A/N: Hi, I'm back! Thank you for the favs and reviews! They make me so happy!

Another reincarnation story

26.

"You should go talk to Shisui," Kakashi suggested, face buried in his book.

Itachi lifted his scroll higher to hide his pout. It wasn't like he didn't want to talk to Shisui, it was just that Shisui should be the one to come to him. He did the betrayal, so he should be the one to apologize. After all, it was his cousin jumping to conclusion that had resulted in Itachi's greatest humiliation.

It didn't really matter that Shisui wanted to protect him from Kisame, he should have just accepted Itachi's decision when he was told. "It's none of your business," he said to Kakashi instead.

"Tenzou says he's being insufferable," Kakashi laid his book down. That didn't bode well. "It's not really my business, you're right. But your feud with Shisui is affecting everyone."

"What do you mean?"

"Tenzou is being pulled in two different directions," Kakashi explained, "we were a team once, so Tenzou feels obligated to you. And because we sort of arrested you. But Shisui is his boyfriend and needs support. Besides, they are both my friends, so are you. Now I'm the biggest suffering party here."

"You're exaggerating," Itachi put his scroll down reluctantly. He really wanted to take advantage of living here and learn something new about sealing. Those were Yondaime's scrolls after all. He would never have a chance like this to learn from the best again.

"My scrolls aren't going anywhere, Itachi," Kakashi said, having read his mind apparently, "and neither are you. You can read them anytime."

"I wanted to catch up on some work," he said instead, pointing towards the papers on Kakashi's desk.

"You're still suspended." Kakashi gave Itachi his usual unimpressed one-eyed stare, "and those are my files."

"Just wanted to see if Yugao can live up to the challenge of replacing me."

"Brat, you're running out of excuses."

"It's not an excuse. It looks like you prefer to read porn instead of doing your homework, so at least allow me to do them for you."

Kakashi crossed his arms over his chest. "I don't meddle with your team, you don't meddle with mine."

"Speaking of team, how is Ko-han doing?"

"I can see through you," Kakashi said, sounding bored. "You're playing for time."

"That's not true." That was absolutely true.

"Come now, let's go see him." Kakashi said and stood, not giving Itachi a choice.

"You don't have to come with me."

"Then you'll just run off to meet your boyfriend, again." Kakashi pointed out. "Don't think I haven't noticed your bruises. Those don't come from training alone."

Well, no use lying. He had been secretly meeting up with Kisame every chance they had. One could not blame him for treasuring the little time they were granted. Not when his father had stubbornly refused to comply with the Mizukage's wish of seeing them wed by the end of the Chunin exam.

"That's impossible!" Fugaku had thundered when Mei proposed it. "A marriage of such importance needs to be arranged carefully. Itachi is my first born son and the heir of the Uchiha Clan, I will not have his wedding rushed as if a maiden bearing a bastard."

It took Itachi all he had not to choke on his tea. That was an image he never wanted in his head again.

"You're so dramatic, Uchiha-dono," Mei laughed, waving her hand, "and here I thought you wouldn't approve of my Kisame. If you want to make it a special occasion, who am I to disagree?"

Fugaku pursed his lips, realizing the trap she set for him. "There is no need to boast." he snorted, "but we Uchiha do honor our tradition. There are many ceremonies to be taken care of because an Uchiha can marry."

"Alright, alright," Mei acted her defeat, "How about we just arrange for a proper announcement of their betrothal? I so wish to know that my Kisame is in safe hands before I have to leave this beautiful place."

Fugaku had unwillingly agreed.

It was after Mei's departure that Itachi suffered the worst. His mother came to him, clinging and crying bitter tears. Itachi had heard of mothers crying at the impending marriage of their daughters, but never believed those tales to be true. Now he knew they were gravely understated. She muttered a lot of things Itachi didn't have the heart to listen to and thought those were better said to a daughter instead of a son.

He suddenly pitied Sasuke when he would have to tell their mother of his marriage. Mikoto would cry even harder should she learn that her dreams of being a grandmother were destroyed.

Very much to Itachi's surprise, Mikoto pulled away from him forcefully just to shout at his father for letting it come so far. She blamed him for not protecting their "beautiful boy" from that "half-human monster". Actually, she shouted at everyone in the room who wasn't Itachi, Shisui included. Clearly no one had told her that it was Itachi's choice. She was convinced Itachi only needed to marry Kisame because that "abomination" had taken his prime.

