Thank you to everyone who reviewed last chapter! To answer some questions that were brought up-
A. Sasuke will be coming in soon enough. I have plans for him, don't worry.
B. I'll subdue to cursing a bit, but some is necessary since they are all adults and teenagers. Hidan's foul mouth is also a factor.
C. As far as the relationship between the other Akatsuki members go, I've not decided whether or not I'll include SasorixDeidara, KakuzuxHidan, and NagatoxKonan. I'll consider leaving them out, but it just depends on how the story plays out. Regardless, Kisame and Itachi will be in a romantic relationship in this story. This is one of the ships I had already decided on before I wrote it, so I hope it isn't too disappointing.
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Sho's Mangekyou ability had ended quickly after the two had come to the bitter agreement, the braided boy unable to hold his ability for much longer. Itachi watched the way Sho's body seemed to recoil painfully as it was released, the boy powering through it as he took a heavy step forward with his brother.
They couldn't risk staying around Orochimaru nor the Akatsuki any longer. Both had made it clear to the boys that there was no future for them if they stuck around. As much as Sho had wanted Orochimaru's stories of Kisame and Itachi to be lies, it seemed like the truth had revealed itself. With the way Kisame seemed to ignore Takashi's name as though he'd never heard it, or Itachi's apathetic gaze as he burned Sho, it wasn't a stretch to say they'd done the horrid things Orochimaru had described to them over the years. Then, even if they hadn't, it was clear that they had no empathy to spare.
Takashi half wondered if the two would have taken further notice of them if he and Sho had been stronger while fighting. He wondered if perhaps his inability to do more than barely scathe Kisame had left the elder clansmen disappointed in his strength. He was sure that if he had been training with Orochimaru, the man would have chided him for the way he carried himself in the fight- immaturely and with the attitude of a child.
His face warmed as a wave of embarrassment flowed through him. Even if Takashi didn't really know the man, the thought still left a dull ache in his chest to accompany the fluster. The teen quickly decided it was not a feeling he enjoyed- it was like someone was strangling his heart from within his chest.
He hesitantly pushed this down as he saw his brother step forward. He didn't want to think about that, so he tried to focus on what was happening then and there. All he had to do was get out of the village with Sho, for now. He had to ignore the burning sensations that rose in his chest every time he glanced over at Kisame or Itachi.
Itachi eyed the two, debating whether to follow them or seek Kisame's assistance with this whole ordeal first. He could see the blood welling up in Sho's eyes as the boy moved forward, finding himself wondering just how much he had used his Mangakyou. He wasn't sure he'd like the answer once he found out.
His debate was rushed as they attempted to run around him, the Uchiha quickly noticing that his Amaterasu was still burning brightly upon the braided boy's shoulder. It had resumed now that time had continued, its black flames ready to engulf the boy in the blink of an eye. Itachi watched as the boy moved to speed past him, able to move easier now that he wasn't busy restricting time. Sho's movements were quick but sloppy, the teen seeming to have trouble as he made for the door. Itachi would have to guess that his Mangekyou took a lot out of him.
The two Uchiha-Hoshigaki hybrids moved in union, sidestepping Itachi as best they could while racing for the nearest exit. They focused on the door, determined to make their way out of the combat zone as quickly as possible. Itachi could hear shouts of confusion from the other Akatsuki members, no one in the room knowing what was happening besides Itachi and the boys. He could only imagine what it looked like from an outside perspective, seeing them seemingly transport from one side of the room, then over to the other, only to flee upon regrouping. It would hardly make any sense.
Itachi grit his teeth as Sho somehow got past, turning in pace with them as he called, "Wait." his voice firm and calm despite his flaring nerves. He took ahold of Takashi's arm as gently as he could, doing his best to hold the struggling teen back without harming him. Takashi's arm that had been injured from Kisame was held up to his chest, his good hand yanking against Itachi's hold in an attempt to flee. His movements were rash and uncoordinated, his arm straining under Itachi's firm grip. Takashi seemed conflicted between fighting Itachi off and resisting turning his head to check on Sho.
