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Watching over	By : Lisea18 Category: Naruto > Yaoi - Male/Male Views: 1251 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto, I'm making no money from writing this

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Title: Watching over

Author: Lisea18

Rating: M

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto, I'm making no money from writing this

Pairing: KisaSasu, KisaIta, implied ItaSasu (if you want it to be that way)

A big thanks to my Beta Strailo who gently agreed to check this strange pairing.

This is a gift to Akira Nishikawa alias IshidaYU, I hope you will like it.

Author's note: English is not my first language, so please forgive my mistakes.

Watching over

Chapter II: day 7 to 20

oooooo day 7 oooooo

Night had been awfully long. Sasuke's state had deteriorated greatly and morning found Kisame waist deep into freezing water, immerging a delirious Sasuke into it. He had had to resort to Samaheda, since Sasuke in his hallucinating state had tried to use his Sharingan on him. It was dangerous to deprive a sick ninja of his chakra but it wouldn't do at all if Sasuke used his eyes and ended up with chakra depletion or put Kisame out while he was trying to fucking help.

As Sasuke fought him, his strength multiplied by his endearment, Kisame found himself freezing his ass off in the bathtub with him, trying to get his fever down. As Sasuke managed to free an arm and blindly reached for Samaheda, to support himself out as he tried to get off the water, Kisame was amazed once again that the sword allowed it.

"Calm down," requested Kisame, his voice as soothing as he could as he trapped Sasuke back in his arms.

"Let go!" screamed Sasuke, trashing wildly. "I will kill you, fucking pervert!"

Kisame wasn't surprised at all. He had had to deal with those hallucinations during the whole night. He knew Sasuke was fighting off Orochimaru and Kabuto, he had also heard him scream until he was hoarse as he saw his family getting killed…as he saw their ghosts calling for revenge, asking him why he still loved his brother despise what he had done.

And as suddenly as the crisis had started Sasuke went limp in his hold, teeth clattering loudly. Even if it wasn't a good sign, since it meant he was still heavily feverish, it was at least easier to deal with now. He gently went back to rubbing slow circles on Sasuke's side, chest, back. Itachi had told him it always appeased Sasuke when he was little.

"Itachi-nii-san?" called Sasuke.

"I'm not Itachi," he replied to Sasuke, not wanting to lie.

"Nii-san," greeted Sasuke, smiling tiredly at him, Kisame's words not reaching him.

Kisame looked down, shocked by how transformed the teen was. His voice had a tint of childishness to it, and it held so much love, reverence and… Kisame couldn't even find the words. In front of him he had the true Sasuke, the one Itachi knew, the one before life messed him up… the one without the walls of cold exterior dressed for self-preserving.

"I'm sorry I'm sick, I'm keeping you from your duties," apologized Sasuke, squeezing Kisame's arm.

Unseeing eyes lifted to watch him with adoration and a small timid smile. An admission Sasuke was truly sorry but oh so happy his beloved big brother took the time to watch over him. He had heard stories, he had seen Itachi's eyes, his whole being, lit as he talked about Sasuke… about his love for his gentle soul, about how proud he was of his little brother. He had seen the well hidden kindness Sasuke had towards his team… but it was totally different to see him like this, open, not vulnerable, because this wasn't being vulnerable… this was a very pure trust perhaps? Once again Kisame lacked words. A wave of protectiveness washed over him.

Just like Itachi had wanted to protect the utopia of a village that didn't deserved it by destroying his loved ones with his own hands; just like Itachi had wanted to protect Sasuke from the horror of the world, from the betrayal of what pretended to be the perfect village. Just like Kisame had wanted to take care of that broken man that had given up everything for a dream so his little brother could believe it; just like that Kisame wanted to protect Itachi's dream, Itachi's brother.

And for once he wasn't asked to kill to protect something, he wasn't ordered to betray… he chose to protect people that had a dream, a dream where killing and betrayal had no place anymore.

Sasuke's peacefulness lasted a good hour, Sasuke mumbling to Itachi, sleeping in bits until a new wave of illusions shook him. Sasuke was fighting Kisame again.

"I hate you! Why did you have to kill them! Murderer! I will make you pay!"

And now Kisame could see utmost betrayal, the core of a dream falling to pieces and yet the love remaining, a vicious poison that ate Sasuke away. Because how could he still love the man that had played with his feelings, the man that had killed his whole family? How could he still cling to what he had believed Itachi to be; even when Itachi himself told him to hate, to seek revenge? And yet he still loved him.

He remembered the twelve year old seething with hatred, chakra wild as he went at Itachi, chidori in hand. He remember how he had seen the kid hadn't meant it… that he knew he wouldn't win against his brother, his idol, the one he still loved. He remembered how he had still tried, to prove himself to his brother, because he needed to be acknowledged by him. Later Kisame had also learnt Sasuke had never been acknowledged by his father, even when Itachi hadn't done his father's bidding like before. His father hadn't truly seen Sasuke for what he was… Itachi had been so bitter about it.

Sasuke had his voice raw from screaming at ghosts, his movements slowed down into, giving them both a much needed rest. Shivers kept racking through him, and he was turning around in Kisame's grip, as if trying to flee from the illness.

Taking this opportunity Kisame forced Sasuke's mouth open, keeping his lower jaw tightly in his grip so he wouldn't be bitten, deliberately or because of the clattering, and he forced the brat to drink his medicine. The drug would help keep Sasuke in a sedated state a bit longer, or so Kisame hoped.

He pulled Sasuke out of the water, taking his temperature. He was happy to see the fever wasn't so high it was dangerous; they would make it. He was still feverish but it wasn't as bad as before. Now he needed to sweat the toxin in his body away.

He undressed him, making sure to avoid looking; even if the teen wasn't self-conscious Kisame didn't want to intrude. Once he was back in clean briefs and pants (Itachi's of course), Kisame wrapped him in covers so he would be overly hot. He knew that would help with the fever. Changing too, he joined Sasuke, refreshing his burning forehead to at least help Sasuke feel a tiny bit better. Regularly he gave him water; his body needed it, and when he could he forced down Sasuke's throat some soup. He also took the time to eat himself.

Kisame woke up with a start, Sasuke pushing him away with what could be called annoyance but was still gentle enough not to break anything. He blinked a few times chasing the sleep and dispelling the daze.

"You're conscious?" he asked Sasuke.

He tried to put the wet cloth back on the teen's forehead but his hand was harshly slapped away. Kisame was going to snap at Sasuke to stop being such a pain in the ass but the teen was faster:

"Naruto, stop chasing me! You don't understand!"

He was delusional again. Kisame groaned at being taken for that loudmouth stupid blond, but well, he was Sasuke's closest friend. Itachi had had strong hope toward the kiddo, he had taken risks to see him and talk to him. Kisame had no clue why. Itachi, even if he trusted him, was rather secret. Since the moron wanted to become Hokage it certainly had to do with it, and he was Sasuke's friend, Itachi surely had hoped he would help heal Sasuke's wounds.

"Get lost, dobe, you can't save me!"

Kisame wondered if Sasuke was going to be pissed when he realized he had revealed a lot about himself throughout his fever. He totally would hate it. It was going to be fun. Kisame grinned and chuckled at that, letting Sasuke rant at his friend.