So Itachi decided he needed to correct this on his own. "Mother," he said, taking her hands from his shoulder. Despite his previous words to her, he would not harm her physically. That was a crime no god would tolerate. "Mother, please look at me."

She wiped her tears away and complied.

"I was not forced. I made the choice to marry him on my own, neither father nor Shisui is at fault. Please calm down."

"Why would you do that?" She shouted, her tears coming anew. "My beautiful boy! To marry that monster?!"

"Mikoto," Itachi's father started, "please calm down."

"It was your fault!" She cried out, "Now get out! Both of you! I need to speak to Itachi alone."

Itachi wished he could have left with his dumbfounded cousin and shocked father. But her clutch was too firm. Even on his best day, he wouldn't try to break the hold of a desperate mother. "What is this all about, Mother?"

"Oh Itachi, my gentle child," she sobbed, "I am so sorry! I never wanted this, but now things has come this far. I didn't know you felt used, I swear it wasn't my intention. I was just doing what I believed was the best for you and the clan!"

"We do not need to repeat what was said," Itachi tried to move further away from her, but she promptly pulled him into a hug again.

"I am your mother, and I can always forgive you," she continued, "I just hope you can forgive me one day. Because no matter what happens, I will always love you. Just know that."

He tried not to cry. The irony of an apologizing family member for doing something they believed was right did not escape Itachi. His reluctance towards her softened, recalling the last moment of her life before Itachi executed her. He closed his eyes to hold back the tears. As weak as she was, she would never willingly harm her children. That was the ways of a mother. It was her upbringing that was flawed, teaching her first to obey her father, then her husband. As a woman, she was taught not to think on her own, but only to serve. Itachi pitied her. For all of her effort, she just didn't know better.

He felt pride swell in himself that his mother had finally started to question her husband's decision. Knowing that it was him who had prompted it. Itachi hoped, with time, she could become a better mother once she realized that Fugaku's word was not law.

"Mother," he said softly, putting his hand on hers, "I am sorry for my harshness, that was uncalled for. But I will not return if that is what you wish for."

"Your father can be very difficult, I know," she explained, always protecting her husband. "But..."

"Just as a sky cannot have two suns, this house cannot have two masters," he retorted, "I have outgrown his shadow. I ask you to respect my wish."

"But you're just a child!"

"Oh mother," Itachi sighed, "I haven't been a child for a long time."

She started sobbing again.

"In fact, I am soon to be married. I can hardly live here under your roof with my husband. It would be better for me to learn how to manage a household before my wedding."

Her tears came in stronger now. She pressed her hand against her mouth, shoulders trembling. "That's not fair! You shouldn't have to do this!" she cried, making it trivial that Shisui and Fugaku both left the room. "You're my baby boy. My poor baby boy!"

"That's quite enough, Mother."

"No!" Her open palm met the tatami in a loud slap. "I'll talk to the Hokage, have him pick someone else to marry that beast! It doesn't have to be you!"

"But I want to."

"You're such a good boy," she smoothed down his hair, "I know this peace means a lot to you, but there must be another way! Marriage is not the only way to secure an alliance."

"You seemed very happy about the Mizukage's proposal just a few weeks ago," Itachi reminded her.

"I was happy for the clan and the village, but this isn't about them!" She frowned, her expression a mixture of anger and pain. "It's about you. You're too good to be married off to such an ugly thing. You deserve to be happy, with someone your own age, someone pretty. Someone who will treat you right!"

"Mother," Itachi took her hands in his, "I'm grateful for your concern, but you're mistaken. Kisame's age doesn't bother me, nor do I consider him unsightly. I find him rather attractive, if you must know."

"Do you have any idea what you're talking about?"

"Yes," Itachi nodded. "I didn't choose him because of politics, though the benefits are not lost on me. It's because I want him. He is very good to me and makes me very happy."

"But..." she shook her head in confusion. "But he's so ugly!"

"Not to me."

"Itachi, have you looked at him?" she said as if Itachi was really just a child. "He's blue!"

"Like the ocean itself," Itachi chuckled to himself. "And I would gladly drown in it."

