Slave to a Shark - Chapter 4: Jealousy
Warnings: same as the rest of the series
This is disturbing. I am beginning to show signs of an abuse victim. Just because he doesn't hurt me once or twice I view it as kindness. I'm overjoyed by something simple as being able to see my brother when that right shouldn't have been taken away from me to begin with.
Itachi followed Kisame through the halls of the castle, heading back to the basement cell where his little brother was behind bars.
He even has my brother behind bars! Honestly the more rationally I think about it the worse this situation is but my rational side is disappearing because of this torture. But this man doesn't seem like he's so bad based on our philosophical talks. In fact, you'd think he wasn't into having slaves to begin with. Maybe I can convince him to let us go? No... It's unlikely. Whatever his philosophical beliefs he doesn't seem to follow them in reality at all. He truly is a monster. Perhaps Sasuke and I really would be better off in other hands... But we will just get captured and separated if we leave... But if we stay I may become mutilated beyond repair and then this monster will switch to my brother and we will both be dead... But I can't leave Sasuke in the hands of the unknown either... What to do, what to do...
"What are you thinking about?" Kisame asked, breaking Itachi's thought process. Kisame was trying to start a conversation the same way Itachi had earlier.
"..." Itachi didn't respond at first. He knew he would be tortured for it later - but honestly he would be tortured anyway. He will find some excuse to torture me. Itachi thought bitterly. But Itachi also knew he had to be nice for his brother's sake - they were going down there after all - Itachi managed to keep the shark's interest on him but what if that interest moved to Sasuke? Might as well play nice and not give him any reason to switch to Sasuke. "I'm worried about him is all. I want him to be alright and he's been cooped up there for a long time. It's cold and he's probably afraid and alone..." Itachi almost choked at the end thinking about what his brother was going through. I hope Kisame doesn't decide to torture Sasuke to get to me, knowing how much I care... But if I didn't make my feelings obvious would he have attacked Sasuke sooner? What do I do? I can't trust Kisame. This situation is really bad, and I haven't been doing enough to fix it - I don't know if I can handle another torture session without blacking out for weeks.
Kisame didn't respond, instead putting his hands in his pockets as he felt the unfamiliar feeling of shame for once in his life. Here was Itachi, a man he had tortured to the point that he was more or less unconscious and at a loss for blood for his entire stay there, in constant pain - even now by how he limped when he walked, he was trying so hard to conceal it by being the strong one just as he was when he refused to keel over in pain at the auction - and yet the only thought on his mind was his little brother. In fact, he was probably aware that if Kisame had used the hammers of the wheel breaker then he would likely never walk again and yet he asked to be taken back just so Sasuke wouldn't be the one to take his place.
How is it possible to care so much for another human being? Kisame felt grudging respect for the crow.
The two finally made it to the basement where Itachi took a deep breath and straightened his pose, refusing to look as if he had been hurt.
"Hoshigaki-sama, could you please do me a favor?"
"What?" Kisame asked, thinking back to the last few requests the crow had made. All were related to Sasuke so far.
"Please avoid mentioning the torture to Sasuke. He does not need to know." Itachi had his hand on the doorway down and was speaking softly.
Kisame briefly wondered if Itachi was trying to hurt him, because those words pierced his heart as if with a sharp blade. Once again, Kisame was in complete awe of the man before him. I don't deserve him. I just don't.
"I won't mention it."
"Thank you." Itachi pushed open the door, which greeted him with cold air, and headed down, with Kisame at his heel.
In the basement cell Sasuke was shivering inside of his blanket and Suigetsu was sitting by Sasuke, observing.
"Sasuke?" Itachi asked, instantly full of concern.
"He's asleep." Suigetsu responded, not pushing Itachi away as he noticed Kisame was there as well. "He's sick."
"Oh Sasuke..." Itachi looked like he just heard someone dear to him died and was desperately trying to open the prison with trembling fingers, but was unable to due to his shaking.
Kisame felt more guilt course through him. Ugh, I'm not used to feeling so crappy. Kisame opened the prison bars for Itachi and the crow ran in instantly, cradling his little brother in his arms and whispering to him in his sleep.
