A/N: Thank you all for the favs and reviews! And because of you, I had lots of ideas how to go on. :-D

Another reincarnation story

14.

Oh shit, oh shit, oh shit!

For a minute, that was everything Itachi could think of. He said Kisame's name in Shisui's presence. He had compromised himself and revealed a secret. Panic rose quicker than realization. He could taste it on his tongue, feel it in every muscle of his body. Shisui knew!

"Relax, it's me, Shisui-nii," his cousin smiled down at him gently. "I'm not going to hurt you. You're save. You're home."

Home didn't mean that Itachi was safe, quite the opposite if he was honest. He mostly felt save... Itachi couldn't think about that right now. Shiui was in his room and heard him murmur in his sleep. In his unconscious state. And it was unacceptable.

"How long have you been here?" He asked immediately. He knew it sounded ungrateful, but well, he was a very untrusting and paranoid person. He was allowed to ask question even if someone was being kind to him.

"Relax," Shisui sounded genuinely worried. "Just a moment. You were passed out. What happened?"

"Why do you ask?" Itachi winged out of Shisui's embrace, then walked to his window for a breath of fresh hair. His lungs were burning and his eyes hurt. He might have cried for longer than he realize. He didn't need to be a genius to know that Shisui saw all of those evidence. So lying completely wouldn't bring anyone anything.

Shisui didn't dignify his question with an answer. He just gave the back of Itachis's head a glare and the younger shinobi understood was was expected. He closed the the window and went to check the door of his room. The hallway outside was dark, so Sasuke was already sleeping. He could feel just the tiniest bit of tremor in the walls and floor which told him that his parents were in the level below, probably discussing the future of the clan, namely him.

Itachi sighed and turned towards his cousin. He caught a glimpse of his own reflection as he walked back to the middle of the room. It was as he thought. The evidence was undeniable. He might as well tell Shisui the truth.

"I haven't been sleeping so well lately," Itachi admitted. Truth was he hardly slept at all. Every night, nightmares of another time returned. He sometimes dreamed of his partner, of his death, or their discovery. Every night since his fatal conversation with Kisame, Itachi had lain awake on his futon, staring at the ceiling and wondering what he should do now.

He had no idea.

"I have dreams," he continued after a while. "Disturbing dreams."

"Like the ones you use to have?" Shisui asked gently.

Itachi nodded.

"Anything in particular?"

Itachi shook his head before he thought about his answer. It was always anchored in his instinct to not say anything about his other live of his past with Kisame. "Though," he cleared his throat, a semi-lie already on his lips. "I dream of other things as well. Things that are rather natural for a man... boy of my age."

Shisui was blinking at him with huge, disbelieving eyes. "A... boy of your age... Itachi... what are you saying?"

"It's confusing. The thoughts that occupy me. They return in my dreams, upsetting and utterly distracting. I know them not to be real, but their effect on me is evident." Itachi tried not to look at his cousin. Even though Itachi probably had more sexual experience than his cousin, it didn't stop his own face from burning. He told himself that it was a perfectly normal reaction for a thirteen year old. He might have done all the things within his memory, this body was still immaculate.

The blush on his face seemed to say enough for his cousin suddenly pressed both his hands on his cheeks and gasped. "Itachi!" He hissed with shock and delight in equal portion. "Are you finally..."

Itachi gave him a look that dared him to speak out what he was thinking. Shisui snapped his mouth closed. His lips stretched to a grin, his eyes glistening with mischief. In that moment Itachi realized that covering his mistake of whispering Kisame's name by claiming he was finally entering puberty wasn't a good idea. Especially admitting that to his chronically clingy and overly intrusive cousin.

"Alright, I know what's going on now!" Shisui exclaimed. He pulled Itachi towards him and closed him in a crushing hug. He even snuggled at Itachi's head that was jammed between Shisui's chest and chin. "Don't cry, Itachi-chan. Shisui-nii will help you where ever he can. Everything will be alright."

"Shisui, stop! You're twisting my neck!" Itachi tried pushing at his cousin, but Shisui only held on tighter.

"Don't worry, it's not uncommon for a boy your age to be confused. It's perfectly normal." He padded Itachi's head. "I should have seen this coming, I'm so sorry I didn't! Why didn't you tell me sooner!"

"Shisui," Itachi pushed harder. "You're crushing me!"

"Of course, the mood swings, the mopping and then all the glaring and blushing! It was so obvious, how could I have missed it."

Itachi finally freed himself from Shisui's clutched with a grunt. He pouted and growled at Shisui, still trying to smooth his hair that had been completely ruffled by Shisui's cuddle-attack.

"Shisui, be reasonable!" Itachi lectured and rolled with his eyes. "I am well aware of the effect of this change. There's no need to exaggerate."

