Rough Beginnings

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or make any money from this fic. I'm just borrowing the characters and having some fun.

Yeah Itachi is just too cute and fun to play with when he's younger. ^_^ I just adore him what can I say.

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Itachi let out a groan as he opened his eyes to unfamiliar surroundings. It took a few moments to remember where he was and what had happened. It was not long before the memories resurfaced. Letting out a sigh he placed his hands over his face as he thought. It was hard to believe what had happened over the past few days. However it was reality so there was no use in following that train of thought any further. He had passed the test and was still alive; that was all that mattered at the moment. Searching through his jumbled thoughts he tried to remember what had happened when he had woken up for those few brief moments. The only thing that stood out in his mind was Kisame saying that he was his partner.

Lowering his hands he looked around the room quickly spotting the clothes set on his bedside table. Sitting up he continued to examine the room his attention stopping when he spotted the empty and hastily made bed. A quick note from his memories stated that he was sharing a room with his partner. He guessed he could handle such a simple thing; he probably did not have much of an option anyway. Turning back to the pile of clothes he snatched them up before turning his attention to the door on the far side of the room. Slipping out of the bed he made his way over and slowly opened the door.

He could not begin to explain how relieved he was to find that it was a bathroom. This meant that he would not have to face any of the other Akatsuki members while trying to find his way through the base. Especially when he was in the state he was currently in. He was tired and sore; not to mention half naked. Placing his change of clothes on the counter he stretched trying to release some of the tight muscles. He was sure that had that test gone on any longer and he might not have been able to make it. As it was he was extremely light headed showing he really should not be up and about. He could not afford to be out any longer despite his body's protesting. It was a vulnerability that he was not going to allow any further.

Turning on the water to heat up he stripped of what little clothing he had left. Not sure what to do with it he folded them and placed them on top of the hamper. He guessed that the old ANBU uniform would be thrown out when his partner returned. Letting out a sigh he turned back to the shower and reached a hand out to check the water's temperature. Judging it to be warm enough he stepped into the stream his muscles immediately beginning to relax. As much as he hated to rush himself he knew that either his partner or another member of the Akatsuki would come so see if he was awake. He was sure as soon as they knew he would be run through a process to make his membership official.

Finishing up he turned the water off he stepped out and onto the little mat that covered the floor. He reached for one of the towels that were folded on a shelf on the wall. Drying himself off; he quickly changed into the new clothing noting that they were slightly large. It seemed that his partner had borrowed these from another member until he received his own. Though not exactly thrilled about the idea but it was better than his bloodstained ANBU uniform.

Unfortunately it seemed that the shark had neglected to get him something to tie his hair back with. He really could not fault the man for forgetting. The man himself had short hair and would not think of such a thing for him. He would just have to look for something later or ask his partner to get him something. His hair was a personal vanity that he held despite it being a bit of a burden at times. His train of thought was broken when he heard a knock on the door to the room. Opening the bathroom door he listened intently to see if it would repeat.

"Just open the damn door! I know you're awake. I don't have all day." A voice called as another set of knocks reached his ears. His eyes narrowed slightly having not recognized the voice. He also was not happy with how rude the other was being. As much as he would have loved to ignore them and rest he knew it was a bad course of action. Moving to the door he prepared himself to attack should he need to. He knew that it was uncalled for but he could not let his guard down yet. It was not a luxury he could afford.

Upon opening the door he was faced with yet another tall figure. The man was completely covered with the exception of his hands and eyes. The skin that was showing was a darker tone than he had ever seen; his eyes a vivid and bright green surrounded by black. The man stared down at him for a second obviously taking in his own appearance. "You don't look as hellish as I thought you would, good for you."

Itachi just glared are the man. He was not in any mood to put up with anyone treating him so rudely. He was tired, hungry, sore and just wanted to rest. Then this man shows up and treats him as if he controls him. However his fowl mood and glare seemed to go unnoticed much to his surprise. He even watched in some amusement as one of the man's dark brows disappeared beneath the covering on his head.

"Wow, we're talkative now aren't we?" The man stated shaking his head slightly. "How you and Kisame will get along is beyond me. Anyway, I'm here to show you around and get all your information put on file. Come on." The man waved as an indication should follow. The Uchiha silently complied hoping that this would not take long. He really was not happy to be doing any type of paperwork at the moment.