Kisame watched for a moment before turning to Suigetsu. "Why didn't you tell me he was sick?"
"I sent Jared to get him medicine. Your rules were not to disturb you with unimportant facts." Suigetsu was genuinely surprised that Kisame was asking the question.
"Hoshigaki-sama..." Itachi asked, turning to look at Kisame with pleading eyes.
"Yeah?" Kisame felt a lump in his throat as his met Itachi's blazing red ones. He was feeling intense emotion and it showed in his eyes.
"Can we please take Sasuke out of this cell, it is too cold. He needs to rest."
"Yes. There is a guest room we can take him to and it will be more comfortable." Kisame found himself complying, unable to say no.
"What, seriously?" Suigetsu asked, looking at Kisame suspiciously.
"Suigetsu, that kid cost me 100 million Seo. [Suigetsu's eyes widened at this point as his mouth gaped open slightly] I'm not going to let him die before he can be useful." Kisame spoke in a harsher voice with Suigetsu, the kind he couldn't bring himself to speak in when talking to Itachi.
Monster. Itachi wanted to kill the shark man but knew he wouldn't be able to. For once, Itachi felt an intense hatred towards the man. Putting that hatred aside, Itachi used every ounce of his strength to pick up Sasuke, shaking as every cell in his body screamed in pain from the torture, yet forcing himself to do it anyway.
Kisame watched as Itachi picked up his brother, bridal style, noting the obvious pain Itachi was in, yet refusing to give into. The image would permanently imbed itself into Kisame's memory as possibly the most beautiful sight he had ever seen. A brother, willing to endure such intense pain for another. Again, this wasn't something Kisame had ever experienced, he had never cared for anyone other than himself - this was the type of thing he thought existed only in legends or stories or fairy tales. Yet here it was before him, happening in real time.
A moment later Kisame snapped out of his trance, having memorized the moment, and stalked forward, grabbing Sasuke out of Itachi's hands. Itachi glared at Kisame, his red eyes turning into the three point star. "Give him back to me." Itachi hissed, looking ready to kill.
Kisame stared back into those eyes, Sasuke resting in his hands, and did not feel fear this time. He felt only respect. "You are in too much pain to carry him. Don't be a martyr, what use will you be to him if you're too broken to even walk after taking him to the guest room?" Kisame couldn't exactly believe his own ears, but at the same time there was nothing he wanted more at this point than to reduce the pain he had caused the crow. "I'll carry him."
Itachi didn't stop his glare and Suigetsu watched the interactions, respect for Itachi pulsing through his veins. Itachi actually ordered Kisame to do something, and still had his head! On top of that, Kisame was... Actually caring about Itachi's wellbeing? It was like being in an alternative universe, yet Suigetsu didn't mind. He had grown attached to Sasuke himself and was convinced the Uchiha had the ability to capture the hearts of those they met. It wouldn't be surprising if Kisame was also feeling the same unfamiliar feelings that he himself was.
Kisame broke the silence first, moving Sasuke closer to his body so he could maneuver him out of the cell and up the stairs. Itachi had spent that silent moment thinking of thousands of ways to kill the blue man while simultaneously thinking of the things Kisame's words could mean. When Kisame had turned to leave, Itachi's thoughts were broken and his face twisted into one of disgust as he followed behind, his mind swirling back to Sasuke's safety above all else.
-.-.-
Kisame gently laid Sasuke down in the comfortable bed of the guest bedroom. Itachi watched, a little surprised at the care Kisame had put into placing him down.
He was in a good mood earlier, so he's being nicer. Maybe he's bipolar... I wonder if there's a way to keep him in this mood.
Itachi covered Sasuke in the thick blanket, and watched how Sasuke's shivering relaxed as warmth enveloped him. Itachi brushed the hair off of Sasuke's face, his eyes gentle as he ignored the intense pain coursing through his body with every movement.
Kisame watched Itachi, entranced by the beautiful face Itachi made that was meant for his brother only. His jaw clenched as he watched, jealousy roaring through his heart.
