It has been several days since Itachi incorporated taking care of Twilight into his daily routine. It was a difficult transition at first, but he got into the hang of things quickly. Normally, he’d wake up first, make her food, and set out for his Akatsuki duties after she woke up, so he could give her the things she needed to study before he got back at noon to make both of them lunch. Her room was coming along nicely, just needing a roof at this point. He needed to go around and do the odd jobs to ensure no one suspected the oddity. Today, however, was different. He came home, and walked through the door. Twilight was sitting on his couch, holding something in her hands.
“Hello, Itachi.” She greeted.
“Hello, Twilight.” He gave a nod of the head, and looked over at her, and noticed she had a letter in hand, “What’s that?” She smiled, and flipped it around, showing him the official Akatsuki seal on it. He calmly took it into his hand, and opened it.
Itachi Uchiha, we have a partner for you. You are to meet at the specified location tomorrow at high noon. I hope you have respect for the Hidden Swordsmen of the Mist, as Kisame Hoshigaki is the best of the best.
Signed, Akatsuki.
“I’ll never know why he signs like that...” Itachi sighed as he burnt the letter with a lesser version of the Fireball jutsu, “Twilight, I don’t suppose this letter came with a map?”
“Yup.” She smiled, “Right over here.” She handed it to him, and he looked it over. It marked his shack and the destination, which was just a walk along the coast. Not a long walk, but it wasn’t exactly ‘around the block’ either. It would be a good opportunity to bond.
“Well, I suppose I’ll be taking you on your first ‘mission’ tomorrow...” her face slowly lit up with that sentence, “I’m not expecting any trouble, but it would be good for you to get a sense of what’s out there.”
“Oh, thank you, big brother!” She shouted, jumping on him, nearly making the teenaged Uchiha stumble somewhat. But, he couldn’t help but smile slightly at her enthusiasm.
“We leave at dawn. Think you can wake up that early?” He asked, and she playfully punched his arm.
“Of course I can. I probably won’t be able to sleep at all tonight.” her obvious excitement was a testament to this.
“Well, at least try.” He patted her head, “I wouldn’t want you exhausted when we meet one of the legendary Swordsmen of the Hidden Mist. He’s going to be my new partner, after all.” This seemed to further fuel her excitement.
“Oh, do you know what sword he has?” She asked.
“Better, I know who he is.” She was practically living off the excitement of knowing. Quite the little scholar, aren’t you? He chuckled inwardly.
“He is Kisame Hoshigaki, wielder of the Samehada.” He went into the kitchen, followed by Twilight, “Can you tell me about the Samehada?” He felt like testing her.
“It’s most recent wielders, not including Kisame, were Fuguki Suikazan and Mangetsu Hōzuki, the latter of the two being a master of all seven swords.” Impressive... He thought, “‘Samehada’ is most commonly called ‘Shark Skin’, and can ‘eat’ chakra. It is said that Samehada is sentient sword, but I hardly believe that. When referred to in the books, it is commonly described as ‘the most terrifying of all the Seven Swordsmen’s blades’, and earned the title of ‘Greatsword’.” She recited.
“So, you have been studying.” He smiled as he took the head of cabbage out of the fridge.
“Did you think I wasn’t?” She asked, sounding hurt.
“...Am I really that serious all the time?” He asked, raising an eyebrow as he set the vegetable on the counter.
“...Kinda.” Twilight replied, “But that’s what makes you my big brother.” She gave a smile.
“Thanks.” He couldn’t decide whether to take that as a complement or not, so he went back to preparing a meal. That night, they were able to eat over what Twilight had been studying when he was away, and Itachi was able to tell her a little about where they were going. It was a nowhere scenic pier, mostly abandoned but kept in good shape for that sort of thing. A perfect meeting place... for this sort of meeting.
“So this Kisame...” Twilight began, getting comfortable on her side of the bed, “Do you know what he’ll be like?” Itachi stopped and began to wonder himself.
“Not exactly, and that’s what bothers me the most.” He admitted, hoping he wouldn’t be like Kakuzu or Hidan.
“Not to worry, I’m sure he won’t be that bad.” She comforted, and he sighed. Maybe she was right, and he was worrying to much. It wasn’t long after that, the two fell asleep, back to back.
The following morning, the two were out on the road long before sunrise. By the time it did, they were a little less than halfway to their destination. The road they were walking was a secluded forest path, and they only had to stop for the crossing of a family of rabbits. The crashing of the waves from the ocean was present in their ears the entire walk, and both were happily content with how things were going. Their conversation had a silence, and Itachi wondered what she had on her mind.
“Itachi?” Twilight asked, getting the attention of the Uchiha.
“Yes?” He turned his gaze to her. She was wearing the cloak, which his the majority of her face, like his. It kept that cute little stripe thing he was so fond of visible, though.
“Are there... any other Uchiha’s out there?” She asked. He sighed, and began to think. How did he not see that was on her mind sooner?
