His eyes were closed as he faced the cold night air. Not a soul was around him and he reveled in the in peace it brought. He could hear the rush of water and feel the moon on his face. It was like he was the only living being in the world. His heart beat heavily in his ears and his breathed slowly, extending his hands in front of him as if in offering. He tilted his head up and peered at the moon above.

"What do you want?" Itachi asked not turning to face the intruder in his dreams. The figure behind him stood very still. They stood by the river where Shisui died, both staring at the waves of water as it rushed by. Itachi tore his eyes from the river to face the person behind him. He stared back at himself...or his future self who stood weary and frail as if illness and lack of sleep plagued him. The two observed each other for a moment before the adult Itachi offered a bitter smile.

"It will always hurt." He spoke, voice soft. He did not need to explain. Itachi understood. The ache in his heart and soul that seemed to eat at him. Itachi stepped away from the river and approached himself.

"How did you...I do it? How did I continue on?"

"Because you know your duty." The elder Itachi replied, eyes sympathetic. "You know that the pain you feel is of no true importance."

"Danzō's going after me."

"Of course he is. He believes you are weak at this age. That he can defeat you. He fails to remember that it was not he who killed the clan. He arrogantly thinks he can overpower you before the truth gets out."

"I wouldn't have told." Itachi argued and his future self shook his head.

"It matters not. He would use you to his advantage and dispose of you when he believes you are a liability. Do you not recall the nights where he would harm you during sex?"

Of course Itachi remembered. The old man would cut his thighs or behind his knees while on him just for the sheer pleasure of causing him pain. He would whisper that one flick of his wrist and Itachi would be gone. He was truly under that man's control during those times. His future self turned away, face strained.

"Seeing Sasuke again...seeing him smile and seeing him happy...I envy you." He murmured, looking at the starless sky. Itachi took his future self in. He was taller yes...but their was a fragility about him that seemed utterly unique. Without the Akatsuki cloak he found himself to be slender almost too much so. His collar bones were prominent and his skin pallor almost gray. He noticed with a tinge of boyish annoyance that he was incredibly androgynous as an adult. His hair long and luscious and his features graceful. He briefly wondered if Sasuke was shorter than him. If so it was not by much. No doubt that if Sasuke was shorter it would not be for long. He wondered if people would underestimate him. He knew that if they did they would come to regret it.

"He's grown so much." Itachi croaked. "I wish I could have offered him more." The two Itachi's looked towards each other and the elder offered a sad smile.

"You will always wish that. I was not suppose to survive our final battle. Fate it seemed had different plans for me."

"Will you come back?"

"Perhaps. I know not when. You cannot trust anyone. Not even yourself. Who am I to advise you...eight years changes a person..." The elder began to walk towards the water, his steps almost timid. Itachi watched himself tiredly. The cycle would never end. Hatred bred hatred and Itachi knew there could never be a happy ending. Not for him anyway. Sasuke however had a chance. The elder Itachi stood by the edge of the cliff, eyes shut.

"Your memories will return to you and perhaps one day you shall wake up as me. Until then...remember why you are here. Remember Shisui's sacrifice and mother and father's final request...also don't let you early memories of Kisame scare you away. He is the only one you can trust now."

"I thought you said to trust no one." Itachi murmured and the elder's lips quirked.

"Trust is delicate. Kisame will not break it."

"What about Sasuke and Danzō? They will come for me eventually. You said we were to die by Sasuke's hand when his hatred was enough. I know it is now but I have not the power you have. What could I offer him?"

"Go with your instinct." Itachi replied and the younger's brows furrowed at his future self's cryptic words.

"What do you mean?" He asked and the elder turned to peer at himself over his shoulder a small smile on his plump lips and a spark in his dark eyes.

"You will know when it is time to face him."

"Face Sasuke?" Itachi asked feeling incredibly lost. The elder did not offer him an answer. His time here was done for now. The elder turned away eyes falling shut. The wind whipped by, sending his dark hair in motion. His smile turned sad. He spread his arms out and Itachi watched as he gracefully dipped forward and without another word, plunged into the abyss.

Itachi's eyes flew open. His eyes darted around the room. He was alone. The blankets cured tight around him and his legs huddled against his chest for warmth. He slowly sat up, keeping the blanket firmly around him. He rubbed at his eyes tiredly.

Had he really just had a conversation with his future self?

He rubbed his arms absently. Well his future self wasn't much help. Why so cryptic? One thing was for sure. Itachi was taking his advise to give Kisame a chance. And that started with bunking with the overprotective shark. He slid out of the bed and wandered out of his room. Instinctively he knew where Kisame's room was. He knew the man never locked it either. He opened the door to the kiri nin's room and found the behemoth of a man sleeping in his bed, shirtless with his muscular arm resting over his face. Itachi approached the edge of the bed, fighting his early memories of the man as he moved. The last thing he recalled of this man fro past memories was him mockingly asking how much dick he had gotten back home. He remembered how angry he had been and how much he wanted to kill the idiot. How dare he say that. How dare he make it seem like Itachi went around sleeping with all sorts of men just because of how he looked.

Instead he focused on his new memories of Kisame. Of the man offering him grins, with eyes bright with adoration. What had changed between them and how long had it taken? The kiri nin obviously cared for him beyond reason and perhaps sanity and the fondness in his future self's tone suggested similar feelings. With this in mind he reached the bed and nudged Kisame. Nothing happened. Itachi tried to recall how heavy of a sleeper he was but did not know him well enough right now. He reached forward again, poking Kisame's gilled cheek.

"Kisame." He hissed. "Kisame wake up."

