Itachi's Darkness

~Kisame's POV~

It had been two weeks since that incident at Suine and Melody's apartment. I am still furious about it to this day. I had never felt more hurt and betrayed than at that moment. Not just from Itachi but from Suine as well. I never thought she would go so far. Yet, I knew the reasoning behind it; my heart was just too bitter to accept it. It just needed time. I can't say for sure but perhaps one day things will be normal but as of now, I don't see that happening.

After that day, we sold all the stuff in the office and made a guest room with two beds in it, across from each other, up against a wall. It was simple, all Itachi needed. But as it turned out, I decided-well Melody and me, along with Suine who probably felt pressure to say yes because she knew we were pissed at her-to move in as well. I sold my apartment and was able to stay there in the same guest room as Itachi. Not my choice but I knew that Melody was not even ready to have me stay in her bed at night, so I decided I'd deal. Plus, this gives me a better chance to keep Itachi away from Suine.

Itachi and I are supposed to help out with the rent. I don't mind and since there are four people living with me; the rent is significantly cheaper. I actually get money to keep for spending, or basically for Melody. I do not know if Itachi has a job but I would suspect that he does, since he actually pays the part of rent he is supposed to.

Now, Itachi has been an interesting case. The first night I slept in the same room as him, he told me he was sorry. I didn't say anything to him and kept my back turned. I could hear him crying the rest of the night. But that was the only time I heard him cry in the two weeks. After that, I'm not quite sure what happened to him.

Itachi is barley home; he worries Suine like hell, though she will never tell anyone about it. I never see him anymore besides at night. He leaves earlier than us for school, I guess to refuse to see us. Then after school he's gone, he's never home. I don't know where he goes but I get the feeling it isn't somewhere good. He comes home late, usually at midnight and sometimes not in the greatest conditions. I remember doing homework in the kitchen while Suine and Melody were asleep. Itachi walked through the door and I turned away to make sure I didn't give him the satisfaction of it. But I quickly turned back because he tripped and fell face first onto the ground. My eyes widened as he wobbled to get up, his knees shaking like hell and a worried look on his face. But he wore sunglasses so I couldn't see his eyes. He then wobbled to the guest room and went in; where I didn't see him until at school the next day.

Not to mention that at school, he has been weird too. Itachi has been avoiding us, though I don't blame him. He eats outside; avoiding any chance of us meeting each other in the cafeteria. In class, he sleeps, which is unlike him. He usually loves school and learning but it seems like it's just a burden to him now. The teacher-Kakashi-sensei- even asked me what was wrong with him; it turned out he had flunked two tests and was now failing the course, which he knew was wrong. He knew Itachi understood the question; he purposely gave the wrong answers. Even my hatred can be boiled over and now instead of hating him I'm starting to worry.

Even his wardrobe has changed. Even though it is winter out, he wears really warm clothes inside. Every day he adds a new layer to clothing. First it was his sunglasses, then a black scarf, and then it was leather gloves. He wore this every day at school, every day at home. He made sure that every part of his skin was covered up. I know he's hiding something but I cannot be sure of what.

Suine and Melody sat on the stools in front of me, at the kitchen island. Suine looked at me curiously as I told her this information. I did not know how she would feel after I felt curious about Itachi and what was wrong with him.

"So what do you plan we do?" Melody asked and I turned to her.

"Well for starters, I saw we let up on him…" I expressed my feelings, "But more importantly we confront him and figure out what is going on."

"But how do we confront him?" Suine asked, "The only times he is home is right after school and then at midnight…"

"We get him right after school. We need to skip our last period class." I suggested.

"What!?" Suine freaked out, "But I…I need those marks-"

"Is anything serious happening in your class?"

"Well…no."

"Then you can skip it."

"…O-Okay…But just for Itachi-kun…"

We all nodded at the plan and I began to discuss what I wanted to do. We would all skip last period to beat him home. Then we would put a dresser; which normally he should be able to push, in front of the guest room. If he doesn't push it or can't then I will know that something is wrong. But if he can push it; we will just confront him and ask. Either way we will trap him within this house.

