Genie In A Shoebox.

Chapter Two.

Kisame had trouble getting through the day, he came in late because of his morning reminiscence and had to work through his lunch break, but now he was determined. He spent the day thinking, something he hadn't done in a long time, and came to the conclusion he was done with the way things were. Right now his life had no meaning whatsoever. He hardly saw his son, the only conversations he had with his ex-wife were done shouting over the phone and after working all day and sleeping all night to regain his strength he was left with no time for himself to do anything.

Now it was night again, his shift had been grueling and when he walked past the closed shops this time his reflection scared him. He looked dead, squished empty like an old tube of toothpaste. Every day he walked past here he seemed to get older and weaker, but today was a new low. He couldn't focus on his work; all he could think about were all the memories that kept resurfacing after all these years. Instead of turning to his apartment he went the other way, to a neglected park he hadn't been or years. It would probably be full of junkies and people looking for trouble. But he had no money and no trouble to offer, besides, he couldn't go home anyway.

The shoe was there. And if he saw it he had to face it. Even after thinking about it nonstop for hours he still hadn't made himself face what he'd done. A stupid mistake it was; and the massive consequences it had on his life hadn't been fair. The street he was walking was completely empty, and for some reason it was comforting to walk from one street lantern to the next. A bright moment while he was under it, his shadow stretching out before him when he walked on, and then the dark part when he stepped out from under the light and hurried to the next.

He made it to the small park without even noticing and sat on a bench that looked over the pathetic display of carved-in tree trunks and a swing with one broken rope. There was nowhere to go now but into his own mind, and it was long overdue. He didn't want to think about where his life was going, how disappointed his parents must be with him and how his son must resent him. These things were all lost; there was nothing he could do to make things right with the people he hurt, even if he had the time and energy to try. The one thing he hoped he'd never ruin, seeing as everything else getting fucked up brought him there, was his friendship with Itachi. But that too had ended, out of the blue so many things had happened, some he caused, some he couldn't control. And the pale beauty disappeared without a trace.

He couldn't live like this anymore. It was fine that his life had no meaning, but he wanted to know why, why things ended the way they did. Maybe the shoe was a hint, something telling him to find closure, what did he have to lose really?

The bar was the same as he remembered it, even though he hadn't been there in years. The neon sign was still flickering like it had before, only a few letters died out and one was missing completely. He opened the door and stepped into the room filled with cigarette smoke. The bar was the same, the people were different. There was no dancing, no singing, no bright lights or laughter. The only working light bulb hung behind the bar where the bartender was lazily cleaning glasses, the furthest corner was shrouded in darkness completely. The booths and tables were filled with tired-looking old men, none sat together, all clutched a beer. A waitress far past her prime walked around in a skirt that was too short and heels that were too high, none of the men had interest in her, they hid behind their collars and hats, shutting out the world just like he did.

If he didn't do something to make his life worth living now he never would, and as far as he remembered this was the place the person he needed had been seen the last time.

He lowered himself onto a barstool and planted his elbows on the bar. His forehead hit the withered wood with a soft thump, and he breathed in a few lungfuls of smoke to muster up courage. Then he shoved his shame aside and called the bartender over. The man had a friendly face and large moustache, that didn't compensate for the lack of hair on his head. "What can I do ye for? Nice pint after a long day's work?" he shook his head. "No, actually, I came to ask you about someone I'm looking for." His voice came out as little more than a raspy whisper, he hadn't used it in so long, and it startled him. "Do you remember Itachi Uchiha? He used to work from here years ago, and he was a good friend of mine."

The bald man chuckled and shook his head. "Little frills had a lot of 'good friends', mate, but I couldn't tell you where he's at now. Even if I knew meself, now, how 'bout that pint?" the man nodded and walked off to pour the glass. "No please!" without even thinking Kisame grabbed the bartender's arm, then quickly let go. "It's not like that at all, you must remember, we sat outside in front of this bar talking every night for years. Did he never mention me?" The bartender furrowed his brow in thought until he suddenly seemed to remember something. "Ya wouldn't happen to be that Kisurmur fellow wouldya? Kid talked about him all the time" Itachi… talked about him?

Well that was something he hadn't expected, he'd shamefully hidden his relationship with the young man where he had been open about. Good going Kisame, go make yourself feel even more like an asshole.

