At first, Itachi thought it was his future self making himself known as he had done several times in the past. He had been silent since Kisame's death. Drawn into the shadows and quiet since news reached the Uchiha. Yet there was the bone weary ache and the blurriness around his vision that assured him it was real, and he was no longer thirteen. Now in his place stood a young man. Itachi stepped back, eyes raking in his appearance. When had this happened? Was he finally back to normal? He took in his appearance. Funny how his adult self seemed far more fragile looking than his child one. His cheeks that had still held hints of his youth were now gaunt, his fingers frail and knobby. The health of his youth was now sucked away and in his place stood this frail, delicate, practically emaciated man.

Itachi stepped backwards, his throat tight. He looked away from his reflection in disgust. Each rib was clearly defined even through his shirt, which even now hung on him like it was meant for someone stronger. Knees struck the ground and Itachi barely felt the shooting pain as he stared at his hands blankly. Everything came rushing back to him at crushing speeds. The last several months with Sasuke...Danzō. Kakashi's tender gaze landing on him, Kisa-Kisame...

Itachi's breath itched and he screwed his eyes shut.

"Kisame..." His voice came out rough and weak as if from disuse.

How could he have ever forgotten Kisame? Nausea rose in his stomach and he pitched forward in pain. He had gotten comfortable in his youth. He had not the pain he would suffer as an adult and now it seemed to hit him all at once. He did not move for several minutes. Breathing in shallowly, as he tried to regain his bearings. Six months was a long time to play pretend. Itachi was unsure on of he was glad it was over. He hadn't realized he was crying until the first tear drop struck the tiled floor. He shakily lifted his hands and brushed them from his face. When was the last time he had allowed himself to cry as an adult? The thought was depressing.

He stood, body swaying slightly. He stumbled from the bathroom, gripping the wall for support. Had his body been this weak near the end? He had been spoiled these last few months. Both in body and with Sasuke. Just thinking of Sasuke brought an all familiar ache to his chest. He gripped at it, his shirt clinging to his sweat soaked skin. The Uchiha reached his bed and slumped down on it. His fingers gripped the scratchy blanket tightly. His fingers turning white from strain.

Itachi went through his bag he packed, pulling out kunai and medical tape and setting it aside. He remembered leaving Kakashi's leaf and doll behind in hopes of separating himself from the Copy nin. Even now he felt a twinge of pain just thinking of Kakashi. He did however pack Kisame's items. He took the Kiri nin's forehead protector from his bag and set it on his lap. A small sad smile spread across his dry lips and he stroked a thin finger over the shiny surface.

"Utter fool..." He murmured. "Why would you leave like that?"Reaching into the bag, Itachi pulled out Kisame's box. Finally knowing that he could look through it. He took Kisame's box and slowly set it on the ground. He crossed his legs and gently pulled off the lid, setting it down next to him.

There were pictures.

Photos of Itachi, caught in a moment of peace. One where he was sitting outside during a misty morning, his eyes closed and his face serene. One of him looking at his dango stick with quirked lips. Some of the pictures were a bit more...personal. One picture was of Itachi in the shower, back to the camera, his body glistening with water. Itachi remembered this. He had been showering and Kisame had slipped in. Itachi hadn't thought much of it. They were lovers. They frequently saw each other naked. It was the sound of the all too familiar clicking as the shower door slid open that head him turning.

"Kisame!" Itachi cried out as he turned and the Kiri nin positively leered at him.

"Yes Itachi-san?" He teased, snapping another of a full frontal obviously affronted Itachi.

"I'm showering!" Itachi hissed, trying to cover his nakedness with his arms. Kisame chuckled, clicking another picture that no doubt Itachi would destroy later.

"I can see that."His lover teased. His eyes traveled down Itachi's body and the Uchiha fought down a shiver at the openly hungry stare.

Another picture. Itachi sighed and motioned for Kisame to put the camera down.

"The least you can do is make yourself useful and help me with my hair." He informed the older ninja who quickly moved to do as asked. They had ended up on the bathroom floor...as Itachi fondly recalled. Itachi's legs thrown over Kisame's shoulders as the man thrust into him with a smile on his lips.

