Warning: Character death in this chapter.
Kakashi was suspicious of him. It was obvious to Danzō as he stared at the Copy nin. They were currently standing in the elder's office, the elder sitting behind his desk with his fingers interlocked in front of him. Kakashi stood before the desk, straight backed and expression bored as it usually was. His tense posture however spoke volumes of his discontent with the order Danzō had just given.
"With all due respect, Danzō-san I have to refuse." He slowly forced out.
Danzō blinked. Above them the light buzzed nosily and it grated on Kakashi's nerves. He watched the old man as he took in Kakashi's words. It was not often that Kakashi outright refused an order like this, but the Akatsuki were moving fast. No doubt the Eight Tails were their target. Danzō let out a low breath.
"Come again Hatake?" He asked softly, daring Kakashi to repeat himself. Kakashi stared at the elder.
"I cannot send Naruto after Itachi just because of his chakra reserve. The Akatsuki have had him targeted for awhile now." What was Danzō thinking? Adding Naruto to the group to track Sasuke and Itachi down? The kid was in no shape emotionally to go after them. Not that Kakashi would tell Danzō that. The elder sighed wearily, his eye glancing up at the flicking light overhead.
"Both Uchiha's are traitors to the village. You cannot allow your emotional attachments to cloud your judgment."
"I am aware that they are traitors." Kakashi stated levelly. "All I am saying is that there are plenty of other shinobi to send after them." He spoke lazily, his eyes giving away nothing. Danzō's fingers drummed over his desk, the buzzing light becoming louder.
It was as if Danzō wanted to wave Naruto in Sasuke's face like some fucking sacrifice. Kakashi was not having it. Danzō leaned back and unclasped his hands.
"Very well. You shall go then." He muttered. Kakashi bowed deeply.
"Yes Danzō-sama."
"And I shall accompany you." Kakashi did not move. He was not surprised by Danzō's desire to go after the Uchiha's. Even with his wound, the man had a revenge streak almost as long as Sasuke's. Although it was surprising how far Danzō was willing to go. The man usually was so level headed with the village as his priority, but like his eye, his pride was damaged by Itachi's actions and he was going to react.
"When, if I may ask?" He asked without moving from his bowed position. Danzō slowly stood and walked around his desk, Kakashi watched the man's feet, noting a stain on the carpeted area of his office. He fixed his gaze on it as Danzō spoke.
"Tonight, actually. My men are preparing as we speak."
Kakashi glanced up, surprised. That was quick.
"So soon?" He questioned.
"We have their location," Danzō's lips curled up bitterly, his one eye cold. Kakashi met his stare as the man turned to look out the window. "Uchiha Sasuke is your target. Itachi, however is mine. Do not forget that." A shiver ran down the Copy nin's spine at this. Would he be able to fight Sasuke? Was there no other way to stop him? And Itachi...the way Danzō had spoken of him...
So many questions ran through Kakashi's mind but he merely bowed in understanding as Danzō dismissed him.
Morning broke over the mountain side and Sasuke had not slept at all. Instead he had sat in Itachi's room trying to keep himself occupied. He started with packing some of the more important items his brother kept and saving them. Then he went through Itachi's clothes and like a child playing dress up, tried on his cloak. Like with Itachi, the sleeves were too long for his fingers to show but it fit him well. Sasuke's lips twitched at this. Had he caught up with adult Itachi?
The pearl and letters were kept close and several times he examined the leaf. He found some other trinkets that Itachi had either collected during his travels or were gifted to him by Kisame. Later, Sasuke found Kisame's room and like with Itachi's started snooping around. Kisame's objects was easier to go through because the man labeled everything! He had a weapons and medical box and a box that literally read 'Random Shit' and in it...random objects and trinkets. One box was labeled 'Itachi'
Sasuke took it from the shelf slowly, curious about what secrets this box had of his brother. His heart hammered in his chest. He set in on the dusty ground, glancing around the empty room as if afraid of being watched. No one was there...obviously. Sasuke looked back towards the box and his fingers hovered over it, prepared to open it when he hesitated.
