Well we have angsty Sasuke back. Danzō seems pleased with himself am I right? Well he's going to be an issue for Itachi even more than before. But on the bright side Kisame and Itachi have reunited and our favorite muscular walking shark is going to be very protective of his little love.

Onward!

Hidan and Itachi managed to evade the ROOT pursuers as they fled into the surrounding forest. Hidan's grip on Itachi was almost painful as he leaped from tree to tree. Itachi should have felt more annoyed that he was being carried, but he was not sure his legs would be able to support him. After he had killed the clan and had fled Konaha, Itachi had fallen twice, Obito finally taking his arm and holding him until the boy had regained the ability in his legs.

The Jashinist came to a stop at the treeline, his grip on Itachi loosening slightly as he surveyed the area. Itachi watched the man in interest. Finally the man allowed Itachi to stand and the two waited in tense silence for Zetsu and Kisame to show up. Hidan crossed his arms and let out a long sigh, eyeing Itachi.

"You're really skinny." The man stated and Itachi nodded once.

"How astute of you to notice." He replied, voice monotone. Hidan scowled and leaned against the tree. Zetsu rose from the ground, Tobi at his side and the Jashinist rolled his eyes.

"Taking a leisurely stroll?" He called, grabbing Itachi around the waist and leaping from the tree. They landed and Hidan sauntered forward, Itachi standing tense. Tobi approached the boy as Hidan began to hackle Zetsu.

"Didn't expect the old bastard to turn like that." Obito muttered and Itachi shot him a disinterested look.

"Is Sasuke in any danger?" He asked and Obito scoffed.

"No, your homicidal brother is perfectly safe. He's building a group to track you down and brutally butcher you however."

"Hn."

A rustle of movement from the treeline, revealed Kisame, strolling by with Samehada on his shoulder. He did not spare Zetsu, Hidan or Tobi a glance as his gaze instantly focused on Itachi. The large man looked unsure on what to do. He was tempted to just go to the kid gather him in for a hug and ask him if he was alright. It was uncharacteristic of him, no doubt. How Itachi managed to turn him into a puddle of touchy feely goo. Kakuzu had been right. Kisame was going soft. Yet he did not approach the kid and merely inclined his head towards Itachi.

"Glad to have you back." He stated and Itachi offered a single nod, eyes closed off. He did not say it was good to be back because it wasn't. He did not want to be with the Akatsuki, unsure of his future. He wanted to be back with his brother. He wanted his mother and father back. He wanted for this to have never happened. Obito suddenly clapped his hands, startling the group.

"Not that this isn't a lovely reunion, but we should probably clear out before Danzō's lackeys find us." He took off into the distance with Hidan as Zetsu sank into the earth. Kisame looked towards Itachi.

"I'm Kisame by the way. Kisame Hoshigaki." The kiri nin greeted, feeling extremely awkward to be introducing himself to his lover. Itachi tilted his head back and for a moment warmth returned to his eyes.

"It is nice to formally meet you Kisame." He replied softly.

"THINGS WILL BE GETTING VERY INFORMAL BETWEEN YOU LATER ON!" Hidan's voice called back and Kisame scowled after him while Itachi blinked. The kiri nin turned back to the Uchiha and offered him a weak grin.

"Don't listen to him. He's full of shit." He replied. Slowly he extended a hand to Itachi. "Shall we?" He prompted. Itachi stared at the large hand before him, taking in the scars that littered the blue skin. A voice in his head assured him that this Kisame was safe. And honestly how bad could the man be if Itachi willingly slept with him? Slowly Itachi reached forward and accepted the offered hand. Kisame beamed, his small eyes so warm that Itachi wondered how he managed as a shinobi with such emotion so obviously plastered in his gaze. Perhaps that was what made Itachi eventually fall for him.

Kisame slowly released the Uchiha's cold hand and with the boy at his side as he should be, the two missing nin sped off, leaving Konaha in their wake.