I need to feel like he belongs to me, not Sasuke. But I can't force him, or he will never make that face for me. Kisame tried to think about how to make it work. Maybe if I'm gentle with him, treat him the way he's treating Sasuke, he will reciprocate? He has been kind so far even after all I've done, surely he is a kind person all around. Kisame felt a sinking feeling in his gut. What if he was wrong, and what if Itachi would never show that side to him? His mind drift back to that fateful morning and how those delicate fingers felt as they coursed through his hair. Maybe….
Jared came in, interrupting the image Kisame was so entranced by. This was happening a lot - moments where Kisame was just simply stunned by Itachi that he lost all perception of time.
"I have brought the medicine." Jared informed, approaching with a tray. He didn't question why Sasuke was here, instead he placed his tray on the bedside table and poured a liquid into a small glass.
"Sasuke will have to drink this." Jared informed Itachi, completely ignoring Kisame's presence. Only Jared could get away with that sort of thing - he was unafraid of Kisame.
Itachi nodded, the worry melting from his features. "Thank you, but I don't think we should wake him up just yet. I will give it to him when he wakes up."
Jared nodded and capped the small glass. "Don't give him more than this glass. He can have a second serving six hours after his first. He should eat when he takes his medicine." Itachi listened and nodded in understanding.
"Jared?" Kisame asked.
"Yes, Master Hoshigaki?" Jared turned to look at Kisame, a small smile on his face as his unruly, curly white hair surrounded his face.
"Sasuke will be in this room from now. Please make sure he is comfortable and has better clothing... And food. Whatever he needs." That last line was making it obvious to Jared not to go overboard - better clothing just meant clothes more appropriate or comfortable, such as a sweater for when he had to go to colder areas, but not anything remotely fancy. Better food meant something better than the gruel and tasteless food they usually gave servants, but not the fancy, expensive and exotic fruits or meats that Kisame ate. It was just one step up, but nothing to make Sasuke too comfortable. Kisame had even thought of that when bringing Sasuke to the guest bedroom - it wasn't a large bedroom like his own, it was very plainly decorated with minimal furniture, and although the bed was comfortable, the sheets were not satin or silk, but simple cotton with a blanket a little thicket but of the same material.
Kisame wasn't about to spoil Sasuke - the one he wanted to spoil was Itachi. Also, partially, Kisame was hoping to draw Itachi into his own far more comfortable room with the drastic change in luxuries or to his side for lunch and dinner for the drastic change in food.
Itachi heard every word and was happy that Sasuke would be in a more comfortable place, but he was also very worried, discomfort gnawing at him from the inside. He didn't know what Kisame was planning and he was worried about his and Sasuke's health.
"Of course, Master, I will arrange everything." Jared was happy. Never had slaves been treated so kindly - if this was considered kind - by Kisame. Some had even died their first day in the castle because of his torture, their blood soaking the floor, which Jared had to clean up. These two boys had somehow interested Kisame – and he was glad that they were surviving.
"Thank you, Jared." Kisame turned his eyes back to the Uchiha brothers as Jared bowed and left the room.
"Thank you, Hoshigaki-sama." Itachi said, his heart beginning to pound because of the distance between Sasuke and Kisame. He wanted them apart as soon as possible, yet he didn't want to leave Sasuke's side.
"Shall I continue to guard him?" Suigetsu's voice filled Kisame and Itachi's ears. He recently arrived - he had taken a break while Itachi and Kisame came here to take a nice shower and drink lots of water.
"Yes, continue to guard him. Make him drink that medicine over there when he wakes up and make sure he eats. Jared can tell you more." Kisame gestured toward the medicine.
"Got it." Suigetsu got a chair and dragged it over by the bed, sitting down and relaxing his feet on the bed itself.
"You, come with me." Kisame spoke to Itachi who reluctantly tore his eyes away from Sasuke. He didn't trust Suigetsu either - but it wasn't like he had a lot of choices right now.
Itachi followed Kisame, fully expecting to be taken to the torture room for ordering Kisame around again - he had demanded that Kisame return Sasuke to him after all. But instead, to Itachi's surprise, they went to the gardens.
A maid was sitting on the benches of the garden, a flower in her hand as she watched the unmoving water.
"Sherry, could you please get something to eat for me and Itachi?" Kisame asked politely, as they approached.