Should he do this?
What sort of things would he find in here?
Love letters and plush dolls?
Secrets of Itachi that Sasuke was not privy to?
Sasuke opened the box.
After looking through the box and adding it to his items to give to Itachi upon seeing him again, Sasuke made his way out of the Kiri nin's room slamming the door behind him.
It did not take long to realize that the first letter was from Kakashi. No doubt a love letter...well Kakashi's version of one. The other one remained a mystery. Who had Itachi been seeing? He had seen Tsunade many times as well as Shizune but Sasuke highly doubted they were the type to comment on if Itachi had pretty ankles.
No one should call his thirteen year old brother's ankles pretty.
Once the sun had broken the horizon, Sasuke tore down the hall to find Tobi. The masked man was no where to be found. Had he left without Sasuke? Dread and rage hammered in Sasuke's chest as he tore through the Akatsuki hideout, his feet echoing off the walls. He called out for Tobi twice, his voice stammering slightly.
He needed to see Itachi. Tobi couldn't leave him behind like this! He had to see his brother! He had to...Itachi...Sasuke did not want to leave things like this. His brother had spent so many years in torment and Sasuke had never known! Sasuke turned the corner just as Tobi popped up, the two nearly knocking foreheads.
"There you are!" Sasuke snapped, not even bothered by the man's sudden presence. "Let's go!" Tobi made no motion to move and Sasuke grit his teeth.
"What!?"
Tobi shook his head.
"We cannot go." He muttered and the spiky haired Uchiha blinked, his expression frozen.
"Excuse me?"
"Danzō's attacked the hideout. It is swarming with ANBU and Root." Tobi stated and Sasuke stared. A tremor ran down his spine. Danzō and Itachi should never be in close proximity with each other. After what Danzō had done...he did not deserve to even look upon Itachi. What would he do now that Ita-what had Danzō already done? Sasuke blinked once, his brows narrowed.
"Why would he...aren't he and Itachi allies?" He asked and the man looked towards him as if he were stupid.
"Danzō forfeited that when he attacked you. He's a desperate man and desperate men do foolish things." He stated and the Uchiha moved forward, eyes narrowed as he mulled over Tobi's words. He needed to get itachi away from Danzō.
"Then we get to the base and find Itachi before Danzō does. Or if we're too late for that we kill everyone and grab Itachi"
"We can't-"
"Bullshit, we can't." Sasuke stated desperately.
Tobi opened his mouth to tell Sasuke about Danzō's...relationship with Itachi. He wanted suddenly, desperately to tell the Uchiha what Fugaku had allowed to happen to his eldest son. For a moment he was no longer Tobi...for a moment he was Obito who wanted to tell one cousin the truth of the horrors another cousin has suffered. He wanted his family to be together again. Yet instead he did not speak. That was not his story to tell. It had to be Itachi.
"You are a missing-nin now. If you are seen you will be attacked. Your brother did not suffer all these years just for you to ruin it all because you lack foresight."
"I DON'T CARE ABOUT THAT!" Sasuke exploded. "ITACHI'S IN DANGER!" Tobi was suddenly moving, shoving the teen into the wall. Sasuke gasped as all the air was ripped from his lungs at the rough hit. He stared at Tobi who bared down.
"Listen you little shit," He hissed. "I have been planning this for far too long for you and your brother to muck it up with your sibling issues. You are powerless to help him right now. Don't go throwing yourself into the fire when you know you can't win."
"Itachi-"
"Itachi has Kisame to get him out of there. Use that brain for once!" He shook the teen hard and Sasuke grit his teeth. "If Danzō sees you, you're dead. Without you, Itachi will survive this."
Sasuke shook his head.
"I can't let them hurt him." He croaked and Tobi scoffed in annoyance.
"Then stop making stupid decisions." He smacked the kid upside his head. "And listen to your elders." Sasuke scowled but did not talk back. Tobi walked ahead, motioning for the boy to follow.
"Let's go kid. Pack all your shit up. Things are about to get interesting."