The elder Uchiha focused on keeping him in place, not wanting him to run off while he shut down his Amaterasu. He rather not burn Sho any more than he already had, nor did he want to cause Takashi's arm any strain. At the same time, he needed to make sure none of the other Akatsuki members attacked.
While trying to juggle all these issues, Itachi felt Takashi swing around to swipe at him, the young shinobi aiming for his face with his nails. The teen let out a growl as he missed, clawing at Itachi's wrists and face with his damaged arm. Itachi didn't blame him, but the kid would probably regret that later, once the adrenaline wore down. Knowing this, he grabbed the attacking hand, easily seizing control of both his arms as he pinned them together. It was the best way to avoid him somehow hurting himself or Itachi, he figured.
Takashi looked somewhere between enraged and nervous as he felt his arms locked away, the teen furiously trying to rip his hands out of Itachi's grip. He leaned his body backward to try to pull Itachi forward with his weight, foot lifting up to kick at the elder shinobi. "Let go of me!" He ordered, Sho guarding Takashi's back as he saw Kisame nearing in on them. Itachi grimaced internally as he remembered that Kisame had no way of knowing all the details now. He watched Sho take a step back as Kisame's intimidating figure came closer and closer, the elder Hoshigaki not looking amused as he swung Samehada over his shoulder.
Itachi mentally cursed, the tensions meaning that much more now that he knew who these two were and why they were so ready to run. He hated to do this, but it was the best way in the long run. It would get the teens out of harm's way until he could explain to Kisame that they were not on the cutting board. He regretfully let go of Takashi's arms, grimly watching as Takashi took a step back, balancing himself and crouching deeply in warning as he tried to steady himself. He was glaring Itachi down, seeming like he couldn't pick whether to fight Itachi or Kisame first.
The teens and Kisame's harsh battle mentality was broken as they heard Itachi's tired words. "Kisame, let them go. We need to focus on Orochimaru." the elder Uchiha knowing mid-fight was not the best time to talk things out with them. Especially not with the rest of the Akatsuki so close. Besides, it was true. They still needed to deal with Orochimaru and take the information they had come for. Along with this, Itachi had a thing or two he needed to ask him about, if the Akatsuki could get him pinned down for long enough without killing him.
Luckily, the two seemed more than willing to take the chance, darting away before Itachi's lips could cease. They scrambled for the door, not looking back as they focused on escaping the room. Itachi watched on with a hint of grief, their desperation triggering something inside him that he had previously only felt with Sasuke. This wistful look of familiarity didn't go unnoticed by Pain, who watched on with interest. The man had never seen such a look on Itachi, but he knew it well enough. It was a feeling he himself had attempted to forsaken long ago. Perhaps that was why he didn't have the heart to rebuttal Itachi's order. He wasn't sure what exactly was going on, but he had a steady enough idea.
Meanwhile, Itachi knew Kisame wasn't very happy about this. Then again, Kisame never did like Itachi disturbing his battles. The younger of the two eyed his partner as he saw his frown, giving a silent promise to explain later. A feeling of relief overcame Itachi as Kisame nodded, seemingly willing to accept this for now. That wasn't going to be a fun explanation to give when the time came.
Itachi was forced to focus back on the battlefield as he heard the hisses of fury behind him, Orochimaru not pleased to see the boy's abandoning him to his death. Though Itachi knew his displeasure of their departure was for a completely different reason than his own. The snake cursed after them, "Get back here, you ingrates! Don't you dare leave me here after everything I've done for you! You'll suffer for this!" his heated words being cut off by Itachi's own.
The dark-haired shinobi's eyes narrowed, red tomoe spinning as he glared the snake down. His body was numb on both physical and emotional levels, the man's blood having only continued to seep into the air as his final bit of life was taken from him.
Itachi let out a breath, setting the man on fire from afar as Hidan continued slashing from atop the man without a care. Malicious threats rang in his ears as the man was forced to rest, the ravenet feeling the faintest hint of something on his side.
