A/N- Happy new years, everyone!
After a lot of convincing on Unmei and Kisame's part, Itachi notified Leader that they would be getting to the headquarters a couple of days later than planned. Even though their mission ender a week early, he still felt obligated to let their leader know about their detour before getting back. Itachi wanted to leave Kisame and Unmei by themselves so that they can drop off the kid, but he didn't want to miss out on a chance to see his supposed "soul mate" as Unmei had told him. So they left for Konoha the very same day.
Unmei made sure that the little boy was comfortable as she gave the sleeping Haku a piggy back ride as they headed for Konoha. She slightly hunched over so that Haku wouldn't fall off since he wasn't conscious enough to hold on to her. Kisame offered to carry her backpack for her while she carried the boy.
They wanted to drop Haku off as soon as possible. Not because they didn't want him to be with them, but it would give Unmei and Kisame more time to actually talk about what they were feeling towards each other. They could have left a day later and still be on time, but Unmei didn't want Haku to be in Kirikagure for a moment longer. Kisame secretly thought that Unmei didn't want to be in Kiri for a moment longer, either.
Unmei didn't know how to confront Kisame about what she felt. Even though she apologised, it didn't feel like they would be able to act like they would have right way. Unmei had felt hurt, anger, sadness and betrayal towards Kisame for the past eight years and it felt to her that eight years of struggling wouldn't simply vanish with one apology. Unmei felt conflicted. On the one hand she just wanted to let it go and feel happy with Kisame again, on the other hand she wanted space to justify her emotions and to get over all of the hurt she allowed herself to be overcome with for so long. Unmei needed time and she didn't know whether or not Kisame felt the same. Unmei knows that she loves Kisame, but she also knows that right now she doesn't want to love Kisame. She briefly wondered if you could love someone without liking them. She had plenty of time for thought on this trip, seeing as it was going to be quite a silent one. Unmei shrugged her negative thoughts and instead focused on what she would be doing when they get into Konoha.
"Miss, are we going to Konoha?" A now awake Haku asked a couple of hours into their trip. It startled Unmei since she didn't even feel him wake up. It felt like Unmei's movements were automatic as she forgot about the outside world in favour for the internal one.
"Yes, we will be there in about a day. Just relax, Haku. Are you hungry?" Unmei asked the child on her back with some concern in her voice. She didn't want to starve a child on her first time taking care of one. Unmei revised her thoughts, she didn't want to starve a child ever, and no matter that it was her first time taking care of one.
"No, but could I have some water please?" Haku asked politely. It surprised Unmei that a child of a supposed brutal villain could be so well-mannered.
"Of course. Kisame would you be so kind as to give Haku some water please?" Unmei asked Kisame, since she still had Haku on her back she couldn't really do anything with her hands, but she could stand straighter since he was now conscious enough to help support himself. Kisame reached into his bag and gave Haku a canteen filled with water.
"Thank you Mister Same". Haku smiled happily at Kisame and drank the water gleefully. Unmei laughed at the nickname given to Kisame.
"So I'm not the only child to ever call you that, Same." Unmei giggled as she teased Kisame. Kisame laughed back at Unmei.
"My name's not that hard, I've no idea why you called me that." Kisame pointed out to Unmei.
"Same suited you more, you were cute back then so you deserved a cute nickname. Kisame sounded too grown up." Unmei grinned at Kisame. Kisame blushed slightly because of Unmei's words but smiled none the less.
"May I walk on my own now Miss Mei?" Haku asked Unmei after finishing his water. Unmei nodded and let him down gently. They decided to slow down their pace a bit since they've been keeping good pace.
"So how old are you, Haku?" Unmei asked the little boy in order to keep him preoccupied. Haku suddenly grinned and began counting on his fingers.
"I'm this old!" Haku stated while holding up 4 tiny fingers. Unmei smiled at Haku.
"Wow, almost a full hand!" Unmei gushed at the little boy. He seemed so cute and innocent to her. She didn't want anyone to ever hurt him. Kisame smiled at Unmei. He hadn't smiled so much for a positive reason since the last time he saw her. It felt different for both him and Itachi to have him acting like this.
Soon it became time for the four of them to set up for the night and rest before continuing the road to Konoha. Unmei had set up the sleeping bags, Itachi went to fetch some wood, Kisame built the fire and Haku chased a moth he spotted near the fire.
"Miss Mei, can I sleep next to you tonight?" Haku asked Unmei, forgetting about his winged companion, which in turn flew in the flame and became tiny ashes. Kisame seemed amused at that.
"Of course you can." Unmei told Haku and he smiled before running off to look for another moth. Unmei prepared some packaged meals for everyone and called Haku back so that he could eat. As Unmei was walking with a pot filled with water that now cooled to the point of drinking, Kisame bumped into her as he was walking to get his meal. Unmei squealed lightly as she dropped the pot when falling over. She groaned and prepared to get up except, she couldn't.
Above Unmei, on his hands and knees, was a blushing Kisame.
"Are you alright?" Kisame asked Unmei. Unmei could feel her face heat up as she stared up into Kisame's deep black eyes. She wanted to answer him but words felt lost to her at the moment.