The hideout was quiet in the early hours of the morning. Several were missing with missions but three remained. Zetsu was awake as he usually was at that time, watching the surrounding area with sharp eyes. Inside, in one of the rooms, Itachi and Kisame slept. Itachi lay curled in the Kiri nin's arms, his head resting against the man's throat. One of Kisame's arms was thrown across the boy in a possessive grip.
The silence was peaceful and when Itachi awoke he did not wish to leave. He lay in Kisame's arms quietly marveling over his current memories of the Kiri nin. His elder self was quiet, and Itachi did not wish to disturb him. He slipped from the bed, Kisame's arm falling over where he had lain. Itachi moved the blanket around Kisame's shoulder, offering his future lover a sleepy smile before ducking out of the room and making his way down the hall.
Madara had left earlier, muttering something about Pein being an utter fool and telling Itachi to keep his guard up for the next few days. It seemed everyone but Itachi understood what was going on. The Uchiha made his way down the hall towards Madara's office. He glanced down the empty hall before opening the door and slipping in. Madara's office was a wreck. Surprising really. Itachi had expected the man to be orderly with his items. It made no difference. Itachi would be able to go through them none the less.
The small Uchiha looked through the papers on Madara's desk, finding several notes about the villages and information on the current Kages. Itachi crossed his legs and sat on the floor by the desk and looked through the large pile in front of him. Most of the papers were on things he knew little about. Some rang familiar to him. He turned a page just as he heard Zetsu's voice.
"KISAME, ITACHI GET UP! THEY'VE FOUND US!" Itachi was on his feet in an instant and rushing for the door. He wrenched it open and barely made it out before he was forced to duck from a kunai aiming for his face. He ducked and rolled, groping around his pockets and cursing when he realized he had no weapons on him. In fact he was dressed in one of Kisame's over sized shirts and a pair of long pants. Hardly suitable for fighting. He grasped the kunai that had been thrown at him and looked up to see a single Konoha shinobi staring at him, blankly.
Kakashi.
Lovely.
"Kakashi." Itachi greeted genially.
"Itachi." The Copy nin replied lazily.
They attacked at the same time, Itachi paring Kakashi's blows with the kunai. Kakashi kicked forward, towards Itachi's feet and the boy gracefully evaded the kick, leaping like a dancer, backwards and striking off the wall. His eyes were not activated. All that stared at Kakashi were the deep charcoal grey color Kakashi had been memorized by. Even without using the Sharingan, Itachi managed to evade the Copy nin. He never once struck back. He never once attacked.
Kakashi vanished in a cloud of smoke, and appeared behind the boy just as Itachi turned. The copy nin grappled Itachi. Like children they struggled against each other. Kakashi wrestling Itachi to the ground and pinning his arms over his head. They stared at each other breathlessly, eyes dark.
"You're fast." Itachi admitted softly and Kakashi offered a weak pleased grin.
"Thanks, I-"
"I'm faster." The Uchiha teased before swinging those pretty legs of his around Kakashi and flipping their positions so Itachi was on top. Itachi's lips twitched. Kakashi wanted nothing more than to kiss them. Kakashi and Itachi locked eyes, neither moving for a moment. When the tell tale sound of Danzō's cane sounded from down the hall Itachi leaped off Kakashi and stepped back. Kakashi moved as if to block his path.
"Itachi-" He hissed, voice low so no one could hear. The boy in questioned stared. Kakashi seemed to be having an internal struggle with himself. Something was wrong with all of this. Something told him to not let Danzō near Itachi. And despite his training. Despite his reservations...Kakashi stepped aside.
"The east side of the hideout is clear for now. Go." He nodded once, the cane sounding louder. Itachi blinked.
"Kakashi-"
"Go." Kakashi whispered, his expression going blank. Itachi offered the man a weak smile before bolting down the hall and out of sight. Danzō rounded the conrer, moments later, his expression grim.
"Any sign of him?" He questioned.
"None yet sir."
"He can't have gotten far." The old man grumbled. "That brother of his too..."
