurrying towards his possible demise. If felt like time had slowed down and their walk across the hallway would take forever to end.

Finally, the man stopped, and Itachi glanced up, his curiosity overriding his sense of propriety. They stood in front a large set of double doors. There were two large panels, one on each door. The panel to the left had a picture of the Moon God watching over a small village. On the right, there was a picture of the Uchiha fighting a fierce battle while the Moon God watched over them. Rubies and Diamonds adorned the inner edges of the panels, and the doorknobs looked to be made from gold.

Two guards, dressed in leather armor stood before them. Their armor consisted of leather arm and leg braces, a full plate that went down to their knees. All the armor was reinforced with metal panels stitched into them. Both the guards also wore boots that were made like the rest of the armor. The guards nodded to them and opened the doors.

Itachi stepped through the doorway into a large lighted room. He immediately bowed his head again. He was now in the presence of the Moon God. From what he could see in his brief glance were a few guards standing by, but the room was otherwise empty. The floor below him had a deep reddish hue with black flecks peppered throughout and looked like it was made of marble.

“Bring him closer, Yahiko. I want to take a look at him.”

A deep voice echoed throughout the room making a chill run down Itachi’s spine. The voice commanded enough authority for Itachi to realize whose presence he was in for only a God could instill both awe and terror so quickly. Itachi's instincts told him to run, to flee this place and go home to his family, but he stood still and waited.

The man who brought him, Yahiko if Itachi assumed correctly, wrap his fingers around Itachi’s shoulder, gripping it firmly. “Come with me.”

Itachi allowed himself to be led up the small set of stairs until they stopped at the foot of the throne. Holding back a sigh, he waited for his instructions.

“Look at me.”

Itachi carefully looked up. Curiosity along with wariness dominated his thoughts, but he didn’t forget his manners or his role. Once the grip on his shoulders left, he knelt down in front of his Moon God while keeping his eyes upward, not wanting to displease his new master. He wasn’t sure he could tear his away even if he wanted to.

Itachi had never seen hair that color before. The Moon God had hair the color of crimson, the richest color red, Itachi had ever seen. His skin was pale, though not pale like an Uchiha’s. And even though the Moon God had no smile, he could see inquisitiveness in those lavender eyes that seemed to bore into his soul.

“Aren’t you going to introduce yourself?” The Moon God asked.

“I am Uchiha Itachi, son of Fugaku.” Itachi placed his right hand on the Moon God’s knee, careful to only rest it lightly enough so that he didn’t seem to forward. “I am the Uchihas’ sacrifice, here to do your bidding.”

“I know you’re name, Itachi, but let me ask you this. Did you want to come here?”

Itachi could lie. He had done it many times to keep Sasuke out of trouble with their father. Here, though, in the presence of someone he would have to trust with his life, he couldn’t bring himself to do it. “No. As you know, the first born son of our clan leader has no choice. It’s a role we’re born into.”

The Moon God chuckled, his shoulders moving up and down slightly. Tapping his fingers against the armrest, he looked Itachi over once more. “I think I like this one better than the last. At least he is brave enough to be honest. Take him to his room so he can prepare for dinner.”

Yahiko laid his hand on Itachi’s shoulder. “Follow me.”

Itachi stood up, and he found it difficult to force his eyes away from the God in front of him. He followed Yahiko to the door on their right, which opened up into a much shorter hallway than the one when he first arrived. They passed several rooms before coming to stop at the last door on the left. The door was a simple wooden door with no additional adornments. A part of him felt relived that he wouldn’t have to stay in an overly lavish room before dinner.

“This is your room.” Yahiko opened the door and let Itachi walk through. “I’ll send your servant by to help you get dressed. You’ll be expected to eat dinner with Nagato tonight.”

Yahiko shut the door, leaving Itachi alone. Looking around, he took in his room. It was far larger and more extravagant than he thought it’d be. The outside had deceived him. The room had been painted in a calming cream color. The bed, which had four medium posts on each end, looked big enough for him and maybe one other person to sleep in, and the bedding was a mixture of red and black. The bed had a small table next to it, most likely used to store fruit or wine.

His fingers moved across the smooth surface of the small wooden dresser that stood next to the door. Across the room, on the far right wall, there was a large amour. But what caught Itachi’s attention the most were the two glass doors that led out onto a balcony. He would definitely have to check that out later. If for some reason he was kept indoors for most of his stay, he could use it to enjoy fresh air and sunshine.

A sudden knock on the door pulled Itachi's thoughts away from the balcony. He glanced back at the door, tempted to say nothing at first, though his sense of duty and curiosity won out after a few long seconds passed. “Enter.”

A young man hurried into the room, almost tripping over his own feet. He quickly recovered and stood proudly in front of Itachi, holding a folded pile of clothes in his arms. “Here, Master Itachi, I brought you these clothes to try on.”

Black garments were thrust into Itachi’s hand with and exuberance he had never seen. The boy had to have been around Sasuke’s age. His thick black hair had been cut short and shaped like a bowl, and he had big round inquisitive eyes with bushy eyebrows above them. The boy’s feet shifted back and forth like he was having trouble standing still. Itachi chuckled at the energy he exhibited.