His mother gasped. Her whole demeanor changed, as if she finally remembered something she had forgotten. Itachi watched the sobbing misery disappear in front of his eyes, giving way to the confident matriarch who had schooled so many kunoichi in her time. She gestured him closer and lowered her voice, "it seems you're more mature than I thought. If what you say is true, then I think this conversation is long overdue."

Itachi was confused. What was she talking about?

"Itachi," she was suddenly very serious, "listen closely. When you get older, you will experience some change to your body. And when you are with a man..."

No! No! No! No way in hell! Itachi pulled himself up immediately, retreating away from his mother as fast as he could without molding chakra. "Mother, I do not require that lecture!"

"Sit down and listen, you will thank me later!"

"No, thank you!" Itachi insisted.

"You don't even know what I am talking about."

"I do mother, believe me, I do!" she gave him a disbelieving look. "Shisui is very noisy and Hatake Kakashi is my friend. I know exactly what you are talking about."

She opened her mouth in astonishment and rose from her seat. "So you know what you have to perform on your wedding night?"

"I assure you, mother, that I am very well educated."

"Then let me pass some wisdom from one bride to another."

"I am not his bride!" Itachi hissed.

She ignored him, "when it is time, you will experience some unease. It can be uncomfortable at first, especially with a man of his physique. Bear in mind that you do not need to comply to everything he demands of you. Proper conversation and communication is very important. Once you get to know each other, you will learn to enjoy it. As for the tips I can give you..."

Itachi was pressing his hands against his ears. But he could still read her lips. With no choice, he turned away from her, shouting, "Mother, stop!"

"Don't be unreasonable!" She chided, pulling him around, "there's no need to be shy."

"I do not need your guidance in this matter!" Itachi stumbled away from her, shaking his head furiously. "I already enjoy what Kisame does!"

That stunned her into silence. She gaped at him, trying to process what he just revealed. Itachi used that opening to quickly add some stiff words of gratitude and fled his parent's house. It might have been one of the most mortifying conversations in his life. If he could help it, he would never have to talk to his mother alone ever again; if only to be spared from her motherly lectures about sex.

Back in the present, Itachi shuddered at the memory. Kakashi was still standing overhead, waiting for him to finally give in. It was obvious the Copy-nin had enough and was determined to end the silence between him and Shisui.

"Fine," Itachi finally stood from his chair, "let's get this over with."

When they knocked on Tenzou's door a moment later, Itachi wasn't surprised. It made sense that Shisui would be here, not wanting to be alone. It also made sense because it was much closer to Kakashi's apartment than his own in the Uchiha District. When Tenzou didn't answer immediately, Itachi frowned.

After a moment, he heard people hiss and curse behind the door; followed by a loud thump on the floor, most likely a person. Tenzou opened the door just slightly when he finally made it, revealing nothing but his face. Clearly he was hiding the rest of him behind the door. Itachi lifted a brow. His former teammate wasn't wearing a shirt or headband. His face was flushed and his breath coming off too quick. Also, he had a...

Oh no! Itachi turned away immediately. He glared at Kakashi from somewhere below the other's shoulder, telling him that they should leave, right now.

"Sorry, we're late," Kakashi said apologetically. "I've been held up by an angry kitten."

Itachi wanted to hit him, hard.

"It's no problem, Senpai," Tenzou blushed, "Uhm, I was...busy anyway."

"I'm going to leave," Itachi announced, "I don't want to interrupt anything." He might have said the last part a little louder. He knew Shisui could hear him from the inside and Itachi might still be sore that Shisui had intruded on so many of his moments with Kisame.

"Nonsense!" Kakashi caught him by his collar, "we made it all the way here, let's get inside and all have a drink or two."

"I don't drink."

"I have tea!" Tenzou said quickly. "Let me just... uhm..."

"Put a shirt on," Kakashi finished for him, "there's no other way to say it. Besides we all know what you've been doing."

"Senpai!" Tenzou gasped, "Itachi is 13!"

"And has more sex than I do."

"Taicho!"

"What?!" Shisui finally revealed himself. He pulled the door open and glared at them both. He too was flushed, it was hard to tell if it was a result of his previous activity or anger.

"Oh hi, Shisui," Kakashi waved as if not noticing their indecency. "May we come in?"