Itachi tore down the hall, which just as Kakashi had assured him, was empty. It did not take long at all to find Kisame, fully dressed with Samehada strapped to his back. The man's expression sagged in relief at the sight of the Uchiha. He reached forward and took Itachi's arm. His small eyes raked over the boy before he grinned.
"On an early morning stroll, Itachi-san?" He teased softly. Itachi shrugged.
"I didn't account for being invaded."
"We never do." Kisame muttered with a bitter smile. Zetsu watched the pair in annoyance.
"Are we quite done here?" He asked and the two looked away from each other. Kisame grinned sheepishly while Itachi shot the other an unimpressed glare. Kisame opened his mouth to respond when footsteps sounded, approaching fast.
"This way!" Zetsu hissed, and the three tore down the hall. Kisame gripped Samehada and chanced a quick glance behind him.
"How man-"
"Too many." Zetau muttered. They entered one of the rooms at the end of the hall. Zetsu cursing softly.
"There's a passage here somewhere. It will take us towards the mountain." He stated. "We need to keep them off our tail long enough to get through."
Danzō's voice was barking orders down the hall. Itachi tensed and Kisame softly cursed. He looked towards Zetsu in annoyance.
"You get him the fuck out of here or I swear I'll eat you." He stated coldly and Zetsu nodded.
"Understood."
"Itachi go with Zetsu." Kisame barked, thrusting Samehada down. The bandages surrounding it began to unbind. Itachi stared at Kisame.
"Are you not coming?" He asked, a small crease developing between his eyebrows.
Kisame did not answer.
"Kisame?" Itachi stepped forward. Kisame looked to him, his small eyes determined.
"Get him out of here. I have unfinished business with Danzō and I don't think you're gonna want to see it kid." He flashed Itachi a grin and the boy fought not to roll his eyes. He would not argue with Kisame about killing the elder. Danzō had turned on Itachi so Itachi must turn on him.
"You'll take me to a dango cafe after this okay? We're going to go out for dango once you come back." Itachi stated firmly and Kisame looked to his little lover, with a grin.
"Baby, I'll take you where you want after this." He retorted and the Uchiha nodded.
"I'll hold you to that promise Hoshigaki."
Zetsu grabbed Itachi around the waist and began to drag him back. The elder Itachi in the boy's head made a displeased noise.
'He always does this. Once he comes back you need to lecture him on how utterly foolish he is.'
Zetsu and Itachi escaped down the hall and Kisame smiled, shaking his head. He scuffed the ground with his shoe, holding fast to Samehada. It did not take long for Kisame to be found. The door burst open and Kisame grinned.
Show time.
The Konoha nin spotted the man. Several made moves to attack, but Kisame fought them off with ease. One was thrown clear across the room, the Kiri nin amused by their attempts. He leaped backward, Samehada striking the kunai. Kisame shoved the nin backward allowing none to get too close. An order rang out for the shinobi to stand down, and they pulled away. The surrounding nin stood parted as Danzō moved forward, pace relaxed.
"Hoshigaki Kisame." He greeted slowly. "A pleasure." His voice rang triumphantly. He had the Kiri nin trapped. He knew these missing nin types. They were traitors and cutthroats. The man would sing like a canary to save his own skin even if that meant damning Itachi.
"Wish I could say the same." The Kiri nin greeted, teeth gleaming. The elder's lips curled into a sneer. The two studied each other for a moment before Danzō shook his head.
"Enough with the pleasantries. Where is Itachi?" He snapped coldly. There was no mention of Sasuke. Kisame slung Samehada lazily.
"Not going to happen, asshole." Kisame replied, tone still light. Guy shot a glance at Kakashi who watched Danzō waiting for an order. The feeling that something was off was now obvious to several shinobi. Danzō scoffed.
"You're vastly outnumbered. Do not be a fool." Danzō's tone was lazy as if bored with the whole situation.
"You're outmatched." Kisame grinned at Danzō. The elder's expression darkened at Kisame's refusal.