The maid got up quickly and bowed, her short, straight chestnut brown hair went just slightly past her shoulders as she did so.
"Right away, Master Hoshigaki." Her eyes were a wonderful green and met Itachi's for just a moment as she left. There was a smile on her face as she did.
"Let's sit." Kisame sat down on the stone bench where the maid was previously and gestured for Itachi to join him, which he did, as thoughts of the torture flowed through his mind.
"Hoshigaki-sama... I apologize for earlier, my behavior was uncalled for." Itachi felt his heart clench as he apologized for what he did. He almost felt as if the physical pain quadrupled as he spoke. His back hurting so much he didn't even want to sit, or stand.
"It's okay." Kisame noticed Itachi's discomfort, then sighed, realizing that coming out here was a bad idea. He considered asking Itachi if he wanted to lay down on the grass, but decided the ground wouldn't be comfortable enough. "Let's go."
"What?" Itachi panicked, his heart raced at an incredible pace and his eyes widened. He seriously thought he would fall apart right there. I'm going to be torn apart. Fear gripped deep into Itachi's soul as he thought about how he could possibly protect Sasuke with his body in tatters. "B-but we just got here."
"I know, I changed my mind. Come with me or I'll carry you."
That threat was enough to make Itachi jump up. He didn't want to be touched by this man any more than he had to be, especially with what he knew was coming next. Itachi felt like he was going to be sick. But he had to endure, for Sasuke's sake.
Itachi followed Kisame through the gardens and back to the castle where Itachi was once again surprised when they did not go to the torture room. The place they ended up was Kisame's bedroom.
Itachi was confused. He observed Kisame who simply walked over to the window and looked outside. They were on the second floor with a view of the gardens. Itachi stood by the doorway, not sure whether to move or not.
"Lay down."
"What?"
"Lay down on the bed." Itachi walked over to the bed, gulping. Why was he supposed to lay on the bed? He complied though, settling down in the comfortable sheets and letting his back relax. He breathed deeply. He could at least enjoy this one moment before he would be brutally attacked. Maybe Kisame wanted to attack him other ways, Itachi couldn't guess.
Time passed and Kisame continued to stare out of the window, a silence hung between them. Itachi began to become uncomfortable despite the comfort of the bed he was in - the lack of knowledge of what Kisame would do to him was killing Itachi with dread.
Eventually there was a knock at the door. "Come in." Kisame called.
Jared entered with food. "I brought the food you requested, I apologize for taking so long." It had probably taken long because no one informed the maid that Kisame would no longer be at the gardens. Somehow, they found out that Kisame was in his room and Jared being the only other person allowed in had to be the one to bring it.
"Place it on the table, thank you." Kisame ordered, turning around to watch.
Jared followed ordered and glanced, just for a moment, curiously at Itachi who was still laying on the bed, who was a little afraid to move in case it angered Kisame. After that moment, Jared bowed to Kisame and left the two there.
"You should eat." Kisame said, approaching the tray of food and lifting the metal round cover that was over the food itself to keep it from going stale via the air. It contained sandwiches, sliced fruit, and some raisins. On the side were two glasses and a jug of water.
"I, uhm." Itachi wasn't sure if eating before torture was such a good idea. "I'm not that hungry actually."
"Are you lying to me?" Kisame asked, his eyes meeting Itachi's, who had moved his head to the side to observe Kisame over him, at the side table where the food tray was.
Itachi gulped. This was a dangerous game to play. "Yes."
"Why?"
"..." Itachi couldn't answer, his heart was beating fast again. What answer did he want to hear? What should he say? His mind was racing to find the right answer.
"I'm not going to hurt you."
That sure wasn't convincing considering Itachi could barely sit or stand. Itachi didn't say anything, he was tired. He had to push himself. He thought of Sasuke. He was tired.
Kisame sighed. "I'm going to leave this room. You can eat, take a bath and go to sleep, whatever you want. I won't bother you." Kisame waited to hear a response from Itachi but didn't get one.
A while later Itachi heard the door swing open and shut as Kisame left. Itachi waited, his heart pounding out of his chest for a few minutes, before he got up and looked at the sandwiches. They looked good and he was hungry.
