Regarding the last chapter, I would like to point out that no, I was not suicidal. I was upset. I was just being overdramatic when writing and trying to get a point across: Reviews save lives (of stories). I apologize if my sense of humor went to far for some of you. Now on to the story.

Disclaimer: I own nothing. I will always own nothing. In fact, I don't see the point of this being on here since this is ! What, do you expect Kishimoto to make some slash fiction of his own manga? I don't think so! So there!

Warnings: Tobi/Madara complex, an annoyed Uchiha, some blood, alcohol, and a potential KisaIta moment in the next chapter (I'M WORKING ON IT!)

Chapter Three

Keep guard over your eyes and ears as the inlets of your heart, and over your lips as the outlets, lest they betray you in a moment of unwariness.
- Anne Bronte

Deidara left and immediately, Tobi put away the mask. He straightened up and took off his eyepatch, revealing the bright red eye. He followed Itachi to the bathroom and started cleaning himself off with a washcloth. Glass settled in the drain as he picked each one off his skin. Itachi leaned against the door and watched. He couldn't understand Tobi; he was so smart yet he acted like an idiot, like with what he did now. There was a reason behind it, but Itachi still could not find it.

His eyes kept avoiding the eye, in the third stage of the disease. The scars and cuts were more appealing than that distant future.

"Do you have any alcohol?" Tobi asked, finally breaking the silence.

Itachi nodded mutely and opened the medicine cabinent next to the sink. He tossed him the bottle and some bandages, then went back to standing guard. Tobi chuckled at that, but he did not try to say anything. Itachi was relieved for that. Explaining his actions would be difficult, even for him to comprehend.

Tobi was the one to break the silence yet again. "Your father is out with the rest of the police, trying to find Deidara-san?"

Itachi nodded and slowly loosened his guard. "Hn."

Tobi nodded, his face grim. "Then I'll have enough time to tell you this and go. I do not want to be confronted by Uncle."

Itachi did not say anything. He knew that any word of Tobi to his father would result in a severe punishment. He was the first Uchiha to abandon his position as heir and choose an unconvential road, which meant the position was passed down to Itachi, along with all the burdens. His father did not complain of the position it put him in, but he loathed Tobi for leaving what he had dreamed of.

"We can speak in my room, in case Father arrives early," Itachi said. Tobi nodded and he led the way.

The mansion may have been big, but it was rather easy to navigate through. It only took a minute to get to Itachi's bedroom. Tobi took the chair at the desk while Itachi sat on the bed. He turned on the radio, his paranoia kicking in, just in case his father overheard his conversation.

"What is wrong?" Itachi asked. He did not like the pensive look on his cousin's face.

"I want you to join the Akatsuki."

Itachi stared at Tobi, his thoughts spinning. It took a minute to get a hold of them. Then he stared at him some more.

Tobi huffed, his mood turning sour quick. "I can't explain it all to you right now," he said. "All you need to know is that I'm worried about your safety. You need some extra protection and I know that the Akatsuki would give it to you. The members hold some sort of weight around this town, so if you got hurt, the whole town would suffer."

"I'm not joining." Itachi glared at him. "I can take care of myself."

Tobi ignored the glare and continued on. "I know you can, but this is something bigger than you. Allies would help."

"The Uchihas will support me, since I am the heir." Itachi knew it rang true but couldn't help the shock when Tobi laughed.

"Like hell they would." Tobi smirked. "They would turn on you in a heartbeat. Just look what they did to me."

Itachi felt the urge to hit Tobi. "You were an idiot," he spat.

"And you're no different." Tobi looked smug, but it wore off quickly and was replaced by a frown. "The only difference between you and I is that I'm here helping you." When that got no response, Tobi sighed and rubbed the back of his head. "Fine. Be that way. You have until tomorrow to think about it. After that, you won't be given a choice."

He turned and left Itachi's room. Itachi did not bother to follow him. The front door slammed shut and Itachi finally relaxed. He collapsed and the bed and buried his head into a pillow. "Why me?" he muttered. "Why the hell is it always me?"

-_-_-

The bell rang and Itachi walked in on chaos. He was late, and he wasn't sure on whether or not he should just skip. Mr. Okkanee sat at his desk, listening to some music while the rest of the class fought amoung one another. He turned around and started heading back to the library, but Jiraya ran past him and kind of pushed him in.

"There's no escaping this hell, is there?" he muttered to himself. Itachi went to sit down in his seat, quiet as can be. He pulled a book out of his backpack, Blackbirds by Chuck Wendig, and began to read. That is, until Kisame tapped him on the shoulder.

Have you ever had the feeling like you were going to explode because something interrupted your train of thought? That is what Itachi felt right then. He curled his free hand into a fist and held back his anger.

"Hn?" Itachi asked.

Kisame seemed to have interpreted it well and said, "Konan wants me to tell you that we will start the project after school around five. Can you make it?"

Itachi blanked for a second. He had no clue what he was talking about. Then realization struck him. Of course, Kisame would take it that he agreed. He scowled. He doubted that he could back out of this.

Itachi set down the book and turned all the way around so he could look at Kisame face to face and tell him off.

Well, if you were looking for a rampage, then you have come to the wrong place. Itachi did not lose his temper that easily; no Uchiha did (except for Tobi, but he still wasn't in Hidan's league). He looked over the jock and an idea popped into his head. All Tobi said was that he needed some extra protection. That's it. And if he got Kisame's loyalty, he wouldn't have to join the Akatsuki any time soon.

He sighed. "Yes, I can go." No, he actually couldn't. The Uchihas had a family meeting then, but he was sure that he could somehow escape. School did come first to Father.

Kisame grinned. "Cool. I'll pick you up if you like," he offered.

Itachi nodded, hardly paying attention. He was planning in his head what exactly he could say to Father if he questions him and how he could make this seem important. Tutoring perhaps?

Kisame laughed. "Okay, I'll pick you up at 4:30." He turned around and left Itachi to his own thoughts.

Itachi nodded and slumped down on his desk. He wasn't sure why he actually agreed to this. He really, really hated people.