Sorry for the delay!
Guess who's got a lap top!? So what, its only about ten years old and a hunk of crap? Coughwindows95cough. IT WAS FREE!
Anyway onwards with the story!
True to his word, Leader had kept Sasuke safe. Orochimaru and Sasori had already left for their mission, so there was no longer any imminent danger.
During breakfast, Leader spoke to me again, 'Of course, you understand that you cannot simply join us. You will have to pass a few tests first. I must determine your ability and how trustworthy you are.'
'Yes Leader sama, I was expecting as much. What is the first test?'
'I will have you spar with Kisame to determine your exact fighting abilities, strengths and weaknesses… Though, you will be punished if you kill him.' It definitely wasn't an empty threat.
'I understand.' I replied, ending the conversation.
I thought Kisame looked a little nervous today.
"When will we spar Kisame san?" I asked as I finished the meal, laying my chopsticks down.
"We can start now if you like." He said, picking up his sword and heading into the corridor.
"What about Sasuke?" I asked of him, looking back to my brother who was still eating… messily.
"I will care for him." The woman I now knew to be Konan sama intoned. I nodded in acceptance and followed Kisame.
"We'll have to go to Kakuzu, he probably has you weapons." He explained as he ascended the staircase.
"Who and why?" I questioned.
"He's probably making your coat so your weapons will fit into it and can be carried easily." Was his reply as he opened the first sliding door on the right.
It appeared that Leader sama believed I would pass these tests to a satisfactory level after all.
"Hey Kakuzu, can Itachi san have his things back yet?" he asked, not caring if he interrupted Kakuzu or not.
"Hm." Was the reply as he threw a bag at Kisame which contained my assortment of scrolls and weaponry.
"Is that everything you had Itachi san?" Kisame asked, "Kakuzu is a bit cheap you see."
"Probably." I replied, not really caring if it wasn't. I only equipped half of it anyway. Most of the scrolls held travelling equipment, a lot of the weapons had been used to kill 'them'… I still had a lot of work to do before I got over this psychologically. Maybe I never would.
"Ready?" Kisame questioned, shouldering his own sword. I'd noticed that he took it with him everywhere. Guess paranoia isn't singular to myself.
I nodded in response, still deliberating on whether to take my katana. I decided I should leave it behind, the memories were still fresh then.
"There's an enclosed flat of rock nearby. That would be a suitable place to go." He leapt out of the window without further thought. I followed him bemusedly, his impulsive actions humouring me.
We travelled about four kilometres North before coming to the suggested sparring area. 'Alright, begin.' Leader said. I wondered where he was watching from as I cast a genjutsu on Kisame without him noticing. To me, we were just standing next to each other for a few minutes, but to him it went a little more along these lines;
Suddenly the Samehada was screaming towards me. Remembering that it could eat chakra, I hurriedly leapt out of the way, activating my Sharingan.
He came in for another strike. Once again I avoided the heavy weight and its effects. Before he could strike again, I used a basic fire ball jutsu, preventing him from coming any closer.
But he easily countered this with a water jutsu. Deciding that taijutsu would be the preferred method of fighting, after genjutsu of course, I threw a few shuriken. These were easily blocked. But, I was just distracting him with this movement, a shadow clone came in behind him and landed an axe kick on his collar bone, snapping it clean in half.
After all, no collar bone, no sword.
Seething, he dropped the Samehada, cursing from the pain which only existed in the genjutsu. He performed another water based jutsu, creating a huge wave which crashed over us. I didn't take any damage, but it did give him the opportunity to hide. As I scanned the area for his chakra signature, my shadow clone was killed. Instantly I threw a kunai in the corresponding direction. It had a thin wire attached, ready to use one of my clan's special techniques. I threw several more, catching him in a net. I quickly used my fire jutsu to finish him off.
I released the genjutsu and said, "I win."
As I knew he would be, he was extremely confused and slightly off balance. "I-Itachi san? What'd you just do?" he asked, rubbing his intact collar bone.
'Interesting…' Leader interrupted, 'bring Kisame back to the house now.'
I took his sleeve and led him South, back towards the house. As we travelled I explained, "It was a genjutsu, the whole thing… But it could have been reality." I said in a not-exactly-threatening manner.
"That's amazing Itachi sam- san." He hastily corrected.
"Hn." Was the only response I deigned him with. I was used to being praised in this manner. I took a tighter grip on his arm and led him on faster.
I was more than keen to return to my brother's side.
When we got back to the house it was evening going on night, perhaps about seven o'clock. I had to practically carry Kisame the rest of the way. I had no idea the genjutsu would have such an effect on him. I would talk to him later about it.
We entered the dining area. I saw Sasuke sitting in front of a woman with light blue-purple hair. Notably, her hair had a paper flower tied into it. Konan sama of course.
Evidently, Sasuke had just had a bath and she was drying his hair for him. "Niisan!" he exclaimed when he saw me.
"Hello Sasu chan." I replied, sitting Kisame on the floor in front of the low table, on which was a dish of Tempura and steamed rice. I seated myself on my knees next to him. Konan let Sasuke go and he came up to me. He hugged me around the middle, telling me all about his day.
"Konan sama has been caring for me today. She even trained with me, unlike someone!" he pouted childishly.
I just scruffed up his hair and continued eating, still thinking.
Exhausted from his day of training, Sasuke went to bed soon after. Kisame and myself however went to clean up in the onsen.
Once we were both settled in the hot water, I asked him, "What's wrong? You haven't spoken since we returned."
He turned his head towards me, but still wouldn't meet my eye. "I knew you were stronger than me, but I didn't know you could do something like that!" he replied, finally meeting my eye.
I could see he was afraid of me now. Perhaps even terrified.
"Well, unless we get into a battle, there's no need to worry about what my abilities are." I replied serenely. He still looked uncomfortable.
I sighed to myself. I had to earn his trust somehow. "Let me get your back." I offered in an attempt of this, holding up a flannel.
He turned, I could see how tensed up he was. Obviously he was uncomfortable with something as simple as turning his back to me. I poured some water over his back and said, "If we're going to be working together in the future, you have to be able to trust me fully."
"Hm." I could see he was thinking about what I'd just said carefully. "It can't just happen overnight."
"True," I acknowledged, "but it is important regarding our success rate."
"So we have to be 'chummy-like' really soon, huh?" he replied. It seemed he was trying to lighten the atmosphere.
"Mmm," I replied, moving on to his lower back.
He sighed and looked over his shoulder at me, "You're a good kid, hey?" he said.
"How old are you?" I wondered, thinking he couldn't be that much older than myself.
"Twenty." Was his reply.
"You're only just an adult yourself." I commented. It wasn't hard to get Kisame talking again.
He just laughed, "Yes, but you're just starting puberty. I am pretty much done with that crap!"
"I had noticed a few changes." I said, looking down subconsciously.
"Been looking at women in a different way? Or maybe men?" he seemed to find that idea amusing.
"That's a bit personal isn't it?" I asked, wondering how we'd managed to get onto the subject of my sexuality. We swapped positions so that he could wash my back in return.
"You're the one who said we should build some trust." He replied, grinning.
"And what does my sexuality have to do with this?"
He simply laughed again, but didn't enlighten me any further.