. . .

The time came; we were all hiding on the balcony the moment Itachi came through the door. He began to limp towards the guest room and my eyes widened. We all watched closely as he saw the door. His blank eyes stared at the dresser that was in his way. He looked exhausted; totally drained. He put his left hand on the dresser but then cringed. He then switched hands and began to try to push the dresser out of his way but with no success. I knew it, something was wrong.

I went into the room, without Melody and Suine and Itachi quickly collected himself. I stared at him and he just sighed.

"Why did you put the dresser here?" He asked, already knowing my plan.

"Okay so you haven't gotten stupid; your marks are just dropping because you want them to…" I began and his mouth opened in shock, "Having problems moving that?"

"No." He breathed in heavily, "Just…just…" He coughed lightly, "Move it."

"Why should I?"

"Because it's your room too…"

"I don't care about going in there…"

"Look…I have plans, so I'm gonna go-"

"No you aren't." I told him as he looked away, "Take off the sunglasses."

"W-Why?" He coughed again, "I don't see why I should."

"You used to think it was silly to wear them around your friends."

"And where do you see them?" He asked and my eyes widened, "Are they here somewhere?" I began to smell something terrible but it was familiar, "I don't see them anywhere. They must have left me…right, that's what happened. They left me."

"And why is that?" I continued trying to figure out what that strong smell was.

"Oh I deserved it trust me…But you know I like it better alone…" He coughed again, a bit more severe this time, "It doesn't matter. You are not my friend so I shouldn't even be talking to you…"

"Is that…" I finally knew what that similar smell was; it was all over my father, "Alcohol on your breath?"

"W-What?"

"Have you been drinking?"

"Tch…" He looked up at me, "What do you care if I was…You're not in any position to tell me what to do."

"You hate alcohol."

"So." He coughed, "Who cares. I can drink it if I want to."

"Is that where you go every night?"

"I don't have to tell you shit…" He coughed again and I began to get more worried, "Just leave me alone…That's what you want to do anyways right? I don't…I don't see why you are asking me these questions…"

"Because I'm worried."

"Oh you are…" He chuckled and then coughed again, "Funny…" His head rolled, was he drunk?

"Itachi…take off the sunglasses…"

"Why? So I wear my sunglasses at night; who cares…"

"Take them off!"

"Why!"

"Just do it!"

Itachi huffed out some anger and then quickly breathed in air. I knew that Suine and Melody watched as the scene played out. I couldn't get my mind off of what was wrong with him. Now he's drinking and by the looks of it, way too much. Plus, the coughing is setting off some red flags. Itachi looked at me again as I crossed my arms. He took off the sunglasses and threw them at my chest, but of course it didn't hurt. My eyes widened at the sight of his face. He had a black right eye that had swollen up pretty badly. He had a scratch on his left eyebrow. He was hurt?

"There you happy now!?" He yelled at me and I felt terribly saddened by his depressed look in his eyes. That depression was only made worse by drinking his alcohol, "Is this what you wanted! Is this enough for you!? Or are you wanting to see more?"

"There's more!?" My voice began, as I felt the tears well up in my eyes.

Itachi angrily began to throw off some other things. He threw off his scarf to show his neck scratched and bruised. His gloves revealed that his hands were cut deep and his left hand was terribly bruised. He took off his school jacket to show his white buttoned down shirt torn up with cuts. There was a scar on every cut in the shirt and bruises were so purple that they could be seen through the shirt. He threw off his shoes and winced in pain once he did. He gripped the dresser for support as he put the pressure off of his right foot. It was either twisted or broken. The tears fell out of my eyes as he closed his eyes in pain.

"Who…Who did this to you…" I asked and he looked to me.

"I can't fucking tell you!" Itachi screamed at me, "Because I'm too easy to blackmail!"

"Someone at school?"

"Of course it's someone at school!"