"Yes! Yes, Kisame, that's me! Can you please tell me where he is?" "Well I don't know mate, what I remember the most is that he was really upset when he left, did you do something to him? Sweet boy that was, always polite, never caused any trouble." "I didn't do anything to him, I promise, I just need to find him." "Hmmmmm…" the other looked him up and down, then took a big pull on his cigar. He blew the smoke in Kisame's face, who didn't even blink. "Alright then, I guess you seem like a trustworthy fellow."

Raindrops tapped on the bus' large window in a rhythmic manner that tried to lull Kisame into a deep sleep. He spent all his money on the ticket, money he'd intended to buy a new duvet with, winter was coming, and it was going to be a long one. But it was alright, even if Itachi never wanted to see him again, he needed closure. And who knows? Maybe there might be a chance their friendship could be rekindled. He left for the bus station as soon as he got his directions, so it was pitch black out. But the drive was a long one and aside from an old woman and a young man with his hood pulled far over his eyes the vehicle was mostly empty.

The only leads the bartender had given him were the town his long lost friend was supposedly residing in now and a bar in that town whose waitress was his sister, so she might have some further directions for him there. It was a shot in the dark, but he was willing to take the risk. All he'd brought was his thick black coat and a plastic bag with the shoebox that now held two shoes. Somehow the other shoe had ended up on the 'memorial shelf' in the bar, and he was allowed to take it. They were still in the condition they were in when he bought them thirteen years ago.

0

"For me? Oh Kisame you shouldn't have!" Itachi, who'd just turned seventeen, shuffled around awkwardly on the heels. "I thought you might like them… I could give you the receipt so you can return them if you don't like them…" "What!" the young raven spun around to face his friend and ended up tripping over himself and falling down in a heap. Not on the street of course, the elder of the two would never let his little beauty get hurt in his presence. Itachi giggled as thick arms tried to lift him back onto his feet, but he refused to stand. "So that's how tonight's gonna be huh." Kisame murmured under his breath before he used one arm to sweep the pale boy off his feet and into bridal position. Then he sat down on his usual spot with the other in his lap.

"I didn't know you were the present-giving kind?" big eyes even darker than his own looked up to him combined with a big grin. "Well, I figured they suit you. Do you like them at all?" Itachi nodded and rested his head against the other's chest, then he positioned Kisame's arms around him the way he liked it. "I've never gotten a present before…"

After that they just sat in silence for a while, both content with not doing much of anything. At some point everyone runs out of conversatory subjects, and then it's important to find other things to do. Such as cuddle. Or play around. Or have one person run away on heels and the other chase them while being very pissed off that his coat was stolen. But Itachi was too comfortable to be difficult, it was always like that. As soon as he made his way into his dark guardian's embrace there was no place on earth he'd rather be, even if his feet were freezing off and his skirt got wrinkled beyond salvation. A wet something landed on his bare leg, and another, and then many more. Rain, lovely.

Usually this was the moment at which Kisame went home and he had to face the rest of the night alone, not that he'd ever complain about that, he was glad the man came to see him at all. So with a sigh he sat up, but wasn't let go. He shot Kisame a questioning look, and the older man grinned and conjured up an umbrella seemingly out of nowhere. "Weather forecast said it was going to rain… or do you really have to go already?" "No, I've got time. I've always got time for you." Kisame zipped open his large black coat, the one he secretly bought in a few sizes too big for situations like this, and took Itachi's shoes off to keep them dry in his equally large pockets.

When the pale boy pulled his knees up against his chest and pressed himself tight against the other they managed to zip the coat up without any toes sticking out. Itachi's elbow was pressed against Kisame's ribcage so to get it out of the way he wrapped that arm around the man's side. He in turn stuck the umbrella in his armpit so it would shield them without him having to hold it. And so they sat and did nothing for a while, just like before.

Itachi was becoming increasingly more aware of the difference this position held to their normal ones. The warmth of the man's skin seeped through his flimsy grey t-shirt without anything blocking it like usual, it felt like he was enveloped by heat, and he loved it. He also never really noticed how they fit perfectly, his face just came up high enough to fit in the crook of the other's neck while he was comfortably seated on massively thick thighs. What stunned him the most though, was the man's scent. He spent a lot of time close to men, but none smelled quite like this. A deep, warm scent that made his insides tingle with every breath. The scent of a real man, a hardworking, honest man who'd never hurt him and would probably walk halfway across the globe should he ask him to. The man he's been madly in love with since the first week they spent together.

