Unanticipated Reunions and Alliances

DarkAngelJudas: Love you too! I do see Tsunade as a mother-figure. I don’t think her shinobi see her as a mother, but she sees herself as their mother. I will endeavor to keep the lemons coming.
smint45: don’t hold your breath. But I might do it in a future story . . . I think I’m getting inspired . . .
qwerty and disembodiedvoiceofthedying: thanks for the encouragement!

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Itachi woke up in the dark in a familiar bed with his lover’s arms around him. He couldn’t image being more content. That surprised him since he had the most horrible nightmare. But it was over and he was nestled back against his lover, still feeling the lingering pleasure of afterglow and the slight ache from being ill prepared.

It was still dark so he tried to go back to sleep. He shifted and it was enough for Kakashi to wake up behind him. Somehow he knew Itachi was awake. He pulled him closer. He kissed Itachi’s bare shoulder.

“Good morning,” Itachi murmured.

“Ha. Good afternoon actually.”

Itachi’s black eyes snapped open and he pulled away, panicking. He pressed his back to the wall. “It was all real? Everything? Being blind, Akatsuki? My clan? Sasuke?”

Kakashi went over to him. “’Tachi, calm down. Yes, it all happened.”

“I thought it was a nightmare.” Kakashi held him. “Waking up like that, I thought I was thirteen again.” Kakashi helped him back to the bed. He pulled the blanket over Itachi’s shoulders. After a minute, Itachi said, “I’m alright. I just hope I don’t keep waking up like that.”

“I was up earlier and did the laundry. I should buy you some new clothes.”

“Luckily the jutsu changes my clothes as well so I don’t have to be wearing women’s clothes. Just all black long sleeves and pants. I have money; take it all. It’s Fire Country currency. It’s in the pack I gave you to keep before we went to meet Sasuke.” He looked a little sad for moment then cheered. “Kisame must have been pissed; I had all our money. I need to shower.”

Kakashi led him to the shower. He guided Itachi’s hand to the shampoo, conditioner, and soap then stood by in case he was needed, but Itachi was not that helpless. Kakashi helped him out of the shower but Itachi shooed him away when it came to drying and dressing.

“I’ve been doing it since I was four; I think I can do it even if I am blind.” Kakashi was happy Itachi was getting his good humor back. “I’ll go with you.” Kakashi was shocked. “I do need to get out and get used to being back in the village.” Itachi changed into a women. “And your girlfriend, Akane, would be just as frightened as I am.”

-----

‘Akane’ wrapped her arms around Kakashi right arm while he carefully wove a path to keep obstacles out of her way. The pair received a few strange looks since it was unusual to see Kakashi with anyone much less a lovely young woman. And this was one they had never seen before.

Luckily, Iruka was the first person to speak with them; Iruka had never known Itachi, yet he had known Sasuke.

“Kakashi, haven’t seen you around for a few days.”

“Iruka. I was spending my time off outside the village. I’d like you to meet Maki Akane.”

Itachi nodded. Iruka caught on to the fact ‘Akane’ kept her eyes shut.

“I’m Umino Iruka, pleasure to meet you.”

“And you.” Itachi detached a little from Kakashi and gave a small bow.

“You’re new to village?”

“Yes, I am.”

“She used to live on the outskirts of the next village.”

“Your Hokage was kind enough to let me live here now that I can’t see anymore.” Itachi wrapped himself around Kakashi’s arm again.

“I hope you’ll feel at home here.”

“Thank you.”

“I just wanted to ask you, Kakashi, how Naruto and Sakura were doing?”

“I haven’t actually seen them in over a week. I think they’re doing fine. They’re with Yamato while I got some time off.”

“Well, I’ll let you go.”

“See you.”

“Goodbye,” Itachi said sweetly.

Kakashi took them to Itachi favorite café. Itachi recognized the smells and the atmosphere. He didn’t sense anyone very close, so he felt free to speak.

“Sasuke’s teacher.”

“Yes, he was.”

“When will you go after him?”

“Once I get you settled and I can convince the Hokage to sanction it as a mission.”

The tea and dangos arrived. Itachi started to feel around for the dangos, but Kakashi took his hand and guided it to the skewer. Itachi deflated.

“Unless I’m about to knock over the tea or burn myself, can you refrain from helping me so much? It makes me feel even more helpless.”

“Sorry. I just want to take care of you.”

“I know, but I can handle it. I have been going blind for some time. You have to let me adapt.”

