AN: Naruto is owned by Kishimoto. I only hold rights to the characters you don't recognize. Big thanks to my coworker, Justin, for the help. Hope you enjoy!

-0-

Chapter 1

See the mirror in your eyes
See the truth behind the lies
Your lies are haunting me

See the reason in your eyes
Giving answer to the why
Your eyes are haunting me

- Armin van Buren, "In and Out of Love"

-0-

The sun glistened off the edge of the blade of the kunai that lay forgotten amongst the tall weeds of the grassy plain. Close by sat its owner, propped up against a tree. His arms lay limp at his sides, palms to the sky with fingers caked in old blood. The man wore battle garments consistent with that of a highly ranking scout from the Earth Nation. From the signs of it, it seemed as though some delusion must have come over him, forcing him to claw his own throat out to escape.

A gentle breeze rolled through the plain, shifting and tumbling the stocks of the weeds and tall grass. Suddenly, the grotesque truth shown through the deceitfully graceful area. Scattered around the scout were the diced, mangled, and charred remains of nearly six other men and women; each wearing the same battle garments as the man against the tree. The wind calmed, once again lifting the peaceful veil.

-0-

Leaves crunched under the weight of sandals as two figures emerged from the thin forest bordering the Grass and Earth nations. A tall, odd looking man with blue skin and spiky hair carrying a large, crude weapon wrapped in bandages stood beside a shorter man whom could be no older than seventeen or eighteen with straight black hair and pale black eyes that carried a dead and overly serious look in them. They both wore similar cloaks, jet black with red clouds scattered around, and had headbands with symbols scratched out on their foreheads. The area they had emerged to find was the edge of a cliff-face overlooking a small town at its basin.

"I really wish you would help me when we get ambushed like that. It's a real pain sometimes." Spoke the taller, blue-skinned man.

"It was your own fault that they saw us," the shorter man's voice was flat and cold.

The blue man rubbed his neck and frowned with his lip-less, razor-toothed mouth. "People are starting to recognize us. We need to start using a different path. I really don't understand your fascination with this little shithole."

The shorter man had already begun removing his coat and headband, and was in the process of packing them tightly into a sack he had slung around his shoulder. He wore crude and tattered battle garments with no clear distinction as to a faction. He pulled out plainer clothes and began to change.

"Good idea," spoke the blue man, who began to do the same. "Wouldn't be wise to get noticed again, would it?" He smiled wryly and looked up, seeing no trace of his companion. "Itachi-san? Where the hell? Itachi-san, wait up, dammit!"

-0-

The town, Two Points, was small, and couldn't possibly hold more than two hundred or so inhabitants. It was named after the only two ways in and out of the town. Aside from a few rice farms the only real attractions were a small inn with a stew house built in, and a lazily flowing water lily filled river that ran through its center, which was a rarity in this part of the world. Itachi and his blue-skinned companion, Kisame, headed straight for the stew-house and found a table.

Kisame shuffled with aggravation while trying to break apart a pair of chopsticks as the stew pot boiled in the center of their table.

"Even in plain clothes we attract a lot of attention," he muttered under his breath while inspecting the chop sticks that seemed to not want to break apart.

"You can't blame them for staring. You look like you should be a part of the stew, not eating it."

"EHH?!" Kisame exclaimed loudly as he broke the chopsticks apart and stabbed them into the table. The stew house hushed. Multiple pairs of eyes were now locked on the odd duo. A vain bulged in Kisame's head before he noticed the attention he had drawn. He smiled awkwardly, grabbing his neck and waved off the attention from the on-lookers while apologizing. His shifted an irritated look towards Itachi afterwards.

"On the rare occasion that you do speak you never miss an opportunity to be an ass, ya know that?"

Itachi filled his bowl with rice and stew without paying Kisame any mind or bothering with a response.

-0-

CRASH!