"Uhm, haha, sorry about that! Yes I'm fine, are you?" Unmei answered in a rushed manner. She wasn't used to being this close to anyone and that made her nervous.
"I'm fine too." Kisame smiled at Unmei which in turn caused Unmei to blush harder.
"Would you mind getting off me?" Unmei asked meekly. She felt extremely uncomfortable with their position, but Kisame seemed fine.
"Nah I'm good." Kisame smirked at Unmei. Unmei glared up at him. The bastard was making her nervous on purpose.
That's fine, I'll return the favour. Unmei thought to herself as she suddenly smiled up at Kisame. Kisame looked at her curiously. Suddenly Unmei hugged Kisame close to herself, which startled Kisame. Unmei used this to her advantage and flipped them over, thus landing on top of Kisame. Unmei now sat on Kisame's stomach and stared down at him with a victorious smile on her face.
"Not so fun now, is it?" Unmei mocked Kisame.
"I'm still good." Kisame smirked up at Unmei, effectively making her blush once more.
"Never mind, you win!" Unmei gave up as she stood up from Kisame and went to fetch her food. She huffed in an annoyed manner on her way there.
"Ha, too easy." Kisame bragged as he went to get his food as well. Unmei didn't seem to notice that he also had a bright blush on his face, but Itachi and Haku did and they both smiled to each other knowingly.
As everyone was eating Haku opted to sit by Itachi and leave Unmei and Kisame alone. Itachi allowed this and they quietly talked to each other as Unmei and Kisame ate in awkward silence.
"Well I guess we should go to sleep, who will be keeping first watch?" Unmei asked Itachi after their mostly silent meal. Haku seemed about ready to fall over and sleep anywhere he could.
"I'll keep first watch." Itachi answered simply.
"Alright then, good night everyone!" Unmei exclaimed as she climbed into her sleeping bag. Haku stumbled over to Unmei and stared at her for a moment before speaking.
"May I sleep with you, Miss Mei?" Haku asked Unmei politely. Unmei would have squealed at the cuteness if she wasn't so tired. Somewhere in the background Kisame spluttered at Haku's choice of words, which caused Itachi to smirk.
"Sure Haku, hop in!" Unmei answered happily. Haku got into the sleeping bag and snuggled closer to Unmei. He looked over Unmei's shoulder and stuck his tongue out at Kisame before hugging Unmei and closing his eyes. Kisame slightly twitched at the little boy's antics. He grumbled as he got into his sleeping bag and went to sleep. Itachi had to stop himself from laughing at Kisame.
Itachi and Haku's plan seemed to be working well.
The next morning Unmei woke everyone up with some breakfast so that they could get to Konoha early. Haku could almost constantly be seen very close to Unmei, usually helping her out with simple tasks. Kisame seemed especially grumpy as Unmei giggled at Haku when he offered some more help.
"Are you jealous of a little kid?" Itachi questioned Kisame secretly.
"Tch, no! Why would I be?" Kisame answered in an annoyed manner. Itachi smiled to himself.
"Miss Mei, are you married?" Haku asked Unmei casually. Unmei smiled down at him.
"No I am not Haku, why do you ask?" Unmei answered Haku. Kisame could've sworn he saw the kid give him an evil looking smile before looking back at Unmei.
"Will you marry me, Miss Mei?" Haku asked politely. Unmei blushed and giggled slightly. Kisame seemed just about ready to murder a four year old. Itachi seemed to be enjoying the situation.
Well it's not like she'll say yes. Kisame thought to himself. He was very satisfied with his revelation.
"Sure!" Unmei grinned at a happy looking Haku. He was only four after all, of course he wouldn't be serious. After all, his soul mate wasn't even born yet, Unmei noted.
Wait... WHAT?! Kisame jumped up from the log he was sitting on in alarm.
"What's wrong Mister Same? Don't you want Miss Mei to marry me?" Haku asked Kisame innocently. Kisame glared at the child.
"No I don't" Kisame growled at Haku. Haku simply smiled at Kisame, as if he knew that Kisame would act like this.
"Why not?" Haku asked. Itachi smiled at Haku. Their plan worked out better than they thought it would. Unmei looked at Kisame, confused at the situation.
"Because I want to!" Kisame answered angrily. Haku and Itachi both smiled at each other in accomplishment and Unmei looked very surprised.
"Okay! You can have Miss Mei!" Haku laughed at Kisame and went over to Itachi for the treat he was promised if he played along. Unmei saw and finally understood the situation so she started laughing.
"What's so funny?" Kisame asked Unmei. He was very annoyed at the fact that Unmei seemed to enjoy his situation.
"You were fooled by a four year old." Unmei stated as she laughed further and pointed in Itachi's direction. Kisame looked over at what Unmei was pointing at and saw Haku eat some candy that Itachi gave him, The situation made a lot more sense for Kisame now.
"Well you didn't say no to me." Kisame suddenly smiled at Unmei, which caused her to blush. Unmei would have liked to point out that Kisame didn't even really ask her, but she let it go in favour of teasing him some more.
"I didn't say yes either!" Unmei teased a depressed looking Kisame.