"Don't be nice… it hurts"

Once again Sasuke was torn between love and aggravation. So many feelings, contradictory or not were bulging in him. Naruto was truly important to him and because of that Sasuke was scared of letting him get even closer.

Kisame felt a pang at that. Sasuke had been Itachi's anchor to the world, but Kisame had been the crutch supporting the man through his plan. He had been the one taking care of Itachi, the only one allowed to. And Itachi had been Sasuke's anchor to life too… and Naruto was his crutch. Groaning at his own stupidity for feeling jealous he wondered a moment what was going to happen to Sasuke now… his anchor was gone… and he had learned the horrible truth, truth Itachi had wanted to bury with him.

"Ah… that's why you talked to the blonde, in case Sasuke was to learn the truth… so Naruto, as his crutch, could help," murmured Kisame to no-one in particular.

What was Kisame's role in all that? He had taken upon himself to protect Sasuke from Madara, to shoulder Itachi's dream by watching over his little brother. But… maybe he had never been meant to do that? He might have had no role whatsoever in Itachi's great plan for his brother… Kisame tighten his embrace on Sasuke, carefully wiping his forehead with a cold cloth.

"I don't care what you planned Itachi-san, I'm going to take care of him like I did for you," he assured the ghost of the man he had loved but who had left him behind without second thought.

oooooo day 8 oooooo

Kisame had dragged his futon close to Sasuke's nest of covers and cushions; he had set alarms so he would wake up every two hours to give Sasuke some medicine and soup. He had thought they had passed the worst, the night had been rather calmed, but morning proved him wrong. He was sound asleep when he was rudely awakened by Sasuke shaking the life out of him.

"Why didn't you take me with you!" accused Sasuke.

Kisame growled and tried to grab the teen. Since they were both stuck in a cave because Kisame had taken Sasuke with him, it was the brat hallucinating again. He had to take his temperature.

"You should have killed me with them! Or take me with you! Why did you leave me there?"

He winced as Sasuke elbowed him in the stomach before leaping out of bed and crouching into a defense position. Even sick out of his mind, the teen had reflexes good enough that he knew he couldn't stand up in his state. Kisame wasn't in the mood to fight him.

Mumbling, he skirted around him, rolling his eyes has Sasuke didn't follow the movement still talking to him as Itachi. He kicked the low table in front of him, and called Sasuke, knowing fully the teen would mistake him for Itachi. It worked, he turned over and launched toward him, putting awesome moves together only to trip above the table and to fall flat on his face.

Kisame simply sat on him and stuffed the thermometer in his mouth, forcing it close and pushing the teen's head into the floor so he wouldn't move. He didn't receive much resistance, since Sasuke had put his last strength into his attack; he was now a panting and shivering mess. 42 °C.

"Fuck!" cursed Kisame, grabbing Sasuke by the waist.

In seconds they were both in the tub, full of freezing water Kisame had made sure to have ready just in case. Sasuke had his teeth clattering again, and he was shivering so hard it neared convulsions.

"Come on, kiddo," urged Kisame, rubbing cold water on the teen's head.

He was sitting in the tub, water up to his chest, Sasuke on his lap so he would be totally immerged, all but his head.

"Why… did you have to do that for me?" came the whisper as Sasuke grabbed Kisame's arm and rested his head on his shoulder, "I would have followed you… nii-san…"

Kisame patted awkwardly Sasuke's dark hair, what he had taken for water dripping was in fact tears. Even if it was under a monstrous fever, at least Sasuke was finally grieving. Kisame didn't really know what grieving was, but he knew it was good for people to do so… people like Sasuke needed that. Kisame was too inhuman to need it, it seemed.

"Why didn't you tell me the truth… why make me kill you?" wondered Sasuke, his voice breaking halfway.

"I'm not Itachi…" replied Kisame, "but I know you were everything for your brother."

He took him closer and let the teen cry silently.

If Kisame wasn't already blue, he would be from the sheer cold of staying into cold water for hours. However Sasuke temperature was back to a safer degree, and they were finally out of the water. Now this was good, but it was the third day of fever… they needed a doctor. He would wait till night and go fetch one if Sasuke still had fever. With some luck he would have a moment of lucidity and Kisame would be able to let the teen alone without being too worried.

Done with his taking care of Sasuke, he tucked him under blankets and went to the tub to make it smaller and fill it with cold water again. This way, Sasuke could crawl there and get into the tub without risking to drown. Now he had to ready supplies and weapons for his trip outside.

"Kisame."

The latter stopped his packing, cautiously hiding them behind him in case Sasuke was still delirious and waiting to use them against him. He eyed the teen, head turned to him, still white as a sheet and obviously feverish though his eyes looked better. He couldn't tell if the teen was hallucinating, even if him calling his name was a good sign he supposed.

Grabbing a glass and some water, he had to rehydrate the brat as often as he could, he neared the futon making sure not to look in Sasuke's eyes. He knelt and slid his hand under the dark head, lifting it so he could put the glass to the dry lips and make him drink. Sasuke coughed as he swallowed wrong, water spilled around his mouth.

Kisame didn't let Sasuke react on that, he knew it had to be mortifying for the proud teen. He simply drank and lifted Sasuke to him so he could kiss him and give him the water. He met no resistance and soon the glass was empty. While he was at it, he cleaned the dark eyes and put on the ointment. He wondered if he should bandage them again now that things looked better… he seriously needed guidance.

"Thank you."

Kisame smiled, stifling a chuckle as he saw Sasuke had turned his head the other side. He wondered if he was blushing in embarrassment; he knew the kid could be unbearably cute, even if he would die if you told him so… and certainly kill you in the process.

"You're welcome," he simply answered. "You've been hallucinating for three days now," he informed, tactfully changing the subject.

"I know," replied Sasuke, breathing heavily, feeling nauseous because of the fever.

He was so hot he wanted to squirm and kick the covers away but then he knew he would be freezing. A cold cloth was gently put on his head, a large hand brushing away his damp dark locks.

"I remember everything," added Sasuke, glancing to Kisame and meeting his eyes.

"You can see?" asked Kisame, surprised, waving his hand in front of him.

Sasuke snorted at that.

"Don't be a brat," admonished Kisame with a chuckle, "Itachi would have totally poked you," he threatened emptily.

Sasuke snorted again, smirking slightly. Kisame put a thermometer between his lips and went back to packing. He wasn't going to take Samaheda, it would be too obvious. He wondered if another doctor would do. After all, they all should know how to deal with that. But then if he took one closer to their location that would be too much of an indication to where they might be staying, and he would have less time to lose any followers… but then he would have less chances to be spotted too. He would take a decision on the way, which was the best way to deal with things like this.

Standing up he settled next to Sasuke again, taking the thermometer and groaning at how much fever Sasuke still had. He seriously needed a professional, even if the teen's state was obviously better, 3 days, soon 4, with fever wasn't normal and could be dangerous. He had a feeling if Sasuke hadn't been a ninja he would already be dead. He should have gotten a doctor sooner, but he couldn't leave the brat all alone while he was hallucinating and unable to judge when he needed to get in cold water before frying his brain.

Sasuke was breathing heavily, focusing on the ceiling, obviously in the outmost discomfort but taking it upon himself not to move or complain. Itachi had told him how quiet and gentle a child Sasuke had been; even sick he would do the maximum not to be too much of a bother.

