Kakashi was quiet and reading a book by the time Kisame got back. He walked in calmly, set Samehada down in the closet, and turned around. He raised a single eyebrow at the sight before him.

Itachi was sitting on the couch, a silver-haired male at his feet, presumably a slave. Itachi's hand was running absently through the slave's hair, and the slave was leaning into Itachi's touches. Itachi seemed lost in thought, and the slave was reading a book. Kisame walked over to the two, making his presence known.

Itachi glanced up. "Oh, hello, Kisame," he greeted. "Nice to see you. Have a nice time?"

"Uh, yeah," Kisame said slowly. "Um, who's-?"

"Oh, right. So rude of me. Anyway, this is Kakashi. He's Pein's slave, really, but Pein got nasty with him so I asked him if I could take him for a bit to keep him from dying." Itachi shrugged. "Worded correctly, I managed to score four weeks."

Kisame shrugged. "Well, you keep out of my hair, I'll keep out of yours. Sound good?"

Kakashi had turned around to acknowledge Kisame, and now stood and bowed respectfully. "Kisame-sama," he murmured, straightening to look Kisame in the eye. Even now, Kisame could see that he had been beaten furiously, and that he was very skinny. Itachi had cleaned him up, obviously, but he still looked fragile and sick. Kisame looked him up and down, then took a breath and said,

"I like this one."

A small smile teased at the corners of Kakashi's lips. He wasn't sure what to say, so he just went with something that was fool-proof: "Would you like anything, Kisame-sama? Something to drink?"

"I'm fine," Kisame said. "But thank you. No, I'm just going to shower and then get something to eat. Thought about dinner, Itachi? Or shall I contemplate that in the back of my mind as I carry on as normal?"

Itachi smirked. "I was thinking about grabbing some take-out. Mexican sounds nice."

Kakashi seemed hesitant, but went for it anyway. "I-If you don't mind, I-I could cook," he offered. "I'm not sure how good I am, but I could try…"

Itachi shrugged. "Okay by me. Kisame, willing to go for it?"

"If it's not moving and it won't kill me, I say go for it."

Itachi nodded once. "Kakashi, whatever and whenever. As long as it's before seven thirty."

"How does six sound, Itachi-sama?"

"Fine. Kisame?"

"Fine."

Kakashi nodded and went into the kitchen, and Kisame went into the bathroom. Itachi heard the water turn on shortly afterwards, and Kakashi began opening and closing cabinets, the pantry, and the fridge. Finally, he seemed to settle, and began working on the meal. "Cook for three," Itachi said, on an impulse. Kakashi seemed surprised.

"Why?" he asked hesitantly. "Are you having a guest?"

Itachi shrugged. "You're eating too, aren't you?"

Kakashi seemed shocked, and stopped slicing a bell pepper for a moment. "But…Itachi-sama…I already had my food for three days! You-!"

"You're a human. Humans typically need three square meals a day. I'm going to ease you back into two meals a day and see how your stomach handles it. We'll go from there."

Kakashi's head slowly lowered, and he still looked like he was in shock. "Thank you," he whispered. "I am forever in your debt."

Itachi snorted with laughter and picked up a book. "Basic human rights," he muttered. "Hardly in my debt for anything. I guess you could call it on rescuing you from Pein, but that's all I'm letting you guilt-trip me on. Otherwise, just quiet down and I'll have you out of here before you know it."

Kakashi's eyes widened to about twice their normal width, and his head snapped up to stare disbelievingly at Itachi. "Y-You would-you're going to-"

"Little flower, you deserve better. If you can keep quiet, I'll have you out of here at the four week mark."

Four weeks, Itachi thought, because I'm too selfish to let you go before then.

OOOOOOOOO

"Kakashi, it makes me wonder: where the hell did you learn to cook like this?"

Kakashi shrugged and took his own plate, walking over to the table where Kisame and Itachi were sitting and sitting down at Itachi's feet. "I just…taught myself," he said. I lived on my own for so long, I really had to."

Itachi smiled. "It's good."

