So…woah, big things happened last chapter! It was not even planned it just sort of…happened. But anyway, thanks for the lovely reviews and I wanted to say a special thank you to everyone who has been with this story since chapter one. Each time I read a comment from a regular reviewer it made each chapter that much more enjoyable!

Rage is a funny thing. It can consume you and turn you into someone you don't truly know. Rage is primal. It is the most basic form of yourself. Fight or Flight. And with Kisame, the answer was always fight.

Kisame was honestly not sure what happened in the time between him seeing what Madara had done to Itachi and the chaos that erupted afterwards. He could say that he was blinded by his rage and unable to recall the next seven minutes of his day. It was a rare thing indeed where Kisame lost all control to the point where his memories were so vague.

There were somethings in this world he never wanted to see. Somethings in this world that should never happen.

Itachi had turned away when Kisame had tried to look at him, his shoulders hunched. Kisame had sighed, at first thinking Itachi was being difficult.

"C'mon, Itachi-san. Let's get you out of here before Madara comes back." Itachi was rigid in his grip and Kisame lost his patience. Was Itachi still closing him out? Had they not been partners for years? Had Kisame not stood by Itachi's side through everything? Could he truly not except what Kisame was now? Kisame had gone against orders to protect Itachi, and the ungrateful brat refused to even look at him!?

"I'm not playing around here! Let's…go." Kisame had managed to spin Itachi around to face him. The Uchiha had closed his eyes, but Kisame had already seen enough to know what had been done to his partner.

Madara's punishment for Itachi's betrayal had been far steeper than Kisame had anticipated. The time after that had been a blur. When he had come back to himself, he had managed to destroy three rooms in the base, tearing holes through the walls. He must have gone in search of Madara who had already taken off to Konoha with Zetsu. It was pure luck that Itachi had not followed him to talk him down as he used to. Instead, Itachi kept away in Madara's office listening as Kisame released a blind rage upon the rest of the hideout. Was he not known as the Tailless Tailed Beast for a reason?

Itachi did not flinch at the loud noises being unleashed. The room shook and something fell off one of Madara's shelves and shattered on the stone floor. Itachi leaned his head back against the desk and fought down the bile that rose in his throat. His empty eye sockets remained closed to the world.

But could this turn out for the better? Madara's intentions were to give the eyes to Sasuke as a form of mockery. But if Sasuke could use them…Itachi had been going blind. What use were they? But even these thoughts did nothing to offer comfort to the Uchiha. For the first time since first returning to his child body, Itachi was truly terrified.

And now, he couldn't even possibly think of what would happen next. For the first time, he did not know what to do and it scared him. He had not even been able to react when Madara had pinned him to the desk and quickly plucked the first eye out. It had happened so fast that for a moment, Itachi had thought he had imagined it. It was only that moment where the pain caught up with the act, that he realized it was not some jutsu.

He had not even managed to scream. So shocked and mortified that when Madara went for the second, he could only stare in blank horror as the last thing he would ever see was Madara's cold face and those fingers reaching…

Kisame panted heavily down the hall. He could hear water spraying nearby and figured he must have hit a pipe. His face was misted by it and he rubbed at it absently, still shaking and his heart pounding loudly. His knuckles were unscratched as if he had not just been violently assaulting the base. One of the benefits of already being dead, Kisame guessed.

He glanced around the destroyed room in detached interest. For the first time since being reanimated, he almost felt like himself again. He swore softly and glanced back down the hall. Itachi needed him now.

"Are you in any pain?" Kisame asked as he reentered the room. Itachi kept his eyes shut and head lowered and he shook his head.

"I feel nothing." He managed, voice far weaker than he would have liked. Kisame cursed and Itachi heard him shuffle closer and kneel at his side. Kisame's breath lightly puffed against his cheek and he fought the urge to pull away.

"You might be in shock, c'mon-fuck! You're freezing!" Kisame's hands brushed over Itachi's arms and felt the chilled flesh beneath his fingertips. He cursed and put an arm under Itachi's knees and behind his back, slowly scooping him up. Itachi sagged against him, body shaking violently.

This was not right.

Itachi should never be this vulnerable.

