Three Kunai

‘K, I really don’t know where to take this. I’m open to ideas. I have a few things I want to do with the story, but as for overall plot . . . there really isn’t one. So it’s reader participation time!!! Please give me your ideas in reviews.

This chapter has one of my favorite love scenes I’ve ever written. Though I’d have to say my absolute favorite was in ‘The Scarecrow (Kakashi) and His Raven.’

----------

Itachi’s stomach was in his throat as he approached the building the message indicated. This would be his first face to face with the Akatsuki apart from Madara. And he knew one person who would surely be there.

“Our newest member,” Pein announced to the other three with him. “Uchiha Itachi.”

Orochimaru looked too pleased for it to bode well. He remembered Orochimaru’s lustful, covetous presence from before he was chased from Konoha. Luckily, even kindhearted Itachi had the natural Uchiha imperiousness. With his first scarlet glare, Itachi cowed them all to some degree. Even Orochimaru kept a respectful distance. But Itachi knew Orochimaru wanted something of him. He feared just what it was.

“You know Orochimaru?” Pein asked, not expecting an answer. “Sasori of the Red Sands,” Pein indicated the man standing very low to the ground. Itachi didn’t feel right about that one, his chakra wasn’t spread out throughout the body, but concentrated in one place. “Hoshigaki Kisame,” Pein gestured to the tall blue skinned man. Itachi was taken aback by the amount of chakra in this man.

Pein gestured him into the room for the formalities.

-----

Itachi felt so very alone sitting on the end of a pier on the beach, sharks patrolling the water right underneath him. The wind was cold, but not freezing. He huddled in his new Akatsuki cloak more for comfort than for warmth. It’s been difficult for him to feel any kind of warmth or anything but lonely since his father gave him the mission to join ANBU as a spy. Then he confessed all to the Hokage and was made into a double agent. The loneliness of being stripped of any support was what ground Itachi down. There was no one he could talk to. It seemed worse by the simple fact he couldn’t tell Kakashi about it. Then he was given the order to slaughter his entire family.

Itachi went home late the night he was given the order; it would be a few days before he was expected to carry out that order, giving his father one last chance to come to terms with the Hokage. Avoiding his parents, he went straight to his brother’s room. Sasuke was fast asleep, in a deeper sleep than Itachi thought he would ever experience again. To sleep untroubled by these burdens. He stared at his brother’s face for a long time. Sweet, innocent, kind, little Sasuke.

Itachi heard a noise and looked toward the door. It was only then he felt the cooling tears on his cheeks. He leapt out the window before either of his parents could find him here.

He wondered the back alleys of Konoha for a while. Somehow, he found himself at Kakashi’s house. The house always made him a little sad knowing all that had happened here and that Kakashi was all alone. He looked up at the house and realized there was never more than two lights on ever since Kakashi’s father killed himself. How could Kakashi stand living here? The room where Sakumo killed himself was locked and Itachi didn’t think anyone had been in there for years, but still, the house had to be full of bitter memories.

So would the entire Uchiha compound soon.

There was one light on in the house. It either was not as late as Itachi thought or Kakashi was up later than usual. Rather than knocking, Itachi leaned against the door and called out, “Sempai.”

Kakashi opened the door and Itachi flung himself into his arms, unable to hold back tears and sobs anymore. Kakashi didn’t say anything, didn’t do anything but hold him tightly and press his covered lips to Itachi’s long silken hair. He became aware of the fact they were standing in an open doorway and pulled Itachi further in and shut the door.

Once the worse of Itachi’s sobs died down, Kakashi asked, “Did something happen?”

Itachi shook his head and tried to burrow deeper into Kakashi’s chest.

“Whatever it is, it’ll be alright,” Kakashi cooed. “I’m here for you, always.”

Don’t say that word! Itachi screamed inside his own mind. His tears became a deluge again. Kakashi wouldn’t always be there. Not anymore. Not only was he going to murder his entire family, but he would be losing his one source of comfort. And it wouldn’t be alright; it would never be alright. He was going to lose everything. It was the loss of Sasuke and Kakashi that hit him the hardest. His father was the one causing him this pain even if he didn’t fully understand that, his mother was too respectful to her husband to save him, and the rest of the clan . . . Shisui . . .