Kisame's hand aided in steadying his partner as the dark flames burnt through the many holes they'd created, slowly but surely killing the man. They could only hope this was truly the last time they'd have to do it.
As his remains finally dropped to the ground, destroyed beyond recognition after what seemed like the most tedious fight they'd had in months, Itachi sighed to himself. He watched as they checked over the man's corpse carefully, searching the room for any sign of life as he laid limp.
Well. Either those two were the worst bodyguards in history or their intention had never been to protect him at all. Given the way they all but lunged into battle, Itachi had a feeling the latter was the case. Not that he could blame them.
He shook his head at the thoughts, instead listening as Pain sent out orders.
"Deidara, Sasori. You two search for any sign of him we might have missed," he spoke seriously, "Kakuzu, Konan, you go look for the information we need as well as anything else of use."
They each left to do as they were told, the orange-haired man continuing, "Hidan, you go aid Zetsu in guarding the doors." eyes narrowing, "Hopefully a bit better this time." he quipped as the man left.
Finally, Pain glanced at Itachi out of the corner of his eye. "Itachi, Kisame. You two focus on alleviating Itachi's eyes while we gather the information and do one more run-down of the place."
Itachi nodded slightly, understanding the silent permission to rest. He took the offer, seeing no point in straining his body more than necessary.
While he never felt the need to act arrogant or prideful, he did know that it was foolish to let the other Akatsuki members see him wilt after a battle. Even if he had grown closer to them, to the point he would almost call them family, he still felt that ultimately it was a foolish idea. He couldn't let them think he was below them, lest their darker sides take hold.
As such, he nodded to Kisame, setting his shoulders to avoid them wobbling downwards. Now that the adrenaline was running out of his system, the elder Uchiha felt the familiar burn of his lungs; as though he had set the Amaterasu to slowly eat away at his insides. He walked smoothly for the door, his practiced impassivity laid calmly over his face as Kisame followed behind him.
He lead Kisame a few rooms over until he found an open space. The air cooled his enflamed lungs, the Uchiha finally letting out a shaky breath as they reached a balcony of sorts. He had learned long ago that Kisame was one of the few exceptions to the wilting rule. In fact, Itachi was certain that Kisame would be more displeased if he lied and assured his partner that everything was fine. Lying to Kisame was a surefire way to irk the Hoshigaki.
Even with all the experience Itachi had claimed over the years, he never was able to lie very well to Kisame. The elder shinobi could sniff out his lies before he even had a chance to tell them, Itachi mused as he felt Kisame's wide hand on the small of his back. Itachi leaned on the rail he had looked over, breathing in the earthy air of the Sound Village.
He looked up at the canopy of the underground hideout, eyeing the tree roots calmly as he took firm breaths, leaning on the rail and relaxing into Kisame's soothing touches on his back. It had been incredibly awkward the first few times it had happened, but by now, Itachi had grown used to the gruff hands running over his back as well as the warm trail that followed them around his shoulder, beckoning him to turn. Itachi's eyes slowly drifted closed, his breaths evening out as the mixture of semi-fresh air and Kisame calmed his lungs. The burning slowly subsided, fading into a dull ache in his chest.
Itachi took in one final deep breath, the Uchiha regaining posture as he eyed Kasame warmly over his shoulder. He turned to look up at the towering man, feeling Kisame's hands sliding to his face as the former Mist shinobi wiped the sticky crimson from his eyes with the utmost care.
Calloused blue fingers worked in a mystifyingly tender manner, the shark swiping his fingers lightly across Itachi's face to clean up the smeared blood. Itachi remained as still as possible, as though the loving touch would disappear if he dared to move, despite knowing this wasn't the case. He allowed Kisame to wipe his bloodied face, dark eyes watching as Kisame's expression remained sombre.
Once his face was cleared, Itachi watched Kisame move to tilt his own head down ever so slightly. Locking gazes with his partner as the Hoshigaki's lips tilted into a slight frown, Itachi let out a light sigh at his partner's words.
"What's wrong?"