"Get in here!" Shisui hissed.

"It's technically my apartment, but yeah, come inside."

Itachi was dragged along by his collar. Once inside, the older shinobi quickly dodged out of the way to make tea while the two cousins glared at each other. Itachi couldn't remember the last time he was this angry at Shisui. In his other life, he and Shisui never fought like this. They always understood each other, training together and striving towards the same goal. As for here, Itachi had felt too much guilt to be angry at Shisui for anything serious.

In that instant, it occurred to Itachi that he was angry at Shisui because he had finally accepted this world as true. He was making decisions based not on Shisui's actions in the other world, but this one. This Shisui wasn't the one Itachi had lost at the cliff of Naka river. This was how Shisui was supposed to be; a brother and peer to fight and bicker with. In fighting with Shisui, Itachi had allowed their relationship to change and eventually, evolve.

Knowing that, Itachi decided that he would be the bigger man.

"Shisui," he cleared his throat, "I'm sorry."

"Come what now?"

"I'm sorry," Itachi said again, his expression serious. "I was being petty. I avoided you because I was angry. I should have sought you out to resolve our dispute. I'm sorry that I didn't and thus endangered your relationship with Tenzou."

Shisui blushed, "yeah, I'm sorry too." he said, his voice small, "I shouldn't have acted so rashly. As a Jo-nin, I should have known better."

Itachi agreed on that.

"I just wasn't thinking straight, seeing you like that," he clenched his teeth and hissed, "with him."

"I told you he didn't harm me."

"You were always too quick to bear the burden!" Shisui insisted, "I thought you were covering for him just to avoid a political incident."

"I'm no Ge-nin to be toyed with," Itachi huffed, "you underestimate me, Shisui."

"No, that's not it!" He shook his head vigorously. Itachi did not miss that his cousin threw a quick glance to the other two in the room before returning his attention back to Itachi. "I don't doubt your strength, it's just... it's how you ANBU work. You'd rather sacrifice yourself than stand for justice. I've seen the length you would go to conceive the truth if it is necessary. Anything for the village, that's your creed, isn't it, despite what's right and wrong?"

"This is how you think of us?" Tenzou whispered from behind Itachi, his voice shaking slightly.

"I'm not making assumptions for all based on the deeds of individuals," Shisui explained, "But I've been with you guys long enough to know darkness when I see it. It's frightening! Uhm, not you though Tenzou-kun! I know you're kind. Were you in Itachi's position, I would have believed you!"

"Well, that's just offensive," Itachi snorted.

"Don't misunderstand me," the Jo-nin urged. His hands shook and he started to pace in Tenzou's small room. "It's not because I love Tenzou, it's because of you, Itachi. I know I taught you to be a nameless shinobi that protects the peace from the shadows. But that doesn't mean to forsake your identity to do your work and accept anything that results from it! It's the teachings of your order, or warriors of shadow as you call them, they are shady at best. I can't, in good conscience, support an organization that considers killing your comrades or hiding the truth as something to be commended for!"

"That's not the point, is it?" Itachi said, clenching his teeth. He didn't like the way his cousin spoke of his sword brothers. He sighed. "Though I disagree, I don't want to be dragged into a discussion about the morality of ANBU with you. The rivalry between the Konoha Jo-nin and ANBU agents shall be resolved another day."

"You can say we differ in ideology," Shisui nodded, "but that's not what I mean. It is the way you work! We all know that you'd do anything to keep the peace. Should it come to that, you were always the first to sacrifice yourself for the greater good. How could I not think that he was using you, in making you believe that allying with him was a good way to protect the village? He could have gotten underneath your skin easily."

"I told you how I feel about him," Itachi insisted, "you should have taken my word for it."

"But how am I to know that he would return it? It's not like any of us thought that he was being serious with you. Let alone capable of love."

Itachi snapped his head around to pin down his other two friends. "You doubted me as well?"

Kakashi winced, "He is a lot older than you. Even older than me. And really, Hoshigaki doesn't have the best of reputation, being a Swordsman of Mist and all. Not that he's ever been charged with seduction of a minor or anything, but we are talking about a man who convinced the Mizukage to make him her first man after just one hour of talk."

