Itachi woke up and looked around, still not used to the place they were in. Getting up, the towel on his forehead slipped to the ground. He was surprisingly alone. He got up from the bed and looked through the window. It was snowing again. The snowflakes were falling so slowly and so peacefully, Itachi could feel the coldness from their touch. All of a sudden, the events from yesterday played like a movie in his head. What should he do? Was the price of bringing Sasuke back this high? Killing people was something he would never do with a right mind.

Kisame got out of the bathroom with a towel wrapped around his waist. When he saw the raven, he got closer and checked his forehead.

- You are better.

Kisame could relax now. He haven't slept in more than a day. Looking at his best friend, he once again admired his beauty. His hair was down, loosely hung on his left shoulder and his black eyes were reflecting the sparkling snowflakes. Kisame reached for his slender hand and took it in his, letting the coldness of it run through him.

- You should get back into the bed, you' re cold.

Itachi didn't answer, neither moved. Kisame got behind him and hugged him, leaning his head on Itachi's shoulder. He could sense the delicate scent coming from the raven's neck. The scent that he could die for.

- Kisame...

Itachi started with a shaky voice. Kisame raised his head a little and looked at him with worry. He had never heard his Itachi speak like this. He felt like the boy in his hands would shatter into pieces in any moment.

- I have to agree, Kisame...

- Are you sure about this, can we trust him?

- I don't know if we can trust him, but I am sure that just the two of us won't be able to fight a whole group of murderers. The police is not on our side, everyone thinks I killed my parents... I think we have no other choice...

- If you think this is the right thing to do, I'm with you.

Itachi's eyes watered. He didn't want to kill anyone, but he wanted to save Sasuke more than anything else in this world. If that ginger was right, he would never get him back if he didn't agree.

- Hey...

Kisame stood in front of the raven and wiped the tear that rolled down his face. His onyx eyes shined even more when covered in the crystal clear tears. Itachi suddenly closed them and lowered his head.

- Itachi, look at me.

The raven didn't move. Kisame placed his hand under the other's chin and looked at his diamond eyes again.

- I know you are strong, I know you can get through this. Do it for yourself, do it for Sasuke.

Itachi was now sobbing. His body was shaking, either from his bursting emotions or from the cold, Kisame didn't know. He just knew that he hated seeing Itachi suffer. Hugging him now from the front, he gently patted his back in attempt to calm him down at least a little bit.

The night came. The calm and peaceful snowflakes were now flying like rockets through the sky. It was time for the leader of the Akatsuki to visit Itachi again. Arriving there, he stood in front of the raven and gave him his hand.

- Are you taking it?

The boy moved his shaky fingers slowly. He was still totally against killing people, but there was no turning back. He already caugh the ginger's hand.

- Great choice.

The Akatsuki leader made a sign for them to follow him. Getting out of the motel, they saw a long black car parked in front of it.

- So that's yours? - Kisame asked.

The ginger nodded. They got in the car and he started driving to somewhere out of the town.

- We will be traveling for a while. I'm going to use this time to explain you more about us.

He shifted the gear and continued.

- My name is Pain. I am the leader and the first member. For us, this is a job, this is our way to earn our money. Wether you like it or not, we don't consider it bad, weird or something like that. For some, we are saviours, for others, we are criminals, for ourselves, we are normal people making a living. There are lots of organizations like ours. One of them is the Orochimaru's. Their ways are not acceptable. We, like everyone else, have rules, which they don't follow at all. That's why we hate each other.

- Why do they keep Sasuke? And why do you want me?

Pain smirked.

- You two are Uchihas, of course everyone would want you.

- What does that mean?

- Tell me, Itachi... What was your parents' job?

Itachi's heart started beating faster.

- Murder investigators...

The ginger burst in laughter.

- That's what they told you? Poor boy. They were like us, Itachi.

What? Itachi couldn't believe his words. How could his parents be murderers?

- I don't believe you!

- You don't? Okay, whether you believe me or not, that's none of my concerns. To answer your question, your parents had the best organization in the country. Killing runs in your veins, in your Uchiha veins, that's why you are a diamond for anyone in our world.

Itachi was silent for a little, processing the information. Should he believe this stranger? Why would he?

- So why the Orochimaru's didn't take both of us then?

Pain laughed again.

- You are so funny, boy. Would you willingly work for them if you two were together? No, right? They know it, of course, so they made Sasuke hate you, giving him a reason for becoming an excellent killer.

Itachi clenched his fists.

- They should have taken me..

- No, not a great option for them. Firstly, a toddler is easier to manipulate and secondly, something is not right with you, am I right?

Itachi cursed himself in his mind.

- But don't worry, working for us gives you lots of opportunities to save your little brother. I don't mind your condition, an Uchiha is an Uchiha.

After some time in total silence,they arrived in front of something like a cave. Getting out of the car, Pain said the password and the cave opened its gate.

- This is our place, something like a common room, consider yourselves welcomed in any time.

Entering it, Itachi looked around. There was not much. What would a bunch of killers need?

- The Uchiha kid! - someone shouted.

A guy with white hair ran to the raven and started to survey him from head to toe. Itachi moved a step back.

- Hidan! Move, I want to see too!

Someone pushed the white haired and took his place. This one was big and dark skinned. He even looked creepy.

- Pain, he is too cute to be a killer, are you sure about this?

The dark skinned ran a hand over Itachi's cheek.

- Don't touch him! - Kisame shouted.

The Akatsuki member moved his sight to Kisame.

- And what do we have here? Who are you even? I don't rember Pain saying he wanted another member.

Pain caught his shoulder.

- Kakuzu, stop it. He might be of use as well. I know what to do with him.

The ginger stepped deeper into the cave, but suddenly turned around.

- And another thing, this applies for everyone. Don't touch Itachi.

With this, Pain vanished somewhere, leaving the two new members of Akatsuki alone with the others.

Kakuzu faced Itachi again.

- Well, I agreed not to thouch you but that doesn't mean I can't fight with you. Let's try you, Uchiha.

- Don't listen to him, Itachi! - Kisame shouted again.

- Would you shut up already? - Kakuzu angered.

- It's okay, Kisame, I can fight.

Kakuzu's lips curved into a smile.

- Let's do it then!

All of the members got out of the cave to witness the Uchiha's abilities.

Kakuzu handed him a sword.

- You can use this, right?

Itachi nodded and the fight started. Kakuzu attacked first. Itachi's defense was great, but considering Kakuzu's size, his hands were trembling under the weight of this big man.

- What is it? Having trouble?

Itachi pushed himself away and rested his hands on his knees.

- Itachi! You are out of his league! You should retread! - Kisame pleaded.

Itachi didn't even look at him. He was not the type to give up.

- You already tired, Uchiha? Come on, we just started.

Itachi attacked this time. Kakuzu's big body was not clumsy, he was way faster than expected. Itachi missed and Kakuzu moved behind him. He lifted his sword, but Itachi quickly turned around and stopped it. Kakuzu's sword was inches away from Itachi's face.

Kisame's heart was curled into a ball. If this brat happened to hurt his Itachi, he would kill him.

Itachi managed to repell the sword, but blocking this strong man was way too exhausting. He started coughing.

- Shit! Not now! - Itachi thought.

Before he could realise what was happening, Kakuzu kicked him in the head. The fight was over.

- Itachi!

Kisame ran to him and placed the raven's head on his lab. He was still conscious. A string of blood was leaking down from his nose.

- Stay with me, 'Tachi! Don't fall asleep!

He quickly picked him up and ran inside the cave. Where did that stupid Pain go?