“Right. Sorry.”

Itachi smiled. “I’m glad you care though.” Itachi started on his dangos.

“Kakashi-sensei.”

“You’re awfully popular,” Itachi mumbled just within Kakashi’s hearing.

Kakashi’s half hearted glare was wasted on someone who couldn’t see it.

Sakura approached.

“Yo,” Kakashi said to her in greeting.

“Kakashi-sensei, we just got back from our mission and I saw Tsunade-sama and she told me about your friend, I wanted to introduce myself.”

“Maki Akane, my student and teammate, Haruno Sakura.”

“Nice to meet you.”

“A pleasure to meet one of Kakashi-kun’s students.”

Sakura giggled a little at Kakashi being called ‘kun.’ “Tsunade-sama told me about your eyes. I’m a medical-nin, so if there’s ever anything you need, I’ll be happy to help.”

“Thank you, but there’s nothing that can be done I’m afraid.”

“But anything else you might need.”

“I’ll remember. Thank you.”

“I’ll leave you two. Nice meeting you.”

“Goodbye.” Once Sakura was far enough away and no chakra seemed close enough to hear, “Is everyone going to seek us out today? If Naruto comes over to the house, I’m pretending to sleep.”

“With as loud as he is, you couldn’t fake it.”

“What if was half striped? Would he freak out and leave?”

“I think he’d freak because I’d be jealous. You might have to get used to it. No one is accustom to see me with an attractive young thing on my arm. Maybe I should seek out Jiraiya.”

“I think I might sprain my ankle on the way home. You’d have to carry me, bridal style.”

“You’re U—pride would allow that?”

“Under the circumstances.”

Kakashi was delighted they had gotten back to the old banter. “I really do love you.”

Itachi smiled and swallowed a bite of dango. “Well I should hope so; you just nearly fucked me witless last night.” Kakashi blushed and looked around. “I can still feel chakra no one’s around. I love you too, by the way, if it needs saying again.”

“It doesn’t, but I like hearing you say it.”

-----

Sasuke slept horribly. He hadn’t slept well since he confronted Itachi, but tonight he was the worst. The first few nights it was nightmares of remembering that night and Itachi’s Mangekyô. Then it was nightmares of killing his brother then finding out what he heard when he followed Itachi and Kakashi. Finally, tonight, it was an amalgamation of the two plus bone crushing guilt for desiring Itachi’s death and refusing to believe in the kind brother Itachi had been all his life.

Sasuke woke up suddenly, sitting up, clutching his head in pain, aware that his Sharingan had activated. The sudden motion startled Karin awake.

“Sasuke?” Her voice woke the other two.

“What’s going on?” Suigetsu asked sleepily.

“Nothing.” Sasuke sat more comfortably, pain subsiding. It was just before dawn, he might as well stay awake. He rubbed his head and looked up. All three of them were staring at him.

Karin’s sharp intake a breath made Sasuke focus on her. “What?

“Your eyes.”

“What about them?”

Suigetsu crawled forward to see. “Wow.”

“What’s wrong?”

“Your Sharingan is not normal.”

Sasuke was suddenly in Karin’s face, her face going red as he stared intently into her eyes. He swore. “You have a mirror don’t you?” He was just trying to see his reflection in her glasses. She dug out her mirror.

His Sharingan was three intersecting ellipses.

“What is that?” Suigetsu asked.

“I don’t know. I’ve only seen the normal Sharingan and Itachi’s Mangekyô. His Mangekyô is like a three armed Fūma Shuriken. I’ve never seen this before. It can’t be the Mangekyô, I never killed—”

Sasuke started laughing. Suigetsu was thinking Sasuke had lost it. “Sasuke?”

“Itachi. Of course it has nothing to do with the death of another, it’s the trauma and emotions, affect of the death that awakens the Mangekyô. The Mangekyô must be different for everyone who awakens it. Finding out Itachi is—well not innocent, but not to blame, that awakened my Mangekyô.” Sasuke laughed again. “Itachi is such an idiot. Either that or an ass.”

Sasuke looked around. Dawn was about to break over the horizon. They had been headed back to Orochimaru’s main hideout to resupply and regroup, decide what to do now that Sasuke’s revenge was over—though not the way he had planned it to be finished.

“We’re going to Konoha.”

“Excuse me?” Suigetsu said in shock.

“We’re not going in through the main gate, but I need to see Itachi.”

“As long as I get my hands on Samehada soon.”

