Young Itachi Uchiha was playing in the yard where his best friend opened the front gate. "Kisame!" he shouted, dropping the red and white ball he'd been throwing against the compound wall. He ran at the already 6 ft teen. "Hey there, tachi." Kisame stooped to pick up the boy and swing him around. "Business in the village?" Itachi asked, gripping kisa's hand when he set him down. "Yeah, I'll be in for a few days." "Yay!" Itachi bounced up and down and Kisame picked up back up, letting the younger wrap his arms around his neck and ride on his back.
Itachi's mother had a fondness for her son's older friend. He kept the boy occupied when he was in town and made the usually solemn boy happy and lively. His father, on the other hand, didn't approve of his son playing, much less with a six foot tall blue child from a foreign village. So, when Kisame was in the village, he could only visit his friend is secrecy. The tool shed in the Uchiha compound's backyard served as their meeting place. The small porch like shade along the back made enough shade for the two of them.
"Why do you have paint on your nails, Kisame-sama?" Itachi asked, unpacking a small basket of treats stolen from the kitchen and a thermos of tea. The elder blushed.
"It's a personal thing, Itachi-san."
"You've told me personal things before."
Kisame chuckled and ruffled the young Uchiha's hair. "Quick as ever." He laughed. Itachi leaned up and tried to do the same to Kisame. Kisame dodged him and laughed. Itachi stared at him intently. Kisame sighed. "Soon, really soon, actually, I'll be… leaving my village." He tried to explain. "Will you be coming here?" Itachi brightened instantly. "No, Itachi-san. I'm afraid not." Itachi frowned and looked solemn again. "Where will you go then?" he asked, worry creeping into his expression. Kisame touched his face gently. "I'm leaving, Itachi-san. I'm leaving for good." Itachi's face fell.
Kisame was shocked. This was the closest he'd ever seen Itachi come to crying. Including the time the boy had skinned his knees and shins bare of skin and walked then walked halfway home. Kisame pulled him into a friendly hug. "It's alright, tachi, it's not forever. We may meet again." Itachi sniffled. "If you say so, senpai." He said miserably. He hugged back, but continued to stare at Kisame's painted nails, as if blaming them for his leaving. "Would you like me to do your?" he asked, a smile in his tone. Itachi looked up at him seriously and nodded.
Itachi set out their snack and poured them both tea while Kisame sought the paint in his bag. They settled down for a peaceful last afternoon.
*≠*
It ha been years since Kisame had vanished from Itachi's life. Since his friend had gone, Itachi had become a solemn, intense child.
*≠*
Moving forward again, Itachi was joining the infamous criminal organization, the Akatsuki. "You spilled a lot of blood." The light edged shadow said quietly. "I'm aware." Itachi replied flatly. "Because we can't be sure how dangerous you are just yet, you will be paired with another, more powerful member." The shadow said. "I understand." Itachi replied, repressing his impatience. "He will be waiting in the room you will share. Go now." The shadow winked out of existence. Itachi hid his face behind the collar of his cloak and entered the Akatsuki's lair.
He found the room with the symbol on his ring emblazoned on the door. There was another symbol. South. He pushed open the door and froze in shock.
"hey, tachi."
"Kisame-sama?"
