A/N: Well, here begins the third arc of Unspoken. I shall strive to keep things realistic, as chapter thirty had Tomo and Tsume dangerously perfect. Itachi, Kisame, and Tsume are now heading back to the Akatsuki lair, which is somewhere in the Fire Country, I think. There won't be much time to rest, though, as Tsume has to undergo a test to prove herself worthy. Though, in my opinion, she's done enough. Sadly, I'm not in control of . . . wait, yes I am . . . bugger!

UNSPOKEN

Kisame stretched, rotating his left shoulder. He tilted his head from side to side, cracking his neck twice. He spared a glance across the room, looking over at Tsume as she hefted her sword onto her back. She let the hood hang back, rubbing several of the bruises along her arms. Despite Kisame's worry, Tsume had refused to rest any longer. It had only been a day since the three shinobi had retreated from Konohagakure, and now they were preparing to cross the Fire Country to one of the Akatsuki lairs. They would travel along the coast for a time, but when they came close to the place where they had been ferried across to the Wave Country, they would move inland to avoid detection.

Donning his cloak, Kisame asked, "are you sure you're alright?"

Rotating her neck, Tsume nodded as she came over to Kisame. "Yes, I'm fine," she answered. She watched as Kisame put on Samehada, the blade wrapped in fresh bandages. Just as he lifted up his kasa hat, the door opened and Itachi stepped in, already clad in his own uniform. He eyed Kisame and Tsume for a moment, and then nodded out into the hall way. Silently, Kisame and Tsume obeyed the instruction, and Itachi closed the door after them once they were all out of the room.

Tsume pulled up her hood as they came out into the main room of the small inn, keeping her face shadowed. After her part in the attack, her face would be known to shinobi. She wasn't a nobody anymore. She was known as a dangerous criminal. Though Tsume regretted being known for such a thing, part of her was filed with exhilaration. She was known. She had been recognized. Tsume closed her eyes for a moment as Kisame came to the door and opened it. "Things are only just beginning," she thought to herself. "So many beginnings and so few endings." And then they were outside, and moving to leave the small village. "And honestly, I doubt that things will ever truly end."

UNSPOKEN

After several hours, they paused to rest under a spreading willow that hung over the bend of a small stream. Tsume knelt on the shore to splash cool water on her face. She looked to the north-west, the direction that they were traveling. If everything went as planned, it would be an uneventful trip. Tsume's battles would begin once she reached the base. She knew that she would have to face some manner of test, but what that test would be was eating away at her, and she dreaded sleeping, knowing that her dreams would be filled with fantastic possibilities.

Tsume rose to her feet, and looked down at her dripping hands. These hands, which before had been used only shield blows, could now lift a weapon and defend with confidence. Tsume was suddenly struck by how much she had changed. It all came at her in a rush, making her knees threaten to give out and dump her on the ground. But then there was a large, comforting hand around her shoulders. Tsume closed her eyes and let out a shuddering breath.

"Kisame?" she murmured.

"Mm?" the shark-nin responded, looking off into the distance as he stood beside Tsume.

"At some point, I'd like to ask you why you spared my life," Tsume said quietly. Kisame blinked and turned his head to look at her. "Someday, I'd like to know what made you spare both my life and Aya's, and what made you decide to keep me alive. I'd like to know. I'm not quite sure that I want to know now. But when I do ask, can you promise that you'll answer me?" She turned and looked up at Kisame, a soft, distant look in her eyes and on her face. "And will you tell me why you fell in love with me?"

Kisame simply looked into Tsume's eyes for a moment before he spoke. "Yes," he answered, dipping his head to press the cool metal of his forehead protector against Tsume's brow. "Just ask, and I'll tell you."

UNSPOKEN

The thunderstorm came with hardly any warning. The clouds burst open and rain poured down on the three travelers. Tsume retreated even further into her hood, Kisame merely sparing a glance upward at the offending sky. Itachi did not react in any noticeable way. Tsume bit back the slight pain as the rain pounded on her remaining injuries. But she gave no outward sign of her discomfort, only speeding up her pace. Then she felt a large, gentle hand on her shoulder. She spared a glance up at Kisame.

"There's an abandoned house up ahead; we've been in this area before," Kisame explained. Then he lowered his voice so that only Tsume could hear him. "Itachi overused the Sharingan back in Konohagakure. He won't admit it, but he needs to rest again. You can rest as well when we get there, Tsume."

"Thank you," Tsume murmured, nodding in her hood.

Kisame withdrew his hand, but still continued to watch Tsume as she walked. Water dripped from her, but she paid it no attention. Kisame's mind drifted back to the first time that he had laid eyes on the young woman. That look in her eyes, that look of terror and desperation . . . her shining amber eyes that pleaded with him. That look had been so familiar. Kisame had not seen that look in a very, very long time, not since his time among the Seven Swordsman of the Mist. An old, familiar face floated up from his memories.

