"Despite Danzo's reassurance that Itachi would grow to love him, the only joy the young man found was in his daily ride."

The horse's hooves beat against the dirt as she raced through the fields. Itachi held onto her as she moved, watching the tress pass by with mild interest. He did not doubt that he would lose his freedom to simply ride in freedom once he and the Prince Danzo were married. Itachi would take anytime he had in the meantime. He loved being outdoors. The sunshine seemed to make everything seem okay in the world. Out here, Itachi could pretend even for a little while that he was free.

The horse passed by the tree line and entered the forest, Itachi coaxing her to keep moving. He hooves crunches through fallen leaves and Itachi closed his eyes, enjoying the serenity. He kept moving further into the forest, soon approaching the sea's edge. Up ahead was a boat, docked against the land.

Three men stood on shore. Itachi's horse slowed down as they approached. The man in front was on the shorter side with wild auburn hair and sleepy dark eyes. A giant stood at his side with blue tinged skin and gilled cheeks. On the man's other side stood a tall silver haired man wearing a mask over the lower half of his face. The red haired man stepped forward, a kindly smile on his face. Itachi halted his horse.

"A word if you please, my boy. We are but poor, lost circus performers. Is there a village or an inn nearby?" The man indicated to him companions who waved awkwardly at the Uchiha.

"I apologize, there is nothing nearby... not for miles." Itachi informed the man, mind mulling over possible inns they could go to for the night. The small man gave a shake of his head.

"Then there will be no one to hear you scream!" He declared and Itachi blinked in confusion as the giant gilled man suddenly approached him and reached for his throat. No noise escaped the Uchiha and in an instant everything went dark.

"That was rather dramatic, was it not Sasori?" The silver haired man hummed.

"Kisame, bring him to the boat. Kakashi get ready to sail." Sasori ordered. Kisame caught Itachi as he fell from the horse. He carried the Uchiha onto the boat with Kakashi following behind. He settled him down on some materials that looked far more comfortable than the deck of the ship.

"What is that you're ripping?" Kakashi asked and Kisame turned to watch as Sasori tied some fabric to the horse's reigns.

"It's fabric from the uniform of an ANBU captain of Sound." Sasori mumbled, not looking up from his work.

"Who's Sound?" Kisame questioned curiously, approaching the red head.

"The country across the sea and the sworn enemy of Konoha." Sasori replied and smacked the horse into motion. The horse let out a snort and tore off back towards where Itachi had come from. Sasori approached the ship brushing his hands off. He nodded once to Kakashi who walked over to the wheel, leaning against it to watch his leader speak.

"Once the horse reaches the castle, the fabric will make the prince suspect the Sound folk would have abducted his love. When the Prince finds his boy's dead on the Sound border, his suspicions will be confirmed."

"You never said anything about killing anyone." Kakashi spoke up, looking uncomfortable.

"I've hired you to help me start a war. It's a prestigious line of art, with a old and glorious tradition." Sasori explained with a lazy shrug of his shoulders, sleepy eyes fixing on the large man who still looked unhappy.

"I just don't think it's right, killing an innocent boy." Kisame shook his head and Sasori whirled on him, eyes suddenly sharp and focused.

"Am I going mad, or did the word 'think' escape your lips? YOU WERE NOT HIRED FOR YOUR BRAINS, YOU MEGALODON SEA MASS!"

"I agree with Kisame." Kakashi sullenly stated and Sasori cast him a withering stare and pointed a finger at him.

OH! Of course you do! What happens to the boy is not truly your concern. I will kill him! And remember this, never forget this, when I found you, you were so slobbering drunk, You couldn't even buy Sake!" Sasori then turned on Kisame. "And you! Friendless, brainless, helpless, hopeless! DO YOU WANT ME TO SEND YOU BACK TO WHERE YOU WERE? UNEMPLOYED? IN KIRI?" Kisame quickly shook his head and Sasori scowled at the pair before storming away.

"Sasori, he can... fuss." Kakashi approached Kisame and attempted to comfort him. He nudged Kisame's shoulder and Kisame hummed thoughtfully.

"Fuss, fuss... I think he like to scream... at us." Kisame sniggered and Kakashi slowly smiled.

"Probably he means no... harm." Kakashi played along. The pair quickly looked towards Sasori who was ignoring them.

"He's really very short on... charm!" Kisame leered and the silver haired man chuckled at this.

"Mah, You have a great gift for rhyme." Kakashi pointed out with kind eyes. The large man looked at his companion, smiling slightly and showing off his razor sharp teeth.

"Yes, yes, some of the time." Kisame shrugged his large shoulders.

"Enough of that!" Sasori grouched. Both men quickly stopped for a moment and Kakashi returned to his work. The boat slowly moved through the water and Sasori relaxed in his chair.

"Kisame, are there rocks ahead?" Kakashi called out.

"If there are, we'll all be dead!"

"No more rhymes now, I mean it!" Sasori snapped at the pair. There was a moment of silence and Sasori relaxed again, closing his eyes.

"Anybody want a peanut?" Kisame suddenly piped up.

"BAHHH!"