Kakashi blushed and murmured his thanks, then set about eating his own meal. Itachi knew it was pointless to offer Kakashi a seat at the table: Kakashi would certainly refuse. The three ate their meal in silence, Kisame occasionally breaking it to attempt to bring up a conversation. His attempts failed miserably, and he soon lapsed into silence as well. Kakashi finished eating quickly, and stood at the entrance to the dining area where Itachi and Kisame were eating. He cleared the table without being asked, and wiped it down and washed the dishes. Itachi was concerned: Kakashi had never been like this, ever. What had Pein done to him to screw him up so bad? Three days and Kakashi was still in shock that Itachi allowed him to eat a fair amount. Itachi rose from the table and went into his room, digging out the notebook he was using to record Kakashi's progression. Kakahi had cooked every day for the past three days, but nothing seemed to have changed.

Day 3

Kakashi is still quiet and submissive. Wounds healing very well. Konan says that he was raped multiple times, and beaten every day. Explains skittish nature and extreme reactions when touched around head or hips. Kakashi still shies and panics whenever a hand is raised to him, no matter the person or intent. On the other hand, seems to be getting along well with Kisame.

Itachi snapped the book shut and slid it under his mattress, satisfied with his notes. He walked back out into the main area of the apartment, and was almost floored by what he saw.

Kisame was sitting on the floor in front of Kakashi, one hand extended to him. Kakashi seemed curious, but hesitant, and was trying to figure out if Kisame was going to strike him or not. But still, Kisame sat still, and Kakashi eventually came closer to him. Kisame gently touched Kakashi's shoulder, trying to get the jounin more comfortable with his touch. Kakashi visibly shivered at Kisame's touch, but accepted it and stayed relatively quiet. Itachi froze, trying not to make his presence known. He knew Kisame and Kakashi had been getting along well, but for Kakashi to accept Kisame's touch was amazing! Itachi felt a small smile grace his features: his little flower was finally blooming. Itachi continued to watch neutrally as Kisame ran his hand over Kakashi's collarbone, working his way up to the neck. Kakashi seemed to accept him touching him that close to his head; Itachi's heart leapt. Would he allow Kisame to touch his head? Itachi doubted it, but there was a first time for everything-

Kisame's hand came up, and Kakashi shot backwards.

Just as Kisame's fingers caressed Kakashi's cheek, the jounin shot away with a terrified yelp. Itachi's eyes widened, but he still did nothing. He wanted to see the two work it out themselves. Kakashi scrambled back until he hit the wall, trembling and whimpering in fear. Kisame sighed and stood up, stepping over to Kakashi and then kneeling down in front of him.

"Calm down," he whispered, extending his hand halfway. "I won't hurt you. I promise. Come on, come here…you're alright, you're not in trouble…jeez, what did Pein do to you?"

Kakashi seemed to shrink back, and his voice was choked when he answered: "He hit me…for no reason. He hit me, even when I begged him to stop. He hit me, even when I cried. He wouldn't listen to me scream. He kept making me…he made me do things I never would have done, had I had a choice. He made me cry every night, and then held me, and told me he loved me…" Kakashi's voice finally broke, and he buried his face in his hands. "It was all a lie. I wanted to believe it, but…but it was all lies."

Kisame seemed suddenly shell-shocked. He stared at Kakashi, then exhaled all his held breath and let his hand fall to his side.

"I don't suppose you'll let me touch you?"

Kakashi's only response was a choked sob.

Kisame sighed and turned around, glancing at Itachi for help. Itachi wordlessly motioned him out of the room, and Kisame left obligingly. Itachi sat down about six feet away from Kakashi, with his left side to the jounin and his legs crossed. He took off his Akatsuki cloak and set it aside, making sure he had no weapons on him before settling again with his legs crossed, hands on his knees, and head down. He had seen Deidara do this with any slave who was broken and afraid of human contact-by allowing the slave to come to him, he could gain their trust much more easily. Itachi waited like this for at least twenty minutes before Kakashi inched closer-now, only five feet, nine inches to go.

Itachi sat there for hours in the same position, just waiting while Kakashi slowly got himself under control and inched closer to him. Finally, the jounin was within arms' reach. All he had to do was ask Itachi for attention…he had to make the first move. Itachi raised his head, but still didn't look at Kakashi. Kakashi drew back a bit, but didn't lose ground. Itachi's heart leapt to his throat: was his love finally gaining confidence again?