He could feel Kisame press his face into his hair and gathered the courage to ask a question that's been plaguing his mind for months. "Kisame… our friendship isn't normal, is it?" "Hmm, I guess not. But our situation isn't really normal either, is it? Does it bother you how things are?" he could feel Itachi shake his head. "No, not at all actually. But wouldn't you rather spend your time with someone else?" "What, like my wife? 'Tachi, I explained that to you before, I love her about as much as I can love diarrhea, and she loves me like she loves getting repeatedly shot in the face. I'd like to spend more time with Suigetsu sure, but Konan will be there too and pick an argument with me and you know how short a fuse I have."

Itachi shifted around so he could face him, "You say that, but I've never actually seen you angry." "Course not! You're too lovely for me to ever get mad at, and she just rubs me the wrong way, permanently and far too hard." They've had this conversation many times, and Itachi never got the answer he really wanted to the question that really mattered. "I actually meant a love interest, isn't there anyone you like?" "Why do you want to know?" "I just want to make sure I stay your top priority… that's all." Kisame let out a laugh at that, "Silly 'Tachi, of course you'll always be my top priority, above everyone else. Now stop squirming around, your knee is in my rib."

Itachi couldn't help himself, he asked that question at least once a week, and always got the same answer. He wasn't sure what it meant, but he chose to believe it meant what he wanted it to. And in a moment where he'd completely lost his mind he pressed his lips against a dark, weathered cheek. Then he quickly pressed his face in the other's neck and wrapped both his arms around him in case he went too far this time and his 'friend' had enough.

But Kisame only held him closer.

0

By the time the bus arrived at his destination Kisame was already pretty well rested from his nap, though it was still dark out. He almost fell off the little step when he left the bus, having forgotten how the thing worked after not using public transportation for so long. He didn't even know the name of this town, just the bus stop, but it looked pretty shady. As soon as he entered the first street he felt the ominous atmosphere surround him like the presence of something that tried to stray him from his path. Not that he would let it. He followed the directions the barman had given him and slowly made his way through the maze of buildings. Never had he seen more bars, nightclubs and brothels in one place. For some reason he hoped the one he sought for didn't work in any of them. After a while he found the place he was looking for, probably the only bar that didn't have a bright neon sign alerting everyone to its location. Instead it had a wooden sign that covered the entire front of the store, the matte glass windows didn't show what was going on inside, but the sounds coming from inside were music to his ears, this place was alive.

As soon as he entered a young woman in a maid outfit so tight her chest was practically popping out rushed up to him and fluttered around him until he sat down at a table in the corner. "Can I get you anything? Anything?" There was nothing she could offer him that he was interested in, though some alcohol might ease his mind, he had no money left anyway. So he just asked to speak to the contact he was looking for. She looked disappointed but walked off to ask for him anyway, giving him a chance to look around. Much like the bar back home this one was filled with old men, except these were perving over the many young maid waitresses.

The one from before came back to his table and motioned for him to follow her, so he stood and followed her into the hallway on the other side of the large room. There were many doors in that hallway, with creepy noises coming from behind every one. At the end there were stairs leading up to another door. His escort knocked and a creaky voice yelled a come in, at which the young woman opened the door and closed it behind him without going in herself. "So." The woman that sat behind the heavy oak desk in the middle of the scarcely furnished room spoke. "My brother just called me up to tell me a lost little puppy was looking for a certain someone. It just so happens that I know where he is."

In two steps Kisame was at the desk and slammed his palms down on it. "You know? Tell me! Please, I need to know!" she scoffed and leaned back in her chair. Her hair was greying and pulled up in a tight bun at the back of her head. She wore no make-up on her wrinkled face but had a thick pearl necklace hanging around her neck. She wore a white blouse and he whole appearance didn't seem to match the kind of facility she was obviously running. "Not so fast young man, why should I give this information to you? We like the boy, he's so well-mannered and respectful, why should I risk his safety by telling you this, I don't even know you." "You want to know who I am?" "Yes." "You want to know what I want with him?" "Yes." "Fine then."