I don't understand what he's doing, but I should take advantage of his good mood before he tears me apart later. WAIT! What if he's going to Sasuke?!
Itachi panicked and bolted up, ran across the room at record speed while ignoring the pain, and violently opened the door stepping out and looking around wildly.
"Something wrong?" Kisame asked, he was sitting outside, on the ground cross legged. He saw Itachi's panicked expression and those fear-filled eyes met Kisame's once more. Itachi gulped, calming down now that he saw Kisame was still there. Not with Sasuke.
"No. Everything is fine." Itachi responded calmly. His expression changed to his old stoic one so quickly you'd never realize he was panicking just moments before.
"What were you panicking about?"
Itachi looked Kisame dead in the eyes, about to lie and say he wasn't panicking, but the moment their eyes met he could feel that it would be a bad idea to lie.
Itachi decided not to answer. He was going to be punished anyway, what did it matter if he piled up the punishments?
Before the silence could grow though Itachi felt an intense burning sensation on his back, his eyes widened and he fell forward, his back giving out on him. A groan of pain left Itachi's body and instantly Kisame was there, grabbing hold of Itachi. Itachi clawed at Kisame, his hands and nails digging into Kisame's skin as he struggled to breathe through clenched teeth, his vision blurring from the pain.
Kisame carried Itachi to the bed and lay him down once more, staying there with him as Itachi breathed in pants, his nails and fingers still digging into Kisame's skin. Itachi opened his mouth, and instinctively bit a pillow to keep his teeth from grinding and bleeding.
They stayed like that until Itachi was calm enough to realize something warm and liquidy was on his fingers. Itachi opened his eyes and stopped biting the pillow, which was now drenched with his saliva.
Blood. Itachi had drawn blood from scratching and gripping Kisame so hard.
Itachi instantly was filled with remorse - this was it. He was going to be killed. Itachi panicked. If he was going to be killed he might as well fight to his last for Sasuke. Or would begging for Sasuke's freedom be more effective?
Itachi slowly dared to look up while contemplating his possible choices, gulping as he did so, his fingers loosening from Kisame's skin. What he saw shocked him. It was a mixture of fear and concern. It was the same face Itachi's mother had when Sasuke was young and got sick, it was so bad that Itachi and everyone else thought he would die. That look haunted Itachi, it didn't make sense. And yet... And yet... Itachi would not cry - but seeing that face awoke far too many emotions inside of him. He closed his eyes and tossed aside the pillow he was biting earlier and buried his face on a different one, lying on his stomach. He didn't want to look at Kisame, yet felt oddly calm at that moment.
He had the feeling Kisame would not hurt him right now - perhaps later, but not now. If he was going to die, there wasn't much he could do about it right now. So instead he focused on the pain and on getting it out of his system.
Slowly, Itachi lost consciousness in that position and everything was dark. He was just so exhausted, so tired, still recovering from major blood loss, and dealing with extreme stress brought on too much pain. Blacking out was easier. Sleeping was easier.
-.-.-
When Itachi woke up about two hours later, his first thought was Sasuke. His second thought was on the heat and pressure on his body. He turned to his side to notice Kisame watching him.
Memories from earlier flooded back as their eyes met briefly, before Itachi's eyes drifted downwards to see the marks he had left on Kisame. They were bandaged now.
"I'm sorry." Itachi managed to whisper hoarsely, still not fully awake yet.
He hasn't hurt me. I fell asleep on his bed again. Why am I still here?
"Don't be sorry. It was my fault."
Itachi's brain shut off. He was imagining things. He closed his eyes and snuggled closer to Kisame, deciding he liked this dream version of Kisame. There was an intake of breath which Itachi didn't notice at this intimacy - and Kisame had instinctively wrapped his arms around Itachi at that moment. Another thing only dream Kisame would do.
Maybe I've been tortured so bad I can no longer wake up. I wonder if I'm in a coma...? Sasuke...? ... Sasuke...!
Itachi struggled in his half-awake state, still in Kisame's arms, as if having a nightmare.
"Don't hurt him... Me instead..." Itachi sobbed.