He followed the man down the hall and into one if the rooms that lined the hallway. It seemed to be similar to the room he had just come from. Lamps were the only source of light; the walls and floor carved out of stone. Two tall lamps rested against the back wall behind a large wooden desk. A smaller lamp could be found on top of the desk. Another was on a side table in the corner to the right of the door, next to a comfy looking chair. Another door off to the side was made of a heavy metal and heavily locked showing that something important was behind it.

"Please take a seat Itachi." The man stated indicating to a chair in front of the desk as he moved around the back. Sitting down he pulled out a key he unlocked one of the drawers and pulled out what seemed to be a charter book. Snatching a pen from the desk he opened the book and scribbled down what the Uchiha assumed to be his name. "Alright Itachi, first off I need to know if you have any money to your name. I realized that this is probably a stupid question but I would rather not assume." When Itachi shook his head he made another mark in the roster.

"You'll be starting with a zero balance. The Akatsuki fund will cover your new clothing and your meals for the first few missions until you are able to afford it on your own. Any replacement clothing will have to be paid for by you." The man explained. "The pay from missions is split evenly three ways; between the partners and the organization. We take on any mission that Leader-sama sees fit. We mostly specialize in assassination and intelligence gathering. Most missions you will do with your partner but sometimes solo missions are assigned or different combinations of the group depending on specialization."

"Now, any questions?" The man asked looking up from the book only to receive a blank look. "Didn't think so. Try to protect your partner at all times. And refrain from killing him, even if you find him an annoyance." He really could not say much about this subject for the sheer fact that he, and many of the others, had been known to kill off unworthy partners. Pein had never been happy about it but he had never punished them. They only went against his orders when there was a good reason. His only real reason to make sure that the boy understood was the fact that the shark was his best friend. He refused to let anyone kill him off if he could put a stop to it.

"Now that we have that covered, I need you to sign this." Reaching unto the drawer once again he retrieved something from the desk. "I'm sure you're used to fine print on contracts but this is pretty straight forward. Just stating that you fully give yourself to the Akatsuki's rules and Leader-sama's orders. That should you leave you'll be hunted down and killed. Should you reveal anything about the Akatsuki to anyone you'll be killed. Revealing the location of the base purposefully also fits in that category as well as any type of betrayal. You're responsible for your own actions and should they become unruly punishment will be dealt accordingly. Also Leader-sama's life takes precedence over your own. He's to be protected even at the cost of your life."

Itachi took the paper and looked it over. The man was correct in saying there was no fine print. He figured that an organization like this would have no need for such things. If you did not agree to the blunt terms of the contract then you were not strong enough for the Akatsuki. He was literally signing away his life. The leader was more important than the life he was handing over to him. He could not allow himself to be killed because of a discrepancy. That job was left to his brother when he became strong enough. Taking the offered pen he signed his name as the base of the contract and handed it back to the masked man. It is what he deserved for the crime he committed.

"See that wasn't so bad. Now that the paperwork is done I think I can introduce myself. I'm Kakuzu, my partner, who you'll meet later, is Hidan. You'll know him by the foul mouth and silver hair." Placing that paper into a folder in yet another drawer he returned the roster and pen back in their proper places. Making everything was locked up tightly he stood from his chair. "Now if we run into anyone in the search for your partner I'll be sure to introduce you."

Once again he found himself following Kakuzu down the long, twisting hallways. He knew it would take a little while to figure out where everything was. From the sounds of it though his partner would be with him most of the time. He was shown were the kitchen was before being lead into what could be called the living room. It was here that they ran into a very interesting sight. A strange black and white man split down the center with a venus flytrap like contraption around his upper body was in the middle of the room. Running around him was a smaller man completely covered in black clothing and orange mask with only a hole for the right eye.

"That would be Zetsu." Kakuzu stated pointing to the plant like man. "The other would be his subordinate, Tobi. He has potential to be in the Akatsuki but needs some more training. Zetsu's the only one patient enough to take him on. He's a good kid but a little on the crazy and annoying side. Not sure where all the energy comes from." It also seemed to Itachi that the boyish man did not have an off switch.

"Zetsu-san!" The boy yelled finally coming to a stop in front of his superior. "Tobi was a good boy on the mission, right?"

"Yes Tobi." The older man deadpanned looking down at his subordinate. Taking in a breath he noticed a scent that was new to the base. Turning slightly he came face to face with Kakuzu and a young boy. Both sides raised a brow at the sight of a new recruit. "This one in or like Tobi? Just great, another brat to deal with. Be nice. Shut up." Itachi was not sure what to make of this situation. He could have sworn that he had heard two distinct voices come from the same person. Not only that but they had just argued with each other.