A large hand suddenly shot forward, taking grip of Itachi's wrist. Itachi tensed fighting down the urge to activate his Sharingan. His feet scuffed the stone ground as he was pulled forward. Small eyes blinked open and Kisame looked at him, grip instantly loosening.

"Itachi-san." He stated, all signs of sleepiness gone as he sat up, looking at the boy in concern. "Is everything alright?" Itachi flushed when he realized that the man was not dressed and closed his eyes, fighting the urge to turn away.

"I'm sorry." He managed and Kisame laughed slightly.

"Keh, ain't nothing you haven't seen before." He stated but groped for his boxers, releasing Itachi's wrist to pull them on. Itachi blushed harder at Kisame's teasing words. "Alright, I'm decent." He declared and Itachi looked back to him.

"I'm sorry for intruding." He tried again but the nin waved off his apology.

"You're not intruding. Trust me. Anyway, is everything alright?" He questioned, concern returning to his face.

"Yes..." Itachi trailed off while Kisame observed him.

"You sure?"

"...He is the only one you can trust now."

"Yes it's just... I dreamed of my future self and he mentioned you." Kisame's confused furrowed brows lightened at the mention of his lover.

"Was it just a dream?" He asked suddenly excited. His lover so close yet out of reach. The thought that in a way his future consciousness was still there made him hopeful.

"Dreams are powerful. Perhaps it was him...me reaching out." Itachi replied, inclining his head slightly. Kisame scooted in the bed and offered Itachi to sit beside him. Uncharacteristically, he did. Kisame watched him. His expression was warm as he looked at the Uchiha. However that warmth gave way to concern at the shadows under Itachi's eyes. He wanted to reach out to the boy. To show he was not alone.

"This can't be easy for you." He finally muttered.

"It's not." Itachi admitted freely. "I hardly knew what to do the first time around...now..." He trailed off and the kiri nin took the boy's hand in his own and gave it a gentle squeeze.

"You have me this time, kid."

"My future self told me that." The Uchiha murmured and Kisame's lips quirked.

"You're not a genius for nothing." He stated. He looked at their joined hands, enjoying how tiny the boy's hand was in his own. Itachi gave his hand a gentle squeeze.

"Could you tell me about us?" He asked softly, looking curious but unsure. "I mean as a...couple?" He clarified and Kisame grinned happily. He dragged itachi back into the pillows, the boy's eyes widening. Kisame settled the kid into the blankets.

"I'd love to."

Early morning proved that the cold season was soon in coming. Shikamaru stood against a tree, arms crossed over his chest as he and Shino observed the other teens. Kakashi overlooked the group before him contemplatively. Genma and Guy stood at his side. Genma's arms were crossed over his chest, chewing and looking irritated. Guy looked tired. The team in front of them stood prepared to go out. Sasuke particularly looked antsy. Sakura and Karin stood behind the Uchiha looking unsure. The Copy nin waved his hand getting everyone's attention.

"You know your orders." He began levelly. Kakashi chuckled and reached for the leaf, sliding it from Itachi's dark hair. Itachi watched him with that smile still in place. Kakashi held the leaf, not looking away from Itachi. His eyes traveled from those doe eyes down his face, eyes skimming over lips and down that long unblemished throat.

"You understand the objective."

He stroked small circles on his wrist before bringing the Uchiha's hand to his mouth and placing a gentle kiss on the side of his slender wrist. "We have the Akatsuki hideout tracked down. "There we will find Uchiha Itachi and there he will die."

"Perhaps in another life I could have made you happy," The Uchiha's voice was shaky, his hands on either side of Kakashi's face. "Maybe we could have had a happy ending...but not in this one. I've ruined those chances...and I'm so sorry. Maybe one day I'll find out why I did it. Maybe one day you will forgive me."

Kakashi finished his speech, throat dry. He looked to Sasuke who stared back blankly. With another salute they were off. Taking to the trees and leaving the village behind. Sasuke sped ahead to join Kakashi. They did not look at each other. They did not speak. On the Hokage mountain stood a lone blonde, staring after the group with a heavy heart. He watched as they vanished from sight and shook his head. In the once again abandoned Uchiha complex, Danzō searched Itachi's room. He tore through the blanket on the boy's bed and flipped over furniture. Finding nothing, the man relaxed. Itachi had cleaned up well... He did not bother to clean up after himself and stalked out of the Uchiha's room.

Outside he headed for the entrance to the complex when one of his agents approached and knelt.

"Report." Danzō ordered without looking at the nin.

"Hatake Kakashi and his team have headed out for the Akatsuki base." Danzō nodded at the, clasping his hands behind his back.

"Excellent. We will follow. Gather a team. Quickly."

"Yes Danzō-san." The agent sprinted off while the old man began his leisurely stroll towards his gate.

Far ahead, Sasuke moved quickly. Feet barely brushing over tree branches as he moved. He could hear Kakashi close behind. He did not pay him any mind. Each step brought him closer to his goal for the last eight years. He had been a fool. He had been so easily tricked by the damned murderer but now his mind was clear again. He had lost his way but now the path was bright and shining before him. Naruto had once again been wrong. There was no good in Itachi. That friendly shy demeanor merely hid what he truly was. Like a demon hidden behind the face of an angel. Itachi would not escape this time. Child body or not. Sasuke would cut through anyone to get to him. There were no reservations this time. He eyed Kakashi as he approached.

"When we reach the hideout everyone but Itachi is fair game. Itachi however is my kill." He stated firmly and Kakashi nodded lazily.

"Naturally."

Either the next chapter or the chapter after that will have the first confrontation. Let me say that again...first.