--Keeping Secrets—

They smile and stab my back and,
I lie and have to laugh,
And it won't take long to burn,
All eyes on me--All Eyes On Me--Goo Goo Dolls

Shisui rubbed at his stomach. It hurt most days, sharp and quick like a knife in his side. He assumed it was from stress. He ate less, since eating made it worse. He kept telling himself the pain would either go away, or he would get it looked at....later. It was always later these days. There was always something more important he needed to do. Shisui pulled his hand through his mussed hair. His eyes felt dry and gritty. He hadn't been sleeping well. He wasn't sure anyone in the compound had been.

Everyone was stressed and verging on panic. The Uchiha got along well with civilians. The civilians loved having someone who would keep the ninja in line. The Uchiha were even well respected by the majority of ninja, up to the Chuunin rank. They weren't popular with some of the larger clans, but the smaller clans looked semi-favorably on them. The higher ranking the ninja were, however, the more likely they were to be hostile towards the Uchiha. Shisui didn't know if that was simply because a Jounin might resent the fact a Chuunin officer could arrest a Jounin, putting the Jounin below the Chunnin in certain situations, or if something else was going on. ANBU, as a general rule, was the worst to deal with. Breaking up a fight with ANBU was a living nightmare for the police right now. Broken bones were becoming a staple, and if Shisui didn't know any better, he'd think that the sudden rash of fights was planned.

The problem with respect wasn't the only thing going on, oh no, not by a long shot. Problems seemed to pile one on top of the other, and there was still the usual business to deal with. Shisui knew Fugaku was managing best he could, but there were still murmurs of discontent among the Uchiha. There were whispers that maybe the Uchiha needed to take a more aggressive stance before they were completely undermined. Shisui put his head in his hands. He wished those were his only concerns.

I could kill you right now.

The encounter with Itachi at the river had Shisui worried. Itachi had always been fine. He was the genius. He was a quick flash of fire that burnt away anything and everything that could ever think to harm him. He was fast, attacks only hitting his afterimages. When he did fall, he hit the ground hard and rolled around until he could bounce back onto his feet. Granted, Itachi had gotten hurt. He did get sick, but his mind had always been sharp and agile. Shisui had never questioned that. No one ever had. Itachi's mind was different, almost frightening at times, but he had always been sane.

Now, Shisui had to wonder. When he'd seen his cousin fall off the bridge and into the water, his heart had stopped. When Itachi hadn't bobbed to the surface, Shisui had panicked. He hadn't thought twice about leaping in after Itachi. There was no choice. It had been Itachi. Instinct had kicked in, never mind the fact Itachi could beat him now, and he hadn't needed anyone's help in years. Shisui could remember wiping Itachi's snotty nose and pulling him out of fish ponds.

Don't touch me.

The look in Itachi's eyes--the panic, the fear, the dull confusion that had clouded those bright eyes had Shisui's heart aching. Shisui closed his eyes and pressed a hand harder to his stomach. He felt like the world was unraveling. Especially after the visit he'd gotten. Shisui swallowed and let out a slow breath.

We want you to watch Itachi-kun.

Watch. It was just a polite phrasing for 'spy on'. The Uchiha wanted Shisui to spy on Itachi. It was wrong on so many levels. This was their bright star. They shouldn't be second guessing him, of all people. And they wanted Shisui to do it. Granted, Shisui knew Itachi best, and he would be the one who knew if something was wrong with Itachi. Still, you shouldn't ask friends to tattle on each other. Shisui shouldn't have to be double questioning and checking every word and motion for motive or falsity with his best friend. He just shouldn't have to do that.

Does Fugaku-sama really think-

Fugaku-sama's judgment in this area, understandably, is a little clouded....

Fugaku didn't know. This was not the clan head's idea. This was someone else's suspicions. Maybe Fugaku himself was suspect. The clan itself was starting to fall apart. Shisui had never thought he'd see the day when Uchiha would suspect Uchiha. He had never imagined that such a thing could happen. They had enough enemies without turning snarling jaws inwards. They were going to fall apart if this kept up. There would be no more clan. There was a certain camaraderie and sense of family that made the clan a clan. They were all of the same blood. They were family.

When you started to doubt your own family, things were going wrong. Shisui had wanted to laugh off those words to watch Itachi. He had wanted to, at least. Now, however, after that moment in the river.....

It's not about what I want anymore.

Itachi was right. This had all gone beyond what anyone wanted. The question was, whose wants were they now serving? Was Itachi serving the Uchiha as he always had or were the suspicions that Itachi was serving something else correct? He wouldn't, would he? Certainly, Itachi didn't act like the most devout lover of his clan, but this was his family. He'd never do anything to endanger them. He would never put Sasuke or his parents in danger. Itachi simply wouldn't do that. It would contradict his basic nature.

Don't come near me again-don't interfere. You're weak.

