PROMISES

Author: Pixie-Rings

Fandom: Naruto

Pairing: ItaKisa

Genre: hurt/comfort, sort of (it's more genre-less, I guess)

Rating: G

Disclaimer: Not mine, Kishimoto's. If it were mine, it would be in a gay porn magazine.

Word count: 557

Warning: none

Summary: Itachi's makes Kisame promise him something important before he faces Sasuke for the last time…

A/n: sort of sequel to The Finding.

Itachi stared unseeingly at the rain spattering the window, lit only sporadically by the vicious lightning. He could barely see any of that anymore – it all blurred together in shadows and stark contrast. He felt Kisame run a hand down his back and shifted into the touch slightly, moving his head to show the other he would answer if asked a question.

"A ryo for your thoughts?" the ex-Kiri-nin asked. Itachi returned his gaze to the window.

"I've never asked you anything before now, have I?"

Itachi felt the futon tighten as Kisame moved, probably to prop himself up on his elbows and look at him, long and hard. He knew Kisame's ways, his body language, his expressions, almost as well as he knew his own. Even though now he couldn't see them as well, he could remember them.

"No," Kisame admitted after a long, pregnant pause. "Ask what you will."

Itachi tightened his body, pulling his legs up further. "Will you look after Sasuke?"

Kisame was silent again for a long time.

"What do you want me to do?"

"Make sure Madara doesn't get his hands on him," Itachi said with uncharacteristic vehemence. "Take him back to Konohagakure by force, if you must, but make sure Madara doesn't poison his mind."

Kisame silence was more awkward this time. Itachi finally rolled over and looked at where he judged Kisame's face to be.

"Please, Kisame." Was he begging? It felt as if he was begging. The only thing he'd been able to keep this long had been his pride, and now he was throwing it away. He hoped Kisame understood what this meant to him.

"Very well," Kisame acquiesced at last, laying back down and sighing.

"You don't sound very convinced…" Itachi muttered. Kisame grunted something unintelligible.

"Kisame…" Itachi reached a hand out and placed it on Kisame's shoulder. Kisame's skin was cool under his hand, smooth, muscled and familiar. It seemed Kisame had turned towards him, because he could sense the other shinobi's gaze on his face, looking directly into his eyes. Kisame was the only one he allowed to do that.

"Does it mean that much to you?" Kisame asked, his usually gruff, gravely voice somewhat soft. Itachi lowered his unseeing gaze to what he supposed was somewhere around Kisame's navel.

"It does," Itachi murmured.

The futon shifted again and Kisame did something he'd never done before: he actively embraced Itachi.

"I'll do what I can," Kisame promised.

Itachi loosened his alert muscles and wound an arm around Kisame's waist.

"I know he's more powerful than you," Itachi said, pressing his forehead to Kisame's collarbone. "I know I'm asking for a lot."

"Not really," Kisame growled. "What if he doesn't succeed?"

Itachi made a noise that could have been construed as a chuckle.

"In killing me? He will."

"You hope he will, rather." Kisame's tone seemed accusatory.

"Is that the Kisame way of saying you'll miss me?" Itachi said half-teasingly. If Kisame would miss him, he would be nothing but touched.

"Maybe," Kisame grunted, finally letting go of Itachi and rolling over again. Itachi's lips curved up in a smile and he pressed his cheek to Kisame's wide back.

"Thank you," he murmured, tucking his arm around Kisame's waist again. Kisame placed a hand on Itachi's arm, his breathing evening at the same rhythm as Itachi's.