He quickly carried Itachi out of Madara's office and to the room he had been sleeping in since arriving at this hideout. He set Itachi on the bed and that seemed to be the breaking point as Itachi tipped over, face screwing up in agony as his hands finally darted for his face. He made no noise, but his expression was enough for Kisame to know that the pain was intense.

Kisame did not know what he could say that would offer comfort to his partner. What could he possibly think of that would make the travesty less?

"I'll get you some painkillers, just hold o-" Kisame hard turned as he was speaking and came face to face with Obito. Obito regarded the Kiri Nin with a tilt of his head.

"Leave us." He stated lazily and Kisame scowled, small eyes narrowing.

"He's going into shock, he needs-"

"He will not be receiving anything." Obito cut him off. Kisame's fists clenched and he fought down the temptation to snap Obito's smug little neck.

"LIKE HELL HE WON'T!" Kisame roared, moving towards the Uchiha who easily evaded him and approached Itachi.

"Shall I rip out his tongue as well? Get out." Obito's voice was cold as he knelt by Itachi. Kisame stared at the pair, face pulled into an unhappy glare. He did not doubt Obito would do just that. With a curt nod, Kisame backed out of the room, eyes never leaving Itachi whose breathes were coming in shallow pained gasps.

Obito did not spare Kisame a parting glance, his attention now on his student. He reached out and lightly ran the tips of his finger over Itachi's clammy flesh. Itachi did not flinch at the touch, but Obito could feel the tension.

"You've made quite the mess of things." Obito hummed softly, stroking sweaty hair from Itachi's brow. "I hope it was worth it."

"It…was." Itachi's voice was a rough garble of words, but Obito smirked behind his mask. His student never failed to impress him. He spotted Itachi's discarded medication on the floor and he picked it up, placing it in the pack attached to Itachi's hip. Itachi trembled violently beneath his touch and Obito tsked.

"There's nothing I can give you that will help with the pain." He noted as he slowly sat Itachi back up. Itachi leaned against him, his hair falling in front of his face. His breathing was shallow as if fighting down nausea.

"Come on, stand up." Obito pat Itachi's thigh and stood slowly pulling the younger Uchiha with him. Itachi clung to Obito's hands but did as he was told, his legs shaking. Obito steadied the smaller man, reaching onto the bed to grab a blanket. He draped it around Itachi's shoulders.

"Zetsu has delivered his package to Konoha, but I think one more wouldn't hurt. Better to keep you out of Madara's sight for awhile." Obito blandly stated and Itachi lifted his head to him, face ashen and the troves beneath his eyes severe against his pallor.

"It does not matter. Take my eyes. Take my tongue. You will still fail." Itachi stated, his chin lifted to the man. "By taking them from me you only prove that you fear what is to come." He fought down a flinch as Obito mockingly pat his cheek.

"Let's go see that brother of yours." Obito jeered. "I'm sure he'll be elated to see you." Before Itachi could speak another word, he felt a sharp prick in his neck. His hand moved as if in slow motion to where Obito had injected him. His fingers fumbled over his flesh. He could not look to see Obito's reaction but as his fingers began to tingle, he allowed himself to slump to his knees at Obito's feet.

Obito watched him go quietly. He placed the needle away and readjusted the blanket around Itachi's shoulders. He considered wrapping Itachi's eyes, but Madara had made it clear, he wanted Sasuke to see the full extent of his rage. So instead he tinkered around the room as he waited for Itachi to go under.

"It's a sad turn of events, cousin." Obito commented as he studied Itachi's weapon set. "You and your brother could have helped rebuild this world but instead…well, now look at you." He almost felt a wave os sadness looking at the state his student was in. Madara's rage was legendary and cruel it seemed. Itachi should have known better than to bite the hand that fed him. Such a shame.

"You…think I would…have gone alone…with you?" Itachi slowly garbled out, taking deep breaths between his words. Obito set the weapon back down on the counter and glanced towards his cousin.

"Eventually." He shrugged and lifted his head towards the door as Itachi continued to fight to remain conscious. "You were a child again Itachi. You had this grand opportunity but you squandered it. It's a shame…you had so much life and energy and now you are nothing more than a walking corpse. Perhaps your brother can find use for you." Obito walked towards the door and peered down the hall.

