Chapter Six

Sasuke smirked slightly as he entered his brother's room to find the elder Uchiha packing for a mission, eyes brighter than they had been since they'd began this entire thing.

He'd been worried since their return to past, seeing how the shadows of his "crimes" dragged his brother's soul further and further into despair, and he'd found himself regretting their choice. He knew that Itachi had only agreed to Kami's plan for his sake, and yet, selfishly, he'd gone along with it anyways. Now, he was being forced to watch the man struggle get through the day in a village he hadn't been welcome in since he was thirteen, and speak to people he'd been forced to kill.

He watched as Itachi silently fell apart, shouldering one burden after another, eyes dimming with each passing day, and guilt welled up in his heart.

Why had he done this?

His brother had merely wanted to return to the afterlife peacefully, and yet he'd given it all up to follow Sasuke on his selfish whims.

It made Sasuke hate how good of an actor his brother was.

How could he have believed that this man, this selfless, soft-hearted man, killed their family for his own gain when he denied his own wishes to help Sasuke achieve his.

"Deep thoughts?"

He blinked, realizing he'd just been staring at his brother, who was now watching him worriedly.

The younger Uchiha shook his head, taking in the lack of tension in the older male's shoulders and the tiny smile playing at the corner of his lips.

"You're not normally this happy about missions." He stated and a faint blush danced its way across Itachi's cheeks.

"We're accompanying Tou-sama and Hokage-sama to meet the Amekage and discuss a treaty."

A slow smirk crossed the younger male's lips, eyes full of younger brother mischief. "Going to see Ki-sa-me?" He teased and Itachi's blush darkened.

"It's a treaty meeting."

Sasuke snorted. "Is that what that letter was about?"

Itachi nodded, blush calming slightly. "Pein-sama wishes to derail Madara's plans by forming a secret alliance with Hokage-sama. While I am gone, I wish for you and Naruto-kun to train and listen around the compound for whispers of the coup. Being so secluded has made our clansmen cocky with their information and they are not as careful as they should be about spreading such things."

Sasuke nodded and hugged his brother. "Be careful. I can't lose you again."

The elder Uchiha smirked and pulled away tapping the child's forehead. His brother pouted up at him, causing him to smile, a quiet chuckle leaving his lips.

"Be careful, otouto." He replied, sealing his things in a scroll before leaving the room and meeting their father at the door.

"Ready to go?"

"Hai."

Shisui appeared behind them with a small pack and an easy smile. Returning the smile with a small one of his own, Itachi pulled his mask over his face and vanished.

Fugaku's eyes narrowed and he turned to his nephew.

"Let's go."

The younger man nodded and followed him, noticing with a slight frown that Sasuke stood in the doorway watching them with a worried expression.

Onyx eyes, older than they had any right to be met his own before their owner gave him a slight nod and slid back into the shadows.

His frown deepened and he resolved to ask Itachi about it.

When they arrived at the gate both Team Karasu and Team Inu were there surrounding the Hokage protectively. Shisui's gaze sought his younger cousin immediately, and found the teen standing at the rear of the village leader, talking to his team in quick hand signs. Even beneath the armor he could see that the stress and tension the other had been carrying for the past few weeks had lessened immensely. It wasn't completely gone as most people would believe, but it didn't haunt his steps as it had since the awakening of Sasuke's sharingan.

"Inu-taicho, Karasu-taicho, are we ready?"

The two in question bowed.

"Hai, Hokage-sama."

The elderly man smiled. "Move out."

In mere moments, the entourage took to the trees and vanished from view.

"Pein-sama, our guests have left Konoha."

Pein nodded, purple-ringed eyes observing Kisame carefully.

"Are you alright?"

The shark-like man sighed softly. "Madara is due back from wherever he went in a few days and my mate will be forced to be around him for weeks."

"Are. You. Alright?" Pein repeated and Kisame smirked.

"I'm fine, Itachi's coming home."

The trip to Amegakure couldn't have been more peaceful…or more nerve-wracking.

Every step they took brought him closer to the village he'd called home for nearly a decade and it felt like all the burdens he'd been carrying were slowly falling away.

Still, his nerves were singing at the thought of seeing his husband…and Madara again.

His eyes narrowed beneath his mask and a snarl curled his lips.

He hated that man, the one that had taken his brother's rage and twisted it until the child had tried to destroy everything they'd both loved. He had never, ever wanted vengeance against the man, but he wouldn't stop if the opportunity was presented for him to kill the bastard. Anything to keep him away from Sasuke.

A familiar chakra signature brushed against his own like a long-lost friend and he stopped drawing every one's attention.

"Karasu?"

"The welcome party." He responded and the Hokage raised an eyebrow as the rest of the Anbu tensed.

"Friendly?"

"Hai. It's the Amekage's bodyguard, Hoshigaki Kisame."

Shisui blinked. "You memorized his chakra signature in a day?"

"He has a fondness of trying to sneak up on me."

Inu snickered. "Did he succeed?"

Itachi hummed. "Once." He turned to the Hokage and Fugaku.

"How do you wish to proceed?"

Shisui pursed his lips at his cousin's question, noting the spark of anger in Fugaku's eyes. The Uchiha head had been seething for most of the trip as he watched Itachi defer to the Hokage and Inu over him. It was surprising he hadn't snapped yet.

"How far is he?"

The young Anbu didn't respond merely nodding his head toward a tree a few yards away. A rough laugh sounded.

"Damn. Thought I had ya, Birdy." Taunted a deep voice and they all blinked.

His first thought was damn.

Hoshigaki was tall, taller than everyone in their group. His pale blue skin stretched over his broad-shouldered muscular frame, dark blue hair contrasting it nicely. Small amber eyes gleamed with amusement as they met Itachi's through the eyes of his mask and- were those gills?!

Suddenly, Fugaku tensed beside him, fear flashing in his dark gaze.

"Hoshigaki Kisame. You're one of the Seven Swordsmen."

Hoshigaki smirked.

"Yep. Wanted for attempted assassination of the Mizukage, too. Acquitted, of course."

"Of course." Hokage-sama replied dryly and a muffled sound left Itachi.

"Kisame-san." Was that amusement in his cousin's voice?

His smirk widened. "Hai, hai, Birdy-chan. Right this way, Hokage-sama…Uchiha-sama. Anbu. Pein-sama is expecting you."

Turning, he led them further into the forest which rippled to reveal a tall gate with the symbol for ame on it.

A stoic orange haired man waited for them just outside them wearing a black cloak covered in red clouds. Piercings marred his face and purple ringed eyes gazed at them softening when they landed on Karasu.

"Welcome to Amegakure, Uchiha-sama, Hokage-sama. I am the Amekage, Pein."

TBC…