Disclaimer~ I neither own, nor do I claim to own the characters depicted herin; they belong to their respective artist. I do however own the stories and plots in which I have created.

A/N:: I have been quite busy lately with classes and high school life in general. But just last night a friend of mine came over and we watched Naruto. All throughout, I found myself commenting on how perfect a couple Kisame and Itachi are. And so, after procrastinating a paper, here it is.

Chapter 4: A Plan is a Plan but Tobi's Plan is...?

Itachi awoke, feeling better than he had all week. His shoulders were no longer tense and the air didn't seem suffocating. Well, almost. Kisame slept peacefully, snoring quite loudly and crushing Itachi with his familiar body weight.

Itachi turned his head to look at Kisame, a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. And then almost as suddenly as it appeared, it was gone. But not for the usual reason. No. This had nothing to do with weakness due to emotional attachment. This had to do with the line of drool creeping its way out of Kisame's open mouth, and making a direct path for Itachi's neck.

Leaning up Itachi shoved Kisame backwards as hard as he could muster.

Kisame's head hit the wall and he groaned."Ugh...Itachi, are you bipolar or something?", he asked, rubbing the back of his now sore head. His face felt wet, and he swiped it with the back of his hand, feeling slightly embarassed.

Itachi said nothing, just merely walked into the bathroom with a sarcastic roll of his eyes.

"He must still be mad", Kisame muttered with a shake of his head. Getting up Kisame headed to the kitchen. Opening up the fridge he searched for the orange juice. After locating it he sighed, grabbing a paper cup. After Deidara's tantrum over his missing strawberries, the Akatsuki base no longer contained any usable food utensils or cups, or plates, or bowls...

Kisame slid the orange juice back into its respective drawer within the fridge. When he looked up however, he came face to face with Hidan.

"H-hey.", Hidan stuttered, uncharacteristically nervous. His hands were clenching and unclenching into fists as his nails scraped the palm of his hand.

"Oh, hey. 'Wuzzup Hidan." Hidan frowned at the relaxed expression and tone of Kisame's voice.

"What the fuck...I try to be civil and this is what I get. I didn't know it was all water under the bridge already."

"Hidan, calm down. If we just-

"If we, what?", Hidan yelled, enraged. He couldn't explain how, or why, but he was pissed off. Especially after he saw the way Kisame embraced Itachi. The way he looked at him. His facial expression...it was one of love and sincerity.

Hidan's head had been so clouded with thoughts of last night that he hadn't been focusing on his own movements, and teetered slightly.

Kisame reached forward, catching Hidan before he hit the kitchen floor. This felt familiar. Catching a damsel in distress. Only both Hidan and Itachi would beat him up for even referring to them as 'damsels'.

Feeling Hidan shutter, Kisame soothingly ran his hand up and down Hidan's back. Almost instantly, he felt Hidan relax. Kisame was a bit confused. He loved Hidan. But in a different way. A more close sort of friends kind of way. But contary to his original thoughts he DID care about Hidan's happiness.

Itachi quickly dressed and left his bedroom. He walked past the kitchen, only seeing Hidan in someone's lap. He had only quickly glanced, and couldn't tell who it was that was with him. It didn't really concern him though. He figured that it was probably just Kakazu.

As Itachi made his way down the hall to Leader-sama's room, he shook his head, seeing Kakazu. He shrugged the whole ordeal off as not getting enough sleep, or too much stress.

As he walked to the entrance he saw Konan inside, excitedly explaining something to Pein.

"And so, isn't it obvious why you just have to say yes?", Konan gave Pein a double smile. At first glance it was friendly, excited. But a closer look revealed that it was a quiet threat. She had something against him that he had no intention of giving up.

Pein sighed, bringing his palm to his forehead."You do fully comprehend what you are asking of me, right?"

Konan simply nodded.

"Okay then. So long as it does not interfere with our progress."

Konan gave a small smile, mind already brimming with 'insinkable' ideas. With that she turned around and walked out the door, not even noticing Itachi.

Itachi walked into Leader-sama's office, expecting to recieve his orders. When Pein said nothing, he made a noise,"Hn."

Pein looked up."Yes, Itachi?"

"I've come for my mission."

Pein shook his head,"What mission? There's going to be a slight...vacation.", Pein said, trying to recall the excuse Konan had told him to give.

"So I see.", With that Itachi walked out the door and down the hallway, stopping when he heard Konan's authorative voice.