-.-.-
Itachi woke up again about two hours after that. This time there was no one else in the room. Itachi had no memory of what happened when he woke briefly two hours prior. He got up feeling a little groggy and remembered where he was. Pain shook through his body, but it was less than before. Sleeping on a comfortable bed helped.
Sasuke...? I wonder if he's alright... I'll go find him as soon as I eat something.
He really did leave me alone here. Itachi turned towards the food tray which was lying in the same spot as before. However, when Itachi lifted the food tray he noticed the food was different. It has been replaced since he last ate - now there was a soup which was still warm to the touch of the bowl and garlicky bread with cheese and butter.
Itachi spread the cheese over the soup and mixed it with a spoon, then dipped the bread in the soup before eating it. It didn't take long for Itachi to finish it all - he was starving. Itachi drank some water after he was finished and then took the time to examine his surroundings once more. After eating it felt like life was returning to his body - he hadn't eaten anything in far too long. The color had even returned to his cheeks and he felt wide awake, alert.
He was in Kisame's cozy room. Everything was as it was before. Kisame had mentioned earlier that Itachi could take a bath here and not be disturbed - and Itachi definitely needed a bath. For a moment Itachi contemplated between taking a bath and going to see Sasuke. Sasuke was a priority above all else, but meeting him while germy and gross was certainly not going to help Sasuke's case. Especially if he was too in pain to continue the act in front of his baby brother - alone right now Itachi was allowing himself to make all the grimaces and ugly painful expressions he needed to. He couldn't do that around Sasuke - or anyone really.
Having made his decision, Itachi headed towards the only other door in the room that was not the exit he and Kisame had used earlier. This actually led to a closet with a door at the other end - which Itachi assumed was the bathroom.
The closet was large and had clothes on either side. The right side had formal wear and the left side had casual clothes. There were compartments below both that had accessories, socks, shoes and other things.
Itachi took a moment to analyze everything - habit really - before heading to the other side to open the door and view the bathroom.
The bathroom was even bigger than the closet. It was white with tiles and a large porcelain bathtub in one corner. There was a shower in another and plenty of space to walk in. There were double sinks with a large mirror in which Itachi could see himself.
Itachi had lost weight that short amount of time he was here. The bags around his eyes were heavier than before, and he was paler. His eyes looked tired.
Itachi looked at the mirror sadly for a moment, barely recognizing himself before he took off his gray slave clothing and headed for the bathtub.
There were two knobs on either side for temperature control - Itachi messed with them until he found a comfortable warm temperature and set it to turn on and fill the tub.
After that he headed to the shower and stepped in, he would have to clean himself properly before stepping into the bath. The shower had various soaps and shampoos - surprising really. Shouldn't there only be the kind that Kisame uses in here?
Itachi then wondered if Kisame had a lover or someone else who used this bathroom. He hadn't heard of it yet, but it was possible.
Deciding not to think about it too much, Itachi turned the knob and let the shower water begin running, choosing a nice warm temperature. Itachi picked up a sponge and soaped it, before wiping all the dirt, grime, blood and sweat off of himself. It felt so good to be clean. Itachi shampooed his hair and let the wonderful feeling wash over him.
Itachi had grown his hair long because his ex-girlfriend had liked it. His current - or well as current as could be considering he wasn't ever likely to see her again - girlfriend liked his hair long as well. Itachi was convinced girls liked long haired guys - but what use was that to him here? He couldn't even expect to take a shower or bath like this often.
It might be in my best interest to cut my hair. Itachi thought as he rinsed the shampoo out and ran his fingers through his hair - it was in knots from not having been taken care of in a while now.
Itachi turned off the shower after he felt sufficiently clean and picked up a white towel that was on the rod outside the shower stall, drying himself off so he wouldn't get the floor wet on his way to the bath.
The bath water felt nice. Itachi leaned against the indentation in the tub meant for leaning back, letting himself relax under the warm water. This felt good. Moments like this were luxurious and unlikely to happen again.
Itachi decided to take this moment inside the water to think about what he could do next, how he could fix this situation and get out of this god-forsaken place.