He knew about Shisui and it angered him. It depressed him, but it also angered him. As long as Kakashi wouldn’t betray him . . . Not yet at least.

His current torrent of tears abated. Kakashi didn’t let him go, still stroking his hair.

“Let me get you some water,” Kakashi whispered. Itachi pulled away slightly as permission. Kakashi let him go, but Itachi kept his head down. He followed Kakashi into the kitchen. He jumped up to sit on the counter as Kakashi pulled out a glass and filled it. Itachi still didn’t looked up. He accepted the glass and drank half of it.

“You want to talk about it?” Kakashi asked delicately.

“I can’t.”

As a fellow shinobi—a fellow ANBU—Kakashi accepted that. “They put too much on you for a thirteen year old.”

“I thought we agreed never to bring up my age again.”

“In a certain context.”

“I’m not a child.”

“I know.” Kakashi lowered his mask. “But anything that brings you to tears is too much.” Kakashi grabbed his chin and forced Itachi’s head up. Itachi’s eyes were bright with tears, bloodshot, red-rimmed, and his skin moistened and hot. “You’re a mess.” Kakashi kissed him lightly on the lips. “But you’re still beautiful.” He kissed him again, more deeply.

Itachi pulled on Kakashi’s uniform, forcing the kiss deeper. He pulled away to breathe. “Make love to me, sempai. Make me feel loved.”

“You are loved.”

“I need to feel it. Please, sempai.”

Kakashi stroked his cheek and brushed back Itachi’s hair affectionately. “Drink another glass of water first. You’ll get dehydrated.”

That made Itachi smile. “You’re like a mother hen sometimes.”

“I love you.”

Itachi’s eyes were sad again. “I love you.”

“Drink up.”

Itachi obeyed while Kakashi went into the bedroom. He engaged in a ‘flight of the bumble bee’ cleaning. Itachi’d seen his bedroom look like this before, but he felt he should make an effort tonight.

Kakashi tore off his vest and tried to look completely cool when Itachi came in. Itachi smiled at the sweat on his brow and slightly uneven breathing.

Kakashi approached him and pulled the tie from his young lover’s hair. He pulled it around his face. “I’ve never seen anyone as beautiful as you.” Itachi blushed.

He pulled at Itachi’s clothes, divesting him of everything that obstructed his view of the young man. Itachi still blushed at being looked at this closely. He still marveled at how much Kakashi worshiped him, even after several months. Kakashi sat on the foot of the bed and kissed his bare, flat stomach. Itachi put his hands in Kakashi’s brush of white hair. Kakashi’s mouth moved down to encompass Itachi’s burgeoning erection. He caressed the hollow of Itachi’s hips, his perfect ass, muscular thighs, and the back’s of his knees. Itachi nearly collapsed onto him.

“Kakashi,” Itachi moaned.

Kakashi pulled away. “I’ll make you cum a dozen times.” He went back to his occupation.

“I think you could.” Itachi ran his hands through his hair.

Kakashi’s tongue slithered on the underside, his teeth lightly scarping the top, and sucked gently as he moved up and down Itachi’s length. Itachi knew better than to hold back. Kakashi loved to taste him and savored his essence, sucking at his deflating organ as he moved away.

Kakashi leaned back to look at his raven’s face. He pulled off his headband and opened his Sharingan eye. Itachi looked into the red iris. Kakashi knew Itachi didn’t like to see it because he sought Kakashi as an escape from his clan, but Kakashi liked to see Itachi with this eye as well. He shut it again and Itachi stroked the scar lightly with his thumb.

Kakashi grabbed Itachi around the waist and eased him onto the bed. Kakashi stripped with his eyes fastened to Itachi’s. Itachi’s eyes strayed to the body being revealed. They had very similar body types, but that didn’t lessen the fascination.

Itachi sank into the pillows as Kakashi crawled over him to nurse on his chest. He avoided touching certain parts of Itachi’s body until he was no longer overly sensitive. Then Kakashi reached down to palm and stroke his scrotum. Kakashi’s touch could be so gentle or wonderfully forceful. Tonight he was lovingly gentle.