Kisame liked taking pictures of Itachi naked. And Itachi would be lying if he didn't enjoy the thrill of catching the man in the act and even posing provocatively when he was feeling particularly playful. There were some of Itachi on his bed, head coyly tilted towards the lens and his finger at his mouth nervously. Kisame had told him that, that was his favorite were other trinkets. Little baubles they found on their travels and letters they had sent each other. It was all very sappy. Very romantic and very unlike Kisame.

Kisame had always said Itachi brought out something soft in him. Itachi had never admitted that Kisame had done the very same.

And while Itachi quietly lamented the death of his lover, he failed to notice the eyes watching him in the shadows. The eyes studied him as he quietly placed the lid back on the box. The eyes vanished as Zetsu left to tell Obito that Itachi had returned.

The Uchihas were known for their tempers. They could be considered almost famous for it. There was Fugaku. Sasuke of course took after his father in personality. Of course there were some Uchiha who never had the issue. Itachi for example. As well as his mother and Shisui. Madara Uchiha however, was not one who remained calm under pressure. This was one such example of his...rage issues.

"He's aged!" Madara snarled, shoving his items off his desk. "He's no longer a child!" His roar echoed through the office and Zetsu flinched. Ink splattered on the floor, but Madara did not seem to notice. He walked through it, leaving a trail of black on his wake. Meanwhile, Obito leaned against the wall studying his nails with disinterest.

"We can still make use of him." He pointed out in a bored tone, flicking invisible dirt from under his nail.

"Not if he's on his deathbed!" Madara snarled back at his student. He had assumed Tsunade had failed with the boy. He had thought he could raise Itachi back up under his thumb. Now it seemed Itachi was back to his old sickly self. What use would the waif be if his eyes were failing and he refused treatment for his destroyed lungs? He would not last the year! And Sasuke...Madara did not even want to begin thinking about that boy. No doubt he was angered by Itachi leaving. Yet he had not gone after him...surprising...but that just meant more work for Madara!

"You already made that foolish deal with Kabuto, and now we have Itachi to contend with!" Madara's hair jerked with his movements. Orochimaru's creepy, former subordinate had certainly surprised both Uchiha. Bringing back the dead... Obito was terrified of his identity becoming known and had agreed to whatever the freak wanted. As if the world didn't already have suspicions...

Obito sighed and drummed his fingers on his arm. Zetsu always brought the most interesting news...He watched as his mentor continued to rage before looking to the nin standing by the wall and watching in silence. He caught their eye and waved his hand dismissively.

"Go to Itachi." Obito ordered with a tilt of his head. "Kabuto has already sent for Sasuke. Well will see if either brother answers the call." He turned away again, arms crossed. Zetsu offered his leader a stiff nod, both watching Madara mutter to himself.

"It's just like Itachi isn't it? Madara has plans? Itachi is going to find some way to defy them!" He sneered. The masked man snorted. As if Itachi planned to wake up as an adult. Whatever Tsunade had done, it had just delayed rather than outright failed. Obito was surprised he had not caught the signs sooner. Itachi had been weakening steadily and now...now Obito knew why,

"Well things are getting back to normal it seems." He drawled as Madara threw his chair across the room. He chuckled softly, watching the wood splinter beneath Madara's legendary rage.

The cafe was packed. Voices spoke at a gentle hum and the noise offered comfort to Sakura, who sat at a little corner table with Ino, Ten Ten, Hinata and Karin. They were all gathered around, sipping their drinks and sharing a plate of snacks. The sunlight filtered through the windows, basking the table in a yellow glow.

"I'm worried about him." Sakura murmured, placing her cup of tea down. Into stared into her own tea, tight lipped. Karin leaned in her seat, voice lowering.

"You're not the only one. He acts like he's not effected but he's terrible at hiding it."

"He's been...off during missions." Sakura admitted, a soft crinkle appearing in her brow as she stared at her cup. Hinata blinked while Ten Ten leaned closer. The bustle of the cafe became nothing but a dull buzz.

"Off how?" She asked, brown eyes filled with concern. Sakura chanced a glance around before leaning forward into the table. As if afraid someone would overhear.