Apparently, he was. Kakashi slipped a bit closer to Itachi, and softly called out to the Uchiha. "Itachi-sama?" he whispered, trying to get Itachi's attention. Itachi paid him no mind. He wanted to see if Kakashi was persistent. "Itachi-sama!" Kakashi wasn't sure what was going on now. He hesitated another moment, then tried one last time. "I-Itachi-sama…? Are you angry with me? I-I'm sorry if I ever d-did anything to displease you…Itachi-sama, please, answer me!"

Itachi could hear the tears in Kakashi's voice, and finally turned to his slave. Kakashi shrank back, clearly frightened of Itachi now. Itachi slowly turned to face Kakashi, still cross-legged and relaxed. He held out a hand to Kakashi, not saying a word. Kakashi needed to fight this battle himself. Kakashi was clearly battling himself: he wanted Itachi and his gentle touches, his sweet caresses, his soft words…! But he also didn't want to be hit. Not again. Enough was enough! Finally, Kakashi decided that he had nothing to lose. So what if h was hit? It wasn't like it hadn't happened before. He finally reached out-

And put his hand in Itachi's.

A smile broke out across Itachi's face, and he stood up slowly, holding onto Kakashi's hand as he did so. Kakashi rose at Itachi's invitation, but was trembling with fear. Obviously, he anticipated the worst. Itachi stepped back releasing Kakashi's hand, and waited a moment to see what Kakashi would do.

He absolutely broke down.

Kakashi collapsed to his knees, covering his face with his hands and trying to hide his tears. Itachi was shocked. What had he done wrong? Kakashi was fine just a moment ago! He knelt down in front of Kakashi, wrapping his arms around the jounin's shoulders and drawing him close. He gently pulled Kakashi across his thighs, letting his weight rest in the muscle of his legs. Kakashi's desperate sobs ceased for a moment, clearly shocked by Itachi's actions. Then, his tears redoubled, and his hands went to Itachi's shoulders. Itachi could feel Kakashi's tight grip as his head went to his shoulder, and Itachi brought one hand up to hold Kakashi's head. "Sh, sh, sh," he whispered, trying to stop Kakashi's tears. Did he even have tears left with which to cry? Itachi continued whispering sweet nothings in Kakashi's ear, trying to quiet him enough to get a response from the jounin. Finally, after ten minutes of openly sobbing, Kakashi got himself under control and had brought his tears down to soft gasps and whimpers. Itachi began stroking Kakashi's hair, hoping to remind him he was there.

"This is what he used to do…after he beat me."

Itachi remained silent for a moment, allowing Kakashi to continue. Maybe this would give some insight as to why Kakashi was so depressed…

"He would hold me in his arms…and whisper to me how beautiful I was…and how much he loved me…and how he wished he could hold me and have me forever…and he would make me come to him, and he would make me have sex with him…and I would scream, and cry, and tell him no, and that it was rape…and he wouldn't listen…!" Kakashi's voice broke, and he buried his face in Itachi's shoulder, crying desperately. Itachi could hardly move with the shock: he was cruel, and so was Pein, but to rape this innocent creature? No, it just wasn't possible! Not Kakashi! He was too sweet! What would ever provoke Pein into punishing Kakashi so harshly?

"Itachi-sama," Kakashi whispered, "Please, don't make me go back to him. He doesn't let me eat, he hits me every time he sees me, he makes me sleep with him almost every night, he chains me down when he's not sleeping with me, he doesn't let Konan heal me, he beats me and tortures me and he always tells me I'm worthless and stupid and he hates me-!"

"Kakashi, Kakashi! Slow down, love. I already told you, I wouldn't let you go back to him. I told you I was getting you out of here. Trust me, okay?"

Kakashi took several gasps of air before nodding and falling silent again, burying his face in Itachi's shoulder again. Itachi continued to stroke Kakashi's hair, hoping to calm him. He didn't know how long he sat there with Kakashi: it could have been seconds, it could have been days. Either way, he just sat there, on the floor, letting Kakashi cling to him and sob it out. He vaguely noticed Kisame going about his business, but paid no mind. The entire time, his mind swirled around one question:

Was he truly falling for Kakashi, or was he still acting?

A/N: Confusion! Now review, or the next chapter goes bye-bye!!