"You asked why Itachi didn't take you with him," started Kisame, glancing to see Sasuke had turned his head to him, eyes closed but listening. "He didn't want you to live a life of outcast; he wanted you to have a place to come home to, to have a dream to protect."

"Hn," replied Sasuke.

Kisame chuckled because even if it wasn't clear, the teen was totally pouting. But he also knew Itachi had been partly wrong. Sasuke had been alone, horribly alone, told to hate in a place that looked down on that, even if they seriously shouldn't have had anything to say on that matter. Sasuke had lived in a lie, believed a lie… it might have been fine if he hadn't learn the truth, but he had. Yet, the person he was now was also because of Konoha, and Kisame felt that they hadn't fucked up that much.

"He didn't stay with me either," Kisame stroked Sasuke's hair fondly, "because you were always the most important one. I didn't stand a chance against you. He lived for you, fought the illness for you, and died for you, so you could be Konoha's hero, so you could go back home proud of avenging your clan. He loved you more than anything else."

Kisame felt Sasuke turn his head, hiding. And he lowered his hand on the closed eyes.

"It's ok to cry, Sasuke."

He had made a point to call him Sasuke and not kido or brat. He wanted to show it was ok to mourn the brother that had scarified everything for what he felt was the best for his sibling. It wasn't being weak or a child, it was being human, and Kisame envied that.

"Cry for the both of us since I can't mourn him," he added in a whisper.

He could feel wetness against his hand; it was the only sign of Sasuke grieving. He waited until the teen had cried himself to sleep before removing his hand. He rubbed some medicine on him, massaging gently, put on ointment once more, then he dipped the cloth on his forehead in cold water before putting it back.

He grabbed some food, including tomatoes, and put it next to his patient's bed, along with ointment, medicine, and water. He checked the water in the tube, making sure it was still cold and would be kept in this state, then he sealed his bag in a scroll and left to fetch the doctor.

oooooo day 11 oooooo

Kisame couldn't help but feel relief crashing on him as he spotted the lake that would bring him to his secret hideout. He wasn't stupid enough to let his guard down however, until he was inside the cave, had checked on it and sealed it, he wasn't in security.

He had been gone for three whole days, since it was already evening. He had been out for a few hours only before the troubles had started. Not only was he in the bingo book but he wasn't protected by Akatsuki now and he had Madara certainly wanting his head. And it seemed the ninja villages had made an alliance or something to destroy Akatsuki, even without the damn black and red coat, he was a prey.

That hadn't prevented him from finding a medic-nin. The problem had been to convince him to help and be sure he would help and not murder Sasuke, and then to send him to the cave without getting caught or killed. Clones, taking over a deceased body to impersonate him had helped and he knew the medic, also with an impersonation, had made it to the cave and that the doctor was examining a burning up Sasuke when he had lost contact right then. He had been attacked and couldn't keep the jutsu; he had had all the information crashing down on him but telling him nothing. That had been the first day, since then no news.

Kisame groaned as a received remnant feelings of a destroyed clone, throat sliced, his less favorite one. Checking his surrounding one last time, he bandaged his wounds tightly and plunged into the water; hoping blood wouldn't ooze and betray him.

As he reached the concealed and sealed entrance he looked around the water for any sign of threat and opened the passage. Dripping wet, hurting from his injuries and the too tight bandages, he tried to sense if anything was amiss. It seemed Sasuke was inside, alone. Being slightly paranoid, he carefully passed his corridor full of traps and entered the cave.

Sasuke was alone, sitting on his bed, a scroll on his laps, looking perfectly well. Kisame made the signs to undo genjutsu, just in case, but nothing changed but the smirk that stretched the teen's lips. Then the dark eyes lowered to his injuries and the blood that was running again. He pushed aside the scroll and walked to him, his hands lifting to inspect a wound. Kisame had the teen pinned on the floor a kunai under his throat before he could reach him.

"Activate your Sharingan or I will slit your throat," he ordered.

If this man was a henge he wouldn't be able to do so. Seeing Sasuke come to help with his wounds when they had spent most of their time fighting was ticking Kisame off a bit. Even if they had gotten along much better while Sasuke was sick, better be safe than sorry.

Sasuke snorted but did as told, his eyes bleeding red with dark comas spinning in them. He held Kisame's gaze hauntingly, a smirk lifting the corner of his mouth.

"Do you need an illusion too?" he taunted.

Kisame grunted at Sasuke's cockiness but sheath his weapon and stood up, pulling the brat up with him. That's when he noticed the teen wasn't wearing Itachi's clothes but Kisame's ones. A shirt he was literally drowning in and that slumped down one of his shoulder, his briefs that looked like shorts on him and a cord to keep everything in place. It was cute… and strangely sexy. Kisame had always had a kink for people wearing his clothes; he guessed he saw that as a form of owning.

Refusing to let his mind wander more on those matters, he started to undo his makeshift bandages only to have a slender hand push his away. He looked up to meet Sasuke's dark eyes, the teen lowering them to the wrappings digging in an ugly looking wound. He tugged a bit on the band but it didn't move much and the blood had coated it so much the knot wouldn't budge. Slowly Sasuke's hand reached for Kisame's pouch of kunai and the water-nin caught the thin but muscled wrist. He glanced at Sasuke again, gauging him for a while before releasing his hold and letting him take a kunai.

Kisame let Sasuke push him toward a bench near the tube he had created. He sat on it, feeling tiredness catch up to him, letting his body slump down. Putting his forearms on his thighs he slouched a bit, letting Sasuke cut all the tourniquets he had done with not always clean pieces of clothes. He didn't protest when the brat cut his fishnet shirt and pants too, after all they were done for.

As the soft padding of naked feet on stone sounded as Sasuke went for the first aid kit, Kisame took this opportunity to recover the kunai abandoned on the floor; he used his feet to grab it and sent it with his pouch. One was never too careful even if he was currently showing his trust toward Sasuke.

He groaned in sheer enjoyment as warm water was poured on him, soothing tired muscled and washing the grim away. Then he moaned deeply as he felt a soap full cloth rub at his back and his injuries in a strong efficient way. He didn't mind the unsympathetic wipe to his wounds because it was necessary and Sasuke wasn't massaging or cleaning him, he was tending to him.

And soon enough Sasuke was applying antiseptic and disinfectant, once again rather unsympathetically since it was stinging like hell in the long slashes he had sustained. He winced a bit as a needle pierced his skin and the deep gashes were sewn closed. Sasuke was working with efficiency and well practiced ease and professionalism, making small tight stitches. Kisame obediently lifted his arms once Sasuke was done putting gauze everywhere and was dressing him with clean bandages.

As Sasuke put things back at their respective places, Kisame wrapped himself into a towel and changed his boxers to clean dry ones. He had taken this habit with Itachi and stick to it. Stretching carefully he marveled at how well Sasuke had done his job. Feeling hungry and needing strength he went to the fridge and smiled fondly as he saw plates wrapped in cellophane. Five plates. Sasuke had cooked for him even while not knowing when he would come back.

He took a plate and placed another one in front of him, for Sasuke. He wasn't going to thank the teen because he knew it was to return the favor and that it would embarrass him… not that it wouldn't be fun but now wasn't the time.

