Whew. Another chapter done. The plot really kicks into gear now and you'll recognize some of the things that happen…sort of. I don't really remember the episode when Itachi and Kisame first infiltrated Konoha so somethings will definitely be off. But whatever! Enjoy and I do not own Naruto!
Konan, being the insightful female she was, was the first to notice the change between Itachi and Haku. There was no tension between them. She grinned when she passed them in the hall on their way outside to train more.
"Hello love birds," she teased.
"Shut up Konan," Itachi sighed.
"Well you're in a good mood, aren't you?" she continued, smirking as Itachi's eyes narrowed.
"Leave now before I decide to stick kunai in your throat," Itachi added.
"Fine, fine. Good job Haku," Konan called as she danced down the hall.
Haku rolled his eyes behind the mask and Itachi sighed. "She set you up to everything you did last night, didn't she?"
"No. I wanted to make you open up again. You…seemed sad. I wanted to do something about it," Haku answered truthfully, slipping the mask off as they were washed in sunlight above the hideout.
"Hm…well…I guess we'll continue what I was teaching you yesterday. Do you remember the signs?" Itachi asked.
"Yep."
Several hours passed as Haku was taught the next three steps in the process to beat Itachi's Sharingan. The next three steps were simply signs and Haku didn't notice any particular change in chakra levels, strength, or speed. When he asked Itachi about it he merely replied,
"It's to help focus the sudden amount of chakra that you have," Itachi answered. "If you skipped to the other steps without focusing it you'd end up killing me."
Haku's eyes widened. "Oh…wow…"
"Now go through the first six steps. And try not to pass out when the power drains away," Itachi ordered.
Haku blushed. Every time, after practicing for about an hour, when he used the techniques he passed out cold for several minutes. It wasn't his fault that the techniques drained the extra chakra he suddenly had as well as the rest of his own.
"Where's the extra chakra even coming from?" Haku wondered as he preformed the first seal within the sleeves of his cloak.
"Me. The seals drain whoever is using the Sharingan at the time," Itachi answered. "But don't worry. I have more than you so it's no big deal."
Haku nodded, weary as he did the rest of the technique. Once again, as soon as he released the power his vision spun and he collapsed from chakra loss. Itachi sighed and took his place beside Haku's head, lifting it up and placing it on his knee so he had more comfort.
He's too beautiful, Itachi thought, staring down at Haku's smooth face. He tasted so good too. To think someone who seems so pure isn't even a virgin.
Eventually Haku woke again and began to scramble to his feet, only to have Itachi pull him back down, wrapping his arms firmly around his waist as he pulled Haku onto his lap. Haku blushed again.
"Um…Itachi?"
"Hm?"
"What are you doing?"
"Holding onto you."
"Well obviously. But why?" Haku asked.
"Just letting you know that you are mine…and no one else's," Itachi answered with a shrug. "Are you ready to go back now?"
Haku nodded. Itachi let him go and together, they began walking back towards the hideout. I could get used to this, Haku thought.
IHIHIHIHI
Several weeks passed in the same manner and slowly, Itachi warmed up to Haku to the point of almost being possessive. Haku had long ago abandoned his room for Itachi's, content to wake up every morning within the protective grasp of Itachi's arms. But of course, not all could be at perfect ease and before long Pain had yet another mission for them.
"We're going to Konoha, huh?" Haku mused as they walked out of the base. "Isn't that where Sasuke lives?"
"Unfortunately. But hopefully we can avoid him. We only need to capture the Kyuubi and get out," Itachi said, pinching the bridge of his nose.
"If we do run into him…what will you do?" Haku asked quietly.
"Well…I wouldn't do anything but he will, of course, attack me. I'll probably just beat him up a little bit, let him know he isn't strong enough," Itachi sighed.
Haku wordlessly slipped his hand into Itachi's, adding some comfort to the distress only he could sense within Itachi. Itachi squeezed the hand before letting it go and looking away.
"I just…need to get this whole mission over with. Quickly. That way, I won't have to worry about it anymore," Itachi said quietly.
"Yeah…I know. So is there anyway to get there faster than this?" Haku asked.
"Flash steps. But that would drain our chakra too much flash stepping the whole way there," Itachi pointed out.
"I guess your right."
So instead, they continued walking.
IHIHIHIHI
Itachi and Haku stood at the top of the wall that surrounded Konoha, surveying the town in the dawn light.
"Let's go," Itachi ordered, leaping down from the wall without waiting for Haku.
Haku nimbly leapt down after him and jumped in front of him to take out the two guards before they could even react. Itachi noted silently that Haku didn't kill them, only knocked them out with a swift chop near their necks.
"Come on. We need to find where the Kyuubi boy lives," Itachi said, walking forward.
Haku trailed after him, thankful that no one was yet out. Though he couldn't quite shake the feeling that they were being followed or something…
"Itachi…"
"What?"
"We're
being followed aren't we?" he whispered.
Itachi turned towards him, displaying the Sharingan to him. "I've known that for awhile now. But for now, we're going to merely blend in with everyone else here. We're going to get a hotel and get rid of our cloaks."
Haku nodded and followed Itachi as they neatly changed course to a large building. It was quiet, due to the fact that it was still early morning and the receptionist looked as if she were about to fall asleep.
"One room," Itachi ordered.
The woman didn't even look up, lazily tossing a key in his direction. Itachi snatched it out of the air, snuck a glance at the number and motioned for Haku to follow him. Upon reaching their room, Itachi shed his cloak and tossed it in the closet, Haku quickly following suit.
"Should we wait until later or leave now?" Haku asked, tentatively slipping his mask off.
"If you feel uncomfortable taking it off, then don't," Itachi told him, sensing his awkwardness.
"But…it will stand out. I guess I don't mind," Haku mumbled, slipping the mask into his pocket.
"Whatever."
Haku looked up at him, feeling the overwhelming desire to just kiss him. Itachi beat him to it, closing the gap between them and fixing his lips firmly on Haku's, lightly flicking his tongue out and asking for entrance. Haku granted it as Itachi pinned him to the wall, hands cupping his face as he did so. Finally, they broke away to breath and Haku blushed.
"Come on…" Itachi ordered.
Haku nodded and together they left the hotel in search of the Kyuubi.