I can’t just tell her the truth. he reminded himself, Even I see myself as a monster for what I did. He opted to tell her later, if the partner didn’t say anything. But, his luck? He would.
“I’ll tell you when I start believing what I what I did...” He let out, and Twilight gave a thoughtful frown, but didn’t press the matter. He hoped she’d forget the inquiry altogether, but the large amount of skepticism in him made him dismiss that as wishful thinking. But it was that skepticism that allowed him to consider Kisame saying anything revolving around the massacre.
“When we meet Kisame, try to stay quiet, unless he speaks to you.” He told her, and she looked over at him, wondering what he meant, “I’d like to keep this meeting professional. He’ll be living with us, so you’ll get plenty of time to get to know him later.”
“Oh... Okay, I guess that’s sensible.” He inwardly thanked the Sage that she accepted that deceit. It was good enough for now, and that was all that mattered. Buying time. Once again, the walk was spent in silence but it was more deafening for Itachi. He kept his calm exterior, but he felt anxious. He knew she’d hear about it eventually, no matter what safe guards he put up, he just hadn’t expected it to be this soon.
They got to the location on time, but Kisame was late, so they sat on the edge of the pier, and Twilight fell asleep on his lap, her skin bathed in the light of the sun. That worked out for him, in the end. Her sleepiness made her sleep through a majority of the conversation that Itachi didn’t want her to hear.
After an hour of waiting after Twilight fell asleep, Itachi heard footsteps on the pier. When they finally stopped next to him, the owner of the footfalls spoke.
“I’ll be your partner from now on.” Itachi turned his head and acknowledged the presence of his new partner. Kisame had light blue skin, with small, black eyes, which had gill-like markings under them. His hair was also done up in a fin-like shape.
“I’m Kisame Hoshigaki, formerly from the Hidden Mist, and one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen. And you’re Itachi Uchiha, formerly from the Hidden Leaf. I’ve heard the rumours about you, Itachi. About... how you killed your entire clan.” Itachi turned his head back forward and grimaced at the memories brought up by the mention, “I understand you well. That’s why I wanted you as my partner, out of everyone else in the Akatsuki... The feeling of killing your comrades can’t be put into words, can it, Itachi?”
Itachi waited a moment, then began to speak as Twilight stirred, “You sure do talk a lot. You claim to understand me, but what of yourself? You wandered through the mist to get here, but you’re nothing but a rogue who can’t decide on his own destination.... Am I wrong?” Kisame put his blade next to his neck, and Twilight flinched. A good reaction, as a fighting reaction would make the meeting go south quickly.
“Let me tell you something... Sharks lay eggs, but the eggs hatch within the mother before they are born. However, the number of eggs the mother lays and the number of babies isn’t the same. Why do you think that is?” Kisame paused, to allow Itachi and Twilight to make mental guesses, “Cannibalism.” Twilight visibly paled at this revelation, “As soon as the eggs hatch in the mother’s womb, they start eating each other. They begin killing the moment they’re born... Everyone is nothing but food to the other. We may be partners in the Akatsuki, but I’d watch out... for me.” In the end, Kisame’s speech on shark-based cannibalism helped Itachi gauge how Twilight felt about death. Sufficient to say, she didn’t like the sound of it.
“I could say the same.” Itachi activated the Mangekyou Sharingan, to show off mainly. Kisame gave off a little chuckle.
“Well then, let’s try to get along.” He slung his sword on his shoulder, pointing it upward, “And hope we’re not each other’s last foes.” Itachi motioned for Twilight to get up, which she did, and he slowly rose.
“Once you’ve killed all your friends, you’ll never have a good death. Be prepared.” Kisame let off a chuckle, and Twilight seemed to be soaking up the battle of beliefs.
“Then we’re both good-for-nothings.”
“No. We are human, not fish.” Itachi began walking away, “No matter what you’ve done in life, you don’t know what kind of person you are until the end. The moment death comes for you, that is when you know what you are. That’s what death is, don’t you think?” Twilight thought about it, and began to catch up to Itachi. Kisame, however, smiled wider at it.
“Heh... maybe you’re right, maybe you’re wrong. Either way, I’m going to enjoy working with you, Uchiha. Now that that’s out of the way, who's this little tart?” He asked, referring to Twilight, as he began to walk on the other side of Itachi, but he still had a good enough view of Twilight. It was a little funny, because it went from Kisame’s towering height, to Itachi’s smaller height, to Twilight’s smallest height, from left to right.
“Twilight. I found her and took her in. Is there a problem with that?” Itachi asked, and Kisame shook his head.
“Not at all. I just never expected someone with your history would have the kindness to do something like that.” True to her word, Twilight didn’t wonder what Kisame meant out loud, thank the Sage, “Certainly adds a little color to the organization, don’t you think?”