Dishes fell and broke apart behind the curtain leading to the kitchen. Behind it stood a very worried looking girl around the age of seventeen. She was skinny and fragile looking, but not skin and bone. She seemed to have lead a life of poverty. She had purple, curly hair that fell messily around her neck and collar bones, and bore a strange insignia on her forehead that obviously had been attempted to be hidden under her disheveled bangs.

Oh no. Not again. Worried amethyst eyes peered down at the accident she had just caused. Without my glasses I can't see, and-

"Dammit, Atsuko! How many times have I told you to pull your hair back into a bun when working! That's the third stack of plates you've broken this week from bumping into a wall!"

The girl turned to face the angry chef and bowed while blushing nervously. "I am very sorry, Hideki-san! I didn't mean to! It won't happen ah-"

"Save your breath, Atsuko. You're lucky I knew your father so well. I can't let that younger brother of yours starve and I owe it to Danto for enlisting in the Corps in my old ass place. I won't fire you, JUST BE MORE CAREFUL!"

"Thank you, Hideki-san!"

"Yeah yeah, too kind for my own good. Here, take some more tea to table twelve. We have a couple of travelers tonight."

"Yes, sir!"

The chef sighed as the girl grabbed the tea kettle and two cups and scurried off.

-0-

Kisame and Itachi sat with their hands clasped over their meals in some sort of silent prayer or meditation when Atsuko approached with their tea. She held her head down and placed the two cups beside their plates and poured Kisame's glass. She began to pour Itachi's when she looked up and saw him. Her face flushed red again.

"Eh?! It-, It-" the tea was missing the cup entirely. Itachi silently pushed the cup under the flow, and lifted the lip of the kettle to halt it.

"That's enough, thank you." The girl, flustered and speechless, nodded and backed away while completely red faced. She heard the man's blue skinned companion laugh loudly.

"What I wouldn't give to have the effect on the ladies some days! Hahahahhahaha! If only you'd learn how to use that charm of yours!"

-0-

The day turned to night and the pair of travelers found themselves in a dimly lit inn room. Kisame sat sharpening his teeth with a kunai while Itachi meditated silently. It was a pathetic little room with nothing to offer except two futons and a table between the two with a pair of candles for light.

"Ya know, Itachi-san, this place does have its charm, and I'm not complaining about having a roof over me from time to time, but do you really think it's smart to keep staying-aah! Shhhhhhhhiii-ettetettt" Kisame's kunai landed on the ground beside him with a dab of blood of its tip.

"It's a sign."

Kisame removed his hand from in front of his mouth. "A sign? Of what?"

"That you talk too much."

A vain bulged in Kisame's head; however, this time he kept his comment to himself and went back to sharpening his teeth. Itachi stood up without a word and exited through the sliding door with the grace of a feline. Kisame's followed with his eyes before resting back against the wall.

That damn Itachi.

-0-

Kisame opened his eyes begrudgingly and popped his sore back and neck. He had fallen asleep against the wall. He looked around the room slowly and saw no signs of his comrade. Judging by the darkness outside he deducted that he hadn't been asleep for too long. He quickly packed his stuff and slung his crude weapon over his back. He was going to figure this out right now. He quickly exited the room, making his way into the veil of darkness. It didn't take long for Kisame to find Itachi, but the difficult part was going to be hiding within range to still eavesdrop effectively.

In the center of the village was a giant, arched bridge that went over the small river. Itachi was leaning against the rail with a solemn look on his face. Standing next to him was a girl with mid-length purple hair wearing an evening coat and slacks. She came up to Itachi's shoulder and was peering up at him with an uneasy expression on her round face.

"It-Itachi... I couldn't... I can't."

Kisame cupped his hand around where his ear should be and grinned. Ohhh? What can't you do, little miss? Wait…is that the waitress from earlier?

"No! I can't! Danto is already getting suspicious!"

A slight blush made its way across Kisame's face as he listened to the young girl's shy voice. He leaned forward to hear better. This was getting interesting.

"He's already asked me once where the money is coming from..."