"You know Sasuke-kun. He's not known for being warm and fuzzy...or friendly like Lee or Naruto." She began as the girls nodded in understanding. "It's just...he's usually level headed and the epitome of cool. But now...he's acting rash. Like he did before leaving Konoha. He's cruel even." Ino frowned, her fingers tightening on her cup. She glanced around the cafe, noting that no one she recognized had entered.

"Cruel?"

"During battle. He hold nothing back. I know that sometimes you have to kill, but he's...he's going too far. It's like he doesn't care. Kakashi and Naruto are both worried about him." She left out that Sasuke was losing his temper with Naruto as well. And Naruto was not known for his patience. Whatever magic Itachi had worked on his brother had quickly vanished as he had.

"How is Kakashi by the way? I knew he and Itachi were...close." Ten Ten asked and Sakura released a sigh, massaging her temples.

"Outwardly? He acts like everything is fine. But he's always been like that. He doesn't let anyone in. He won't speak about Itachi. He's trying to pretend he never happened or something."

"Coping mechanism." Hinata offered softly. Karin nodded mutely.

"Everyone has their own way...I just wish Itachi..." She trailed off uncertainly. They avoided talking about Itachi directly. Although Sakura and Karin admitted to worrying about him and wondering if he was safe. Ino looked towards the clock on the wall and reluctantly stood.

"I have to go. See you guys later." She offered a waggle of her fingers and the girls bid her a good day. Sakura stared into her tea, face drawn into a frown. Things should not have turned out like this. She was terrified that Sasuke would leave again. If Sasuke ran, how would Naruto cope? He had only just come home and for him to run...Sakura could not even think of what would happen. Would he officially become a Missing-nin? Would that mean that he would be hunted? Sakura knew she was blowing things out of proportion, but the fear persisted. He left once. What was stopping him from doing so again?

The bathroom was misted with warmth as Itachi stepped out of the shower. Water dripped down his bare shoulders as he groped for a towel. Once again the Uchiha was struck by how pasty his skin was. The glow he had just that morning now ashen and nearly grey. Itachi brushed his hair from his face. He needed to make a plan. Obviously things had not turned out the way he had intended and now he was at a loss of what to do. He was...he was alive. He was suppose to be dead! Everything turned to dust in his hands and he had been helpless to stop them from slipping through his fingers.

He dried himself off, lost in thought. With Danzō dead, Sasuke was safe...for now. Itachi knew Madara would be furious once he discovered Itachi had returned to his original age. He knew he needed to run. He could still get his eyes to Sasuke. Or at least give him protection. Naruto still had Shisui's eye within him. Itachi highly doubted that Sasuke would turn on Naruto at this point but if Madara or Obito turned to him, he would be safe. He exited the bathroom, the cool air contrasting violently with the tepid bathroom.

He shivered, skin reacting to the cold air. Gliding across the darkened room, Itachi reached the edge of the bed. His knees hitting the mattress. Itachi had found some of Obito's spare clothing, and it was the closet fit he had. The clothes were folded on his bed and he reached them, dropping his towel to the floor.

"Well aren't you a sight for sore eyes." A voice called out in amusement. There was a brief moment of silence. The Uchiha's eyes fell shut. He turned slowly, face unreadable and hair dripping. His eyes met the source of the voice who was staring at him with a little grin. Itachi could not find his voice. Unsure on how they found him. Unsure on how to speak. Finally, Itachi could not fight down the smile that split across his face. The Uchiha took an uncertain step forward, his fingers twitching at his side.

"Kisame..."

Okay so let me tell you guys...this chapter was an absolute BITCH to write. At first I had it included in the last chapter, but felt like it didn't fit right. Then I thought about waiting until next chapter to have this last it, but I have had this planned since the BEGINNING of the story and it was so hard not to drop hints and I figured you guys deserved a little bit of fluff! But still it was so hard deciding how I would do this whole thing. I thought of having Itachi wait another chapter to age, but I wanted it to be Kisame to first greet him.

Like in the Manga, Itachi was brought back via Edo Tensi, so why not Kisame in his place?