"No need?!" Shisui hissed, trying to lower his volume. He jerked his head around to see if the light was still off in the hallway, then nudged even closer. "You're in love with someone, aren't you? And let me guess,'oh this person doesn't know I exist'. Which I guarantee you isn't the case. Everyone in Konoha knows you."

"It's not like that, Shisui." Itachi was getting a headache. He was also admiring his cousin's ability to jump to conclusion. How was he a celebrated and renowned Jo-nin again? Itachi sincerely hoped that Shisui wasn't like this on duty.

"Oh, it's not? Then this person doesn't like you back, then?" Shisui pulled a face like he was commending this said person to hell. "That's why you've been acting like someone broke your heart."

Itachi winced at his friend's wording. Shisui had no idea how dead-on he was again.

"I knew it!" Shisui laughed. "Wait till I tell Tenzou."

"How fortunate I am to have a friend that laughs at my misery," Itachi commented sourly. "It's an simple infatuation, nothing more. It will pass."

"Nonsense!" Shisui promptly slapped Itachi on his head. "There aren't many things worth fighting for but love is one of them. If you like this person, you should pursuit it." He made a pause and quickly lowered his head to look Itachi in the eyes. "Unless it's Kakashi. Then, you probably shouldn't. You're father will get a stroke!"

"What are you talking about?" Itachi shook his head. "I have already told you that I have no intentions towards Kakashi-taicho except that of friendship."

"Things change, you know." He regarded Itachi with a look that almost bordered on pity. "Love comes to you without you knowing or asking for it. Once caught in its power, even gods cannot escape."

"Is it like that with Tenzou?" Itachi asked bluntly. "Were you caught in its power as sudden as a storm? Were you unaware of its intensity and fearsomeness until you have tasted it?"

Shisui barked out a laugh then quickly covered his mouth again. He nodded apologetically and then giggled. "I don't what to know what books you've been reading, but I bet Kakashi has a hand in it. Maybe your father's complaint weren't so blatant." He grinned, shaking his head in good humor. "To answer your question, I was caught unaware. It was nice. Tenzou-kun is a very pleasant person. He's generally funny and very kind. We get along well."

"I'm glad, Shisui. You deserve someone good. And I can vouch for Tenzou. He is a loyal shinobi, dedicated to the village. And he is very skilled."

"This is so like you! It's always loyalty and the village first, personally feelings have no place in your life." Shisui said casually, yet his words hit a nerve inside Itachi he didn't know was important.

"What did you just say?"

"Have you ever considered that your life should contain more than just duty? For as long as I know you, you always think about the village first and yourself second. Every decision you make, you make it for the benefit of others, never yourself. Even if you think it was because of you, they end up serving the goals of another." He wasn't judging Itachi, Shisui was only stating a fact Itachi had never really considered.

"Isn't it our duty to serve? To put ourselves behind the greater good? To be nameless in shadows? Those were your words."

"Yes, you're right. But it doesn't mean we should completely abandon our identity, our sense of self." He took in a long breath, thinking. Then, Shisui smiled at Itachi. "We are all human. It would make us monsters not to act with heart. To suppress undue feelings to accomplish a mission is one thing, to fall in love a completely different thing. They can both exist, you know? You don't need to live the life of a monk to be a shinobi. Also, sometimes you fall in love with people who aren't just good shinobis, but also good people."

"I know that." Itachi pouted. Of course he knew that. He didn't fall in love with Kisame because he was an near-invincible swordsman. It was because of the man behind all the arms and armor. It was because of the strong heart in that man.

For a moment, Itachi tried to remember the exact moment he fell for his partner. He couldn't pin it down to just one. It was many long days and cold nights. It was in the mountains and rivers. If Itachi should describe it, he would say that their love was everywhere. It was in the whole world and its shadows. He could recall a hundred places where they lingered, knowing that despite everything they have done, there was one heart that loved them just as they were.

Itachi sighed heavily. What wouldn't he give to have that certainty again. To know that someone would have his back no matter which foe he faced. To know that as long as Kisame lived, he would not suffer another cold night. To know that wherever his feet carry him, he needed but to turn his head to see true love mirrored back at him.

"Thinking about that person again?" Shisui guessed softly.

Itachi didn't bother to deny or confirm it. He just look at his cousin, thinking that how wonderful everything was that Shisui lived and knew love. "I'm glad you're here. Speaking of which, what were you doing here in the first place? It isn't like you to seek me out twice a day."

"Oh, I..." Shisui's face heated up. "Nothing special, just wanted to see you."

"Were you spying on me?" Itachi wouldn't be surprised if he was.

"What no!" He exclaimed, but nodded quickly after. "I was worried, okay? You were way off this morning, now that I know why I'm not that worried anymore. But then I heard some disturbing rumors about you, so I wanted to know if it's true."

Itachi rolled his eyes and actually grunted. "What's being said of me this time?"

"Did you got into a fight with the Monster of Mist?"