“I suppose so...” Itachi brushed him off. The three began the trek back to the house, but as soon as they entered the woods, Kisame reached for his sword, and it made a weird sound.
“Gigigiiii...” Twilight jumped at the sudden sound. Itachi showed no visual surprise, though.
“What... was that?” Itachi asked, and Kisame smiled.
“Shark Skin saying good morning. It smelt a rather exotic chakra signature emanating from nearby, and wants to taste it.” He stopped, and his eyes started to dart around, before fixating on the shrinking form of Twilight.
“GI!Gigigigi” Came the noise again.
“Are you serious, Samehada? I can’t just cut my partners protege.” Itachi’s cold exterior showed surprise, and Twilight backed away from the blue skinned man. Itachi stepped in front of her, and protected her with his arm.
“I’m hoping that sword of yours isn’t going to be a problem, Kisame.” He activated his Sharingan, but couldn’t believe what he saw. The Swordsman had a near identical chakra signature as the sword. It was so alike, that-unless you knew what to look for-you’d never figure that they were two separate beings, unless you knew what to look for.
“Nah. Samehada’ll keep quiet about it, but I wouldn’t let her near him without me to watch over him. ‘Sides, she’s so young. Samehada doesn’t like cutting up children, unless he really has too, or they have that... pizzazz to their chakra signature. One of my earlier missions in the Akatsuki proved that much.” Kisame explained, and they kept walking down the path, Twilight trying to keep away from the large, bandaged sword.
“How long have you been in the Akatsuki, then?” Itachi asked, still acting as a guard to his little sister.
“I wouldn’t say from the beginning, but I joined shortly after it was founded.” Kisame explained, “But, enough about me, what about your little shadow?”
“Not much to her story. I found her on my way back from a mission, and she has no memory of anything before waking up in my home. So, I had to name her, and I named her Twilight.”
“Ah, something told me you were one of those guys.” Kisame joked, and Itachi brushed the comment off.
“I was three and at war. What did you expect I’d come out to be?”
“Ah, that explains it then. Welp, I suppose I’ll tell you about an upcoming operation they’re planning, thanks to Kakuzu's golden tongue.” Itachi seemed interested at that point, but Twilight had to ask a question.
“Erm... what’s that?” she asked, and Itachi reacted first. He looked ahead, and noticed a group of Sound Ninja surrounding the group, both on the road and in the brush.
“Sound, eh?” Kisame said, putting his back to Itachi, and pulling out his sword, “Think they’re after the bounty we have? Last I checked, I had thirty mil on my head, seventy five mil for me alive.”
“Unlikely. Orochimaru has been looking for a new vessel. Whether he’s after you or me, that remains to be seen.” Itachi examined, as Twilight backed into the space between the two missing-nin, “And that’s all you have on your head? I’ve got seventy five for me dead, and three thousand mil for me alive.”
“Well, we can’t all have Sharingan.” Kisame chuckled, “That would make it possible for me to have all seven swords, and use them at the same time.”
“I don’t think that’s the Sharingan you’re thinking of.”
“Really? Guess I mixed up the Sharingan and the Rinnegan again.”
“Stand down.” A Sound Ninja said, “We’re here for Itachi Uchiha.”
“Aww, and here I was hoping you were here for me.” Kisame joked, “Wanna make a bet, Itachi?”
“I’m not a betting man.” Itachi dismissed.
“I bet you I can take out at least half of these no talent punks.”
“Oh, so it’ll be 50:50 between us?” Itachi asked, a katana slipping out of his cloak.
“That’s the way I’m planning it... Hey, your kid hasn’t said anything.”
“Don’t call her that.”
“Your sister, whatever. Twi, how much do you wanna clober?” Kisame asked.
“I, uh... don’t really know how to....” Twilight trailed off.
“What? Itachi, is that how much of a slacker you are?”
“I was thinking of training her today. I’ve only had her a few days, so I didn’t want to force training down her throat, while she gets accustomed to her environment.”
“Sensible, but I’d-”
“This is your last warning. Stand down, and hand Itachi over to us.”
“Hey! I was talking!” Kisame sent a kunai into the brush, and hit the ‘rude’ Sound Ninja between the eyes, “Anyway, I guess we’ll continue this conversation some other time. This’ll be a good opportunity to see how the other fights, and for me to practice being a good escort. I, personally, hate escort missions.”
“No fan of them myself. I’ll take the right, you take the left. On three?” Itachi asked, activating the standard Sharingan.
“On three.” Kisame confirmed, putting his sword back in front of him, having moved it to throw the kunai.
“One.” Itachi said, gripping the katana that he used to kill his parents.
“Two.” Kisame smiled, moving a foot forward.
“Three.” Both jumped into the fray, Kisame using the blunt of Samehada to kill a Sound jonin, and Itachi using his speed to take out an entire three man squad with swift, painless, impales. Twilight watched, unsure if she was amazed or scared at how deadly her older brother and his partner were in battle.