"Izuname . . ." he thought, looking away from Tsume, his hands clenching into fists at his sides. "I wonder . . . if you're still alive."

UNSPOKEN

There were two rooms in the small house, each with their own fireplace set into the wall, and with a fire burning brightly in each. It had taken some time to find wood dry enough to burn, but after some searching, a good amount of wood had been found. Also, there was a twin-sized futon in each room, with a single pillow and one blanket. As far as things went, it would serve well for the two day rest that Itachi had decided on.

Tsume was sitting cross-legged before the fire, her sword and other possessions set to the side. She was wearing her black sleeping dress, the garment patched in several places. Her wounds were easy to see, some bandaged and others completely exposed. Her amber eyes were fixed on the twisting and dancing flames that cast flickering shadows on her face. She rested her hands on her knees, her eyes half closed. She was so tired, but her mind would not let her rest. She had said that she wasn't ready to ask Kisame why he had spared her life. But now that she had voiced that possibility, her mind was buzzing as she tried to guess the reasons. She wanted to know, but at the same time, she didn't want to know. There could be something that might scare her, something that might . . . hurt her.

Shaking her head, Tsume lifted her hands and hid her face. What could possibly hurt her? She wasn't scared of Kisame, and she trusted him implicitly; she knew that he would never hurt her. Why was she so worried? It was Kisame, the man she loved. "I hardly know anything about him." The thought crept into Tsume's mind, making her yank her hands away from her eyes and shake her head vigorously from side to side.

It was at that particular moment that Kisame entered the room. "Itachi's asleep," he said, closing the door behind him. "He'll be out for a while. He pushed himself too hard, as usual." Tsume shot to her feet and whirled around. She ran across the floor as quickly as she could. The next thing Kisame knew, Tsume had come against him and wrapped her arms around his chest. She hid her face in his chest, and held him as tightly as she could, trying to douse her fear before it could grow. Kisame blinked in surprise for a moment before he wrapped his arms comfortingly around her, one hand rising to run soothingly through her hair. "Tsume? What's wrong?" he said quickly, worry jumping into his tone.

"Kisame," Tsume whispered, voice shaking with restrained tears. "I want to ask, but I don't want to know! I'm scared, and I can't understand why! Why am I so scared?! What's wrong with me?! I trust you will all that I am, but I'm still scared!"

Kisame pulled back his head, and lifted Tsume's eyes to face him. And he was faced by that same look. The look in Tsume's eyes the same expression that she'd had on the first night that she and Kisame had met. Terror and desperation. Memories of the past made Kisame's insides clench, and his eyes shifted away. He didn't know what he was supposed to say, he didn't even know what he wanted to say. Why was he suddenly hesitating? He loved Tsume; he knew that. What he felt for the amber-eyed young woman was so strong that he knew it would be with him until the day he died. He loved her. He loved her so much.

But that look . . . that look in her eyes . . . it was so familiar. Why did it have to be so damned familiar?!

Kisame squeezed his eyes shut and grit his teeth, once more pulling Tsume tight against his chest. He wished that he could simply forget that part of his past, and not have the guilty feelings of that time gnawing at him. He'd made a promise back then, before everything fell apart, and part of him felt as if he had broken that promise, and betrayed the one he had made it to.

"I have to explain it," he realized. "I can't hold it in or I'll regret it for the rest of my life. I keep no secrets from Tsume. I need to tell her everything." Kisame relaxed his jaw, and slowly opened his eyes. "Tsume?" he asked quietly. Her only response was a quiet whimper. "I really need to tell you," Kisame continued. "I need to tell you why. Why I spared your life and why I took you with me. Please, let me tell you. I need to tell you. Now."

Slowly, Tsume lifted her head, meeting Kisame's eyes for only a moment before she looked away and nodded. "Ye-yes," she said quietly.

"Thank you," Kisame said, relief in his voice. He swept Tsume up into his arms and carried her over to the futon. He sat down with his back against the wall and set Tsume in his lap, lifting the blanket to wrap around her shoulders. He held her close, keeping his eyes closed.

After several moments, Kisame opened his eyes, and looked down to find Tsume looking up at him with tearful amber eyes. His mind was pulled back to the night when he had looked into those beautiful wide eyes for the first time. Back then, they had shown with fear and terror. Now, though still filled with fear and tears, her eyes shown with an innocence that still made Kisame slightly uncomfortable. Memories of times long past had come flooding back the moment he had looked into Tsume's eyes for the first time. Memories of his life before the Akatsuki. Slowly, Kisame closed his eyes, and sighed deeply.

