A breathy sigh left Itachi's parted lips, water pouring down on him. Itachi indulged in the warmth of the tiny beads of water streaming down his form. It was moments like these he could just relax.
But it was short lived, as all good things are. A soft rapping at his door filtered through the steamy air and he reluctantly climbed out from his haven, drying off with a towel. A shiver ran down his spine as he opened the bathroom door.
Another knock came, making Itachi's brow nit. 'Impatient…great...must be Sasori.'
Sliding his cloak on, he cracked the door open, his red eyes radiating from the darkness of his room out into the hall. "Yes?"
Konan stared back emotionlessly."Pein wants to speak with you."
"Hn." He promptly shut his door in her face. Konan's eyes widened, reaching for the door, but she shook her head deciding against it and walked away; Pein could deal with him.
Itachi quickly tied back his wet hair.
What more could the leader want to talk about? He'd already said not to mention the incident that showed his weak side to anyone, and Itachi would hold true to his word; besides, as far as Itachi was concerned, he didn't even want to remember it. Having to carry him..
'Maybe he wants to reward me.' But he quickly dismissed that thought. Pein was less than giving from what Itachi had seen.
He smirked lightly to himself; How far was his leader willing to go to keep his secret hidden? Perhaps he could benefit from this. He'd find out soon enough, as he was already in front of Pein's door.
Before his knuckles even hit the painted wood of the door, Pein was standing before him, clad in the normal black pants. "Itachi."Pein gave him a small nod and moved slightly to let his visitor in.
Keeping his eyes on Pein, Itachi stepped in looking around. Pein shut his door, slowly walking back to his bed, almost limping. Itachi hadn't noticed before how nicely the room was furnished. Pein's king sized bed was covered with a crimson comforter, and inside were black sheets. There was also a small fire going. 'A fire place?' Itachi screwed up his nose.
"So,"Pein said with a sigh sitting slowly on his bed, "I wanted to set the record straight, so to speak."
The raven's eyes looked from the warm fire to his leader as he went on.
"I know you're not one to gossip, Itachi," as he said this, Pein's piercing white eye met Itachi's. "but I want to make it clear to you…"
Itachi held his breath, feeling his leader shift so his face was closer to his subordinates. "…that no one is to know about the little mistake that happened earlier. "
Refusing to blink and break eye contact, Itachi nodded shortly, eyes still connected. "Yes, leader-sama. I understand."
He relaxed a bit when Pein moved back, their eyes finally breaking, and Itachi felt free in a sense.
Pein's eyes drifted over to the fire. "You were going to leave me there, weren't you?" A bruised and cut hand clenched the sheets. Itachi looked away, not intending to answer his question.
Pein's pierced face looked up to him. "Look at me!" he almost growled. The weasel looked him in the eyes once again, feeling his leader's anger flow into him like a burning heat. Pein's next words were a harsh whisper. "Look me in the eyes and tell me Itachi. You can't lie to me. You and I both know you turned your back on me."
Itachi's lips parted, an eyebrow twitched. "You seemed half-dead to me. How could I have known-"
Pein's face was dark now, a vein prominent on his forehead. "You knew damn well I was still alive!" he gritted through his teeth, retaining the urge to hit the Uchiha. "In Akatsuki, we have each other's backs, no matter how much we hate one another."
The glare Itachi received almost shut him up, but he couldn't help himself. "You were weak. I don't tolerate people when they are so weak they can't even defend themselves," Itachi's eyes bore into Pein's. "Even if that person happens to be you."
Pein folded his arms across his chest eyeing Itachi. That was it; Itachi needed to be taught a lesson.
" Itachi…you've been in this organization for how long and you can't obey this simple rule?"
Itachi glared back at his leader. "…"
He watched as Pein moved a little, propping himself up more, a grin plastered on his lips. "If you break a rule, you have to be punished."
A knot formed in Itachi's stomach at his words. 'Punishment?!'
Pein rubbed his chin looking at Itachi. "Torture won't do, seeing as to how you're the proclaimed 'master of torture'." He remarked watching Itachi's eye twitch at his mocking tone.
"I know!" Pein sat back. "As your punishment, you will help me while I recoup."
Itachi almost cringed as the orange haired man continued. "You will report to my quarters as soon as you wake up, every day until I am fully healed." He laughed to himself.
"But leader-sama, I-" Itachi started but was cut off by Pein's deep voice. " ah, ah- you have no say in this matter. Perhaps next time one of your colleagues needs help, you will aid them, 'even if it is me'!"
With that said, he chuckled, watching Itachi leave for the night.