Itachi went through numerous plans and possibilities - the water was starting to get cold and Itachi was contemplating leaving the bath - something he didn't really want to do yet - when he heard footsteps approaching. Itachi froze just as the footsteps were at the entrance to the bathroom - he hadn't exactly closed the door. He assumed he wouldn't be disturbed... Didn't Kisame say something about that...
Wait... Kisame did say something about that but then he left... Memories of the panic, his fall and then leaving marks on Kisame came back to Itachi. He still didn't remember everything- something felt missing - but he remembered more.
Kisame stood at the doorway of the bathroom as he looked directly at Itachi.
"Here, I brought you a bathrobe. Wear this after you come out, not those dirty clothes." Kisame didn't even look at Itachi in the bathtub - to be honest he didn't trust himself to. Itachi watched as Kisame left a fluffy red bathrobe by the bathtub along with a red towel, and picked up Itachi's dirty clothes and walked out.
That was... Strange.
Itachi waited until he heard no more movement to get out, dry himself, and try on the robe. It fit perfectly and felt soft against his skin, it was so comfortable Itachi lost himself in it, reveling in way it felt against his skin.
This is so nice. I like this robe. For a moment, Itachi smiled. Something was nice about this place after all. Itachi towel dried his hair and let the towel fall against his shoulders to keep his hair from dripping water everywhere.
Itachi then turned to leave the bathroom, his old feelings of dread returning. His moment of comfort would be gone and filled with who knows what.
Kisame was waiting for Itachi in the bedroom where he watched Itachi enter.
"Thank you. For the bath, the bathrobe and everything." Itachi said as he entered, keeping Kisame's gaze. He had to keep his eyes on Kisame at all times - any sudden movements he should be prepared for.
"You're welcome. But don't get comfortable just yet. Before you can go see your brother - which I know you want to do - you have to let me see the wounds on your back. I have some salve here for them."
"I don't need salve."
"Then you don't need to see your brother."
Itachi wanted to glare and give the shark a dirty look, but he kept a stoic appearance. He had no choice then. He turned around and let his bathrobe fall slightly so the wounds on his back would be visible.
"Come here and lie down on the bed once more. I'll rub the salve on and then you can go."
"No torture?"
"No."
"You'll put the salve on me?" Not someone else?
"I did just say that."
Itachi was surprised again. This entire day the man was completely different from the day before.
What will he be like tomorrow?
Itachi let his robe slip all the way off, slightly uncomfortable with the nudity despite the fact that this man had already seem him naked before. The wet bandages around Itachi hadn't been taken off even while Itachi had soaped his body - water and soap are painful on open wounds. Carefully, Itachi opened up the bandages and wrapped them around his hand, unsure of what else to do with them but not wanting them to fall to the ground. After removing them all and folding them, he placed them on the carpet, in the corner, where he felt they could do the least amount of damage.
Itachi got on the bed obediently. Honestly, he was a slave, he didn't have options. He couldn't say no. He couldn't do what he wanted to do (which was crush Kisame, take his brother and make a run for it), so instead he lay in bed on his stomach, half expecting Kisame to crack his spine.
Instead, thick, calloused fingers spread a cool cream across his back causing a stinging where his wounds were - where ripped open skin met the air.
Itachi played tough and made no movements through it all.
Kisame could barely keep his cool as he applied the salve as gently as he could. Itachi's back was cut, gashing open such that you could see the layer below the skin all over, down to his legs and even parts of his arms. It was difficult for Kisame to see. Mostly, the slaves died before Kisame had to look at their wounds, or Kisame broke them but never cared for their wounds at all so he never saw their suffering.
It was a rare occasion when he saw their suffering, and even then he just didn't care. Kisame cringed as he remembered some of his previous slaves and what he did to them. In comparison Itachi's torture had been absolutely nothing, a walk in the park, a piece of cake. Their bodies flew through Kisame's mind but he couldn't remember their faces unless he had purposefully, severely mutilated their faces.
Kisame finished spreading the salve over Itachi and then leaned over to pick up bandages.
"I'm done, I'll put the bandages on you."
"I can do it myself, I wouldn't want to trouble you, Hoshigaki-sama." Itachi said expressionlessly, as he got up. The whole experience had been surreal - the salve was painful but the hands were gentle. Even so, Itachi did not want those hands on his body.