Ohhooho! Itachi-san, you dog! The former Mist Village ninja wasn't one to be considered a ladies man. He preferred to eat anything he found interesting and that was made of flesh and blood. So, instead of focusing on his lack of sexual activities he found he enjoyed being a voyeur of sorts.

Besides, black mail was always useful especially if it was against Uchiha Itachi.

"I got the job at the stew house to pay for my little brother's medicine. Hideki-san pays well, I promise."

Disappointment slapped Kisame across the face like a sack of bricks. He sighed and hung his head for a second. This was it?!

"At least take it and get your glasses fixed, Atsuko. How long have you gone without them?"

"Four months. It happened right after you left last time, but I can't take your money again, Itachi. You don't owe me anything. Oniichan is getting angrier every time I turn up with a mysterious sum of money."

"His pride will lead to the deaths of both you and Yuhta."

A moment passed before Atsuko said anything in response. Kisame's arm began to feel numb.

Atsuko placed her head on Itachi's shoulder, re-sparking Kisame's interest. "Do... Do you care for me, Itachi?"

"I owe a great deal to you."

Atsuko shook her head and sighed. "When I found you bleeding in that alley, I told you then that you didn't owe me anything, and that's not what I asked." Atsuko lifted her head and stared at the flowing of the water. "You don't have to answer. Your visits are getting farther and farther apart. I don't know what kind of wares you sell, but each time you visit me I can't help but think...to think how wonderful it would be if you stayed...if...if you.."

Itachi silenced the girl by putting a finger to her lips. "It's getting late, Atsuko. Let me walk you home."

Kisame sighed and put his hands behind his head as the pair turned and made their way off the bridge. He didn't hear anything he had hoped for and that pissed him off. Frowning, he stood up, wiping the grass off his pants, and made his way back to the little shithole inn. He had to get at least some sleep.

-0-

"Thank you for walking me home, but it wasn't really necessary." Atsuko stood outside the door to her home with her companion at her side. As usual, Itachi didn't respond with words. It was a shame that her glasses were broken. She couldn't see his face very well especially in the darkness.

"Oniichan should be returning in a couple of weeks."

"I will be gone by then."

"Oh…" She hung her head low in disappointment, but it was probably for the better that he left. Her older brother, despite knowing nothing about him, disliked Itachi very much. Danto found the man untrustworthy and deceptive. She had managed to keep the meetings and visits a secret for several years, but she knew he was bound to find out.

As long as she was able to keep her younger brother's mouth shut it would remain a secret.

"You need to get inside, Atsuko. There's a chill in the air."

"Yes, I suppose I do," she was sad to see him go. She took in a deep breath and lifted her head, smiling at him like she always did. "I hope to see you soon, then. Good luck with your travels."

She knew there would be no response, but when he placed his hand on her head and let it slowly move down to her cheek her heart almost stopped. The clouds had moved and the light from the full moon allowed her to be able to see his face. It was the same as always, but his eyes…there was a softness in his eyes that she couldn't explain. The warmth coming from his hand spread through her whole body. Her knees were shaking from the sheer force of emotions running through. It wasn't possible to even describe them. She didn't know how much time had passed, but to her it didn't matter. All that mattered was the moment…this one moment of affection.

The warmth was gone as quickly as it seemed to have came. Itachi turned away from her and made his way back to the inn. Atsuko stood outside of her home and watched him until her lack of eyesight allowed her to not seem him anymore. With a sigh of defeat she slid open the door to her home trying to make as little noise as possible.

Yeah, that didn't happen.

"ONEECHAAAAAAN!"

Atsuko jumped at least a foot into the air. "Yuhta! What are you doing out of bed?!"

"What were you doin', oneechan? Huh?"

"Yuhta, go to—"

"You were with Itachi-san again, weren't you?!"

The purple haired girl sighed in defeat as she watched her younger brother bounce up to her with a big grin on his face.

It was going to be a long night.

-0-

The sun had barely cusped the mountain ranges when the two Akatsuki members had risen from their sleep. Kisame was freshening up with the basin of water in their shithole of a room when he spoke.