An excruciating half hour later he told most of his history to the woman, it was hard, he himself had forgotten most of it. Only bits and pieces floated around in his mind, but he was surprised how much he could remember if he tried a little. He left out the embarrassing and personal parts, but told her enough for her to get the whole picture.

"Well, that's a very interesting story, but what does it have to do with you being here?" Indeed, what did it have to do with him being here? "I hate the way we ended things, and I just want a chance to talk to him, to make it right." She understood, having once been a young woman herself, she left many things unfinished herself. "Alright then, I'll tell you where he is, but first you must do something for me…"

"What's your name again?" Kisame asked the girl walking next to him on the slippery sidewalk, it seemed it had been raining here too. "It's none of your business, you just walk me home and shut up, I'm tired." She wore a long dark coat over her costume and had purple bags under her eyes no concealer could hide. She looked at her watch and he caught a glimpse of it too, two in the morning already, he hoped his raven would still be up… though he himself had nothing against a good night's sleep. They reached the girl's house with no trouble whatsoever and she quickly entered, closed the door and opened it again on the chain. "Alright, you held up your end of the deal, I will hold up mine. He works at the piano bar on Cley's street. Just follow the road and make a left, it's right there."

He wanted to thank her, but she'd already shut the door. "Okay…" he turned and started to the bar, he's visited a lot of them tonight. Now that he was alone again he had to fight to not let his fear win him over, there was no way he was turning back now. Not after all this trouble. But he had no idea on what to say, or how to act, what to do at all. What if Itachi didn't want to see him? What if he'd be sent away without ever clearing the air between them? He entered the place on auto pilot and skimmed through the guests and waiters quickly, he was not among them. He walked up to the bartender, again one with a large moustache, and asked about it. The man pointed at the one place he'd overlooked, the piano.

0

"Do you love me?" Big black eyes were looking up at him like they did every so often in the past six years. "Why?" "I want to know, do you love me?" "Sure I do." Itachi huffed and leaned against the brick wall they always hung out against. "What's wrong now?" "That wasn't convincing at all." Kisame chuckled and walked up to the raven, trapping him between his arms. "What do you want me to say then?" Itachi rolled his eyes. "Words are meaningless, I want you to prove it." "And how would I do that?" the other smiled and put his hands on the larger male's chest, slowly sliding them up till they reached around his neck. "Like this." And before Kisame could make a single move soft red lip were pressed against his own.

Itachi pulled back, but he couldn't say anything to the raven. Words were stuck in his throat, which was clogging up. He tried to swallow but couldn't. The younger one kissed him again, and he was frozen in his place. Then again, and again. First they were hesitant, shy even. But when he wasn't stopped Itachi grew bolder, and pulled the man flush against himself. A low, needy moan escaped the now twenty-two year old male's throat, and it snapped Kisame out of his daze. He grabbed the other by his shoulders and held him at an arm's length. But only for a moment, and when he saw the sliver of hope surrounded by vast clouds of doubt in Itachi's eyes he pulled the other against himself and kissed him like he hadn't kissed anyone in fifteen years.

The raven immediately clung to him, making them loose their balance so Kisame pushed the smug little bastard up against the wall, all the while their lips never parted. Until his phone rang. "No, not now fucking god." He untangled himself from the other with some trouble and answered it. Afterwards he looked Itachi over, who seemed defeated. "Konan?" the raven asked. "Yes. I need to go." "Sure." He turned to walk away, but Itachi grabbed his shoulder and turned him around in a desperate attempt to stay in the moment and reached up to kiss him again. The call had sobered him up though, so Kisame turned away and the lips landed on his jaw. "I'll see you around Itachi."

How could he have known that would be the last time he saw him.

0

Kisame walked up towards the black grand piano, but a few feet away his shoes seemed to be filled with lead when he could make out a thin frame playing the keys. The long black hair that was pulled back into a long ponytail had lost its shine, but was unmistakably his. The pale white fingers working the ivory keys left no doubt in his mind, and after a few moments he managed to force the words from his throat.

"Itachi?"

His long lost friend froze in mid-play, and slowly turned his head to face him. The man was as pale as he's always been, and his eyes grew wide as saucers at seeing the one that spoke to him.

"Kisame?"