A/N: Since I have it, I'll upload it! And good news! I just finished writing the whole story. Don't worry, we still have a couple of chapters to go! :-D Now, Enjoy!

Another reincarnation story

24.

Itachi entered the Hokage's office using the front door. Thinking on it, he never used the door when visiting. He either teleported in from his stake-out position, merged into it from the ground or simply stood outside when important business was concluded. Coming in using the front door was... strange. Even more strange was that he was invited, not summoned.

Before he stepped over the threshold, Itachi was politely asked by the ANBU on duty to hand over his mask for safekeeping. Despite the open secret, Hokage-sama apparently still valued him enough not to compromise his identity as crow of Ko-han. The bigger discomfort came in form of the Hokage personally introducing him to the gathered party. No matter how familiar his audience was, Itachi still hated being made the center of attention.

Yet, his face betrayed nothing of his inner turmoil. Under the calculating eyes of all attendants, Itachi walked up to his lord, sitting at the center of his low podium. On the right side was his father with Shisui kneeling behind him, representing the accusing party in this conflict. On the other side, Mizukage acted as if nothing bad had happened, her image completed by the tall swordsman behind her.

After almost 30 hours of constant worry and uncertainty, Itachi could have cried seeing his former partner well and unharmed. Kisame appeared as if nothing was out of the ordinary, his confidence unruffled by recent events. He smirked when their eyes met, nodding slightly to the small ANBU.

Itachi didn't really think that Kisame would leave him behind. It wasn't in Kisame's nature to abandon a fight, not when Itachi's life was at stake. It was reassuring and surprising at the same time to know that Kisame would have a plan to save him. Nonetheless Itachi understood what Kisame was trying to convey. Despite Kisame having a solution of his own, he would not carelessly step in and ruin whatever Itachi had in mind. At the same time, Kisame always knew when Itachi needed him. It had become as natural as breathing to look out for each other, aiding the other in just about everything.

Itachi took the center of attention and knelt down in the same manner just like an hour ago. "I am at your disposal, Hokage-sama."

"Thank you for coming, Itachi," the Hokage said, gesturing for him to stand. "Now that we are all here, I won't beat around the bush. There is no outsider but the parties involved, so let me be plain. The incident involving Hoshigaki-san and yourself has been very unpleasant for all of us. Strong accusations are made and demands spoken. Since it concerns one of my guests, it is my duty as host to settle this dispute." He took a long draw from his pipe and puffed the smoke through his nose. Then he addressed the Mizukage. "Mizukage-sama, since it was one of your men that was accused, I want to give you the opportunity to speak with Itachi first. Do you have any questions?"

"Thank you, Hokage-sama," She smiled her charming smile, "Itachi-kun, first I want to say that I am so sorry for your inconvenience. Simply to think of what was said about you turns my stomach. I'm sure a fine boy like you would not lie to me, would you?"

"I would not dare, Mizukage-sama." Had she not protected Kisame from being disgraced, Itachi's word might have carried more venom. He was still jealous of her in some ways, but with far less intensity than just a week ago.

"Wonderful!" She said, "as Kisame's Mizukage, I really need to know, did you conspire with my friend against your village?"

"No, Mizukage-sama."

"What about Kiri? Did you try to turn my man against his own home?" The steel in her words was not shown on her pretty face.

"That thought has never crossed my mind."

"So this whole accusation of conspiracy was just a misunderstanding?"

"So it is."

"Splendid!" She shouted and clapped her hands. "As you can see Hokage-sama, everything is fine. My man did not turn one of yours against you and yours did not turn one of mine against me. I would say it is excellent news!"

The Hokage took another long draw from his pipe and nodded. "I concur," he said with a knowing smile, "I never had reason to doubt Itachi's loyalty and looks like I'm right. Uchiha-dono, you as father are to be complimented for your son. Not many shinobi have my unshaken trust and Itachi counts among them."

"Thank you, Hokage-sama," Itachi said and bowed.

"Oh my," Mizukage laughed, "so much fuss for nothing! Everything is fine now, I suppose."

"Not so fast, Mizukage-sama," Fugaku interrupted, still displeased, "no one is more relieved to learn that my son is not a traitor than I, but we still have to know why they were found in such incriminating ways! If not for conspiracy, your man still seduced my son! And that alone is an insult!"