"Where is he!?" He snarled, no longer the silent stern elder everyone was used to. There was desperation in his tone. His eye bulging. Kakashi shot a glance at the man. Danzō was shaking. Once again the Uchiha brat had slipped through his fingers. Not again. Not this time...
Kisame shrugged his shoulder, laughing slightly.
"Touchy touchy, Danzō. Itachi did say you were quick to temper." He mused and the old man glared. The Kiri nin was toying with the old man. Almost like a cat with a mouse before the slaughter. Danzō's hand pulled into a tight fist.
"I will kill you." Danzō hissed "And I will kill him...perhaps I'll make you watch." Kakashi's eyes narrowed slightly. He could feel Guy shift at his side, as if wishing to speak up. Kisame chortled.
"You'll never have him." He shook his head slowly. "And as disappointing as it is, the role of killing you is not mine to take. You should be thankful."
Kisame stared at the Shinobi surrounding him. His eyes locked with Kakashi's who stared back expression tense. The Kiri nin lifted his hand to his forehead protector and slowly pulled it off. He tossed it forward to the Copy nin who caught it, blinking in confusion. He watched as the Kiri nin turned back to face Danzō.
"Your a child rapist and liar Danzō. I can only imagine what Sasuke will do to you when he finds out." The surrounding nin blinked at this, many eyes darting to glance at Danzō who remained stone faced. Kisame's eyes tore from the elder to look at Kakashi, his expression almost pained. Then he spoke.
Too low for anyone but Kakashi to hear. As if only Kakashi could hear him.
"Don't let Danzō find Itachi."
"What aren't you telling me?" Kakashi demanded and Kisame grinned sharply.
"Take care of Itachi for me would ya? Not that he needs it, but...you know."
"What?" Kakashi's brows furrowed. Kisame began to form a jutsu and soon the man was surrounded by sphere of water. Guy's brows furrowed in confusion while Kakashi stared. Water rushed by, loudly lapping through the small room. Danzō barked an order to stand back, startled by what was happening. Kakashi slowly moved forward. He could see Kisame's shape through the water and soon more shapes emerged. Kakashi pulled down his mask and activated his Sharingan. Sharks began to circle Kisame and with sudden cold clarity, Kakashi understood.
He would never allow Itachi to be captured.
He was a nin who prioritized the mission over his life. There was nothing more important than a mission's success. Even if you had to take down allies to keep it that way. Even if you had to take your own life. Kisame would never allow himself to be captured by Danzō.
And Itachi was his mission.
"NO, WAIT!" Kakashi screamed rushing forward just as the sharks reached Kisame.
Too slow.
Kakashi was too slow and he watched in dawning horror, and Guy wrenched him back as the sharks reached Kisame who closed is eyes, grin firmly in place. He could see Itachi in his mind. He could see their first meeting. Their first words. All their fights. All their passion...
"Sharks start out as eggs, but incubate and hatch in the womb. Sometimes the number of pups is less than the number of eggs that were fertilized. Do you know why? Cannibalism. The pups start eating each other within the mother's womb the moment they hatch. They start killing their siblings the moment they enter the world, viewing everything they see as nothing more than prey. As of today you and I are fellow members of Akatsuki. So be careful… of me."
"We aren't fish, we are human. No matter who you are, you do not know what kind of human you are until the very end. As death comes to embrace you, you will realize what you are. That's the view of death, don't you think?"
Kisame's eyes remained closed. His smile fond.
'Itachi...It seems that in the end… I'm not so terrible after all.'
Far ahead on a snowy mountain, Itachi turned a frown marring his face as he watched the sun slowly rise above, painting the sky in a bloody red. A crow flew passed, cawing loudly in the low daylight. The Itachi in his head had gone dead silent. Itachi did not like this silence. Zetsu called out for him and Itachi turned to face the man. He did not look back.
Because this has been my plan for Kisame since the beginning. Because Kisame would die to protect Itachi, even if Itachi does not recognize him yet. Because it will take heartbreak and loss for Itachi to be able to return to himself...because even when you love someone and stand with them, they can still fall...but like in the manga...how dead is dead really?
This was so hard to write...