"Ahh, Zetsu's back. Let's get you ready shall we?" Obito hummed as he turned around to look back at Itachi, just as the younger Uchiha slumped forward, his face smacking against the floor. Obito blinked and stared at the limp body.

"Ahh, yes." Obito tutted. "Well sleep well." As he said this, Madara walked through the door, his eyes fixed on Itachi's limp body.

"He is ready to deliver?" Madara questioned, Sharingan sparkling in the light. Obito nodded once, unsure on what to say to his sensei. Madara looked away from Itachi to study his student.

"Traitors do not belong among our ranks. I had hoped his experience would have changed him. But it seems I was wrong." He watched as Obito went to gather Itachi up when he stepped forward.

"Wait, there's one more thing I wish to do…a parting gift for him and his brother." Madara's eyes glowed as they stared at Itachi and Obito could only nod.

"I'LL KILL THEM!" Sakura flinched violently as she listened to Sasuke scream just outside Tsunade's office. Both Yamato and Naruto had raced after him to subdue the Uchiha as he released his rage. "HOW DARE THEY! I'LL KILL ALL OF THEM!" Sasuke's screams were near hysterical at this point. There was a hitch in his breath as he roared, his voice thick with tears. She could hear Naruto say something but it was drowned out by Sasuke's rage.

"THEY KILLED HIM!" He snarled. "They killed my brother! He died, thinking I hated him…" He struggled against Naruto's hands as the younger boy tried to calm him down. Naruto tried to offer words of comfort to Sasuke but his own chest ached at what he had seen.

Why hadn't he persuaded Itachi to go with them. Why had he let Itachi return to Madara? If only he had tried harder. Made Itachi realize that he was in danger. Sasuke looked towards Naruto, expression raw.

"He was alone, Naruto. He had no one with him and he thought I hated him. I called him Danzo's bitch. Oh fuck…that must have hurt him. Why did I say it, Naruto?" Sasuke croaked, tears gathering in his eyes. Naruto threw his arms around Sasuke, burying his face in the side of his neck.

"He knew you were just upset Teme. He could never be angry with you. He only wanted you to be happy. That's all he wanted." He felt the older boy cling to him and he clenched his eyes shut.

"The letter never said he was dead." Tsunade spoke up softly. Her eyes shifting between the occupants of the room. "He could still be alive." These words offered no comfort to Kakashi or Sakura who considered the idea that Itachi could still be alive with his eyes robbed from him horrifying. Was it wrong of Sakura to quietly hope that Itachi was dead, rather than blinded and trapped among enemies?

Kakashi had not looked up since realizing what the contents of the jar were. His face was buried in his palms and while Sasuke's reaction had been born of noise and motion, Kakashi's had been of silence and absolute stillness.

While Sasuke assumed Itachi's eyes meant his death, Kakashi himself had to agree with Tsunade and pictured a darker fate for Itachi. Madara would not have simply killed Itachi. He would have taken his only line of defense and made sure he lived to suffer through it. What help could Kisame be when he was under Kabuto's thumb? Would Obito have allowed this? Was he as warped as Madara? Or was there still signs that the boy Kakashi had known still existed?

Kakashi did not react as the two women spoke in hushed tones. All he could now see were those two eyes floating in that jar. It was on the ground still, where Sasuke had dropped it as he bolted out of the room.

Itachi…

They had only seen him a few days ago. He had been so full of life. His skin had been flushed and there had been a wildness about him after he destroyed the Akatsuki's arsenal. It had been breathtaking. Itachi had been gorgeous at thirteen, but at twenty-two he was…mesmerizing.

But his eyes…

His eyes had been milky. Once a dark story grey now faded like slushy snow. As if the color had been sucked from them. Had he finally lost his eyesight?

"Bring him back in." Tsunade called out to Yamato. Kakashi and Sai listened as Naruto spoke to Sasuke again. Sakura finally moving towards the door to try to help. The door opened and Naruto came through, leading Sasuke who refused to meet anyone's eyes. Naruto led Itachi to a chair and he sat heavily in it as Shizune discreetly hid the jar.

Tsunade leaned forward against her desk, staring at the Uchiha. Her honey eyes were uncharacteristically tender as she regarded the distraught Uchiha.

"We will find Itachi. Madara…Madara wouldn't have killed him." The Hokage muttered and Sasuke stared at her dazed.

