There was no way out; he had to choose.

Before him lie the man who had practically enslaved him- Pein alongside Madara. Pein was severely injured from a sudden leaf ambush, leaving his fiery-haired leader unconscious on the ground.

Red eyes looked up, seeing nothing but the trees tossing in the wind. Itachi was amazed to see his leader in such a weakened state. He turned on his heels, not hesitating for a second. It had always been his nature to abandon all things weak and useless to him, and here was just another bother.

The clouds had blocked out the sun a while ago, leaving the earth cold and grey below, a thunderstorm on the verge of blooming. A roll of thunder shook the earth lightly beneath his calmly pacing feet, and that's when he stopped.

As soon as the mild growl of thunder had passed, goose bumps rose on his skin. He could have sworn he heard a groan. He told himself the goose bumps were from the chilled wind that made its way into his cloak, even though he knew it wasn't.

Slowly, uncaringly, he cocked his head to peek over his shoulder-Itachi Uchiha NEVER looked back: NEVER.

The sight that met his eyes sent his blood into a frozen state, his breathing caught inside his chest in a lump.

The bloody mess that was his leader lay outstretched on the ground, a fine trail of his crimson life trailing out of the wounds. Itachi was used to blood and a lot more than what was coming from the man that his eyes currently rested upon. That wasn't what had him staring wide eyed though, it was the fact that Pein's eyes were wide open, staring right back at him, a blood and dirt covered arm reaching out to him.

That was what did the Uchiha in; those eyes. He had to obey. For the first time, he turned back, and moved to Pein taking his blood slickened hand and picking him up, slinging his fallen leader over his slim shoulders gracefully, if that could even be done.

With a sigh, Itachi carried the heavy body across the plains feeling small droplets of water sting his face. The voiced groans of Pein did not go unnoticed, but Itachi wasn't one to care.

'Suck it up' he thought while gritting his teeth; the Man's weight was beginning to become unbearable, and the rainfall was picking up as well as the lightening; he would have to stop soon.

Just ahead he could make out the base, and naturally, Pein's body became heavier. Pein saw it too and became more alert. "Don't...let the others…see me like this." He said with a wince.

"hn..."

Itachi stumbled shortly, only slightly distracted and continued as rain pelted down on both of them.

Upon reaching the shelter of the base, Itachi sighed inwardly, looking around until Pein gave him specific directions that led him straight to his leader's quarters. When inside the walls of Pein's personal room, he laid him out on his bed. Pein restrained a groan of pain from passing his lips, now that the two were face to face. They were both dripping wet from being out in the storm.

Itachi's dark red eyes bored into his leaders, waiting.

"Get Konan…" The orange haired man finally spoke roughly.

Itachi merely nodded and searched Konan out, who happened to be just outside having previously sensed Pein's chakra.

Konan gave the Uchiha a wary look before entering Pein's room, being sure to shut the door behind her.

Itachi promptly made his way down to his room. ' I need a shower after that..'

Konan sat on the edge of Pein's bed, cleaning his wounds and carefully stitching them up.

There was a long silence between the two before the blue haired woman spoke softly.

"Did Itachi Uchiha..do this?" She ran a finger along a slight gash in his side.

Pein's face twitched in momentary pain and let out a big breath.

"No. What would give you an idea like that?" He hissed at the end of his question, feeling her rub ointment into a deep wound on his leg.

"For a moment, her eyes met his before she went back to work. "It was just the look in his eyes…he seemed to have 'betrayal' written all over his face."

Pein smirked at this, eyeing her handiwork in thought. "Konan, when you're finished, fetch me Itachi Uchiha. He and I need to have a little talk."