The next few days were spent in tense training. Tsunade had been alerted of Itachi's actions and there were voices on both sides trying to sway her. On one, Sasuke and Kakashi voicing the need to go after him. Sasuke's voice much louder than his teacher's. On another stood Naruto who could not find it in his heart to truly despise Itachi despite what he had done.

Both Sasuke and Naruto were avoiding each other. Sakura stuck between the two, but eventually standing with Sasuke. The loss of both his friends was bitter to the blonde but he knew of Sakura's lingering feelings for the Uchiha. Even as she tried to play it off.

Sasuke rarely left the training grounds. He worked himself into exhaustion everyday and refused to return to the compound. Instead he was crashing as Kakashi's apartment. Both men felt the keen sting of betrayal and it sat heavily between them. It was rare to see Kakashi was cold. He was aloof yes, but this iciness seemed to permeate from the Copy nin. Sasuke understood completely. While Kakashi spent his energy on taking extra missions, Sasuke vented to training. Karin often joined him to the training field, despite his often violent dismissal of her. She would stay out of sight with Suigetsu and watch him. Once he dropped they would appear and coax him away from the field.

One night, on his way back from the training field a ROOT agent had landed in front of him and blocked his path. The spiky haired Uchha stared at the nin in annoyance.

"What." He snapped.

"Danzō-sama has requested your presence." Not bothered by the rude tone, the ROOT member stated calmly. Sasuke sneered and turned away.

"Tell him I'm busy." He replied, walking around the ROOT member, wanting nothing more than to go to sleep. The nin however turned to face him.

"Did I say request? He demands you to be in his office in half an hour." The ROOT agent replied coldly before vanishing into the air. Sasuke glared after the spot where the agent had been standing before glancing towards Kakashi's apartment. With a reluctant scowl the teen turned away from his prior destination and trudged towards Danzō's building.

Sasuke entered Danzō's office tensely. The office had a stale smell but everything was much better organized than the Hokage's. Two chairs sat facing the elder's desk. Books lined the shelves, dust gathering thickly on them. Even with the shades on the window open it still had a gloomy feel.

Danzō sat at the desk, arms resting on the wooden surface as he watched the irate teenager enter and sit down without being told. The old man smiled coldly.

Just like his father. How had Fugaku been so blind?

Danzō studied the teen for a moment before leaning in his seat, crossing his fingers.

"Quite a problem we have on our hands." He started conversationally. Sasuke blinked unimpressed and did not answer. The leader of ROOT slowly stood and walked around his desk, taking hold of the crow figurine that rested there. "With your brother once more active as a missing-nin we need to send out operatives to take him down."

"I don't need your help." Sasuke spat, eyeing Danzō in disgust. Danzō crossed his arms and regarded the teen critically.

"You would willfully endanger this village in your scramble for revenge. I do not mean to stand in your way of it and you would be the one to take him down but allow me to help."

"Help?" Sasuke stared at the old man who nodded, expression stern.

"Yes. I can track him down. My subordinates are awaiting my order to track down the Akatsuki's base."

In actuality he did not have his men out awaiting an order. He had the Akatsuki's location hidden in his desk. Itachi had provided it to him years ago. Now it would come back to bite him. Sasuke crossed his arms over his chest, suddenly feeling like a petulant child.

"Why would you bother helping me now?" The boy demanded.

"I knew something was wrong with Itachi when he was in my office last week. I brushed it off as issues with you." Danzō replied, looking out the window. "I only wish I could have seen the truth earlier." Sasuke nearly scoffed at this. The old bastard feeling remorse for missing Itachi's betrayal? Danzō never felt guilt. The man was as unyielding as steel.

"I don't need to require your help in tracking down Itachi. I have a group already who will support me in my goal but it will be me who kills him. I don't need you or your lackeys getting in my way." The Uchiha sneered as he stood. Danzō merely gazed at the boy.

"You truly think you can defeat him?" He questioned and the Uchiha offered the man a bored stare.