"They mutilated him." He replied, voice weak and so very sad. "They took his eyes and…he can't defend himself anymore. They made sure of it." Tsunade's heart nearly broke at this.

"And we will get him back. I can promise you that. I will send everyone I can out to find him and bring him to safety." She signaled the end to the meeting and Naruto stood at Sasuke's side as he slowly stood, he blearily glanced around for the jar and reluctantly, Shizune handed it to him. He held it in a light grip, staring blankly at his brother's floating eyes.

Had they even drugged him before taking his eyes? Or had they ripped them from him? Stole them like Itachi's home had been stolen. Like how his childhood and family had been stolen.

He held the jar close and nodded curtly to Tsunade, turning on his heel to leave. He does not spare Kakashi a glance, the man was lost in his own thoughts. Naruto and Sai watch him go, and Sakura looks like she wants to speak. No words are enough though. Not with what Sasuke holds in his hand.

Before he can make it out the door, a Chunin rushes through it, nearly knocking into Sasuke in her rush. Sasuke lets her pass without a word, his feet moving to walk by her, when she spoke.

"Lady Hokage!" The Chunin panted and Tsunade stood, waiting for them to catch their breath. The young nin lifted her face and looked at her Hokage.

"One of the Akatsuki was just spotted on the outskirts of the village." She stated calmly and Tsunade frowned. Sasuke stopped mid stride but did not turn, his back tense.

"Here? Did they say anything?" Tsuande asked as Kakashi's eyes zeroed in on the girl. The Chunin shook her head. She noticed all the eyes on her and fought not to fidget beneath their stares. She looked at the woman and slowly shook her head.

"No, but they left someone behind." At this, Sasuke slowly began to approach the Chunin. The Chunin looked towards him.

"Who?" Sasuke managed softly.

"Raido did not say, but he said Genma asked for you and Kakashi specifically." Kakashi and Sasuke shared a quick glance, Kakashi already on his feet and ready to go. Tsunade nodded to the pair and motioned for Shizune to follow her.

"I have a feeling he's going to need medical attention." She muttered and thanked the Chunin who offered a bow.

Zetsu set Itachi down, steadying him on his feet. He did not say anything and Itachi did not question him. He lifted his head, as fresh air touched his face. His movements were sluggish, heavily drugged. He did not think he would be able to support his weight. And once Zetsu had pulled away from him, he had slumped in the mud, his head limp. He clutched at the blanket Obito had provided him. It clung to him, but he can't bring himself to care.

He is naked beneath it, Madara having taken his clothes as a final form of punishment.

"Let your brother see what I did to his precious, Aniki's skin." Madara's bitter words whispered in his ears. He is grateful for the blanket. Without a word, Zetsu vanishes into the ground. Zetsu left him in the rain and Itachi remained where he fell. He did not think he had the strength to stand. The blanket sticks to his skin and against the wound Madara had carved into his back. It bleeds freely and his back is drenched scarlet. The scent invaded his nostrils.

He cannot even bring himself to wonder what Madara had carved on him. Instead, he remained kneeling in the dirt, numb to whatever came for him.

"Itachi!?" A familiar voice called out and sluggishly, Itachi lifted his head as Genma raced towards him. He sid through the mud, uncaring as he dropped in front of Itachi.

"Shit, there's blood everywhere." He heard another voice…Raido? Yes..Raido...

"Someone get Kakashi and Sasuke!" He heard Genma shout as he knelt in front of Itachi. He reached for the Uchiha's shoulder, cursing softly.

"C'mon Itachi stay awake for me. You're brothers on his way." Genma's voice was soft as he waited for the message to reach Tsunade. Itachi's hair was in matted tangles and the blanket he was wearing was bloody. Genma went to move it to find the wound, but cursed when he realized Itachi was wearing nothing beneath it. He pulled the blanket around Itachi, tighter, trying to shield him from the cold.

"You still with me, Itachi?" Genma murmured in concern.

Itachi offered a weak nod, eyes still not opening. Panic raced in Genma's chest. Itachi was too pale and his skin icy. If he lost consciousness…

"Itachi, you need to keep your eyes open. Can you do that for me? Come on, look at me okay, Itachi? Just open your eyes."