Itachi spread his legs to signal he was ready to be taken. Kakashi took the lube from the bedside table and prepared him.

“Please hurry; I want you inside me.”

Kakashi had a hard time denying him anything, especially that, but he made sure to prepare him well, not wanting to hurt him. But he did hurry.

Itachi bent his knees and spread his legs even further. He raised his hips and Kakashi eased into him. Itachi’s body was used enough to this that he quickly found a rhythm.

“Tell me you love me,” Itachi begged.

“Of course I love you.”

“Say it again.”

“I love you, Itachi. I love only you. I’ve only loved you. I will always love you.”

“Don’t use that word.”

“What word?”

“’Always.’ Just don’t say it.”

“Whatever you wish. I love you, my raven.”

“Sempai. Kakashi. I love you.”

“I love you more than anything. I will do anything for you.”

Tears cascaded from Itachi’s eyes. Kakashi stopped moving. “Itachi, what is wrong?”

“Please, don’t stop.”

Kakashi stared at him. He stroked Itachi’s cheek then went back to making love to him. Itachi looked so delicate and Kakashi looked at him adoringly. It was breaking Itachi’s heart. He knew this would be the last time. He shut his eyes.

“You look scared,” Kakashi said.

“Why would I be scared?”

“I will protect Itachi-kun from everyone and everything.”

“Please don’t say that. Not now.” You can’t protect me, Itachi cried out in his head. I wish it were true, but you can’t.

“Itachi, what is wrong?”

“Please, sempai, don’t ask me again.’”

Kakashi looked down at him for several seconds. “As you wish.” He kissed Itachi’s cheek and sucked at his earlobe.

Neither said anything for a few minutes as Kakashi brought them both closer to climax. Itachi felt complete when Kakashi was fully within in his body and felt almost torn apart when he pulled out. He never wanted Kakashi to leave him, to exit his body.

“I love you,” Itachi gasped as he got close. “I love you. I love you.”

Kakashi grabbed his erection and prevented him from coming. He liked the crimson spreading over Itachi’s cheeks from passion and denied release. If Itachi was not so overwhelmed with pleasure and his own stormy emotions, he would have been swearing at Kakashi. And that slightly concerned Kakashi when he didn’t.

Kakashi got closer to his own climax. He moved his body so that he could stay inside of Itachi while physically holding back Itachi’s release and caressing his cheek. He ran the back of his fingers down Itachi’s smooth cheek then grabbed his chin.

“Open your eyes.” Itachi only obeyed when Kakashi stopped moving. Kakashi held his gaze. “I love you.”

He started moving again and released his grip on Itachi’s aching erection. Itachi’s eyes were still open and locked with Kakashi’s as their orgasms ripped through them at the same time. Their eyes shut as they rode the pleasure running through their veins.

Kakashi licked Itachi clean as Itachi lay there panting.

“I absolutely adore you,” Kakashi told him. Itachi blushed. “Let me bathe you.” Itachi’s blush deepened. “You look like you could use some pampering.”

Itachi had to admit he did enjoy being doted on. He was used and pressured by his clan and the village; it was nice that one person wanted to take care of him. He allowed himself to be led into the bathroom and Kakashi leaned him against the wall and turned on the warm water. He bathed him, getting on his knees in front of his lover and washing every inch of his body, kissing the skin as he went. Kakashi washed his hair carefully, almost washing every strand individually, massaging his scalp. Itachi liked being treated so delicately.

Kakashi filled the ofuro and helped Itachi into it. He knelt behind him and combed out Itachi’s hair as Itachi soaked in the hot water, his muscles melted. Kakashi continued combing even once every tangle was gone. It was hypnotic. Itachi tried to figure out why it felt so good and so comforting. Because his mother used to do it when he was a child? He didn’t think that was the reason. He never wanted Kakashi to stop and he didn’t for some time. Kakashi only stopped when his legs began to hurt from the hard floor.

Kakashi took just as much care in drying Itachi’s hair and body. He sat Itachi on the bed and combed his hair out again, but not for as long. Kakashi wrapped his treasure in his best silk robe and embraced him. In almost all things, it was the best night Itachi could imagine for his last time with his lover.