"Just watch me." He replied before turning on his heel and walking towards the door. Dismal or not. As Sasuke slammed the office door closed, Danzō smiled.

"Stupid boy. I do not recall asking you for permission." He looked towards the figurine in his grip and turned it over, sneering slightly. He ran his thumb over the wing. Itachi had been so naive. Danzō would not miss this opportunity to do away with both Uchiha's in one swoop. The threat Itachi had voiced rang hollow. He knew the boy would not betray the village or admit to Danzō's crimes. For that would not only endanger Sasuke but admit that Itachi had willingly spread his legs for Danzō to buy his silence. The boy was an Uchiha after all. He still had some pride. "You better fly fast, Uchiha. Your time is almost up."

The return to the base was met with Konan who eagerly awaited the Uchiha's return. As she spotted the group approach, she calmed herself to a graceful walk towards them. Her eyes fixing on Itachi. It took her no time at all to realize something was off. The Uchiha was smaller. Seemingly to stand at just above Kisame's elbow rather than at his shoulder. Konan walked forward and Zetsu rose a hand in greeting. As she came closer, the woman could not help them small smile that spread across her face at the sight of Itachi.

"Hey, Itachi." She murmured. "Just look at you...have those bastards been feeding you?" She questioned. Itachi looked from her to Kisame who grinned sheepishly.

"This is Konan-san. She's sort of your self proclaimed mother figure here."

"You're all my children." Konan shrugged. "Itachi's just my favorite."

"Oi!" Hidan proclaimed.

"Well he's the only polite one in this group." The woman shot back and Hidan shrugged.

"Fair point."

Itachi offered the woman a bow, greeting her softly. Konan's brows furrowed. He looked exhausted. She moved towards the boy, ignoring Kisame's weak protests as she gathered Itachi's chilled hands into her own. She smiled at the boy and he looked back, expressionless.

"Let's get you some food." Konan murmured. She ushered the teen towards the hideout entrance and shot stern looks over her shoulder.

"Pein's on a mission and Madara's skulking nearby. Come help with dinner." She ordered. Hidan scowled but followed after the woman. Zetsu and Obito glanced at each other. Kisame was quick to follow after Itachi. The hideout was surprisingly warm. Konan led the boy to the kitchen and sat him down a the table. Kisame took a seat near him and offered him a playful grin.

"So you gonna tell me when you remember me?" He prodded and the Uchiha nodded slowly.

"I remember a bit more each day. You will eventually appear." The kiri nin offered Itachi a sheepish grin and rubbed the back of his head.

"I want to just forewarn you that we weren't the best of friends when you first joined. Don't take anything I said in the past personally." Itachi watched the kiri nin carefully. Kisame could easily see the dark shadows beneath the kid's eyes. He had barely slept on the return trip. Kisame had been torn on whether or not to approach him about it. This Itachi had not warmed to him yet. And if it followed the timeline from the original, it would take nearly a year for them to begin working well with each other. One more for them to actually like each other. Another two for Kisame to look at Itachi and realize he was growing up and a botched mission for Itachi to open up to him. Their relationship had not started with a kiss. It had started immediately after fleeing Konoha and Itachi's brother that the teen would come to him, looking so broken and so beautiful and they would spend the night entangled together.

Kisame had been so torn. Itachi had suffered and had never slept with someone out of sheer want. There had always been an ulterior motive. Yet Itachi had come to him. Itachi had wanted Kisame to be his first willing sex partner. That was something that resonated with Kisame until today. Something that made him look at the child Uchiha in front of him and want to protect him from the world. Was Kisame not a kiri shinobi? Should he not understand that death and destruction were what his kind wrought? The Uchiha had softened him. And he loved it. This boy had been the downfall of his reputation on the Aakatsuki, but when Itachi would offer him a rare smile or coyly invite him to bathe with him...it was all worth it.

I'll actually write a flashback on their first night together as well as them falling in love in another chapter.