“Kisame will no doubt be our next target,” Sasuke assured him.

-----

Itachi became comfortable enough to do one or two things without Kakashi at his side. In disguise, Kakashi left him at the grocery store. He gave the clerk the list and stood there and waited for him to gather everything while Kakashi shopped a few doors down. Itachi handed over the money and tucked the change in a pocket. The clerk loaded the bag and helped Itachi put it in one arm so as to leave the other one free to hold onto Kakashi. The clerk helped him outside and Itachi waited patiently for Kakashi to return.

Alone, leaning back against a wall, one arm occupied, sensing chakra—some quite strong—moving around him, was making Itachi antsy. Then he felt an average chakra approach him and stop right next to him. He didn’t think this person would be much of a threat, but Itachi couldn’t help flinching.

“So you’re Kakashi’s new girlfriend.” Mai Guy. Itachi had to use all his control to keep from grimacing. Of all people in the village . . . The only way it could be worse is if a familiar Hyuuga were with him.

“Um, yes.” Itachi didn’t have to act uncomfortable. And he didn’t like the use of the word ‘girlfriend.’ If his life wasn’t in imminent danger or that the question shouldn’t have really been that insulting, Itachi would have shown that, even blind, he could kick Guy’s ass. “My name’s Akane,” Itachi said sweetly.

“Mai Guy! Kakashi and I are eternal rivals!”

Itachi was mentally rolling his eyes. He might have his eyes closed, but Guy might be able to see the movement under the lids. Itachi was sure Kakashi could kill Guy with a hand tied behind his back as well as he could mountain climb with one hand tied behind his back. That brought a small smile to Itachi’s face. Guy took Itachi’s uncomfortable behavior as demure and found her charming.

Thankfully Kakashi came to his rescue. “Guy.”

“Kakashi. I was just getting acquainted with your little friend here.”

Itachi couldn’t stop himself from straightening his spine, not liking being referred to as ‘little.’ He still had his male pride after all. Even though he looked like a woman.

“Pleased to meet you, Guy-sama,” Itachi said with a small bow. Guy just found that precious.

Kakashi maneuvered his free arm into Itachi’s. “See you around, Guy.” Kakashi led Itachi away. He said nothing until they got home.

“No one’s around,” Kakashi said.

Itachi dropped the jutsu. “Why do you have such creeps for friends?”

“It’s my magnetic personality,” Kakashi said dryly. “Guy’s seen himself as my rival for years.”

“I do remember him challenging you once or twice back then. If I have to deal with creeps like that, I’m not leaving the house. If I get grouped, I’m killing him.”

“Just don’t let the jutsu drop.”

“It’s not so bad. With no chakra going to my eyes I have more reserves. I don’t know if I could keep it going all day, but I’m not very tried.”

“Good. You know Sakura makes great soldier pills that restores chakra wonderfully. Of course they taste like shit.”

Itachi finally laughed, the first time he really laughed since he was thirteen. But then he sensed chakra approaching. He was Akane again within a second.

Kakashi’s senses were not as acute as Itachi and he looked at him questioningly until there was a knock at his door. Yamato.

“I’m glad you’re home, Senpai.”

Sempai? Itachi thought. It may not have ever been a very original pet name, but Kakashi was his ‘Sempai.’

“You’re here to report on your mission with Naruto and Sakura.”

“Yes.”

“Okay, make it fast.” Kakashi let him in. Itachi was still standing there, looking slightly annoyed. “Oh, this is my girlfriend, Maki Akane. This is Yamato, my sometime replacement as captain on my team.”

Yamato bowed graciously.

“Uh, Yamato, she’s blind.”

“Oh, sorry. Ah, nice to meet you.”

Itachi smiled at his discomfort. “And you.” Can this day end? I didn’t have to do this even when I joined Akatsuki!

Itachi felt his way to the sofa and lounged, listening to the hushed conversation at the dining room table. Naruto didn’t go out of control. Sai’s behaving. Sakura didn’t kill Sai yet. No news about Sasuke.

Itachi’s spine stiffened at the mention of his brother’s name. No news. At least they were actively looking for him.

Yamato left.

“Sasuke,” Itachi said simply.

“We can’t stop Naruto from looking every time he’s out of the village so it sort of a secondary mission parameter. I’ll try and get a full-fledged mission together to bring him back.”

“That will be hell for me. I can’t go with you, just stay here in the dark and worry.”

“I’ll bring him home to you, I swear it.”