Going to his torn clothes he took a small scroll he had put in one of the many secret hiding places in it and undid the seal, food teleporting. While he was out he had figured it would be a good idea since they were stuck for a while longer. He had made sure to get lots of tomatoes; he threw one at Sasuke who caught it easily.

Kisame sat back in front of his plate and started eating.

"You're all better now?" he asked, which meant he wanted Sasuke to tell him everything that had happened since his clone brought the medic and disappeared.

"The medic fixed the infection and healed my eyes completely. I have to rest for a few more days. I erased his memory and let a hawk drop him off in a small village nearby. As for the corpse you used for your peculiar clone, I disposed of it," answered Sasuke, biting in a ripe tomato and sucking the juice.

"Clever to use hawks instead of snakes, only your team knows you made a contract with them I suppose," congratulated Kisame before going on. "I would have killed the medic but I know it's asking too much of a Konoha kid," chuckled Kisame, knowing Itachi would have sided with his little brother.

The man had always had always done what was necessary but that was it; no collateral damages if he could prevent them. He had said the less enemies you had, the better. Of course Kisame had known it was only because he valued life. Shaking his head as if it would help disperse those memories he saw Sasuke's sour look, the whiteness of his fingers as he clenched his plate.

"They don't value life; they slaughtered my whole clan – men, women, elders, children. I'm not a Konoha kid," he hissed, eyes blazing, red starting to tint them.

Kisame shivered; such a fierce temperament. He loved that about the kid. He was so lively, raw… He felt drawn to this fire. A fire all at once gentle and warming yet that could burn and destroy. But now wasn't the time to marvel.

"Yes. They did," deadpanned Kisame, leveling Sasuke's burning hating gaze.

He would welcome all that anger, all that despair. He had done his best during all those years to instill more life into Itachi. Now he had the inversed trouble, he was to appease a surplus of feelings.

"I will make them pay," assured Sasuke, the spinning coma in his eyes turning into his own Sharingan.

Kisame looked at that young man whose soul was screaming in pain at his brother's loss, at bringing him to his death for a lie. A man that was in too big clothes for him, drowning in them but clinging and pulling off a suitable attire nonetheless. Such a nice comparison to his state of mind… too much for him to cope, clinging to sanity… pulling it off. Not wearing his brother's clothes because he didn't see himself fit to wear them, felt he didn't deserve them.

"How do you plan to do that?" wondered Kisame, crossing his arms in front of him.

"I will destroy them, make them know what true hatred is," replied Sasuke, meeting Kisame's eyes dead on.

"Do you know what mother hedgehogs do to their offspring?" asked Kisame.

His tone was so serious Sasuke, even if totally flabbergasted, could only shake his head no.

"As soon are their young are old enough, they push them into a ravine. They need the child to separate from them. It's a test, to have the child climb back and live his life from now on," Kisame stood up, walking to Sasuke, towering above him. "But they always make sure to choose a ravine from which the little hedgehog can climb back up," he finished, caressing Sasuke's peculiar hairstyle.

The teen slapped the hand away, growling lowly at Kisame's amusement.

"Itachi chose to follow through with Konoha's plan, to preserve peace, to save you and he left you behind because he knew you could climb back up, little hedgehog," assured Kisame.

As he spoke he had gone to a drawer, opening it and pulling out a pair of Itachi's clothes and his necklace. He crouched before Sasuke, softly laying them down on his knees, his fingers brushing the soft fabric one last time.

"He was really proud of you; you are everything he wished you to be."

Dark eyes, not red ones, blinked a few times, trying to blink the tears away. Small hands compared to his had closed on the dark clothes and were clinging to them.

"I… I can't let it go… I need to avenge him… they should pay for what they did," whispered Sasuke.

His voice hadn't quivered or changed, his shoulder were set even if he had hidden his face behind his long bangs. But Kisame saw the child speaking. How many times had people told him he shouldn't pursue his brother? Even if the latter had ordered him to? How many times had they belittled him for seeking revenge…how many times had they refused to listen, to understand?

"Of course they have to pay. You should show Konoha their lies. This village is the gentlest, but they have to know their dark side if they want to attain what they always pretended to be. It is your role, if you want to take it, to never let them forget what they did for their peace"

Sasuke's head snapped up. Kisame chuckled at the barely hidden surprise. But it was to be expected from a missing nin, a killer, not to have the same opinion than all those goody-konoha members, no?

"I will train you," proposed Kisame, even more amused at the slight dilation of pupils.

Of course they wouldn't have agreed to train him at Konoha… not when they knew full well what all his strength would be used for. They had help forge what Sasuke was now, but they had also been the reason he ran off to Orochimaru. But nobody's perfect, Kisame knew that very well.

Gathering the remains of their meal, Kisame started to clean them as Sasuke grabbed a rag to dry them. He had left behind Itachi's clothes. It would take some convincing for the kid to drop his inferiority complex.

"So what's your plan kiddo?" he asked, showing he was serious about it.

"I will kill Danzo and the elders, make them pay," growled the teen. "Reveal the truth for all to see, clean Itachi's name," he added softly, glancing at Kisame as if looking for approval.

Kisame simply nodded. Itachi had told him how their father never acknowledge Sasuke… in Konoha he had had lots of admirers, people to look up too… but none that sided with him, none that understood his need for revenge. But he had kept going on his own, creating his own path despite it all.

Watching Sasuke drink his medicine on his own brought a smile to Kisame's lips; he licked them unconsciously, as if to remember Sasuke's taste. Soon the latter was asleep, sprawled graciously on the bed, a hand under the pillow… where he had certainly hidden a kunai. It was true Sasuke had his chakra now; he had certainly found Kisame's secret storage of weaponry.

Carefully as to not wake him up, and trigger an attack, Kisame sat at his bedside, brushing a dark strand of hair. He wasn't surprised to see traces of dried tears. This was something he envied… the capacity to feel so intensely. Something that had been beaten out of him from birth. Something that had been beaten out of Itachi too, revived by his little brother to nearly die with the merciless killing of his clan, and kept alive by the memory of that same little brother.

When they had met, two killers of their own kind, Kisame had hoped to find someone like him. Instead he had found… someone with something grounding him, something other than a distant dream of belonging somewhere. At his contact Kisame had found a place, being on his side, a chatty protector… and now he had something else to protect, Itachi's life: Sasuke.

oooooo day 12 oooooo

Kisame awoke slowly, mumbling at the light managing to reach him despite his closed eyelid. He turned over and winced slightly as it pulled on his injuries. Then his stomach gave a loud rumble to remind him he was starving… and he needed to pee too. Having no choice he rolled over.

Sitting up he scratched his jewels and gazed around, Sasuke was nowhere in sight. That didn't worry him: he could smell food, which made is stomach growl again, and he could feel his chakra nearby. Discretely undoing the warning traps around his bed, never be too careless, he stood up and isolated himself in the crack he had made for the loo.

When he came back, pants riding low on his hips, scratching the naked skin of his torso but being careful not to touch his wounds, Sasuke hadn't came back. On the low table was a plate in cellophane, he had cooked breakfast for him too. Kisame smiled fondly and picked it up.

