I do not own Naruto or any of its characters. Anyone that doesn't sound familiar I obviously own. This fic is rated M for future content as well as certain themes that are not appropriate for the T rating, this includes violence and gore. This fic will eventually involve relationships with a minor as well as other things that would make your most liberal friend blush.

Summary: This is pretty much how Kisame and Itachi met and how their relationship evolves as the years go by. Part I deals with the time Itachi joined the Akatsuki and goes as far as the Chuunin Exam arc. This is not an AU nor will it contain any OOC, or at least I will strive to keep it at a minimum. That's right: Itachi is not friends with Deidara, Sasori is not friendly, and Hidan joins the Akatsuki when he's supposed to. You like anachronism, AU, and OOCness this fic is not for you.

Due to the rules and regulations of FF dot net, anything remotely too sexual will be edited. I will inform you if the chapter's content is changed and I will supply an alternative link for your viewing pleasure.

I welcome criticisms, which include childish flames and constructive criticism. I will not delete your comments because that would be immature and cowardly of me. I take writing seriously, so if you have anything constructive to say so that I may improve my writing, by all means tell me.

Enjoy

Part I, Chapter 1

BAM!

"This is an outrage!" yelled Orochimaru slamming his fist onto a tree.

Sasori looked up at his disgruntled partner, not caring why he was upset. "You knew that the Uchiha boy was going to have that new guy as his partner."

The snake-like ninja hissed as his partner. "That man is an oaf, just like all the other Mist ninjas. He doesn't even respect Itachi like he should be! And where do you think you're going, Sasori?"

"I don't feel like talking to you," replied Sasori as he shuffled towards the entrance of Akatsuki hideout.

Earlier that day, the young Uchiha looked at his partner nonchalantly as Pein made the introductions. The boy had joined the Akatsuki one week ago right after an ANBU mission near the Kumogakure, the Village Hidden in the Clouds. He was only an eleven-year-old, but Pein had accepted him without too much hesitation. Itachi was not surprised; everyone heard of him and his amazing abilities. Surprisingly, Pein had told him to return in a week, being very vague about why, but Itachi nonetheless obeyed him. He figured it had to do with his partner. Itachi didn't care who his partner would be, just as long he or she was not obsessive like Orochimaru.

"This is Kisame Hoshigaki of the Mist Village," said Pein through his hologram. "I expect the both of you to be as efficient as possible and not kill one another. I have enough problems with Kakuzu as it is."

"Yes, Sir Leader," replied Itachi.

"I'll contact the both of you when you are needed for a mission. That is all." Pein's shadowy hologram disappeared, leaving the two new members looking at one another.

Itachi looked up to get a better look at his partner. He was indeed a tall man, definitely over six feet. And blue. Very, very, blue. With big shark teeth underneath an amused smile, and shark eyes. And he had gills too! Itachi was not one to stare, and he certainly had seen many different kinds of people since being in ANBU, but it was his first time ever looking at someone like Kisame. It was a good thing he was able to mask his amazement very well with a stoic face.

"Hello Hoshigaki-san," the boy replied politely.

Keeping the same smile on his face, Kisame chuckled, "You can call me Kisame. Hoshigaki-san sounds like my dad."

The boy nodded, "Very well."

"You're young," the shark-nin mused aloud.

Typical response. Everyone thought Itachi was too young and was mocked for it, yet whenever anyone saw the boy's prodigious skills, they were immediately humbled to a point where they kissed his ass for everything. It was sickening and patronizing. "You think I'm not good enough?"

Kisame chuckled jovially. "Of course not. If you're here that must mean something. Besides, I've worked with people younger than you before. You seem more tolerable than the other kid though."

"I see," replied Itachi.

"Well tell me about yourself."

"My name is Itachi Uchiha of Konoha's Uchiha clan. I'm eleven-years-old and currently in ANBU."

"Impressive, Itachi-san," the Mist ninja complimented. "Well I was one of the Seven Swordsmen of the Mist, but I left." He shrugged. "My sword is named Samehada and it shaves instead of cutting. But don't get too close, it can absorb huge amounts of charka if it felt like it. And then…"

'He talks too much,' thought Itachi as his new partner continue to ramble on about his life story. He was about to ask Kisame to please be quiet, when the said person pat Itachi's left shoulder unaware of how much strength he was putting in the gesture. Itachi tried his best not to show signs of losing his balance, but his wobbling and stretching out his hands for stability gave him out.

"Oh sorry about that Itachi-san," said Kisame, scratching his head apologetically. "Sometimes I don't know my own strength. I kinda forgot that you were eleven."

'Kinda?' Itachi thought in vexation.

"Don't get mad, Itachi. I said I was sorry. What do you want me to do? Get on my knees and beg for forgiveness? Haha, not gonna happen."

For a short moment, Itachi's annoyance dwindled and suddenly felt as if he were at peace. It was the first time anyone gave him a response as daring and sincere as Kisame's. Most people would have apologized in fear, adoration, or with no honesty at all. He was sick of people cowering at his name. He was sick of people kissing the floor he walked on. And he was sick of people hating him just because he was a prodigy and came from the Uchiha clan. But who was he kidding? He knew most of the hate directed at him came from his very own clan. Kisame didn't seem to know who he was, and even if he did, the Mist-nin did not look like he cared. Perhaps this was the beginning of a new friendship or at least a fellowship where he was truly an equal to his partner as a person and a ninja.

"Well since you don't look pouty anymore, how about we celebrate by getting some daifuku or dango."

Itachi's gave Kisame his undivided attention, "Dango?"

"What you don't like it? Oh I get it." Kisame rolled his eyes, "You're too "old" to be eating sweets. Geez, you're starting to sound like Zabuza."

"I never said I didn't like dango," replied Itachi nonchalantly. He secretly didn't want Kisame to think he was childish for liking the confectionary, but if he insists so much, then Itachi might as well take advantage of the offer. It was the very least he could do, he thought.

"Then come on," the shark-like man said as he was making his way out of the cave.

Itachi followed suit then paused. "I don't think I can go."

Kisame turned around. "Eh?"

"I have to go back now or else people will begin to suspect something," the boy answered with a straight face.

"That's understandable. Perhaps next time, Itachi-san." Kisame walked towards the entrance and stopped. "Oh and that Orochimaru guy. Eh… stay away from him okay? He doesn't look…safe."

"I can handle him."

Kisame sighed, "I'm sure you can, but that's not what I meant. Anyway, see ya later."

'What else could Kisame have meant by that?' the Uchiha thought as his partner opened the door and left the cave.