Itachi was silent. Always. It was his way. He didn't talk unless he had to. He only answered questions when they were pertinent. He never asked for a break, or a raise. This was why Leader kept him around.
He got along well with his partner, which was something that very few members could say. Kisame was loyal, and gentle, to a degree. He did what Itachi told him, when he told him. And he would protect Itachi, whether he needed it or not. They got along.
Itachi talked little more than he did with the others around his partner, but it WAS a little more. He would sometimes say things, little things, for Kisame to think about. His icy composure never dropped, his voice never faltered. But Kisame was always talking about interesting things, things Itachi wondered about at night. And so Itachi grew to like Kisame.
Over time, he took to Kisame's companionship. It was the only form of this that had ever gone farther than simply understanding each other's fighting styles and moves. Indeed, he began to understand Kisame himself. And, to a degree, he began to feel that Kisame was understanding him. And so they grew closer.
Itachi did not know about Kisame's feelings until one day when the older male had stopped in the middle of the path away from the Akatsuki Lair. He was hesitating. Itachi knew it. So he stopped to allow him to catch up. And Kisame looked at him, and he knew that Kisame was worried about something. Then, without a word, he moved forward and kissed him. Then he pulled away.
And Itachi felt something that he hadn't in a long time. He just looked up at Kisame, and did nothing, because of this feeling that he was so new to. And the feeling grew. And it grew. And he felt it flying out his mouth.
And Itachi laughed.