Eating he entered the corridor, the only place where Sasuke could be. The latter was training, in only boxers. Sweat trailed down his defined muscles; obviously he had been at it for a few hours already. Sitting cross legged and eating without thinking, Kisame drank in the sight of Sasuke moving through exercises as would water through fingers. The sheen covering his body was underlining his movements under the artificial light. Kisame could feel, almost see, the air parting under the hits, Sasuke's body being in itself a razor sharp blade.

Unlike martial art where you were asked to scream to let your chi go, as a ninja you had to be deadly quiet. So it was in silence, but for the parting of air as it was cut, that Sasuke linked kicks, punches and the like. Slowly he was going faster and adding more complicated moves, acrobatic ones that would keep is body supple. Kisame simply watched as the hours went by; now Sasuke was adding chakra control to his moves… it was a complicated dance, one with an invisible lover that could have been named death.

Finally Kisame stood up and stepped behind Sasuke, he was towering above him, more than a head taller than the teen. Sasuke didn't stop his movements nor slowed down even for one second. Kisame followed his movements, their body moving in unison, sometime shadow, sometime mirror, and sometime dancer moving out of the way but still connected.

A barely noticeable balance fault, Kisame's large hand resting on the younger's hip, so lightly it was as if he was only brushing him. Sasuke corrected himself without more prompting. It went on for hours again, gentle brush of fingers perfecting Sasuke's moves.

Then the game changed, Kisame suddenly purposefully invading Sasuke's space, impeding his moves. The teen simply moved past, sneaking around, fluid like water once again and Kisame was smirking at their little game of hide and seek, enjoying the fleeting touches as he pushed Sasuke to explore new ways of moving, changing his balance, forcing his body to curve slightly differently. It was fascinating to see how easily the brat understood the possibilities those minor changes offered.

That gave Kisame an urge he had never experienced; teaching. Eager, he changed the game again, his hand grabbed Sasuke's hip, marveling at how it cupped it all, and his free arm moved for the throat, one foot tripping the teen. He smiled ruthlessly as Sasuke growled but evaded the hit, sliding to the floor, his feet trapping Kisame's leg in-between and twisting to make him fall. It worked but Kisame caught himself on one hand and leg, using the free ones to lend blows on Sasuke. The latter at expected as much and slammed Kisame's arm hard, preventing the hit, using his other hand as leverage Sasuke flew his legs up, kicked Kisame's side before lending smoothly face to him, a few meters away.

Kisame was ready for a fight, all his teeth showing in his excitement to teach Sasuke. But the teen had his guard down, watching his hand, covered in blood. Dark eyes moved up to Kisame and trailed on him, browns frowning. The water nin glanced at himself to see some of his injuries were bleeding again. He hadn't even changed the bandages this morning.

Without a word Sasuke went back inside the cave, Kisame following him curiously, bemused when he saw the teen pull out the first aid kit and motion him over. Had the furious hedgehog lowered his spines? It seemed like it, but Kisame knew that it was only temporary, soon enough they would be upright again. And if Sasuke was a hedgehog he was also a predator, for the moment his hatred was fed but soon it would be craving again. A predator could play nice with you but you should never forget what it was because one hit could kill you. But he was still happy to have tamed Sasuke, at least for a bit.

Kisame obediently sat on the chair, letting Sasuke check his stitches, liking that caring side of the teen. He remembered Itachi telling him how his little brother would always discretely try to please him, afraid to be rebutted, afraid to be caught by their father and scold for being too soft. He knew, for having seen how people were drawn to him that he was a kind, devoted spirit… hadn't he been, his friend Naruto would have died many times by his own stupidity or by Sasuke's hand.

"You're pale," noticed Kisame as Sasuke dressed the last wound, "I will cook you a nice meal, its past lunch already. How long have you been training before I joined you?" asked Kisame not expecting an answer. "You're an early bird. I love to sleep in when I can," he explained starting to chitchat as was his habit.

In the mean time Sasuke had dropped his boxers and was scrubbing his body clean. Kisame mumbled under his breath, turning his back to Sasuke in that old habit he had with Itachi. Even after becoming his lover, he had always respected that. But he had the time to see strong tapering legs, defined shoulders, lean waist and firm hard round ass. He shook his head, standing up and going to sit near the kitchen part so he could cook. He was going to make mashed potatoes, with make salmon and a teriyaki sauce.

He heard Sasuke sliding into the bath and a low groan at the wonders of hot water on tired muscles. Kisame couldn't help himself and glanced, after all the teen was at least waist deep into water. It was strange to see him with his hair wet and down… the resemblance with Itachi was breathtaking. However they were also strikingly different. It just like with dead people, when you saw them, they were lacking something, their aura, their soul. Here, it was clear the soul was completely different.

A burning dark gaze on his made Kisame snap out of his mussing and he grinned, not ashamed of having been caught looking at Sasuke. The latter braced himself on the sill, pulling out of the water and Kisame turned around, back to peeling potatoes.

"You really have no shame," he chuckled, "unlike your brother."

"Hn," was his only answer and he could hear the soft rubbing of towel against skin then the ruffling of clothes being put on. Then the teen came to settle next to Kisame, grabbing a knife and starting to peel. He was dressed in Itachi's clothes. Kisame smiled cockily at that, but didn't point it out.

"When he had no choice he dealt with it but otherwise he enjoyed his privacy. I always marveled at that. I mean we are ninja and we have month long missions that involve being surrounded by fellow ninjas and still he had that knack," continued Kisame.

He loved talking about Itachi, it was as much for reminiscence than for Sasuke, he knew the teen was curious about his brother but would never ask. Kisame was all ready to tell him everything but knew he had to be careful not to compare them on certain subject, he had a feeling Sasuke had been in his brother's shadow far too long and he didn't want to add to it.

"It was his moment of freedom," replied Sasuke as he started to clean and eviscerate the fishes.

Kisame halted his movements' mid-potato. He remembered when they had been told Sasuke had died, how Itachi had gone under the pouring rain and Kisame had followed to tell him he would catch a cold… and to jab about him crying. Around water, bash, shower, rain… none could know if you did cry.

Freedom. Of course. No one told you how to put on clothes or how to clean yourself, you were free. As a ninja that might have been the only time you truly were, especially for Itachi. He was to be perfect in everything since birth. Be a perfect ninja, be a well educated man… Even during sleep you had to be on your guard, people taught you how to sleep so you could wake up if danger arose. Itachi wasn't shy about his body, he only valued the privacy of the cleaning time where he could be himself, without anyone judging him, without having guidance on how to do it… And he didn't like sharing that space in case someone took it away from him.

"And you, Sasuke?" idly wondered Kisame.

"I was alone," stated the teen, cutting the fish and putting them on sticks.

Kisame sighed at that. Yes alone, alone with his self for sole guidance and with the memory of the past… he had certainly been harsher on himself that would have been his family. Maybe Sasuke just didn't have any place in the world where he could be truly himself.

Sasuke put the potatoes to stew a bit so they could mash them easier and silence settled between them. It was their companion until they started eating and Kisame babbled once again about nothing in particular.

"I will teach you water jutsus and a new close combat style as well as teach you how to use more than one element," informed Kisame, as they finished washing the dishes.

"A new way of close combat?" asked Sasuke, lifting a delicate eyebrow and going to the corridor that had become his training place.