"Okay, okay guys my 'Ultimate Unfailable' plan will begin now. Well play tic-tac-toe." She grinned slightly, as if this were the perfect solution.

Itachi was confused. Something about a plan and tic-tac-toe. This was all...complete idiocy. Shaking his head he walked by the staring group and out into the garden.

Konan paused, eyes following Itachi as he made his way outside. When he was finally out of sight, she let out a breath she didn't know she had been holding."Okay so we draw sticks to see who goes against who."

Holding the stick in front of the group she watched as everyone grabbed one and looked at them. She smirked, realizing that she had the longest.

"Aww", Tobi pouted."No fair, Tobi got the small one."

Kakuzu pointed to his stick as well."Yeah, me too."

"Okay then. You two do tic-tac-toe to see who'll be first and-

"Be first of what?", Kakuzu interrupted."What the hell is this all for anyways?"

Konan gave a look that could freeze over the Sahara.

"Uh, nevermind..."

Konan took out the board and markers and handed them one to Tobi and one to Kakuzu.

"I'll be the circle", Kakuzu declared.

"And Tobi'll be square!

"Umm, Tobi...I don't think that there are squares in tic-tac-toe.", Konan offered.

"Shhh! No cheating, you can't help him.", Kakuzu said, already feeling competitive.

"It's not cheating. I'm just...", Konan shook her head,"forget it."

The game started and Tobi drew his 'square' on the board in the middle. Kakuzu drew his circle in the far right corner. This continued until the board was full.

"Toe-tic-tac, three in a row, Tobi wins!"

Kakuzu shook his head."Tobi, it's called tic-tac-toe, and look, I clearly won." Kakuzu pointed to the four different ways he had won.

It turned out that Tobi's definitive squares looked like circles. In fact, the whole board was covered with circles and one square in the middle.

"Uh, Tobi...I think you lost, un." Deidara said, staring the board intensely.

"Tobi, you drew one square...and the rest circles", Sasori added.

"Oh. Oops.", Tobi said, scratching the back of his head.

Kakuzu smiled, pleased with his victory and Konan sighed. If Tobi was anywhere near as bad at relationships as he was as bad at playing tic-tac-toe, then it would definitely do far more harm than good.

"Tobi, how about you sit this one out?", Konan said nodding, as if agreeing with herself.

"What out?", Zetsu asked.

"Huh? Oh. Well we each come up with a plan to help Kisame and Itachi get back together."

"Tobi wants'ta help!", Tobi yelled, excitedly forming his plan.

Sasori shook his head in disagreement."I hardly think we should mettle in others' affairs."

Deidara shook his head."Besides, un, it doesn't even concern us."

Konan smiled, rising from her seat at on the crowded couch."I'm glad you feel that way. And to think I convinced Pein-sama to give us all a week off. Well there's always that nine-tailed jinchuuriki to catch." She smirked as Deidara went pale and Sasori went stiff.

"On second thought un, I'd love to help."

Sasori had a bit more stubborn pride."Yeah..."

Tobi rose from the group with a wide smile."Tobi's idea is here!"

Zetsu looked up with an unsure smile on one half, and a feature-less stare on the other.

Without another word, Tobi took off in the direction towards his and the plant nin's bedroom. At this, the small asembley of people scattered, each parting ways for a different reason. Hidan hadn't shown up to the meeting, which in no way surprised Konan. Deidara went to go perfect a new jutsu using his clay bombs, and Sasori was working on a new body armor that he had collected just last week. Kakuzu had headed out for the monthly groceries, and Zetsu went out to the garden. As far as everyone knew, Pein was holed up in his room.

Hidan sat in his room, gripping a small razor. He watched intently as blood, his blood, dripped from between clenched fists. Usually this would excite him. The sight of blood, the sting of pain, it was his verson of complete euphoria. But oddly it didn't do anything. He just simply wasn't himself. He hadn't killed, tortured, or insulted anyone in days, weeks. Sure, there was the common snide remarks, but nothing his style.

Hidan looked up as he noticed the door knob turn, and subsequently open. He looked away, it was probably just Kakuzu.

Then he was tackled, pinned to the bed he had been sitting on. It was Kisame.

"What the fuck", Hidan yelled, despite himself.

Kisame smiled,"Then fight me."

"Wha...?", for once Hidan found himself lost for words.

"I said, 'fight me'. I haven't sparred in weeks, a little training would do me some good and I think you as well."

