Itachi rolled over on his back, the hard floor rigid under his back. He couldn't sleep. This wasn't anything new and it had nothing to do with the hard surface that he was so accustomed to sleeping on. It wasn't possible to rest completely at ease while in the Akatsuki where anyone could strike... The Akatsuki had many enemies but he knew better than to complain... He lifted his head up groggily, his black bangs sweeping across his eyes.

'Morning...?' ,he wondered seeing light spill in through his window.

The days flew by like years while in the Akatsuki. He felt like a totally different person than he had been before he had left. It was true...his power had increased exponentially. Despite all of that, he felt strangely empty even though he had gotten everything that he had wanted...almost hollow...like there was something missing...

The word missing triggered that name in the back of his head. 'Kaira...' , he thought, wistfully. He shook his head trying to clear that name. He had been trying to forget her name since he had left Konoha. His efforts were to no prevail since every day, he couldn't help but think of her and wonder how she was coping with how he had abruptly left.

'Why are you so weak?', a familiar taunting voice echoed again in his head.

A true shinobi knew that having strong, personal connections to others was a hindrance. He knew that well enough. Letting her get in the way of his combat and goals was complete foolishness.

The word: Love. That word was so unfamiliar to him that he almost couldn't remember the meaning anymore. He certainly held no love for his fellow other Akatsuki members. Love was only what he felt towards that one human who he didn't want to love...his mortal weakness.

'Kaira doesn't even know the power she holds over me.' ,he thought, bitterly.

He remembered her angelic face while she was asleep, drugged. If only she knew how much it had pained him to leave her. Itachi felt her imaginary fingertips brush against his cheek and how she would silently whisper his name. Nothing sounded better than when she whispered his name...

She would sigh and lean in the hollow near the base of his neck while he would wrap an arm around her and sit in peaceful silence until it was broken---most often by her since she seemed to love trivial talking yet uncharacteristically, he wouldn't mind her talking as he listened to her care-free troubles.

Itachi's thoughts strayed to his last promise. He would see her again. After all, he had promised...

He cleared his head to empty those thoughts of her. Staying on track was crucial. Itachi was all business now. He had to be that way in order to stay strong, calm, and keep his emotions in check. After all, love was...a weakness. A burden imposed upon those who were too weak to break all ties from those close to them. Of course, Itachi was still not strong enough to kill Kaira. But, not thinking of her so much was a good start...

He got up on his feet and tossed on his red/black Akatsuki robe before walking to the next room where Kisame was curled up on the ground sleeping...yet not sleeping at the same time. Itachi cleared his throat at the same time that Kisame jolted up, automatically awakened. Kisame got up to his feet, swinging his blade, Samehada across his back. His lips curled up in a vicious smile.

"Any slicing today, Itachi-san?", he growled as he relished the thought of slicing up people. The corners of Kisame's lips were curled upwards.

Itachi made sure to keep his face blank and words simple.

"Leader's orders. We shall go find out more on the nine tailed fox boy."

Immediately, Kisame's face dropped and his smile faded.

"How boring...no action" ,Kisame groaned.

Itachi was in no mood to deal with Kisame and his irrational mood to fight.

"We will leave now and should arrive at Konoha by early afternoon." , he spoke, coldly.

Itachi turned on his heel ,leaving from Kisame's room. Too much interaction with others was not his forte.

Itachi walked outside to face the fresh air as Kisame walked behind him, obviously not looking forward to it. A tiny part of Itachi was looking forward to seeing his home of the past, Konoha. He might even see Kaira, his love which he had long left. Gingerly, feeling his slashed headband, he flew upwards towards the surrounding trees, with a grumbling Kisame at his side. 'Onto Konoha' , he thought, the curiosity strong within him