Oh wow. There is so much OOC from Itachi in this chapter and the same goes for Haku. I do not own Naruto. I wish I did. But I don't. Enjoy!

Itachi didn't say anything. He was shocked. For the first time ever, he was shocked into not saying anything at all. His mind was too focused on Haku's hand, which was now slowly tracing circles on his back, reminding him of when he was a child and he had woken up from a nightmare only to have his mother sooth him.

"Haku…what…are you doing?" he asked, shocking himself further when he realized how broken his voice sounded.

"I don't know," Haku admitted against his neck. "Just trying to help you. You were unhappy. I think you have been for a long time."

Itachi didn't move as Haku moved to hug him a little tighter, his fingers instead dancing up and down his arm in a still soothing manner. For the first time in what felt like forever, he felt at peace. Just suddenly, out of nowhere, he felt at perfect ease.

"Haku…thank you…I think…"

"You need to remember how to have emotions," Haku told him.

"Will you help me?"

"Of course," Haku answered before once again taking Itachi completely by surprise.

He leaned back and gently kissed his temple. Not romantically but almost motherly. It was then that he began to cry. Not silent tears that would every once in a while roll down his face when he was child but full out sobbing. And not once did Haku say anything. He only held him and rocked him back and forth as he curled up on himself, trying to hide from everyone in the world only to find that it wasn't possible anymore.

This continued for several minutes and Haku felt himself tearing apart as the once fearsome ninja broke down in front of him and cried like a small child. When Itachi finally pulled himself together, he refused to look at Haku.

Itachi was disgusted with himself. He had cried. What was wrong with him? This was not him. Or maybe it was. He had forgotten who the real him was after he had joined Akatsuki and now…

"Itachi…don't be ashamed. I think you needed that…" Haku mumbled. "But now…I think you should get some rest. Here."

Haku picked Itachi up easily, surprised at how light he really was. He carried him over to the bed and neatly tucked him in before turning to go, thinking it was best for Itachi to sort somethings out alone now that Haku had given him the push he needed. But that was when he felt a hand gripping the edge of his cloak.

"Don't leave me alone…I don't want to be alone anymore," Itachi whispered, finding that he couldn't look Haku in the eyes.

Haku gently pried Itachi's fingers off of his cloak before pulling the covers up and slipping beneath them. Itachi was clinging to him in an instant, burying his face into Haku's neck and refusing to let him go. Haku gently stroked his back, only relaxing when Itachi's breath evened out, signaling he was finally asleep.

Looks like I fixed him…at least, I started to. Now the rest is up to him, Haku thought. Maybe…if I help him…he can help me learn to get over Zabuza…

With these last thoughts, Haku let himself fall to sleep.

IHIHIHIHI

Itachi had been awake for several minutes but he still found that he didn't want to move. He had fallen asleep last night clinging tightly to the small form of Haku only to wake up to Haku nestled in his side with Itachi's arms curled around him protectively. It was too warm and Itachi realized that he didn't want to move away.

Haku…you coming here was the best thing that could've happened, Itachi thought, absentmindedly running his fingers through Haku's hair. Haku's eyes opened blearily.

"Itachi? What're you doing?" he murmured sleepily.

"Nothing really. Just…"

"Feels good," Haku told him, smiling up at him.

"Kisame was my lover," Itachi suddenly blurted.

Haku smiled again. "I know. Konan told me."

Itachi's nose wrinkled. "Of course…"

"Zabuza was my lover," Haku said. "I just thought I'd add that if we're confessing everything and all."

"I used to be in love with my brother," Itachi added. "That was a quick phase though…I think it's partly why he's still alive."

"I'm not a virgin," Haku admitted, blushing when he said it. The conversation was weird. Full of random information as they learned about one another.

Itachi's eyebrows rose in surprise. "Really now? I thought you would be."

"Zabuza…was everything to me…" Haku mumbled. "So I gave him everything."

"And you got nothing," Itachi sighed.

Haku shrugged. "I don't mind. Really. I was just a tool to him and I know that."

"I'm sorry for treating you the same way," Itachi told him. "You don't deserve it."

"Itachi…don't worry about it. I'm used to that kind of treatment," Haku said. "It really doesn't-"

Haku was cut off when lips seized his own and he was quickly straddled, arms pinned above his head. Well this was unexpected, he thought. Itachi was anything but gentle though Haku had never expected he would be. Itachi bit his lip once before drawing away and leaning down by his ear.

"Teach me to love again Haku. Please," he begged softly. "I don't feel anything when I kiss you." Haku flinched hearing the harsh words but he was soothed as Itachi gently lipped at his earlobe. "I want to feel something. I want you to mean something to me."

"I'll teach you to love…I can do that," Haku whispered as Itachi continued to plant kisses up and down his neck. "But it's hard when you're…oh god."

Itachi sucked at his collarbone after he had unbuttoned the cloak and allowed himself access. Then he drew away, smirking at Haku's lust filled eyes. "I succeeded at making you want me."

"Yes…you did," Haku mumbled, blushing.

"We'll take it slow," Itachi whispered, leaning down to Haku's ear. "I want to do this right. No mistakes. I want to fall in love again."
Haku twirled his arms around Itachi's neck. "Me too."

But I already have.