"You learned how to kill a human being, but look into the Akatsuki or at Orochimaru's experiences and you will soon understand that it's being human is overrated. Let's take Kazuku for example, if you stab him in the heart he won't die, because he has more than one heart or he could have relocated said heart. I will teach you moves that might not kill but that would injure and prevent the person from moving. We will concentrate on articulations and teach you not to go directly for the kill."

Sasuke nodded, settling into a fighting stance. Kisame felt a shiver race through him at the look of concentration he received. The brat was starving for knowledge, and his gaze was heated, determinate, passionate… Kisame smiled toothily and as they started a voice in his mind told him he was done for, Sasuke was sneaking under his skin.

oooooo day 15 oooooo

"Freeze," ordered Kisame from his spot against the wall.

Sasuke obeyed immediately, staying in position and only glancing toward the water nin. Kisame turned around him, nudging a few place to have Sasuke subtly correct his posture. Softly he grabbed his wrist, turning them just barely which would give him a stronger hold and permit his defenses movements to be faster.

He enjoyed the feel of the cold skin under his rough fingers, unlike warmth that was lulling, cold was more powerful, appeasing and waking at the same time, just like if you put a cold cloth on a burning forehead, it was a very enjoyable feeling. Shaking his head he pulled back, watching Sasuke again before going behind him, their body brushing but not touching.

He cupped Sasuke's hips with his large hands and started angling them, slowly so the teen's body would register the subtleties as he shifted it through a complicated move. Once done he immobilized them again, his hands still wrapped around the hips. Sasuke fell back into his former position and went through the move once again, Kisame following him.

"Perfect," he congratulated.

As he moved back he caught Sasuke's odor, pleasant and intoxicating, since he was a good head taller than the teen he didn't get to smell it much and he found himself enjoying it. Shaking his head, he motioned for Sasuke to continue his training as he watched him now perfectly put together the different moves. Now he would have to do that faster and faster until it was an automatic response and up to his usual speed.

Kisame idly sank into his thoughts. They had been training for three days now and it had become routine for Kisame to wake up to Sasuke training in the corridor. They would do some close fighting, then he would show him new moves and let him assimilate them. They could also learn jutsu using or not the sharingan and they also did some element training. All that punctuated by eating, resting, patching up, taking medicine for Sasuke's eyes, chatting a bit and so on. Medicine was important especially since using the Sharingan gave the teen huge headaches. Anyway, Kisame wanted to train Sasuke without his eyes so if he was blinded it wouldn't be a hindrance.

"Almost there," he said, stepping in to correct.

Before even knowing it, he was pressed against Sasuke, slightly bent down so his knees where connected to the back of the teen's ones. His hands had cupped the strong yet thin wrists, his fingers pressing lightly. His shoulders were against Sasuke's ones, his head to the side as he whispered instructions so close to the teen's ear his breath certainly brushed him. And he was moving, pushing Sasuke into the right motions, their body molded together so he could feel the shifts.

Sasuke was pliant, following Kisame's lead as would a puppet but still keeping control, not being simply molded but taking wholly part on it, he adapted with ease. They came to a stop, Kisame's hand trailing up to Sasuke's wrist, his thumb on the sensitive skin of its inside. He wasn't out of breath but he felt a bit like it, the young man's scent filling his senses.

"Kisame?" wondered Sasuke, turning his head slightly toward him.

Eyes widening the water-nin broke the fighting embrace.

"You're learning fast, I have to think up new things to teach you," he mused, "but let's take a break, you're tenser than usual. Your head is starting to hurt isn't it?"

Sasuke gave a curt nod, almost pouting at the fact Kisame had noticed so easily. He had long understood there was no point in arguing against the older man, especially since Kisame had turned resting into another form of training.

Bending down, Sasuke took a dark blind fold that was made to help rest his eyes and also train him to blindness. Kisame rubbed a hand on his face, relieved the teen hadn't noticed he had kept the physical contact too long… and it wasn't because he was thinking of more training.

"Ow," came a muffled groan from the cave.

Kisame couldn't help but chuckle at that. Sasuke had hit, once again, the low table. It was cute to see that stubborn being agreeing to his training plan. The teen was such a complex mix of opposites and Kisame found him unbearably touching. Knowing he didn't need protection he wanted to be behind him and do his binding, help… just like he did with Itachi. Both of them wanted to act though and were strong so they took up too much on their shoulders. He was here to help them relieve the load. And just like with Itachi, he had feelings for the teen. This was bad.

He fisted his hand, pissed at himself. Just now he had acted like Orochimaru. He had taken advantage of the training to touch Sasuke. He didn't mind betraying his kin, he didn't mind killing… but this… was different. He was a beast. How could he become Sasuke's safe place if he couldn't keep himself from fondling him? Even if Sasuke didn't notice it… or allowed it like he had allowed Orochimaru.

Kisame glanced at Sasuke, resting on his bed with a cold clothe on his head, one arm draped on his blindfold eyes as if the shield them even more from the light. He had taken his medicine since an empty glass was right next to him.

Sitting on his bed Kisame began the familiar and soothing task of sharpening, oiling his equipment. It helped him think and their last serious conversation, about freedom, had really bugged Kisame and he had dwelled on it a lot. Sasuke truly hadn't had a place where to be himself…

Naruto was his rival, he couldn't show him weakness. Sasuke was a proud being that had an inferiority complex that shown as a desire to appear the strongest, hence he couldn't part with his perfect image, or only rarely. Sakura didn't see him as he truly was, too busy loving the idea she had of him. Kakashi was his teacher but couldn't accept the hatred his young student nourished. Then he had gone to Orochimaru and Kabuto who would have eaten him alive had he shown any opening.

Now he had his team. Karin, another Sakura, busy pursuing an idea. Suigetsu was too much of a tease to let Sasuke rest on him without taking advantage of it. Juugo… could have been the one but he saw Kimimaro in Sasuke, judging everything through that filter.

He had no one… and even if he had been alone most of his life, he had never truly been; living in a haunted house, with an order to hate and avenge. Ghosts were his judges and the kid was harsher on himself than any member of his family would have ever been. Starving to reach Itachi, a genius, a person he had idolized and sure-estimated since he had been able to understand, aiming for an illusory goal of what his father would have wanted, knowing said father had never acknowledged him… he had never been satisfied.

Sasuke had no place to rest and be himself. And what about him?

The shrieking of the blade on its sharpening tool reasoned in the room, the only other sound but for Kisame's and Sasuke's barely audible breathing.

oooooo day 16 oooooo

Kisame watched his water dragon's jaw engulfed Sasuke without him resisting much. Soon enough the teen was skidding on the waves, managing to reach him and placing a few strategic hits at his articulation, but none that reached. Sending the teen back to his place, meaning far from him, he made another serial of hand seals, using yet another water jutsu so the red spinning eyes of his adversary could learn it.

He chuckled as that parried Sasuke's water dragon. They had soundlessly agreed that Sasuke would repeat every attack once learnt and in between use the fighting techniques Kisame was teaching him. As planned, here was the teen going hand to hand.

He grabbed the feet hitting his chest, frowning as that wasn't an articulation, but smiling as it was used as leverage to kick into his knee. He let go of his hold to step away only to have his arm caught and twisted. But he played on Sasuke's equilibrium and managed to get him to move away.