"Itachi-san, we need to head out. Crag Valley is another two week's travel north of here."

Itachi sat against an exterior wall of their inn room nose deep in a book with no markings or indications of its contents on the cover.

"We have to find information on the four tails' whereabouts before winter. It's already fall."

"Don't you think it's strange the amount of scouts on the edge of the Earth and Grass?"

Kisame blinked for a moment. "Strange? There were what, seven of them?"

"Nine." The prodigy turned a page without tearing his eyes away from the content.

"It is about twice the size of a normal scouting troupe, I agree." The shark man dried his hands off with a towel. His beady eyes turned towards his companion.

"What would you say they were doing?"

"I don't know...about to split and survey a greater area?"

"For what purpose?"

"Does it matter? It doesn't affect us. It doesn't matter what some Iwagakure scum were up to."

"They've been tracking us."

"Let them come! I'll rip them to shreds as well!" Kisame's teeth glistened in the sunlight as he sneered.

"We need to give it a few days. Let our trail run cold."

"Are you certain they won't come here looking?"

"I laid out a decoy camp site a few miles down the river. It'll look like we circled around to avoid the village."

"Where was I when you did this?"

"I'm not your keeper."

Kisame growled at Itachi's statement, but he knew the truth in them. It wasn't the first time they had to hide in plain sight like this whilst passing through a nation.

"So, just what the hell are we supposed to do for two days?" Itachi didn't answer. He instead licked his thumb and loudly turned the page in his book. Kisame ruffled his hair in aggravation and grabbed his coat. "I'm going out for a bite. You do...whatever you're doing."

-0-

Two days passed slowly. Itachi kept locked up in the inn, only leaving for food and to spy on his would-be woman, until the night of their scheduled departure. Kisame had not mentioned to Itachi what he had overheard, but it really didn't pester him too much to do so. It pissed him off more than anything, in fact, how Itachi had handled that situation in its entirety. He pictured how he might have handled it if some random female had been hanging on to him on that bridge. He grinned and blushed. His thoughts became more and more perverse until Itachi said something to wake him from his delusions.

"Stop staring at me."

Kisame had been staring and grinning at Itachi the entire time they were walking without realizing it. "Don't flatter yourself!" Shit, he thought to himself, now he's going to think...ugh. No. Kisame looked up and found himself staring at a small shack in the middle of the village. "Saying farewell to someone?"

Itachi ignored him and rapped on the door three times. Silence followed.

"Don't think anyone's home." Kisame exclaimed annoyingly. A few moments later the door slowly, and with much difficulty, slid open. A young, sickly boy stood facing the two men. His eyes were small and grey. His skin was pale and covered in beads of sweat. He wore a simple gown usually reserved for intensive care patients. His face had all the signs of a fever and his deep purple hair clung to his forehead.

"Itachi-san?!" The boy's face lit up like a fire cracker as he propelled himself forwards and clung to Itachi's leg. "What are you doing here? I thought you left!"

"Yuhta, where is your sister?"

"Atsuko had to go to work early today. Hideki-san came and took her early, saying they had stuff to prepare for. Oh!" The boy spun 180 degrees and stumbled inside at a great speed. He came back a few moments later with a small square box wrapped in a purple cloth. "Oneechan was making this for you this morning, I think. She forgot it when Hideki-san showed up!"

Kisame smiled wryly as Itachi took the box from the boy. "A bento box, huh? That's real sweet of her."

Itachi shot a glare towards Kisame. He then reached inside of his red cloud-splattered cloak and withdrew a small package. "Make sure this reaches Atsuko."

Yuhta saluted Itachi and smiled wide. "Yes, sir! You can count on me!"

"Get some rest. You need to gather your strength."

Yuhta rubbed the back of his neck and produced a big smile. "I'm always resting! But okay, thank you for visiting, Itachi-san! Best of luck with sales this month!"

Itachi shut the sliding door to the home and the pair turned and left. They circled behind the village, headed up the cliff, and made their way north and to their destination leaving the little town of Two Points behind them.