Author's Notes: Here's my second one for these guys…
Title: Red and Black
Pairing: Hoshigaki Kisame/Uchiha Itachi
Fandom: Naruto
Theme: #1/Look Over Here
Disclaimer: "Naruto" is copyright Masashi Kishimoto.
Notes: Takes place directly post episode 85
"Neh, Itachi-san?"
He turned to face his partner, black hair brushing against blue skin. The slight motion was enough though for Kisame to acknowledge that Itachi was listening.
"How long will it be until your sharingan comes back?"
Itachi frowned; it wasn't often that he had to exert so much energy in one day. Honestly, he wasn't sure.
"I'll need to continue to rest," He stated simply.
Kisame nodded, gently untying the forehead protector from Itachi's head and sitting it aside.
"Stupid brat, causing so much trouble; now we have no choice but to lay around and do nothing the rest of the day."
Their cloaks had already been discarded by the door; their current lodgings far enough from Konoha that no one would find them, yet not so far that they wore themselves out further getting there. Laying besides each other on the futon, they just relished the peace and quiet along with each other's company.
"Do you remember the day we met?" Kisame questioned, not really expecting an answer.
"It was humid then," Itachi replied after a moment.
"Yah, just like it is today…"
The warm weather weighted down on the black-cloaked men, all having gathered together to induct a new member into their ranks and to assign him his partner.
Now, with the formalities over, only a few members remained- most having gone back to their current missions or posts.
"Hmm. So that's my assigned partner?" Kisame's eyes danced over the shorter, cloaked man, "He's rather…thin."
A cold laugh emanated from beside him, "It's a very healthy body. Very…powerful."
Slitted-eyes perused the younger man, plots and plans running through his mind.
"Orochimaru-san," Kisame intervened, beginning to walk towards the new member, "He's my partner, so don't make him into part of your body collection."
The pale-skinned man shrugged, "You couldn't defend him if I wanted to."
But Kisame called his bluff, "I'm sure he can defend himself, Orochimaru-san."
Nearing the place where the black-haired man sat, Kisame kept his distance. Close enough to observe, far enough away not to be noticed immediately.
He knew the man's stats- but Kisame was also a firm believer in only believing things that he'd seen with his own two eyes. And that just happened to be the particular body part that he really wanted to see on the other man.
Come on, look over here…
They were supposed to be blood red, crimson red, hellfire red. Some rumors even said that the Uchiha had bathed his eyes in the blood of his clan to give them such a blood-stained appearance. All the stats, all the stories, all the rumors- made the eyes sound like a horror to behold, a truly terrifying experience.
Sensing the presence behind him, Itachi glanced up; his red eyes locking with the simple black pupils of Kisame.
There were many words that came to the blue-skinned man's mind that moment, but none of them were harsh or threatening in any way.
Those eyes were powerful, strong… beautiful.
"Hoshigaki Kisame, formerly of the Mist Seven. Am I correct?"
He grinned at the acknowledgement, "It looks like you're familiar with me already- Uchiha Itachi."
"Kisame. Look over here."
Itachi's voice was smooth, yet stoic and it jarred Kisame from his memories.
"Ah Itachi-san, what is it?"
The blue-skinned man watched in silence as the Itachi reached up and removed the forehead protector from where it rested against his temple, tossing it onto the table with his own.
"You should appreciate it while you can."
Some people would assume he meant the tranquil moment they were indulging it. Others might guess that if the Uchiha did have any semblance of a heart- that he meant for his partner to enjoy their time alone together, these being the only times they were allowed to have loving emotions of any sort.
But Kisame knew what he truly meant, his black eyes meeting with the rare sight of another set of black eyes. Leaning forward to kiss Itachi's forehead, he pushed the stray strands of hair from the other man's face.
"It's the first time I've got to see them like this."
"It's as they say," Itachi responded.
"There's a first time for everything?"
Itachi nodded, nonchalantly resting his head against Kisame's chest.
"Rest, Itachi-san," He said closing his own eyes to rest, "Seeing them once is enough for me."