Interfere with what? Shisui gave a small groan and curled into a small ball. His head was fogged. The coffee made his stomach hurt worse. He'd almost been sick yesterday. He was weak. Shisui doubted he could do what needed to be done. He was tired, and he wanted things to be simpler. He wanted to see Itachi in the street and not worry. He wanted to watch Itachi devour dango, that deadpan face with a glimmer of mischief as he stole Shisui's stick of dango and ate it too. There had been no suspicions in those days. There had been nothing but the hot sun glimmering on a sedate river.

Nothing was ever going to be that simple again. Tonight Shisui would give his first report on Itachi at the clan meeting. Tonight he would compromise something in himself. He didn't know what he'd say. He didn't know if he'd lie or tell the truth. Whatever he did, he didn't think it would be right.

But nothing felt right anymore.

"Fugaku suspects something."

Danzou actually jumped. Itachi's lips pulled back in a pleased smile. He stalked across the room towards Danzou's desk. There was a predatory grace present that the thirteen year-old usually didn't have. This was the tight, controlled gait of an ancient killer. His facial expressions were more languid, with an almost sensual nature in them. Every glance was appraising and almost needy. It was possessive.

"You shouldn't come here so often. Someone will suspect something." Danzou looked down at his papers. Papers were preferable to the face of the child right now. Itachi laughed, high, clear laugh inundated with wicked intent. It was repulsive and alluring at the same time--fascinating in the same manner that made people stop and stare at grisly crime scenes, especially when the body was still there.

"No one saw me," Itachi replied flippantly. This was all a game to him right now. Danzou preferred the contrary little ANBU child to this one.

"So you say," Danzou replied. He didn't give Itachi the satisfaction of eye contact or attention.

"You doubt me, Danzou? Ah, you've always been such a pessimist, haven't you?" Itachi leaned on the desk. "You should believe my pride wouldn't let me allow anyone to see me when I didn't want to be seen. I want this all to be finished just as much as you do, believe me."

Danzou glanced up. The Uchiha was looking down. Itachi's eyes were an arrogant red, constantly throwing in Danzou's face the superior bloodline he possessed. The Uchiha smirked, as if he could read Danzou's thoughts. This, Danzou thought, was the true face of all the Uchiha--the arrogant, self possessed expression with a smirk that belittled anyone who was not born with the black hair and hungry red eyes. Those eyes looked like they wanted to devour everything, and they would if allowed.

"I do not trust traitors," Danzou said simply, dropping his gaze from those eyes. It was avoiding the challenge, but it helped him hide things from those eyes.

Itachi laughed again. "I believe there is a quaint saying about a pot and a kettle that would fit with this occasion, Danzou. You always have loved to make yourself feel superior."

Danzou grunted and shifted his papers. If he were a younger man, he might have retaliated. If he didn't know exactly what was standing in front of him, he would have retaliated by now, despite his age. He knew better, though. It hadn't taken him long to learn that lesson. "What about Fugaku? How do you know he suspects something?"

"He tried to get a Yamanaka to do an evaluation on Itachi without his knowledge," The Uchiha reported simply, as if he were saying there would be rain tomorrow when they had planned a picnic.

Danzou stiffened. A Yamanaka could ruin everything. There were some obvious alterations in Itachi's mind that would be easy to pick up on if anyone poked around in it. Danzou took in Itachi's relaxed posture, and the easy expression on his face. "You killed him."

Itachi smiled. "That would be barbaric. I'm far more sophisticated than that. I placed a block on him that will last a few days, but it will break down, and then he will remember. Moreover, if Fugaku doesn't hear back from the Yamanaka, he might try another one. As I said, he suspects something is up."

"What does he suspect?" Danzou asked. They had days then, not weeks or months anymore.

"Oh, that his son is crazy." Itachi seemed almost gleeful. "He doesn't yet suspect that his son could be used against him, but he is getting close to the root of his problem with ANBU. Itachi is a very successful little agent, it would appear."

Danzou was silent as he mulled over his options. "Can Itachi do it now? Shisui is still alive."

"Yes, at this point Itachi doesn't need the Mangekyou to kill his clan. The genius has reached another level of greatness. I don't know when or how, but you've heard the reports. He fights like a demon." The red eyes flashed. The Uchiha were demons—like the Kyuubi they could control.

"I assumed that was you. It wasn't?" Danzou risked a sideways glance to gauge the expression.

"No, not all the time. Itachi was fighting like a possessed man before I showed up. Fugaku has the right of it. Something in Itachi is off kilter. The genius is starting to crack." Itachi leaned on Danzou's desk, splaying his thin hands across all the important papers he could touch. "I think your 'cautionary measure' pushed him over the edge. You should be more careful when you play with other people's toys."

"He was normal for a week after we did it. It's only recently he changed. I had nothing to do with it," Danzou. growled. Of course, the Uchiha would try to blame him for any problems. Uchiha never made mistakes, did they?

"No, it was after the Uchiha declared him unfit for duty, wasn't it?" Itachi looked speculative. "Perhaps they did something to him."