Hidan grinned, a blood-thirsty smile. A battle like this seemed to spark something in him. Competition? Rage? He couldn't put words to why fresh adrenaline was pumping through his veins. All he knew was he definately liked it.

Walking to a rocky area outside of the garden both took on battle stances...

Itachi watched, hidden on one of the trees in the immense garden, as both mens sparred, spouting curses.

"Try and dodge this!", Kisame performed his shark jutsu, numerous sharks made of water coming at Hidan.

"You'll have to do better than that", Hidan said with a chuckle.

Kisame rounded the corner and made a move to jump. But he slipped on a wet rock, landing face first in now muddy soil.

Hidan dropped his scythe, busting out in laughter. After an embarassing moment of shame, that his undoing had been a rock, Kisame got up and swiped at his face with the back of the sleeve of his Akatsuki robe. While Hidan was still laughing Kisame snuck up to him.

"Now meet YOUR doom", Kisame shouted, throwing a ball of mud at Hidan.

The was a moment of silence as Hidan stared blankly at Kisame. Then he chuckled and threw a mis-shaped ball of mud at Kisame.

Itachi found himself smiling as he watched the two acting so childish. They were both grinning, covered in mud. The right half of the garden, reserved for training was an absolute mess."So childish", Itachi whispered before making a handsign and disappearing.

Tobi sighed in defeat. He knew, more than anything, that he wanted to help. The thought of losing Zetsu stung his mind, causing a brief slip in his sanity. If he lost Zetsu, He would take over. His old self. Madara. He reasoned that that was likely to be the state Kisame was in.

Tobi involuntarily shivered at the thought of being Madara. Madara wasn't him. Sure- technically he was, but he didn't want it to be. Didn't want to slip into the realm of insanity where only death and pain could cause the Uchiha pleasure. Most of all he didn't want to lose sight of what was important. He didn't favor his old self- tried to bury it deep.

It was all up to him and as he exited the room, a small smile pulled the corners of his lips up.

Itachi sat in the living room alone. It's was not as if Kisame had been avoiding him, but that he had been avoiding Kisame. He wasn't really mad. Sure, when he recalled that day his blood boiled like lava for some reason, but no, he wasn't mad. He was, he dared not say it aloud, embarrassed and jealous. Embarrassed because he had let his emotions get the better of him and...jealous because Kisame had never smiled at him like that. Had never looked as joyous as he did with Hidan. Itachi ducked, seeing Kisame exit the shower. Itachi's face was red, and the last thing he wanted were more complications.

Kisame shook his head, reminding Itachi of a wet dog. Itachi watched as Kisame stretched and let out a loud yawn, pulling his arms behind his head. Subsequently, the towel inched its way down his torso. Past his taut stomach... Down his waist...

Itachi had to look away to keep from gawking any further. It had been a while since they...well, did 'it'.

Kisame turned around, noticing Itachi, and flashed his well-known half-grin."Hey, 'Tachi."

Itachi furrowed his brows at the pet name."Kisame...If you wish to address me, address me properly." Itachi was about to go into a lecture when he sighed. He had no intention of wasting his time, and Konan who was 'hiding' behind the corner wore a wide smile.

Konan slinked in, handing a flyer, one to Itachi, and one to Kisame, before bolting down the hall. The two flyers had the same words written on them, but the one Kisame held looked like the combination of a first grader and unsharpened crayons. In short, a complete disaster.

Kisame looked down at his."What the-", he paused, taking in the papers contents. The paper itself wasn't fancy at all. In fact, it was a sheet of notebook paper, carelessly torn out. The words were about an inch and a half apart, and the blue crayon used to write the letter was slightly smudged where the paper folded. It read,' Dear Kizameh, romantical dinner party for too invahtayshun.' Kisame was silent for a moment.

Itachi let out a laugh. Kisame's invitation must have been a joke, he even felt a little bad for him. At least whoever made his was literate.

Kisame gave a loud whoop, startling Itachi from his thoughts."This person is pure genius!", Kisame shouted, waving his note like an honored flag.

'Oh, brother', Itachi thought."You can't be serious...?"

Sensing Itachi's mild confusion, Kisame shook his head with a bit more vigor than necessary."Nah, 'course not 'Tachi. I was just...uh", Kisame paused, scratching his head while racking his brain for the right word." Um, fibbing, yeah..."

Itachi raised a disbelieving eyebrow. Whenever Kisame expanded his vocabulary things always tended to go awry. It was like some astronamical balance had been thrown off. To put it simply, Kisame was a bit of a romantic but his inability with words was most always his undoing.