"But Uchiha-dono," She blinked her eyes, as if her charm could soften the Clan Leader. "You should be happy that they get along so well."

"My son is 13!" Fugaku shouted, "he's still a child! What monster must he be to lay a hand on Itachi! We have all seen the evidence, he has sullied my son's virtue and mutilated him!"

"Now that's not fair," She pouted and shook her head, "Itachi-kun himself has attempted to win Kisame's attention many times in the past. Clearly he wished for it to happen! There's no fault in having a little fun together."

"My son is an Uchiha!" Fugaku bellowed. "He did not throw himself onto that monster like a cheap whore!"

Itachi winced. His cheeks gained in color, darkening with humiliation. Not able to face his supreme commander who regarded all this with attentive eyes, Itachi lowered his head. He had known that Fugaku would not let go of this matter so easily, but he had thought his father too proud to argue for Itachi's 'weakness'.

He dared a quick glance towards Kisame. The sharkman caught his silent plea and bowed down to whisper to his Lady. Mei did not react to his words, only shook her head gently at the man opposite of her. She gathered herself by shaking some of her auburn hair out of her face and put on a hurt face.

"Perhaps it is best we ask them?" She suggested. "Hokage-sama, would you allow Itachi to explain himself? From what I gathered, he is a very mature shinobi capable of making his own decisions?"

"My son is 13 years old," Fugaku started but halted when the Hokage made clear that he wanted to intervene.

"Fugaku-san," Sandaime started with a tone that more befitted a grandfather than a Hokage. "As a father, I can only imagine how furious you must be. But I too wish to hear what Itachi has to say."

"But..."

"He is a shinobi, by our law he is responsible for his own actions." He turned towards the furiously blushing teenager in the middle. "Itachi, we all have heard many rumors about you and Hoshigaki-san these last few weeks. To hear of what happened came as a surprise to all of us. Would you please explain yourself?"

"Yes, Sir." Itachi swallowed. He had prepared for this. He had thought of the perfect plan to make everything right just as he promised Kisame. Everything he needed was in this room. Now, he need only pull the right strings. "I am aware of what was said of me and Kisame in the last few weeks. It was my misjudgment to consider them irrelevant. Only recently do I realize that many of our past interactions could be misunderstood easily. I should have made clear that Kisame and I did not take part in a rivalry, but were reaching towards mutual friendship."

"Friendship?" Fugaku gasped. "How am I to understand this?"

"It first started when Kisame accompanied Mizukage-sama to our house." Itachi threw his former partner a quick glance, asking for permission. Kisame smirked, nodding. "After initial reservation, I have come to know who Kisame is. Our mutual respect for each other's strength is the foundation on which we have built our friendship. With each interaction, we came closer to understand what we sought in life and what we shared. Until eventually, I developed feelings for him."

"What?"

"In light of my future betrothal, the thought was not far from my mind," Itachi explained quickly before anyone could interrupt him, "when Mizukage-sama so kindly proposed the prospect of a partner from Kirigakure, I felt encouraged to act on my feelings."

"Oh, how sweet!" She exclaimed.

"You don't know what you are talking about, Itachi!"

"Father," now came the crucial part, "it was also your promise that gave me the strength to pursue what is my heart's calling. To know that you trust my judgment and allow me to choose my own future partner put my mind at ease that I did not overstep."

"You're such a kind father, Uchiha-dono." Terumi pressed her hand to her chest. "When you told me of your decision, I didn't truly believe it. Forgive me for having doubts."

"Wait a moment," Fugaku shook his head in bewilderment.

"Yes, Fugaku, I didn't expect that of you," the Hokage smiled.

Itachi narrowed his eyes. Was it just him or were they all fighting for him and Kisame? He wasn't used to having people on his side.

"That still doesn't explain what you were doing there, Itachi!"

"I apologize deeply for my lack of control," Itachi knelt down. "I am young and impulsive, thus I sought Kisame out, asking him to meet me. I realize now that I was wrong to have acted so carelessly and thus broke protocol. Yet I needed to know if my feelings were met."