"It was your eyes," he said quietly. "The reason I took you with me was the look in your eyes. Years ago, when I was part of the Seven Swordsmen of the Mist, I knew someone that once gave me the very same look that you had in your eyes the night we met." Kisame's voice became distant and far away, his eyes opening to lift, seeming to look far beyond the room. "That look of desperation and fear, that look of pleading that also held the wish to fight. I saw that look in her eyes once. Just once. I never saw it again, just like her."

It was easy for Tsume to hear the sadness in Kisame's voice. She forgot her own inner turmoil for a moment as she looked up at the shark-nin. The question game from Tsume's mouth without her willing it. "Her?" she asked quietly.

Kisame closed his eyes again as he spoke. "Her name was Kaiite Izuname, the Cleaver of the Hidden Mist," he said. "She was the only female among us. But her strength was nearly impossible to beat. Only Zabuza and I had ever been able to defeat her." Kisame chuckled at a memory, leaning his head back against the wall. "She was strong and stubborn as hell. She would always laugh in her confidence, and met every challenge that came her way. But Izuname wasn't completely . . . human." Kisame opened his eyes and looked back into Tsume's eyes. "Izuname was half demon, and she killed the man she loved because of it."

Tsume looked at Kisame with wide eyes, a shiver running down her spine. "Half . . . demon?"

Kisame sighed. "Yes, Izuname's father was the demon Shi-Kurushi, meaning Painful Death," he explained. "I'm not sure how Izuname came into existence, but I do know that she was raised and trained by Shi-Kurushi. He suppressed her demon blood, training her as a human. From what Izuname told me, at one point, her father went away for some time, and left Izuname alone. She met a man named Odemada Yoji, and fell in love with him. He knew that she was half demon, and he loved Izuname anyway. Because of that love and acceptance, Izuname was brave enough to leave what had been both her home and her prison. She had Yoji ran away, and they were engaged to be married."

"You said that she killed the man she loved," Tsume murmured, biting her bottom lip. "What happened?"

"Her father found them," Kisame said darkly, the tone in his voice mimicked by the look in his eyes. "He awakened Izuname's demon blood and told her to kill Yoji. Izuname couldn't, and instead she killed Shi-Kurushi." Kisame paused a moment before continuing. "Izuname never told me exactly what happened, but I think that Yoji rushed out onto the battle field while Izuname was still demonic in nature. When he touched her, Izuname, she—she killed him without a thought. She reacted like a wild animal, and ended up killing the man she loved."

"No," Tsume breathed, her heart suddenly aching for the woman. "Kisame, what . . . ?" She trailed off, not finishing her question.

"She couldn't do anything, so Izuname had to run away again," Kisame continued. "Yoji had a twin brother named Hoji, and Hoji hated Izuname for what she had done. He vowed to hunt her down and kill her. After that, Izuname became the woman that I knew her as. Hard, callous to death and killing. Hell, she even enjoyed it; liked to taste the blood of those she killed. But once, just once, I saw the woman that she used to be. She had lost the engagement ring that Yoji had given her, and that she had kept with her all those years. She lost it in the snow, and in her eyes I saw a great desperation and pleading. I don't know if she had any type of religion, but I know that she prayed. She prayed that she

could have back the one thing that connected her to what she used to have and who she used to be."

"And you saw her in me," Tsume said, unsure of how this explanation was making her feel. But Kisame shook his head. "You spared me because I reminded you of her."

"No, I simply saw that one look," Kisame murmured. "I saw that look of pleading in your eyes that I had seen in hers. Since I lost Izuname, I hadn't seen a look like that. Until you. I just couldn't kill you, I couldn't let that unhappiness get any worse. I took you with me because I wanted to protect you from what I couldn't save Izuname from."

A look of sad understanding flickered in Tsume's golden eyes, something that Kisame missed as he looked away yet again. However, Tsume's words jolted his gaze back to her. "You loved her," she said softly, tears making her voice shake.

Kisame jerked his head back and looked into Tsume's eyes, only to find them shining with tears once again. His own widened, and he was momentarily struck dumb by Tsume's words. After several moments, his voice returned. "I can't lie to you," he said softly. Then he pulled Tsume up against him, holding her tightly. "Yes, I did love her. But that was long ago, Tsume. Right now, and for the rest of my life, the woman I love is you. I know that. I'm going to be with you for the rest of my life, weather you like it or not." Kisame loosened his hold and tilted Tsume's face up to his, her chin held delicately between her thumb and forefinger "I love you," he murmured. Then he dipped his head and kissed her. The kiss was deep and warm, infused with feelings so intense that new tears filled Tsume's eyes to run down her cheeks. She could feel the truth in Kisame's kiss, and she let out a soft whimper as she returned it, her arms lifting to slide around Kisame's neck.

"I love you, Kisame," Tsume whispered.

