Disclaimer- I don't own anything. Well, save a few random people thrown in here and there to keep the plot moving. Because however convenient it would be to our beloved Akatsuki members to have the ability to know facts that need to be known at the right time, they sadly do not have this ability, and thus need to be told by someone.

Warning- This is a Kisame/Itachi fic. Those that have an undying phobia of sharks, yaoi, psychological break downs, or the older brother of Sasuke getting it on with a man that looks to BE half-shark, run away now.

Another warning: This fic focuses on both Itachi and Kisame, not just Itachi. Thus, Kisame's past is going to come into this. Now, considering there is no information on Kisame's past, I had to improvise. A lot. I don't like putting Oc's into any fic, but I had to here.

Author's notes: Not sure how long this one will end up being. But um...enjoy the rather enigmatic prologue.

Review? ...Please?

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"W-why are you looking at me like that...?"

There was no answer. There never was an answer. Just fight. Fight like all the others, until you are covered in marks to show for it, until your spirit is broken and your body is numb.

"Why doesn't Mommy look like me, Daddy? Why don't you?"

Cold eyes. Cold, cold eyes, always watching him. Measuring him, what he could accomplish. At least he'd known where he got his eyes from. His Mother had always told him, looking at him in fear, like she always did, that his eyes were like Daddy's.

"Monster! Get out of here! Stay in the ocean where you belong!"

He wasn't a monster. He was a human.

"No you're not! Don't get near me!"

Why was he so special? The rest of the ninja in the army were as fierce, as cold blooded as he was.

"You're a freak!"

Why had Daddy given him this sword? People seemed to be more afraid of him than ever because of it. It made him confused, but when he asked, Daddy just said it made him stronger. That no one could use chakra against him, because the sword would protect him from it. Daddy always did things to make him stronger. Why?

"Now get in the front line and fight!"

That was what he did. What he always did. What everyone always did. He was sick of the army. He was sick of Daddy and his cruel eyes. He was sick of Mommy and her fear. He wanted out.

"You can't quit. You don't have the right."

"You were made to fight. You were raised for it. That sword was given to you so you can fight! Now get out there with the rest of your peers and do it!"

No way out. Never a way out. Couldn't get out. No, he could get out. He'd show them that he could get out, and they couldn't do anything about it.

"...where are the rest of 'em?"

"Zabuza went back."

"Why!"

Cold eyes. Like Daddy's. No, not like Daddy's- his were cold, but they were weak. They were stupid. The cold, red eyes he knew now were strong. Deadly strong, but uncertain. Why were they uncertain?

"Kisame."

Something was pulling at the edge of his mind. Why? He was always asking that. Why, why? He wasn't supposed to. That was why they hated him so much in the army. He didn't follow orders into suicide missions like he was supposed to. He asked why.

"Kisame?"

There is was again. That pull. What did it want?

"Kisame!"

He surged awake, sitting up much too fast. He hadn't had that dream in so long...

"Shit."