Terumi Mei really knew how to play with a man's heart. She wiped a fake tear from her eye and turned to her warrior. She slapped his arm playfully, "Kisame, why didn't you tell me how devoted Itachi-kun is? Now I envy you. If you don't marry him, I will."

"Then you'll have to fight me for that, Mizukage-sama." Kisame chuckled.

"Itachi-kun," she blinked her tears away, "what happened then? Please tell me Kisame didn't disappoint your hopes. If he did, I'll kill him!"

"Then, you would have to fight me as well, Mizukage-sama," Itachi said with a hint of humor. Apparently, she really was on his side. "I am very fortunate to see my wish fulfilled. When Kisame told me of his feelings, I was overwhelmed. That is how my cousin found us." He lowered his face. He didn't think that his face could get any hotter, but it did. The mortification of having the entire history of his short and awkward courtship laid bare before his lord was particularly hard to endure. Even more so because Itachi knew from experience that the scroll-holder behind the Hokage was his cousin's boyfriend and the potted plant on the other side his current roommate.

Once he survived this day, these two would not let him hear the end of it, that much he was sure.

"That is quite enough, Itachi," the Hokage chuckled. "I think we all know now what happened. I can see now how Shisui would have misunderstood so easily."

"Hokage-sama, I..." Shisui stopped himself. He lowered his head and closed his red eyes in defeat. It wouldn't be easy for him to accept, but not even Shisui could find more to defend his version. Now was only his father left to convince, or pressure.

On the other side of the room, Kisame was looking more than a little smug. Itachi wished his partner wouldn't put up such a show. Didn't he know that being a little humble could go a long way? Well, who was he kidding. Kisame had not been humble for even a second in his life. He had no reason to be, having complete confidence in his skills and Itachi's love. Now, Kisame just refused to hide what made him so proud. Having captured the heart of a man considered to have no heart was quite a feat.

"But Itachi," the great Clan Leader of the Uchiha finally looked aghast. He stared at his son in disbelief as his voice almost trembled, "why didn't you tell me? Why hide all of this?"

"By over-thinking the situation, I considered it best to keep our involvement quiet. There were enough materials for scandal as it was, I did not want to add more." Itachi explained, forcing his voice to stay calm and humble, "and given that the Chu-nin Exam is the main event, I did not want to steal the thunder. I wanted to reveal it after it was finished."

"That is very considerate of you, Itachi." Hiruzen nodded. "You have my thanks."

"That is not necessary, Hokage-sama. I merely ask for your forgiveness that I have embarrassed your office. I take full responsibility for my actions and will accept any punishment you deem necessary."

"Itachi, don't be so haste to ask for punishment!" Fugaku shouted. "We're not done yet."

"I don't know what else could be said," Terumi answered instead. "The way I see it, the young lovers merely wanted to be together to speak their minds. Though Itachi-kun you should have told your father. If he has the foresight to let you choose for yourself, he would also have the foresight not to reveal it until after the exam."

"Your lecture is quite right, Mizukage-sama."

"Hokage-sama," Terumi addressed him with the pride of a mother about to marry off her first born. How ironic. "I understand this is a delicate matter and actually only concerned Uchiha-dono, but Kisame is one of my people. Thus I have to discuss this with you. We need to determine where the young couple would stay once they are properly wed."

"Wait, that's not decided yet!"

"No? I was under the impression that Itachi-kun had made his choice. Do you disagree, Uchiha-dono?"

"I..." Fugaku started but couldn't find any argument that wouldn't break his word. He sighed heavily, knowing there was no option but to accept with as much dignity as he could muster. Itachi had counted on his father desperately clinging onto pride. A man's word was his honor. Should he refuse Itachi's decision now, word of his dishonesty would quickly travel over all five nations. As much as Fugaku might hate the idea of his first born being wedded to a man, he couldn't allow this disgrace to fall on his clan.

That was Itachi's thorough calculation.

"Fine," begrudgingly, the Uchiha Clan Leader nodded, "but many things needs to be discussed before my son is wed."

"Of course," The Hokage agreed, "It is no small matter for two shinobi of different villages to joins hands. Yet, it is not unprecedented in Konoha. As for you Itachi,"

"Yes, sir!" Itachi knelt down in his shinobi position.