"What?!" He snapped his head around forceful enough to make his bangs fly.

"Someone saw you run from the Dango shop." Shisui said non-nonchalantly. "They saw the Monster come out, clearly tensed for a fight. But the Mizukage didn't let anything show. Some of the high-ups are concerned."

"No," Itachi had difficulty with his voice. "It wasn't like this. It wasn't because of Ki... the Monster."

"What was it then? You hardly run from anything."

"I was dodging fangirls." Itachi answered quickly. "Shisui, I'm tired. You should go."

For a moment it looked like Shisui wanted to argue with him. But he nodded, clearly knowing that Itachi had enough of talk for tonight. He gave Itachi a smug grin and a wink while making his way towards the window.

"Oh, just one more thing before I go," he turned around, one foot already on the ledge. "Who is Kisame?"

Itachi tensed. He started at his cousin with the determination of an interrogated prisoner not spilling any beans. "Good night, Shisui. Close my window when you leave!"

-xXx-

Hidden in a tree facing a traditional house in the unwelcoming Uchiha district, the Monster of Mist observed with heavy heart as the young shinobi jumped from the window and vanished in the night sky. His eyes followed the man whose existence had shadowed his own for so long. Even when he believed himself to be free of this curse, he stood corrected.

Kisame felt weak, drain and so full of hate even Samehada was twitching on his back. His sharp teeth bore into his blue lips, drawing blood. The taste only fueled his anger. Never had he thought that he could be so wrong about something he believed to be the only truth.

The betrayal of his masters once upon a time was a shock, but understandable. It was a necessity to test his resolve. The deception in Akatsuki was a safety precaution, to be revealed at the right time for maximum effect. Even Itachi-san's past lies were acceptable. It was the testimony of the man he was. Of the loyal soldier who sacrificed everything for the good of the world.

But why was Itachi-san lying now? Why still hold his heart captive and toy with it. Why couldn't this kind man Kisame remembered be truthful to him for once?

Those questions didn't occupy his thought when he arrived just after sun-down. Other words were on his tongue. Words of comfort, of apology, or love. As Kisame hid in the shadow of the leaves, forming the confession to bring them back together, he had observed with aversion how another young man climbed into the window he was watching.

It didn't surprise Kisame that Uchiha Shisui would be visiting his friend. He was purely acting on his jealousy as he moved to watch them through the window. What he saw had almost make him loose his footing.

He had to credit his own restraint for not bursting through the wall to confront the liar. How could Itachi-san promise Kisame transcending love and then kiss the hand of another man while cradled in his arms. Had Itachi-san not look at him with eyes full of true affection just hours ago? Was he mistaken?

Kisame had returned to his hiding spot, but couldn't bring himself to leave. He clutched the package of Dangos he had come to return and watched from afar as his raven came to the window to gaze upon the moon. He was so much like in Kisame's memory. He was so young, so pure, so without taint. It almost caused Kisame physical pain to watch the window close before that face, robbing him of the only beauty his eyes could ever see. He listened to that Shisui's laugh and crunched his teeth together. The treat Itachi had dropped at his feet this afternoon seemed more venom than sweets. He crushed it in his giant hand and flung them across the air into a trash bin by the corner. So much for loyalty. So much for love.

Were Kisame a better man, he would have resigned to this fate. He would have been happy for Itachi-san, that he was finally reunited with the person he had loved his whole life. Because that was true. In the life Kisame shared with Itachi, everything his lover did, he did it out of loyalty to his past. Itachi-san had admitted it himself, that he lived to fulfill his cousin's dream. He was the man he was because of his cousin's teachings and without Shisui, Itachi would not be.

But Kisame was not a good man. He was a selfish man. He would kill for his own reason and betray all that was close to him if he believed himself wrong. He was a jealous man. He was a possessive man. And he was a vengeful man.

That's why Kisame came to the realization that of all the lives he lived and all the people he met, Uchiha Shisui would be the one he hated the most. Uchiha Shisui was the source of Itachi-san's misery. He plunged Kisame's partner into a world of darkness and solitude. He cursed him with those bleeding eyes. He made Itachi suffer day and night. And yet still, he held Itachi's undying allegiance even after his death.

It wasn't Itachi-san's fault. Itachi-san was gentle and forthcoming. He could not deny Uchiha Shisui anything if the Jo-nin asked. It was Uchiha Shisui who played games with Kisame's Rave. Uchiha Shisui seduced Itachi-san with his crooked smile. He was the one that so ungratefully occupied something that should belong to Kisame. He stole Itachi-san from Kisame.

And if Kisame wanted something, he would take it.

So Kisame came to the conclusion as he watched his rival vanish in the night sky that Uchiha Shisui must be stopped. One way or another.

And what do you think? Are they cute or stupid? And maybe both? :-P
I love writing jealous people. :-P

Thanks for reading. Please Review. :-)