It wouldn't surprise Danzou if they had. It wouldn't surprise him if no one had done anything, and Itachi was just falling apart on his own. Danzou didn't care. As long as the boy lasted a few more days, he could fall apart however he pleased. "Let me see your back."

Itachi raised an eyebrow. Still, he turned so Danzou could see his back before reaching around and pulling his shirt up. Itachi's back was smooth and unblemished from scars. Danzou could see the tight muscles twisting under the skin as the body was contorted to show the back without completely turning around. There was a small, dark mark, almost the shade of a deep bruise, low on the Uchiha's back.

Danzou relaxed a little despite himself. He heard a chuckle and looked up to the red eyes. There was a sardonic quirk of the eyebrows. The lips pulled back in a condescending little smile. "And what would the Uchiha have to say to you if they knew how you'd violated their precious genius?"

"They'd have more to say to you, joyriding as you are," Danzou returned. He really didn't care what the Uchiha would say. They were getting what was coming to them, and at the hands of one of their own. It would be poetic. It would be terrible and wonderful all at the same time. Danzou couldn't wait to see the end result of this venture.

Itachi laughed. "You think you wouldn't if you were in my position? Itachi-kun is a finely tuned instrument of death and grace. What more could anyone ask for? How could anyone resist? The boy just begs to be used, with his superior skills and contrary attitude. It makes you want to break him and use him, doesn't it?"

Danzou didn't answer. What they were doing was answer enough. They both knew it. Danzou asked something else instead. "How long will it take you to get here?"

"A day or two," was the flippant reply. Itachi smoothed his shirt down, hands running down the smooth, lithe body. Everyone was vain, but could you call it vanity while you were in someone else's body, treating it as yours? Danzou moved his papers around.

"Then we'll do it then," Danzou said, and he couldn't stop a shiver of pleasure from passing through him. He had been planning this for years, but he wouldn't have been able to realize his plan without Itachi. The Uchiha had thrown the last needed part of Danzou's plan into his lap.

The Uchiha were in charge of the discipline of the ninja of Konoha. They were responsible for making sure everyone stayed in their place. They had little say in how the village was run, technically, but they had power. They had influence. If they said someone had done a wrong, then everyone took it for granted that the accused had actually done something wrong. With the Uchiha's watchful eye on things, it would be hard for anyone to cause too much discord in the city without bringing their wrath down on himself. If anyone wanted to change how things were done in Konoha, they would have to go through or do away with the Uchiha.

Danzou would have no rivals for power. The choice was obvious for him. The Hokage should have no rivals for power, especially the power hungry Uchiha, who though themselves so superior to everyone. Their arrogance had made them vulnerable, and it would be very satisfying to turn their greatest member against them. They would never suspect it, and everyone would think the clan had brought about their own destruction.

"Remember our deal. I help you with this, and I get the left over shell for my own purposes," Itachi said, tapping himself on the chest.

As tempted as Danzou might be to keep Itachi around afterwards, it was obvious he couldn't. If anyone recognized the boy, there would be problems. The boy would have to be constantly watched, and if the 'precautions' ever failed, there would be no stopping his revenge. The boy was a magnificent tool, but he was a dangerous one for anyone to use—even the Uchiha, who thought him so safe. Itachi wasn't safe at all. He was an open flame that burned everything he touched.

"I'll keep our deal," Danzou assured the Uchiha.

The boy's head nodded. "Good, now, I'd better go tuck the child into bed. He's going to have a very busy next few days." Itachi padded silently to the door. Danzou watched with both excitement and trepidation. So close to the end, and there were so many things that could go wrong. Danzou would not rest easy until it was over. The sooner it happened the better.

"If you double cross me…." Danzou's threat was cut off by another laugh. The Uchiha turned, red eyes flashing.

"If I double cross you, there's nothing you can do about it," Itachi said smoothly. "You made your deal with something bigger than you, and now you have to deal with that. You are not in control anymore, and you haven't been since you asked for my help, Danzou. But I'll abide by our agreements. It serves me well."

You serve me well.

It rankled. It made Danzou feel hot with anger, and it was true. Danzou looked at those gloating red eyes. That was why the Uchiha had to go. That mentality and the truth it held. The average Uchiha was better than the average ninja. Their sharingan gave them an edge, and they were trained from the cradle to be the best. Strength was good for Konoha, but the Uchiha's strength was horded only for the benefit of the clan, not the village they were supposed to serve.

There was never a better example of that than Uchiha Madara, ancient patriarch of the clan. He was the epitome of Uchiha arrogance, and the fact his clan had turned him, wounded his pride, was the reason he was here, in the Uchiha genius's body, plotting his clan's downfall.

Danzou didn't believe in justice or karma, but he did appreciate irony. The laughing glint in Itachi's eyes told Danzou that Madara did too.

A/N: Mission: Finish fic before July. Let's go.