"You have caused quite a ruckus for this office. As glad as I am that everything turned out well, I cannot overlook the fact that you violated regulations by fraternizing with Hoshigaki-san. For your punishment, you are suspended until further notice, effective immediately. I expect you to rectify your past mistakes by being a good host to our revered guests. I am sure there are many things to be prepared for your engagement announcement. Do not embarrass our village further."

"Understood, Hokage-sama."

"You're dismissed." The Hokage waved.

"Yes, Sir."

Realizing that no one was coming, Itachi exited awkwardly. What now? Was he to return his mask and sword to the ANBU office and say goodbye to his comrades for the time being, or should he stay here and eavesdrop on them making plans of his betrothal?

Then it hit him with full force. His betrothal. He was to be married to Kisame! After so long, he finally did it! Everything went as planned. He made his best friend accept his relationship with Kisame. He made them understand that he would not stop until he and Kisame could be together. Even his father had bowed down. And not one single person had died for his plan.

Well, Danzou would. But that wasn't the same.

Was this real? Was this a dream? It felt like one. He pinched himself and felt stupid doing it. He had people on his side, fighting for what he wanted for a change. He had friends who would tease him about it and celebrate for him afterward. And he could finally, officially and without shame call Kisame his partner.

Itachi had not realized that he was crying until tears fell from his face. He pressed both hands over his mouth to smother the sound only to find himself laughing. He had not believed himself capable of doing so. In all the times he had lived and cried, this was the first time tears came from happiness.

And because the universe was generally against Itachi, he could not be spared further mortification. The door to the Hokage office opened anew and out came two ANBU agents who would make his life hell. Kakashi took up a smug stance as Tenzou crouched down to pat him on the head. They didn't say anything yet, but they didn't need to for Itachi to glare at them with tears in his still too big eyes.

"Isn't he cute!" Kakashi said from behind his mask.

"Don't antagonize him, Senpai!" Tenzou chuckled. "I think Itachi's had enough for a day."

"How kind of you, Tenzou." Itachi sobbed.

"Come now, we're to see that your suspension goes smoothly."

"He sent you to tease me!" Itachi was hoisted up by each of his arms. He had never allowed himself to be dragged this way but found no strength to fight them. Fortunately, they let go of him once they reached the top, allowing him to jump and run for himself. When the three of them made it back to HQ, almost all agents not currently assigned on missions came to greet them. That Itachi was not shackled said enough of the outcome.

Saiku dashed out of the gathered crowd to hug him but was stopped by the infamous Uchiha stare. He instead tried to ruffle Itachi's hair but found his hand slapped away by Kakashi. No matter how happy Itachi was right now, Kakashi knew that there were some things that he would never allow.

"Do you have a death wish?" The Copy-Nin hissed.

Saiku shrugged. "So you've been cleared."

"And suspended." Itachi said.

"What?" Izamu Hyuuga gasped. "Why? For how long?"

"Until further notice." Itachi sighed, "Izamu, as for now, you're acting Captain of Ko-han. Give it your best."

"I won't disappoint you, Captain. I shall wear this mantel with pride, until you return."

If I return, Itachi thought.

"Don't look so glum," Tenzou elbowed him, "tell them the good news!"

"It's not official yet." Itachi reminded him.

"Sounds official to me," Tenzou grinned, then addressed their comrades, "Itachi is to be engaged!"

"We knew that," the Hyuuga laughed.

"With Hoshigaki Kisame! The swordsman of the Mist is to be his husband!" Tenzou announced as if it was his own good news. "Turns out they are in love!"

The reaction was just as Itachi suspected. Most of his comrades were shocked, either staring or slapping their hands over their mouths. Hyuuga Izamu looked from Itachi to Tenzou and then back, trying to determine if they were being messed with or not. Then his jaw dropped.

"Shit, you aren't kidding!" he whispered to himself, then he fell to his knees and raised both hands to the sky. "Thank Kami, my heiress is safe from you! Damn, Hiashi-sama will have a field day!"

"I hate you all!" Itachi snapped, promptly turning around to seek out his locker. Also, he did not really wish for them all to see that he was capable of smiling.

They finally did it! YEAH! It only took me 24 chapters. :-P
But is this the end? Absolutely not! Stay tuned for the next chapters! :-D