“I love you, Kakashi. Don’t ever—” doubt that. He couldn’t say it. Soon he would be gone and Kakashi would have to go on without him. Forget me, Kakashi, just forget me. Even if it means you never really loved me, please just forget me. Love someone else.

Kakashi misinterpreted what Itachi hesitated to say. “I will never leave you.”

“Ah.” I wish I could say the same.

Kakashi pulled him into the bed and quickly fell asleep with Itachi in his arms.

Itachi curled up next to Kakashi and wouldn’t let himself fall asleep. He relished just being next to him, hearing his breathing, feeling his heartbeat, touching his skin, feeling his warmth. He would never be able to say goodbye. You’ll hate me soon. Forget me. He quietly wept until he fell asleep.

That was the last night they spent together before he’d done it. He’d seen Kakashi after that, but it was the last time they had sex. Until the Sky District. They had both taken risks just to be in this relationship, but Kakashi had sacrificed the most and was the one who always did the most work in the relationship. Itachi concluded that when he got back, he would try to find some way to make it all up to him.

He watched the water, looking past the shark fins at the waves. This spot was almost tranquil. Until he felt a presence approach behind him. Kisame.

“Itachi-san, it’s just like you said.” Itachi turned his head, but did not say anything. “I’ve been selected to be your partner. I am Hoshigaki Kisame, formerly of Kirigakure and its Seven Shinobi Swordsmen. Pleased to make your acquaintance. And you are Uchiha Itachi, formerly of Konohagakure.” Itachi didn’t respond, he just turned back to look at the waves. “I’ve heard the rumors of how you killed every last one of your clansmen. I know all about you. That’s why I was chosen to be your partner. It’s impossible to put into words the way it feels to slaughter you brethren, eh, Itachi-san?”

Itachi was silent a moment. “You’re rather talkative. You say you know me well; what about yourself? You were lost in the mist, a wandering rogue unable to find a place for himself; am I right?”

Kisame brought his wrapped sword down a millimeter above Itachi’s shoulder. Itachi didn’t flinch, but he felt a tug on his chakra; the sword could absorb chakra and was gently sucking at it. “Allow me to teach you some interesting trivia. 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?”

Itachi knew why. He felt colder suddenly and it had nothing to do with the sea breeze. He watched the shark fins cut through the water and their shadowy figures swim beneath him. He wasn’t scared of Kisame, not in the slightest. He was cold because he knew what Kisame was getting at.

“Cannibalism,” Kisame declared. “The pups start eating each other within the mother’s womb the moment they hatch. They start killing their siblings the moment the 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.”

Even if the older, taller man could not see it, he could feel Itachi’s Mangekyo Sharingan activate. “Same to you.”

Kisame chuckled, pleased with his new partner’s apparently viciousness. He lifted the sword away. “Of course, I’d rather we got along and had a good time. Hopefully we won’t end up as each other’s final opponent.”

Itachi swallowed all visible and auditable sounds of emotion. “Those who turn their hands against their comrades are sure to die a terrible death.” He stood up. “Be prepared.”

Kisame chuckled again as Itachi turned around to face him. “Then the both of us are already branded as terrible men, are we not?”

“No. We are human, not fish.” Itachi moved passed him and began walking away slowly. “We don’t know what kind of people we truly are until the moment before our deaths. As death comes to embrace you, you will realize what you are. That’s what death is, don’t you think?”

Sasuke, should I ever come back? What am I becoming? I killed our clan and almost left you to suffer alone hating the one member of your family still alive, the person you loved the most. Now I’ve joined this bunch. When I die, what will I see? Sasuke. I’m little different from Kisame’s sharks; I killed family, but I could never kill my brother. I’m not like him—them—but I’m a murderer. Sasuke. I want you to be strong to survive in this world, but part of me wishes that you will never become a shinobi, never become a killer. Like your brother. If I could I would take you and Kakashi and find somewhere far beyond the shinobi world where you’d never have to fight. But there is no such place.

“Itachi-san.” Itachi stopped. Kisame came up next to him. “I think this will be an interesting journey.”

----------
The conversation between Itachi and Kisame about sharks is of course transcribed directly from chapter 508.