"This one's in. He's Kisame's new partner. You haven't missed much he just took his test yesterday." Kakuzu replied not at all affected by the strange conversation going on before him. "This is Uchiha Itachi."

"What? A new recruit!" Tobi shouted running forward and looking straight into Itachi's eyes. "How exciting! But..." A pout could be heard in his voice as he turned to his superior. "When will Tobi get to be a real member!? Tobi's a good boy!" The boy's arms began to flail forcing Itachi to back away lest he get hit.

"Ah, we though he looked familiar." The white side stated simply. "Glad to see our report was of use. Quit that sarcasm." There seemed to be an almost yin-yang affect to the personalities. The black side representing the dark emotions the white representing light emotions; from what he could tell anyway. It was definitely not to the extremes of good and evil. "As for you Tobi, you're a good boy. You're just not quite ready yet. So quit your whining brat, we don't want to explain this to you again. Be nice to the boy."

Kakuzu shook his head and began to head off down the hall the Uchiha quickly following. That had been the weirdest conversation he had ever witnessed. He looked to his guide with a slightly questioning expression. "Yes that's normal for them. Tobi has the mind of a child and Zetsu has two personalities that coexist at the same time. Get used to it; we all are a little weird if you haven't figured that out just by meeting Kisame and Orochimaru." Itachi knew this for certain. However he still just knew basic information about all the current members. Orochimaru had been a Konoha Shinobi at one point. He had more than enough information on the man. He just wished that he had as much on everyone else.

"Now where is that damn shark?" Kakuzu sighed as he stopped to think for a few moments. "Let's try the hot spring. He can usually be found there if he isn't eating." He stated moving down yet another hall. Somehow it did not surprise Itachi that they would have a hot spring in this place. He guessed even a bunch of S-Class criminals needed to spoil themselves a little bit. "That damn shark can be hard to find sometimes. You wouldn't think it but he can hide away if he wants to."

The Uchiha could tell that even though the man was complaining it really did not bother him. It seemed that everyone was pretty close within the Akatsuki. He was not sure how he would fit in; he would just have to wait and see. It seemed that the others did not mind talking and not receiving a response, which suited him, just fine. He wondered if it was the lack of social interaction that had created this habit. That was if Kisame and Kakuzu were any indication anyway. He was pulled from his thoughts when he began to notice the dramatic increase in temperature and humidity.

"Here we are." Kakuzu stated slowing to a stop in front of a large wooden door. Pulling it open they were hit with a wave of hot, steamy air. Ushering the Uchiha in before him he pulled the door shut behind him. He knew it too much air got out the others would complain. The point was for the room to stay warm, any cold air leaking in would cause problems.

Itachi fought to look through the steam that had been created when the door had been opened. From what he could tell his partner was not in the room. If he was not in here then where could he be? Letting out a sigh he turned his attention back to Kakuzu who looked as frustrated as he felt.

"Ah! You must be Itachi, un!" A voice stated grabbing the Uchiha's attention. There in the spring sat a blonde who was grinning from ear to ear. Had it not been for the flat chest he would have mistaken him for a woman. Beside him sat a stone faced red head who just looked bored. "We've heard all abut you from Kisa-kun, un." He added on turning around to pull himself from the water. Itachi was eternally grateful that he was wearing a set of black trunks. He really did not want to meet anyone when they were not dressed. The man pushed some blonde hair back from his face as he moved to where he stood. "The name is Deidara, un."

Itachi took the offered hand with a slight nod. However the greeting did not last long since he drew his hand back faster than was probably polite. He stared down at the hand he had just been holding with wide eyes. In the palm of the blonde's hand there seemed to be an extra mouth. He looked to Kakuzu who just started to laugh quietly. The grin on the blonde's face just grew wider.

"Sorry Itachi, un." Deidara apologized. "Didn't realize that Kuzu hadn't warned you about these, un." He held up both hands showing that there was one in the other palm as well. Both mouths opened allowing the tongues to stick out before disappearing and closing. "I promise that they are completely harmless and don't bite, un."

"Dei-chan, stop picking on the boy." Kakuzu scolded causing the blonde to pout. Itachi was beginning to wonder what he had gotten himself into. One was a shark, one was a plant, another was an idiot, and his guide was completely covered for some unknown reason. Then this one had mouths in his hand and one in his chest if he could guess from the deal on his right shoulder. On top of that his nickname appeared to end in -chan and had a tick to grunt at the end of his phrases. "Ok so now that you have met Dei-chan you can meet his partner. The redhead over there is Sasori." The redhead just nodded his head as acknowledgement not moving from the water. His partner was soon to return to his side.