Itachi sighed."So, what's this...event you have planned?"

"Eh? Oh, it's a surprise!" 'For us both', he mentally added.

Kisame led the way, secretly looking at the meeting spot map on his paper when Itachi's eyes wandered to take in the surroundings. They were outside. In the garden...there was a candle-lit path. Itachi surprised himself as much as Kisame when he let out a breathless sigh. The fresh air was perfect; everything was so-

"Zet-chan, Su-chan, I promise! Your flowers won't catch on fire because these are the ones that come in their own cups."

Kisame tugged on Itachi's wrist to draw his attention away from Tobi and Zetsu. He'd noticed lately that the Uchiha had been carefully observing the two lately, but had no clue as to why.

Itachi glanced back one final time, allowing himself to be pulled in the direction Kisame was going. He noticed how close the two were standing and how they seemed so relaxed around each other.

"Well, here we are.", Kisame proclaimed, drawing Itachi from his thoughts. Kisame reached a hand out, offering to take Itachi's Akatsuki robe.

Itachi obliged, handing Kisame the article of clothing and taking a seat at the only table visible. Kisame stared at the robes in his hand. Sure, the sentiment had been nice, but...he had no idea where to stick them. When he thought Itachi wasn't looking he threw the robes underneath the table.

Itachi smiled, seeing the whole thing. There was silence but Itachi didn't feel uncomfortable.

"So", Kisame started, nervously breaking the ice,"it's been awhile, just you and me..." Itachi's gaze was on him and it was intense. He felt like HE was the ice...that was melting under Itachi's gaze.

"Yes, it has." It was simple, a few mere meaningless words to others, but oxygen itself to Kisame. For Itachi to recognize it'd been a while meant he noticed and also hinted at something else...he cared...

Kisame leaned in, gently taking Itachi's hand in his."I really missed you."

Itachi felt his face redden in responce."You do?", his voice came out more shakey and hoarse than he would have liked.

"Yeah. Can't sleep without your snorin'."

Itachi's smile disappeared."Snoring? I do NOT snore, you snore.", Itachi seemed to frown.

Kisame put up his hands in defeat, ready to utter the words every man has to at some point or time in their life,"You're right."

Itachi smiled and watched as Kisame drew circles with his thumb on his palm.

Kisame leaned in slowly and stopped just short of his lips brushing Itachi's, as if asking for permission. In reply, Itachi joined their lips, initiating a soft gentle kiss. Both moaned openly into the foreign joining. Never before had their kiss been this sweet, this loving. Kisame worked his mouth a bit faster, slipping his tongue into Itachi's warm, wet mouth. The kiss continued like this until both were knocking things off the table left and right to deepen the kiss, to get closer.

A loud crash is what broke the kiss as the two looked down to see a broken pig lantern made of clay. It looked a bit haphazard, as if the artist had rushed, but now lay in several pieces.

Kisame and Itachi were about to resume kissing when a loud 'pop' was heard, followed by the smell of smoke. Kisame looked under the table to see that the pig ornament had combusted and the fire had spread to their Akatsuki robes, which Kisame had so 'ingeniously' thown under the table.

Quickly reacting, Kisame made a handsign for a simple water jutsu to put the fire out. Itachi watched with amused eyes as Kisame shamefully handed him his Akatsuki robe that now smelled of smoke, bore a huge hole, and was drenched.

Itachi merely chuckled at the sight. It had been a while since Kisame's antics had been this genuine. Although the date itself may have been a fluke, the emotion behind it most certainly were not.

Leaning in Itachi quickly kissed Kisame."Tonight was...interesting..."

Kisame found himself practically beaming. For Itachi to be interested took a lot, and the fact that Itachi was beginning, little by little, to show his emotions was a big leap towards euphoria for Kisame.

"Yes. Yes it was.", Kisame responded, holding out his hand."So...can I escort you to your room?"

Itachi smiled genuinely, making Kisame's heart rate increase."I think we can work something out."

TO BE CONTINUED...

A/N: Okay, so review time. I have two questions. The first one is which Akatsuki members 'plan' should be next, and the ideas for the plan to go along with the character you choose? And the final question is I'm thinking about m-preg, thoughts? (Whether you would want to see it or not). If you want to see a smut of any other pairing {ex.)sasodei, kakuhida...ect.} add that in your review as well and I shall meet demand.