"I love you, too," he murmured. Tsume leaned forward, curling herself into a ball and nuzzling against Kisame's chest. He felt like safety to her. And now that Tsume understood Kisame somewhat better, she felt even more comfortable around him. She knew that things were far from perfect, but for now, she could pretend that they were. Just in the small moment of rest and peace that was separate from everything else. There was no battle, no fighting, to looming test to prove herself to the Akatsuki. There was just her and Kisame. Warm and protected. It was only for a moment, but it was a moment in which Tsume could pretend that everything was alright.

UNSPOKEN

Hidan huffed angrily as he sat down, slamming his scythe and spike onto the table. "I fucking hate Leader!" he muttered under his breath. Kakuzu sighed in exasperation beside him. "Why the fuck should I fight this girl?! She's a kid who thinks that she's a fuckin' ninja!"

Kakuzu cuffed his pale-haired partner soundly on the side of the head, earning himself an angry string of colorful curses. "Leader-sama is the leader for a reason, you idiot," he muttered. "We do as he says. If Leader-sama is even considering her as a member, then she strong."

Hidan glared at Kakuzu. "If she fights you, I hope she kicks your fuckin' ass!" he growled. This got him yet another cuff on the side of the head.

Just as the two were settling into a sullen silence, Deidara and Tobi entered the room. There was an odd look in the artist's one visible blue eye, and he fixed that look on Hidan. "You're going to fight Tsume-chan, un?" he said, voice cold and level.

Hidan turned a scornful gaze in Deidara and Tobi's direction. "Yeah. So fucking what?"

Deidara walked over and slammed his hand down onto the table before Hidan so hard that everything on the table jumped. "If you hurt Tsume-chan, your body will be in so many pieces that it'll take decades to put yourself back together, un," he growled, his blue eye narrowed and hard.

Hidan rose and looked Deidara in the eye. They were about the same height, but Deidara was slightly taller. "I'm supposed to fucking fight her, blondie. If she fuckin' dies, then she was too fucking weak. It's not my problem."

Tobi moved around to stand beside his partner. He was radiating an aura that almost made Hidan shiver. For once, Tobi's voice was not childish. "It will be your problem if your hurt Tsu-chan, Hidan-senpai."

Deidara lifted a hand and pushed Hidan away. "Just remember, un," he said as he and Tobi walked towards the door. "Tsume-chan deserves respect, and if you don't give it to her, un, you'll be in trouble, un."

Kakuzu watched the retreating partners with slightly furrowed brows. "It's been a long time since I've seen friendship like this," he remarked quietly.

Hidan spat after Deidara and Tobi. "Bah! Friendship's a fucking waste of time!"

Outside in the hall, Deidara had heard Hidan's last words, and he gave a grim smile. "I used to think so too. But when you fight Tsume-chan, you'll see that it's her friendships and her love for Kisame that makes her strong. You'll see just how wrong you are."

UNSPOKEN

The forest was thick, the tress growing tall and close together. They were so wide, that Tsume thought that even if there were four men with Kisame's reach, they would not have been able reach all the way around it. Tsume, Itachi, and Kisame walked silently, each with their own thoughts. Tsume chewed erratically at her bottom lip, tension mounting as she, Kisame, and Itachi drew closer to the local Akatsuki hideout. She didn't know what kind of trial she would have to endure, but she knew that all that she had learned would be put to the test. Tsume felt mild resentment, thinking that her battles in Konohagakure should have been proof enough for Leader-sama.

After several moments of walking, the thought occurred to Tsume that she might have to fight one of the other Akatsuki members. Tsume disliked the idea of fighting those that she already knew and had befriended; Deidara, Tobi, and Itachi. Tsume liked the idea of fighting Kisame even less. She didn't want to fight someone she loved, knowing that she would have to come at the shark-nin with the intent to kill. But aside from that, Tsume was not very fond of the idea of fighting any other Akatsuki members, her mind unconsciously wondering what other kinds of people belonged to the organization. It was not a happy prospect.

UNSPOKEN

Well, that was chapter 32. So, Tsume is going to have to fight Hidan, and then perhaps Kakuzu. Yay, Deidara and Tobi defended Tsume! They're like really strange big brothers. Anyway, I wanted to submit this by Christmas, but I got held up, my muse decided to take a vacation of her own. 'S not fair. Oh, and what do you think of that bit about Kisame's past? Those of you who've read Oni No Kiba will recognize the name of Kaiite Izuname. Kisame loved her, but life decided to be mean and make things not work out. But Tsume is now more comfortable in loving Kisame, and the two are even closer. I can feel this story slowly ending, and it makes me sad. I've never liked a story this much; I have plans for a sequel, but it's gonna be hard, and probably a bit shorter. Then there's the story of Tsume's daughter, Mako. Plot bunnies live to torture me. I just know it.