"There was no reason why he would be interested in you except for some plot," Shisui added, "perhaps you're unaware of your own influence or just how powerful an ally you are, but we are. You're known all over the land, of course they would have a reason to approach you." Shisui took a long breathe, "look at it from our perspective; he draws your attention shortly after his arrival, then his lady asks him to converse with you. It stinks of manipulation from day one. He makes you respect his strength first, then he warms up to you, slowly making you accustomed to his presence. Then he confuses you by showing interest and flirting with you all the time. Then, gaining your trust wouldn't be so hard. It's really just basic strategy of long term seduction."

"Do you take me for a fool?" Itachi hissed.

"Of course not," Shisui shook his head with exasperation. "I just know that, despite your cold exterior, you are a very kind person. It isn't that difficult to find out how devoted you are to the peace and safety of this village. Your compassion here makes you vulnerable, and exploitable for others."

Again, Shisui managed to analyze him perfectly. As much as Itachi hated being seen through, he also missed having people around who truly knew him. That Shisui acted the way he did was born out of concern, Itachi finally understood. Had he believed Itachi was manipulated, it was his duty to free Itachi from foreign control. Would he not do the same were their positions reversed? Closing his eyes, Itachi admitted he wouldn't have hesitated and would have done much worse. He had always been merciless to those who hurt his friends. That Shisui failed at seeing the whole picture in the end was only due to Itachi's masterful deception.

After all, deceiving people he loved was Itachi's way to protect them from the evil inside himself.

"I understand now," Itachi eventually nodded.

"What do you understand?"

"The reason for your actions," he sighed, lowering his head in apology, "well, I didn't make it easy for all of you. I was so afraid we would be discovered that I never paused to consider how it looked for others, especially those close to me. But Shisui, I assure you, I am not under any influence."

"I know," Shisui rolled his eyes. "Do you think I can still doubt your feelings after what happened in the Hokage-sama's chamber?"

"That was a speech you don't hear every day," Kakashi chuckled from behind him.

"Yet you still require proof of Kisame's feelings?"

"You know I've been following him on your father's orders," he wrinkled his nose, "it's hard to miss how smitten he's with you. If I hear him say 'as you wish, Itachi-san' one more time, I might vomit on him."

Itachi still held his breath.

"No," Shisui eventually muttered, though only begrudgingly, "I don't doubt him anymore."

"That's a relief," Itachi sighed. Kakashi and Tenzou actually giggled behind him.

"But," Shisui held up one finger, "it doesn't mean I have to like him! And if he hurts you, I will make him suffer."

"I'll relay the message," Itachi nodded.

"Save it, I'll tell him myself!" The look in Shisui's eyes promised nothing good.

Tenzou intervened faster than Itachi could. He pressed a can of beer into the Jo-nin's hand and put a hand on Shisui's shoulder to gently massage it. "I think we all had enough excitement for one day. Why don't you stay here and relax a little?"

"Really?" Kakashi just had to add, "I thought that given we were two hours late, you two had enough of 'relaxing'."

"Senpai, would you please shut up?"

Itachi stopped himself from chuckling. He took the iced tea Kakashi offered and struggled with the feelings in his chest. His anger was only slowly dying down, allowing mild reassurance to surface. After taking three long breaths to calm himself, he turned to face his friends just to find Shisui up and close in his personal space.

"We're good?" his cousin asked, his big eyes full of hope. "I really don't like fighting with you."

"Shisui," Itachi gave him a brief smile, "let's not repeat this anytime soon."

"So…?"

"Yes, we're good."

"Great," his cousin sighed out of relief, "I was worried. Still sorry about all the times I walked in on you."

"Hmh,"

"But since you just interrupted what was to be the best orgasm of my life, I dare say we're even."

Itachi gave him a filthy glare. "As did you."

Shisui slapped Itachi's head away. "I did not need to know that!" he then chuckled. "And don't you dare sending Tenzou to seduce me again! That's not fair."

"But Jo-nin Captain Shisui," Itachi smirked up at him, "don't you know? All is fair in love and war."

For a instant, Shisui gaped at him, then his face darkened, a vein bulging on his forehead. "One day, I'm going to burn his dirty books!"

I hope you liked it.
Did you really think I'd keep Shisui and Itachi apart? Those two together are just too good!

See you next chapter! And don't forget to review. ;-)