Chapter Two
His Thoughts

Kisame reached out to test the temperature of the running water, jerking back when the warmth scalded his skin. He adjusted the knobs below the shower head and waited a moment before testing the water again, relieved that it was close enough now. The 6'3" Akatsuki member ducked his head as he entered the shower, aware of the pole that supported the shower curtain and how low it was compared to his height. He turned and shifted the curtain around to cover his naked body from any eyes the wouldn't be wandering into the bathroom. Once Kisame was comfortable with everything around him, he turned to face the water and let it pelt his face and run down his hard body. His muscles tensed at the sudden warmth but slowly, they relaxed and the blue-skinned man found himself getting slightly sleepy. He swallowed and turned away from the shower head, dipping his head as to allow the water to carress his hair and scalp.

Reaching up to run his long fingers through his hair, Kisame gave a content sigh. He loved the water. It was one of the few places he really felt at home. He loved to swim, but even a shower could warm his spirits more than sake could. He knew Itachi was aware of his affection for water, and that was why he let Kisame dominate the bathroom after the black-haired Shinobi was finished. Kisame reached down and grabbed the small bottle of shampoo and flipped the cap open, hastily squirting some of the pale white liquid into his hands. The shark-man grinned slightly to show his short, pointed teeth as he slowly washed his hair, massaging his scalp and feeling the suds from the cheap shampoo run down his muscular body. Soon, his hands left his clean hair and ran down his body, rubbing and cleaning it with the excess shampoo that left his hair. He closed his eyes and let his head fall back against the wall that he thought was closer than it was in reality. He stumbled and caught himself with his forearms, sighing his relief. He was glad Itachi didn't have to find his body in the bathroom, dead from a cracked skull.

Now safe from falling to his death, Kisame leaned his head back and groaned as he massaged his sore muscles, starting at his forearms. He hadn't really done any exercise that was strenuous over the past week but he hadn't been sleeping very comfortably, and for whatever reason, just walking was tiring the man out a strange amount. That was all he and Itachi had done for the past few days - they had walked endlessly. Kisame didn't mind it, but it was much more boring than fighting. He loved fighting, but he was rarely ever allowed to fight, being partnered with Itachi. Kisame raised his arms over his head and folded them in front of his face in an action of pure exhaustion. Was he just mentally tired? No, his muscles were aching too, he remember painfully as he felt a strained muscle in his shoulder whine at being used in such a way. This is dumb... Kisame thought, now rubbing his face with his hands. He was now ignoring the shower and whatever comfort it could give to him. He didn't want the comfort any more.

Kisame couldn't care less to turn the water off as he stepped out of the shower onto the beige shower mat. He looked down at his toes and wiggled them for a second before looking up and turning his head to the right where the mirror hovered over the sinks. The blue-tinted man took a step forward and touched his fingers to the mirror, watching as steam came off his hot body and made contact with the cool material of the mirror. What do I do now? Kisame thought, feeling very lost momentarily. He swiped his hand over the mirror where the steam had accumulated and assessed himself in the mirror that was beginning to fog over again. He touched his abs and ran his fingers down his torso slowly, letting himself shiver at the feel of such a light touch. His fingers stopped at his navel. Kisame took his hand away from his toned body and turned back to the shower, debating whether he wanted to use the rest of the hot water or if he just wanted to get dressed and go lay down. Both were extremely enticing.

After debating for about five minutes, Kisame decided he was going to quickly finish up in the shower and get dressed. After he turned off the water, Kisame looked around for a fresh pair of clothes. Really? Did I really forget to bring some clothes in here? Kisame grunted to himself, knowing he'd have to wrap himself in a towel and grab some clothes from outside the door. He wouldn't have minded it, but anywhere other than the steamy bathroom was freezing to his skin. He sighed, knowing it was inevitable if he wanted to ever leave and sleep, and took a step toward the door. His right arm reached out and his fingers brushed the cold door knob gently before he gripped it and turned the knob, pushing on the door at the same time. The blue-skinned man poked his big head out, around the corner of the door, and blinked to adjust his eyes to the darker part of the hotel room.

Itachi was slumped on the couch, his cloak now removed and his chest bare to the air. Kisame grinned as he saw his partner twitch in his less-than-peaceful sleep, possibly having a nightmare. The black haired man was wrapped in his thin blanket enough so you couldn't tell if he had pants on but Kisame was sure he had at least a pair of boxers. The Uchiha still wore his necklace - something of importance, Kisame assumed - around his neck loosely. Everytime the dozing man twitched or shifted in his sleep, the necklace changed positions and contorted itself around the man's slim neck. Kisame blinked a few more times before he reached out and grabbed his pack from it's leaning position next to the door. He quickly dragged the bag into the bathroom and slid his head back inside.

Kisame closed the door quietly behind him as to not wake his partner. He reached out and unzipped his pack, rummaging through it to find a decent pair of sleeping clothes. After a few minutes of antagonizing decisions, he decided on a comfortable pair of cotton shorts that were just a little bit longer than the boxers he decided to wear underneath. The amphibious creature debated going shirtless but ended up grabbing a light cream colored tank top that he stretched over his massive muscles. Kisame looked in the mirror before nodding to himself and zipping hick pack back up, satisfied with how he looked. He opened the door slowly, quietly turning the knob, and stepped out into the considerably more warm room, setting his pack down. The shinobi stopped above Itachi, who was still making tiny noises that resembled snores but weren't, to grin. The Uchiha looked so peaceful when he wasn't awake. How funny. Kisame chuckled silently, turning to the bed and dropping his weight onto it as quietly as he could.

A/N: Sorry all, short chapter. Enjoy! Review!