"You'll hurt yourself if you do. Let me do this." Kisame had half a mind to just start, and it was irking him that he was basically begging for permission. It wasn't like him to do that.
"..." Itachi scooted closer and lifted his arms so that it would be easier to bandage, eyeing Kisame suspiciously and expecting a painful attack on his wounds any minute now. Part of him was suspicious that this salve was a poison that would infect him and kill him slowly or cause pain with a delay. "Thank you, Master."
Kisame wasn't sure why Itachi had begun using Master - part of it went straight to his lower half, where the need for possession and dominance roamed. The other half was uncomfortable viewing Itachi as a slave when he wanted something closer to friend - or lover, or whatever could get Itachi to look at him with the gentleness and care he looked at Sasuke with. Well... That and the image of Itachi with lust filled eyes as he was between Kisame's knees...
Kisame shook the image out of his head as he bandages Itachi, hoping his erection wasn't showing. His attraction to the crow had increased the longer he spent time with him, it was taking incredibly resilience on his part not to push Itachi down and fuck him right there. That resilience was almost entirely due to Kisame looking at Itachi's wounds and seeing his painful movements - something which could bring about a sense of guilt that killed his lust. A guilt that never stopped him with other slaves, yet seemed to for this one.
"I have some other clothes for you to wear in the closet if you want to see your brother now." Kisame said tying up the bandages around Itachi. "Or you can relax in your bathrobe and maybe brush your hair."
Itachi's hair was wet and tangled.
"I'll fix my hair." Itachi was definitely concerned about Sasuke, but at the same time wanted to keep Kisame away from his brother as long as possible.
Kisame cocked his head to the side, surprised.
"Why?"
"What do you mean?"
"Everything I know about you says you should be running to your brother's side. Why are you going to stay here and brush your hair?"
"My hair is tangled." Itachi offered.
Kisame raised an eyebrow and continued to look at Itachi questioningly.
"If I look like a mess in front of Sasuke he will worry about me." It wasn't entirely a lie but it wasn't the main reason - or the entire truth.
Kisame reached his hand to move Itachi's bangs, which were connected to the side of his face with water. Itachi once again flinched away, half expecting Kisame to reach in and pull out Itachi's eyes. They burned red for a moment before slipping back to darkness.
"You're afraid of me." Kisame dropped his hand before touching Itachi. Of course Itachi was afraid, he had every reason to be. Every pain filled breath he took was a reminder of why he should be afraid.
"Yes."
"What is your real reason?"
"I can't tell you." Itachi felt telling Kisame would cause a rampage.
"Tell me." Kisame's voice was carefully controlled as if he was holding back rage.
"I don't want you near my brother."
"..." Kisame stared into Itachi's onyx eyes which were now confidently looking into Kisame's.
Itachi had said it. Now he would suffer the consequences - and he would fight to the death if necessary. Why did every word he say have to be like this? Why was it so difficult? Itachi prepared himself, his eyes beginning to glow crimson and take on the star shape.
"Okay."
"What?"
"Okay. I'll stay away from your brother. I won't go near him. I won't stay in the same room as him."
"I don't understand." Itachi was dumbstruck.
It's not like I care about that kid anyway. "I'm saying I'll stay away, that's what you just said you wanted."
"I..." Itachi for once, looked confused. "Why?"
"Oh don't get the wrong idea. It's not free, it'll be an exchange. I'll stay away from him but I expect something from you."
Dread crawled up Itachi's spine. "W-What's that?"
"I'll tell you tonight. Go see your brother right now, then be back here tonight after its dark outside."
It wouldn't take long for it to be dark. Maybe a few hours. Itachi felt fear, and a strange interest in what Kisame had in mind. What could he possibly want with him?
-.-.-
A/N: Thank you elric0sis/HikariHaruno for editing this for me!
This is actually my favorite fanfic that I'm working on right now. Who knew slower plot progression could be so good?
I'll go ahead and say this to those of you who may think Kisame is being too kind right now – he is still a monster in this story even if he hasn't shown it yet. He may seem fluffy now, but it's just beginning…