Itachi guessed he would have to wait to see what was strange about this one. The water was too steamy for him to make out any strange features. The only thing he really noticed then was the stoic face and seeming lack of emotions. He knew there was something; every one of the Akatsuki had a strange trait about them. He just hoped it would be a little easier to wrap his mind around.

"Have either of you seen Kisame or Hidan?" Kakuzu asked finally with a frustrated sigh. He needed to pass Itachi off and get his own partner for a mission. Where the hell could they have gotten off to?

"Yeah, un. They're down in the deep end, un." Deidara pointed to there the water seemed to get deeper. "Hidan pissed him off again by making fun of his looks, un. They've been down there for a while now, un." Itachi followed Kakuzu around the edge of the spring to get a better look. Down at the center of the deep water there were a set of shadows. He was not sure what was going on but it seemed like his partner was pinning the other to the bottom. "They've been down there for about an hour now, un."

"What?!" Itachi choked out unable to stop himself. He felt the startled question was well founded even for him. No one could live under water for that long. "How?"

"Don't worry about them." Kakuzu replied with an amused voice and a wave of his hand. "Those marks on Kisame's face are actually gills and yes they work. As to how they are staying down there like most sharks he can increase and decrease his buoyancy. Now Hidan, my partner, he's immortal and therefore can't die." Well that would explain a few things but how was Hidan an immortal? He would have to ask Kisame about it later; he was not about to ask any of the men currently available. There was only so much that even he could take.

"Kisame!" Kakuzu shouted to gain the shark's attention. As the shadow shifted two silver dots could be seen as the light reflected off the shark's eyes. "I know you're having fun but I need my partner for a mission. Now come get your brat and let mine go!" Itachi sent the man a glare that was promptly ignored. Letting out a slight annoyed grunt he turned his attention back to the spring.

Bubbles floated up showing that someone was talking. He followed his partner's shadow move away from the pinned Akatsuki member. It was only a few moments later when the shark's head appeared above the surface of the water with a toothy grin in place. He gave hard puff through his gills to clear them of any water. "Hey there Itachi!" He chirped happily as the other Akatsuki member surfaced. The man coughed up two lungful of water before he turned to glare at the larger man.

"Damn it Kisame! You're such a bastard! I might not be able to die but it's fucking uncomfortable!" The man yelled as he swam to the edge and pulled himself out of the water. Pushing the hair from his face he made his way over to his partner grumbling and cursing the whole way. He paused long enough to look down at the Uchiha. "Good to see you up kid."

"I'm not a kid." Itachi defended not at all happy that they seemed to like to refer to him as such. He glared up at the man which just earned him a laugh. It seemed that this Hidan would not take him serious with just physical threats. If the man had not been needed for a mission he would have shown him that he was no child; that he was not to be messed with.

"Sure you're not." Hidan chided before turning to his partner and ignoring the Uchiha. With a simple nod the two left the room leaving him alone with his partner, Deidara and Sasori.

"Ignore him Itachi, un." Deidara chuckled. "He makes fun of everyone and tries to push their buttons, un. If he really gets on your nerves use him as a stress ball, it’s fun, un." He and Kisame laughed at the deadpan look the Uchiha gave him. A little chuckle could even be heard from Sasori.

"Anyway, I'm going to guess you're pretty hungry. That test can make anyone feel like their starving." Kisame stated having made his way over to the ledge. His answer was a soft nod from the Uchiha and a small grumble from the boy's stomach. "Come on; let's get you something to eat." Pulling himself from the water with ease he moved behind a screen that Itachi had not noticed before. He was thankful to see that there was at least some modesty in this place. It was only a few moments before his partner emerged fully dressed cloak and all.

"Come on, let’s get you some food." Kisame stated with a toothy grin. With that he left the room Itachi immediately following. He was lost in his thoughts once again as he followed the older man. He had never felt the need to get so close to someone before. When he thought about it he could not help but find that it made sense. He was a bit overwhelmed by everything that had happened the past few days and he needed someone to hang on to. The Shark had found him and looked after him instead of killing him. The man had explained what was required for the test allowing him to use the little energy he had wisely. His best chance of staying sane was to stay around his partner. He would teach him what he needed to know. Letting out a sigh he set the plan into his mind. Then once again he began to wonder what he had gotten himself into.