Itachi began to cough violently, bringing him to fall onto his knees. I quickly ran down to him and put a hand upon his back. He put his hand up to his mouth in order to cover it. He seemed in so much pain and it was my entire fault. If I had been there, if I had taken him in rather than push him away, none of this would have happened. What right did I have to be so angry at him? Nothing, nothing can explain why I pushed him away when he needed me the most.

Sweat came down his forehead as the coughing had ceased. He breathed out heavily as he moved his hand away from his face. A pool of blood laid there in his hand from his coughing. His eye widened and I quickly put a hand to his forehead. It was piping hot; he had a really high fever. He was sick. Not only had he been hurt but now he was so sick that he was coughing up blood.

"Suine!" I yelled but Melody answered.

"Suine's hysterical right now; I'm calling Mira." Melody began, "I'll drive, we need to go to the hospital. Come on; pick up….pick up…" Melody continued.

"Itachi…san…" I cried even more and he turned to me with tired eyes, "Why…Why didn't you tell me…"

"…You hated me…" He told me, "Why…would you have cared…"

"I was pissed…but I never stopped caring…" His eye widened as I began to sob, "I was angry because I cared…I failed you…I am so sorry…"

"…Kisame…san…" His voice began, "You…are here…now…that's all I wanted…that's all…I…"

His eye rolled into the back of his head and he fell unconscious. I caught him in my arms and began to cry even more. Was he going to be okay? My tears streamed off of my cheeks and onto his face.

"Itachi!" I screamed my heart out.

. . .

I paced outside of the ER room. Suine was curled up into a ball on a chair and Melody hugged her, trying to calm her down. But even she felt scared for Itachi. How could I do this to him? If I had just been there; he wouldn't have been here, he wouldn't have been in critical condition. I was shaking violently; if I had kept to my word this wouldn't have happened.

"Um…Mr. Hoshikage…" A voice said and I quickly turned around to see a doctor with a clipboard behind me. I ran up to him and he nodded, "Your friend is safe."

"Oh thank god!" I let out and the doctor smiled, "How is he? Can I go see him?"

"Yes…I know that usually it should be a parent I am telling this to, but after hearing what happened to him with his family, I will expect you to be the caregiver."

"Yes! I will do everything you ask me to! I will do everything that is needed to make him safe again!"

"I thought so…" The doctor smiled, "Before I let you go in; I must tell you what it is that happened to him. Itachi has been, over the course of about two weeks, consuming large amounts of alcohol, which you explained you were not a part of. This made his immune system fail; making him more vulnerable to infections and viruses. That is why he was affected with this temporary disease. Now his cuts and bruises should heal up nicely; however his ankle was broken and he must be off of it for 6-8 weeks. I would suggest bringing him in at the 6 week mark. I will suggest a few therapy classes just to help him ease back into use of the ankle, but I would suggest after two weeks that you help him try to use his ankle more.

"Now, the infection or disease he caught was pneumonia. Not a pleasant disease but for him it will be fine. Since he was in a healthy state before all of this happened his body will have a quick recovery. This of course besides the one year of smoking; which we took a look at to see if it was what caused it and it did have a little push to it but it came more a less due to infection. Now this will take 2-3 weeks to get over for someone like Itachi. If it persists come see me right away. I would suggest treating this at home since there is no need for it to be done at the hospital; it is not that severe. I will prescribe the antibiotic: amoxicillin, this should help kill of the bacteria that started the pneumonia in the first place. Make sure he has a good warm place to sleep and make him drink lots of water. Buy some Advil as well in order to get rid of his fevers and headaches. He may get tired after the infection clears up and the symptoms should go away after 3 days. If not come see me. But besides these two things it looks like Itachi will be fine and have a speedy recovery." The doctor finished and I felt the tears come down my face.