This was so interesting to see that Sasuke was already mixing different combat styles to his advantage. He didn't just learn things; he adapted them and integrated them to his own unique moves. How he understood all the people that had feared and coveted the Uchihas.

Using yet another justsu from his country, Kisame attacked managing to crush Sasuke against a wall and grab his arm, ready to bend it, until he was coursed through by a small electric shock. He let go as they had agreed not to seriously injure each other and the teen hadn't really electrocuted him.

Sasuke stumbled forward, and Kisame growled as he saw a fleeting look of pain pass on the young man's face. He dropped his fighting tense and harshly grabbed the teen's shoulder. His sharingan eyes were slightly dilated and red veins had started to appear. He was forcing it too much; furthermore Kisame could almost feel the headache radiating from Sasuke's head.

"We are going to stop for now," he ordered.

His fingers tightened on Sasuke's shoulder as he saw him ready to protest but of course that didn't stop him at all; he just swatted his hand off.

"I can continue," assured the teen, defying him with his eyes.

He was truly power hungry, ready to sacrifice a bit of his health to improve. Too hard on himself like he had thought. Was he feeling guilty if he didn't push himself? Kisame could feel motivation, anger radiate from him… he was driven by hatred, seeking his vengeance even in training. It was also clear he enjoyed learning, he loved what it did; it wasn't only a tool for revenge.

"I can," insisted Sasuke.

Sighing in despair, as his charge wasn't ready to hear reason, he slapped him on the head, hard. And he could swear Sasuke was seeing white dots of pain in his vision, he even groaned in pain, rubbing his temples and closing his eyes.

"Dream on," deadpanned Kisame, doing a few hand seals to unlock their cave. They had sealed it so they wouldn't have to mind water possibly drowning everything.

He tugged on Sasuke's arm; he was still holding his head, glaring at him and obviously in pain. Kisame laughed at that, the teen was such a stubborn pain in the neck, but so cute he wanted to ruffle his hair just to have him growl and glare more. He didn't do it though, sure the teen could totally go train just to spite him off and prove him wrong.

Sasuke went to his bed, laying on it and putting a cold cloth on his eyes and forehead, grunting in suppressed pain. Kisame almost felt bad. Almost.

He went to kneel next to Sasuke, adding some painkiller to his usual medicine and gently brought it to the pale lips. Lifting a bit, Sasuke drank, giving a grunt in thanks as Kisame put a hand behind his back to help him.

"Know thy strength," he said, wanted to put Sasuke's obsessed mind to rest. "You know that," he added almost chiding. "There is no weakness or loosing of precious time to rest," he assured.

"I know," snapped Sasuke, lifting a bit of his cloth just to glare.

Kisame laughed at that; such a petulant little brat. Stretching his tired muscles he took off his shirt, sending it next to his bed, and rolled his shoulders. He eyed the bath and decided that it was a good idea; pouring some relaxing oils he lit the hitting system.

"You know I think Itachi was my place of freedom," said Kisame out of the blue as he began scrubbing his skin so he would be clean to go in the bath.

"Hn"

Kisame didn't look up from his testing the water's warmth with a toe, to see that Sasuke had tilted his head toward him oh so slightly, he just kept talking as if only to himself.

"He wasn't a judging person even if he had strong belief. He trusted me as much as he could, entrusted his secrets with me and talked to me about you. And you were a very important and special subject, I assure you."

Kisame slid into the warm water. This was heaven. Groaning he let his head fall backwards, resting his nape on the sill of the bathtub.

"He let me stay by his side, even knowing I had murdered my own kind and would have surely murdered him if requested to. I could be myself with him without fearing his judgment… unlike some of my other teammate I know I would have to kill and didn't let approach me. I knew even with my blade through his chest he wouldn't have said anything or be surprised and betrayed. And I could count on him… really, I don't know how to explain but I felt free."

Kisame felt silent, as if registering his own words. He was carefully self-massaging some tension from his muscles.

"You were lovers," whispered Sasuke, he had turned back the other side.

"You asked that already," remembered the water-nin, amused, "but yes, we were, even if I suspect it was mostly one-side, on my part."

"Hn," came Sasuke's usual grunt.

"He told me he planned to die… and I could do nothing to prevent it, to make him drop his plan of dying at your hand," Kisame's voice held no bitterness whatsoever, only sadness and loss.

"But you never tried to stop him," stated Sasuke, getting up and rummaging near his bed.

Kisame raise a brow at that and pondered it for a moment. It was true. He had never asked Itachi to renounce. Never. He had always knew it was a lost cause… and he had always respected Itachi's will, he knew it was important… and maybe that's why Itachi had allowed him to love him, to become his lover. Because he knew Kisame would not try to stop him, could take his death and continue almost as if nothing had happened.

A hand on his wrist, a butterfly touch, pulled him out of his mussing. He raised his eyes to dark ones before lowering them to the glittering piece of jewelry in Sasuke's hand. Itachi's necklace. Sasuke slide it into Kisame's hand.

"What but…" he started to protest.

It was a precious memory. Why was Sasuke giving it to him? He couldn't accept it. But he was cut off by Sasuke's palm closing his fingers on the necklace in a gesture that unmistakably told him to keep it.

"Why give it to a terrible man like me? A killing shark able to eat his own kin?" wondered Kisame, wrapping the necklace around his wrist.

The water-nin felt Sasuke stand from his kneeling position and closed his eyes and nuzzled more comfortably into the water. He hadn't expected an answer, not even a dismissing grunt. He could feel the metal against his skin, a foreign sensation, strangely unnerving and soothing. He had felt the need to remind Sasuke of who he really was… because this jewel should have stayed with Itachi's most precious person, with the one Itachi was proud of beyond belief… yet this very person had chosen to give it to him.

It was as if Sasuke had just acknowledged that Kisame had been important to his brother, that he deserved a memento of the man he had loved… Itachi, despite being his lover, had never shown it meant anything for him… having this necklace around his wrist was proof of the contrary. And it was Sasuke thanking him for staying by his brother's side.

"You are a human, not a fish, and you don't know who you truly are until the moment before your death," muttered a voice from in front of him.

Kisame was so engrossed in thoughts he hadn't noticed Sasuke had undressed, washed and was now joining him in the bath. He cleared his throat, looking elsewhere than at the naked body sliding into the water. He had a weak spot for creamy skin on strong muscles.

"Itachi told me the exact same thing," chuckled Kisame.

And he had been right. Itachi had shown he was a loving brother ready to sacrifice everything in his last breath. And he still marveled at how Sasuke wasn't shy at all unlike his brother.

"I'm not Itachi," replied Sasuke.

"Indeed, you sleep at night," teased Kisame.

He blinked in surprised as he saw Sasuke look owlishly at him and turn bet red from something else than fever. What…?

"No, you pervert! I was referring to the bags under his eyes!" exclaimed Kisame as he understood.

It was all a misunderstanding! Sasuke had thought he was telling him he fucked Itachi all night long! Teenagers. He watched with amusement as the young man sank into the water. Seconds later he was coming out, hair flattened on his head and looking composed again.