“What’s your name, boy?” He lifted up the garments, noticing the cloth had a mix of black and blood red colors. His eyebrows knitted together. Itachi had to wonder if the colors were for his benefit or if the Moon God preferred anything that reminded him of the color of blood.

“My name is Lee, Master—”

“Lee, thank you for bringing me my new clothes. I appreciate that.” Itachi bowed respectfully. “However, I must insist you call me Itachi.”

“But…” The boy’s face sunk for a moment before his bright smile lit up the room, and he nodded his head. “As you wish, Mast— Itachi!”

Itachi smiled. He had never seen someone with so much energy and motivation to do their job correctly. In the short time he had been here, Lee was the brightest spot in the place, though he knew that there'd be days when that kind of energy would feel exhausting. “When will I be expected for dinner?”

Lee looked at him with a confused expression. “Whenever Nagato decides to dine.”

“There’s no specific time?” Itachi didn’t comment on Lee’s use of the Moon God’s name. It was strange to him that a mere servant boy would feel so comfortable doing so.

“Our master eats whenever he wishes,” Lee explained excitedly, his feet shifting back and forth like standing still proved the most difficult task in the world. He looked ready to bolt off and run a marathon any second. “He doesn’t keep any schedules for it. When he’s ready, you’ll be summoned!”

The last part sounded a little too enthusiastic for Itachi’s tastes. He wasn't some spirit to be conjured at moments notice. He would rather have a set time instead of waiting to be called. Still, there wasn’t anything he could do about it. And even though a part of him wished to ask Lee more questions, he decided that more than anything, he needed to be alone for awhile. After all, who knew when he be summoned.

Itachi covered up his irritation and politely smiled at Lee. “Thank you for all your help, Lee, but I think I want some privacy now if you don’t mind.”

“As you wish, Mast—Itachi!” Lee quickly bowed before exiting the room in a flurry of energy and exuberantly, shutting the door behind him.

Itachi winced at the loud banging sound that reverberated throughout his room. He briefly wondered if Lee was always like that if the boy actually knew how to stand still and slow down occasionally.

Setting the clothes onto the bed, Itachi carefully unfolded them so he could get a better look. The shirt and pants were black and both had loose ties to hold them in place. A dark red outer shirt rested at the bottom of the pile and had no ties or buttons. When Itachi turned it over, he saw the Uchiha family crest stitched into it. Strange his clans symbol would be so openly displayed if he was to be a mere servant.

Shoes and socks were notably missing. Lee didn’t give him any and Itachi hadn't thought to look or ask for them, though the temperature in the room felt comfortable enough that he probably didn’t need them anyway.

Getting out of the clothes he had worn to the ceremony provided a certain amount of satisfaction. Underneath his robes, he felt exposed, and the small amount of clothing the priests had required him to wear, didn’t cover enough of his body. It had been painfully clear they expected him to be the Moon God's concubine. Now he could be rid of them and temporarily dispose of the memory of what they had been used for.

The belt to his robe easily came undone. Itachi let it let it fall to the floor and moved onto the next part—his fingers gracefully going over the leather cloth the covered his lower regions. Each side of his hips had a tied knot that kept the cloth from falling off. He undid the ties and slid the garment off his body, along with pulling the flimsy half shirt he wore over his head. That outfit had squeezed him in all the wrong places so he felt nothing more than relief to have it off.

After dressing himself in his comfortable new clothes, he sat down on the bed for a moment, feeling the soft texture of the bedding. The blanket was satin. Unlike silk, it felt soft and smooth no matter which way he ran his fingers over it. The temptation to lay down and sleep almost lured him in. Then the sunlight caught his attention and he turned his head towards it.

Glancing over at the balcony, he slid off the bed and stood up, deciding that since he had extra time, he’d check it out.

Itachi opened up the glass doors and stepped outside. Time here was obviously different than his village. The sky had a reddish-purple tint to it now that the sun had started to set. There were two chairs, a lounging seat, and a small table.

He walked over the railing and looked down. The view from the balcony overlooked a grassy area where some children were playing with a ball and some sticks. A large fountain that had a stone statue of a man stood in the middle. Watching the group of children, he wondered if Lee was out there playing. The priests had never told him there would be children here or so much laughter. Itachi had expected to be immediately be shuffled off to a private chamber where he would have to start his new duties in the service of the Moon God.

There was a forest past the grassy area and fountain. For all his worry, so far, he couldn’t find anything that would be too unbearable other than leaving his home, friends, and family. He supposed that was enough to take away some of the awe and shine. Still, it seemed more like paradise than a fated burden he had always thought he'd have to bear. Of course, he hadn’t been here long enough to make that assessment.

Itachi turned away from the children playing and sat down on the lounging seat on the balcony. His mind kept going back to all he had seen so far. The sound of laughter and water calmed him a little, and he closed his eyes, letting his sense of hearing appreciate it all the more. Lee had told him he would be summoned for dinner so a small rest couldn’t hurt. If anything, it would help calm his nerves and leave him feeling refreshed after a long day.

He closed his eyes, let the warm breeze wash over his face, and then not too soon after, started to drift off.