The doctor then allowed me; only me since I was given the job as the caregiver, to go see him. Suine and Melody would have to wait. He led me to a hospital room and opened the door for me. I walked in and the doctor shut the door. I almost cried the moment I saw him. He was lying in his bed; with the bed curved up a bit so that his entire torso could be shown. After his torso was a white blanket. He had bandages all over his body. His entire torso was covered along with the majority of his arms and hands. He had bandages wrapped around his neck and even bandages wrapped around the right side of his head in order to cover his black eye. Around his mouth was an oxygen mask, which helped him to breathe easier.

I grabbed a stool in the corner and brought it up to Itachi's bedside. I quietly put my hand on top of his; this is entirely my fault. I have no one else to blame but myself. The tears came down my face and I put my head down onto the bed.

"Itachi…" I cried as I remembered what I had promised him a while back; right when I met him.

"Why you so depressed Itachi-san?" I asked him and he turned to me with emotionless eyes, "Is it because of that Yuka chick?"

"Of course it's because of her!" He barked back as the tears rolled off of his face, "Just leave me alone Kisame…I'd rather be alone."

"Hey don't let her get you down; you've got so much to live for. You are a smart guy! You are super nice and have a caring heart towards others! In my books and in everyone else's that places you at the top!" I smiled and he turned to back to me, "Come on." I held a hand out to him, "Let me show you a world that won't turn its back on you okay?"

"How…Where is a world like that?"

"Right here!" I started and his eyes widened, "I promise; from this day forward, to make sure that you find a world that will always be by your side. No matter how dark the tunnel gets, no matter how hopeless it seems…I will always be there to show you that you are just being retarded!" I chuckled, "I will be there even in the darkest times and I promise you that I will make sure you will never have to experience something like this darkness again!"

"Why? Why would you promise me that?"

"Because you did that to me." His eyes widened, "You were the first person to treat me like a normal human being; to make me feel like I was important in the world. You smiled at me; you made me your friend. You saved me from my darkness; and I can never thank you enough for that Itachi-san. So I promise that I will make sure that darkness is a thing of your past!"

Tears welled up in his eyes and fell over. I smiled as his hand grabbed a hold of mine. I pulled him off of that ground and I swore that I would never leave him. Never would I abandon him.

"I failed you…" I began with my head digging into the bed, "I swore on that day that I would do what you did for me but instead I left you in the darkness because I was bitter…I was too bitter to see your pain…to see how you got sucked back into that darkness…I don't know if you could ever forgive me. I allowed you to believe that I would never leave, that the world was there for you; that we would never disappear…But I tore that idea out of your head and now you are going to think that no one will ever care for you again…" I paused, "I'm so sorry, Itachi-san…You have every right to hate me, to detest me…I broke my promise and I have no right to be your friend…I don't even have a right to be called your acquaintance…But I swear…that even if you hate me…even if you can't stand the sight of me…I will be there, behind you every step of the way…I will protect you…I will do everything possible and I will not fail this time around…I will not fail you, Itachi-san…"

I cried, no I sobbed, into the bed. Before my mind had any time to hate myself for my mistakes I felt a light tap on my head. My eyes widened and I looked up to Itachi. His eyes were open, tears running down his cheeks. A smile was on his face and his other hand moved the oxygen mask away from his mouth. The hand I thought I had mine on was now lightly over my head.

"I…Idiot…" Itachi said, just like Suine used to do to him, "Do…Don't hate…yourself…Kisame-san…" He paused, "I never hated you…I hated myself for causing the bitterness in you…I had the world, I had people who loved me and I messed up…That's why…I drank…that's why I allowed the Student…Council to…beat me…"

"They did this to you!?" I angrily said and he nodded.

"But…I never hated you…" Itachi continued, "You never failed me, Kisame-san…You were…You are my…best friend…"

I smiled as the tears continued down my face. Even though I broke my promise; he still forgave me for the faults I did against him. I could never thank him enough for that. But I knew that from this day on I was going to protect him more than before, he was a precious person to me and I wasn't going to lose that. And I knew that I was going to kick those Student Council bastards ass for even thinking about doing this to Itachi.