Kisame couldn't help but snort and started to laugh despite the glare leveled at him. This was just too much fun.

oooooo day 20 oooooo

Now that he didn't get monstrous headache from using his eyes, Kisame had decided Sasuke could start learning Sharingan jutsus. He had seen Itachi using incredible techniques and could help this little brother learn to control them, even if he was totally unable to teach him how to.

Anyway the kid was like a fucking sponge, he absorbed everything Kisame sent his way easily: taijutsu, jutsu… even cooking skills! Now they were working on Amateratsu (the dark fire) and Susano (the weird skeleton thing) and to spare Sasuke's eyes a bit, the water-nin was teaching him how to use Samaheda despite it being so damn heavy. After all the sword liked the brat, so why not give him one more asset?

"Let's stop here for today," ordered Kisame, "even for Itachi using Amateratsu was very tiring and hard on his eyes," he insisted, knowing full well Sasuke was so unremitting it was hard to make him stop training.

Sasuke wiped his eyes with the back of his hand, staining everything in red but clearing his vision, and glanced at Kisame. The latter had crossed his arms on his chest and was tapping a finger against his upper arm while frowning at him, a small amused smile twitching his lips. To say the truth Kisame didn't know what he preferred to have Sasuke begrudgedly obey or having to hand the teen his own ass to convince him he needed rest. Both were fun, really, because it always ended with Sasuke pouting while pretending he didn't.

Kisame saw Sharingan eyes narrow slightly as Sasuke pondered attacking. It was an agreement they had made, if he was to win, Kisame would allow him to continue training. It never happened, which unnerved the teen to no end since Kisame was teaching him everything he knew but still managed to kick his ass. He bet the teen still didn't really get why; one of the main reason being that Sasuke was dead tired when the water-nin ordered rest, he knew very well just how far he could push the teen.

Dilating his eyes in a threatening manner, Kisame dared the brat to try and outdo him. He chuckled as Sasuke mumbled and dropped his fighting stance, turning his back to him and going back into the cave. Kisame grabbed Samaheda and cracked tired limbs before following suit.

He rolled his eyes as clothes rustled to the floor, Sasuke, as usual with no shame whatsoever, was undressing to take his usual relaxing bath. The water-nin could almost swear the teen was being an exhibitionist on purpose to make him un-at-ease.

"Not working," informed Kisame, avoiding looking at the porcelain skin.

Sasuke just snorted at that continuing to scrubs dirt and blood from his body. Kisame glanced when he heard Sasuke lower himself into the tub and got a nice show of firm round ass. This was bad, he was really attracted by that pretty body. He was itching to drag his hands on that supple skin, to mark it, to tug on that untamable hair so he could ravish a slender throat. He was sure Sasuke's hair was soft, even if it spiked, it only did that because of Sasuke's element: electricity.

Kisame had started to teach Sasuke other elements but had not yet trained him to use them at the same time. That would come slowly, it wasn't easy to deal with, not even the Sharingan could help him learn that. For a moment he wondered if he wasn't trying to delay things too… to keep Sasuke close. Not that he knew why…

"Are you planning to sharpen your fingers too?" wondered Sasuke right next to Kisame.

The latter nearly jumped out of his skin in surprise. He had indeed sharpened so much of his shuriken he was going to reach the fingers holding it soon. Sasuke was fully dressed and looked at him with a slight smirk, visibly amused even if Kisame could see a hint of tenderness deeply hidden behind guarded dark pupils.

"You were thinking of Itachi, weren't you?'

Unconsciously blue fingers started to fiddle with the necklace on his wrist. If only. Kisame didn't feel guilty, after all even if Itachi and they were a couple, they both knew they could die at a moment's notice… and Itachi was ill and dying already, not to mention he knew his plan. Kisame had already come to terms with that, he had already mourned Itachi. But that didn't mean he didn't care, he had loved him sincerely. He sighed. He doubted Itachi would be appreciating him lusting after Sasuke's body.

"Shit," cursed Sasuke as he knocked down a glass of water he had meant to drink.

In seconds Kisame was on him, grabbing his wrist and spinning him to face him. Sasuke didn't oppose resistances as he was forced to sit and a light was blinding him. Kisame deft fingers were holding one eye open as he looked at it with a flashlight, checking for any troubles.

"I'm ok," assured Sasuke, startled by such a reaction, "I just-"

But Kisame wasn't listening, he was already looking threw his cupboards for the medicine he always had for Itachi's eyes. He wasn't going to let the kid go blind, this time he would deal with it before it was already too late.

"Drink this," he demanded, pushing a vial in Sasuke's hands.

"I'm ok," repeated Sasuke, his voice tinted with anger.

Kisame growled, snatched the bottle away, downed it then harshly grabbed Sasuke by the chin, fingers almost bruising him as he tilted the pretty head back and mercilessly kissed him to force down the medicine.

He hissed as a vicious hit to his side made him let go. Sasuke was boiling in anger, sputtering a bit before he wiped his mouth clean. He gave Kisame an angry look before walking away, seeking alone time in the corridor.

It was only after his depart that Kisame came back to his senses. The Sharigan curse couldn't touch Sasuke, because he had Itachi's eyes now. He would never go blind. Maybe Kisame had a bigger problem than what he thought. He wasn't just attracted to the teen… he was falling for him. Hard.

Sitting on his bed, he raked his hands through his hair, hiding his face in his palms. He was afraid of losing Sasuke. Was he suffering from Stockholm syndrome or something? But he wasn't the kidnapped one for crying out loud, he was the fucking kidnapper!

Later that day, Kisame went to fetch Sasuke who had exhausted himself in training taijutsu. His hands were bloody from hitting and using a stick as sword too much. He didn't protest when Kisame gathered him in his arms, one under the knees the other around his shoulders, his dark head just rolled against the water-nin's chest.

He lowered him on his bed, tucking him in a sad smile graced his shark face as he saw Sasuke's hand unconsciously reach for the kunai hidden under his pillow. Softly Kisame mapped the beautiful face, the curve of the jaw, a cheek; pale lips that called to him… then he gently pet the hair, a delicate mix of softness and roughness, just like the teen.

"I won't betray you," he whispered, pulling away and going to his own bed.

He laid there, eyes on the ceiling, arms crossed behind his head, one leg above the other gently shaking. When he looked at Sasuke, he remembered Itachi's death, his true self, a protector that had died for his precious person and his village. Not a killer of his own kind looking for his place in the world. Kisame yearn to become like that.

When he looked at Sasuke, he saw a place next to him, he saw a duty he could undertake. He wanted to stay by his side and be his right hand man… knowing he would be asked to do some dirty deeds but he would never be considered like a mere spawn, never be asked to do something against Sasuke's beliefs. He could trust him, like the teen seemed to trust him.

But… a question remained. Itachi had passed on his powers to Sasuke. He had given a bit too Naruto too, in case Sasuke learnt the truth about Konoha. Itachi had made careful plans, taken lots of things into account for his little brother's sake. What was Kisame's role in all that? He had taken upon himself to protect Sasuke from Madara, to shoulder Itachi's dream by watching over Sasuke. But… maybe he had never been meant to do that?

And now here he was lusting after Sasuke's body… falling in love with this Itachi's most precious person… and that he was sure hadn't been planned.

oooooo to be continued oooooo

Thanks to those who took the time to review. It means a lot, especially on such a rare pairing.
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Watching over