He wasn't sure whether he was convincing her, or convincing himself, that he'd done absolutely everything that he could have done.

Sasuke's mind was filled with even more images - negotiations with the Hokage, threats made to Danzo, time after time that Itachi broke into the Village, risking everything to make sure Sasuke was all right. Akatsuki missions that he failed, purposefully failed, to protect Konoha, to keep the peace, to make sure everyone was safe... Faces blurred by tears. Faces blurred by decaying sharingan. Prayers and pleas. Whispers and hopes.

This time, the images stopped abruptly. And Itachi's eyes faded to a dull black.

"I... I can't show you... anymore..."